IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,575,153

Granted Patent B2

US 7,575,153 · App. 10/993,155 · Granted Aug 18, 2009

Transparent credit card processing

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 7,575,153
App. No.: 10/993,155
Granted: Aug 18, 2009
Kind: B2

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Abstract

The invention relates to detecting transparent and/or translucent cards. In one embodiment, a method for detecting a transparent and/or translucent card includes using a light emitter and a light detector. In aspects of the invention, the information concerning detection of the transparent and or translucent card is received at a microprocessor that enables the fabrication or the processing of the transparent and/or translucent card.

Claims (67)

1. A method for detecting a transparent card, comprising:

providing a reflectance sensor;

providing a transparent card;

using the reflectance sensor to detect the transparent card; and

receiving detection information from the reflectance sensor at a microprocessor;

wherein the microprocessor uses the detection information to enable processing of the transparent card, and wherein the processing of the transparent card comprises associating the transparent card with an insert and inserting the transparent card and insert into an envelope.

2. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 , wherein the reflectance sensor comprises an emitter for emitting a light beam and a detector for detecting a portion of the light beam reflected by the transparent card.

3. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor is associated with an automated teller machine.

4. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information to enable fabrication of the transparent card.

5. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processing of the transparent card comprises reading a magnetic stripe on the transparent card.

6. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 , wherein the processing of the transparent card comprises attaching the card to a card carrier.

7. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor uses the detection information to record the detection of the transparent card.

8. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 , wherein the transparent card is one of a credit card, a bank card, an ATM card, a telephone card, a gift card, and a stored value card.

9. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 1 wherein the reflectance sensor and a planar face of the transparent card are separated by a distance of about 5 mm.

10. A method for detecting a transparent card, comprising:

pointing a light emitting source at a detection area, wherein a light beam emitted by the light emitting source passes through the detection area;

moving the transparent card into the detection area;

using a detector to detect a portion of the light beam reflected from the transparent card; and

receiving detection information from the detector at a microprocessor;

11. The method for detecting the transparent card recited in claim 10 , wherein the light emitting source is an infrared emitting diode.

12. The method for detecting the transparent card recited in claim 10 , wherein the detector is a phototransistor.

13. The method for detecting the transparent card recited in claim 10 , wherein a conveyor belt is used to move the transparent card into the detection area.

14. The method for detecting the transparent card recited in claim 10 , wherein the light emitting source emits a collimated light beam.

15. The method for detecting the transparent card recited in claim 10 , wherein the light emitting source emits a convergent light beam.

16. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 10 , wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information to enable fabrication of the transparent card.

17. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 10 , wherein the processing of the transparent card comprises reading a magnetic stripe on the transparent card.

18. The method for detecting the transparent card as recited in claim 10 , wherein the microprocessor uses the detection information to record the detection of the transparent card.

19. A transparent card detection system, comprising:

a sensor system, wherein the sensor system comprises an emitter that emits a light beam pattern and a detector configured to detect a portion of the light beam pattern reflected from the transparent card when it is in a detection area within the light beam pattern;

a conveyor for moving the transparent card into the detection area;

a microprocessor that is configured to receive detection information from the sensor system at a microprocessor; and

an envelope inserter associated with the microprocessor for inserting the transparent card into an envelope, wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information and activates the envelope inserter to insert the transparent card into the envelope.

20. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the sensor system is positioned about 5 mm from the detection area.

21. The transparent card detection system recited as recited in claim 19 , wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information to enable fabrication of the transparent card.

22. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 19 , further comprising:

an embosser associated with the microprocessor for embossing the transparent card, wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information and activates the embosser to emboss the transparent card.

23. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 19 , further comprising:

a magnetic stripe applicator associated with the microprocessor for applying a magnetic stripe to the transparent card, wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information and activates the magnetic stripe applicator to apply a magnetic stripe to the transparent card.

24. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 19 , wherein a card insert is inserted with the card into the envelope.

25. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the microprocessor uses the detection information to enable processing of the transparent card.

26. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 19 , further comprising:

a magnetic stripe reader associated with the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information and activates the magnetic stripe reader to read a magnetic stripe on the transparent card.

27. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 19 , wherein the microprocessor is configured to use the detection information to record the detection of the transparent card.

28. A transparent card detection system, comprising:

means for emitting a light beam disposed opposite to a planar face of the transparent card and positioned so that the light beam emitted from the emitting means is incident upon the planar face of the transparent card;

means for detecting a light beam disposed appurtenant to the means for emitting and opposite to the planar face of the transparent card so that a portion of the light beam reflected from the planar face of the transparent card falls upon the means for detecting; and

a microprocessor that is configured to receive detection information from the sensor system at a microprocessor;

wherein the microprocessor uses the detection information to enable processing of the transparent card, and wherein processing of the transparent card comprises inserting the transparent card into an envelope.

29. The transparent card detection system recited in claim 28 , wherein:

the means for emitting is positioned so that an angle of incidence of the light beam relative to the planar face of the transparent card is greater than about forty five degrees.

30. The transparent card detection system recited in claim 28 , wherein the means for emitting emits infrared radiation and the means for detecting detects infrared radiation.

31. The transparent card detection system recited as recited in claim 28 , wherein the microprocessor processes the detection information to enable fabrication of the transparent card.

32. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 28 , further comprising:

33. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 28 , further comprising:

34. The transparent card detection system as recited in claim 28 , further comprising:

35. A card detection system, comprising:

means for emitting a light beam disposed opposite to a target area and positioned so that the light beam emitted from said means for emitting passes through the target area;

means for moving the transparent card into the target area;

means for detecting the light beam, wherein the means for detecting is positioned appurtenant to the means for emitting and opposite to the target area, and wherein a reflected portion of the light beam from the transparent card is reflected from the transparent card onto the means for detecting when the transparent card is located in the target area; and

a microprocessor that is configured to receive detection information from the sensor system at a microprocessor;

36. The transparent card detection system recited in claim 35 , wherein the means for emitting emits infrared radiation and the means for detecting detects infrared radiation.

37. The transparent card detection system recited in claim 35 , wherein the means for positioning is a conveyor belt.

Assignments (4)

TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Aug 19, 2019

From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

To: FIRST DATA CORPORATION; DW HOLDINGS, INC.; FIRST DATA RESOURCES, INC. (K/N/A FIRST DATA RESOURCES, LLC); FUNDSXPRESS FINANCIAL NETWORKS, INC.; INTELLIGENT RESULTS, INC. (K/N/A FIRST DATA SOLUTIONS, INC.); LINKPOINT INTERNATIONAL, INC.; MONEY NETWORK FINANCIAL, LLC; SIZE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TASQ TECHNOLOGY, INC.; TELECHECK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Reel/Frame 050090/0060 →

TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Aug 19, 2019

From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

To: FIRST DATA CORPORATION; DW HOLDINGS, INC.; FIRST DATA RESOURCES, LLC; FUNDSXPRESS FINANCIAL NETWORK, INC.; FIRST DATA SOLUTIONS, INC.; LINKPOINT INTERNATIONAL, INC.; MONEY NETWORK FINANCIAL, LLC; SIZE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TASQ TECHNOLOGY, INC.; TELECHECK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Reel/Frame 050091/0474 →

TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Aug 19, 2019

From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

To: FIRST DATA CORPORATION

Reel/Frame 050094/0455 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2019

From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH

To: CARDSERVICE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; DW HOLDINGS INC.; FIRST DATA CORPORATION; FIRST DATA RESOURCES, LLC; FUNDSXPRESS, INC.; INTELLIGENT RESULTS, INC.; LINKPOINT INTERNATIONAL, INC.; SIZE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TASQ TECHNOLOGY, INC.; TELECHECK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; TELECHECK SERVICES, INC.

Reel/Frame 049902/0919 →