Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02837403 2013-12-16
EMBOSSING PATTERN CARD SECURITY SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to securing and authenticating papers. More
particularly,
the invention relates to authenticating cards includable on papers to avert
unauthorized
reproduction.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Papers and documents are often subject to unauthorized and
fraudulent
reproduction. This fraudulent reproduction is especially unwanted when the
paper being
reproduced includes a code or indicia that grants its bearer some value, such
as a discount or
credit with a merchant. The importance of security for papers that deals with
money transfers is
great.
[0003] With photocopiers, scanners, and printers becoming more commonly
accessible,
there is little to stop a person from reproducing a card or paper with
inadequate security
measures. Without these protections, both the consumer and the merchants may
feel
uncomfortable using papers that hold a value. In this instance, comfort is
provided by assurance
that monies are transferred into proper accounts, accounted for properly and
reporting of the
funds movement is available as needed.
[0004] What is needed is a system to secure papers. Also, a system is
needed that may
produce papers that can be quickly and accurately authenticated by a consumer,
merchant, or
other individual. Furthermore, a system is needed that can easily produce a
secured paper, which
can then be comfortably used in commerce.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to embodiments of the present invention, an embossing
pattern card
security system is described that may provide security for paper. The system
of the present
invention may also enable a consumer, merchant, or other individual to quickly
and accurately
assess the authenticity of the document. Furthermore, the system of the
present invention may
easily produce a secured paper, which can then be comfortably used in
commerce.
CA 02837403 2013-12-16
[0006]
In one aspect, a system is provided having a printing component and an
embossing component for securing paper. The printing component may print an
image on the
paper. The image is configurable. The embossing component is configurable with
a pattern to
emboss an impression on the paper. The pattern may be provided by an embossing
die. The
impression is correlative with the image to indicate a likelihood of
authenticity.
[0007]
In one aspect, the printing component and the embossing component are
includable in a press to print the image and emboss the impression in an
approximately
continuous operation.
[0008]
In one aspect, the embossing component is configurable to vary a place the
impression is embossed on the paper. In another aspect, the image and the
impression are
locatable at an approximately adjacent to the places.
[0009]
In one aspect, the paper may include a card. The impression is locatable at
least
partially on the card. Similarly, the image is also locatable at least
partially on the card. In
another aspect, the image may include a code corresponding with a value usable
with a
merchant.
[0010]
In one aspect, the paper may include a plurality of cards. The image is
includable
on each card of the plurality of cards. Similarly, the impression is also
includable on each card of
the plurality of cards. In another aspect, the pattern of the impression is
configurable to differ
among each card on the paper, the impression being locatable on each card.
[0011]
A method is provided for securing paper using a system with a printing
component and an embossing component. The method may include printing a
configurable
image to the paper. A code may be included in the image corresponding with a
value usable with
a merchant. The method also may include embossing an impression of a
configurable pattern
from an embossing die to the paper. The impression may be correlative with the
image to
indicate a likeliness of authenticity.
[0012]
In one aspect, the printing component and the embossing component are included
in a press to print the image and emboss the impression in one significantly
continuous
operation.
[0013]
In one aspect, the method may further include selecting a place on the paper
to
make the impression and the image. The impression is positionable
approximately adjacent to the
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CA 02837403 2013-12-16
image on the paper. In another aspect, the paper may include a card. The
impression and the
image are locatable at least partially on the card.
[0014] Additional cards are includable on the paper. The image is
includable on the at
least one of the additional cards. Similarly, the impression is includable on
at least one of the
additional cards. The impression is selectable to differ between the card and
at least one of the
additional cards. Similarly, the image is selectable to differ between the
card and at least one of
the additional cards.
[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the
same meaning
as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs.
Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein
can be used in
the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and
materials are described
below. All publications, patent applications, patents and other references
mentioned herein are
incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of conflict, the
present specification,
including definitions will control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG 1 is a top plan view of a card with security, according to an
embodiment of
the present invention.
[0017] FIG 2 is a front elevation view of the card of FIG 1.
[0018] FIGS 3-4 are top plan views of alternate embodiments of the card
of FIG 1.
[0019] FIG 5 is a top plan view of a paper with a plurality of cards,
according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG 6 is a block diagram of a press, according to an embodiment of
the present
invention.
[0021] FIG 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of creating a
secured paper,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of printing an
image to paper,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of embossing an
impression on
paper, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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[0024] FIG 10 is a flowchart of authenticating a paper printed with the
system, according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed drawings and
description set forth herein. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below
with reference to
the drawings; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
the detailed description
given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends
beyond these limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of
the present
invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a multiplicity of alternate
and suitable
approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to
implement the
functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the particular
implementation choices
in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, numerous
modifications and
variations of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but
that all fit within the
scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice
versa and
masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative
embodiments do not
necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
[0026] The present invention should not be limited to the particular
methodology,
compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications,
described herein, as
these may vary. The terminology used herein is used for the purpose of
describing particular
embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present
invention. As used
herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include the plural
reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a
reference to "an
element" is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents
thereof known to those
skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to "a step" or
"a means" may be a
reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and
subservient means.
[0027] All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most
inclusive sense
possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should not
be read as
requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping,
but rather should be
read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of
items linked with the
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CA 02837403 2013-12-16
conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that
group, but rather
should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Structures
described herein are to
be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.
Language that may be
construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context
clearly dictates
otherwise.
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) are
to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill
in the art, and are
not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so
defined herein.
[0029] Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations
thereof, especially in
the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as
open ended as
opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term "including" should
be read to mean
"including, without limitation," "including but not limited to," or the like;
the term "having"
should be interpreted as "having at least"; the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes
but is not limited to"; the term "example" is used to provide exemplary
instances of the item in
discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and use of terms like
"preferably,"
"preferred," "desired," "desirable," or "exemplary" and words of similar
meaning should not be
understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even
important to the
structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to
highlight alternative or
additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment
of the invention.
[0030] Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific
number of an
introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly
recited in the claim, and
in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as
an aid to
understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the introductory
phrases "at least one"
and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations; however, the use of such
phrases should not be
construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the
indefinite articles "a" or "an"
limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
embodiments
containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the
introductory phrases
"one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an"
(e.g., "a" and "an"
should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the
same holds true for
the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition,
even if a specific
CA 02837403 2013-12-16
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled
in the art will
recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at
least the recited number
(e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers,
typically means at least
two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances
where a convention
analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C" is used, in general, such a
construction is intended in
the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g.,
"a system having at
least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that
have A alone, B alone,
C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B,
and C together,
etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A,
B, or C" is used, in
general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the
art would understand
the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would
include but not be
limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A
and C together, B
and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
[0031] All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients,
reaction conditions,
and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified
in all instances by
the term "about" unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless
indicated to the
contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that
may vary depending
upon the desired properties sought to be obtained.
[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to
embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the
following description, a
system for securing paper will be discussed. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate alternative
labeling of the system as a security system, authentication system, the
invention, or other similar
names. Skilled readers should not view the inclusion of any alternative labels
as limiting in any
way.
[0033] In this disclosure, security can be subdivided into several areas
that can affect a
user's sense of security, and thus comfort. The system of the present
invention may include
several measures of security included in the system that reflect best
practices. These security
practices may be used to assist in the authentication of papers, such as
printed non-activated
direct mail gift cards. Various examples are provided below in the context of
gift cards, or more
generally, cards. Such examples are provided in the interest of clarity, and
should not be read to
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CA 02837403 2013-12-16
limit the present invention solely to card-based embodiments.
[0034]
Referring now to FIG. 1, a card 20 producible by the system will now be
discussed. The card 20 may be included on a paper 40, which will be discussed
in greater detail
below along with FIG. 5. Throughout this disclosure, a card 20 may be
discussed for clarity. The
card 20, along with other cards 20, may be included on the paper 40, which may
be printed
and/or embossed by the system. The system may print individual cards 20,
papers 40, papers
including a number of cards 20, documents, and/or other printable media. Also,
paper is defined
to include a felted sheet of usually vegetable fibers laid down on a fine
screen from water
suspension. Paper is also defined herein to include a similar sheet of other
material, which may
include synthetic materials such as plastics. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate other sheet or
media that may be printed or embossed as included in the definition of paper
40 used throughout
this disclosure.
[0035]
One or more images 22 may be printed on the card 20. Examples of images 22
are illustrated in FIG. 1, which include a label "Gift" in the upper left area
of the card 20, a stated
value "$20" in the upper right area of the card 20, and a redemption code
illustrated at the
bottom area of the card 20. In addition to the image 22, one or more
impressions 24 may be
included on the card 20. Examples of impressions 24 may include raised
characters 26,
represented by the characters being included in broken line boxes illustrated
in FIG. 1. The card
20 may include a combination of raised characters 26 and flat characters 28,
which may be used
to help authenticate the card 20. As illustrated, the characters may alternate
between being raised
26 and flat 28.
[0036]
The impressions 24 included on the card 20 may be best understood by
additionally viewing FIG. 2. The impressions 24 may be formed by embossing, or
by raising a
portion of a surface to a higher level. The portion of the surface may be
raised to a higher level
32 by pressing an embossing die into the paper 40. After the embossing die has
been pressed into
the paper 40, the surface receiving the embossing die may include portions
with a pattern pressed
into the paper 40, as may be best illustrated by the debossed region 34.
[0037]
The portions of the surface that have been raised may correspond with raised
characters 26. Conversely, the portions of the surface that have not been
raised may correspond
with flat characters 28. The arrangement of raised characters 26 and flat
characters 28 may be
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CA 02837403 2013-12-16
used to increase the security of the card 20 on which the characters are
printed.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the card 20
will now be
discussed. In this embodiment, the characters may be selected between being
raised and flat with
an irregular pattern. The irregular pattern may be predetermined, randomly
generated, the
product of a calculation or algorithm, or otherwise determined in a way that
would be apparent to
skilled artisans. The inclusion of printed images 22 may be similar to the
discussion above for
FIG. 1.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, an additional embodiment of the card 20
will be
discussed. In this embodiment, an impression 24 may be included that is at
least partially
separated from the characters of the image 22. All or some of the characters
may be represented
by flat characters 28. For example, an impression 24 may be embossed into a
portion of the card
20 apart from characters, and may optionally indicate a code for a redeemable
value. Skilled
artisans will appreciate additional embodiments of a card 20 or paper 40
including a combination
of one or more image 22 and impression 24 as being included within this
description without
limitation. Skilled artisans will also appreciate additional locations,
patterns, and configurations
of images 22 and impressions 24 after having the benefit of this disclosure.
The inclusion of
printed images 22 may be similar to the discussion above for FIG. 1.
[0040] The card 20 may indicate impression 24 patterns that should be
expected by a
user, such as a consumer and/or merchant. For example, the card 20 illustrated
in FIG. 1 may
include a message stating, "All numeric characters should be raised if
authentic." The
instructions may be included in the image 22 printed to the card 20.
Additionally, the location of
the impression 24 may be varied between papers 40 and cards 20. A message may
be included on
the card 20 to indicate the expected location of the impression 24.
Alternatively, users may be
trained to anticipate valid locations for the image 22 and/or impression 24.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, the paper 40 will be described in greater
detail. As
shown, the paper 40 may include a plurality of cards 20. The cards 20 may be
configured in a
rectangular array on the paper 40, or some other array that would be apparent
to a skilled artisan.
The cards 20 may be detachable from the paper 40 by using a cutting,
perforating, or other
separating. Alternatively, consistent with at least FIGS. 1-4, images 22 and
impressions 24 may
be included on the paper 40 without the intent of partitioning the paper 40
into smaller pieces,
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CA 02837403 2013-12-16
such as cards 20. By including multiple cards 20 on sheet of paper 40, the
cards 20 may be
printed with increased speed and efficiency. However, skilled artisans will
appreciate that cards
20 may be printed and embossed without being initially included on paper 40.
100421 Referring now to FIG. 6, a press 50 will be discussed. The press
50 may produce
the cards 20 and/or paper 40 by printing an image 22 and embossing an
impression 24.
Additional operations may be performed by the press 50, such as separating
cards 20 from the
paper 40, cutting, laminating, or otherwise treating the cards 20. Skilled
artisans will appreciate
that such discussion to apply to other embodiments that may print directly to
a card 20 or other
media, without limitation. The press 50 can be a printing press with inline
finishing capabilities
that can include an embossing component (e.g., one or more embossing rollers)
so that the
impression 24 is embossed onto the card 20 and/or paper 40 during the
manufacturing process.
100431 The press 50 may include a printing component 52 and an embossing
component
54. In the interest of clarity, the press 50 will be discussed as printing to
paper 40. The press 50
and its components may include mechanical and/or electronic devices. In
embodiments including
electronic devices, the press 50, or a part of the press, may include a
processor and memory.
Instructions may be received by the processor from the memory to control at
least part of the
press 50. In an embodiment including mechanical devices, the press 50 may
include, for
example, one or more printing plate and/or embossing die 56. The mechanical
parts may be
applied to the paper 40 through mechanical action, which would be understood
by a skilled
artisan. Additionally, the press 50 may include a combination of mechanical
and electrical parts.
100441 At its most basic operation, the printing component 52 may print
images 22 with
text or graphics to paper 40. The printing component 52 may print an image 22
using various
printing technologies, such as toner-based laser, inkjet, solid ink thermal
transfer, dye-
sublimation, thermal or ultraviolet inkless, typing, daisy wheel, dot-matrix,
line, plotting, or
other printing techniques. The printing component 52 may be connected to a
computerized
device with a processor and memory. The printing component 52 may receive
instructions from
the computerized device, which may indicate the image 22 to be printed, the
place at which the
image 22 should be printed, and other information relating to the printing of
the image 22. The
printing component 52 may be configured to print a plurality of images 22 on
the paper 40.
100451 The embossing component 54 may be used to emboss an impression 24
on the
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CA 02837403 2013-12-16
paper 40. Skilled artisans will appreciate that embossing is used generally
herein to describe
embossed impressions 24 with raised patterns and debossed impressions 24 with
recessed
patterns. The embossing component 54 may include an embossing die 56. The
embossing die 56
may be formed of a material harder than the paper 40 receiving an impression
24, for example,
copper or brass. In one embodiment, paper 40 may be positioned between a male
and female
embossing die 56, which may be fitted together to create the impression 24.
[0046] A pattern may be located on a surface of the embossing die 56,
which may be
pressed into the paper 40 to create the impression 24. The embossing die 56
may be variably
positionable within the embossing component 54, such to allow an impression 24
to be made at
desired place on the paper 40. In an embodiment, a plurality of embossing dies
56 may be
included in the embossing component 54, such that one or more impressions 24
may be
embossed into the paper 40.
[0047] The embossing component 54 may create the impression 24 by
applying pressure
to the paper 40. The embossing component 54 may additionally apply heat along
with the
pressure while making the impression 24. Application of heat along with
pressure may help to
reduce wrinkling that could occur during the embossing process.
[0048] The embossing component 54 may be located within the press 50 to
receive a
paper 40 shortly after being printed with an image 22 form the printing
component 52. For
example, the embossing component 54 may be located adjacent to the printing
component 52 in
the press 50, with the paper 40 output of the printing component 52 feeding
into the input of the
embossing component 54. By allowing this feeding between the components, the
press 50 may
advantageously print an image 22 and emboss an impression 24 in one
approximately continuous
operation. Additional embodiments may include configuring the press 50 to
emboss an
impression 24 prior to, or simultaneously with, printing an image 22.
[0049] In operation, as discussed briefly above, the system provides for
the creation of a
card 20 or paper 40 with an image 22 and an impression 24 that may be compared
to determine a
likelihood of authenticity and assist in the detection of forgeries. For
clarity, the examples below
may discuss the system in the context of creating a card 20. Skilled artisans
should appreciate
that the following examples are additionally applicable to printing papers 40
and other media,
and should not view these examples as limiting in any way. Elements discussed
along with
CA 02837403 2013-12-16
following flowcharts correspond at least with the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 1-6.
[0050] The general operation of the system is illustrated by flowchart
100 of FIG. 7.
Starting at Block 102, the system may print an image 22 to a card 20 (Block
104). The image 22
to be printed may be determined mechanically, for example using a printing
plate. The image 22
to be printed may also be determined electronically, for example being
received from a
computerized device. The system may then emboss an impression 24 on the paper
40 (Block
106). As discussed above, the impression 24 may be made by one or more
embossing dies 56 at a
predetermined or variable place. Once the paper 40 has been printed and
embossed, the operation
may terminate (Block 108). Skill artisans will appreciate additional
embodiments wherein an
impression 24 may be embossed onto the card 20 prior to, or simultaneously
with, printing an
image 22.
[0051] Operation of the printing component 52 will now be discussed in
greater detail
along with flowchart 110 of FIG. 8. Starting at Block 112, the printing
component 52 may
receive the image 22 to be printed (Block 114). As discussed above, the image
22 may be
received by the printing component 52 mechanically or electronically. If the
image 22 is received
electronically, data relating to the image 22 may be transferred from a
computing device to the
printing module. Data received by the printing module may be stored in a
buffer until it is printed
to paper 40.
[0052] The after receiving the image 22, the printing module may then
determine a place
on the paper 40 to print the image 22 (Block 116). The place may be manually
or electronically
controlled. If electronically controlled, the printing component 52 may
receive data indicating
the place the image 22 should be printed. The printing component 52 may then
receive the paper
40 to on which to print the image 22 (Block 118). Once the printing component
52 has received
the image 22 to be printed, and determined the place to print the image 22,
the print component
may print the image 22 to the paper 40 (Block 120). The operation may then
terminate at Block
122.
[0053] Operation of the embossing component 54 will now be discussed in
greater detail
along with flowchart 130 of FIG. 9. Starting at Block 132, a pattern may be
selected to be
embossed into the paper 40 (Block 134). The pattern may be determined manually
or
electronically. Once the pattern has been selected, the embossing component 54
may select an
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CA 02837403 2013-12-16
embossing die 56 with the correct pattern to make the impression 24 (Block
136). The embossing
die 56 may be selected mechanically. For example, a user may choose one or
more embossing
die 56 to be manually equipped in the embossing component 54. Alternatively,
the embossing
die 56 may be chosen electronically, for example, by receiving data from a
computerized device
that instructs the embossing component 54 to choose and/or equip an embossing
die 56, which
may be performed automatically.
[0054] Once the pattern and embossing die 56 have been chosen and
equipped, the
system may determine a place one the paper 40 to emboss the impression 24
(Block 138). The
place may be manually or electronically controlled. If electronically
controlled, the embossing
component 54 may receive data indicating the place the impression 24 should be
embossed. The
embossing component 54 may then receive the paper 40 on which the impression
24 may be
embossed (Block 140). The paper 40 may be received from the printing component
52. After the
embossing die 56 and place have been determined, and the paper 40 has been
received, the
embossing component 54 may press the embossing die 56 into the paper 40 at the
determined
place to emboss the impression 24 (Block 142). The operation may then
terminate (Block 144).
[0055] In an embodiment with multiple cards 20 on a paper 40, the design
of the
embossing pattern used to make the impression 24 may be varied so that each
gift card 20 on the
paper 40 may include impressions 24 with one or more different patterns. These
different
patterns may be provided by using a plurality of embossing die 56s in the
embossing component
54, each with a desired pattern for a respective card 20. Additionally, the
pattern of the
impression 24 may be aligned to a place that matches a printed image 22. The
combination of
printed images 22 and embossed impressions 24 of various patterns, each of
which may be
located at various places on the card 20, advantageously increases the
difficulty of forging the
secured card 20.
[0056] Referring now to the operation shown in flowchart 150 of FIG. 10,
an illustrative
method of authenticating a secured card 20 will now be discussed. Skilled
artisans will
appreciate the following illustrative method may be used for authenticating a
secured card 20,
paper 40, document, or other media produced by the system of the present
invention. Starting at
Block 152, a user may receive instructions for analyzing a card 20, for
example, comparing
included images 22 with impressions 24, to determine authenticity of the card
20 (Block 154).
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The user may be a consumer, a merchant, or any other person that could
interact with the card
20. The instructions may be included in the image 22 of the card 20, for
example, by stating "the
first four characters should be raised if authentic." Alternatively, the
instructions may be
provided by a document accompanying the card 20, a website, a training
session, or any other
forum to communicate information to a person.
[0057] Once the user has received the instruction, he or she may analyze
the image 22
and/or the impression 24 (Block 156). More specifically, the user may analyze
whether the
image 22 and/or impression 24 is consistent with an authentic card 20. For
example, the user
may analyze whether the image 22 and the impression 24 are present and at a
place consistent
with the instructions. The user may compare a received card 20 with an
expected impression 24
of an embossing pattern, since the impression 24 may not be easily replicated
by a person. After
the user has analyzed the card 20, he or she may determine whether the card 20
is authentic
(Block 158). If it is determined at Block 158 that the card 20 is not
authentic, the card 20 may be
rejected as fraudulent (Block 160). Conversely, if it is determined at Block
158 that the card 20
is authentic, the card may be accepted as valid (Block 162). After the card 20
has been accepted
or rejected, the operation may terminate at Block 164.
[0058] The above examples have been provided for illustrative purposes
only.
Discussions of analyzing a card 20 have been provided in the interest of
clarity, and are not
intended to limit the present invention to applying only to a card 20.
Similarly, discussion about
an operation being performed by a user is not intended to exclude those
operations from being
performed by a system, computerized device, machine, or other automated
process.
[0059] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described
in conjunction
with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended
to illustrate and not
limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the
appended claims. Other
aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following
claims.
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