Data card

Abstract

A data card is reduced in size from the conventional standard size credit card. Accessibility of the card is enhanced because the card may be stored in a separate location from conventionally sized cards, such as on a key-chain or similar device. The card of the present invention has a means for storing information, such as a magnetic stripe or computer chip.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
     
         1 . A data card comprising a first face, a second face, and an information storage medium comprising stored encoded data, wherein said card has dimensions that are less than about 2¼ inches by about 3⅜ inches, and wherein the encoded data can be read by a magnetic stripe reader configured to read magnetic stripes compliant with ISO/IEC 7811.  
     
     
         2 . A data card as in  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of said card are in the range of about 1 inch by about 1 inch to about 1⅞ inches by about 3 inches.  
     
     
         3 . A data card as in  claim 1 , wherein the information storage medium comprises a magnetic stripe.  
     
     
         4 . A data card as in  claim 3 , wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to an edge of said card.  
     
     
         5 . A data card as in  claim 3 , wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned perpendicular to a largest dimension of said card.  
     
     
         6 . A data card as in  claim 3 , wherein the magnetic stripe comprises two tracks for storing encoded data.  
     
     
         7 . A data card as in  claim 6 , wherein a first of said two tracks comprises data encoded at greater than about 210 bits per inch.  
     
     
         8 . A data card as in  claim 7 , wherein the first of said two tracks comprises data encoded at about 260 bits per inch.  
     
     
         9 . A data card as in  claim 6 , wherein a second of said two tracks comprises data encoded at greater than about 75 bits per inch.  
     
     
         10 . A data card as in  claim 9 , wherein the second of said two tracks comprises data encoded at about 100 bits per inch.  
     
     
         11 . A data card as in  claim 6 , wherein the encoded data is encoded using two-frequency encoding.  
     
     
         12 . A data card as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second faces define a hole therethrough.  
     
     
         13 . A data card as in  claim 1 , further comprising a core disposed between said first and second faces, wherein said core comprises polyester.  
     
     
         14 . A data card as in  claim 13 , wherein said core comprises about 80% polyester.  
     
     
         15 . A data card as in  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of said card are about 1{fraction (9/16)} inches by about 2{fraction (9/16)} inches.  
     
     
         16 . A data card as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second faces are devoid of raised lettering.  
     
     
         17 . A data card as in  claim 1 , further comprising lettering printed on at least one of said first and second faces.  
     
     
         18 . A data card as in  claim 1 , wherein the information storage medium comprises a computer chip.  
     
     
         19 . A data card as in  claim 1 , further comprising a tread comprising a plurality of raised dimples for improving the gripability of said card, wherein said plurality of raised dimples are disposed on one of said first and second faces, said one face coming into contact with a user to improve gripability.  
     
     
         20 . A data card as in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of craters disposed on one of said first and second faces, each of said plurality of craters comprising: a lip and a center, and wherein the lip of each crater is raised slightly above said one face, and the center of each crater is indented slightly into said one face.  
     
     
         21 . A data card comprising a first face, a second face, and a magnetic stripe comprising stored encoded data, wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to an edge of said card, and the magnetic stripe has a lengthwise dimension of less than about 3.135 inches, and wherein the encoded data can be read by a magnetic stripe reader configured to read magnetic stripes compliant with ISO/IEC 7811.  
     
     
         22 . A data card as in  claim 21 , wherein the lengthwise dimension of the magnetic stripe is in the range of about 1 inch to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         23 . A data card as in  claim 22 , wherein the magnetic stripe comprises two tracks for storing encoded data.  
     
     
         24 . A data card as in  claim 23 , wherein a first of said two tracks comprises data encoded at greater than about 210 bits per inch.  
     
     
         25 . A data card as in  claim 24 , wherein the first of said two tracks comprises data encoded at about 260 bits per inch.  
     
     
         26 . A data card as in  claim 23 , wherein a second of said two tracks comprises data encoded at greater than about 75 bits per inch.  
     
     
         27 . A data card as in  claim 26 , wherein the second of said two tracks comprises data encoded at about 100 bits per inch.  
     
     
         28 . A data card as in  claim 23 , wherein the encoded data is encoded using two-frequency encoding.  
     
     
         29 . A data card as in  claim 21 , further comprising a core disposed between said first and second faces, wherein said core comprises polyester.  
     
     
         30 . A data card as in  claim 29 , wherein the core comprises about 80% polyester.  
     
     
         31 . A data card as in  claim 21 , wherein the lengthwise dimension of the magnetic stripe is about 2{fraction (9/16)} inches.  
     
     
         32 . A data card as in  claim 21 , wherein said first and second faces are devoid of raised lettering.  
     
     
         33 . A data card as in  claim 21  further comprising lettering printed on at least one of said first and second faces.  
     
     
         34 . A data card as in  claim 21  further comprising a tread comprising a plurality of raised dimples for improving the gripability of said card, wherein said plurality of raised dimples are disposed on one of said first and second faces, said one face coming into contact with a user to improve gripability.  
     
     
         35 . A data card as in  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of craters disposed on one of said first and second faces, each of said plurality of craters comprising: a lip and a center, and wherein the lip of each crater is raised slightly above said one face, and the center of each crater is indented slightly into said one face.  
     
     
         36 . A data card as in  claim 21 , wherein said first and second faces define a hole therethrough.  
     
     
         37 . A data card as in  claim 21 , further comprising an angled edge.  
     
     
         38 . A data card comprising a first face, a second face, an angled edge, and an information storage medium comprising stored encoded data, wherein a largest dimension of said card is less than about 3⅜ inches, and wherein the encoded data can be read by a magnetic stripe reader configured to read magnetic stripes compliant with ISO/IEC 7811.  
     
     
         39 . A data card as in  claim 38 , wherein the largest dimension of said card is in the range of about 1⅞ inches to about 3 inches.  
     
     
         40 . A data card as in  claim 38 , wherein the information storage medium comprises a magnetic stripe.  
     
     
         41 . A data card as in  claim 40 , wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to an edge of said card.  
     
     
         42 . A data card as in  claim 41 , wherein the magnetic stripe comprises two tracks for storing encoded data.  
     
     
         43 . A data card as in  claim 42 , wherein a first of said two tracks comprises data encoded at greater than about 210 bits per inch.  
     
     
         44 . A data card as in  claim 43 , wherein the first of said two tracks comprises data encoded at about 260 bits per inch.  
     
     
         45 . A data card as in  claim 42 , wherein a second of said two tracks comprises data encoded at greater than about 75 bits per inch.  
     
     
         46 . A data card as in  claim 45 , wherein the second of said two tracks comprises data encoded at about 100 bits per inch.  
     
     
         47 . A data card as in  claim 42 , wherein the encoded data is encoded using two-frequency encoding.  
     
     
         48 . A data card as in  claim 38 , wherein said first and second faces define a hole therethrough.  
     
     
         49 . A data card as in  claim 38 , further comprising a core disposed between said first and second faces, wherein said core comprises polyester.  
     
     
         50 . A data card as in  claim 49 , wherein said core comprises about 80% polyester.  
     
     
         51 . A data card as in  claim 38 , wherein said first and second faces are devoid of raised lettering.  
     
     
         52 . A data card as in  claim 38 , further comprising lettering printed on at least one of said first and second faces.  
     
     
         53 . A data card as in  claim 38 , wherein the information storage medium comprises a computer chip.  
     
     
         54 . A data card as in  claim 38 , further comprising a tread comprising a plurality of raised dimples for improving the gripability of said card, wherein said plurality of raised dimples are disposed on one of said first and second faces, said one face coming into contact with a user to improve gripability.  
     
     
         55 . A data card as in  claim 38 , further comprising a plurality of craters disposed on one of said first and second faces, each of said plurality of craters comprising: a lip and a center, and wherein the lip of each crater is raised slightly above said one face, and the center of each crater is indented slightly into said one face.  
     
     
         56 . A data card as in  claim 40 , wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned perpendicular to the largest dimension of said card.  
     
     
         57 . A data card as in  claim 40 , wherein the magnetic stripe is positioned parallel to said angled edge.