U.S. patent application number 11/927614 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for dynamic credit card with magnetic stripe and embedded encoder and methods for using the same to provide a copy-proof credit card.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey D. Mullen.
Application Number | 20080302876 11/927614 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39028194 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302876 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mullen; Jeffrey D. |
December 11, 2008 |
DYNAMIC CREDIT CARD WITH MAGNETIC STRIPE AND EMBEDDED ENCODER AND
METHODS FOR USING THE SAME TO PROVIDE A COPY-PROOF CREDIT CARD
Abstract
A dynamic credit card is provided in which a secure credit card
number (e.g., a secret/hidden credit card number) is encoded based
on a timing signal (e.g., an internal counter) to provide a dynamic
credit card number. This dynamic number may be displayed to a user
via a display (e.g., so that online purchases can be made) or
written onto a magnetic stripe such that the number may be
processed by traditional credit card merchants (e.g., swiped). At a
remote facility, the dynamic number may be decoded based on time
(and/or a counter/key number/equation) or the facility may have the
secure number and perform the same function as the dynamic credit
card (e.g., encode using time data as a parameter to the encoding
equation) and compare the resultant dynamic number to the dynamic
number received. Thus, a dynamic credit card number may change
continually or periodically (e.g., every sixty seconds) such that
credit card numbers may not be copied by thieves and used at later
times. A dynamic verification code may be utilized in addition to,
or in lieu of, a dynamic credit card number.
Inventors: |
Mullen; Jeffrey D.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY D. MULLEN
731 SOUTH NEGLEY, APT. 2
PITTSBURGH
PA
15232
US
|
Family ID: |
39028194 |
Appl. No.: |
11/927614 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11431254 |
May 9, 2006 |
|
|
|
11927614 |
|
|
|
|
60679498 |
May 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/492 ;
235/493 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/401 20130101;
G06Q 20/24 20130101; G06Q 20/385 20130101; G06Q 20/105 20130101;
G06Q 20/3674 20130101; G06Q 20/40 20130101; G06Q 20/341 20130101;
G07F 7/1008 20130101; G06K 19/07703 20130101; G06K 19/077 20130101;
G06Q 20/40975 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/492 ;
235/493 |
International
Class: |
G06K 19/06 20060101
G06K019/06 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A credit card comprising: a processor for providing a dynamic
credit card number based, at least in part, on a timing signal; a
device for providing said dynamic credit card number and feedback
information to an external device; and a display for displaying
said feedback information and said dynamic credit card number.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said device is an encoder and
said feedback information includes the number of writes left for
said encoder.
12. A credit card comprising: a display; a processor for providing
a dynamic credit card number based, at least in part, on a timing
signal; and a receiver for receiving information from an
authorization facility.
13. The credit card of claim 12, wherein said received information
includes a purchase approval.
14. A credit card comprising: a counter, wherein said counter is
incremented at credit card use and said counter is utilized in
providing a dynamic credit card number.
15. A credit card comprising: a random number generator, wherein a
dynamic credit card number is provided based, at least in part, on
said random number generator.
16. A credit card comprising: a pseudo-random number generator,
wherein a dynamic credit card number is provided based, at least in
part, on said pseudo-random number generator.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/679,498, entitled "Dynamic Credit Card
With Magnetic Stripe And Embedded Encoder And Methods For Using The
Same To Provide A Copy-Proof Credit Card," filed on May 9, 2005,
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to credit cards. More particularly,
this invention relates to systems and methods for protecting
against credit card fraud.
[0003] Billions of dollars are lost annually to credit card fraud.
Particularly, credit card numbers are copied and used without
permission. Copying may take many forms. A thief may, for example,
catch a glimpse of an actual credit card and copy the number by
writing the number on a piece of paper. Alternatively, a thief may
intercept a digital signal representative of the credit card number
and utilize such a digital signal at a later time. It is therefore
desirable to provide systems and methods that completely eliminate
the possibility for such types of credit card fraud.
[0004] American Express has introduced a credit card with an
embedded smart chip (i.e., a smart card credit card). In doing so,
however, American Express had to replace the credit card readers at
any establishment (e.g., store) that wanted the capability to read
from an American Express smart card. Such smart card credit cards
do not solve the problem of copying credit card numbers and using
them at a later time--American Express smart cards still employ a
visible credit card number. It is therefore desirable to not only
eliminate credit card fraud, but do so without having to change any
of the hardware that establishments utilize to read credit
cards.
[0005] Traditional credit cards store information such as a
person's credit card number and expiration date on the magnetic
stripe of the credit card. The standard for traditional credit
cards, however, allows for more information to be written onto the
magnetic stripe and read by traditional credit card readers. None
of the current credit cards use all of this bandwidth. In fact,
some credit card companies write a string of zeroes after a
person's name and credit card number to fill such bandwidth. In
turn, the readers read and transmit the filler information to
credit card authorization facilities. The credit card authorization
facilities then discard this filler information. It is therefore
desirable to provide a credit card that fully utilizes the
bandwidth provided in traditional credit card magnetic stripe
standards.
[0006] Traditional credit cards that employ magnetic stripes are
deficient because the magnetic stripe is highly susceptible to wear
and magnetic interference. Particularly, the magnetic stripe can be
worn down physically or rewritten/erased by magnetic interference.
It is therefore desirable to provide a robust credit card that can
withstand wear and is not susceptible to interference.
[0007] Timing signals are transmitted throughout the globe. For
example, a WWVB atomic clock signal is transmitted from a radio
system available in North America that reaches the entire
continental United States, a large portion of Canada, and Central
America. The signal is transmitted one-bit per second. Fifty three
bits and 7 separators transmit the year, day, hour, minute, as well
as information on daylight savings time and leap years. Thus, the
WWVB signal takes 60 seconds to transmit. DCF time signals and MSF
time signals are transmitted throughout Europe. Moreover, the
Global Positioning System (GPS) transmits time signals--which are
utilized to locate GPS receivers in the world. GPS signals span the
entire globe. It is therefore desirable to utilize timing signals
in a manner other than to locate a receiver or determine the time
of day.
[0008] Wong et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,044 titled "Anonymous
Electronic Card For Generating Personal Coupons Useful in
Commercial and Security Transactions," filed on May 15, 2000,
discusses a magnetic storage medium affixed to a card that can be
read by a standard magnetic stripe reader. Here, a computer
generates a personal coupon after a personal identification number
is inputted into a card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
dynamic credit card with a visible number that changes periodically
(e.g., roughly every minute) or changes after each use. Thus, a
dynamic credit card may include a battery, a processor or other
circuitry, and a display. An encoder may also be provided such that
the number is not only displayed to a user, but may be written onto
the magnetic stripe of the credit card such that traditional
readers may read the credit card. Alternatively, circuitry that
creates magnetic fields that can be read by a traditional credit
card reader may be employed such that a magnetic stripe may be
removed altogether.
[0010] For dynamic credit cards that employ periodically changing
numbers, a timing signal may be used. For example, a signal
representative of time may be transmitted over an area (e.g., the
United States). Such a timing signal may be the U.S. atomic clock
signal (e.g., the WWVB signal), a European timing signal (e.g., the
DCF and MSF signals), or a timing signal used in a
locating/navigation system (e.g., a GPS signal).
[0011] A credit card may have a number that is secure to the user.
This secure number may then be coded in a variety of ways. For
example, the number may be coded dependent upon time. The coded
number may be displayed to a user (and/or written to the magnetic
stripe). A clock may be included in such a credit card to change
the number every period of time. The clock may be synchronized with
an external clock (e.g., the WWVB signal). Alternatively, the clock
may be sufficient to keep track of time for a long period of time
(e.g., 1-5 years) without accumulating errors that would be greater
than the period of time used to change the credit card number
(e.g., 1 minute). Thus, a clock may be utilized without external
synchronization.
[0012] The coded number may then be transmitted (e.g., entered into
the paying stage of an online store) to a credit card authorization
facility. The credit card authorization facility may, in turn, know
the user's secure number (e.g., the uncoded credit card number). To
identify the user, the credit card authorization facility may
utilize name information or account information transmitted with
the coded number. The authorization facility may then decode the
coded number to determine whether, for a particular period of time,
the received coded number is representative of the uncoded number.
The coded number may be, for example, representative of a credit
card number, card verification number, expiration date, any
combination thereof, or any additional information.
[0013] The authorization facility may determine if the coded number
is valid for a particular period of time in a variety of ways. For
example, the authorization facility may code the secure number in
the same way as the dynamic credit card would have coded the number
and compare the number computed by the facility to the number
received by the facility. Alternatively, the credit card
authorization facility may decode the coded number and compare the
decoded number to the secure number.
[0014] A dynamic credit card that periodically changes the credit
card number may occur at any interval. For example, the credit card
number may be changed approximately every minute, every ninety
seconds, every five minutes, or every hour.
[0015] Instead of receiving a transmitted timing signal (e.g., and
employing a receiver), a local timing circuit may be provided
(e.g., a counter driven by a clock/oscillator). Alternatively, the
card may both receive a transmitted timing signal (e.g., an atomic
clock signal) as well as employ a local timing circuit. In such an
embodiment, the local timing circuit may be updated (e.g.,
resynchronized) periodically (e.g., every day) or continually by
the received timing signal. Alternatively, the local timing circuit
may be utilized when a global timing signal is not received (e.g.,
when a card configured only to use the U.S. Atomic Clock Signal
travels to Europe for a week).
[0016] A dynamic credit card may also not include a display and the
credit card number may be updated continually in real time.
[0017] As stated above, an encoder may be provided in a dynamic
credit card. Such an encoder may be utilized to realize a number of
useful functions. An encoder allows for information to be written
on a magnetic stripe (or read by a magnetic stripe reader). Thus, a
dynamic credit card may utilize free space on the magnetic stripe
to write additional information. Such information may take many
forms and generally may be referred to as dynamic feedback
information. For example, software and/or circuitry may be included
on the dynamic credit card to detect if a person has attempted to
hack into the dynamic credit card. Thus, information may be
transmitted to the credit card authorization facility
representative of the status, or state, of the credit card (e.g.,
SECURE, INSECURE). As per another example, information as to the
components of the credit card may be transmitted as feedback
information. For example, if circuitry and/or software detects that
a battery is a week from dying or is storing below a particular
threshold of energy information can be transmitted with the next
credit card purchase stating that a battery is weak. In turn, the
authorization facility may utilize the weak battery information and
send out a replacement card (or replacement battery) so that the
user receives the replacement card (or battery) before the user's
battery dies. The amount of energy stored in the one or more
batteries may also be transmitted as feedback information.
[0018] Such dynamic feedback information may be displayed to the
user via a display on the credit card (e.g., by displaying "weak
battery" or "insecure"). Alternatively, the credit card
authorization facility may publish dynamic information on a website
associated to the user (or credit card). In this manner, a user may
see "weak battery" on the display of the credit card and then log
into a website to see additional information such as "weak battery,
9 days left" or "weak batter, 15 magnetic stripe writes left." As a
result, a complete feedback loop is provided in credit cards.
Additional information may be sent to a credit card authorization
facility by writing to a magnetic stripe and information may be
returned to the user via a display or website. If each dynamic
credit card receives a signal, then information may be fed back to
the dynamic credit card directly from the credit card authorization
facility through this signal. Thus, for example, within a period of
time (e.g., one minute) of making a purchase, the credit card may
be notified that the purchase was approved and is completed and
may, accordingly, notify the user that the purchase was approved.
Such a notification can take many forms such as, for example,
displaying text on the display screen or causing the credit card to
vibrate.
[0019] Alternatively still, a dynamic credit card may be realized
by utilizing a counter, random number generator, or pseudorandom
number generator to provide a coded number. If a counter is
provided, the counter may be incremented periodically (or when the
credit card is used). The counter may be utilized in a coding
function and this number may also be transmitted to a authorization
facility when the dynamic credit card number is transmitted to the
authorization facility.
[0020] When making an online credit card purchase, a security code
(e.g., a credit card verification code such as a three or four
digit credit card verification code) may also be submitted as part
of a credit card authorization process. Such a security code may
also be dynamic and may be utilized to transmit information on how
to decode/verify that the dynamic credit card number is valid. For
example, the dynamic security code may be the counter number
itself. Thus, if the counter number is used to encode a secure
credit card number by a formula, the counter is sent to the
authorization facility which may, in turn, decode the dynamic
credit card number by a formula using the counter number to obtain,
and verify through comparison, the secure credit card number.
[0021] A dynamic security code may be provided on a display screen
separate from the dynamic credit card number or the dynamic
security code may be provided on the same display screen as the
dynamic credit card number. Additionally, a dynamic credit card may
be provided with a dynamic security code and a static credit card
number such that only the dynamic security code changes. Such an
embodiment may, or may not, include an encoder. Thus, a credit card
may be provided that includes a dynamic security code for online
purchases. The dynamic security code may change periodically (e.g.,
roughly every one minute, ninety seconds, two minutes, or a time in
between these intervals such as one hundred seconds) and an online
credit card authorization facility may check to make sure the
dynamic security code is valid for a particular period of time
(e.g., the period of time the dynamic security code was received or
the period of time associated with a time stamp sent with the
dynamic security code).
[0022] A number of embodiments may be fabricated that utilizes a
counter. For example, if the counter is large enough (or the period
that the counter is clocked at is slow enough) then the counter may
take decades before the counter has reached its last number. Such a
counter may take decades before a dynamic credit card has to be
replaced or the dynamic credit card numbers repeat. A counter may
reset after the counter has exceeded the maximum limit of the
counter. Such a counter may be utilized as its own clock such that
every time a particular counter number is reached (e.g., 111111), a
dynamic number is changed (e.g., a new dynamic number is retrieved
from a table of numbers, the next dynamic number is used, or the
dynamic number is obtained by coding a number with a clock
representative of the time or period of time). A dynamic credit
card may include multiple clocks. For example, one clock may keep
track of the period of time until a change occurs (e.g., a
one-minute clock) while a larger clock keeps track of the time
period that the smaller clock is counting down (e.g., a
minute/hour/day/month/year time or another number representative of
a particular period of time).
[0023] A random number generator may be utilized in lieu of a
counter and this random number may be utilized as part of a coding
function and transmitted to a authorization facility via a security
code or additional dynamic information on the credit card. For
example, a random number generator may be provided that appears
random but that may always provide a particular number at a
particular iteration. For example, when such a random number
generator is first turned on, the first number outputted from the
generator may always be the same. Thus, information about the
generators iteration may be provided to a credit card authorization
facility and the credit card authorization facility may use such
iteration information to determine whether or not the received
information is representative of a valid credit card number for
that iteration. The iteration may be periodically changed by a
clock.
[0024] A pseudo random number generator may be utilized such that
noise data is inserted according to a function into a number (e.g.,
a number from the random number generator). This pseudorandom
number (and possible decoding information) may be transmitted to a
credit card authorization facility such that the noise data is
removed and the random number is obtained. The random number may
then be utilized to decode the dynamic credit card number (or
dynamic security code) to the secure credit card number (or the
secure security code).
[0025] The encoder may take numerous forms. For example, the
encoder may take the form of an array of conductive wires. The
array may be aligned with a magnetic stripe. Positive and negative
voltages may be applied to the array such that a particular number
is written to the magnetic stripe. Accordingly, reversing the
current through the wires may change the polarities of the magnetic
fields created by the wires. Thus, such an array of conductive
wires may be able to flip, or define, the North-South magnetic
domains (and flux reversals) found on the magnetic stripe. The
wires may be formed into a ring (e.g., a solenoid) that has a gap
such that a North-South field (or a South-North field) is created
in the gap. One or more such rings may be utilized to write to any
data point on the magnetic stripe. Thus, the rings, or wires, may
conduct current one at a time (e.g., left-to-write) to write to a
magnetic stripe without moving the magnetic stripe or the
solenoid.
[0026] As a traditional reader reads flux reversals (e.g.,
"North-North" and "South-South" interfaces) by reading either a
plus or negative voltage, flux reversals may be created by an array
of wires that induce positive and negative voltages in the reader
such that the need for a magnetic stripe is removed entirely.
[0027] In addition to storing credit card numbers and expiration
dates on a magnetic strip, an account identification number, or the
name of the user, may also be stored on a magnetic strip. As such,
the user of the account can be determined such that the dynamic
credit card number may be verified.
[0028] Alternatively, only the security code (e.g., only the credit
card verification code) may be dynamic such that the credit card
number is utilized to determine the user. Thus, a dynamic security
code may be formed by applying a time or counter signal to a
formula with a secure security code, the dynamic security code may
be sent, and the dynamic security may be decoded and compared to a
copy of the secure code at the authorization facility for
verification.
[0029] A dynamic credit card may also be provided with a number of
different coding schemes (or secure numbers to utilize in a coding
scheme to produce a dynamic coded number). As such, a bank may
store the information about each scheme (or secure number) in
different locations such that if one location is compromised (e.g.,
the secure number data is stolen from a facility) the dynamic
credit card can switch to a different scheme (or secure number)
without threat of fraudulent use. Such a scheme may be controlled
by a user through a manual switch. Alternatively, a credit card may
receive signals indicative of a switch in schemes and the credit
card may, accordingly, switch to a particular scheme. The type of
scheme (which may just be a switch in the secure number that is
coded) may be provided on a display of the dynamic credit card to
verify that a particular scheme is being utilized (e.g., so a user
can know if the card has manually configured to scheme two after
the user hears news reports that all Bank of America Cards need to
be changed to scheme 2). Accordingly, a credit card authorization
facility may check to see if another scheme is being utilized and
may return information to the card reader (or a device coupled to
the card reader) instructing the administrator of the card reader
to tell the user to change schemes (or for the administrator to
change schemes himself/herself).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The principles and advantages of the present invention can
be more clearly understood from the following detailed description
considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which the
same reference numerals denote the same structural elements
throughout, and in which:
[0031] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card network
topology constructed in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0036] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card with a
dynamic security code constructed in accordance with the principles
of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a dynamic credit card with a
dynamic credit card number, security code, and expiration date
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a manufacturing process
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 11 is an illustration of dynamic credit cards
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 12 is an illustration of dynamic credit cards
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 13 is an illustration of dynamic credit cards
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 14 is an illustration of dynamic credit cards
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0045] FIG. 15 is an illustration of dynamic cards constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a dynamic card with multiple
coding schemes constructed in accordance with the principles of the
present invention;
[0047] FIG. 17 is an illustration of process flow charts
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention; and
[0048] FIG. 18 is an illustration of process flow charts
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] FIG. 1 shows dynamic credit card 100 that may include, for
example, display 130, processing circuitry, memory, a receiver, and
one or more batteries (or other source of power). Credit card 100
also may include smart chip 120 (or other circuitry), security
number 103 (e.g., credit card verification code), expiration date
101, and cardholder name 102. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that writings on a surface of the credit card may be
printed and/or pressed into a housing. For example the name of the
user may be pressed into the interior side of the front of a
dynamic credit card so that the name extends out from the front
surface of the credit card.
[0050] Display 130 may be utilized to, for example, display dynamic
credit card number 131, a dynamic security number such as a
verification code (e.g., number 103), the status of the card (e.g.,
statuses 132-135), and/or the time left before dynamic credit card
number 131 changes via timing information 136. Timing information
136 (or additional timing information) may be provide to display
the time left before a dynamic security number, or any other type
of information, changes. Display screen 130 may extend from, or may
be aligned with, the surface of the front of dynamic credit card
100.
[0051] Dynamic credit card 100 may be provided such that the credit
card number on display 130 changes periodically. As shown in timing
chart 140, the credit card number may be "2424 242424 24242" during
the one period of operation (e.g., period 141 such as the first
ninety seconds) and then change to "4848 484848 48484" during the
next period of operation (e.g., period 142 such as the second
ninety seconds). In this manner, the credit card number changes
such that the credit card number is dynamic. As a result, the
credit card number may generally not be copied down and utilized
again in the future. A processing facility is providing with
information such that the processing facility can validate a
dynamic number (e.g., a dynamic credit card number or a dynamic
security code such as a credit card verification code). Thus, a
user can purchase items using a dynamic credit card and a
processing facility can authorize such purchases by recognizing
that a dynamic number is valid (e.g., valid for a particular period
of time).
[0052] Realizing a dynamic credit card number (or any dynamic
number), and the functionality needed to verify the dynamic credit
card number (or any dynamic number) at a processing/authorization
facility, may be accomplished in a variety of ways.
[0053] For example, a private key (or equation) and a secure credit
card number (e.g., a private number) may be known to both the
dynamic credit card (e.g., stored in the memory of a dynamic credit
card) and the processing/authorization facility. In this manner, a
timing signal may be received by the dynamic credit card (e.g.,
from a GPS satellite or another timing signal such as a clock
located in the dynamic credit card) and the dynamic credit card may
produce a dynamic credit card number based on the received time
(e.g., a particular period of time), the private key (or equation)
and the private credit card number. The processing facility may
also have a clock and may utilize the private key, private credit
card number, the dynamic number, and the time (e.g., a particular
period of time) to verify that the dynamic number is correct for
that period of time (or a string of consecutive periods of
time).
[0054] The processing facility may, for example, receive a time
stamp with the dynamic number and any other information received
from a dynamic credit card (e.g., account identification
information and expiration date). The processing facility may use
the time stamp, the received dynamic credit card information (and
any other received information), the private key, and the private
number to verify that the dynamic number is correct for that period
of time (or a string of consecutive periods of time that include,
and are located near, the time stamp). As such, online purchases
that are not immediately processed, or that have a particular delay
(e.g., 30 minutes), may still be processed. A time stamp may also
be utilized, for example, in situations where a credit card number
is taken over the phone and is not immediately processed (e.g., the
buyer requests additional information before confirming a
purchase). A time stamp may be indicative of, for example, a
particular time or period of time.
[0055] To obtain periodic functionality, year, month, day, and
minute information may be utilized as well as leap year and
daylight savings time data. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that while a dynamic credit card may receive a large
amount of timing information (e.g., year, month, day, hour, minute,
and second information), a dynamic credit card may only utilize a
portion of this data (e.g., the minute information) and may discard
the rest of the data. By only utilizing the minute information, for
example, the dynamic credit card may provide a dynamic credit card
number (or, for example, a dynamic security code) that changes
approximately every minute.
[0056] Similarly, not utilizing the minute information, but using
hour information may provide a dynamic number that changes
approximately every hour. The speed at which the dynamic number
changes may be changed at any time during operation for any reason.
For example, if the dynamic credit card detects tampering, the
dynamic credit card may decrease the period (e.g., speed up
changing of the dynamic numbers). Thus, a dynamic credit card that
has a limited amount of credit card numbers (e.g., retrieves a
number from a stored table of numbers) may quickly exhaust a pool
of available numbers. If the rate of change is increased beyond the
refresh rate of the display, then the numbers may not be able to be
displayed. Alternatively, if the rate of change is increased beyond
the rate that a user can discern the numbers, then a user may not
be able to visibly see the numbers. Speeding up the rate at which a
dynamic number changes, however, may also make it impossible for a
user to enter a number online (e.g., enter a dynamic security
code). Moreover, changing the rate of the dynamic number may cause
the dynamic number to become out of synchronization with the
processing facility. Thus, although dynamic numbers may be
produced, the dynamic numbers may not be able to be validated by
the processing facility. Thus, changing the rate at which a dynamic
number changes may render a dynamic credit card useless. As such, a
dynamic credit card may also increase the period of change (e.g.,
slow down the change) such that future dynamic numbers cannot be
validated because such future dynamic numbers may be out of synch
with a processing facility.
[0057] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a dynamic
credit card number may be produced without the need for a private
number such as a private credit card number or security code (e.g.,
a number stored in both the credit card and a remote facility). For
example, the timing signal may just be encoded based on the private
key (or equation) and the resultant encoded number utilized as a
dynamic credit card number. Alternatively, the timing signal may be
coded using the private credit card number.
[0058] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a private
key may be an equation or formula that uses one or more other
variables (e.g., a private credit card number and/or a timing
signal such as a particular time or period of time) to generate a
coded number (e.g., a dynamic credit card number). Persons skilled
in the art will appreciate that one or more private keys (e.g., an
equation or formula) may be utilized to code different numbers for
a dynamic credit card. For example, one private key may be utilized
to code a dynamic credit card number while another private key may
be utilized to code a dynamic security code (e.g., a verification
code).
[0059] Additionally, a number of private keys (and/or private
numbers) may be stored in a credit card and such private keys
(and/or private numbers) may be changed periodically (e.g., every
day or week). A similar number of private keys (and/or private
numbers) may be stored in a remote facility (e.g., a remote
server), the selection of which may be determined by a particular
time (e.g., a particular day or a particular week).
[0060] At the processing/authorization facility, or at any remote
device, the dynamic credit card number may be received and either
decoded based on a replica of the private key and/or private number
of the credit card that is stored at, or accessible by, the
facility (e.g., stored on a database or server).
[0061] If company can process a credit card number faster than the
period of change, no timing information may, for example, be
transmitted to a processing/authorization facility as the
processing/authorization facility may be substantially in
synchronization the company. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that internal clocks (or clock/oscillator driven
counters) may accumulate errors. Persons skilled in the art will
also appreciate that delays may occur if a timing signal is
transmitted wirelessly to a dynamic credit card. As such, the
period of change may be set such to take into account processing
delays (e.g., the amount of time it takes to authorize a card) as
well as internal errors for a period of time (e.g., clock errors)
and/or transmission delays.
[0062] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a processing
facility may authorize dynamic numbers that are valid for a
particular number of periods before, or after, the period being
utilized by the remote facility. Such a process may be initiated,
for example, if the received dynamic number cannot be validated.
The processing facility may, if a dynamic number is recognized for
another period of time within a defined amount of time from the
period of time being utilized by the processing facility, keep
track of nearby valid dynamic numbers and, so long as the process
is not abused or the error is maintained, validate such numbers. As
such, the processing facility may, for example, detect timing
errors in the dynamic number and either validate future dynamic
numbers with the same (or a similar error) or readjust the timing
signal utilized by the remote facility (e.g., introduce errors into
the facilities timing generator such as reducing a counter by a
particular amount of time or resetting a counter). Persons skilled
in the art will also appreciate that no timing signals may be
utilized. For example, a credit card may, at the push of a button
on the dynamic credit card, generate a new number (e.g., from a
list of stored numbers). A remote facility may determine if the
button was pressed on the dynamic credit card by determining if a
future dynamic number is valid and, if a future number is valid,
the remote facility may invalidate all numbers located before the
newly validated number. At the next transaction, the dynamic
facility may, for example, attempt to validate the received number
with the number located after the newly validated number. A tables
may store, for example, a dynamic number and a pointer to the next
entry. Thus, a processor may read a dynamic number and utilize the
pointer to determine the location of the next dynamic number.
[0063] A remote processing/authorization facility may, for example,
perform the same process as the dynamic credit card and compare the
facility's dynamic number with the received dynamic number for
verification. For example, a remote facility may include any
equations and variables needed by the dynamic credit card to
generate a dynamic number and may perform an operation similar to
the one performed by the dynamic credit card to generate its own
dynamic number. The remote facility may then compare the received
dynamic number to the generated dynamic number to see if the two
numbers are the same.
[0064] A remote processing/authorization facility may decode a
dynamic number using an equation and/or a private key (which may be
an equation itself or a variable) to obtain a resultant number and
compare this number against a private number for approval. If the
decoded number matches the private number (which may, or may not,
be the same private number stored in the credit card), then the
dynamic number may be validated.
[0065] Thus, a dynamic credit card may be utilized using
traditional infrastructure and may be utilized for online (or
telephonic) purchases and purchases that require the card to be
swiped (or entered manually into a credit card reader). Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that the dynamic number may be
decoded at any point in a validation/authorization process. For
example, an online store may include the components (e.g.,
software) necessary to decode the dynamic number such that a
decoded number (e.g., a credit card number) may be transmitted to a
credit card processing facility.
[0066] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a processing
facility, or any device decoding a number, may utilize an
identification number to identify the account/card that produced
the dynamic number. The identification number may then be utilized
to look up, for example, the private key and/or private number of
the account/card such that a dynamic number can be generated from
the retrieved information (and compared to the received dynamic
number) or the retrieved information can be utilized to decode the
dynamic number such that the card may be validated. Thus, multiple
users may be utilizing the same dynamic number at any one time and
the identify of the account/card can still be determined (e.g., by
using the identification information).
[0067] Identification information is utilized to identify a credit
card. As such, multiple users may be utilizing the same dynamic
number (e.g., a dynamic credit card number or a dynamic
verification code) at any time. Generally, the identification
information is simply utilized to identify a credit card such that
a dynamic number can be, for example, retrieved/generated for a
particular period of time for the identified credit card and
compared to the received dynamic number.
[0068] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one-click
shopping may still be realized by storing the time information when
the credit card number was stored on a website (e.g., providing a
time stamp). This timing information may be sent to the credit card
processing facility such that the credit card processing facility
may authorize payment by determining if the number was valid for
the time period representative of the timing information that was
received. The transmission of timing information may also be
utilized if, for example, a credit card company takes a relatively
long time to process purchases.
[0069] The dynamic credit card number may always be transformed
into a particular credit card format so that the number can be
verified as having the appropriate format before, for example, the
number is transmitted to a credit card processing/authorization
facility. For example, a coding equation may be utilized that
always produces numbers that fit a particular format.
[0070] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a dynamic
credit card system may allow multiple users to have the same
dynamic number at any particular time. As a result, additional
information may be transmitted to identify the user. For example,
an account number and/or name may be utilized. Alternatively, for
example, a traditional credit card number may be written on a
traditional magnetic stripe. Such a credit card number may be used
for identifying the user. A dynamic security code (e.g., a four
digit security code such as a verification code) may then be
provided that changes periodically. Such dynamic information (e.g.,
the dynamic security code) could be written to a portion of the
magnetic stripe that does not have the traditional credit card
number or the dynamic information (e.g., the dynamic security code)
may be displayed to a user.
[0071] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that no timing
signal is needed. Instead a counter (or random number generator
that operates similar to a random number generator in a processing
facility) may be utilized to produce a key that is used in an
equation to manipulate a credit card number. Such a counter number
(or random number) may be provided to a processing facility so that
the processing facility may decode (or perform the same function as
the dynamic credit card and compare the results). In such an
embodiment, such a credit card number may be invalidated at the
facility if, for example, any particular number is used more than a
particular number of times (e.g., more than 10 times). Such a
counter may be increased after every purchase (e.g., after a user
presses a button to change the number). As per another example, if
a counter is used and the counter is increased when a number is
used (or the credit card believes that a number has been used), the
number of transactions operable of being made may be limited by the
storage capacity of the counter.
[0072] Portion 150 shows an example of a dynamic number,
particularly a dynamic credit card number, that is dependent on
time. Here, the private number is "1212 121212 12121" and the
private key is "2." Thus, one encryption algorithm may be the
private number multiplied by the private key multiplied by the
timing information. If the answer is larger than the number of
digits utilized to represent a dynamic number than the number may
be scaled down using a MOD operation or by simple cutting off
either the appropriate number of starting or end bits (or a
combination of both). The processing/authorization side may then
perform the same operation as the dynamic credit card and compare
the results or may decode the received information and compare the
result of the decoding against a stored value (e.g., a private key
or a private credit card number). For example, decryption 154 may
divide the dynamic credit card number by 2 and then divide this by
the time and compare the result to the private credit card number.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the private key may
be the encryption algorithm itself (e.g., multiply the private
number by the time period, or time, and two).
[0073] Timing information may be utilized to select a private key,
private number, and/or encryption algorithm that is utilized for
that particular amount of time. As such, for example, timing
information is not directly needed in an encryption algorithm to
encrypt a number and provide a dynamic number. Persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that a private number is not needed and
that, for example, timing information may be encrypted with a
private key to generate a dynamic number).
[0074] Status information 132-135 may also be provided on a dynamic
credit card. Such status information may include, for example,
active status 132 indicative of whether the card is still producing
valid numbers. Status information may include expired 134 that may
be indicative of whether the card has expired. Status information
may include valid status 133 indicative of whether the card has not
been tampered with. Status information may include falsified status
135 that may be indicative of whether the card has been tampered
with. Additional status information may include, for example, an
exhausted status that may be indicative of the card exhausting all
valid credit card numbers (e.g., the table of credit card numbers
has been used). Timing status 136 may be utilized and may be
indicative of, for example, when the dynamic number is expected to
change. Alternatively, the display of a dynamic number may change
when the dynamic number is about to change. For example, a number
may dim as the time the number has been active increases (e.g., the
amount of time before a change decreases). The number may begin to
dim at a particular time (e.g., halfway through a period). The
number may then disappear and not be displayed at an interval of
time right before the change (e.g., during the last five seconds
before a change) Thus, the dynamic number itself may be modified to
be indicative of an upcoming dynamic number change. Timing
information may include a number that counts down (e.g., a number
representative of the seconds left before the number changes).
[0075] Additional status information may include for example, the
amount of dynamic numbers that have been generated or the amount of
time the credit card has been active for. Additional status
information may also include, for example, the current date and
time such that a user making a purchase to a person over the
telephone knows the time and day from the perspective of the credit
card (e.g., so that the telephone operator may generate a time
stamp for the dynamic number).
[0076] FIG. 2 shows dynamic credit card 200 that may include
display circuitry 220 (and a display), memory 230, processor 240,
clock 250, receiver 260, encoder/writer circuitry 270 and 290, and
magnetic stripe 280, one or more additional clocks/counters, and
one or more batteries.
[0077] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that for credit
card readers operable to read from a smart chip (e.g., read a smart
card), information may be transmitted to the reader via the smart
chip (e.g., via the smart card). Such information may include, for
example, a dynamic credit card number, a dynamic security code such
as a verification code, identification information (e.g., a
user/account/card identification number/name), and an expiration
date. In such an example, the smart chip may also be utilized as
processing circuitry (e.g., as processor 240).
[0078] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that if the
period of a dynamic credit card number is long enough, one or more
local clocks may be all that is needed. For example, clocking
circuitry may take decades before such circuitry is OFF by more
than a minute. Thus, a dynamic credit card may utilize clocking
circuitry if the period of change is a minute or more for decades
without providing an incorrect dynamic number and the reception of
a timing signal would not be necessary. Alternatively, for systems
in which the dynamic credit card number is updated at a quick pace,
an internal clock may also be beneficial as some clock signals take
a minute or more to be transmitted. Thus, the timing signal that is
received via a receiver may be utilized to reset, or correct any
errors in, one or more internal clocks.
[0079] A clock operable of measuring a period of time may be
fabricated from, for example, a counter and an oscillator. The
counter may have a maximum capacity associated to the particular
period of time and may overflow back to zero (e.g., reset) after
counter has been increased past the maximum capacity of the
counter. A second counter may be provided that may be incremented
every time the counter overflows (or hits a particular number).
Such a second counter may have a large capacity and the second
counter may be utilized to generate a dynamic number. The second
counter may be used as, for example, a key in a coding equation.
Alternatively, the second counter may be utilized to generate a
number from a random number generator (e.g., to determine the
iteration of the random number generator).
[0080] FIG. 3 shows credit card 300 that may include any type of
components such as, for example, the components of credit card 200.
Credit card 300 may include, for example, a magnetic stripe (which
may include numerous information tracks such as three information
tracks), encoder circuitry 350 and 360, processor 330, memory 320,
and a location receiver 340 (e.g., a GPS or Galileo receiver).
[0081] A location signal receiver may utilize received location
signals as timing signals if, for example, timing signals can be
derived from the location signals. Alternatively, the ability to
locate a credit card may be utilized advantageously in a
traditional credit card. For example, the inclusion of a locating
feature may assist in locating a lost, or stolen, card. Location
information may also be utilized to provide a dynamic number (e.g.,
a dynamic credit card number) and location information may be
transmitted to a processing/authorization facility, or any facility
or computer, in order to decode, or encode and compare, a dynamic
number that has been generated on location information. Location
information may be written to a magnetic stripe such that a
processing facility receives information representative of location
information.
[0082] Location information, or any information, may also be
embedded into a dynamic number such that feedback can occur when a
card is used online. For example, a dynamic credit card may
generate a dynamic number and then add a number representative of
additional information (e.g., a location) to the dynamic number in
order to embed the additional information with the dynamic number.
The processing facility may then also generate a dynamic number
(using private and timing information) and determine the embedded
number by determining the amount that was added to the dynamic
number. Thus, additional information may be fed back to a
processing facility even when the card is utilized online. As such,
a card may be stolen and may generate a number in Maryland, but may
be used to buy an item on an online store by an accomplice located
in Florida. By embedding location information, a
processing/authorization facility (which may be the online store)
may determine that the number was generated in Maryland (by
retrieving the embedded location information) and may alert the
Maryland authorities or decline the transaction because the IP
address of the purchasing computer was located in Florida (not
Maryland). If fraudulent use is detected, a system may put a HOLD
on the account such that the account cannot be used (e.g., until
the owner verifies possession of the dynamic credit card).
[0083] FIG. 4 shows dynamic credit card housing comprising layers
410, 420, and 430 coupled together via glue 425. A portion of layer
425 may be cut out such that space is provided in which circuitry
may be stored. Similarly, layer 410 may include a cavity that may
house dynamic credit card circuitry (e.g., a portion of dynamic
credit card circuitry). Additional layers may be provided with
cutouts for circuitry. For example, a display may be taller than
layer 420 although all other circuitry may not be taller than layer
420. As such one or more additional layers may be included with a
cutout just for a display. Such additional layers may increase the
structural integrity of a dynamic credit card. Layers that provide
a top or rear surface of a dynamic credit card (e.g., layers 420
and 430) may include, for example, cutouts for input/output
devices. For example, layer 420 may include a cutout for a display
while layer 410 may include a cutout for a magnetic stripe encoder.
Cutouts may also be formed along the edges of any layer such that
components may reside in such cutouts and may extend out of a
housing (e.g., for a manual switch that switches between coding
schemes).
[0084] FIG. 5 shows network topology 500 that may include network
550 that may communicate with, and route information to/from,
credit card processing facilities or merchants 510, computers 520,
credit card companies 530, banks 540, dynamic and/or location cards
570, atomic clock signal transmitters 580, location information
transmitters 590, or any other components, devices, or structures
560 (e.g., a remote server).
[0085] FIG. 6 shows dynamic credit card 600 that may include
housing comprised of layer 610, layer 620, layer 630, and magnetic
stripe 611. Credit card 640 may include circuitry 650 (e.g.,
memory, power source, timing circuitry, processor, and an encoder)
and magnetic stripe 671. A protective layer 661 may be provided on
protective housing 660 such that the magnetic stripe is protected
from wear when protective layer 660 is attached to credit card 640
(e.g., via 672 and 662 mechanical connections). Persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that encoder circuitry may be included not
only in credit card 640 for writing to magnetic stripe 671 but also
layer 660. In doing so, electromagnetic fields, or other signals
that can write to a magnetic stripe, may be provided by layer 660
(e.g., so that one or both sides of magnetic stripe 671 may receive
electromagnetic fields or other signals such that a write operation
may occur). Layers 620 and 630 may not be long, or wide, as layer
610. Layer 610 may include an encoder and/or magnetic stripe such
that the encoder and/or magnetic stripe are not covered by layers
620 and 630.
[0086] FIG. 7 shows dynamic credit card 700 that includes housing
fabricated from layers 710, 720, 730, and magnetic stripe 721 to
form housing 750 that may store circuitry 750. Layer 770 may attach
to, and be removed from, housing 750. Layer 770 may surround both
sides of magnetic stripe 781 and may include the magnetic stripe
encoder (which may, in turn, interface with circuitry 750 when
attached such as interface through electrical connections located
in mechanical connections 772). Layer 770 may have its own a source
of power (e.g., a batter) such that layer 770 may be replaced when
such a source of power dies instead of the entire credit card as
persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the encoder may
require the most amount of power out of all of the components of a
dynamic credit card. Layer 770 may also receive power from a
battery in housing 650 through electrical connections located in
mechanical connection 772.
[0087] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the
capability to write to a magnetic strip on a credit card "on the
go" may realize a number of advantageous features. For example,
information may be fed back to a processing/authorization facility
by writing such information to the magnetic strip. Such information
may include, for example, purchased product information, credit
card status information, battery information, or any other type of
information. Similar information may be included in a dynamic
number such as an embedded dynamic number such that the information
may be fed back when online purchases are made. Such information
may also be included, for example, in a dynamic number by utilizing
an expiration date as a dynamic number (or by utilizing an account
holder name as a dynamic number) such that the information may be
fed back when online purchases are made.
[0088] Tamper-proof software and hardware may be provided on a
dynamic credit card. For example, software may be included to
detect tampering of a clock if a thief attempts to speed up an
internal clock (e.g., by speeding up an oscillator) or by
transmitting a fake clock signal to a card. For example, additional
clocks may be utilized and driven by different oscillators in order
to determine whether or not a particular clock is being sped up or
if a timing signal is being received at an inappropriate time.
Similarly, information about previously transmitted/received
information may be stored on the dynamic credit card such that the
dynamic credit card can determine if a received signal (e.g., a
received timing signal) does not reside in a predicted interval.
Such software may then write to the encoder and transmit such
information to the credit card facility or may be embedded in a
dynamic number or transmitted inside of a dynamic number (e.g.,
transmitted as a dynamic expiration date). Such information may be
parsed in the credit card information (or encoded with the credit
card information) such that no one single portion of a magnetic
strip contains such additional information.
[0089] Tamper-proof hardware may also be provided. More
particularly, a wire may be glued to both sides of a housing such
that if the housing is removed, the wire is cut. Current may be
flowed through the wire and sensed such that if the wire is cut,
the current will not flow and information that the housing has been
opened may be transmitted to the processing facility. The operation
of such a card, however, may not change such that the credit card
may still produce dynamic numbers. Information, however, may be fed
back to an authorization facility through the magnetic stripe of a
card that that is indicative of a card having been opened. Thus,
the authorization facility may, for example, alert authorities
(e.g., a police station in the vicinity of the credit card purchase
or the administrator of a credit card reader), but still
process/authenticate the received number. As such, a user may still
use the card until the user is caught. Alternatively, the
processing facility may receive data indicative of a card having
been opened (or otherwise tampered with) and may not authorize the
purchase. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a wire
does not have to be cut in order to produce a signal that the card
has been opened. For example, a hall-effect sensor may be placed on
a circuit and a magnet may be aligned with the magnet such that the
sensor determines when the magnet is not in the presence of the
sensor.
[0090] A dynamic credit card may allow for less digits to be
utilized to represent a credit card number as a result of the
increased security. Thus, such additional information may be
encoded (or parsed into) the dynamic credit card number such that
the information is also transmitted when orders are placed
online.
[0091] FIG. 8 shows dynamic credit card 800 that may include
display screen 803 for displaying a security code (e.g., a credit
card verification number). The credit card number may be printed
and/or pressed into card 810. A smart card chip may be provided as
chip 820. The expiration date may be printed and/or pressed into
card 810 as well as, for example, account holder name 802. The
security code may be changed periodically (e.g., approximately
every minute, ninety seconds, two minutes, or a time located
therebetween). The dynamic security code (e.g., a credit card
verification code) may be manipulated when the number is about to
change (e.g., the number may be dimmed) or additional information
may be provided representative of the time that is left before a
change and/or battery power of the device. A magnetic stripe
encoder may be provided (e.g., to feed back information or to
transmit the dynamic credit card number) or a magnetic stripe
encoder may not be provided (e.g., just a magnetic stripe is
provided). The dynamic number may change as a result of information
stored in a counter that may, for example, be driven by an
oscillator. The display for the security code may be located
off-center and near a corner of the front of the dynamic credit
card.
[0092] FIG. 9 shows dynamic credit card 900 that may include
display screen 931. Display screen 931 may include, for example,
dynamic credit card number 931, dynamic security code 932 (e.g., a
dynamic verification code), dynamic expiration date 933, and number
changing information 934. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that display screen 931 may be extended to include and
display any type of information. For example, display 931 may
include the name of an account holder as well as the address of the
account holder. Dynamic credit card 931 may provide dynamic name
and/or address information such that more information may be fed
back to a processing facility when a purchase is made online. For
example, instead of a user typing in the name "Jeffrey Mullen," the
user may be directed to enter the name "XRE3343 KUQE8N" and the
processing facility may decode such dynamic information to
determine that the battery is at 30% capacity and that the credit
card has not been opened.
[0093] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the dynamic
credit card may transmit (e.g., via a user entering in information
on an online website from a display or via a magnetic stripe)
information indicative of the credit card being a dynamic credit
card. Thus, a processing facility may receive information that the
credit card is a dynamic credit card and can utilize the other
received information in any way. For example, a processing facility
may receive information that the credit card is a dynamic credit
card and then know to utilize the received dynamic expiration date
information as part of a dynamic verification code instead of an
expiration date (which the system may do if, for example,
information indicative of the card being dynamic is not
received).
[0094] FIG. 10 shows manufacturing process 1000. Process 1000 may
include sheet 1010, electronic packages 1020, and sheet 1030 that
may be fixed together and cut to form any number of dynamic credit
cards. Particularly, a sheet (e.g., a top sheet) may be fabricated
and may be printed/pressed in step 1051. The bottom sheet may be
fabricated and may be printed/pressed in step 1052. Electronic
packages may be assembled in step 1053 and such electronic packages
may be aligned with the two sheets in step 1054. The sheets and
electronics may then be fixed together in step 1055. The cards may
then be cut out of the fixed sheets in step 1060 and sent to credit
card companies in step 1059. The cards may then be programmed at
the credit card company at step 1058. For example, chips and/or
memory may be programmed and then inserted into, and fixed to, the
dynamic credit card in step 1058. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that a credit card company, or any company, may receive
credit cards that do not have a front faceplate on them. Thus, the
credit cards may be programmed for a particular user, information
about the particular user may be pressed/printed into the faceplate
(e.g., the name of the user), and the faceplate may be fixed to the
card after programming. The cards may be packaged with a user
manual and shipped in step 1056.
[0095] FIG. 11 shows dynamic information topologies 1100. Topology
1110 may be a display that displays a fifteen digit number. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that a credit card number may
be, for example, fifteen digits in length. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that a number may be in any form (e.g., binary,
trinary, hexadecimal, base 10, or alphanumeric).
[0096] A topology may be provided for display 120 may be provided
that includes a credit card number 1121 such as a fifteen digit
credit card number, verification code 1122 such as a four digit
verification code, and expiration date 1123 such as a four digit
expiration date. Providing information 1121-1123 as dynamic
information may allow 23 digits of dynamic information to be
displayed (e.g., 8 digits more than the dynamic credit card
number). Timing status may be provided on display 1120 as status
1124.
[0097] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the extra
digits may be utilized to, for example, provide identification
information. Such extra digits may be encrypted using an equation
known to both the credit card and the processing facility. As such,
the identification information may be received from the processing
facility, decrypted, and then used to retrieve information as to
how the other dynamic information was coded such that the other
dynamic information may be validated.
[0098] A topology may be provided for display 130 may be provided
that includes a credit card number 1131 such as a fifteen digit
credit card number, verification code 1132 such as a three digit
verification code, and expiration date 1133 such as a four digit
expiration date. Providing information 1131-1133 as dynamic
information may allow 22 digits of dynamic information to be
displayed (e.g., 7 digits more than the dynamic credit card
number). Timing status may be provided on display 1130 as status
1134.
[0099] A topology may be provided for display 140 may be provided
that includes a credit card number 1141 such as a fifteen digit
credit card number and expiration date 1143 such as a four digit
expiration date. Providing information 1141 and 1143 as dynamic
information may allow 19 digits of dynamic information to be
displayed (e.g., 4 digits more than the dynamic credit card
number). Timing status may be provided on display 1140 as status
1144.
[0100] FIG. 12 shows dynamic information topologies 1120. A
topology may be provided in display 1210 in which a static or
dynamic credit card number is provided. Such a credit card number
may take many forms. For example, digits one and two may be
representative of credit card type 1211 (e.g., American Express)
while digits three and four may be representative of subtype 1212
(e.g., personal credit card, business credit card, American Express
Blue, Airline Miles Card, Cash-back Card). Digits five through
eleven may be representative of account number 1213 while digits
twelve through fourteen may be representative of card number 1214
(e.g., a particular card associated to the account). The last digit
of a fifteen digit dynamic or static credit card number may be
indicative of check digit 1215. The check digit may be utilized to
check if the number (e.g., a static credit card number displayed on
a display screen) is valid by a verification process. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that any number or information
may be of any length. For example, a credit card number may be
sixteen digits (or alphanumeric entries) in length. A credit card
type may be a single digit (e.g., the binary equivalent of a single
digit). An account number may be nine digits in length. Persons
skilled in the art will also appreciate that certain types of
information do not have to be included. For example, a check digit
may not be included in a dynamic credit card (as the dynamic number
may be a check). Similarly, a subtype may not be included. For
example, only a dynamic credit card number and identification
information may be provided.
[0101] A topology may be provided in display 1220 in which a
dynamic credit card number is provided that includes type 1221,
identification portions 1222 and 1224 and account portion 1223.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a credit card
number may be received by a credit card processing facility and the
processing facility may determine if the number is a static number
or a dynamic number based on number type 1221.
[0102] For example the processing facility may look at the first
digit of the credit card number and use this first digit to
determine if the card is a dynamic credit card, a Visa card, a
Mastercard, or an American Express card. Similarly, the processing
facility may look at the first two digits of the credit card number
to determine if a dynamic or static credit card number has been
received. The credit card processing facility may then, for
example, validate the received number according to type 1221. For
example, if type 1221 is indicative of a static credit card number,
than the facility (or a card reader) may use a validation process
associated with the static type. Furthering the example, a
different static or dynamic type may be provided for different
credit card companies. Thus, one type may be indicative of American
Express dynamic information while another type may be indicative of
Visa dynamic information. A facility (e.g., a remote server) may
then utilize the appropriate verification process for a particular
type or the facility (or an online shopping store) may communicate
the number (as well as, for example, a time stamp) to the
appropriate processing facility (e.g., a processing facility
associated to the determined type. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that a dynamic number can take any form and does not
have to follow any standard. The processing facility (or credit
card reader or online store) simply has to be able to recognize
that a number is dynamic and then utilize the numbering structure,
if any, associated to a dynamic number (e.g., a particular type of
dynamic number). Thus, a dynamic credit card number may be in a
form different from a static credit card number. As shown the
topology of display 1220 may be fifteen digits in length and the
account number and dynamic identification number may be the same
length (e.g., seven digits). Thus a credit card reader or
processing facility that is operable to read and transmit a credit
card number of a particular length (e.g., fifteen digits) does not
have to be modified--fifteen digits are still being transmitted.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that dynamic
identification portions 1222 and 1224 may be located adjacent to
one another and that identification portions 1222 and 1224 may be a
static (or dynamic number). Identification information may be, for
example, encrypted using a simple equation (e.g., the same equation
for every credit card) and may simply be used to identify the
account holder such that the dynamic account number (e.g., number
1223) may be verified based on information associated with the
user. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a user may be
identified online using his/her name and/or address and a user may
be identified through a magnetic stripe transmission through
identification information stored on a magnetic strip.
[0103] A dynamic identification information may have a lookup table
where each time period has an entry for how to encrypt the
identification information. Such a lookup table may be common to
all credit cards and processing facilities such that every
identification number can be decoded in the same way. Thus, every
identification number from a set of credit cards (e.g., American
Express credit cards) may change, but each identification number
may be unique identified using only the same coding/decoding
algorithm or scheme.
[0104] A topology may be provided in display 1230 in which a
dynamic credit card number is provided that includes type 1231,
dynamic identification portions 232 and 1234 and dynamic account
portion 1233. Dynamic identification information may be longer, or
shorter, than dynamic account information (e.g., dynamic
information utilized to verify a credit card number or an
identification number). Identification numbers may be associated to
a particular card such that, for example, a nine digit
identification number can be utilize to provide 999,999,999 credit
cards (if 000,000,000 is used as an identification number then
1,000,000,000 credit cards may be made).
[0105] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an
expiration date may be provided as a dynamic number. Thus, a
processing facility (or remote server) may recognize that a number
is dynamic and, therefore, not utilize the expiration date
information as information indicative of the expiration date but
may utilize the expiration date as information associated to
something else (e.g., a dynamic identification number that forms
part of a dynamic credit card number). Any number provided on any
display may be written to a magnetic stripe such that the number
may be read by conventional credit card readers. Display 11230 may
provide nineteen digits by using a dynamic expiration date.
Nineteen digits may also be provided without using a dynamic
expiration date (e.g., by using a four digit dynamic verification
code).
[0106] FIG. 13 shows dynamic information topologies 1300. A
topology may be provided in display 1310 in which type information
1311, dynamic information 1312, and dynamic information 1313 is
provided. A topology may be provided in display 1320 in which type
1321, dynamic information 1322, and dynamic information 1323 may be
provided. A topology may be provided in display 1330 in which type
1331, dynamic information 1332, and dynamic information 1333 may be
provided.
[0107] FIG. 14 shows topologies 1400 that may include topology 1410
and 1420. Topology 1410 may include static information (e.g.,
static type 1411 and static information such as identification
information 1413) and a display 1412 that may include dynamic
information such as dynamic information 1414). If an expiration
date is dynamic, the actual expiration date may be printed on the
card so that the user knows the cards expiration date. As long as
some data is dynamic, a type may be dynamic. Alternatively, if a
credit card information is a combination of dynamic and static
information then a hybrid type may be utilized.
[0108] Topology 1420 may be provided that includes static
information such as type 1421, information 1422, and dynamic
information 1423 displayed on display 1423. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that a static verification code may be printed
on the credit card as well as provide a dynamic number (e.g., a
dynamic number used for something other than a verification code).
Additional digits may also be utilized to feed information back to
a processing facility (e.g., a credit card company). Additional
information may also be embedded into a number. Persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that if identification information is
eleven digits in length, then 99,999,999,999 credit card may be
made (if 00,000,000,000 is used as an identification number then
100,000,000,000 credit cards may be made).
[0109] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the type of
the credit card may be static (e.g., printed on a credit card) such
that the type of the credit card does not change. Such a type may
be indicative of a dynamic credit card (e.g., a dynamic credit
card, a Visa dynamic credit card, or an American Express dynamic
credit card) such that a credit card reader (or processing
facility) can easily identify the type of the card.
[0110] FIG. 15 shows dynamic cards 1500 that may include dynamic
phone card 1510 and dynamic debit card 1550. Dynamic phone card
1510 may include display 1530 that may include a dynamic phone card
number 1531 and timing information 1534 as well as expiration date
1533 or any other type of static or dynamic information. Dynamic
debit card 1550 may include any variety of dynamic information on a
display or static information printed/pressed into debit card
1550.
[0111] FIG. 16 shows dynamic credit cards 1600 that may include
dynamic credit cards 1610 and 1620. A dynamic credit card may
include any number of dynamic coding schemes that may be changed
by, for example, manual control 1615. The dynamic coding scheme
that is being utilized by a credit card may, for example, be
displayed as scheme information 1611. Thus, a credit card company
may keep information for different schemes in different locations.
If the information is stolen from one of these locations, the
credit card company can instruct users to change the coding scheme
to a particular scheme. Thus, stolen numbers may not cause any
fraudulent use to occur while letting users utilize the same
dynamic credit card. Thus, a user may interact with switch 1615
(e.g., display the switch to location 1625 and information
representative of the new dynamic scheme may be provided on a
display as scheme information 1621 on dynamic credit card 1620.
Scheme information may also be, for example, embedded into a
dynamic number or written to a magnetic stripe.
[0112] FIG. 17 shows flow charts 1710, 1720, 1730, and 1740. Flow
chart 1710 may include step 1711 during which a dynamic information
(e.g., a dynamic credit card number, dynamic verification code, or
other dynamic number may be generated). This dynamic information
may be transmitted in step 1712 (and may be transmitted with static
information such as the name of the account holder or
identification information such as an account number). Transmission
may take the form of writing information to a magnetic stripe or
displaying information on a display such that a user can enter the
information in the checkout/payment stage of an online shopping
process (or read the information over the phone to another person).
The dynamic information (e.g., the dynamic number) may be verified
in step 713 and the purchase may be authorized in step 1714. The
dynamic number may then change (e.g., a new dynamic number may be
generated) in step 1715. persons skilled in the art will appreciate
that dynamic numbers may be utilized for more than just payment.
Dynamic numbers may be utilized for identifying a person (e.g., a
dynamic number may be provided on a driver's license or
passport).
[0113] Flow chart 1720 may include step 1721 in which a facility
received dynamic information, such as a dynamic number, and
identification information, such as a static identification number.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a dynamic number
may change (e.g., periodically) while a static number may be
constant (e.g., printed/pressed onto a plastic card or punched
through a plastic card). The identification information (e.g.,
static identification information) may be utilized in step 1722 to
retrieve information associated with the identification
information. Such information may include information regarding how
the dynamic credit card number was generated/coded. Thus, the
receiving facility (e.g., a processing/authorization server) may
utilize the retrieved information to confirm that the dynamic
information (e.g., a changing credit card and/or verification
number) is valid. As in one example, step 1723 may use the time the
dynamic information is received (or the time the dynamic
information was transmitted or time information received indicative
of the time the dynamic information was generated) to generate
dynamic information in step 1723. The dynamic information received
by the processing facility and the dynamic information generated by
the processing facility may be compared in step 1724 to validate or
invalidate a purchase, or the dynamic information, in step
1725.
[0114] Flow chart 1730 may include step 1731 during which dynamic
information and identification information may be received. The
dynamic information may be decoded using information associated
with the received identification information in step 1732. The
decoded dynamic information may then be compared with information
associated to the identification information (e.g., a private
credit card number or a private verification code) in step 1733
such that a purchase may be validated in step 1734. If the received
dynamic information is invalid then nearby dynamic information may
be checked in step 1735. For example, the dynamic information for
adjacent and nearby time periods may be processed. Any information
at any point of a process may be stored in a buffer or memory in
the processing facility (or a dynamic credit card).
[0115] Flow chart 1740 may include step 1740 during which dynamic
information is received that is embedded with additional
information. Identification information may also be received in
step 1741. The identification information may be utilized at the
processing/authorization facility to retrieve dynamic information
at step 1742 (e.g., may be utilized retrieve dynamic information
for a particular time period) and this retrieved dynamic
information may be compared with the received dynamic information
to determine any differences. The differences may then be checked,
for example, against stored data (e.g., one or more tables) to see
if the difference is representative of any additional information
(e.g., the difference is indicative of a low battery or a card that
has been tampered with). Thus, the difference may be used to
validate a purchase as numerous values (e.g., the supermajority of
values) for a difference may not correlate to a state.
Purchases/dynamic information may be validated in step 1744 and the
embedded information may be utilized in step 1745 (e.g., a new
battery or card may be sent to a user if a low battery condition is
determined from the embedded information).
[0116] FIG. 18 shows flow charts 1800 that may include flow charts
1810, 1820, 1830, and 1840. Flow chart 1810 may include receiving a
credit card number (or any static or dynamic information) and
feedback in step 1811. Feedback may take the form of embedded
feedback (e.g., in either a number displayed on a display or
written to a magnetic stripe) or additional information written to
a magnetic stripe. The feedback may be utilized in step 1812 and
stored in 1813. The credit card number (e.g., a static or dynamic
credit card number) may be verified in step 1814 along with any
other validation steps (e.g., the validation of a static or dynamic
verification code) and purchases may be authorized in step
1815.
[0117] Flow chart 1820 may include the reception of, for example, a
static credit card number and a dynamic verification code in step
1721. The verification code may be verified in step 1823. Such
verification may take the form of, for example,
retrieving/generating/decoding the verification code for a
particular time period and may be included in step 1822. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that dynamic information does
not have to be generated by a remote facility and compared to
received dynamic information. Numerous entries of dynamic
information may be, for example, stored in the remote facility and
the relevant entry may be retrieved (e.g., the entry associated to
a particular time) and compared to the received dynamic information
(e.g., in step 1824). The credit card number may be validated in
step 1823 and the purchase may be validated in step 1825 (e.g.,
after the verification code is validated). Person skilled in the
art will appreciate that both the verification code and the credit
card may be validated at the same time (e.g., combined into one
number and validated).
[0118] Flow chart 1830 may include receiving location information
and credit card information in step 1831. The location information
that is received may be stored in step 1832 (e.g., stored on a
remote server). The location information may be utilized to
validate the received credit card information in step 1833 (or may
be utilized for another purpose such as to track a user). The
credit card number may be validated in step 1834 and a purchase may
be authorized in step 1835.
[0119] Flow chart 1840 may include step 1841 during which feedback
may be determined (e.g., by a dynamic credit card), the feedback
may be written to a magnetic stripe or embedded into a number
(e.g., embedded into a dynamic number such as a dynamic number
displayed on a display and/or written to a magnetic stripe). The
feedback may then be transmitted with other information (e.g.,
dynamic and static information) in step 1843 and received (e.g., by
a remote server or processing/authorization facility) in step 1844.
The feedback may be separated from the other information in step
1845.
[0120] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a credit
card may communicate wireless with a credit card reader and/or a
processing facility. For example, a credit card may have a device
that may transmit information (e.g., dynamic information such as
dynamic credit card information) wirelessly to a reader/facility.
Similarly, a device may be provided in which a reader and/or
facility may read information wirelessly from the device. Any
information that is provided to a display or that is communicated
through a magnetic stripe may be communicated through such a
device. As such, a person may take a dynamic credit card and simply
place the card in the proximity of a reader (e.g., a few inches or
feet away from the reader) and credit card information may be
communicated from the credit card to the reader. Similarly,
information may be wirelessly fed back from a reader into a credit
card (e.g., to update software or add new dynamic coding
information/schemes). Such a reader may read the dynamic credit
card and then prompt a user (or administrator) that information
needs to be communicated back to the credit card. Thus, a device
operable of communicating wirelessly (e.g., operable of being
wirelessly read or operable to wirelessly transmit) may be operable
to wirelessly receive data (e.g., wirelessly read data from a
reader or wirelessly receive data transmitted from a reader).
Wireless communications may take the form of, for example,
electromagnetic-based, sound-based, light-based, infrared-based,
and/or capacitive-based communications.
[0121] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a dynamic
number may be limited to only one use and, as such, that a dynamic
number (e.g., a dynamic credit card number or verification code)
may not repeat for the life of a dynamic credit card (e.g., 1 to 5
years).
[0122] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic
stripe may be a device that is operable of being read by a magnetic
stripe reader. Circuitry may be provided to program such a device.
Similarly, an encoder may be utilized to program/encode a magnetic
stripe (e.g., write to a track such as a read/write track on a
magnetic stripe having multiple tracks).
[0123] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the
present invention is not limited only the embodiments described.
Instead, the present invention more generally involves changing the
number of a credit card so that the number cannot be copied and
used at a later time (e.g., an hour later). For example, memory may
be included in a dynamic credit card that stores a table having a
Y-bit key for each number of X-bit states. The X-bit states may be
associated to a counter. Thus, every time the counter increments, a
different Y-bit key may be looked up. The credit card
processing/authorization facility may include the exact same table
and the key and counter number may be sent to the facility for
authorization. Thus, the facility simply has to check its own
replica of the table to see if the number is valid. Such keys could
be dynamic credit card numbers while the counters are security
codes. All such modifications are within the scope of the present
invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow:
* * * * *