DEVICE FOR STORING CODES

Abstract: Device for storing and encrypting alphanumeric codes comprising a plurality of mutually movable elements/segments (2) provided with symbol bearing fields/surfaces (3), where each element (2) has at least one indicator field (4), said field (4) being usable as both indicator and PIN code field.

Description: Device for storing codes Background of the invention The present invention concerns a mechanical device for keeping track of different PIN (Personal Identification Number) codes, e.g. for credit cards, petrol station cards, access to buildings, burglar alarms, computer systems and the like. Several known devices for storing and encrypting of codes are already in use or disclosed in the patent literature, some being shaped as credit like cards operated in a two-dimensional manner, while other designs are three-dimensional. The common drawback/limitation of the hitherto known/proposed devices is the limited number of PIN combinations which can be stored (capacity) and furthermore quite often the design/choice of device materials making the device vulnerable to damages. WO96/17334 discloses a mechanical device for storing PINs comprising several rotating rings adjacently mounted on a join shaft provided with a plurality of discretely numbered plates disposed around their periphery applied for coding/storing purpose. A serious shortcoming of the disclosed device is the necessity for the user to fill in all PIN codes first, prior to choosing/deciding on a device access code. Since the device access code of the disclosed device consists of digits, it is quite difficult for the user to distinguish it from the PINs. This results in the fact that the user's choice of available digits of which to compose the device access code is seriously limited to digits not present among the previously entered digits from PIN codes in that position, i.e. on that movable ring/element/segment. Thus, the disclosed device provides only for a very limited choice of numbers that may be used for the device access code, making the device impractical and difficult to align for accessing the PIN codes. Moreover, the disclosed device provides only for a very limited possibility for the user to distinguish between his PIN codes in order to choose the right PIN code when it is needed, i.e. a practical PIN code identification is not provided. Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mechanical device avoiding the above drawbacks and limitations and particularly to provide a light weight device of sturdy construction increasing the number of stored PIN combinations and to simplify the challenging request for memorising by providing the user with an unlimited choice for a device access code, and also to provide possibilities for PIN code identifications not limited by lack of writing space. Another object is to provide a device designed to mislead/complicate possible attempts to misuse the device by unauthorised persons (lost devices). Still another object of the invention is to provide a new PIN code identification device integrated in other articles of different useful application(s). These and other objects and features of the device according to the present inventions are met by provision of the new device as defined in the attached patent claims 1-4. Short description of the invention/drawings The invention will be readily understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1-3, where Figs. 1 a,b,c illustrate the basic principle(s) for coding based on four or two non- alphanumeric display pointing-indicators or a colour-indicator combination only, respectively, Fig. 2 is a perspective picture of the prototype of the possible embodiment of the device according to the invention based on the colour combination coding, and Fig. 3 is a picture of a corresponding embodiment based on four symbol (alphanumeric or others) indicators. Detailed description of the invention Referring to the Figures, and particularly to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 illustrating the basic principle for storing/coding by means of different possible embodiments of the device according to the present invention, Fig. 1a shows the novel combination of fixed alphabetic characters 1 and four independent, in relation to each other movable members (elements) 2. Each of the members 2 is provided with a plurality of fields 3, the fields being a bearer of alphanumeric or any other chosen signs and where one of the fields is simultaneously applied as the indicator field 4 (indicator). The members 2 could be provided as e.g. rings/nuts or bands rotating on a shaft as disclosed later on in connection with the description of Fig. 3. The coding principle according to the present invention is as follows: A personal key code consisting of four letters is chosen and memorised (e.g. SOLO, MARS, REMA). Each one of the (red) mark indicators 4 are then aligned by rotating the individual elements/segments (members/rings) 2 to the corresponding letter 1 disposed on the adjacent fixed top area, e.g. a bolt/shaft head. With the rings fastened/locked in this position all PIN codes to be stored are written - or otherwise applied one digit in each ring field along the longitudinal extension of the shaft member 5. In case of fewer PINs than the number of available fields, "dummy digits" should be used to cover all the remaining free fields. Thus, a major advantage of devices according to the present invention is that the indicators for setting the device in both encrypting and decrypting mode are non- alphanumeric symbols such as arrows or coloured fields of any shape, and furthermore that the position of the indicators in relation to the PIN fields are fixed and not alterable by the user. Thus the only alphanumerical symbols actively manipulated by the user when encrypting and decrypting are the PINs or other code symbols. This allows for a clear mental separation of the device access code and the PINs, greatly increasing the user friendliness in comparison to prior art mechanical devices. In another possible embodiment of the device (not shown in the Figures) the indicators may be constructed not as an integral part of the indicator field 4, but attached to/arranged in between the fields, but such an embodiment will be more complicated. Fig. 3 illustrates a possible preferred embodiment of the device provided as a set of two concentric tubes, where the upper (external) one, encompassing the inner one 7, comprises a tubular shaft member 5 accommodating the above described mutually movable rotating ring members 2. The alphabetic characters/-letters 1 are arranged around the surface periphery of the shaft member's top/head. The inner concentric tube 7 positioned in an axially movable/retractable "telescopic" manner inside the external tube is provided with a number of parallel, axially/longitudinally extending identification fields, each field corresponding to the above arranged/aligned four digit PIN code and containing (in open text) identification/reference to the actual application of the code. After completing the coding and identification the PIN codes are "scrambled" by dislocating individually and randomly all four rings. Fig. 1b illustrates in principle another embodiment of the device based on two movable rings only, and consequently simplifying the memorising of the personal key code to two letters only (RA, MA, GO etc.). The way of instaiiing/marking the PIN code and "matching" with the identification fields is equivalent to the above procedure relating to Fig. 1a (four rings embodiment of the device). Should one wish to increase the possible combinations and yet keep the ease of operation, requiring only two key code letters, it is possible to add a third dummy ring to the two rings. The user decides which ring is a dummy ring and fills it with dummy PIN code digits. Adding a dummy ring to two rings of fourteen positions each increases the amount of possible combinations from 196 to 2,744. Still another alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1c based on a key colour combination being aligned on the movable/rotating ring members 2. (In order to be representable in black- and-white print, in Fig. 1c each coiour of a field 3 is represented by a pattern.) It is possible to aiign the device to yield the correct PINs by adjusting the nuts only in relation to one another by aligning one's chosen colour key code. But in order to identify the codes it is preferred to align the colour code against a fixed position on the non-movable upper part/bolt head of the device or on the (preferable telescoping) PiN code identifier, where the user writes PIN code identification. This fixed position is indicated by a word such as "Combination" or marked by the symbol of a key, or if the device is a promotional gadget, by a company logo. While the invention is thus aligned, the user fills in all the PIN codes to be remembered, ( and "dummy figures" in any digit spaces not used). There are some possible methods, besides using a pen or a pencil, for "filling in" the code digits, related to which embodiment of the invention is chosen. The movable parts of the device are the "scrambled ' ' by being dislocated individually from the key combination position. This colour-indicator embodiment of the device according to the present invention based on coiour combinations is apparent from Fig. 2. (In order to be repre- sentable in black-and-white print, in Fig. 2 each colour of a field 3 is represented by a pattern.) To get to the codes, the user aligns the key colour combination he/she has memorised (for example, "blue, green, green, blue"). By doing this, the user has then aligned the device so that he/she can read all the PIN codes previously entered. The advantages of the telescopic arrangement of the shaft member 5 and the inner retractable central member 7 is that the size of the device is small and the open identifications are hidden within the shaft member and thus protected when not in use. The applied mutually movable elements/segments 2 (nuts, rings, wheels) may be kept in place (locked) simpiy by friction instead of rather elaborate mechanical systems of "snapping" into the set positions. Generally the physical embodiment of the device according to the present invention may be of e.g. oval rather that round shape/configuration. Such flatter embodiment will facilitate to be carried in a pocket and accommodate e.g. keys. The device according to the present invention is also well suited for a two dimensional embodiment, e.g. in the form of a credit card shaped device having movable discs which may be concentrically mounted. Furthermore, a logo may be exposed, e.g. in the form of indicator(s), or logo types may be printed as background for the field areas. The preferred telescopic embodiment of the device also offers several possibilities to combine the PIN device with other practical/useful articles, e.g. pen, flashlight or even lighter, thus further increasing the attraction as a hand-out article. Several alterations are possible within the scope of the invention. For instance, the alphabet towards which the indicators point in one of the pointing-indicator embodiments may be exchanged for any other set of symbols (e.g. fruits, digits, colours, currency symbols etc.). It is also possible to make many alteration within the scope of the invention, such as reversing the code identifications and the PINs, so that the code identification member 7 encompasses the PINs, which are then retractable from inside the Code Identification member. In the pointing-indicator embodiment it is also possible to alter and reverse the position of the alphabet towards which the indicators point, and one or several PIN members. Thus one or more set of PIN members that are now on a movable element 2 could be positioned on the shaft. Another possibility is to position the alphabetic characters 1 on the retractable code identification part 7. This would allow for making the device shorter.

Claims: Claims 1. A device for storing and encrypting alphanumeric codes comprising a plurality of mutually movable elements/segments (2) provided with symbol bearing fields/surfaces (3), characterized in that each element (2) has at least one fixed indicator field (4), said field (4) being usable as both indicator and PIN code field, and where the indicator itself is preferably a non-alphanumeric symbol located among the alphanumeric symbols of the encrypted codes on each movable element (2). 2. Device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the coding by means of the indicator fields (4) is based on prechosen alphanumeric or colour based mutual alignment of the elements (2) bearing PIN code digits being superimposed on the indicator. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mutually movable elements (2) are arranged around/encompassing a shaft member (5) comprising a movable/displaceable member (7) displaying the codes identification. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the shaft member (5) and the movable member (7) are mutually arranged in a telescopic manner, the movable member (7) being retractable from the shaft member (5).

Inventors: THOMASSON STIG OLA, THOMASSON, STIG, OLA
Applicants: PROPELLA, THOMASSON STIG OLA, THOMASSON, STIG, OLA
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G09C
IPC codes: G09C1