Patent Publication Number: US-2004056102-A1

Title: Multi-Purpose disc

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention generally relates to an improved multi-purpose disc, and more particularly to has an improved structure having advantages over the inventor&#39;s previous disclosure in U.S.A. patent application Ser. No. 10/015,571 entitled “Card for Multi-Purpose Using”. That application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0004] With the rapid movement towards an information community, the modem-day people have already entered a plastic card era. Every one holds, in his wallet, plenty of cards such as magnetic stripe cards and IC cards for finance management, identification, security, medical treatment, entrance guard purposes, and so forth. In view of this, the inventor of the present invention has disclosed plenty of multi-purpose discs that are suitable for use in a magnetic stripe card swiper, an IC card reader and an optical drive to read out the data. Such a multi-purpose disc contains the functions of a magnetic stripe card, an IC card and an optical disc, thereby improving the convenience, memory capacity, security, and functionality.  
       [0005] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a detailed three-dimensional view shows the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with one embodiment of U.S.A. patent application Ser. No. 10/015,571 entitled “Card for Multi-Purpose Using”. As shown in the drawing, the multi-disc consists of a card  40  and a casing plate  50 . The card  40  comprises at least one reading zone such as a magnetic strip  47 , an IC chip  49  and a reading area of an optical disc  45  with a thickness of 0.8 mm according to International Standard ISO 7816 (A: 0.76 mm˜0.82 mm). Therefore, such a card  40  is able to be read by performing magnetic stripe swiping and/or IC chip accessing in a card reader. There is also provided an aperture  41  in the center of the card  40 . Around the aperture  41  is the reading area  45 , comprising a storage medium  457  sandwiched between a transparent substrate  459  and a protection layer  453 . On the storage medium  457 , there are also pits  451  and lands  455 . What is different from a conventional optical disc is that the transparent substrate  459  is thinner so that the card  40  can conform to the required thickness of 0.8 mm.  
       [0006] Furthermore, the casing plate  50  comprises a loading zone  53  for positioning the card  40 . The thickness of the loading zone  53  is 0.4 mm (D=B−A). In the center of the loading zone  53 , there is a positioning member  55  corresponding to the aperture  41  of the card  40 . The positioning member  55  has a smooth top surface or a plurality of tooth-shaped units  555  so as to fit in with the aperture  41  of the card  40 . Therefore, the card  40  can be stored fixedly in the loading zone  53  of the casing plate  50 . When the card  40  is superimposed upon the loading zone  53 , the thickness as a whole is 1.2 mm that conforms to Compact Disc Digital Audio Standard known as “the Red Book,” and Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R) Standard known as “the Orange Book, Part II”. In this manner, such a multi-disc can be inserted into and accessed by a conventional optical drive. Moreover, the casing plate  50  can prevent the reading area  45  from being contaminated.  
       [0007] Please also refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for using the multi-disc as shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the prior art. As shown in the drawing, two convex platforms  77  are had on the edge for positioning the card  40 . In the center of the casing plate  70 , there is a positioning member  75  corresponding to the aperture  41  of the card  40 . The positioning member  55  fits in with the aperture  41  of the card  40 . Therefore, the card  40  (with a thickness of A) can be stored fixedly on the casing plate  70  (with a thickness of D) so as to conform to the required thickness of 1.2 mm (B). Therefore, the casing plate  70  with the positioned card  40  is able to be inserted into an optical drive and employs the magnetic stripe  47 , the IC chip  49  and the reading area  45  on one disc. On the other hand, the casing plate  70  is made of flexible material so as to facilitate to place the card  40  onto the casing plate  70  and take out the card  40  from the casing plate  70 . For example, when one wants to take the card  40  out from the casing plate  70 , only pushing aside the two convex platforms  77  so as to enlarge the distance between the two convex platforms  77  and make the casing plate  70  to be formed as a convex shape. In accordance with having this manner, the card  40  would flip out.  
       [0008] Even though the prior art has been disclosed to successfully integrate plenty of cards made of plastics and has attracted intensive attention, there are still some problems to be overcome:  
       [0009] 1. embossed patterns such as graphs and words can not be shown on the card, which limits the applications;  
       [0010] 2. forming embossed patterns on the card may cause serious damage to the data stored in the reading area, especially for the glossy surface of the optical disc;  
       [0011] 3. the reading area (for the optical disc)  45  placed around the center portion of the card may interfere with the IC chip, limiting the application as well as the memory capacity of the optical disc; and  
       [0012] 4. when using a slot-in card reading device, for the reading area (for the optical disc)  45  placed on the center portion of the card, the central aperture may get stuck with the gear drive of the card reading device.  
       [0013] Therefore, there is need in providing an improved multi-purpose disc, combining the functions of a conventional dual mode (magnetic stripe/IC chip) card, a conventional optical disc and a prior art multi-purpose disc so as to achieve advantages such as convenience for both magnetic stripe swiping and IC chip accessing and large memory capacity.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014] It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-purpose disc, characterized in that a card thin film with embossed patterns thereon is attached to the top surface of a card such that various embossed patterns can be formed on the surface of the card without causing any damage.  
       [0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-purpose disc, characterized in that an aperture is disposed off-center on a card so as to enlarge the reading area for an optical disc while an IC chip is also disposed on the card, thereby enlarging the memory capacity.  
       [0016] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved multi-purpose disc, characterized in that an aperture is disposed off-center on a card such that the multi-purpose disc is suitable for use in a slot-in card reader that can be prevented from being stuck with the gear drive of the card reading device.  
       [0017] In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention provides an improved multi-purpose disc, comprising: a card, comprising at least one reading zone; a card thin film attached to one surface of said card, wherein the sum of the thickness of said card and the thickness of said card thin film makes said card with said card thin film able to pass in and out of a card reader; and a casing plate, comprising a loading zone for loading said card with two convex platforms on each side for positioning said card; wherein said casing plate with said positioned card with said card thin film attached thereto is able to be inserted into an optical drive.  
       [0018] The present invention also provides an improved multi-purpose disc, comprising: a card, comprising at least one reading zone and an positioning aperture disposed off-center; and a casing plate, comprising a loading zone for positioning said card; wherein the thickness of said casing plate with said positioned card conforms to the Red Book and the Orange book.  
       [0019] Other and further features, advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not to be restrictive of the invention. The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general terms. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the disclosure.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020] The objects, spirits and advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood by the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptions, wherein:  
       [0021]FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view showing a multi-purpose disc in accordance with the prior art;  
       [0022]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for using the multi-disc as shown in FIG. 1;  
       [0023]FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
       [0024]FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in FIG. 3;  
       [0025]FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
       [0026]FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;  
       [0027]FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in FIG. 6;  
       [0028]FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;  
       [0029]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in FIG. 8; and  
       [0030]FIG. 10 is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0031] The present invention providing an improved multi-purpose disc, combining the functions of a conventional dual mode (magnetic stripe/IC chip) card, a conventional optical disc and a prior art multi-purpose disc so as to achieve advantages such as convenience for both magnetic stripe swiping and IC chip accessing and large memory capacity, can be exemplified by the preferred embodiments as described hereinafter.  
     [0032] Firstly, please refer to FIG. 3, which is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the multi-purpose disc according to the present invention comprises: a card  80 , a card thin film (or laminate)  82  and a casing plate  90 . On one surface of the card  80 , there is provided at least one reading zone such as an IC chip  89  and a reading area of an optical disc  85 . There is also provided an aperture  81  in the center of the card  80 . Around the aperture  81  is the reading area  85 , comprising a storage medium sandwiched between a transparent substrate and a protection layer. On the storage medium, there are also pits and lands. Furthermore, the casing plate  90  comprises a loading zone  93  for positioning the card  80 . In the center of the loading zone  93 , there is a positioning member  95  corresponding to the aperture  81  of the card  80 . The positioning member  95  has a smooth top surface or a plurality of tooth-shaped units  955  so as to fit in with the aperture  81  of the card  80 .  
     [0033] The present embodiment is characterized in that a card thin film  82  is attached to the surface of the card  80 . On the surface of the card thin film  82 , there are formed a magnetic stripe  87  and embossed patterns  86  such as words, numbers, symbols and combinations thereof. In order to match the corresponding card  80 , there are provided on the card thin film  82  a positioning aperture  84  and an exposing window  88  for exposing the IC chip  89  of the card  80 . For practical use, the magnetic stripe  87  and the embossed patterns  86  such as words, numbers, symbols and combinations thereof can be formed on the card thin film  82  before the card thin film  82  is attached to the surface of the card  80 . In this manner, various embossed patterns  86  can be formed on the surface of the card  80  without causing any damage.  
     [0034] The sum of the thickness of the card  80  (A1) and the thickness of the card thin film  82  (A2) is about 0.8 mm, which conforms to International Standard ISO 7816 (0.76 mm 0.82 mm). For example, the thickness of the card  80  (A1) is 0.6 mm, while the thickness of the card thin film  82  (A2) is 0.2 mm. Therefore, a card  80  attached with a card thin film  82  can be read by performing magnetic stripe swiping and/or IC chip accessing in a card reader so as to read the data stored in the magnetic stripe  87  or the IC chip  89 . Apparently, the thickness of the loading zone  93  can be expressed as D3=B3−A3, wherein B3 denotes the thickness of the casing plate  90  and A3 denotes the depth of the loading zone  93 . In order to fit in with Compact Disc Digital Audio Standard known as “the Red Book,” and Compact Disc Recordable (CD-R) Standard known as “the Orange Book, Part II”, the sum of the thickness of the card  80  (A1) and the thickness of the loading zone  93  (D3) is determined to be about 1.2 mm. For example, in the present embodiment, the sum of the thickness of the card  80  (A1) is 0.6 mm, while the thickness of the loading zone  93  (D3) is 0.6 mm. Therefore, when a card  80  attached with a card thin film  82  is stored fixedly in the loading zone  93  of the casing plate  90 , the thickness of the reading area  85  could be 1.2 mm by combining with the loading zone  93 . In this manner, such a multi-purpose disc can be inserted into and accessed by a conventional optical drive, as shown in FIG. 4.  
     [0035] Please further refer to FIG. 5, which is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the magnetic stripe  87  is formed directly on the surface of the card  80 . In the present embodiment, the width of the card thin film  82  (L2) is smaller than (L1−L3), wherein L1 denotes the width of the card  80  and L3 denotes the width of the magnetic stripe  87 . Therefore, the magnetic stripe  87  is formed aside the card thin film  82  as the card thin film  82  is attached to the card  80 .  
     [0036] In accordance with practical use, the IC chip  89  and the reading area  85  can be formed on the same surface of the card  80 . Furthermore, the loading zone  93  of the casing plate  90  is formed by excavation such that a card  80  attached with a card thin film  82  can be stored fixedly in the loading zone  93  of the casing plate  90 . Therefore, a positioning member of the casing plate  90  can be implemented as type of the aperture  91 .  
     [0037] Furthermore, please refer to FIG. 6, which is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the aperture  821  is disposed off-center on the card  820 . In other words, the distance between the aperture  821  and one side edge (denoted by W1) is smaller than the distance between the aperture  821  and another side edge (denoted by W2). In the present embodiment, the IC chip  829  is formed on the side with larger space (with distance W2) of the card  820 . Therefore, the reading area  825  around the aperture  821  is allowed to have a larger area and thus larger memory capacity. In addition, such a multi-purpose disc is suitable for use in a slot-in card reader such that the aperture can be prevented from being stuck with the gear drive of the card reading device.  
     [0038] In the third embodiment of the present invention, the loading zone  923  is formed according to the card  820  by excavation on the casing plate  920 . A center aperture or a positioning member  925  is formed on the loading zone  923 . Particularly, the positioning member  925  is formed on the center position or the center-of-gravity position of the casing plate  920 . In other words, for the casing plate  920 , the distance between the positioning member  925  and one side edge (denoted by W5) is identical to the distance between the positioning member  925  and another side edge (denoted by W6). However, for the card  820 , the distance between the positioning member  925  and one side edge of the loading zone  923  (denoted by W3) is smaller than the distance between the positioning member  925  and another side edge of the loading zone  923  (denoted by W4), which corresponds to the relation between W1 and W1. Furthermore, positioning columns  927  are formed on both side edges of the loading zone  923 ; therefore, a card  820  can be fixed or taken out from the casing plate  920  by bending the casing plate  920  inwards or outwards, as shown in FIG. 7.  
     [0039] Certainly, in the present embodiment, the sum of the thickness of the card  820  and the thickness of the casing plate  920  has to conform to the fore-mentioned ISO 7816 and Compact Disc Digital Audio Standard. Furthermore, a card thin film with embossed patterns or a magnetic stripe can also be attached to the surface of the card  820 , similar to the card  82  as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the positioning member  925  can be replaced by a positioning aperture. Alternatively, the shape of the casing plate, card as well as the card thin film is not limited to a round shape; instead, it can be round-like, rectangular-like, heart-shaped-like, polygonal, or cartoon-shaped-like.  
     [0040] Please also refer to FIG. 8, which is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a casing plate includes an upper casing plate set  99  and a bottom casing plate set  97 . On the center position or the center-of-gravity position of the upper casing plate set  99 , a center positioning aperture  991  is formed. A loading zone  993  for loading the card is formed on the upper casing plate set  99  by excavation according to the shape of the disc  820 . The depth of the loading zone  993  is enough to load the card  820  with a card thin film  82  attached thereto. At least one positioning trough  997  is formed near the round edge of the upper casing plate set  99 . The positioning trough  997  comprises a positioning fender  9975  such that the front end of the positioning shutter  997  forms an inlet  9971  without the fender and the rear end forms a channel  9973  blocked by the fender.  
     [0041] Moreover, the bottom casing plate set  97  is implemented by using a flat plate. On the center position of the bottom casing plate set  97 , there is disposed a positioning aperture  971 . Corresponding to each positioning trough  997  of the upper casing plate set  99 , a positioning pillar  977  is disposed. The positioning pillar  977  is formed from an extended portion  9773  on the bottom casing plate  97  set with a mushroom top  9771 , forming a T-shaped-like structure.  
     [0042] When one wants to access the data stored in the reading area  825  of an optical disc on the card  820 , firstly, the card  820  is disposed in the loading zone  993  on the upper casing plate set  99 . Then, the positioning pillar  977  on the bottom casing plate set  97  is connected to the corresponding positioning trough  997  for forming a coupling portion. The mushroom top  9771  of the positioning pillar  977  is inserted into the inlet  9971  of the positioning trough  997 . Meanwhile, the longitudinal extending position of the card  820  is the pre-positioned loading zone  973  on the bottom casing plate set  97 . Then, the upper casing plate set  99  or the bottom casing plate set  97  is moved along the direction as denoted by the arrow T such that the extended portion  9773  of the positioning pillar  977  is moved in the channel  9973 . The mushroom top  9771  is blocked by the positioning fender  9975  such that the positioning pillar  977  can not be moved from the positioning trough  997 . Therefore, the upper casing plate set  99  and the bottom casing plate set  97  are coupled together such that the card  820  is safely loaded in the loading zone  993 . Meanwhile, the longitudinal extending position of the card  820  is the post-positioned loading zone  9735  on the bottom casing plate set  97 , as shown in FIG. 9.  
     [0043] According to the present invention, the sum of the thickness of the card  820  (A4) and the thickness of the card thin film  82  (A2) conforms to the ISO 7816 standard. Furthermore, the sum of the thickness of the card  820  (A4) and the thickness of the bottom casing plate set  97  (D4) fits with the Red Book and the Orange book. For example, in one embodiment, the thickness of the upper casing plate set  99  (A6) is 1.2 mm, the depth of the loading zone  993  (A5) is 0.8 mm, the thickness of the card thin film  82  (A2) is 0.2 mm, the thickness of the card  820  (A2) is 0.6 mm, and the thickness of the bottom casing plate set  97  (D4) is 0.6 mm.  
     [0044] Finally, please refer to FIG. 10, which is an exploded view showing the structure of a multi-purpose disc in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the coupling portion of the positioning trough  997  and the positioning pillar  977  can be replaced by an easier structure. The positioning trough  997  is replaced by a positioning hole  998  and the positioning pillar  977  is replaced by a positioning gibbosity  978 . the combination of the positioning hole  998  and the positioning gibbosity  978  can also achieve a coupled casing plate composed of an upper one and a bottom one.  
     [0045] Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments that will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. This invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.