NL1022648C1 - Wallet with reading device for a debit card. - Google Patents

Description

Title: Wallet with reading device for a payment card. The invention relates to a wallet suitable for receiving at least one payment card.

I Payment cards are becoming more and more established as a substitute for cash. Such payment cards comprise a storage medium, such as, for example, a chip or a magnetic strip, on which units can be credited and debited. These units represent an I-determined value, which can be expressed, for example, in currency units I (such as, for example, with the chip-cut®), a discount percentage (such as I, for example, with store card savings cards), time units (such as, for example, the calling credit on a credit card). telephone card) or discrete numbers of product / service (such as with a copy card).

The advantage of a payment card is that it takes up little space and that it can always be settled appropriately. A disadvantage, however, is that a user rarely knows exactly how many units are left on the pass, whereby he forgets to upgrade the pass in time and thus may be faced with unpleasant surprises. The applicant suspects that this lack of insight into the current balance on a debit card is one of the main reasons why many people, despite the benefits of a debit card, still prefer cash.

In order to meet the above-mentioned objection, read-out devices are known with which the credit can be read on a payment card. To do this, one has to take the payment card out of the wallet, insert it into the device, read the credit, and put the card back in the wallet. This is cumbersome and must also be repeated for every 25 updates.

It is an object of the invention to provide a wallet suitable for receiving at least one payment card, wherein the above drawbacks have been eliminated. According to the invention, a wallet for this purpose is characterized by the features of claim 1.

By providing the wallet with a reading device, which I can read and display the credit on a payment card included in the wallet, at least with the wallet open, a user I obtains information I about the current at a glance every time he opens his wallet credit on his debit card. Thus, the user I obtains the same information that cash would offer, without having to perform any special operations for that purpose.

In an advantageous embodiment, the reading device is integrated in, or at least partially accommodated in, a pocket or compartment of the wallet intended for a payment card. This offers the possibility of positioning reading means of the reading device such that they can make direct contact with a use a debit card inserted in the relevant compartment or compartment, without the need for complicated constructions, which also allows a user to continue using the same compartment for storing his debit card and does not have to re-arrange his wallet. With known reading techniques, it is possible to produce such a small and flat reading device that it will not occupy a significant H space in said compartment.

In an advantageous embodiment, an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 3.

By making the reading device detachably attachable, it can easily be arranged by a user himself, in an arbitrary existing wallet, at an arbitrary desired position, and moreover, if desired, the device can be exchanged between different purses. Suitable releasable fastening means can for instance comprise Velcro, (safety) pin, snap fasteners or similar snap or clamp means, such as for instance a clamping edge or a clamping bracket, with which the reading device can be attached to, for example, an edge of a compartment, insert compartment or opening of the wallet. clamped.

The reading device can of course also be inextricably connected to the wallet, for instance by gluing, sealing, riveting or sewing. In that case, the reading device is preferably already arranged during the manufacture of the wallet. As a result, the device can be fully integrated into the wallet and, for example, largely concealed behind a liner, wherein only the display means and any on and off means are visible or accessible.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 6. j

The use of a photocell offers the advantage that it does not have to be replaced, such as a battery. In addition, separate switching on and off means can hereby be dispensed with, because the reading device will be activated automatically by the photocell when there is sufficient light, for example by opening the wallet, and will automatically go out after a while, in the absence of sufficient light, e.g. 20 by closing the wallet.

Instead of or in addition to a photocell, it is of course also possible to use a battery, for example a flat button cell. This offers the advantage that the reading device can be provided with a memory for storing, for example, the most recent balances or issues, optionally with a date and / or time.

Furthermore, in case no photocell is used, or in case active activation and deactivation of the device is desired, activation and deactivation means may be provided. In a preferred embodiment, these on and off means are designed such that they are automatically operated by opening or closing the wallet, respectively.

1022648 I This can be realized, for example, by means of a sliding contact I or by means of a sensor, which detects whether the wallet is opened I or closed and on the basis thereof activates the device or not.

Of course, a switch that can be activated by the user can also be provided. In a further advantageous embodiment, the I-reading device comprises an automatic switch-off device, which automatically switches the device off after a predetermined time interval, so that no unnecessary energy is lost.

Of course, a wallet can also be provided with a plurality of read-out devices according to the invention, for example one I per slot. If desired, in that case certain components, such as H, the display means and the energy source, can be shared by a plurality of readers I. The display means preferably comprise an LCD screen.

The invention furthermore relates to a read-out device for use in a wallet, characterized by the features according to claim 11.

Such a reading device can simply be secured in or on a wallet with the aid of the fastening means, so that a user receives information about the current balance on a payment card stored in the wallet each time he opens his wallet.

The reading device is herein preferably designed in such a way that it comprises at least three substantially perpendicular stop surfaces I, so that the position of a payment card inserted in the wallet is fixed by contact against these surfaces in three directions.

This ensures in a simple manner that with correct input of the payment card, the storage medium present thereon to be read out is always correctly positioned relative to the reading means so that a reliable reading is possible. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, several read-out means can be used per read-out device, which read-out can be positioned foolproof, namely such that one set of read-out means always makes contact with the storage medium, irrespective of the direction of introduction of the payment card.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a reading device 5 according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 16.

By manufacturing the container from flexible foil material, for example of fabric or plastic, the reading device can be simply secured in a wallet with fixing techniques known in the wallet-making industry, in particular sewing, so that existing production machines and production lines are not or hardly need to be adjusted. Moreover, the reading device can hereby be constructed even flatter so that it occupies even less space in a wallet and the wallet itself also remains relatively flexible, so that it can easily be stored in a pocket or the like.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the reading device is provided with a printable surface, suitable for printing with, for example, a brand or company logo. A reading device according to the invention can hereby be offered, for example, as a marketing gadget. It goes without saying that the printable surface is preferably located on or near a part of the reading device visible in the position of use, for example on or near the switching on and / or switching off means, a possible photocell or near the display means.

The invention further relates to a wallet suitable for use in an assembly according to the invention.

In the further subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of a wallet, a reading device and an assembly thereof according to the invention are described.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a wallet and a reading device 1C22648 I according to the invention will be further elucidated with reference to the drawing.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows in perspective view a first embodiment of an assembly of a wallet and a reading device according to the invention; Figs. 2A-D show a perspective view of a number of alternative embodiments of a read device according to the invention, suitable for inclusion in various types of purses; and Figs. 3A-E show a number of different fixing methods and fixing means provided for this purpose for fixing a reading device I according to the invention in a wallet; Figure 1 shows a wallet 1, in the open position, provided with a first, open compartment 2 for bills, a second lockable compartment 3 for coins and two pockets 5 for payment cards 5.

In the closed position the wallet 1 can be folded double, the second compartment 3 abutting against the insert compartments 4.

It should be noted that this figure description always starts from the type of wallet 1 described above. However, the invention is applicable to any other type of wallet, as long as this wallet is suitable, that is to say it is at least sufficiently large for taking up a debit card. In addition, the term "wallet" in this description must be broadly explained. This is understood to mean at least I any means of preservation in which a consumer is customary means of payment, such as coins, bills and / or debit cards and / or any further I (value) papers such as for example a driver's license or passport, I for example a purse, wallet , hip, wrist or handbag, belt, pouch or a credit card folder. This list is by no means exhaustive.

In this description a payment card is understood to mean a card, usually made of plastic, provided with a storage medium, such as a chip or magnetic strip, to which units can be credited and. a Λ Λ Λ i Λ 7 written off. These units generally represent a certain value, which entitles the holder of the pass to a certain amount of product and / or service.

The payment card 5 shown in Fig. 1 is provided in the lower left corner 5 with a storage medium 7 in the form of a chip. The payment card 5 may, for example, be a chip-cut®, loaded with a certain amount of money, expressed in a current currency, or a telephone card, loaded with a certain calling credit, expressed in ticks or a time unit.

FIG. 1 furthermore shows a read-out device 10 with which the number of units stored on the chip 10, hereinafter also referred to as balance or credit, can be read and displayed. To that end, the read-out device 10 comprises read-out means 12, which are positioned in the read-out device 10 such that, in use, they make contact with a chip 7 of a card arranged in the device, for reading out balance information. This information is then passed on to display means 14, in the form of an LCD screen, for presentation to a user. In order to feed the read and display means 12, 14, an energy source 11 is provided, in the form of, for example, a battery and / or a photocell. Further on and off means 13 can be provided, for switching on and off the device 10. Operation of these switching means 13 is preferably coupled to the opening and closing of the wallet 1, so that a user does not have to perform any additional operations .

The components of the reading device 10 are all integrated on a holder 15, which in the example shown in Fig. 1 has a flat, rectangular shape, provided with a slot 17, for inserting a payment card 5. The height H of the slot 17 is preferably somewhat smaller than the height h of the step 5, so that when this step 5 is inserted into the holder 15, an upper edge thereof protrudes. This facilitates recognition of the pass and removal thereof. For this purpose, the edge 1022648 H around the input slot 7 can also be cut away locally, as, for example, I shown in Figs. 3A, B (cut-out 19).

The holder 15 fulfills a number of functions within the reading device 10. It thus functions as a carrier for the various parts of the read-out device 10 with which these parts are held together in a desired mutual configuration and can simply be placed as a whole in a wallet 1. To that end, the holder 15 can be provided with fastening means, for releasable or inseparable fastening to a wallet 1. Thus, the fastening means shown in fig. 1 comprise a clamping edge 16, with which the holder 15 on the longitudinal edge of, for example, an insertion compartment 4A, B can be clamped, the remaining part of the holder 15 extending substantially in the insertion compartment 4A, B. In that case, the clamping edge 16 is the only visible part of the reading device 10. Reason why the display means 14 and 15, the switching-on and switching-off means 13 are arranged on the clamping edge 16 in the embodiment shown in FIG. Preferably, H space is also provided on the clamping edge 16 for printing, for example a company logo. Furthermore, a photocell can be provided on the edge 16, to replace or in addition to battery 11. In an alternative embodiment, said components (display means, photocell, printing) can also be arranged on the holder 15 at a different position and the wallet can 1 in that case are provided with one or more windows 20 for passage of said parts, as shown, for example, in Figs. 3B-D. Incidentally, the holder 15 with the clamping edge 16 can also be fixed in the first or second compartment 2, 3.

H Furthermore, the holder 15 ensures correct positioning of the H payment card 5 with respect to the reading means 12, so that a good contact with the chip 7 can always take place. To that end, the holder 15 is designed such that the position of a payment card 5 included therein is accurately and unambiguously fixed, so that good contact between the chip 7 of 9, the payment card 5 and the read-out means 12 is guaranteed. This can of course be achieved with many different holders, of which four examples are shown in figures 2A-D. All these embodiments have in common that the holder 15 always comprises at least three stop surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to each other, with which the position of a payment card 5 abutting these surfaces is unambiguously and accurately determined in three directions.

The holders 15 shown in figures 1 and 2A-C are all made of relatively rigid material, for example plastic. The container 15 shown in Fig. 2D, on the other hand, is partly made of relatively flexible foil material 26, of for instance fabric or plastic. The various components of the reading device 10 can be attached to this in a desired mutual configuration, for example by sealing, gluing or sewing. The advantage of such a partially flexible embodiment is that it can easily be sewn into a wallet 1, along seam 27 as shown in Fig. 3D. Moreover, such an embodiment has a very compact, in particular flat, shape. (Incidentally, this also applies to the embodiment according to Fig. 2C). In addition, a wallet 20 1 equipped with such a flexible reading device 10 retains its flexibility.

The holder 15 shown in Fig. 1 offers the advantage that the read-out means 12 can be made in quadruplicate and can be positioned in the holder 15 in such a way that the read-out means 12 make contact with the chip 7 in any insertion direction of the payment card 5, irrespective of whether The pass 5 is placed in the holder 15 at the top and / or bottom front. A foolproof reading device 10 is thus obtained.

As indicated, the reading devices 10 can be detachably or inseparably connected to the wallet 1. A number of examples of both options are shown in Figures 3A-E.

Fig. 3A thus shows a read device 10, the holder 15 of which substantially corresponds to that of the read device 10 shown in Fig. 1, wherein, however, the slot 17 for inserting the payment card 5 is on a short side of the holder 15. located, instead of on a long side. The holder 15 is provided on a rear side with fastening means, for example glue, double-sided tape, press studs or Velcro, with which the holder can be fastened against the wallet 1, at the location where in Fig. 1 the coin compartment 3 is located.

FIG. 3B shows an alternative method of attachment, in which the holder 15 of the reading device 10 again has substantially the same shape as the embodiment shown in fig. 1, but with omission of clamping edge 16. The display means 14 are situated on a slightly protruding part 18 of the holder 15. The wallet 1 is provided with a window I 20, the dimensions of which substantially correspond to the protruding part 18. The reading device 10 is mounted in the wallet 1 by sliding the holder into the first compartment 2, the display means 14 and the display means 14 protruding part 18 through the window I reach outwards. A clamping ring 22 is then clicked from the outside around the projecting part 18, as a result of which the read-out device 10 is clamped in the compartment 2.

FIG. 3C shows a further confirmation method. The reading device 10 shown in this figure I comprises a holder 15 as shown in fig.

2B and clamping means (18, 22) similar to those described in Fig. 3B.

In addition, the holder 15 comprises, near its upper edge, two clamping elements 24 protruding on either side I, each provided with a serrated edge. Hereby the holder 15 can be clamped in a slot 25 provided in the wallet 1. In this case, after the reading device 10 I has been placed, this slot 25 also serves for inserting a payment card 5 into the reading device I 10.

FIG. 3D shows a reading device 10 according to the invention, wherein the different parts are arranged on a flexible foil or piece of fabric 26, as described with reference to Fig. 2D. The device 10 can hereby be sewn or sealed in the wallet 1, in the example shown in the first compartment, shown with broken lines 27. In this case, in the wallet 1, windows 20 can again be provided for passage of the components, in particular the display means 12 and / or any on and off means 13 and / or a photocell 11. Carrier 26 can also be designed as a thin plastic plate and in that case can be inserted into the wallet via slot 29, for example between the leather of the 10 wallet and an inner lining.

FIG. 3E shows an embodiment of a reading device 10 according to the invention, wherein the holder 15 is similar to the holder 15 shown in fig. 1, but wherein the clamping edge 16 has been replaced by a slightly hairpin-shaped clamping bracket 28, which has a first leg near a the short side of the holder 15 is fixed and is clamped with a second leg around an upper edge of the first compartment 2, approximately halfway up the wallet 1. Thus, the holder 15 forms a pivotable intermediate compartment, in which in use a payment card 5 can be stored and of which the current balance upon opening the wallet 1 can be read out immediately. Of course, the reading device 10 can also be used to read the balance of another payment card (5) stored in one of the insert compartments 4A-C, by inserting this payment card 7 into the holder 15 via slot 17, and optionally the reading device can be activated via switch 13. This holder 15 is also preferably provided with a photocell (not shown) and can further be printed with certain information, such as for example a company logo or the like advertisement.

All combinations of parts of the embodiments shown and described in this description are deemed to be included within this description.

1022643 The invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the description and the drawings. Many variations thereof are possible within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

For example, an assembly according to the invention can also be applied to other types of payment cards in which balance information is for instance stored on a magnetic strip instead of a chip. For reading such a magnetic strip, the strip must be moved past a read device. Such a movement can be realized, for example, by designing the switch-on means such that upon actuation thereof by a user the desired sliding movement is realized automatically, for example by executing the switch-on means as a slide switch. The swivel movement of the I wallet can also be converted into a movement of the payment card along the H readout device or vice versa.

These and many variations are understood to lie within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I 1022648

Claims (20)

An assembly of a wallet (1) and at least one reading device (10), wherein the wallet (1) is adapted to receive at least one payment card (5) and wherein the at least one reading device (10) is arranged for reading and displaying balance information stored on such a payment card (5), wherein the wallet (1) and / or the at least one read device (10) are provided with fastening means, for attaching the read device (10) in or to the wallet (1), such that in use, in the presence of at least one payment card (5) in the wallet (1), the current balance on this payment card (5) can be read, at least with the wallet open ( 1). 2. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the wallet (1) comprises at least one insertion compartment (2,3,4) for a payment card (5) and the reading device (10) is dimensioned such that it is at least partially insert compartment (2,3,4) can be picked up, together with a debit card (5) to be stored in use in the wallet (1). An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing means are arranged such that the read device (10) can be detachably attached to or in the wallet with this. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the reading device (10) comprises a clamping edge (16), a clamping element (22), a separate clamping ring (22) or a clamping bracket (28), for clamping at least a part of the reading device (10) at an edge of an opening (20) and / or a compartment (2,3,4) of the wallet (1). An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reading device (10) is inseparably connected to the wallet (1), for example by gluing, sewing, sealing, seaming or riveting. 1022648 Η An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an energy source (11) is provided for supplying the reading device (10), wherein the energy source is preferably a photocell positioned relative to the wallet (1) that it can receive daylight at least with 5 open wallets (1). An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein switch-on and switch-off means (13) are provided for switching the read-out device (10) on and off. Assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switching on and / or switching-off means (13) are arranged such that operation thereof I takes place automatically when opening or closing the wallet (1), respectively. 9. Assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the switch-off means (13) are adapted to switch off the read-out device (10) automatically, after I a certain, preset time interval. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein I display means (14) are provided, preferably an LCD screen, for displaying balance information read out by the reading device (10), I wherein the display means (14) are positioned relative to the wallet I20 (1) in such a way that they are visible at least with the wallet I open. 11. Reading device for use in an assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a holder (15) provided with reading means (12), display means (14), an energy source (11), possible switching on and / or switching off means ( 13) and fastening means for fastening the holder (15) in or to a wallet (1). 12. Reading device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fixing means comprise a clamping edge (16) or clamping bracket (28) with which the device (10) can be attached to a longitudinal edge of a compartment of a wallet (1). I 1 n? 9 fU8 Reading device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the fixing means comprise a clamping element (24, 26), with which the device (10) can be clamped in an opening of a wallet. 14. Reading device as claimed in any of the claims 11-13, wherein the holder (15) is provided with at least three substantially perpendicular stop surfaces for unambiguous positioning with respect to the reading means (12) of a device in use in the holder (15) debit card inserted (5). 15. Reading device as claimed in any of the claims 11-14, wherein the reading device (10) comprises a plurality of reading means (12), which are positioned in the holder (15) such that a payment card (5) in any position in the holder ( 15) can be placed and can still be read. 16. Reading device as claimed in any of the claims 11-15, wherein the holder (15) is manufactured at least partly from a flexible foil material. The reading device according to any of claims 11-16, wherein the energy source (11) comprises a photocell. 18. Reading device as claimed in any of the claims 11-17, wherein a part of the holder (15) is provided with a printable surface, suitable for printing with for instance a company logo. 19. Wallet suitable for use in an assembly as claimed in any of the claims 1-10, comprising at least one compartment (2, 3, 4. suitable for receiving a payment card (5) and mounting means provided in this compartment 25, for attaching a reading device according to any of claims 11-18. 20. Wallet according to claim 19, wherein the fixing means comprise at least one opening (20), in a wall of the compartment (2, 3, 4), for passage of at least a part of a in use in the compartment (2, 3, 4) inserted reading device. 1022648