WO1999034323A1 - Cartes plus faciles a saisir - Google Patents
Cartes plus faciles a saisir Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999034323A1 WO1999034323A1 PCT/US1998/027799 US9827799W WO9934323A1 WO 1999034323 A1 WO1999034323 A1 WO 1999034323A1 US 9827799 W US9827799 W US 9827799W WO 9934323 A1 WO9934323 A1 WO 9934323A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- card
- dimples
- cards
- credit
- gripability
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/04—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the shape
- G06K19/041—Constructional details
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/02—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
Definitions
- This invention relates to credit cards and other types of cards typically stored in a wallet or a carrying case. More particularly, this invention relates to increasing ability of a user to grip such a card, especially when the card includes a magnetic stripe or other means of storing encoded information.
- the cards are often held tightly within each sleeve, and several factors may contribute to making it difficult to remove a particular desired card from the sleeve. For example, if a consumer needs to remove a card sandwiched between two other cards in a single sleeve, there may be little surface with which to grip an individual card. In addition, the surface of many cards, such as credit cards and ATM cards, is smooth, making it difficult to grip. Consumers with large fingers, or elderly consumers or others with reduced dexterity, may thus encounter special difficulties in extricating a particular card from a wallet or carrying case.
- Difficulty in removing a single selected card increases the time necessary for the transaction, causes stored cards to be frequently reshuffled and potentially disorganized, and increases the likelihood that cards will be dropped or lost. Vendors also have an interest in the ease of card removal. For a vendor, an important object of a transaction is to receive the correct card from the consumer, collect the necessary information ⁇ for example by reading the encoded information on the card's magnetic stripe ⁇ and return the card promptly. A consumer's difficulty in removing a card from a wallet or carrying case may increase transaction time, which may lead in turn to longer lines and increased waiting time for other consumers, or the need for additional personnel to serve customers in a prompt manner.
- card issuers such as banks and credit card companies have an interest in a card that can be selected accurately by the consumer and read accurately by electronic readers.
- a card issuer typically earns revenue when a consumer uses the issuer's card. If a card cannot be properly retrieved, the consumer may choose to use a different card, thus depriving the transaction to the issuer of the card initially sought by the consumer.
- a magnetic stripe on the card typically contains encoded information that electronic readers can read to perform a function or confirm identification.
- the magnetic stripe on the back of the card is usually encoded with specific account information such as the credit card number, the cardholder's name, the card expiration date, and a personal identification code. Interference with the operation of the magnetic stripe could render the stripe useless or could otherwise cause the card to fail.
- the vendor must enter the information manually, using a keypad, telephone or other similar device.
- Manually entering the encoded information adds both indirect and direct costs to the vendor. For example, the additional time necessary to enter the information manually may increase needs for register operators and decrease the vendor's ability to attend to other customer service matters.
- vendors are frequently charged increased transaction fees by the card issuer for a manually entered transaction.
- the parameters defining the magnetic stripe are governed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
- ISO/IEC 7811 provides standards for the physical characteristics of the magnetic stripe including the location of the stripe on the card, the surface profile of the stripe, and the height of the stripe above the card surface.
- Smart cards While less common today than magnetic stripe cards, smart cards are also gaining popularity with consumers. Smart cards contain an embedded computer chip containing digitally encoded information. The proper functioning of the embedded computer chip, like the proper functioning of the magnetic stripe, is essential for commercial transactions.
- An object of the invention is to improve the ability of a user to grip — that is, to improve gripability ⁇ of credit-card-sized cards often stored in a wallet or carrying case.
- a further object of the invention is to increase the gripability of credit- card-sized cards that include a magnetic stripe or other means for encoding information without interfering with the intended operability of the magnetic stripe or other means of encoding information.
- Another object of the invention is to use either raised or indented dimples, or a combination of raised and indented dimples, on the front side, on the back side, or both sides of the card, to increase the gripability of the card.
- the present invention provides a credit-card- sized card with a front, a back, edges, and a means for improving the gripability of the card.
- the means for improving gripability comprises dimples arranged in a variety of locations along the top of the front side of the card.
- the dimples are arranged near the top of the front side of the card and also on the sides of the front of the card.
- dimples are arranged on the front side of the card near all four edges.
- FIG. 1 is an illustration of the prior art wherein a wallet or carrying case holds a number of credit-card-sized cards.
- FIG. 2 is an illustration of the invention wherein each credit-card-sized card in a card wallet includes a means for improving the gripability of the card.
- FIG. 3 illustrates the parameters for the magnetic stripe on a credit-card- sized card; specifically, FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B show the location on the back of a card that is reserved for the magnetic stripe.
- FIG. 4 illustrates three preferred embodiments of the present invention, having a means for improving the gripability of the card in various locations near the edge of the card.
- FIG. 5 A is a partial sectional view of a card taken through the means to improve gripability, where the means includes dimples indented from the surface of the card.
- FIG. 5B is a partial sectional view of a card taken through the means to improve gripability where the means includes dimples raised from the surface of the card.
- FIG. 5C is a partial sectional view of a card taken through the means to improve gripability where the means includes embossed dimples raised from the front surface of the card and indented into the back surface of the card.
- FIG. 1 illustrates the state of the prior art.
- a user carries numerous credit-card-sized cards 12 in a wallet 10 or carrying case (not depicted).
- the wallet 10 or carrying case often contains numerous sleeves 11 in which a consumer can place one or more cards 12. Because it is often necessary or desirable to carry a large number of cards 12, the cards 12 may often be tightly packed within the wallet 10 or carrying case.
- the wallet 10 or carrying case often has a limited number of sleeves 11 , making it frequently necessary to place more than one card 12 in a single sleeve 11. This frequently packs the cards 12 tightly within the wallet 10 or carrying case.
- the cards 12 may be packed tightly, it is often difficult to remove a specific card. Typically, it is necessary for the user to wedge her forefinger 15 behind the card 12 while applying pressure with her thumb 14 to the front of the card 12. This wedging may cause unnecessary bending of the card which can interfere with the operation of the card 12 in a reader or other device. If the card 12 has a smooth plastic surface, for example, or if the user is wearing gloves or if her hands are slippery as other examples, withdrawing the card 12 from the wallet 10 may be even more difficult.
- FIG 2. depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a credit-card-sized card 32, including a front 20, a back (not depicted), top edge 22, side edges 23, bottom edge 24, and a means for improving the gripability of the card. While the specific embodiments illustrated are cards having magnetic stripes, e.g. credit cards, debit cards or bank cards, this is by way of example, and the invention is not limited to these types of cards.
- the credit-card-sized card 32 has a length of approximately 86 mm, a width of approximately 54 mm, and a thickness of approximately 1 mm, in conformance with industry standards. In other embodiments, credit-card-sized card 32 has dimensions depending on the nature and use of the card, as known in the art.
- the means for increasing the gripability of the card is a tread 16 made up of a plurality of individual dimples 17 arranged near top edge 22 of the card 32.
- the removal of a single card 32 from wallet 30 merely requires the user to slide her thumb 34 along the face of the card 32 across the tread 16 in a direction toward the top edge 22 of card 32. This motion causes the card 32 to slide out of the sleeve 31 due to the increased friction between the thumb 34 and the card 32.
- the forefinger 35 may no longer be needed for the removal of the card 32 from the sleeve 31.
- the thumb may no longer be needed for the removal of the card 32 from the sleeve 31.
- the thumb and forefinger can be used in combination.
- the card 32 includes a plurality of treads 16, each located on the front 20 of the card 32 near the top edge 22. In this embodiment, the treads 16 are exposed while the card 32 is stored in sleeve 31.
- the treads can be located near the side edges 23 of the card; this would be useful for wallets 30 or carrying cases that store cards in an alternative orientation such that the side edge of the card is exposed stored in the wallet or carrying case. Alternate locations of the treads may depend on the expected storage arrangements of individual cards, and should be apparent to one of skill in the art from this description or from practice of the invention.
- dimples 17 can be located anywhere on the card 32 but should not interfere with the readability of any information on the magnetic stripe or otherwise on the card. In a preferred embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2, the dimples 17 are located outside the area occupied by the magnetic stripe.
- FIG. 3 A depicts a preferred location of a magnetic stripe for cards with two tracks of information.
- FIG. 3B shows a preferred location of the magnetic stripe 30 for cards with three tracks of information.
- FIG. 4 depicts three alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention.
- a number of dimples 17 are arranged collectively to form a plurality of treads 16.
- the dimples 17 are arranged to form treads 16 either in a triangular pattern or in a line.
- the dimples 17, however, can also be arranged in any number of patterns.
- the treads 16 are located near an edge of the card 32, and in each preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, a tread 16 is located near the top edge 22 of the card 32.
- Other arrangements of dimples 17 forming treads 16 should be apparent to one of skill in the art from this description or from practice of the invention, again depending on the intended or experienced use of the card.
- FIG. 5 shows a sectional views of preferred embodiments of a credit-card- sized card 32 of the present invention taken along the line X-X of FIG. 4A.
- the dimples 17 are indented from the front 20 of the card; in FIG. 5B the dimples 17 are raised from the front 20 of the card.
- the height of each dimple 17 should be selected so as to not interfere with the proper operation of magnetic stripe electronic readers or other devices that require the card to be swiped by or through the reader or device.
- the dimples 17 are embossed such that they are raised on the front 20 of the card and indented on the back 21 of the card.
- the height of dimples 17 should not exceed the height of any other embossed or raised characters or icons on the face of the card 32, so that the dimples 17 do not interfere with devices designed to imprint the raised characters or icons on receipts or other paper or similar documents.
- the height of any dimples or other means for improving the gripability above the surface of the card should be apparent to one of skill in the art, from this description or from practice of the invention so that such dimples do not interfere with readers, imprinters or other devices designed to be used with the card.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU22090/99A AU2209099A (en) | 1997-12-30 | 1998-12-29 | Card with increased gripability |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US9575297A | 1997-12-30 | 1997-12-30 | |
US09/095,752 | 1997-12-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999034323A1 true WO1999034323A1 (fr) | 1999-07-08 |
Family
ID=22253434
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1998/027799 WO1999034323A1 (fr) | 1997-12-30 | 1998-12-29 | Cartes plus faciles a saisir |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2209099A (fr) |
WO (1) | WO1999034323A1 (fr) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2002067190A2 (fr) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-08-29 | Bank Of America Corporation | Carte de credit miniaturisee |
GB2439052A (en) * | 2006-06-13 | 2007-12-19 | David Nigel Hall | Data card |
WO2008050336A1 (fr) * | 2006-10-26 | 2008-05-02 | Sandisk Il Ltd. | Carte sim à poignée et un procédé d'extraction d'une carte intelligente de son support |
US7950586B2 (en) | 2006-10-26 | 2011-05-31 | Sandisk Il Ltd. | SIM card handle |
USD991332S1 (en) | 2021-08-02 | 2023-07-04 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Transaction card having trapezoidal edge feature |
USD991333S1 (en) | 2021-08-02 | 2023-07-04 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Transaction card having triangular edge feature |
EP4287071A1 (fr) * | 2022-06-02 | 2023-12-06 | Elan Microelectronics Corporation | Carte ayant un capteur d'empreinte digitale et son procédé de fabrication |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5061845A (en) * | 1990-04-30 | 1991-10-29 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Memory card |
US5096228A (en) * | 1990-01-10 | 1992-03-17 | Rinderknecht Lester W | Notched I.D. card |
WO1993011510A1 (fr) * | 1991-12-04 | 1993-06-10 | Cardlok Pty. Ltd. | Systeme de securite a carte en relief |
-
1998
- 1998-12-29 AU AU22090/99A patent/AU2209099A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-12-29 WO PCT/US1998/027799 patent/WO1999034323A1/fr active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5096228A (en) * | 1990-01-10 | 1992-03-17 | Rinderknecht Lester W | Notched I.D. card |
US5061845A (en) * | 1990-04-30 | 1991-10-29 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Memory card |
WO1993011510A1 (fr) * | 1991-12-04 | 1993-06-10 | Cardlok Pty. Ltd. | Systeme de securite a carte en relief |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2002067190A2 (fr) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-08-29 | Bank Of America Corporation | Carte de credit miniaturisee |
WO2002067190A3 (fr) * | 2001-01-25 | 2002-10-24 | Bank Of America | Carte de credit miniaturisee |
GB2439052A (en) * | 2006-06-13 | 2007-12-19 | David Nigel Hall | Data card |
WO2008050336A1 (fr) * | 2006-10-26 | 2008-05-02 | Sandisk Il Ltd. | Carte sim à poignée et un procédé d'extraction d'une carte intelligente de son support |
US7950586B2 (en) | 2006-10-26 | 2011-05-31 | Sandisk Il Ltd. | SIM card handle |
USD991332S1 (en) | 2021-08-02 | 2023-07-04 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Transaction card having trapezoidal edge feature |
USD991333S1 (en) | 2021-08-02 | 2023-07-04 | Mastercard International Incorporated | Transaction card having triangular edge feature |
EP4287071A1 (fr) * | 2022-06-02 | 2023-12-06 | Elan Microelectronics Corporation | Carte ayant un capteur d'empreinte digitale et son procédé de fabrication |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2209099A (en) | 1999-07-19 |
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