Patent GB-1285780-A (GB)
Title: Identification system
IPC: G06Q20/40
Filed: 1969-12-09
Abstract: 1285780 Verifying credit cards OMRON TATEISI ELECTRONICS CO 9 Dec 1969 [16 Dec 1968] 59909/69 Headings G4M and G4V In a system for identifying the proper user of a credit card, associated for example with an automatic vending machine, a key number and an identification number are read from the card, the key number is then converted into a predetermined different number and some of the numerals of the identification are re-arranged in accordance with a program determined by the converted key number to produce a secret number, this secret number being compared for identity with a memory number manually inserted by the user of the card. Preferably the program for selecting and re-arranging the numerals of the identification number to form the secret number is itself determined by some of the identification numerals as chosen in accordance with the converted key number. General operation: The credit card described has invisibly recorded thereon a six digit identification number ABCDEF and a two digit key number GH, each digit being read and memorized by a respective reading unit 20-27. The signals from "G" and "H" readers 26, 27 are directed to a diode converter matrix 29 (see also Fig. 9, not shown) which gives one output on each of two groups of lines g0-g5 and h0-h5 according to a predetermined program (Fig. 1, not shown). The outputs g0-g5 control gates 45-40 and the outputs h0-h5 control gates 55-50, these gates being respectively associated with the six digits of the identification number. Two of the identification number digits are therefore selected in accordance with the value of the converted key number and one output appears on each of two groups of lines (X0-X9) and (Y0-Y9) depending on the value of the selected digits. These outputs are derived from OR gates (70), (71) receiving as inputs ag0-fg0 . . . ag9-fg9 and ah0-fh0 . . . ah9-fh9 respectively (Fig. 6, not shown). The signals on lines (X0-X9) and (Y0-Y9) are directed to a second diode converter matrix (Fig. 10 not shown) which also receives signals on lines Q1-Q3 as the user dials the three digits of the memorized number and produces outputs on three of the lines la-lf, these outputs controlling gates 60-65 associated with respective identification number digits. As each digit of the memorized number is dialed one of the digits A-f is selected and a corresponding signal appears on one of the lines S0-S9 which is directed to a corresponding AND gate (130- 139) (Fig. 8, not shown) receiving at their other inputs signals (M0-M9) according to the value of memorized number digit dialed. If the digits of the secret number and memorized number are identical a signal is passed to counter (145) which, when counted up to three, indicating that the dialed memorized number is correct, produces a signal which may be used to initiate a vend cycle. Various interlocks are provided to ensure that all of the identification number digits have been read, that the dial is returned to its home position and that the key number GH is in itself acceptable, since this may be used to limit the area in which the card is valid. The key number and identification number may be written on the card such that they appear as a single number or alternatively the key number may be comprised by some of the digits of the identification numbers.