WO2006069404A2

WO2006069404A2 - Methods of encoding magnetic stripes interior to edge boundaries

Info

Publication number: WO2006069404A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/003409
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Warther; John Lindquist
Original assignee: Vanguard Identification Systems, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-01-31
Filing date: 2006-01-31
Publication date: 2006-06-29
Also published as: WO2006069404A3; EP1844427A4; EP1844427A2

Abstract

A planar printed plastic identification element is formed monolithically within a larger printed planar sheet product with magnetic stripe by scoring such that a magnetic stripe portion on the element is located between first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions on either side of the element by bypassing the first scrap portion when encoding the magnetic stripe portion of the element and thereafter at least essentially eliminating any encoding on the second scrap portion that would interfere with reading data encoded on the element magnetic stripe portion when either edge of the product is passed through a magnetic stripe reader.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION [0001] Methods of Encoding Magnetic Stripes Interior To Edge Boundaries

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 60/648,592 filed January 31, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to the encoding of magnetic stripes on credit, debit and other planar identification cards, tags and the like, formed as coplanar scored portions of larger integral printed sheet products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Credit, debit and other similar (e.g. so-called store) identification cards, identification tags and like planar identification elements are typically fabricated in bulk with multiple elements being formed together in planar cut sheets or planar continuous webs. The great majority of such elements are cards that are made to and typically encoded to industry recognized standards: CR80 and ISO/IEC 7810 and 7811. All are incorporated by reference herein. The magnetic stripe extends entirely across the major dimension (82.55 mm or 3 and ¹A inches) of the card, along one long edge of the card between the opposing narrow edges of the card. Since cards made to such standards predominate, most card manufacturing equipment is made to handle cards conforming to those standards. [0005] In the identification card industry, cards are printed and then scored in bulk to remove individual cards from the cut sheets or web in which they are printed and assembled. Individual cards are then magnetically encoded (and often but not necessarily embossed) and the encoding verified before the card is released for distribution. Commercially available magnetic card encoders are therefore designed to handle cards made and encoded to CR80 and ISO/IEC 7810 and 7811 specifications.

[0006] Conventional magnetic encoders handling such cards are designed to sense the leading narrow edge of the card as it is being introduced into the encoder and begin "writing" as the stripe passes a magnetic encoder head. Data is laid down at specified rates (bits per inch) along the length of the magnetic stripe. Multiple rows of data are recorded on a single magnetic stripe in a single pass by an encoder or "write" head. The encoded cards are typically thereafter passed through a magnetic stripe reader to assure the data was correctly recorded. [0007] A small but growing market segment provides CR80 cards scored yet retained in a larger printed sheet product. The card can be combined in the product with other individual bnfiiliaiidSetenieirCIlftiiiii^Ihother card and/or one or more smaller tags. A waste portion of the sheet product is often provided merely to hold the identification elements together. In one form, the card (or tag) is scored in the larger printed sheet product. Scoring involves cutting into and typically through the larger printed sheet product material all around the card except for some narrow bridges of material left between score lines to removably secure the card to the remaining portion of the larger printed sheet product. The remaining portion may be provided with a separate hole spaced from the card which permits the card (and/or other planar identification element(s)) to be hung with the remaining portion of the larger sheet product like a tag from a hook or the like. Such configurations are shown in various prior patents, including, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,588,658 Bl. Typically such hang cards/tags are not made in sufficient quantities to justify purchasing customized equipment to manufacture them. [0008] In the past, to encode such card(s) (and/or tags) with standard, CR80- ISO/IEC 7810/7811 card handling equipment, it has been necessary to trim away a sufficient amount of the sheet product material on either side of the card, at either end of the CR 80 magnetic stripe, so that both ends of the length magnetic stripe on the card are exposed at an outer edge of the larger sheet product. (See, e.g. Figs. 2, 4 and 6-8 of U.S. Patent No. 6,588,658 Bl.) This is because optimum manufacturing techniques require the magnetic stripe material to be extend continuously across the larger sheet product, which leaves scrap magnetic stripe portions on either side of the card. Those portions can interfere with the encoding and reading processes of standard CR 80; ISO/IEC 7810/7811 encoding and reading equipment.

[0009] While such exposed card and carrier configurations are quite functional, they could be improved. The cards scored from the planar sheet product are typically retained by portions of material (bridges) between the card and the remaining portion of the sheet product that are not fully scored through. This is satisfactory in most cases except where the larger sheet products are designed to be hung from hooks. There, the sheet products can be repeatedly handled and jostled and the cards can be separated inadvertently from the remaining portion of the sheet product. Extending the remaining portion of the sheet product along the two opposing narrow edges of a card, to or past the outermost edge of the card, prevents the card from being caught along one of those narrow edges and torn or partially broken away from the carrier/remainder. Connecting the card to the remaining portion of the product by these extended lengths of the remaining portion enables the cards to be held more securely as at least an extra bridge can be provided on each side of the card Also, some card purchasers/distributors would prefer that the graphics provided on the sheet product spill over the edges of the card onto the carrier material surrounding the card. Finally, cutting away the material from either end of the magnetic stripe of ^'^" '""tn^'ό^'alJϊplsbSl/^'SaSHyMilSufacturing step, increasing time and cost, even if only fractionally per card.

[0010] It would be valuable to provide a method and/or means of permitting the encoding and reading of CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standard cards in standard CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 5 card encoders and readers while the cards are protected by integral strips of the remaining material from which they are scored, strips with scrap pieces of magnetic strip material which extend along the opposing narrow edges of such cards, aligning with the ends of the magnetic stripe of the card. It would be valuable if the means could be used with other planar identification elements of other than CR80 spec sizes and/or shapes. It would further be valuable 0 to provide such method/means so as to avoid any proprietary means of others for achieving the same result.

[0011] Specific manufacturing details and materials, including suggested materials and manufacturing techniques, as well as other configurations for printed planar sheet products including other removable planar, printed identification elements, have been disclosed in prior 5 U.S. Patents 5,743,567, 5,863,076, 6,010,159, 6,039,356, 6,305,716, 6,769,718, 6,994,262 and U.S. Patent Application Nos. 10/040,107 filed January 4, 2002, 10/686,093 filed October 14, 2003 and 11/099,998 filed April 6, 2005, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Equipment to magnetically encode CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standard cards on and/or read such encoded data from the magnetic strip of the card can be obtained from any of a variety 0 of domestic and foreign manufacturers, including, but not limited to, for example, Axiohm

American Magnetics of Cypress, CA, Mag-Tek, Inc. of Carson, CA and Atlantic Zeiser of West Caldwell, NJ.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] In one aspect, the invention is a method of encoding a magnetic stripe on a printed 5 plastic planar identification element formed monolithically within a larger printed plastic sheet product by scoring extending at least into the larger printed plastic sheet product, the scoring defining a first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal to a first exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a first shoulder of a remaining portion of the larger printed plastic sheet product lying between the first exposed outer edge of 0 the larger printed plastic sheet product and the first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element, the scoring further defining a second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal to a second exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a second shoulder of the remaining portion of the larger printed plastic sheet product lying between the second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification ^Iemέm4nflttfeeέd'ntf.iij|i^lϊ!ibuter edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the printed plastic planar identification element including at least a third outer edge extending between the first and second outer edges of printed plastic planar identification element and at least proximal to a third exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product extending between the first and second exposed outer edges of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the larger printed plastic sheet product including a length of magnetic stripe material extending entirely across the larger printed plastic sheet product between the first and second exposed outer edges and proximal to the third exposed outer edge of the larger printed product and entirely across the printed plastic planar identification element between the first and second outer edges and proximal to the third outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element, the length of magnetic stripe material being divided by the scoring into the magnetic stripe extending continuously between the first and second outer edges of the printed plastic planar identification element, a first scrap magnetic stripe portion on the first shoulder and a second scrap magnetic ^■ stripe portion on the second shoulder whereby the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element lies entirely within exposed outer edges of the larger printed plastic sheet product and between the first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions, the method comprising the steps of: passing the larger printed plastic sheet product in a continuous movement by a magnetic stripe encoder, at least essentially bypassing the first scrap magnetic stripe portion of the length of magnetic stripe material and magnetically encoding data on a remainder of the length of the magnetic stripe material continuously from at least proximal the first outer edge to at least proximal the second outer edge; and thereafter electromagnetically treating the second scrap magnetic stripe portion to at least essentially eliminate any data encoded on the second scrap magnetic stripe portion by the encoding step. [0013] In another aspect, the invention is a method of fabricating a printed plastic planar identification element monolithically within a larger printed plastic sheet product having a length of magnetic stripe material extending entirely across the larger printed plastic sheet product between first and second exposed outer edges and proximal to a third exposed outer edge of the larger printed product, the method comprising the steps of: scoring into the larger printed plastic sheet product to define the printed plastic planar identification element, the scoring defining at least (1) a first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal to the first exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a first shoulder of a remaining portion of the larger printed plastic sheet product lying between the first exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product and the first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element and (2) a second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification elemen/llrϋllnliftό^{' '}fi-ϋcMl exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a second shoulder of the remaining portion of the larger printed plastic sheet product lying between the second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element and the second exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the printed plastic planar identification element including at least a third outer edge extending between the first and second outer edges of printed plastic planar identification element and at least proximal to the third exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the scoring further dividing the length of magnetic stripe material extending entirely across the larger printed plastic sheet product between the first and second exposed outer edges into a magnetic stripe extending continuously between the first and second outer edges of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal the third outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element, a first scrap magnetic stripe portion on the first shoulder and a second scrap magnetic stripe portion on the second shoulder whereby the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element lies entirely within exposed outer edges of the larger printed plastic sheet product and between the first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions; magnetically encoding the length of magnetic stripe material by bypassing the first scrap magnetic stripe portion and magnetically encoding data on a remainder of the length of the magnetic stripe material continuously from proximal the first outer edge to at least proximal the second outer edge; and thereafter electromagnetically treating the second scrap magnetic stripe portion to at least essentially eliminate any data encoded on the second scrap magnetic stripe by the magnetic encoding step. [0014] The invention further includes the larger printed plastic sheet product with printed plastic planar identification element having an encoded magnetic stripe located between first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions aligned with ends of the magnetic stripe of the element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: [0016] Fig. 1 depicts diagrammatically a CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standard card with encodable magnetic stripe located fully within the interior of a larger printed sheet product having a remaining, carrier portion to suspend the larger printed sheet product on a hook; and [0017] Fig. 2 depicts diagrammatically apparatus for magnetically encoding and reading data from a magnetic material stripe of a planar printed sheet product of Fig. 1. iH^f C T ^,/" U S O^. EIs

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Fig. 1 depicts at least one planar plastic identification element 20 integral with yet removable from a remaining portion (or simply "remainder" or "carrier") 30 of a larger printed plastic sheet product 10. The sheet product 10 is itself cut or otherwise scored from a monolithic sheet or web of uniform material layers in a uniform multilayer construction depicted in part at 8 bearing other printed sheet products 110, 210, 310, etc. When removed from the sheet or web 8, sheet product 10 has exposed outer edges 11, 12, 13 and 14. The depicted element 20 is an essentially rectangular, planar identification card preferably manufactured to CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 specifications with a magnetic stripe 42 extending between first and second opposing narrow outer edges 21, 22 of the card 20, proximal a third outer edge 23, one of two opposing longer outer edges 23, 24 of the card 20. Edge 23 of card 20 is exposed as part of the exposed outer edge 13 of the sheet product 10, but may be defined by scoring (not depicted) through the larger sheet product 10 proximal to but spaced inwardly from the exposed outer edge 13. [0019] The card 20 is typically provided with one or more printed static graphic fields 25 on either or both of its outer planar sides, which would be repeated among all or at least several of the products 10, 110, 210, 310 etc., and one or more variable data fields 26 (in phantom) which would differ from card to card and product to product, to uniquely visually identify each product 10 and each card 20 from one another. Each variable data field 26 may be printed and/or embossed and may be provided in alphanumeric characters or other optically readable coding such as bar coding 27 (indicated diagrammatically in phantom) or embossment or any combination thereof. The card 20 may even be provided with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 29 (in phantom) embedded between layers forming the card 20. [0020] The depicted printed sheet product 10 is preferably monolithic and uniform in composition and construction at least through and around the card 20. The card 20 is distinguished and made separable from the remainder 30 of the sheet product 10 by scoring indicated generally at 17 and at each of the left, top and right sides at 17a, 17b, 17c. The scoring 17 extends at least into if not entirely through the monolithic and uniform construction and composition of the product 10. The scoring 17 may be provided in different ways such as long cuts extending entirely through the product 10 to leave narrow bridges 19 of connecting material to hold the card 20 to the product 10. Bridges 19 can also be provided to hold individual products 10, 110, 210, 310 together in the sheet or web 15 until they are separated. A closed perimeter opening 18 may be also scored through the product 10, away from the element 20, from which the product 10 and element 20 may be hung on a hook or other support. Other means of scoring could be used such as perforations, which would leave many more bridges but

or melted lines of weakness extending into but not entirely through the product along the three edges 21, 22, 23 of the card 20. A closed perimeter opening 28 (in phantom) can also be scored through the element 20, if desired, to permit the element to be mounted to and carried on a key holder. [0021] The scoring 17a, 17c further defines "shoulders" 35, 36, strips of the remaining portion 30 of the sheet product 10 which extend along either narrow edge 21, 22, respectively, of the card 20, between the first outer edges 11, 21 and second outer edges 22, 12, respectively. The most efficient way to manufacture such products 10 is to run each strip of magnetic stripe material continuously along an entire length of the cut sheet or web 8 so that a length of magnetic stripe material 40 extends entirely across the product 10 between opposing exposed outer edges 11, 12 of the product 10. The scoring 17a, 17c defining the first and second outer edges 21, 22 of the element 20 further divides the length of magnetic stripe material 40 into a continuous magnetic stripe 42 on the card 20, extending between the opposing first and second outer edges 21, 22 , and first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions 45 and 46 located on the first and second shoulders 35, 36, respectively, which are aligned end to end with the magnetic stripe 42 on the planar identification element 20. One or more static graphic fields 15 are provided and one or more variable data fields 16 (in phantom) may also be provided on the remaining portion 30 of product 10. [0022] Referring to Fig. 2, major components of conventional CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standard compatible encoding/reading equipment is indicated diagrammatically and collectively at 50. CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 specification cards (not separately depicted) are normally fed individually and sequentially along a path indicated diagrammatically by line 52, by the head 54a of a magnetic encoder or writer 54 by suitable transport means indicated diagrammatically at 55, such as one or more driven friction wheels, one or more pairs of driven pinch rollers, driven opposed belts, etc. A sensor 58 of some type is located along the path 52, on the upstream side of the head 54a, to identify a leading narrow edge 21 of the card 20. Most typically, the sensor 58 is a photocell but other sensors including mechanical/trip switches might be used. The conventional control circuitry of the equipment 50 is indicated diagrammatically at 53 and preconfigured to start data writing on the magnetic strip 42 in relation to the signal from the sensor 58. In the majority of equipment 50, another sensor, typically an angular or rotary type encoder 60 is also provided, associated with the transport means 55. The transport encoder 60 outputs a signal reflective of the instantaneous velocity of the card along the path 52. The control circuitry 53 may be configured to determine position of the card 20 along the path 52, at least in relation to the write head 54a, from the signal output of the transport encoder 60. ** lools^'i *"* "libfeadflriie t|3$iαent 50 is set up to record and then read left to right along the magnetic stripe 42. If an individual, conventional CR80- ISO/IEC 7810/7811 sized card 20 is passed along the path 52, the control circuity 53 would be configured to begin writing approximately when leading edge 21 is passing by the write head 54a. Under CR80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 specifications, a series of clock data bits are recorded at the beginning of the stripe 42, followed by the actual unique data, followed by more clock data bits to the end of the stripe 42. Referring to Fig. 1, if the planar sheet product 10 is passed through the equipment 50 in the same way, the write head 54a would begin writing clock data bits at XO followed by the other, unique data bits, followed by another continuous stream of clock data bits. When the product 10 is thereafter read by read head 56a for verification, the reader 56 will lose synchronization or lock at position Xl due to the presence of the scoring 17a and will be unable to read the data recorded on the magnetic stripe portion 42 on the card 20. This initial problem can be overcome in various ways by modifying the operation of the equipment 50 to begin recording after scoring 17a at position Xl on product 10. [0024] Referring back to Fig. 2, this can be done by effectively moving the sensing position to the right of sensor 58 a distance equal to the width of shoulder 35, i.e. XO-Xl, to location 58' (in phantom). This can be done by physically moving the sensor 58 to location 58 'or creating a light path 62 (in phantom) from position 58' to the sensor 58 by suitable means such as a light pipe, mirror(s), prism(s), or the like. The modification is simplified if the sensor 58 is or can be mounted to rotate from an orientation perpendicular to the linear path 52 (plane of Fig. 2) to one parallel to the linear path 52 (in plane of Fig. 2), facing the light path 62. This causes the encoder 54 to start recording timing data bits from the left edge 21 of the card 20 at position Xl, even with the presence of the first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 on the first adjoining shoulder 35. When read left to right, the reader 56 will not read data on the first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 and therefore will not begin to attempt lock until it is reading the timing data bits recorded at the left end of the magnetic stripe 42.

[0025] Most conventional CR 80-ISO/IEC 7810-7811 read/write equipment 50 is configured to read the encoded card 20 in the left to right direction. For the readers of this equipment, any loss of lock at the opposing narrow edge 22 (position X2 in Fig. 1) is irrelevant as there is no data to read and the equipment 50 will stop trying to decode data once the clock data bits recorded at the right end 22 of the magnetic stripe 42 are encountered. However, there is some read/write equipment that reads from right to left, cards that are encoded left to right. Also, it is desirable for the planar sheet product 10 to be capable of being read right to left to give the ultimate user (such as a store employee) the ability to read the card 20 in either direction in a ^■T(ϊnVeM 1ό JKaS*JΠlLnIKlg- ΛQ^reΩϊlL>"i:aiylbiLpinlL£islp_. e reader while the card 20 is still retained in the product 10. To that end, scrap magnetic stripe portion 46 also has to be at least essentially free of data, particularly clock data bits.

[0026] One way to do so is to configure the control circuitry 53 to stop writing altogether or at least stop writing readable data bits proximal to the right edge 22 of the card 20 ( proximal position X2). Alternatively, another electromagnetic head 64 can be positioned downstream from the write head 42a and controlled by the circuitry 53 to erase any data bits recorded on the second scrap magnetic stripe portion 46 as the product 10 passes by. The electromagnetic head 64 may be provided upstream or downstream of the reader 56, particularly at an end 52b of the linear path 52 where the product is brought to rest as indicated at 10'. The second shoulder 36 of the remaining portion 30 of the printed sheet product 10 bearing the second scrap magnetic stripe 46 would be stopped directly over the electromagnet 64. The control circuitry 53 can be configured to activate the electromagnet 64 while the product 10' is momentarily stopped at the end 52b of the linear path to erase any magnetic data recording(s) on the second scrap magnetic stripe 46. The arrival of a product 10 at the end 52b of the linear path 52 can be timed or otherwise determined by the control circuitry 53 from the upstream transport encoder 60 or determined by the control circuitry 53 through yet another sensor 70, for example a limit or terminal sensor, which is selected and located to sense the arrival of the product 10' at the end 52b of path 52 and the positioning of its second scrap magnetic stripe portion 46 directly opposes electromagnet 64. After erasure, the product 10' can be run backwards to a position 52a upstream from the encoder 54 and transport means 55 and tipped from path 52 or otherwise transported to a location for further handling.

[0027] Alternatively, a permanent magnet 66 (in phantom) can be positioned along the linear path 52 downstream from at least the encoder 54, displaced from but still adjoining the magnetic stripe 40 of product 10. The product 10 is displaced transversely from the path 52 (suggestedly the end 52b of the path as indicated in phantom at 10') by conventional card transport devices such as a pair of fingers 69, to a position 10" (in phantom) displaced transverse to the path 52, so as to bring the second scrap magnetic stripe portion 46 of the magnetic stripe 40 against or to move it by the permanent magnet 66 to erase all or essentially all of the encoding on that portion 46 of the stripe 40. The product 10 could then be returned to the path 52 and run backwards (right to left) by the read head 56a to confirm the data.

[0028] To summarize, the scored larger printed plastic sheet product 10 with shoulders 35,36 and first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions 45, 46 is passed in one continuous movement by the head 54a of the magnetic stripe encoder 54, at least essentially bypassing the first scrap ^!y'^nk^StiσM$§k>oτS&ΨaWiiagneύcany encoding data on a remainder of the length 40 of magnetic stripe material continuously on the magnetic stripe 42 from at least proximal the first outer edge 20 (position Xl) to at least proximal the second outer edge 22 and thereafter electromagnetically treating the second scrap magnetic stripe portion 46 to at least essentially eliminate any readable data encoded by the encoding step on the second scrap magnetic stripe portion 46. At least essentially bypassing the first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 means not encoding that portion 45 with any data to be read or any data such as timing data bits which could be read and which would prompt the circuitry of the magnetic stripe reader 56 to lock or attempt to lock on the first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 before reaching the magnetic stripe 42 of the printed plastic planar identification element 20 in a way which would disrupt the reading of the data encoded on the magnetic stripe 42 during the one pass by the reader 56. Thus, first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 might include some data bits in the same format (e.g. ISO/IEC 7810/7811) that is encoded on the magnetic stripe 20 but not data intended to be read and not enough data or data of a format to cause a magnetic stripe reader 56 to lock on or attempt to lock on the first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 before reaching the data intended to be read on the magnetic stripe 42 of the printed plastic planar identification element 20. Alternatively, data might be recorded on the first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 but not in the same format as the data encoded on the magnetic stripe 42 and not in a format which would cause a magnetic stripe reader 56 to lock or attempt to lock onto the first scrap magnetic stripe portion 45 before 0 reaching the data intended to be read on the magnetic stripe 42. Electromagnetically treating the second scrap magnetic stripe portion 46 to at least essentially eliminate any readable data encoded on the second scrap magnetic stripe portion by the encoding step, means essentially the same thing with respect to the second scrap magnetic stripe portion 46. That is, to eliminate any data that might cause a reader 56 to lock or attempt to lock onto the second scrap magnetic stripe 5 portion 46 before it reaches the magnetic stripe 42 when the product 10 is passed by a reader 56 beginning at the second exposed outer edge 12 in a way which would interfere with the reading of the data encoded on the magnetic stripe 42 as the product 10 is passed in a continuous movement by a reader 56 beginning at the second outer edge 12. [0029] While described for CR 80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standard sized cards, these methods 0 and equipment modification can be used for other printed sheet products having identification cards and/or tags of other sizes and shapes having a magnetic stripe located fully within the interior of the printed sheet products and bordered by scrap magnetic stripe material. These methods can be used on standard CR 80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 encoding and reading equipment, so long as the magnetic stripe is to CR 80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standards (i.e. within about 5 and i^'J(

product edge 11, at least about 6 and 1/3 mm or ¹A inch wide and at least about 82 and Vi mm or 3 and ¹A inches long), in order to record at least one and preferably at least two of the three tracks normally recorded under CR 80-ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standards. Other arrangements may require other equipment.

5 [0030] It will further be appreciated that while erasing data on the second scrap magnetic stripe portion is described, any data on either scrap portion 45, 46 might be eliminating by overwriting either of both scrap portions 45, 46 in a way that does not cause a reader configured to read the data that is recorded on the magnetic stripe 42 of the element 20 to lock or attempt to lock on either scrap portion 45, 46 in any way which would hinder or prevent the reader from 0 locking and/or reading the data encoded on the magnetic stripe 42 of the element 20.

[0031] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as 5 defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS I/we claim:

1. A method of encoding a magnetic stripe on a printed plastic planar identification element formed monolithically within a larger printed plastic sheet product by scoring extending at least into the larger printed plastic sheet product, the scoring defining a first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal to a first exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a first shoulder of a remaining portion of the larger printed plastic sheet product lying between the first exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product and the first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element, the scoring further defining a second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal to a second exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a second shoulder of the remaining portion of the larger printed plastic sheet product lying between the second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element and the second exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the printed plastic planar identification element including at least a third outer edge extending between the first and second outer edges of printed plastic planar identification element and at least proximal to a third exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product extending between the first and second exposed outer edges of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the larger printed plastic sheet product including a length of magnetic stripe material extending entirely across the larger printed plastic sheet product between the first and second exposed outer edges and proximal to the third exposed outer edge of the larger printed product and entirely across the printed plastic planar identification element between the first and second outer edges and proximal to the third outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element, the length of magnetic stripe material being divided by the scoring into the magnetic stripe extending continuously between the first and second outer edges of the printed plastic planar identification element, a first scrap magnetic stripe portion on the first shoulder and a second scrap magnetic stripe portion on the second shoulder whereby the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element lies entirely within exposed outer edges of the larger printed plastic sheet product and between the first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions, the method comprising the steps of: passing the larger printed plastic sheet product in a continuous movement by a magnetic stripe encoder, at least essentially bypassing the first scrap magnetic stripe portion of the length of magnetic stripe material and magnetically encoding data on a remainder of the length of the magnetic stripe material continuously from at least proximal the first outer edge to

thereafter electromagnetically treating the second scrap magnetic stripe portion to at least essentially eliminate any data encoded on the second scrap magnetic stripe portion by the encoding step.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of thereafter passing in a single continuous movement from the second outer edge of the product, at least the second scrap magnetic stripe portion and the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element by a magnetic encoding reader; and reading the data encoded on the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the encoding step comprises encoding the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element in accordance with ISO/IEC 7810/7811 standard specifications.

4. The larger printed plastic sheet product with printed plastic planar identification element defined in the product by scoring of any of claims 1 -3 , the magnetic stripe of the element being encoded with readable data and being located between the first and second scrap magnetic strip portions of the remainder of the product, the first and second scrap magnetic strip portions lacking magnetic encoding in an amount and format sufficient to prevent lock and reading of the data on the encoded magnetic stripe of the element while the product is passed by a magnetic stripe reader configured to lock on and read the data encoded on the magnetic stripe from either the first or second outer edge entirely through the reader.

5. Any of the larger printed plastic sheet product with printed plastic planar identification element of claim 4 having a closed perimeter opening formed through the product so as to hang the product with the elements from a hanger.

6. A method of fabricating a printed plastic planar identification element monolithically within a larger printed plastic sheet product having a length of magnetic stripe material extending entirely across the larger printed plastic sheet product between first and second exposed outer edges and proximal to a third exposed outer edge of the larger printed product, the method comprising the steps of: scoring into the larger printed plastic sheet product to define the printed plastic planar identification element, the scoring defining at least (1) a first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal to the first exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a first shoulder of a remaining portion of the larger printed ""piytic^heblφBdύdHyingTOyvlen the first exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product and the first outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element and (2) a second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal to the second exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product with a second shoulder of the remaining portion of the larger printed plastic sheet product lying between the second outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element and the second exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the printed plastic planar identification element including at least a third outer edge extending between the first and second outer edges of printed plastic planar identification element and at least proximal to the third exposed outer edge of the larger printed plastic sheet product, the scoring further dividing the length of magnetic stripe material extending entirely across the larger printed plastic sheet product between the first and second exposed outer edges into a magnetic stripe extending continuously between the first and second outer edges of the printed plastic planar identification element proximal the third outer edge of the printed plastic planar identification element, a first scrap magnetic stripe portion on the first shoulder and a second scrap magnetic stripe portion on the second shoulder whereby the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element lies entirely within exposed outer edges of the larger printed plastic sheet product and between the first and second scrap magnetic stripe portions; magnetically encoding the length of magnetic stripe material by bypassing the first scrap magnetic stripe portion and magnetically encoding data on a remainder of the length of the magnetic stripe material continuously from proximal the first outer edge to at least proximal the second outer edge; and thereafter electromagnetically treating the second scrap magnetic stripe portion to at least essentially eliminate any data encoded on the second scrap magnetic stripe by the magnetic encoding step.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of thereafter passing in a single continuous movement from the second outer edge of the product, at least the second scrap magnetic stripe portion and the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element by a magnetic encoding reader; and reading the data encoded on the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element.

8. The method of claim βwherein the encoding step comprises encoding the magnetic stripe of the printed plastic planar identification element in accordance with ISO/IEC

7810/7811 standard specifications.

plastic sheet product with printed plastic planar identification element defined in the product by scoring of any of claims 6-8, the magnetic stripe of the element being encoded with readable data and being located between the first and second scrap magnetic strip portions of the remainder of the product, the first and second scrap magnetic strip portions lacking magnetic encoding in an amount and format sufficient to prevent lock and reading of the data on the encoded magnetic stripe of the element while the product is passed by a magnetic stripe reader configured to lock on and read the data encoded on the magnetic stripe from either the first or second outer edge entirely through the reader.

10. Any of the larger printed plastic sheet product with printed plastic planar identification element of claim 9 having a closed perimeter opening formed through the product so as to hang the product with the elements from a hanger