WO1995034888A1

WO1995034888A1 - Coded magnetic business card system

Info

Publication number: WO1995034888A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/007242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dan Kikinis
Original assignee: Elonex Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 1994-06-10
Filing date: 1995-06-09
Publication date: 1995-12-21

Abstract

A business card (11) has at least one magnetically codable strip (13) mounted on or in the card, codable to electrically store information relative to the purpose of the business card, such as phones, faxes, addresses, services, products, and so on. A coder-decoder (25) connectable to a general-purpose computer reads and writes information to and from the cards and to and from a database stored on a memory system of the computer. Apparatus is provided in one aspect of the invention for adding magnetic strips (13) to existing business cards.

Description

CODED MAGNETIC BUSINESS CARD SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

This invention is in the field of methods and apparatus for coding information for use in business cards, and for using the information thus coded.

Background of the Invention

Exchange of business cards is a widely accepted custom and practice among business persons worldwide, as the practice provides a very useful purpose in introducing business services and initiating business relationships. The practice also bridges cultural gaps and aids in forming business alliances.

The design and use of business cards has assumed importance corresponding to the usefulness of the cards and the practice of exchange of cards. For example, business logo and typeface on business cards are carefully selected to convey just the right message about a company or service.

However, the recipient of a quantity of business cards over a period of time must somehow organize and integrate the information about new contacts that appears on the cards. When the normal practices of cataloging cards and recording by typing information from the cards into electronic databases are considered, the shortcomings of conventional business cards become apparent.

To efficiently process information from cards, the contents should be filed in an electronic database, but some method of easy transfer of the information from the card to the database is needed. Although optical character recognition (OCR) scanners are available to read cards for this purpose, they are of limited use because cleverly designed logos and unconventional typefaces are often beyond the capability of OCR systems to resolve. Consequently card information in many cases has to be laboriously typed into a database by hand.

A further drawback is that the aesthetics of design often limit the amount of information that can be presented on a business card, and, once printed, the contents of the card are fixed. If phone number, address, or other information changes, or new information must to be added to customize cards for a special customer or event, new cards have to be printed.

What is needed is a system by which a relatively large amount of hidden information may be incorporated on business cards without destroying the artistic impression of the card's design. There also needs to be flexibility to change information on the card whenever desirable. And there needs to be a method by which a recipient can quickly and easily transfer information from cards into an online database.

Summary of the Invention

In an embodiment of the present invention, a business card is provided, comprising a card body having graphic and alpha-numeric indicia, such as printed material, exhibited, and a codable magnetic strip affixed to the card, either within the card, or on a surface of the card. The codable magnetic strip in some aspects is implemented on a strip base affixed to the business card by adhesive. In other aspects the codable magnetic strip is applied to the card as fluid caused to solidify after application. The fluid can be an epoxy mixture, an ink- type material, or any of a number of other suitable materials that may be applied as fluids and caused to harden and/or cure with a magnetically permeable material dispersed throughout. In the case of an ink-type material, there are semi-transparent magnetic materials, such a cobalt oxides and the kike, that may be used in a menner to be essentially transparent in position on a business card.

To facilitate mounting magnetic strips to existing business cards, a template apparatus is provided to position a business card and to apply a magnetic strip through an opening in the template. In another aspect, strips are mounted to cards in a batch apparatus that feeds cards sequentially through a device for applying strips. In different embodiments the strips may be applied from continuous rolls via adhesive, or by fluid transfer in the manner of a printing press.

A coder-decoder is also provided for accepting cards with magnetic strips and reading and writing data to the strips associated with a card. In one aspect the decoder is configured to feed cards by a batch feeder and to accept processed cards in a bin. In association with the coder-decoder, a code format is provided for code fields to be applied to business cards.

Instruction routines are provided for use along with standard code formats to read and write automatically through use of the coder- decoder, to and from a data base operable on a general-purpose computer. Different models according to different embodiments of the invention may communicate with a computer in a serial or a parallel format.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one side of a business card with an attached magnetic strip, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2A is an isometric view of a magnetic strip application template device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2B is an elevation view, mostly schematic, of an automated apparatus for applying magnetically codable strips to business cards.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a read-write device for magnetically coded business cards, connected to a general-purpose computer, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an elevation view, mostly schematic, of a batch-mode read-write device for business cards, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a code format showing fields for information coded on a magnetically coded strip for a business card, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

According to various embodiments of the present invention, magnetic strips are added to business cards and provisions are made for reading and writing information on the magnetic strips in a format that can be input to electronic databases. Information on the magnetic strips added to the cards can be updated at will by the user.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one side of a business card 11 with magnetic strip 13 according to an embodiment of the invention. Business card 11 is the typical size of business cards, approximately 88 mm by 51 mm. Magnetic strip 13 is functionally similar to the strips typically used on credit cards, banking cards, and other identity cards and preferably has a storage capacity of 2,000 characters or more.

Magnetic strip 13 is used for storing information typically input to an online database, such as name, address, phone number, business services available, product information and so forth. The available capacity of the magnetic strip allows much more information to be stored than is possible in printed form on the two sides of the card.

Strip 13 in one embodiment is affixed to card 11 by adhesive or other means to the card stock, one card at a time or in batches, before or after printing. Although a preferred location of magnetic strip 13 is on the card's back side, the strip can be located anywhere on the card and more than one strip can be added to a card.

In an alternative embodiment, one or more magnetic strips are physically embedded in the card stock before printing so the strips are not seen and information can be printed over them. Embedding magnetic strips is appropriate for business persons who print on both sides of their cards, as is common with bilingual cards. The embedded type has some advantages in original manufacturing, but the adhesive application has an advantage in being applicable to existing printed stocks of business cards.

In yet another embodiment, one or more magnetic strips are applied to cards in a fluid, paint-type medium that holds the magnetic material in suspension until it dries, leaving magnetic material bonded to the card surface. There are a number of such fluids that may be suitable, such as epoxy with magnetically permeable powder mixed in. Other formulations might include air dry ink-type materials, many different sorts of polymer materials and adhesives, and so on. There are, for example, magnetically permeable materials, such as various oxides, that may be used for dispersing in inks or other fluids, and that may be essentially transparent to a user after being applied to a card and dried or otherwise cured.

Fig. 2A is a general plan view of a magnetic strip application device 15 for use by individuals in low- volume requirements for positioning and applying magnetic strips by adhesive. Strip application device 15 in this manual embodiment comprises a box- shaped case with slot 17 opening to one side and a template front cover 19. A business card 11 is inserted into slot 17, which is of a width and length to position the card accurately with respect to front cover 19, such that an opening 21, of the approximate size of a magnetic strip to be applied, is positioned over that area of the card where it is desirable to apply a magnetic strip.

Accurate positioning of applied magnetic strips is important because, in later operations, cards are to be fed through a reader, and registration in the reader positions the cards relative to strip-reading equipment.

When a card is fully inserted as shown in Fig. 2A, in one embodiment adhesive is applied to the card through template opening 21 and a magnetic strip, cut to the dimensions of the opening, is urged onto the adhesive, with opening 21 acting to position the strip on the card.

In another embodiment, using the apparatus of Fig. 2A, magnetic strips may have pre-applied adhesive and be provided either in a roll or temporarily mounted to papers or cards. In the case of a roll (like a roll of tape), an operator cuts an appropriate length and applies it to the card in application device 15. In the case of strips pre-mounted on cards or paper, the operator peels a magnetic strip and applies it through the opening to the positioned card.

In yet another embodiment, an operator may apply a magnetic strip by applying a liquid or semi-liquid material through the opening 21, or may use the opening simply to mark the correct position on a card, and the liquid or semi-liquid material may be applied to the marked area after the card is removed from the application device.

A preferrable position on a business card for applying such a magnetic strip is in the same location that such strips are applied on such as credit cards and bank cards. This position is preferrable, because then already existing card readers and coders may be employed for coding and decoding information on the business cards.

Fig. 2B is a largely idealized elevation view of a more automated apparatus 12 for applying magnetic strips to existing business cards. Apparatus 12 comprises a card feeder 14 configured for feeding business cards one at a time and sequentially onto a conveyance 16, which delivers the cards to and through an applicator device 18.

Within applicator device 18 there are a variety of ways magnetic medium may be applied, just as explained for the more manual device described above with the aid of Fig. 2A. One way, as shown in Fig. 2B, is via strips pre-applied by a first adhesive to a web 26 of carrier material, then wound on a roll 20. In this case, a stronger adhesive than the first adhesive is applied by an applicator 22 to passing cards, after which the web of carrier material is urged by a roller 24 against the passing cards over the stronger adhesive, transferring magnetic strips from the carrier web to the passing cards. In this case the weaker adhesive is left behind on the web as the strips are transferred. Web 26, after strip transfer, is wound on a takeup reel 28. After cards pass through device 18, they are collected in a bin 30.

In an alternative apparatus, a roller similar to roller 24 at the same position applies magnetic material in semi-liquid form in a transfer operation, the magnetic material being applied to the applying roller at a different position.

It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that there are a number of different ways applicators may be integrated with the apparatus of Fig. 2A, equalling in number the different methods described above for applying magnetic strips to existing cards. Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a read-write device 25 for decoding (reading) or encoding (writing) magnetic strips on business cards. Read-write device 25 is linked by a cable 27 to a host computer 29, which can be any type of personal or general-purpose computer. Computer I/O can be through any of several types of standard communications media, a serial interface, a parallel interface (printer port), tandem connection to a keyboard port, SCSI, or other.

A combination decoder/encoder (not shown) of the type used to read and write magnetic codes on bank cards and other such identity cards, is located inside read-write device 25 and wired into the device circuitry. Decoder/encoder functions are controlled by control routines operable on host computer 29. A business card 11 with magnetic strip 13, as shown in Fig. 1, is inserted through a slot 33 in the front side of read- write device 25 and moved inside the device by a transport mechanism of the type used by automated teller machines. Magnetic strip 13 is positioned by the transport mechanism so the decoder/encoder can perform its functions. When a read or write function is completed, read-write device 25 returns the card by a reverse transport mechanism through slot 33. Alternatively, the card may be ejected through another slot at the other side of the read-write- device.

By use of the read- write device connected to a personal computer, a user may read, write, and edit information coded on a business card. Suitable control screens (not shown) are provided in the computer's display to provide command control, information display, editing functions, and the like.

Fig. 4 is an elevation cross-sectional view of a batch mode read- write device 37 according to an alternative embodiment that, in addition to the features described for the embodiment of Fig. 3, enables a user to process business cards, such as business cards 39, 40, and 41, in sequence. A read-write device 37, similar in function to that for device 25 in Fig. 3, is linked with host computer through a cable. The computer and cable are not shown in Fig. 4.

A card feeder 43 operates in conjunction with read- write device 37 through control routines residing in the host computer. Card feeder 43, in response to a control routine command, feeds a card onto a conveyance apparatus 45. The ejected card enters read- write device 37 through a front slot (not shown) and may be either stopped when in position for a coder/decoder 46, or fed slowly by the coder/decoder, depending on the operating mode.

Card feeder 43 serially feeds cards onto conveyance apparatus 45, the cards are processed at the read/write head, and conveyance 45 ejects processed cards from a rear slot (not shown). Ejected cards fall into a card storage bin 51.

The control routines described above allow the user to specify read-write functions and to initiate or stop input of cards from card feeder 45 at any time.

In one embodiment of the invention, device 37 is identical to device 25, and the batch feeding mechanisms, the storage bin, and updated control routines may be added to accomplish the system described relative to Fig. 4.

For broad application for magnetically coded business cards, a standard code format is needed. A preferred code format for an example magnetically-codable strip 53 is shown in Fig. 5. The format begins with a recognition code field 55, which is followed by any number of optional information fields 57, 59, and so on to field "n", for such data as company name, title, personal name, company address, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, and so on. A text area that can used for notation, marketing descriptions, and the like occupies the remaining space in the coding format. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that although a standard format is important for the present invention to be implemented repeatedly by the broadest possible community of users, data input need not be limited to only one recognizable standard. An endless variety of standards, as determined by an application's control routines, can be accommodated for special purposes, and any computer with control routines according to the invention may have a look-up table to recognize any unique format by the identification field.

It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that the invention lends itself well to menu-driven and Windows-type control interfaces. It will also be apparent that there are a very broad range of formats for such control interfaces, which may be implemented in techniques well-known in the art.

In the embodiments described, control routines provide a user- friendly interface that prompts the user for each field, allowing editing by familiar procedures for alpha-numeric text: Through a menu interface, a user can read any business card magnetically coded in a compatible format (recognizable by the loaded control routines), and may also write and update coded information on business cards.

In some embodiments a user can also interact with an online database to selectively update, annotate, display and print database entries. If desired, the user can add a write-lock code to cards to prevent information from being altered.

The menu interface in an embodiment also offers batch processing options providing a means for a user with a read-write device 37 as in Fig. 4 to sequentially write, read, or update multiple business cards. The user stacks the cards in card feeder 43 and selects the appropriate batch option to read, write or edit the cards.

With read options, the magnetic strip on each card in a batch may be read and its contents displayed on screen. Optionally, information read in can be loaded directly to a compatible database. Other options cause the system to flag cards that are not compatible, such as by an audible signal, by stopping the reader, or both. One option provides for ejecting incompatible cards into a different bin than compatible cards.

A printed copy of strip contents can be obtained with a print option. In those modes allowing a user to peruse strip contents on the computer display, the user, after examining strip information on¬ screen, may opt to discard the info or save it to the database and initiate the next read.

After all cards have been processed, the user has the option to load more cards and continue processing, or to exit the interface. Batch write and batch edit options work similarly to the batch read option described above.

In the write and edit options, the user can compose a new master strip or retrieve an existing one from the database, and retrieved strips can be edited before being used. The master strip is then written or overwritten on each card in the batch. The options described for a menu interface above are just a few of many options that can be implemented in such an environment.

It will apparent to one with skill in the art that there are a relatively large number of changes that may be made in the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, the application of codable media to business cards can be implemented in a variety of different ways. There is also a broad variety of linear transfer devices that may be used to move business cards from a batch feeder to read- write device, and encoding and decoding of formats can be done by many different methods. There also can be more than one coding format that can be recognized by any one read-write device. Many other alternatives can fall within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A business card comprising: a card body having graphic and alpha-numeric indicia exhibited thereon; and a codable magnetic strip affixed thereto.

2. A business card as in claim 1 wherein the codable magnetic strip is implemented on a strip base affixed to the business card by adhesive.

3. A business card as in claim 1 wherein the codable magnetic strip is applied to the card as fluid caused to solidify after application upon a surface of the business card.

4. A business card as in claim 3 wherein the fluid is an epoxy mixture comprising an epoxy base, a hardener, and magnetically permeable material dispersed throughout the fluid.

5. A business card as in claim 1 comprising plural magnetically codable strips.

6. A business card strip magnetic coder/decoder comprising: a frame for enclosing and supporting other elements; a conveyance within the frame for accepting cards at a load position, moving cards from the load position to a read/write position, and for moving the cards from the read/write position to an unload position; a read/write head for reading magnetically recorded information on strips on the cards and for writing magnetically coded information to the strips; and a communication subsystem for communicating with a general- purpose computer.

7. A business card strip magnetic coder/decoder as in claim 6, further comprising: a batch card feeder connected to the frame at the load position for feeding business cards to the business card strip magnetic coder decoder; and a bin positioned to receive processed business cards from the unload position.

8. A business card strip magnetic coder/decoder as in claim 6, wherein the communication subsystem comprises serial communication protocol and connection.

9. A business card strip magnetic coder/decoder as in claim 6, wherein the communication subsystem comprises parallel communication protocol and connection.

10. A business card strip magnetic coder/decoder as in claim 8, wherein the communication subsystem comprises Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) protocol.

11. A general-purpose computer comprising: a housing; a CPU within the housing for managing processes of the general-purpose computer system; a system memory in communication with the CPU for storing instructions and data; user input and output apparatus connected to the general- purpose computer for user input and output; and a business card strip magnetic coder/decoder in communication with the CPU for reading magnetically recorded information on strips on the business cards and for writing magnetically coded information to the strips.

12. A general-purpose computer as in claim 11 wherein the CPU is configured to recognize standard code formats encoded on the magnetic strips of the business cards, to recognize standard information fields associated with the standard formats, and to read and write information between the business cards and a data base stored in the system memory.

13. Template apparatus for facilitating addition of a magnetic strip to a business card, comprising: a frame for holding the business card, including a template surface; and guides in the frame for receiving a business card to a registered position below the template surface; wherein the template surface comprises at least one opening of substantially the area of the magnetic strip to be added, the opening positioned in the template surface such that an area of a positioned card is exposed in the position to which the magnetic strip is to be added.

14. Apparatus for applying magnetically codable strips to business cards, comprising: a batch feeder for feeding cards sequentially to and through an application station; and an application station comprising an applicator apparatus for affixing the magnetically codable strips to the business cards.

15. An apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the applicator apparatus comprises a roller apparatus for transferring magnetically codable strips from a continuous strip of carrier material to the surfaces of cards at the application station.

16. An apparatus as in claim 14 wherein the application station comprises a transfer roller for accepting fluid having dispersed magnetically permeable material and applying the fluid material to the surfaces of cards at the application station.

17. A method of adding a magnetically codable strip to a business card, comprising the steps of: placing a card within a frame having guides for registering the card at a preferred position, such that the card is so registered; applying a magnetic strip to the card through a template opening exposing a position on the card where a magnetic strip is desired to be added.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the applying step comprises urging a strip having adhesive onto the registered card.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the applying step comprises steps of applying an adhesive to at least one of the card and the strip, and applying the strip to the card after applying the adhesive.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the applying step comprises applying a fluid material to the registered card through the template opening, the fluid material having magnetically permeable material dispersed therein.

21. A code format for magnetically coded business cards, comprising: an identification field for identifying the format; and plural data fields for storing specific data strings.