text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Oct 7, 1980
|Filing date
|Oct 27, 1978
|Priority date
|Oct 27, 1978
|Publication number
|Leonard H. Taylor
|Original Assignee
|Taylor Leonard H
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (7), Referenced by (14), Classifications (10)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for authenticating the identity of the user of an encoded document.
2. Prior Art
The use of credit cards in today's society is ever present. Credit cards are used to represent an exchange of money for goods and services in almost all locations and in almost all types of commercial establishments, including banks, restaurants, department stores, gas stations, tourist attractions, theaters, supermarkets and other retail outlets. Unfortunately, along with the almost universal use of credit cards there is a large incidence of credit card theft and subsequent use by unauthorized users. The most common method of checking whether the user is authorized to use the card that is being presented to complete a transaction is to compare the user's signature with the one on the signature strip. However, these comparisons are cursory at best, and the person making the comparison is rarely capable of detecting even the most rudimentary of forgeries. These signature comparisons are sometimes augmented by the employment of centralized credit information agencies. However, references to such agencies merely confirm that the cards or other instruments are authentic and that funds are available. These references do not confirm the identity of the user.
Previous attempts to provide means for verifying that the person using a credit card was the one authorized to do so have not proven to be successful. The systems previously produced have been overly complex and difficult to use by either the customer or the merchant or both. These systems have often been large and bulky. They have been difficult to manufacture and are very expensive. Many of the previous systems require access to a computer, which is a large expense occurring on a continuing basis. Because of the problems inherent with previous systems, their use has not been widespread. Because of the high costs involved, only large financial institutions have been able to use the previous systems. However, few of these institutions have found it advantageous to use any of the systems previously known. The previous systems for verifying the identity of a credit card user are impracticable for use by commercial establishments, particularly retail stores, gas stations and restaurants.
In addition, previous systems required complex encoding of credit cards. Such encoding included magnetic coding, which is very expensive and very susceptible to accidental alteration, and hole punching, which generally weakens the durability of the card.
Previous systems include the credit card verifier described by Appleton in U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,404. This system required a credit card reader and a specially adapted keyboard. These units make that system bulky and expensive and allow for more instances of unreliability. It employs microprocessor components which tends to increase the difficulty of manufacture and the costs of the system.
The system described by McCune, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,405 requires a credit card reader, a keyboard, complex logic circuitry, including timing circuitry, a display unit, and access to a centralized computer. This system is very large, very expensive and is designed to be used by large financial institutions, preferably in cooperation with each other.
The system disclosed in Norwich, U.S. Pat. No. 3,728,522 requires a magnetically encoded card, a card reader, a writing unit, and complex circuitry. It also requires a series of actions by the system's operator.
The system described by Housman in U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,201 requires complex logic circuitry which, as described above, increases the cost of manufacture of the card verifying systems. This system also provides for the effective destruction of the card if a wrong entry is made, leaving little margin of error. The card itself must have electric circuitry embedded in it which greatly increases the cost of manufacturing the credit cards.
The systems described above are representative of the prior art which has so far produced bulky or stationary systems. These systems are complex and expensive and impracticable for widespread use.
The above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known credit card systems have prevented their use on a scale of any consequence. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a system for authenticating the identity of a card user.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for authenticating the identity of a card user which is simple to manufacture and may be produced at low cost.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for authenticating the identity of a card user which is capable of being held in the hand of its operator.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for authenticating the identity of a card user which is difficult to decode.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system for authenticating the identity of a card user which will be capable of being used by a wide spectrum of commercial establishments so as to act as a deterrent to credit card thefts and the monetary losses which usually result from such thefts.
The above objects are accomplished by the present invention. The system of this invention is comprised of a positive identification device and a card bearing visible identification indicia. The authentication device is a small, light-weight device which can be easily held in one's hand. It has at least one (1) dial for the entry of a secret code by the card user. Each dial is connected to a cylinder which has numerous protuberances on it. Each cylinder is positioned in close proximity to lever members which each make electrical contact at one end of the lever when the other end of the lever is contacted by a protuberance on the cylinder. The electrical contacts made by the levers form part of an electrical circuit which is completed upon the closure of appropriate verification switches on the authentication device. The protuberances are positioned on the cylinders so that for each setting of the secret code entry dials, a different group of verification switches must be thrown to make a complete circuit. The positive identification device also comprises an identity authentication indicator lamp and a source of electricity, usually a battery, which make up the rest of the circuit which is completed upon the closing of verification switches.
The cards are manufactured in the usual way, with each card being encoded with visible identification information in the same manner that account numbers are embossed on the cards. The authorized user of the credit card is then given a secret code. Before being allowed to make a commercial transaction, the card user must enter his secret code on the secret code entry dials of the authentication device of this invention. The operator of the commercial establishment then closes verification switches on the authenticating device which correspond to the visible identification information on the card. If the secret code number entered into the authentication device correctly complements the visible identification information on the card, a simple electric circuit is completed in the authentification device upon the closing of the verification switches on the device by the operator of the commercial establishment and an identity authentication indicator lamp lights up indicating that the card user is the authorized user and the transaction can proceed.
If the credit card user is not an authorized user, the unauthorized user would not know the secret code which complements the visible identification information on the card. Consequently, the number entered on the secret number entry dials of the positive identification device would not cause a commpletion of an electric circuit within the device upon the throwing of the verification switches by the operator of the commercial establishment. Therefore, the identity authentication indicator lamp would not light up. To insure that the positive identification device is not faulty, the test button is depressed to light the indicator lamp. If it lights up, then, depending upon the policy of the commercial establishment, the operator could merely refuse to allow the use of the credit card in the transaction or the operator could call upon the appropriate authorities to deal with the suspected unauthorized user of the credit card.
Because the authentication device of this invention is small and lightweight, easy to operate and inexpensive to manufacture, it is capable of enjoying widespread use across the spectrum of commercial establishments, and is particularly suitable for distribution by credit card companies. Therefore, it can readily be seen that the present invention will act as a major deterrent to credit card thieves.
The system of the present invention can readily be used in situations other than those involving credit transactions. For example, the system may be used to authenticate the identity of one holding a document used to identify those allowed entry to limited access areas such as government installations, schools or construction sites.
The relationship between the visible identification information and secret number codes can be changed periodically by a simple realignment of the dials and cylinders. Thereby new groupings of electrical connections are formed so that old secret codes become inoperative. Concurrent with the realignment of the dials and cylinders, each authorized card user is notified of the new secret code which is to be used with the visible identification information on the card in the user's possession. Thus, any effort by unauthorized card users to learn the secret code to match the visible information on a card would be for nought.
The positive identification device is constructed so that the cylinders separate from the secret number entry dials if the device is opened for examination. Therefore, any attempt to elicit current secret code numbers by examining the device would be stymied because the mechanical connection between the dials and cylinders is destroyed.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the positive identification device used in the system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the positive identification device taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1
FIG. 3 is a top cutaway view of the device taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit used in the authentication device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the device taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 shows the device of FIG. 5 after it has been partially taken apart.
FIG. 10 shows a card encoded for use in the system of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 10, card 80 is typical of the type of document used in the system of the present invention. Usually it will be a credit card. The card is manufactured in the usual way, with visible identification information 81 embossed on the card in the same manner that the authorized user's name 82 and account number 83 are. In the preferred embodiment, the visible identification information 81 is a series of alphabetical characters. These characters could also be numerical or otherwise symbolical. The characters of the visible identification information are four (4) in number, chosen from the first twelve (12) consonants of the English alphabet. It is clear that the visible identification information could include greater or fewer than four (4) characters.
FIG. 1 shows the authentication device 10 of this invention. The device is housed in a case composed of a top body member 12 and a bottom body member 16. The case is produced in a manner well known in the art and can be made of a variety of materials. In the preferred embodiment the case is made of molded plastic. Pads 14, shown in FIG. 2, are attached to the lower side of bottom body member 16 and can be made of almost any resilient material.
Secret code entry dials 22 (also called "user dials") appear through slots in the top body member 12. The preferred embodiment of the present invention has two secret code entry dials, but other embodiments may have greater or fewer dials. Each dial has marked upon it a series of numbers 95 in FIG. 1 and a corresponding number of detents 24 which come in contact with a detent ball 21, shown in FIG. 5, so that the dial does not slip from its setting. Detents 24 are placed on the rims of the dials and the numerical markings appear on the inside edges. In other embodiments these positions can be reversed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the authorized card user is given a four (4) digit code, which complements the visible identification information 81 on the user's card, to memorize. It is upon the user dials 22 that the card user enters his secret code during identification authentication procedures. For example, if his secret code is 1826, the card user will set the left and right secret code entry dials so that the numerical markings 18 and 26 respectively align with arrows 23.
Visible identification information entering means 26 (also referred to as "verification switches") appear through another slot in top body member 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention there are twelve (12) verification switches identified by alphabetical characters, here the first twelve consonants of the English alphabet. A greater number or a fewer number of switches can be used, and the switches can be identified by numerical or other symbolic characters. In the preferred embodiment, the verification switches are in a bank of single throw switches. In other embodiments, the visible identification entering means may be similar to the user dials.
The operator of the positive identification device 10, usually an operator of a commercial establishment, closes the verification switches which correspond to the characters of visible identification information 81 on the user's card 80. For example, if the characters of the visible identification information are BDFK, the operator closes verification switches B, D, F and K. If the card user had entered the correct secret code onto the secret code entry dials, an identity authentication indicator would respond. The indicator could respond to alert the operator to the fact that the user is unauthorized. The indicator could be a buzzer. In this embodiment it is a lamp 27 which lights up indicating that the card user is an authorized user. If the lamp does not light up, then the operator depresses test switch 28. This is done to insure that the power source, usually a battery 29, shown symbolically in FIG. 4, and the identity authentication indicator lamp are in operating order. If the lamp lights up upon the depressing of the test switch, the operator knows that the credit card user has entered an incorrect code on dials 22. Depending on the policy followed, the operator could allow the user to repeat the process, the operator may refuse to allow the use of the card in the transaction or the operator may call the appropriate authorities to deal with the suspected unauthorized card user. If lamp 27 does not light up when test switch 28 is closed, then the operator can replace the lamp or the battery (the access to the battery is not shown) or both. In this procedure there is never a need to insert the card, or any other document, into the device.
Referring to FIG. 4, the circuit of the device of this invention is shown in schematic form. When test switch 28 is depressed and battery 29 and lamp 27 are in working order, a completed circuit exists and lamp 27 lights up. During normal use, test switch 28 stays open. Battery 29 and lamp 27 are connected to an electrical circuit which comprises two sets of switches, the first set of switches ("first switches") corresponding to the user code dials 22 and the second set of switches ("second switches") corresponding to the visible identification information entering means 26. The number of switches in the first set is equal to the number of switches in the second set. Lamp 27 only lights up when electrical circuit 61 is enabled. By the present invention the electrical circuit is enabled only upon the activating of second switches which are complementary to the first switches actuated. Each switch of the first set is wired to a respective switch of the second set forming switching pairs, the number of switching pairs of course being equal to the number of first switches, each switching pair comprising one first switch and one second switch. The electrical circuit is enabled only upon the actuating of either the first switch or the second switch of all the switching pairs. The electrical circuit could be formed in a variety of manners, including connecting the first switch and the second switch of each switching pair in series and then connecting all the switching pairs together on parallel, the electrical circuit being enabled upon either the first switch or the second switch of all of the switching pairs being opened.
In the preferred embodiment the first switch and the second switch of each switching pair are connected in parallel and the switching pairs are all connected in series, the electrical circuit being enabled upon either the first switch or the second switch of all the switching pairs being closed.
In the preferred embodiment the first set of switches is comprised of electrical contacts 50 and the conductive end portion of levers 43. Each lever 43 and each successive pair of contacts 50 comprise a first switch. It is obvious that the second set of switches could be formed in the same way. In the preferred embodiment, however, the set of second switches is identical to verification switches 26.
Referring to FIG. 5, user dials 22 are mounted on axle 31. The user dials rotate in either direction, independently of each other. The user dials are mounted next to rotating members which in the preferred embodiment are cylinders 35. Each end of each cylinder is hollowed out so that circular cavities 51 are formed. Narrow interlocking rims 53 and narrow spacer rims 55 are thus formed out of the ends of the cylinders. The cylinders are kept pressed up against the user dials by spacers 37 located on I-beam 39. Spacers 37 engage spacer rims 55 during normal operation of the device. Spacers 37 are of narrow width so that when I-beam 39 is displaced by a small amount, spacers 37 and spacer rims 55 disengage.
As shown in FIG. 9, interlocking rims 53 have a tooth and notch pattern 32 in them. User dial 22 has a complementary tooth and notch pattern 34 in its side, as shown in FIG. 6, so that when spacers 37 engage spacer rims 55, the user dial and the cylinder it is mounted next to mesh together and rotate as one unit, as shown in FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 2, cylinders 35 have upon their surfaces means for coupling with switch actuators, said switch actuators to be discussed subsequently. These coupling means could take many forms. In the preferred embodiment they are protuberances 36. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinders are molded plastic so that protuberances 36 are readily formed. The protuberances on the cylinders are arranged so that for a particular setting of user dials 22 only certain switch actuators are engaged.
The switch actuators discussed above can take many forms, from ordinary push button switches to microswitches. In the preferred embodiment the switch actuators are levers 43 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As can be seen, levers 43 are positioned in close proximity to cylinders 35 so that for each particular dial setting, protuberances 36 push up against the forward end of selected levers 43.
Those levers against which the protuberances press up pivot about a fulcrum composed of bushings 45 and screw 44 which is attached to top body member 12, shown in FIG. 2, and positioned in journals 93, shown in FIG. 5. The hole in which screw 44 is placed is big enough to allow the lever to pivot. The other end of each lever contacted by the protuberances rotates downward to make contact with a pair of electrical contacts 50.
The protuberances 36 on the cylinders are set so that for each dial setting for entry of a secret code number which corresponds to a series of visible identification information on the card 80, protuberances will press up against eight (8) of the levers. In the preferred embodiment there are more possible dial settings than secret codes; therefore some of the dial settings will be dummy numbers, with the protuberances on the drums pressing up against seven (7) or fewer levers. As will be seen, if a user enters one of the dummy numbers, the electrical circuit which must be completed for the identity authentication indicator lamp 27 to light up would not, upon the closing of the verification switches corresponding to the visible identification information, be completed.
Electrical contacts 50 are wired to verification switches 26. As shown in FIG. 4, each lever that comes down on electrical contacts 50 removes the necessity of closing a corresponding verification switch to complete the electrial circuit. For example, if a protuberance on a drum comes in contact with the lever third from the left, verification switch D need not be closed.
After the card user has entered his secret code on user dials 22, the operator closes the verification switches which correspond to the visible identification information on the user's card. By way of example, if the card user has a card with visible identification information BDFK upon it and the secret code which corresponds to that set of visible identification information is 1826, which code is correctly entered onto the secret code entry dials, the second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth levers will be contacted by the protuberances on the drums and will come down upon the electrical contacts. Thus upon the operator's closing of verification switches B, D, F and K a completed circuit is made and lamp 27 lights up. If the secret code is a number other than 1826, upon the entry of 1826 on the secret code entry dials by the user one or more of the second, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth levers will not be brought into contact with electrical contacts 50. Therefore, a complete electrical circuit will not be made upon the closing of verification switches B, D, F and K and lamp 27 will not light up, thereby indicating that the person using the card is not an authorized user.
During the assembly of the device of the present invention, axle 31 is slipped through I-beam 39. As shown in FIG. 8, I-beam 39 has opening 91 which is larger than the diameter of axle 31 so that there is longitudinal play between those two members. Cylinders 35 are then slipped over axle 31. Torque springs 57 are next slipped over the axle. One end of each torque spring is attached to each cylinder 35. Next, user dials 22 are slipped over the axle with the other end of each torque spring 57 being attached to each user dial. Each user dail and its respective cylinder are rotated with respect to each other so that the torque spring is stressed. The user dial and the cylinder are then connected together so that the protuberances 36 on the cylinder correspond to the numbers marked on the dial in a predetermined manner. The torque spring is put under compressive force and fits into circular cavity 51. If the cylinder and user dial are not held firmly together, the stressed torque spring will push the cylinder and dial apart and rotate them relative to each other, destroying the relationship between the protuberances 36 and the markings on the user dial. I-beam 39 is positioned so that spacers 37 keep the cylinder and dial compressed together. The assembly described above is then positioned in bottom body member 16, with axle 31 being snap fitted into support members 33 as shown in FIG. 7. Support members 33 are integral with bottom body member 16.
The lower surface of I-beam 39 rests upon bottom body member 16. The upper surface of the I-beam is coated with an adhesive. When top body member 12 is placed over and attached to bottom body member 16, the upper surface of I-beam 39 adheres to the lower surface of the top body member. Thus, if an authorized card user or any other unauthorized person were to attempt to discover the secret code by a visual inspection of the relationship between the user dials and the cylinders with their protuberances, such an attempt would fail. Upon lifting the top body member to open the positive identification device to physical inspection, the I-beam which is adhered to the top body member is pulled up along with it. The remainder of the assembly is held in place by support members 33. Therefore, spacers 37 become disengaged from spacer rims 55, as shown in FIG. 9, whereupon the user dials 22 and cylinders 35 are pushed and spun away from each other. Therefore, the relationship between the dials and the drums is destroyed, thus preventing the discernment of the secret codes which complement the visible identification information.
The authentication devices are easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Also, the alignment of the dials and cylinders can be changed periodically. New cylinder-to-dial relationships create new groupings of resultant electrical connections, thus making the old secret codes inoperative. At the time that the new alignments are made, authorized card users are informed of their new secret codes. Thus, any unauthorized user would not be able to know what the current secret code is for the card he holds.
The system of the present invention is easy to use, requires no insertion of a card in a device, is tamper-proof and costs only battery and lamp bulb replacement to operate. The positive identification device is light-weight and small enough to be held in one hand. It is a self-contained unit and can be carried right to the point of sale, as in a gas station, to a car driver's window, or a restaurant, to the customer's table. Therefore, the positive identification device is capable of widespread acceptance and acts as a strong deterrent to credit card thieves, as well as thieves of other types of instruments.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it should be understood that it is capable of variation without departing from the principles of the invention and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms or equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.
|Cited Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Dec 31, 1936
|Oct 10, 1939
|Mcgrath Joseph L
|Amusement device
|Mar 5, 1962
|May 14, 1963
|Devry Technical Inst Inc
|Answer checking device
|Jun 30, 1967
|Feb 25, 1969
|Walter W Barney
|Validator apparatus for magnetic credit cards and the like
|Sep 8, 1967
|May 26, 1970
|Clary Corp
|Credit verification system
|Mar 28, 1969
|Feb 15, 1972
|Hudson Corp
|Code authenticator
|Oct 24, 1972
|May 7, 1974
|Munafo V
|Electrical apparatus providing self-teaching assistance
|Dec 22, 1975
|Jun 28, 1977
|Haker Floyd H
|Money transfer device keyboard terminal
|Citing Patent
|Filing date
|Publication date
|Mar 28, 1994
|May 16, 1995
|Gpt Limited
|Method and apparatus for verifying the integrity of a smart card
|Jan 9, 1997
|Jul 7, 1998
|Micron Communications, Inc.
|Method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver
|Feb 13, 1997
|Nov 23, 1999
|Micron Communications, Inc.
|Tamper resistant smart card and method of protecting data in a smart card
|Aug 30, 1999
|May 30, 2000
|Micron Technology, Inc.
|Tamper resistant smart card and method of protecting data in a smart card
|Jan 16, 1998
|Apr 24, 2001
|Micron Technology, Inc.
|Method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver
|Apr 19, 2000
|Aug 14, 2001
|Micron Technology, Inc.
|Tamper resistant smart card and method of protecting data in a smart card
|Feb 1, 2001
|Dec 4, 2001
|Micron Technology, Inc.
|Method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver
|Dec 11, 2006
|Sep 1, 2009
|Keystone Technology Solutions, Llc
|Radio frequency identification device and method
|Aug 30, 2007
|Jun 29, 2010
|Round Rock Research, Llc
|Radio frequency identification device and method
|Aug 29, 2007
|Nov 23, 2010
|Round Rock Resarch, LLC
|Electronic communication devices, methods of forming electrical communication devices, and communications methods
|Sep 11, 2006
|May 24, 2011
|Round Rock Research, Llc
|Electronic communication devices, methods of forming electrical communication devices, and communications methods
|Oct 24, 2006
|Sep 13, 2011
|Round Rock Research, Llc
|System and method to track articles at a point of origin and at a point of destination using RFID
|Sep 11, 2006
|Jan 11, 2007
|Tuttle Mark E
|Electronic communication devices, methods of forming electrical communication devices, and communications methods
|Dec 4, 2003
|Oct 4, 2011
|Round Rock Research, Llc
|Method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver
|U.S. Classification
|235/380, 235/441, 200/46
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification


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Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire
Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire
Hotel Guest Rating: 9.5/10
6732 Swan Mill Road
Wilmington, NC 28405
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Welcome to the Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire
Spacious suites, full kitchens and a free hot breakfast buffet are just the beginning of our guests' solid experiences at the Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire.
Hotel Features
Built in 2010, this four-story hotel has 118 rooms, all of them suites. Rooms have separate living and sleeping areas with two flat-panel TVs, large work desks and ergonomic chairs. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi and wired internet access. You can get cooking with full kitchens equipped with ceramic cooktops, granite counters, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, cookware and tableware. No need to run out, you can get what you need at the 24-hour sundry shop. Silence that early-morning tummy grumbling with yummy eggs, savory sausage, crispy bacon, hot coffee and more at the free, hot breakfast buffet. You can boost your cardio in the Precor fitness center or crank out some work in the business center. A PGA-style putting green is available to help you unwind, or you can splash into the refreshing outdoor pool, sip cocktails at the pool bar or just soak in the soothing hot tub. Kiddies can scream and splash at their own pool. You can start the evening with free beer, wine and light snacks at the evening manager's reception, Monday-Thursday. Parking is free.
Hotel Location
The Homewood Suites is located a quarter of a mile from Mayfaire Town Center, with stores, restaurants and a movie theater. You can hit the sand and surf at Wrightsville Beach, just three miles away, or take a tour of EUE/Screen Gem Studios, the largest movie and television production facility outside of California (a 14-minute drive). The hotel is eight miles from Wilmington International Airport. Airport shuttles are available for a fee.
Guest Favorites
At the Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire, guests can stretch out with roomy, completely up-to-date suites, including kitchens with all the conveniences.
Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Air conditioning individually controlled in room
- Alarm clock
- Buffet breakfast
- Business center
- Cable television
- CNN available
- Cocktail lounge
- Complimentary buffet breakfast
- Complimentary cocktails
- Complimentary in-room coffee or tea
- Conference facilities
- Desk with electrical outlet
- Evening reception
- Exercise gym
- Express check-out
- Family plan
- Fire safety compliant
- Fitness center on-site
- Free high speed internet connection
- Free parking
- Gift/News stand
- Grocery shopping service available
- Hairdryer
- Heated guest rooms
- Heated pool
- High speed internet access fee
- Interior corridors
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Jacuzzi
- Kitchenette
- Late check-out available
- Laundry/Valet service
- Meeting rooms
- Non-smoking
- Non-smoking rooms (generic)
- On-site business center
- On-site business center is staffed
- On-Site parking
- Outdoor pool
- Parking
- Parking lot
- Photocopy center
- Pool
- Public area air conditioned
- Remote control television
- Safe deposit box
- Security
- Sundry/Convenience store
- Valet cleaning
- Voice mail
- Welcome drink
- Whirlpool
Hotel Information
Upon check-in photo identification and credit card is required. All special requests are subject to availability upon check-in. Special requests cannot be guaranteed and may incur additional charges. Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Hotel Guest Reviews of the Homewood Suites Wilmington MayfaireOur hotel ratings and reviews are from real hotel guests. Priceline.com ensures that its reviews are guests-only by proactively sending hotel surveys to customers after they've completed their hotel stays. In the post-stay surveys, priceline.com hotel customers are asked a number of questions about their stay and the hotel. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, the survey asks guests to rate their overall experience and specifically rate the hotel's cleanliness, staff and location. Priceline.com does not allow site visitors to post unsolicited hotel reviews.
Sort by: All Travelers | Business Traveler(2) | Solo Traveler(3) | Traveling as Couple(10) | Family with Young Children(5) | Family with Teens(1) | Group Traveler(3)
Verified Hotel Guest from Malvern, PA
September 2, 2015
Business Traveler
September 2, 2015
Business Traveler
easy access to all locations, walked to shopping area for dinner and coffee. Hotel provided free breakfast and afternoon snacks. Suite was comfortable
Verified Hotel Guest from Palmyra, VA
August 24, 2015
Family Traveling with Young Children
August 24, 2015
Family Traveling with Young Children
The staff was friendly and very helpful.
Verified Hotel Guest from Granite Falls, NC
August 10, 2015
Family Traveling with Young Children
August 10, 2015
Family Traveling with Young Children
Everything was great..clean and very friendly personnel
Pete from Bakersfield, CA
June 7, 2015
Family Traveling with Young Children
June 7, 2015
Family Traveling with Young Children
The staff was very friendly always and treated you every Tim you saw them
Verified Hotel Guest from Fairfax, VA
March 3, 2015
Group Traveler
March 3, 2015
Group Traveler
Great room for a large group. Everyone had space and felt comfortable. Love the mini kitchen. Breakfast was much better than expected.
not enough seating in living room for the amount of people that the rooms hold
Savannah from Wilmington, NC
January 27, 2015
Group Traveler
January 27, 2015
Group Traveler
In had about 7 girls stay in the two bedroom suite. Webuad the best time. Plenty of room and a nice relaxing hot tub outside. I will be staying here again.
Verified Hotel Guest from San Diego, CA
January 3, 2015
January 3, 2015
The rooms were clean and spacious. The staff were very helpful. I forgot a few personal items that they gave me right away. The complimentary dinner and breakfast and drinks is amazing! Overall a wonderful experience. Would definitely stay here again!
Michael from Burtonsville, MD
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2014
Everything about the hotel was great.
A little noisy at times in the hall way when people spoke.
Robert from Hyattsville, MD
December 25, 2014
Solo Traveler
December 25, 2014
Solo Traveler
the bed was very confortable
total experience was great
staff friendly and helpful
Gary from West Richland, WA
December 11, 2014
December 11, 2014
Large clean room; friendly staff; excellent price
Windows would not open.
Reviews of Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire
(1 - 10 of 26 reviews)
(1 - 10 of 26 reviews)
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- Homewood Suites Wilmington Mayfaire


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Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a fairly uncommon but potentially fatal spinal cord disease that can be difficult to diagnose. A number of other disorders mimic the signs and symptoms of DM, including intervertebral disk disease, myelitis, degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, spinal cord neoplasia (cancer) and hip dysplasia, among others. A veterinarian presented with a dog showing hind limb lameness, lack of coordination, muscle wasting and partial paralysis must first rule out other causes of the dog's condition before reaching a presumptive diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy. She will take a thorough history from the dog's owner, focusing on when, where and how the dog's symptoms first came to light. She will also perform a thorough physical examination, including a neurologic examination if she is skilled in that area, to try and localize which parts, if any, of the spinal cord have been damaged or are otherwise involved. The initial evaluation may include routine blood and urine assessment (complete blood count, serum chemistry panel and urinalysis). The results of those tests typically will be unremarkable if DM is the underlying cause of the dog's condition.
A comprehensive neurological examination is critical to making a tentative diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy. Dogs with this disease are not painful, and a skilled veterinarian can localize their spinal cord lesions to the upper and lower back (thoracic and lumbar) areas. Survey X-rays of the chest and back (thoracolumbar radiographs) can be taken to screen for primary or metastatic cancer. The veterinarian will review the radiographs carefully, looking for any evidence of tumors along or around the spinal cord that may be contributing to the dog's symptoms. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid can be analyzed for evidence of inflammation. Advanced imaging procedures, such as electromyography, myelography, nerve conduction studies, computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be performed alone or in combination to rule out other disorders. A test is now available to detect the presence of the genetic mutation that is responsible for causing degenerative myelopathy in dogs. Normal dogs will have two copies of the non-mutated gene; this is called being "homozygous" for the normal gene. Carriers will have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutated gene, one coming from each parent; this is called being "heterozygous" for that gene. Dogs that have or are at risk for having DM will have two copies of the mutated gene; they will be "homozygous" for the mutated gene. All dogs with DM will have two of the abnormal genes, but not all dogs with two of the abnormal genes will develop DM.
In a living animal, degenerative myelopathy can only be diagnosed by ruling out other causes of progressive, irreversible paralysis. Unfortunately, the only definitive way to diagnose this disease is to examine the dog's spinal cord under a microscope after the animal has died. This is done at a diagnostic pathology laboratory using a technique called histopathology.
Dog Health Center
Dental Disorders
Learn about Canine Periodontal Disease, including how it affects the health of your dog's overall health, and what options are available to manage this type of dental condition. Learn more about: Dental Disorders


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Edit hours
Back in my old hood 😜 #SpringfieldTownCenter HOLLA!
Staff are very friendly and are willing to help.
This Target is nice and quiet on the weekdays.
What the hell do you mean you can give me a complete receipt for my purchase because YOU ran out of register tape?! Refill that shit & reprint it!
Shopping cart escalator!
This mall is a shell of itself I can't wait til 2014 to see what it becomes.
If you buy beer it takes an act of god to get your ID approved
We're selling Girl Scout cookies!!!
Rude! The cashier expected me to run down stairs to shoes to get a pair that had a tag on it. There is this thing called a phone, use it. Umm last I checked I don't work there. Dumb, lazy, idiot.
They need more employees to walk around, be available to help with directions around store.
Worse Target in northern va... They are always out of the one thing you need.
Takes forever to get manager to get $5 gift card advertised with sale purchase. Go figure???
Don't come here unless you have to...people are just so rude
Bathroom break? Don't do it here!!! Disgusting bathroom. Hold it and use the bathroom at the food court or JC Penney's. Trust me!
Don't come here for school supplies!
Well, at least it's better than Walmart.
In need of cashiers
quite possibly the worst target--with the slowest checkout lines--in the history of the free world.
Remember which level you parked on and.came in. Choose the wrong level when exiting and you'll think you case's been stolen.
Did you bring back your plastic bags and product wraps for recycling?
Liberty if London collection has just arrived In the store. Great display in Misses. Products displayed throughtout the store.


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Let me start off by saying I am so highly disgusted with your company, your service, your professionalism and morale. When calling about inquiring to have girls for Lavish Couture: The Fashion Experience fashion show, I was greeted with the upmost disrespect. I told how Lavish started, what we are doing with the community, etc. Let me note that all of my staff (INCLUDING ME) is doing this completely voluntarily to bu... view moreLike this review?Yes|Flag Abuse
Samuels International Cosmetology Academy
13560 E McNichols Rd,
Detroit, MI 48205
(313) 372-7455
Business Details
in Business
- Hours:
- Do you know the hours for this business?
- Neighborhood:
- Conner
- Category:
- Beauty Schools
This is a great place to go to school. At Samuels Intl. Cos. Academy you learn how to braid and weave through individualized instruction and you learn all the the techniques that are included in your category of classes. They also teach you the marketing, advertising, business communication, legal do's and don't of the State of Michigan laws of the hair industry. Along with the decontaination process, personality de... view moreLike this review?Yes|Flag Abuse


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An Illusion for our Time
October 20, 1997
This week's TNR cover story by James Mann deals with the vexing problem that China poses to the community of nations—and to the young Obama administration. Mann observes that, even as China has opened up economically, it has pursued an aggressive foreign policy. Writing in TNR thirteen years ago, Peter Beinart anticipated this situation.
The Forest and the Trees
August 07, 1995
Landscape and Memory by Simon Schama (Knopf, 652 pp., $40) We rush across the gleaming surface of the ocean, moving rapidly but smoothly above the untroubled beauty of the dark waters. Jagged cliffs and wild surf, rugged hills and lush grass pass beneath us. Music plays. Finally we reach our destination, where the action begins. It may be a prison from which a psychopathic bomber prepares to break out, or a clearing where poor Scottish farmers will discover the hanged bodies of their chiefs, or a village where women will be impregnated by aliens.
The Closing Door
December 26, 1993
Nathan Glazer: Can we restrict immigration?
The Oldest Dead White European Males
May 25, 1992
I. The species known as DWEM, which has only recently been isolated and identified, is already the focus of intense controversy. As usually happens to newly discovered species, it is even being broken down into subspecies; I am informed that a professor at a local university has recently offered a course in DWAM, that is, in Dead White American Males, with readings presumably in such writers as Thoreau, Emerson, and Mark Twain. I propose to discuss only the European type, and, in particular, its first appearance on the face of the planet. My specimens are certainly dead. In fact, they have bee
Why Are We in Afghanistan?
September 04, 1989
We want them to beat the Soviets, but what if the mujahedin take over?
The Triumph of Asian-Americans
July 15, 1985
David A. Bell: How one group of immigrants found its place in America.
Last Chance for the Philippines
April 08, 1985
The script is painfully familiar: a vain and increasingly isolated leader, an ineffectual and autocratic regime, a people plagued by poverty and deprived of democracy, a Communist movement mounting a potent political and military challenge. This time the scene is the Philippines. where the ghosts of Chiang Kai-shek, Fulgencio Batista, Ngo Dinh Diem, Nguyen Van Thieu, and Anastasio Somoza haunt the Malacanang Palace of Ferdinand Marcos. The 10,000 to 20,000 peasant guerrillas of the Communist New People's Army are not yet in a position to take over Manila.
Open the Door
March 31, 1985
Chuck Lane: The case for embracing immigration.
Mission to China
March 04, 1972
From the Editors: February marks the thirty-eighth anniversary of President Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing, and, back in 1972, TNR was one of the few media outlets able to get a first-hand report from the trip. John Osborne's report, "Mission to China," provided a snapshot of a country far removed from the modern economic power it is today. "China, feared though it has been and mightier now than it has ever been before, is still a poor country and, in the scales of world power, a weak country," Osborne wrote.


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Wärtsilä, ship power system integrator for the marine industry, has received a ship design order from the Norwegian shipping company Sartor Shipping AS. The order is for two Vik-Sandvik 465 FSV design vessels that will be built at the Wison Heavy Industry shipyard in China. Wärtsilä scope of supply also includes two main engines, gear boxes and propellers. Sartor Shipping has options for further newbuildings at the yard. The vessels are due for delivery in 2010 and 2011.
The design incorporates a hybrid system that offers considerable fuel savings compared to a purely diesel mechanical solution. This is because the available power can be adjusted to meet the various demands of the different operations that this type of vessel will be used for. The savings will be particularly notable when operating at lower power loads.
Multi-functionality is an extremely important feature of this design as the vessels are intended for use in a multitude of different tasks. These are likely to include offshore standby service, emergency towing, oil spill recovery, ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) operations, fire fighting, tanker assistance and surface surveillance.
The vessels will have redundant Dynamical Position system, DP II. The speed of the vessels will be approximately 51 ft. The vessels' length is 216 ft and the beam 59 ft. They will comply with the Bureau Veritas (BV) 'Clean Ship' notation for pollution prevention.
Wärtsilä acquired the global ship design group Vik-Sandvik in July 2008.
Press release - Becker Marine Systems and KOTUG signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a LNG Hybrid Barge in the Port of Rotterdam with effect from June 2017.
Denmark's Tuco Marine has revealed its new dive support and ROV Support boat designs. The two new vessels complement the designer's range of ProZero workboats and
Outsourcing, E-Solutions Help Mariners "Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say, and Prove it."
The perennial "Year of Subchapter M" has been kicked forward again, this time to February 2016.