Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SMART CARD TRANSACTION SYSTEM
AND ENCOl:)ER-DISPENSER
RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation in part of U.S. Provisional Pater.t
Application Serial No. 60/008,937 and entitled Smart Card
Transaction System and Encoder-Dispenser filed December 20, 1995.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an integrated circuit smart card
dispensing system that issues and/or adds value to stored value
smart chip cards used as debit cards for purchasing consumables
10 such as food and drinks as well as for buying servlces such as
telephone and laundry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the issuing or dispensing of stored
15 value smart chip cards from stand alone terminals that may be
located in airports, arcades, shops, shopping malls and in places
where the public may purchase these cards using cash or a credit
card. Although there are a number of card dispensers on the market
there are none that actually encode a smart chip card as it is
20 being dispensed. There are two basic types of smart card. The
simplest is the memory or stored value card which is frequently
a disposable magnetic strip card. The more complex smart card
employs an integrated circuit and is basically a "PC on a card".
Due to its security, these are used as credit cards replacing the
25 magnetic strip card.
Currently available telephone card dispensers issue stored
value cards. The user must call a central facility to activate the
card by its serial number which is sometimes referred to as
"encoding before issue". These cards can be time consuming and
30 inconvenien~ to use.
The smart card was invented by the French company Innovatron
ln 1974 but was not widely used until the mid 1980's. It is
basicaily a credit card size plastic card with one or more
mlcrochips embedded in lt. They come ln two baslc types; first -.he
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memory chip card which stores a number of units of va~ue. As the
card is used, the units are burned off the chip until they are all
used up, then the card 1s thrown away. The second type is a
reprogrammable microprocessor card, or "PC on a card". The price
5 of the card varies depending on the amount and type of memory it
contains. Motorola, SGS Thomson and Siemens are the main chip
manufacturers.
Pre-paid smart cards are widely accepted in banking and
telephone applications in about every country in the world except
10 the USA. However, that is rapidly changing. One of the catalysts
was the 1996 Olympics, with Visa, M/C and major banks rushing to
place smart cards into service. The telephone industry is also
installing smart card phones across the USA.
In 1993, the US phone companies introduced the "dial 800"
15 pre-paid telephone card to test the acceptance of debit cards. The
"800'~ card has the advantage of being useable from any existing
telephone, but has the disadvantage that the user has to dial many
digits, i.e. the 800 number, a pin number followed by the number
you wanted to dial in the first place. The user's debit account
20 is stored in a central computer owned by the phone company. In
contrast, the "smart chip card" contains the account on the card
and is much easier to use and has proved to be very secure since
the smart card uses a crytogram. With many powerful PC's now
available, magnetic cards are easy to duplicate and will likely
25 soon disappear from all applications requiring transaction
security, such as credit cards.
With the volume of cards in use increasing there is a need
for more secure methods for issuing or dispensing cards, whether
they are smart cards or magnetic cards. Also, a more convenient
30 manner of dispensing and activating cards is required. Vending
machines are presently available which issue uncoded cards. The
user must then insert this card in a separate receptacle and code
it for a desired value. This can be extremely annoying and
confusing, particularly if the user is in a hurry or speaks a
35 foreign language. If the user removes the card but neglects to
activate it, the card will be inoperable and the user may be
frustrated or inconvenienced.
The present invention is not only a dispenser of cards, but
also includes the capability to add value to a card already
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purchased. There ls a read/wr~te head in the reader that performs
the encoding of each card so that the cards have no value while
they are released from the dispenser. Since the apparatus accepts
currency, the enclosure or case is made of high security double
5 plated stainless steel with a triple locking mechanism that is
drill proof.
SUMMARY OF INV~NTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
l0 an apparatus for encoding an integrated circuit chip card as the
card is dispensed from a stack of uncoded cards.
It is a further object of this in~ention to provide a smart
card vending machine that is safer, quicker, easier and less
confusing to use than conventional machines.
This invention relates to an apparatus for encoding and
dispensing integrated clrcuit chip cards. The apparatus includes
an enclosure having a card dispensing slot and means for accepting
a selected mode and amount of monetary payment. There are means
mounted within the enclosure for holding a stack of uncoded
20 integrated chip cards such that an integrated circuit chip on each
card faces toward a first end of the stack. An encoder mechanism
is mounted within the enclosure and located adjacent the first end
of the stack of cards. There are means carried by the enclosure
for inputting data, including a selected monetary ~alue. Means are
25 responsive to the means for accepting and the means for inputting
for verifying that the selected monetary value corresponds to the
accepted amount of monetary payment and for directing the encoder
mechanism to encode the integrated circuit chip of a leading card
positioned at the first end of the stack with the input data.
30 There are means for dispensing the leading card through the card
dispensing slot after the leading card has been encoded and
sequentially positioning a following card in the stack with its
integrated circuit chip adjacent to the encoder mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment, the encoder mechanism includes a
35 smart card read/write head that is incorporated in a specially
designed card dispenser to encode cards as they reach the bottom
of the stack. Smart cards are stacked in the dispenser with the
chip side face down. The 8 contacts of the read head are
accurate~y placed in a standard positlon on each smart cart. The
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design of the stack chute has a tolerance of ~ mm. The read/write
head is then brought into contact with the 8 con~acts of the chip
during each card transaction so that information such as the card
value can be immediately "written~ or stored on the card before
5 its release.
A comprehensive se~uence of instructions are programmed into
a microprocessor controller to control the operation and
interaction between a bill acceptor, credit card reader, telephone
transmission circuit board and the card dispensing unit.
A user follows simple instructions on the display. First, the
user is instructed to "insert a bill or card" then a) dispense a
new card, or b) add value to a card. The remaining instructions
on the display instruct the user how to complete or cancel the
transaction.
~RIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING8
The invention is described in general with the aid of the
following drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the encoding and dispensing
20 apparatus of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a side, cross sectional view of the apparatus;
FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of the card stacking,
encoding and dispensing components;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the apparatus showing a stack for
25 holding approximately 300 smart cards, the driving motor, pulleys,
rollers and card transport;
FIG. 5 show~ the card encoding and transport mechanism in
more detail including the read/write head, cantilever platform and
the counter-rotating rollers that in combination with the cam
30 wheel assist the card movement from the card stacker to the user.
FIG. 6 is a detailed bottom view of the card dispenser
showing the "8 contact" read/write head illustrating the card
holder or stack and card transport mechanism, and includes an
inset showing the card ejection clutch, pulleys and photoeye;
FIGS. 7a-d are a flow diagram describing a preferred process
for identifying a bill and either dispenslng a new card or adding
value to an existing card by writing the value to the card before
it is dispensed; and
FIGS. 8a-e are an alternative preferred flow diagram for
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operating the microprocessor of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
This description will refer to FIGS. 1-7. The apparatus
consists of a number of interrelated parts that together form a
complete system for storing, encoding, adding value and
dispensing integrated circuit smart cards. The component parts
are a secure case or housing, bill acceptor, card
10 encoder/dispenser, micro-controller/processor, smart card
reader, display, keypad and power supply. There is an optional
telephone circuit board for validating credit cards and a small
receipt printer. All component parts are contained in the
stainless steel case 10 shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 it is noted that the case or
housing is rectangular in shape and is of a highly secure
design to deter theft and vandalism. It is fabricated using two
layers of 14 gauge stainless steel welded together to provide
an effective strength of 7 gauge. One case is effectively
20 "nested" inside the other. The top of the case 12 is sloped
forward so that no one can tie a chain or rope around it and
pull it off its wall mounting. The degree of slope o~ the top
surface also prevents anyone from placing a drink on top of the
case. All openings in the front of the case are of a size that
25 prevent access by a human hand. The case has no opening covers
in the front or on the side and is designed to mount flush
against a wall tO reduce risk of prying off covers. The
complete front housing is one piece, and is hinged to a
reinforced backplate which also has reinforced mounting studs.
30 The front of the case has three small openings. Opening 14
accommodates the entry of currency. Opening 16 accepts a smart
card or credit card. Opening 18 allows for the exit of a codeà
smart card from the dispenser. There is also a 40 character
display 20 for user instructions and a telephone type keypad 22
35 to allow a user to interact with the system.
The smart card encoder/dispenser is shown in FIGS. 2-6. It
consis~s of a metal card holder or stack 24 having a card
capaci~y of approximately 300 cards. Holder 24 is precision
built _o ensure the exact stacked alignment of smart cards 20
40 so tha_ the bot~om card is aligned, ~chip side down", ?reclsely
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over the eight contacts 28 of a standard smart card read head
contact bloc~ B. The bottom of the card holder has a slot which
is approximately 1.5 times the thickness of a standard 30 mm
card. This slot is large enough to allow the card to pass
5 through during dispensing. A spring loaded, non-metallic
retainer is positioned such that the siot is covered during the
loading of cards and during the read/write cycle. The contact
block B is mounted on a cantilever platform P that is raised or
lowered by a solenoid A, under the control of a microcontroller
10 to enable reading and writing to a smart card. The base of the
card holder has a square hole in it to allow the read head
block B to protrude through the base and make precise contact
with the eight contacts of the chip 30 (FIG. 5) on the bottom
card 40. A physical stop limits the upward travel of platform P
15 to provide the correct compression of the contact springs and
to prohibit "lifting" of cards off the support structure. The
stop also ensures that the cards do not move during the
read/write cycle. To ensure firm contact and reliable reading
and writing to the chip, a force of approximately 4 Newtons is
20 required against the card. A one pound weight is placed on top
of the card stack to counteract this force and ensure that the
last re~;ni~g card in the stack 26 is properly read. An "out
of cards" sensor switch Sl determines if there is a card
present in the stack. A second switch S2 determines that a card
25 is present in the output chute, ready for removal by the user.
The function and operation of the encoder/dispenser is
controlled by a sequence of instructions issued by a
microprocessor described in detail by the flow diagram shown in
FIG. 7A. The operation starts with a user inserting currency,
30 either a bill, coin, credit card or smart card. If a bill, coin
or a credit card has been inserted the process is as described
in the flow diagram at the "start" point. If a smart card is
inserted, the process flow starts at point A in the flow
diagram. At any time the user may cancel the transaction by
35 pressing the * key on the keypad. FIG. 7B illustrates another
preferred flow diagram for operating the apparatus.
In either case, a leading or lowermost card 40 is released
from the card holder stack as follows. Once the microprocessor
has completed the transaction by reading and/or writing to the
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smart card, the card is ejec~ed by the following steps. The
microprocessor first releases solenoid A, which drops the
platform P away from the card stack. The microprocessor then
comm~ a drive motor 42 to rotate in a counter-clockwise
5 direction (See FIG. 4) which causes counter-rotation in both
pulleys 2 and 3. Pulley 2 is integrally connected to a small
toothed gear through the use of a spring loaded pin clutch C.
The clutch is engaged by a solenoid D, through a non-metallic
yoke E, guided and moving axially along a shaft F. As the
10 clutch is en~aged, a smaller gear G drives a larger gear H in
the opposite direction. This transfers rotary motion to a small
diameter bevel gear I. When meshed with the larger diameter
bevel gear J, gear I transmits rotary motion 90 degrees. This
allows the attachment of a smaller diameter "roller cam" K on
15 the outer periphery of a driven support wheel L. A bearing
housing M contains the bearings to support a "roller cam" wheel
shaft, which also has two spring loaded pins. These provide the
friction necessary to a brake disk when signaled by the
photoeye N (See FIG. 5) that the "roller cam~ has made one
20 complete revolution. This signal also disengages the clutch
which stops rotation on the ''roller cam" while allowing for
continued rotation of the motor and driven pulleys. As the
support wheel L rotates, the roller cam revolves through its
arc of travel to make contact with the rear edge of the bottom-
25 most card. This pushes the card forward where it is received bythe two counter-rotating friction drive wheels 0. The drive
wheels are operated by a pair of non-metallic spur gears Q,
driven by pulley 3 and located opposite one another on the same
shaft R. Located above these gears and friction rollers is a
30 second set of gears and rollers S turning in the opposite
cloc~wise direction. This assures positive card ejection since
the upper set is spring loaded against the lower set with an
interference fit when there is no card present. As the card is
presented to the counter-rotating rollers, there is a "pivot
35 up" action to provide for card clearance while also providing
the necessary compression of the friction drive rollers onto
the moving card to move the card to the eject position. The
dual set of rollers effectively squeezes the card on top and
bottom while it is driven through the rollers. A second shaft 'J
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on the upper pivoting drive assembly has an idler wheel V which
maintains the position of the card until it is remo~ed by the
user. Also mounted on this shaft is a gate flapper W which
prevents the intrusion of any foreign objects such as a flat,
sharp knife that may otherwise be used to vandalize the
dispenser after the card has been removed.
The card ejected switch S2 will sense the presence of a
card 40 and signal the user via display 20 to "take card~. Once
the user has removed the card, switch S2 opens and the
microprocessor then resets the process to start another
transaction.
~ n addition to the function of smart card dispensing the
following is a description of a unique process by which a set
of smart cards are used for "off-line~' installation, setup,
diagnostics and data collection of the Smart Card Transaction
System or vending machine. Since the smart card is basically a
"PC on a card" setup and diagnostic information is programmed
onto a smart card and the card then used as an "off-line"
programming device to pe-rform installation, setup and
diagnostic functions. One of the main advantages of such a
scheme over an on-line system is to prevent "hacking".
This off-line "setup smart card" is programmed on a PC
using a smart card/PC interface and proprietary software. All
programming instructions that control the operation of the
Smart Card Transaction System are loaded onto the setup smart
card. After the Smart Card Transaction System has been mounted
or placed in its location and powered up, the setup card and a
password are used to initialize and/or setup the machine for
use. It is a simple two step process as follows: The first
time the Card Transaction System is powered up the display will
say "enter password". Upon receiving a ~alid password the
display will then say "insert setup card" followed by "setup
complete" if successful. If setup was unsuccessful a message
will be displayed to "run diagnostics. The "setup smart card"
contains diagnostic routine5 that guide a ser~ice engineer
through a series of diagnostic routines to determine the fault
status of the system which the engineer is trained to correct.
The same setup card is also used to re-set a Card
Transaction System that has been tampered with to the extent
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that the micro-processor memory went into ~self destruct~ or
secure mode. By inserting the setup card and valid password a
service engineer may restore the unit to service.
Another smart card, created in a similar manner to the
5 setup card just described is used for data collection. That
is, the off-line collection of usage statistics, including but
not limited to: the number and value of cards dispensed and the
number and value of bills received.
In summary, the smart card transaction system is not only
10 a unique dispenser of smart cards it also uses smart cards for
the various management functions described above.
Although specific features of the invention are shown in some
drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each
feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in
15 accordance with the invention. Other embodiments will occur to
those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.
