WO1996021917A1

WO1996021917A1 - Method and relative support for the transcription and deciphering of alphanumeric codes

Info

Publication number: WO1996021917A1
Application number: PCT/IT1996/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Riccardo Maltomini
Original assignee: Riccardo Maltomini
Priority date: 1995-01-13
Filing date: 1996-01-12
Publication date: 1996-07-18
Also published as: AU4495496A; ITFI950007A1; EP0804781A1; IT1281657B1; ITFI950007A0

Abstract

The support (1) has a portion of surface on which to write (3) on which a mask (4) is placed having a plurality of windows (5). By writing the figures (C) of the code through the windows (5) and, after removing the mask, writing a plurality of further figures (D) in the remaining blank spaces, it is possible to decipher said code composed of figures (C) only after having newly superimposed mask (4) through whose windows (5) said figures (C) can be read. The support (1) can have the form of a card or stem (1a) of a key. Any user can transcribe the codes of his own credit cards, bank passes, safe combinations or combinations of other types of containers and any other alphanumeric code to be memorized without having to worry about others seizing them.

Description

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METHOD AND RELATIVE SUPPORT FOR THE TRANSCRIPTION AND

DECIPHERING OF ALPHANUMERIC CODES

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Figld of the invent.inn

The present invention relates to a method for the transcription of alphanumeric codes on a support suited to memorize them and allow for their deciphering. Furthermore, the invention relates to a support which makes it possible to carry out said method.

Description of the prior art

The use of secret codes in every day life is becoming more and more frequent, and it is often difficult to memorize and remember them. Some of these codes are, for example, secret codes for withdrawing cash by means of a credit card or magnetic pass, combinations for opening safes and passwords for accessing computer programs.

Often the user wishes to know these codes by memory, thus avoiding writing them and preventing others from easily seizing and using them. For instance, it would be very risky to write the secret code of ones credit card and keep it in the same place as the card itself. In fact, in the case of a robbery, a thief could make withdrawals without any problem before it is possible to put a block on ones bank account.

However, it is not uncommon for users to possess more than one credit card or bank pass to each of which a separate code corresponds. In such cases, it is very difficult to memorize each code distinctively without any risk of confusion and it becomes, therefore, necessary to write them.

Even when the number of codes to memorize is limited, it is common, although very imprudent, to keep the written secret codes together with the corresponding credit cards or bank cards, creating the above-described risks.

Summary of the invention

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a method for the transcription and subsequent deciphering of alphanumeric codes which makes it possible to avoid the above mentioned risks and is, at the same time, extremely simple and practical to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use pocket-sized support to carry out said method.

These objects are accomplished by the present invention wherein the method is characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of: - placement of a mask having a plurality of windows on top of a portion of surface on which to write;

- writing on said portion of surface of the letters or numbers of said code through the windows,

- removal of said mask and writing of other casual numbers or letters next to those of the already written code.

The deciphering step requires, on the other hand, the simple superimposition of the mask on the portion of surface on which the figures have been written and the reading of only those that are visible through the windows of the mask itself.

A pocket-sized support according to the invention has the characteristic that it is provided with at least one portion of its surface suited to receive a plurality of figures. Means for deciphering the figures are provided for comprising a mask having a plurality of windows and suited to being superimposed on said portion of surface. In this way it is possible the reading of the figures of the code hidden among all the figures of the code corresponding to the position of the windows of the mask.

The pocket-sized support preferably has the form of a card into which said mask can be inserted or on which it can be superimposed. Alternatively, the support has the form of a key which can be inserted in said mask in correspondence with said windows.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and/or advantages of the method and pocket-sized support according to the present invention will become apparent in the following description of some of its possible embodiments, given as examples and not limitative, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the pocket-sized support according to the invention for the transcription of alphanumeric codes as well as a step of the deciphering method; figure 2 is a side view of the pocket-sized support according to arrow II of figure 1, along with a enlarged partial sectional view;

- figure 3 is a perspective view of a first type of a mask having the form of a key;

- figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the pocket- sized support of figure 1; - figure 5 shows the pocket-sized support of figure 4 in a deciphering step along with a second type of a mask; figure 6 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the pocket-sized support according to the present invention and a first type of mask.

Description of the preferred embodiments With reference to figures 1, 4 and 5, in order to transcribe and decipher an alphanumeric code, such as the secret code of a credit card or bank pass, the combination of a safe or a computer access code, it is necessary, according to the invention, to write it on a support 1 hidden among other figures. In the case of figure 5, the code is 821475; whereas in that of figure 1 it is 72591. Obviously, in the latter case, the same code was written on two consecutive lines only as an example, since normally each line 3 would contain a different code.

More precisely, the figures C composing the code are written on a portion of surface 3 of support 1 after having placed on said surface a mask 4 having a plurality of windows 5, as illustrated in figures 1 and 4.

After having written figures C through windows 5, mask 4 is separated from support 1 and in the portion of surface 3, in this case a rectangular strip on which one can write, other casual figures D are transcribed which disguise figures C of the code to be memorized.

In this way, it is possible to read figures C of the secret code at any time by simply superimposing mask 4 on support 1 in correspondence with portion 3. In order for the method here described to be effective, support 1 and mask 4 must be kept separately so that, in case of robbery, it is not possible for others to combine them and thus decipher code C.

With reference to figures 1, 2 and 3, a first embodiment of the pocket-sized support according to the invention has the form of a card and is indicated with 1. Card 1 comprises a plurality of portions of surface 3 in the form of white rectangular strips on which it is possible to write figures C and D, whereas to the left of portions 3, spaces 6 are present on which the symbols of various credit cards can be printed or signs identifying the type of code transcribed can be written by the user. As shown in figure 2, card 1 has a plurality of slits 7 suited to receive mask 4, in the form of a key (figure 3), having windows 5 and a protective sheath 9 able to rotate around a hinge 10 delimiting a hole 11 for insertion, for example, in a key ring. Along the various portions or strips 3 for which support 1 itself constitutes a frame delimiting them, the user can, therefore, transcribe many codes he wishes to memorize in the above-mentioned manner, by introducing mask 4 in each slit 7 and then writing the code through windows 5. After the transcription, the spaces remaining blank are to be filled in order to hide the code and render it illegible by anyone who is not in possession of mask 4.

As shown in figure 2, slit 7 comprises strip 3 on which to write the figures, a groove 8 for guiding mask 4 and an elongated opening 12 for reading the figures, which extends along the entire length of strip 3.

Advantageously, as shown in figures 1 and 2, guide 8 passes from one side to the other of card 1, thus allowing mask 4 to be introduced from either side. In this way, windows 5 fall in different positions depending on whether the mask is introduced from side 13a or the opposite side, 13b, thus making it twice as safe. In fact, if it were possible figure out the position of figures C for one of the hidden codes, it would not be possible to be certain of the position of the figures written on the remaining strips. For the sake of further security, in any case, it is possible to have more than one mask 4, using each for one or more codes.

Mask 4 can be made of thin, light-weight material, for example plasticized cardboard or metal plate. Card 1 can likewise be thin, thus allowing the user to keep it together with other various credit cards and bank passes which he usually carries.

Advantageously, mask 4 can have windows 5 which the user may create according to need. In fact, for example, a net of perforations can be made in the mask-cutting step which makes it possible to tear out portions of mask 4 in correspondence to the points where the user wants windows 5 open. With reference to figures 4 and 5, support 1, according to one embodiment of the invention, can have the form of a key, with a grip lb and a stem la on which the portion of surface or strip 3 where to write figures C and D is provided. Mask 4, on the other hand, has the form of a card or sheath with a plurality of rows 14 of windows 5. It is, therefore, possible to transcribe figures C of the code to be memorized after having introduced stem la of support 1 inside mask 4 in correspondence with one of the rows 14 of windows 5. Naturally, a single row 14 of windows 5 may be sufficient to achieve the deciphering, as long as that particular arrangement of windows 5 is used for transcribing figures C of the code on support 1. In any case, a greater number of rows 14 of windows 5 provides greater protection also when, for an inadvertence of the user, support 1 and mask 4 are kept together.

Similarly to the support of figure 1, mask 4 shown in figure 5 advantageously has, laterally to each row 14 of windows 5, a space 16 where the symbols of the various credit cards or bank passes can be printed, or rather personalized symbols of identification can be written by the user to show the type of code which that row of windows is able to decipher.

The stem of support 1 can also contain many figures and, therefore, on one single strip 3 more than one secret code can be written, possibly with figures mixed among themselves and legible on two different rows 14 of mask 4. Furthermore, stem la can be written upon on more than one side. For example, in the case in which it has a lamina form both sides can be written on, whereas in the case it has a prismatic form, all the sides comprising the prism can be written on.

With reference to figure 6, according to a further embodiment of the invention, support 1 can have the form of a very flat card and have strips 3 on its external surface. Mask 4 is, in this case, a simple sheet applicable in correspondence with one of strips 3 to be able first to transcribe figures C of the code and, second, decipher them. In order to facilitate the correct centering of mask 4, it is possible to create both on support 1 and on mask 4 itself reference pins and holes 17 and 18. Thus it is impossible to place mask 4 in an incorrect position and consequently make a mistake in the deciphering of the code.

Although reference has been made to an independent pocket-sized support, it can not be excluded that the method according to the invention can be applied directly on a bank pass or credit card whose code must be memorized. In fact, it is sufficient to provide a portion 3 on said pass or card on which to write figures C and D and a mask, for example like that of figures 3 or 6, suited to the transcription and reading of figures C.

According to the invention, therefore, it is possible to transcribe and then decipher a secret code, combination or any series characters to memorize, without making it easy for someone coming in possession of the card on which the code has been transcribed to read or decipher it. The various types of supports and masks described above, and all others which can be obtained using the method according to the invention, make possible the practical and quick reading of codes, without having to resort to memorization techniques or the imprudent transcription of the same on other types of supports. - 8 - Variations and/or modifications can be brought to the method and relative support for the transcription and deciphering of alphanumeric codes as described above, within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Method for the transcription on a support of alphanumeric codes and their deciphering, characterised in that it comprises the steps of: - placement of a mask having a plurality of windows on top of a portion of surface of said support on which to write;

- writing on said portion of the figures of said code through said windows; - removal of said mask and writing of additional casual figures next to said figures, said deciphering step requiring the steps of:

- superimposition of said mask with respect to said portion of surface on which all the figures have been written;

- reading of the figures visible through the windows.

2. Pocket-sized support for the transcription of alphanumeric codes, comprising means for the deciphering of said codes, characterised in that at least one portion of its surface suited to receive a plurality of figures is provided for and that said means for the deciphering comprise a mask having a plurality of windows suited to be superimposed on said portion and allow for the reading of said codes hidden among said figures and corresponding in position to said windows.

3. Pocket-sized support according to claim 1 wherein reciprocal reference means are provided between said portion of surface and said mask to allow for the correct superimposition.

4. Pocket-sized support according to claim 3 wherein said reciprocal reference means comprise a frame superimposed on said portion of surface and defining a slit suited to receive said mask having the form of a perforated key.

5. Pocket-sized support according to claim 4 wherein said frame is part of a card comprising a plurality of parallel slits for the introduction of said mask each of which comprises a portion of surface on which to write.

6. Pocket-sized support according to claim 3 wherein said mask is externally applicable to said portion, and said reciprocal reference means comprise pins of reciprocal engagement between said mask and the end of said portion on which to write.

7. Pocket-sized support according to claim 3 wherein said portion on which to write is a strip formed on a stem that can be introduced in said mask which comprises said reciprocal reference means constituted by a plurality of holes in which to introduce said stem, a plurality of windows facing on said holes for writing and deciphering said figures.

8. Pocket-sized support according to claim 7 wherein said stem is part of a key comprising a grip and has flat or prismatic shape.

9. Pocket-sized support according to claims 2 to 8 wherein said portion is subdivided into boxes in which said figures can be written.

10. Pocket-sized support according to claims 2 to 6 composed of the card or pass itself whose code must be remembered.