Technical Field

Present invention refers to a plastic card with mechanical protection of information on a magnetic carrier, namely credit card, employee card, etc.

Background Art

Plastic cards with magnetic stripe carrying secret information are used as credit cards or employee cards allowing entrance to a building. For its opening, it is needed to give a specific information (PIN) consisting of a series of figures known only to the owner of the card. It is done i.e. on cash dispensers' keyboards when using a credit card. This process being operated during the cash retrieval in open space enables PIN being visually, or using a camera, found out by an unauthorized person and when the credit card is stolen, it can be misused. Plurality of solutions regarding misusing of credit cards exists, i.e. patent US 644 1050, using complicated electronic device which includes a keyboard placed on a card. When PIN is given, the card is activated for specific period of time and the security function starts to operate. The goal of present invention is mechanical protection of a plastic card with magnetic information carrier from misusing.

Disclosure of invention

Said goal is reached by a plastic card with protection of information on a magnetic carrier according to present invention. The principle is in supplying the card with mechanically movable elements in quantity equal to the number of required secret information (PIN) , where on the lower surface an area shaped stripe of magnetic carrier is created, which, together with a magnetic carrier placed on the lower surface of an element, constitutes the area for secret information (PIN) . Movable elements are formed by circular discs axially pivoted, in circular recess made at least 0,1 mm from edge of the card and interfering at least to two thirds of the magnetic carrier stripe latitude. Upper surface of the element is supplied with figures or symbols designating the set position of magnetic carrier on the lower surface of the element and being seen through small gaps made in the circular recess. For fixing the elements in each position, surface of the recess and surface of the upper surface of the element are supplied with compatible fixing components placed spoke wise according to the centre of the recesses and elements. There are apertures on the edge of the card situated in the places of recession, allowing the elements to be turned.

Disclosure of figures

Present invention is disclosed on the drawings, where the Fig. 1 is schematic view on the lower surface of the card with magnetic carrier stripe, Fig. 2 is schematic view on the upper surface of the card with small gaps in circular recesses, Fig. 3 is cross-section view of movable element (disc) and Fig. 4 is view on both surfaces of the movable element (disc) . Examples of the patent concepts

The example presents a credit card wit protection of secret information according to present invention. Rectangular card 1 is on the lower surface along the longer side supplied with area shaped stripe 1.1 of magnetic carrier and with four movable elements 2 formed by flat circular discs, pivoted in circular recesses 1.2. Diameter of the recess 1.2 equals to diameter of the disc and depth of the recess equals to thickness of the disc, so the surface of upper surface 2.2 of discs supplied by magnetic carrier and surface of stripe 1.1 of magnetic carrier are uniplanar. The centres of circular recesses 1.2 are distant from the edge of the card 1 1 mm more than the radius of the recess 1.2 is. Discs 2 interfere to stripe 1.1 with more than a half of their lower surface 2.1. In recesses 1.2 small tetragonal gaps 1.5 are created, trough which one of ten figures 2.3 (from 0 to 9), supplying the upper surface 2.2 of disc 2, is visible. The upper side 2.2 of disc and surface of the recess 1.2 are adjacent and supplied with compatible fixing elements 1.4 and 2.4 shaped as projections and scoops. In cross-section view, fixing element 1.4 is formed as an oblong projection, in crosscut triangular shape, and fixing element 2.4 is formed as a corresponding scoop. In the position when the projection of the element 1.4 is fitted in the scoop of element 2.4, the flanks of the recess 1.2 and discs 2 are held by the elasticity of the material. On the edge of the card 1, there are apertures 1.3 situated in the place of the recess 1.2 allowing the disc 2 to be turned. Principle of the function is that before entering the card 1 into a cash dispenser, user sets a combination of numbers 2.3 corresponding to information (PIN) in small gaps 1.5 by turning the discs. The discs are fixed in the set position by projections of elements 1.4 being fitted in the scoops of elements 2.4. Reading device of the cash dispenser controls the accurate setting of number combination (PIN) and enters further step of the programme.

Solution according to present invention is exploitable for chip cards supplied with magnetic information carrier enabling inception of a programme as well.