WO1997021196A2

WO1997021196A2 - Method for the clearing of identification objects

Info

Publication number: WO1997021196A2
Application number: PCT/EP1996/005153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dieter Ammer
Original assignee: Dieter Ammer
Priority date: 1995-12-02
Filing date: 1996-11-22
Publication date: 1997-06-12
Also published as: WO1997021196A3; DE19545020A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the clearing of identification objects (1) for an agreed use, for example of credit cards, petrol cards, bank cards or access cards, with a memory component (2, 3). In this process, information on a plurality of possibilities of an agreed use have to be input into a memory (9) of electronic equipment (R). The memory component (2, 3) of the identification object (1) is not provided with the necessary information for a particular agreed use until shortly before the identification object (1) is used.

Description

Method for releasing identification objects

The invention relates to a method for releasing identification objects for intended use, such as, for example, credit, fuel, bank or access cards with a storage element, and a device therefor.

In many cases of everyday life, identification objects are used today with which only a user can carry out a certain activity. Particularly noteworthy here are the plastic cards that have become famous, by means of which payments are made in particular. Today, plastic cards are also used for refueling or access to certain restricted areas. A large number of machines, computer systems, PCs, hotel doors etc. can only be operated with certain identification objects. In the present case, the list cannot be exhaustive; the present invention relates to all possibilities of identification objects which have a storage element for certain information. The storage element is, for example, magnetic strips or corresponding chips, which are provided on the identification objects. The ¹ storage elements contain information with which a certain activity is possible and / or controlled. In many cases, however, it is still necessary to additionally enter a secret code or other identification of the user, so that an activity is started at all via the identification object.

The considerable disadvantage today is that an individual user has an identification object for a plurality of possible uses and, as a rule, has to remember a separate secret code for each identification object. If he loses the identification objects, he must notify a large number of places in order to have the respective identification objects blocked.

The object of the present invention is to develop a method and a device of the above-mentioned type which considerably simplify the handling of identification objects.

The solution to this problem is that information about a plurality of possibilities for intended use is entered into a memory of an electronic device, and the memory element of the identification object only shortly before the use of the identification object with the necessary information for a specific one intended use is provided from the memory.

This means that a user no longer needs an object of identification for a plurality of possibilities according to the intended purpose, but that it suffices The only object of identification (Univerisalkaite) on which the necessary information is transferred shortly before the intended use.This applies in particular if, for example, kite organizing organizations (Diners, AMEXCO, Shell, Bahn, etc.) have agreed on a card format. If the user loses this object of identification, then a finder cannot do anything with it since it contains no information

In order that information can be transmitted to the identification object, a corresponding transmission device should be unlocked by recognizing the user. Only when the user transmits a certain secret code or, by means of special distinctive body features, for example, also his fingerprint or saliva to a recognition device, is a memory unlocked, via which information is then transferred to the identification object

The object is identified in front of a reading machine or the like of a contractual partner, e.g. before using an ATM, in front of the cash register of a supermarket. This means that access by third parties is excluded

The device itself preferably consists of an easily manageable housing into which the identification object can be inserted. A connection is then established in the housing between the storage element of the identification object and a memory, the memory containing information about a plurality of intended options. For example, information about the person of the user, access, can be stored in the memory a fuel terminal, access to banks, access to restricted areas, etc. This information also includes the secret codes related to the user, so that when the information is transferred from the memory to the identification object, it is no longer necessary to refer to the memory of the user! & But the transmission of this secret code together with the Information is provided. The user is relieved.

In order for information to be transferred from the memory to the identification object at all, the user has to unlock the memory in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. This can be done, for example, by entering a secret code and / or by a fingerprint or another personal feature that is read by a corresponding device for recognizing this feature. As a result, the user only needs to remember a secret code or, if the fingerprint is used, no secret code at all.

It is also possible for the corresponding personal feature to be stored in the chip in the identification object. Two alternatives are conceivable here. In the first alternative, the user inserts the identification object into the device and, for example, presses his thumb on a corresponding reading surface of the device. The device compares the fingerprint genuinely with the fingerprint stored in the memory and, upon recognition, releases the transmission of the necessary information to the identification object. Here, however, there is the problem that all devices must also have a reader for the corresponding personal characteristic.

In another alternative, it is also possible that the identification object itself contains a mirror surface for reading the personal feature. The validation This is done, for example, on a device (e.g. an ATM) that is to be operated or a separate validation device

As soon as the memory is unlocked, the user can now actuate a certain switch in order to set a desired information transmission on the identification object in the aisle. A multiplicity of such switches for a multitude of possibilities of information transmission are arranged on the device according to the invention

When a new identification object is obtained, the memory is filled with the corresponding information of this new identification object. This can be done, for example, via a PC that is connected to the device according to the invention. The information is then entered into the memory via the keyboard of the PC.

After using the identification object, it is provided that the information on the storage element of the identification object either erases itself, becomes unusable or can be erased again in the device according to the invention

The memory is preferably constructed in such a way that the information it contains is automatically deleted in the event of unauthorized access. If, for example, the device for recognizing fingerprints does not recognize the correct fingerprint after actuation three times, the information can be deleted. The same also applies to the entry of a secret code or for violent access to the memory. There are many possibilities here which the invention is intended to encompass.

Through the present invention, the handling of identification objects and in particular of the be ^¬

knew plastic cards significantly simplified and designed safe.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a corresponding device according to the invention can be combined with a beeper function (call display), as is known from the so-called "city call". The device can not only record a call, but also, for example, a special individual transaction could be released. For example, access to a secret area can be released via a corresponding call. In the future, radio feedback will even be conceivable and feasible here.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing; this shows in

1 shows a plan view of a device according to the invention for releasing identification objects for intended use;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an opened device according to FIG. 1.

As an example of an identification object 1, a plastic card is shown in FIG. 1, as is used in many cases of everyday life today. This card 1 has a magnetic strip 2, or the like, with information about the user of the card or a possible use. can be described. As an alternative to the magnetic stripe 2, a chip 3 is indicated by dashed lines, which can also store the information just mentioned. Magnetic stripe 2 and chip 3 are generally referred to as memory elements.

A device R, which consists of a housing 4, is provided for writing to the magnetic strip 2 or for filling the chip 3 with the necessary information about the intended use of the card 1. In Figure 2 it can be seen that the housing 4 has a slot 5 into which the card 1 can be inserted.

In the interior of the housing 4, the card 1 is assigned a transmission device 6, which in the exemplary embodiment shown consists of a write head 8 which can be displaced on a spindle 7. A transmission device which can be used in a similar manner in the present case as a write head is described in EP-A-0 491 321. The write head 8 is arranged on the spindle 7 so that it can travel along the magnetic strip 2 and can transmit information to the magnetic strip 2. The write head 8 receives this information from a memory 9 shown as an example on a circuit board 10 which is equipped with other electronic components for controlling the device R. For the sake of clarity, a further description of these components should be omitted.

The write head 8 is driven by a motor, not shown in more detail, which is fed by batteries 11. These batteries 11 also supply the circuit board 10 with the necessary electrical current.

The memory 9 is connected via the circuit board 10 to a connection 12 via which an input device (not shown in more detail) can be connected to the device R. This input device is used to enter information into the memory 9, which can then be transferred to the card 1 after being called up via the write head 8.

According to the invention, information about a plurality of possibilities for intended use should be entered into the memory 9. For example, FIG. 1 indicates two options as a credit card, one option as a bank card, fuel card or access card, as an option n for the intended use of the card, and one option has been left blank.

The transfer of information from the memory 9 to the card 1 by means of the write head 8 is called up via corresponding switches 13, which are indicated here as buttons. If, for example, the Amex button is pressed, all necessary information including a secret number for the use of the Transfer card 1 as an American Express card to magnetic stripe 2.

Furthermore, 4 buttons 14 are provided on the housing for entering secret numbers or a secret code. Only when this secret code has been entered can information from the memory 9 be transferred to the magnetic stripe 2 of the card 1 via one of the switches 13. As long as no secret code has been entered, no such transmission can take place.

A device 15 for recognizing a fingerprint takes over a similar or additional security. A fingerprint of a user is read on a corresponding viewing window of this device 15 and compared with a stored fingerprint. The memory 9 is only released when the fingerprints match.

Furthermore, a delete key 16 is also provided, with which the write head 8 can be controlled so that after the card 1 has been inserted into the device R, information on the magnetic strip 2 is deleted.

It goes without saying that, instead of the write head 8, a corresponding transfer device 6 can be provided for transferring information from the memory 9 to the chip 3.

The mode of operation of the present invention is as follows:

A user has a single identification object, in the present case a plastic card 1. If he wants to fill up with this card 1, for example, he gives one

Secret code for opening the memory 9 using the buttons 14 and / or places his thumb on the visible part of the device 15 for recognizing a fingerprint. In this way, the memory 9 is unlocked, the user can operate the "refuel" switch, as a result of which the necessary information for refueling, including a possible secret code, is transferred to the card 1 via the write head 8.

Now the user can refuel with the card 1, then he inserts the card 1 into the housing 4 and presses the delete key 16, which removes the information from the magnetic strip 2. It is also possible here that a corresponding lock is present on the magnetic stripe 2, which permits the use of the card 1 only once, unless the magnetic stick 2 is described again.

With the same card 1 and the same secret number to be remembered by the user, the user can subsequently eme a payment via a bank or the like. carry out.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for releasing identification objects (1) for intended use, such as credit, fuel, bank or access cards with a storage element (2, 3),

characterized,

that in a memory (9) of an electronic device (R) information about a plurality of possibilities of intended use are entered, and the memory element (2, 3) of the identification object (1) only shortly before the use of the identification object (1) with the necessary information for a certain intended use is provided from the memory (9).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a transfer of information from the memory (9) to the memory element (2, 3) is only possible after a user has been recognized.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the user is recognized by entering a secret code.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the recognition of the user through personal distinctive body features, e.g. A fingerprint or saliva is scanned and compared with a stored feature.

5. Device for releasing identification objects (1) for intended use, such as For example, credit, fuel, bank or access cards with a saliva element (2, -s), characterized in that in a housing (4) for receiving the

Identification object (1) a device (6) for information from a memory (9) on the

Storage element (2, 3) is provided, the memory

(9) Contains information about a variety of options for intended use, and one

Transmission of information is blocked without a user identification

6 Device according to claim 5, characterized in that on the housing (4) a device (15) for recognizing special distinctive body features, z.3 of fingerprints is provided.

7 Device according to claim 5 or 6, gekenn¬ thereby, that on the housing (4) button (14) for entering a secret code or the like. are provided.

8. Device according to one of claims 5-7, characterized in that on the housing (4) switches (13), buttons or the like. to start the transfer of information from the memory (9) to the storage element of the object of identification are provided, each possibility of the intended use of its own switch (13) or the like. assigned.

9. The device according to at least one of claims 1-8, characterized in that on the housing (4) a Losch¬ button (16) for deleting information _n the storage element is provided or the deletion automatically by reinserting the card after use or - preferred- by one-time use when re-issued from the reader (ATM).

10. The device according to at least one of claims 1 9, characterized in that on the housing (4) a connection (12) to a device for transmitting information m the memory (9) is provided.