Imaging device having a passive compliant card scanner and a validation sensor

An imaging game card device, comprising:

• receiving means;
• a card for insertion into said receiving means, comprising:
• a substrate imprinted with a pattern of infrared radiating ink indicating a prize and binary zones denoting a code corresponding to said prize, said binary zones selectively filled with infrared ink;
• and
• a thermal sensitive layer deposited over said substrate to visually conceal said infrared ink prior to said card being inserted into said receiving means;
• a light source disposed proximate said receiving means, said light source being adapted to shine visible light through said thermal sensitive layer and onto said pattern, whereby said ink converts visible light into infrared light to expose said prize and said code;
• a code sensor disposed proximate said receiving means, said code sensor being adapted to read said binary zones to detect the presence and absence of ink;
• a voice unit connected to said code sensor, said code sensor being adapted to actuate said voice unit in correspondence with the presence of absence of ink detected by the sensor in the scanner zones;
• and
• a validation sensor disposed below said pattern of infrared radiating ink and coupled to said voice unit, said validation sensor adapted to detect heat when said ink converts visible light into infrared light, said validation sensor actuating said voice unit only to announce a message upon not sensing heat and not actuate said voice unit in correspondence with presence or absence of ink.

An imaging card device, comprising:

• a passive compliant card scanner having a wide acceptance angle configured for easy insertion of a card therein;
• a card having binary zones, said binary zones being selectively filled with infrared radiating ink;
• a substrate on the card imprinted with a pattern of said binary zones of infrared radiating ink;
• a thermal sensitive layer deposited over said substrate to visually conceal the ink prior to said card being inserted into said receiving means;
• a code sensor mounted to said passive compliant card scanner, said code sensor being adapted to read said binary zones to detect the presence and absence of ink even when said binary zones are misaligned relative to said code sensor when the card is inserted within said passive compliant card scanner;
• a strobe light source mounted to said passive compliant card scanner, said light source being adapted to shine visible light through said thermal sensitive layer and onto said pattern, whereby said ink converts visible light into infrared light to expose said pattern;
• and
• a validation sensor disposed below said card, said validation sensor adapted to detect heat generated by the infrared ink upon being exposed to said pulse of light.

An imaging card device, comprising:

• a passive compliant card scanner having a wide acceptance angle configured for easy insertion of a card therein;
• a card having binary zones, said binary zones being selectively filled with infrared radiating ink, each such binary zone is sized such that a complete detection range of said zone sensor is always within said binary zone regardless of factors likely to cause said misalignment and cause all or a portion of said detection range of said zone sensor to fall outside said binary zone and cause detection errors;
• a substrate on the card imprinted with a pattern of said binary zones of infrared radiating ink;
• a thermal sensitive layer deposited over said substrate to visually conceal the ink prior to said card being inserted into said receiving means;
• a code sensor mounted to said passive compliant card scanner, said code sensor being adapted to read said binary zones to detect the presence and absence of ink even when said binary zones are misaligned relative to said code sensor when the card is inserted within said passive compliant card scanner;
• and
• a strobe light source mounted to said passive compliant card scanner, said light source being adapted to shine visible light through said thermal sensitive layer and onto said pattern, whereby said ink converts visible light into infrared light to expose said pattern.