U.S. patent application number 12/339046 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for cards and devices with magnetic emulators and magnetic reader read-head detectors.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dynamics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruce Cloutier, David Lambeth, Jeffrey D. Mullen.
Application Number | 20090159681 12/339046 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40787420 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090159681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mullen; Jeffrey D. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2009 |
CARDS AND DEVICES WITH MAGNETIC EMULATORS AND MAGNETIC READER
READ-HEAD DETECTORS
Abstract
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with
a magnetic emulator operable to act as a magnetic stripe read-head
detector and a data transmitter. A multiple layer flexible PCB may
be fabricated to include multiple magnetic emulators. Layers of the
flexible PCB may include magnetic shielding in order to reduce
interference from the magnetic emulators to particular read-heads
on a magnetic stripe reader.
Inventors: |
Mullen; Jeffrey D.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) ; Lambeth; David; (Pittsburgh,
PA) ; Cloutier; Bruce; (Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY D. MULLEN
731 SOUTH NEGLEY, APT. 2
PITTSBURGH
PA
15232
US
|
Assignee: |
Dynamics, Inc.
Pittsburgh
PA
|
Family ID: |
40787420 |
Appl. No.: |
12/339046 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61016491 |
Dec 24, 2007 |
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61026846 |
Feb 7, 2008 |
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61027807 |
Feb 11, 2008 |
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61081003 |
Jul 15, 2008 |
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61086239 |
Aug 5, 2008 |
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61090423 |
Aug 20, 2008 |
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61097401 |
Sep 16, 2008 |
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61112766 |
Nov 9, 2008 |
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61117186 |
Nov 23, 2008 |
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61119366 |
Dec 2, 2008 |
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61120813 |
Dec 8, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
235/449 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/06206 20130101;
A61B 5/02 20130101; G07F 7/0806 20130101; G06K 19/07703 20130101;
G06K 19/07709 20130101; A61B 5/02042 20130101; G06K 19/0723
20130101; G06Q 30/0222 20130101; G06Q 20/352 20130101; G06K 19/0702
20130101; G06K 19/07707 20130101; G06K 19/0775 20130101; G06K
19/0725 20130101; G06K 19/07769 20130101; G06T 7/62 20170101; G06Q
30/0641 20130101; G06K 19/07773 20130101; G06K 19/07749 20130101;
G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06Q 20/385 20130101; G06T 2207/30004
20130101; G07F 7/1008 20130101; G06K 19/07345 20130101; G06Q
30/0241 20130101; G06Q 30/0277 20130101; G06K 19/07 20130101; G06Q
20/34 20130101; G06T 2207/10024 20130101; G06K 19/0704 20130101;
G06Q 20/341 20130101; G06K 7/087 20130101; G06K 9/32 20130101; G06K
2209/05 20130101; G06K 7/084 20130101; G06K 19/07705 20130101; G06K
7/10297 20130101; G06K 19/07766 20130101; G06K 19/083 20130101;
G06Q 20/18 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06Q 20/3415 20130101;
G06K 19/06187 20130101; G06K 9/3233 20130101; G06K 7/0004 20130101;
G06Q 20/401 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/449 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/08 20060101
G06K007/08 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a magnetic emulator, wherein said magnetic
emulator is operable to electrically couple, and communicate data
to, a read-head located on a magnetic stripe reader, wherein said
magnetic emulator is operated to detect the presence of said
read-head before communicating data to said read-head.
2. A system comprising: a magnetic emulator comprising: a first
region operable to communicate data serially to a first read-head
on a magnetic stripe reader; and a second region not operable to
communicate data to a second read-head on said magnetic stripe
reader even if said second read-head passes over said second
region.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said data includes a number
generated based on time.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said data includes a number
generated based on use.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a
display and a button.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Nos. 61/016,491 filed on Dec. 24, 2007 (Docket
No. JDM/019 PROV), 61/026,846 filed on Feb. 7, 2008 (Docket No.
JDM/019PROV2), 61/027,807 filed on Feb. 11, 2008 (Docket. No.
JDM/020 PROV), 61/081,003 filed on Jul. 15, 2008 (Docket No. D/005
PROV), 61/086,239 filed on Aug. 5, 2008 (Docket No. D/006 PROV),
61/090,423 filed on Aug. 20, 2008 (Docket No. D/007 PROV),
61/097,401 filed Sep. 16, 2008 (Docket No. D/008 PROV), 61/112,766
filed on Nov. 9, 2008 (Docket No. D/009 PROV), 61/117,186 filed on
Nov. 23, 2008 (D/010 PROV), 61/119,366 filed on Dec. 2, 2008
(Docket No. D/011 PROV), and 61/120,813 filed on Dec. 8, 2008, all
of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to magnetic cards and payment
systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card,
that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a
magnetic emulator. The magnetic emulator may be, for example, a
circuit that emits electromagnetic fields operable to electrically
couple with a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader such that data
may be transmitted from the circuit to the magnetic stripe reader.
The emulator may be operated serially such that information is
transmitted serially to a magnetic stripe reader. Alternatively,
for example, portions of a magnetic emulator may emit different
electromagnetic fields at a particular instance such that the
emulator is operated to provide physically parallel, instantaneous
data. Alternatively still, a magnetic medium may be provided and a
circuit may be provided to change the magnetic properties of the
magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripe reader is operable to
read information written on the magnetic medium.
[0004] A processor may be provided on a card, or other device, that
controls a magnetic emulator. The processor may be configured to
operate the emulator such that the emulator transmits serial or
parallel information. Particularly, the processor may decouple
portions of an emulator from one another such that different
portions of the emulator may transmit different information (e.g.,
transmit data in a parallel operation). The processor may couple
portions of an emulator together (or drive the portions together)
such that all portions of the emulator transmits the same
information (e.g., transmit data in a serial operation).
Alternatively, the processor may drive a portion of the emulator to
transmit data using one method (e.g., serially) while the processor
drives another portion of the emulator using a different method
(e.g., in parallel).
[0005] The processor may drive an emulator through a switching
circuit. The switching circuit may control the direction and
magnitude of current that flows through at least a portion of an
emulator such that the switching circuit controls the direction and
magnitude of the electromagnetic field created by at least that
portion of the emulator. An electromagnetic field may be generated
by the emulator such that the emulator is operable to electrically
couple with a read-head from a magnetic stripe reader without
making physical contact with the read-head. Particularly, for
example, an emulator that is driven with increased current can be
operable to couple with the read-head of a magnetic stripe reader
even when placed outside and within the proximity of (e.g., 0.25
inches) the read-head.
[0006] A processor may detect, for example, the presence of a
read-head of a magnetic stripe reader by receiving signals from a
magnetic stripe reader detector and, in response, the processor may
drive a magnetic emulator in a manner that allows the emulator to
couple with the magnetic stripe reader. More than one emulator may
be provided on a card or other device and a processor may drive
such emulators in a variety of different manners.
[0007] A circuit may be provided on a credit card that is operable
to receive data from a device, such as a magnetic stripe. In this
manner, a card, or other device, may communicate bi-directionally
with a device.
[0008] An emulator may communicate with a magnetic stripe reader
outside of, for example, the housing of a magnetic stripe reader.
Accordingly, for example, the emulator may be provided in devices
other than cards sized to fit inside of the reading area of a
magnetic stripe reader. In other words, for example, the emulator
may be located in a device that is thicker than a card--yet the
emulator can still communicate with one or more read-heads located
in a magnetic stripe reader. Such a device may be, for example, a
security token, a wireless communications device, a laptop, a
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a physical lock key to a house
and/or car, or any other device.
[0009] Dynamic information may be provided by a processor located
on the card, or other device, and communicated through a magnetic
emulator. Such dynamic information may, for example, change based
on time. For example, the dynamic information may be periodically
encrypted differently. One or more displays may be located on a
card, or other device, such that the dynamic information may be
displayed to a user through the display. Buttons may be provided to
accept input from a user to, for example, control the operation of
the card or other device.
[0010] Dynamic information may include, for example, a dynamic
number that is used as, or part of, a number for a credit card
number, debit card number, payment card number, and/or payment
verification code. Dynamic information may also include, for
example, a student identification number or medical identification
number. Dynamic information may also, for example, include
alphanumeric information such that a dynamic account name is
provided.
[0011] Magnetic emulation circuits may be provided that generate
electromagnetic fields. The emulation circuits may have active
regions operable to be read by a read-head of a magnetic stripe
reader. The emulation circuits may also have, for example,
non-active regions that are not operable to be read by a read-head
of a magnetic stripe reader. Multiple emulation circuits may be
provided on different layers such that the active regions of
multiple emulation circuits provide a read-head of a magnetic
stripe reader continuous visibility to active regions while a card
is swiped.
[0012] Magnetic emulation circuits may extend across multiple
tracks. However, the areas of such magnetic emulation circuits that
extended to undesired tracks may be configured to be invisible to
the read-heads for those tracks. For example, a magnetic emulator
may produce magnetic fields that are not oriented properly to be
picked up by unintended read-head(s) but that are oriented properly
to be picked up by intended read-head(s).
[0013] Read-head detectors may be provided to determine, for
example, when a card is being swiped and/or when a read-head is
located over a particular portion of a card (e.g., a magnetic
emulation circuit). A magnetic emulation circuit may be provided
as, for example, a coil. Portions of such a coil may be utilized to
detect a read-head while in other portions of the coil may be
utilized to communicate information electromagnetically to a
read-head. Accordingly, a coil may be utilized to detect a
read-head and, after a read-head is detected, the coil may be
utilized to, for example, serially transmit information to a
magnetic stripe reader.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a card and a reader constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a card and a reader constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a circuit and flow charts
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a circuit and flow charts
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 17 is an illustration of a circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 18 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 19 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention; and
[0035] FIG. 20 is an illustration of a personal electronic device
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] FIG. 1 shows card 100 that includes printed information 111
and 120, displays 112 and 113, and buttons 130-134. Card 100 may
be, for example, a payment card such as a credit card, debit card,
and/or gift card. Payment information, such as a credit/debit card
number may be provided as static information 111, dynamic
information 112 and/or 113, or any combination thereof.
[0037] For example, a particular number of digits of a credit card
number (e.g., the last 3 digits) may be provided as dynamic
information. Such dynamic information may be changed periodically
(e.g., once every hour). Information may be changed via, for
example, encryption. Software may be provided at, for example, the
payment verification server that verifies the dynamic information
for each period of time such that a payment can be validated and
processed for a particular user. A user may be identifies using,
for example, static information that is used to form a credit card
number or other static information (e.g., information 120).
Additionally, identification information may be derived (e.g.,
embedded) in dynamic information. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that a credit card number may have, for example, a
length of 15 or 16 digits. A credit card number may also have a
length of up to 19 digits. A verification code may be used with
some payment systems and such a verification code may be provided
statically on the card or may be provided as dynamic information.
Such a verification code may be provided on a second display
located on, for example, the front or rear surface of card 100.
Alternatively, a verification code may be displayed on the same
display as other dynamic information (e.g., dynamic information
112). A display may be, for example, a flexible electronic ink
display. Such a flexible electronic ink display may, for example,
utilize power to change displayed information, but may not utilize
power to display information after the information is changed.
[0038] Card 150 may be provided. Card 150 may include static
magnetic stripe tracks 153 and 152. A magnetic emulator may be
provided as device 151. Device 151 may be operable to electrically
couple with a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that a read-head housing of a
magnetic stripe reader may be provided with one, two, or three
active read-heads that are operable to each couple with a separate
magnetic track of information. A reader may also have more than one
read-head housing and each read-head housing may be provided with
one, two, or three active read-heads that are operable to each
couple with a separate magnetic track of information. Such
read-head housings may be provided different surfaces of a magnetic
stripe reader. For example, the read-head housings may be provided
on opposite walls of a trough sized to accept payment cards.
Accordingly, the devices on the opposite sides of the trough may be
able to read a credit card regardless of the direction that the
credit card was swiped.
[0039] A magnetic emulator may be provided and may be positioned on
card 150 such that when card 150 is swiped through a credit card
reader, the magnetic emulator passes underneath, or in the
proximity of, a read-head for a particular magnetic track. An
emulator may be large enough to simultaneously pass beneath, or in
the proximity of, multiple read-heads. Information may be
transmitted, for example, serially to one or more read-heads.
Information from different tracks of data may also be transmitted
serially and the magnetic stripe reader may determine the different
data received by utilize the starting and/or ending sentinels that
define the information for each track. A magnetic emulator may also
transmit a string of leading and/or ending zeros such that a
magnetic reader may utilize such a string of zeros to provide
self-clocking. In doing so, for example, information may be
transmitted serially at high speeds to a magnetic stripe reader.
For example, credit card information may be transmitted to a
magnetic stripe reader at speeds up to, and greater than, 30
Khz).
[0040] Different emulators may be provided, and positioned, on card
150 to each couple with a different read-head and each emulator may
provide different track information to those different read-heads.
Read-head detectors may be utilized to detect when a read-head is
over an emulator such that an emulator is controlled by a processor
to operate when a read-head detector detects the appropriate
presence of a read-head. In doing so, power may be saved.
Additionally, the read-head detector may detect how many read-heads
are reading the card and, accordingly, only communicate with the
associated emulators. In doing so, additional power may be
conserved. Accordingly, an emulator may be utilized to communicate
dynamic information to a magnetic stripe reader. Such dynamic
information may include, for example, dynamic payment card
information that changes based on time.
[0041] A static magnetic stripe may be provided to transmit data
for one or more tracks to a magnetic strip reader where dynamic
information is not desired. Card 150, for example, may include
static magnetic track 153 and static magnetic track 152.
Information on static magnetic tracks 152 and 153 may be encoded
via a magnetic stripe encoder. Device 151 may include an emulator
such that dynamic information may be communicated through emulator
151. Any combination of emulators and static magnetic tracks may be
utilized for a card or device.
[0042] One or more batteries, such as flexible lithium polymer
batteries, may be utilized to form card 100. Such batteries may be
electrically coupled in a serial combination to provide a source of
power to the various components of card 100. Alternatively,
separate batteries may provide power to different components of
card 100. For example, a battery may provide power to a processor
and/or display of card 100, while another battery provides a source
of energy to one or more magnetic emulators of card 100. In doing
so, for example, a processor may operate even after the battery
that supplies power to an emulator completely discharges.
Accordingly, the processor may provide information to another
component of card 100. For example, the processor may display
information on a display to indicate to a user that the magnetic
emulator is not longer operational due to power exhaustion.
Batteries may be, for example, rechargeable and contacts, or other
devices, may be provided on card 100 such that the battery may be
recharged.
[0043] Buttons (e.g., buttons 130-134) may be provided on a card.
Such buttons may allow a user to manually provide information to a
card. For example, a user may be provided with a personal
identification code (e.g., a PIN) and such a personal
identification code may be required to be manually inputted into a
card using the buttons in order for the card to operate in a
particular manner. For example, the use of a magnetic emulator or
the use of a display may require a personal identification
code.
[0044] By dynamically changing a portion of a user's credit card
number, for example, credit card fraud is minimized. By allowing
the dynamic information to displayed visually to a user, and
changed magnetically on a card, user behavior change is minimized
(with respect to a credit card with completely static information).
By requiring the use of a personal identification code, the fraud
associated with lost or stolen credit cards is minimized. Fraud
associated with theft/loss is minimized as third party users do not
know the personal identification code needed to operate particular
aspects of a credit card with dynamic information.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows card 200. Card 200 may include, for example,
static magnetic stripe track 203, static magnetic stripe track 201,
and magnetic emulator 202 sandwiched between read-head detectors
204 and 205. A read-head detector may, for example, be provided as
a circuit that detects, for example, changes in capacitance or
mechanical coupling to a conductive material. Processor 220 may be
provided to, for example, receive information from read-head
detectors 204 and 205 and control emulator 202. Persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that processor 220 may cause a current to
flow through a coil of emulator 202 in a different direction to
produce different electromagnetic fields. The transitions between
the different electromagnetic fields may be sensed by a magnetic
stripe reader as information. Accordingly, a magnetic emulator may
transmit data serially while a read-head is electrically coupled
with a magnetic reader.
[0046] RFID antenna 210 may be provided on card 200. Such an RFID
antenna may be operable to transmit information provided by
processor 220. In doing so, for example, processor 220 may
communicate with an RFID device using RFID antenna 210 and may
communicate with a magnetic stripe reader using magnetic emulator
202. Both RFID antenna 210 and magnetic emulator 202 may be
utilized to communicate payment card information (e.g., credit card
information) to a reader. Processor 240 may also be coupled to
display 240 such that dynamic information can be displayed on
display 240. Button array 230 may also be coupled to processor 220
such that the operation of card 200 may be controlled, at least in
part, by manual input received by button array 230.
[0047] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a static
magnetic track may be a read-write track such that information may
be written to a magnetic track from a magnetic stripe reader that
includes a head operable to magnetically encode data onto a
magnetic track. Information may be written to a magnetic track as
part of a payment process (e.g., a credit card or debit card
transaction). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a
static magnetic track may include a magnetic material that includes
ferromagnetic materials that provide for flux-reversals such that a
magnetic stripe reader can read the flux-reversals from the static
magnetic track. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate
that a magnetic emulator may communicate information that remains
the same from payment card transaction to payment card transaction
(e.g., static information) as well as information that changes
between transactions (e.g., dynamic information).
[0048] A card may include magnetic emulators without, for example,
including a static magnetic track. Read-head detectors may also be
provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a
magnetic reader may include the ability to read two tracks of
information (e.g., may include at least two read-heads). All of the
information needed to perform a financial transaction (e.g., a
credit/debit card transaction) may be included on two magnetic
tracks. Alternatively, all of the information needed to perform a
financial transaction (e.g., a gift card transaction) may be
included on one magnetic track. Accordingly, particular cards, or
other devices, may include the ability, for example, to only
transmit data associated with the tracks that are needed to
complete a particular financial transaction. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that for systems with three tracks of
information, the bottom two tracks may be utilized for credit card
information. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that a
secure credit card transaction may be provided by only changing,
for example, one of two magnetic tracks utilized in a credit card
transaction (for those transactions that utilize two tracks).
Accordingly, one track may be a static magnetic track constructed
from a magnetic material and the other track may be provided as a
magnetic emulator. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate
that numerous additional fields of data may be provided on a
magnetic track in addition to a credit card number (or a security
code). Dynamic information may be provided in such additional
fields in order to complete a particular financial transaction. For
example, such additional dynamic information may be numbers (or
characters), encrypted with time and synced to software, at a
validating server, operable to validate the encrypted number for a
particular period of time.
[0049] Card 250 includes emulator 251 that includes active region
254 operable to communicate data serially to a magnetic stripe
reader. Similarly, for example, emulator 251 may receive
information for a magnetic stripe encoder. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that emulator 251 includes a tail that is
spread-out. Such a tail may include the return lines of emulator
251 and may be spaced such that a magnetic reader is not able to
pick up the electromagnetic fields generated by such a tail.
Accordingly, active region 254 may be spaced close together such
that a magnetic stripe reader is able to pick up the cumulative
electromagnetic field generated by such an active region. Processor
253 may drive emulator 251 via switching circuitry 252. Switching
circuitry 252 may include, for example, one or more transistors
that may be utilized to control the direction of current via
emulator 251 (e.g., the polarity of voltage(s) across a drive
resistor).
[0050] Magnetic shielding may be provided to limit an
electromagnetic field of an emulator. For example, layer 310 of
FIG. 3 may include magnetic shielding 311 (which may be a magnetic
material). Magnetic shielding may block magnetic fields from
emulator 351 on layer 320. Accordingly, for example, a card may not
interact with read-heads blocked from emulator 351 from magnetic
shielding 311. In doing so, for example, a magnetic stripe reader
may receive information from a single read-head of a read-head
housing at any given time. Layer 330 may be provided, for example,
with magnetic shielding 331 that includes an active-region space
332. Accordingly, layer 330 may block magnetic fields from emulator
351 except for those fields generated by active portion 354 (e.g.,
if space 332 is aligned with active portion 354).
[0051] FIG. 4 shows environment 400 that may include magnetic
stripe reader 410, read-head housing 440, card 420, and magnetic
emulator 430. Read-head housing 440 may include any number of
read-head's such as, for example, one, two, or three read-heads.
Each read-head may independently receive magnetic fields from
magnetic emulator 430 (or a magnetic stripe, such as a magnetic
stripe encoded on-card by card 420). Emulator 430 may be positioned
to be adjacent to any one or more read-heads of read-head housing
440 or may be positioned to communicate information to any one or
more read-heads of read-head housing 440. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that emulators with longer lengths may be
located within the proximity of one or more read-heads for a longer
duration of time when a card is swiped. In doing so, for example,
more information may be transmitted from an emulator to a read-head
when a card is being swiped.
[0052] FIG. 5 includes environment 500 that may include cards 520
and 530 as well as magnetic stripe reader 510. Read-head housing
511 may be included on a wall of a trough of magnetic stripe reader
510. The trough may be sized to accept cards (e.g., credit
cards).
[0053] Card 520 may include emulator 521. Emulator 521 may provide
electromagnetic field 591 that may transmit through a portion of
the housing of magnetic stripe reader 510 (e.g., through a wall of
a trough to get to read-head housing 511). Accordingly, card 520
may be located outside of a reader--yet still be operable to
communicate information to a magnetic stripe reader. A reader may
be provided with an outer wall, for example, with a thickness of a
quarter of an inch or more. Emulator 521 can provide
electromagnetic field 591 over a distance of, for example, a
quarter of an inch or more.
[0054] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that card 520 may
be coupled to a device via a permanent or removable cable. Such a
device may provide power to card 520 as well as control
information--such as control information for emulator 530. An
external source of power may be utilized, for example, to provide a
larger amount of electrical energy to emulator 521 than from a
source of power located within card 520. Persons skilled in the art
will appreciate that a car having an internal battery may still be
able to receive a cable from a device having its own source of
electrical energy.
[0055] Card 530 may be provided with emulator 531 and may
electrically couple with a read-head of magnetic stripe reader 510.
Any number of emulators may be provided in card 530 in any number
of orientations such that the appropriate electromagnetic field may
couple with a read head of read-head housing 511 regardless of the
orientation of card 720 with respect to read-head 511. More
particularly, for example, additional read-head housings may be
provided in magnetic stripe reader 510 at different locations about
the reader to electrically couple with a emulators in a number of
different configurations. A sticker and/or guide-structures may be
provided on a magnetic stripe reader to, for example, direct a user
on how to position his/her card (or other device) for contactless
transmission of data (e.g., credit card data) to a read-head
housing without using the trough that includes that read-head
housing.
[0056] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic
stripe reader may include a trough that includes two (or more)
read-head housings 511 located in approximately the same vertical
position on a card-swiping trough, but at different horizontal
locations on opposite walls of the trough. In doing so, for
example, a magnetic stripe may be read regardless of the direction
that a card having the magnetic stripe is facing when the card is
swiped. Magnetic emulator 521 may, for example, communicate
magnetic fields outside both the front and read surfaces of a card.
Accordingly, a single emulator 521 may, for example, couple with a
single read-head regardless of the direction the card was facing
when swiped. In doing so, for example, the costs of readers may be
reduced as only a single read-head may be need to receive
information regardless of the direction a card is facing when
swiped. Accordingly, magnetic readers do not need stickers and/or
indicia to show a user the correct orientation to swipe a card
through a magnetic stripe reader. An adapter may be provided that
coupled directly to a read-head that allows a device not operable
to fit in a trough to electrically couple with a read-head.
[0057] An emulator may be positioned about a surface of a card (or
other device), beneath a surface of a device, or centered within a
card. The orientation of a magnetic emulator in a card may provide
different magnetic fields (e.g., different strength's of magnetic
fields) outside different surfaces of a card. Persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that a magnetic emulator may be printed via
PCB printing. A card may include multiple flexible PCB layers and
may be laminated to form a card. Portions of an electronic ink
display may also be fabricated on a layer during a PCB printing
process.
[0058] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a number
does not need to, for example, change with time. Information can
change, for example, based on manual input (e.g., a button press or
combination of button presses). Additionally, a credit card number
may be a static display number and may be wholly or partially
displayed by a display. Such a static credit card number may result
in the reduction of fraud if, for example, a personal
identification code is required to be entered on a manual input
entry system to activate the display. Additionally, fraud
associated with card cloning may be minimized with the use of a
magnetic emulator activated by the correct entry on a manual input
entry system.
[0059] Person skilled in the art will also appreciate that a card
may be cloned by a thief, for example, when the thief puts a
illegitimate credit card reader before a legitimate credit card
reader and disguising the illegitimate credit card reader. Thus, a
read-head detector may detect a read-head housing and then, if a
second read-head housing is detected on the same side of the credit
card, the reader may transmit information to the second read-head
that signifies that two read-head housings were detected. In doing
so, for example, a bank, or the police, may be notified of the
possibility of the presence of a disguised cloning device. The
information representative of multiple read-heads may be included
with information that would allow a credit card number to be
validated. As such, a server may keep track of the number of
read-head housings at each reader and, if more read-head housings
are detected than expected, the server may contact an administrator
(or the police). The server may also cause the credit card
transaction to process or may reject the credit card transaction.
If the number of read-head housings (or read-heads) is the number
expected by the server, the server can validate the payment
transaction.
[0060] A payment system using dynamic numbers may, for example, be
operable with numbers that are stored outside of the period in
which those numbers would otherwise be valid. A server may be
included, for example, that accepts a dynamic credit card number,
information representative of a past credit card number, and the
merchant that is requesting payment. The server may register that
merchant for that saved number. The number may be decrypted (or
otherwise validated) for that past period of time. Accordingly, the
credit card transaction may be validated. Additionally, the
merchant identification information may be linked to the stored
dynamic credit card number for that past period of time. If the
server receives a transaction from a different merchant with that
same dynamic credit card number for that same period of time, the
server may reject the transaction. In doing so, a merchant may be
protected from having credit card numbers stolen from its various
storage devices. If a thief steals a number from a merchant's
server that is associated with a past period of time, that number
cannot be used, for example, anywhere else. Furthermore, such a
topology may, for example, allow merchants to provide a one-click
shopping, periodic billing, or any other type of feature that may
utilize dynamic numbers that are stored and used outside of the
period in which the dynamic numbers were generated.
[0061] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that different
emulators may be controlled by different switching circuitry (e.g.,
different transistors).
[0062] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple
buttons may be coupled together to form a single-bit bus. If any
button is pressed, the bus may change states and signal to the
processor to utilize different ports to determine what button was
pressed. In this manner, buttons may be coupled to non-triggerable
ports of a processor. Each button (or a subset of buttons) may be
coupled to one or more triggerable ports of a processor. A port on
a microprocessor may be utilized to drive an emulator in addition
to, for example, receiving information from a button. For example,
once an appropriate personal identification code is received by a
processor, the processor may utilize one or more ports that receive
information from one or more buttons to drive an emulator (e.g.,
for a period of time). Alternatively, for example, a magnetic
emulator may be coupled to its own triggerable or non-triggerable
processor port. A card may also include a voltage regulator to, for
example, regulate power received from an internal or external
source of power.
[0063] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any type of
device may be utilized to provide dynamic magnetic information on a
card to a magnetic stripe reader. As discussed above, a magnetic
encoder may be provided that can change information on a magnetic
medium where the changed information can be detected by a magnetic
stripe reader.
[0064] FIG. 6 includes circuits 600 that may include magnetic
emulator 650 that includes active region 651. Magnetic emulator 650
may be, for example, a coil. Current may be provided through
magnetic emulator 650 such that the magnetic emulator generates an
electromagnetic signal. Active region 651 may include a dense
section of coil segments where current runs through those coil
segments in the same direction. Accordingly, the electromagnetic
field is intensified in active region 651 compared to the area of
the coil with coil segments that are widely spaced. Accordingly, a
current may be placed through the coil such that a magnetic stripe
reader is operable to receive information from active region 651
but not the region outside active region 651. Persons skilled in
the art will appreciate that the direction of current through
magnetic circuit 650 may be reversed in a pattern that is
representative of magnetic stripe data. Particularly, a processor
may, for example, transmit information through a coil by changing
the direction of the electromagnetic field generated from emulator
circuit 650 at particular times. A change in the frequency of field
reversals may be representative of, for example, a particular bit
of information (e.g., "1" or "0"). Magnetic emulation circuit 650
may include a dense active region and a less dense tail region.
[0065] Magnetic emulation circuit 670 may be included that includes
active region 671 and non-active regions 672 and 673. Active region
671 may include coil segments in which current flows through the
segments in the same direction. Non-active regions 672 and 673 may
include, for example, coil segment spacing that is wider than the
coil segment spacing of active regions 671. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate, for example, that non-active regions 672 and
673 may be utilized to communicate information to a magnetic stripe
reader. However, active region 671 may include a stronger
electromagnetic signal then non-active regions 672 and 673. Persons
skilled in the art will also appreciate that a read-head may travel
through non-active region 672, through active region 671, and
through non-active region 673 when reading information communicated
from emulator circuit 670. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that the level of current provided to emulator circuit
670 may be configured such that a magnetic read-head received
information from active region 671 but does not receive information
from non-active regions 672 and 673. Emulator 670 may, for example,
be tall enough such that more than one read-head passes over
emulator 670 at any one time. For example, one read-head from a
magnetic stripe reader may pass over active region 671 and another
read-head from a magnetic stripe reader may pass under active
region 671. Person skilled in the art will appreciate that coil
segments may be configured in an orientation such that they produce
electromagnetic fields that are invisible to such read-heads. For
example, active region 671 may include coil segments that are
parallel to one another. Coil segments above and below active
region 671 may be configured to be perpendicular to the coil
segments of active region 671 or approximately oriented at a 45
degree angle from the coil segments of active region 671.
[0066] Magnetic emulation circuit 680 may be provided that includes
active region 681. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate, for
example, that the height of magnetic emulation circuit 680 may be
approximately equal to the height of a read-head of a magnetic
stripe reader such that, for example, only one track read-head, of
a multiple track read-head housing, passes over magnetic emulation
circuit 680.
[0067] Multiple magnetic emulation circuits may be provided on a
multiple layer PCB. For example, a magnetic emulation circuit may
be provided with active region 691 (e.g., active region 698) and
non-active region 692 (e.g., non-active region 699). Emulators may
be provided on different layers such that active layers align with
non-active layers. Accordingly, for example, a read-head may pick
up a continuous stream of active regions. Accordingly, the active
regions may be controlled through a common switching circuit such
that current flows in the same direction through the active regions
of the multiple layer PCB at a given time. Accordingly, the active
regions may, for example, provide electromagnetic fields in the
same direction. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the
widths of coil segments of non-active regions may be widened to
decrease the effect of those non-active regions when multiple
non-active regions are stacked. Additionally, for example, the coil
segments of vertically stacked non-active regions may be aligned
with one another or may be staggered from one another. Furthermore,
for example, current may flow through vertically stacked non-active
regions in the same or different directions.
[0068] FIG. 7 shows card 700 that may include layers 710, 720, and
730 fabricated as, for example, flexible PCB layers. Layer 710 may
include, for example, magnetic emulation circuit 712 that includes
active region 711. Layer 720 may include, for example, magnetic
emulation circuit 722 that may include active region 721. Layer 730
may include magnetic emulation circuit 732 that may include active
region 731.
[0069] FIG. 8 includes circuit 800 that may include, for example,
active-region 811 and non-active regions 812 and 813.
[0070] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that magnetic
emulation circuits with one non-active region may be vertically
stacked with magnetic emulation circuits with two non-active
regions. Magnetic emulation circuits with one non-active region may
have non-active regions that are wider than the non-active regions
of a magnetic emulation circuit with two non-active regions. FIG. 9
shows topology 900 that may include active region 912 (e.g., active
region 951), active region 922 (e.g., active region 952), and
active region 931 (e.g., active region 953). Non-active regions
911, 921, 923, and 932 may also be included.
[0071] FIG. 10 shows magnetic emulation circuit 1000 that may
include region 1010, 1020, and 1030. Regions 1010, 1020, and 1030
may include approximately the same spacing between coil segments or
may provide different spacing between coil segments.
[0072] FIG. 11 shows circuit 1100 that may include region 1110,
1120, and 1130. Circuit 1100 may also include read-head detectors
1141, 1142, 1143, and 1144. Read-head detectors 1141, 1142, 1143,
and 1144 may detect a read-head and/or a read-head housing of a
magnetic stripe reader. A read-head detector may determine the
presence of a read-head and/or read-head housing by detecting, for
example, physical contact with a read-head and/or housing.
Capacitive coupling, sonar, optical, or any other technique may be
utilized to determine the presence of a read-head or read-head
detector. Accordingly, for example, region 1020 may be utilized to
communicate information to a magnetic stripe reader upon the
detection of a read-head by a read-head detector. Accordingly, for
example, no current may be provided through regions 1010 and 1030
when a read-head passes over regions 1010 and 1030. Multiple
read-heads may be utilized, for example, to determine the direction
that a read-head is moving as well as the read-heads velocity
and/or acceleration. Such information may be utilized, for example,
to provide information in different ways. For example, a processor
may transmit information at a first rate when a user swipes a card
including circuit 1100 at a first velocity and the processor may
transmit the same (or different) information at a second rate when
that user swipes the card at a second velocity.
[0073] FIG. 12 shows topology 1200 that may include a magnetic
emulation circuit having regions 1210, 1220, and 1230. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic emulation
circuit may act as a read-head detector as well as a magnetic
information transmitter. For example, a magnetic emulator may be
driven according to a process that includes step 1241, in which a
correct Personal Identification Code (e.g., a PIN) is determined to
have been entered on a card. Accordingly, step 1242 may activate,
in which a coil is driven such that its return paths act as a
read-head detector. This may be done in numerous ways. For example,
the current providing an electromagnetic field may undergo a
phase-shift when a magnetic and/or conductive material is placed in
the electromagnetic field. Accordingly, a phase-shift may be
determined in step 1243. When such a phase-shift is determined,
step 1244 may initiate and a magnetic emulation circuit may be
driven to communicate data serially. Accordingly, regions 1210 and
1230 may be utilized to detect a read-head and region 1220 may be
utilized to communicate information to that read-head. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic emulation
circuit may not be supplied current until an appropriate Personal
Identification Code (PIC) is entered into manual interfaces located
on the card. Such a scheme, for example, provides for power savings
as well as prevents card cloning. Accordingly, a magnetic emulator
may be driven into a read-head detector mode upon receiving an
appropriate manual input and then into a data transmission mode
after determining the presence of a read-head.
[0074] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that timing zeros
may be provided before and after data such that a magnetic stripe
reader can utilize such timing zeros to perform synchronization
activities. Accordingly, a magnetic stripe emulator may transmit
zeros while in a read-head detector mode in step 1251 and upon the
detection of a current phase-shift in step 1252 the magnetic
emulation circuit may transmit information in step 1253. After the
data is transmitted, timing zeros may be transmitted again in step
1254. Step 1253 may also detect the presence of a read-head to
determine, for example, whether all of the information was
received. If a read-head was not detected after data transmission,
the processor may increase the rate of data transmission for future
transmissions until, for example, read-heads are detected at the
beginning and the end of the transmission of data.
[0075] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a card may
include multiple magnetic emulation and read-head detectors
circuits. In this manner, a card may include multiple circuits that
can operate as both a data transmitter and a read-head
detector.
[0076] FIG. 13 includes topology 1300 that may include, for
example, a magnetic emulation circuit that includes regions 1310
and 1320. Read-head detectors 1331, 1332, and 1332 may also be
included.
[0077] A region (e.g., region 1310) may be utilized to determine
the velocity of a read-head. For example, step 1341 may be included
in which a region is driven such that the region acts as a
read-head detector. A read-head may be detected in 1342, but the
region may continue to drive the region to act as a read-head
detector in step 1344. A second read-head position may then be
determined in step 1345. The number of times that a read-head is
sensed by a detector may correlate to a velocity. Information may
then be transmitted (e.g., via another region) depending on the
determined velocity. For example, the velocity of a swipe may be
detected in step 1351 and information may be transmitted according
to this velocity in step 1352. Read-head detectors 1331, 1332, and
1333 may also be utilized, for example, to determine the velocity
of a read-head as well as the direction of movement of the
read-head. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a
magnetic stripe reader may be motorized and may read a card at a
pre-determined speed. Such a card may determine that the card is
being read by a motorized reader and may utilize this information
to transmit different information and/or transmit information in a
different manner.
[0078] FIG. 14 shows card 1400 that may include magnetic emulation
circuit 1420. Magnetic emulation circuit 1420 may be included on a
short side of a rectangle-shaped card--yet may transmit serially
all of the information on a track of financial payment data (e.g.,
credit and/or debit data). Such transmitted financial payment data
may be utilized to validate a financial payment (e.g., a credit
card purchase). Any number of magnetic emulation circuits may be
included on any side of card 1400. For example, a magnetic
emulation circuit may be provided on a long side of a
rectangle-shaped card and another magnetic emulation circuit may be
provided on the other long side of a rectangle-shaped card. Each
magnetic emulation circuit may be utilized to transmit different
data or the same data.
[0079] FIG. 15 includes circuit 1500 that may include read-head
detectors 1541, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1545, and 1546. Circuit 1500 may
include a magnetic emulation circuit that includes regions 1511,
1512, 1513, 1521, 1531, 1522, 1532, 1523, 1524, 1533, 1525, 1534,
and 1526. Regions 1511-1513 may be operable to communicate with a
read-head that passes through regions 1511-1513. The magnetic
emulation circuit may include a coil. Regions 1511-1513 may
include, for example, coil segments that are parallel to one
another. The coil segments may produce an electromagnetic field
operable to communicate data to a read-head of a magnetic stripe
reader. The coil segments of regions 1521-1526 may be oriented
approximately at a 45 degree angle from the coil segments of
regions 1511-1513. Accordingly, for example, the orientation offset
of regions 1521-1526 from regions 1511-1513 may allow regions
1521-1526 to produce an electromagnetic field that cannot
communicate with a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader when
regions 1511-1513 are communicating data to a read-head of a
magnetic stripe reader. Similarly, the coil segments of regions
1531-1534 may be oriented perpendicular to the coil segments of
regions 1511-1513. Accordingly, for example, the orientation offset
of regions 1531-1534 from regions 1511-1513 may allow regions
1531-1534 to produce an electromagnetic field that cannot
communicate with a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader when
regions 1511-1513 are communicating data to a read-head of a
magnetic stripe reader.
[0080] FIG. 16 shows card layout 1600 that may include flexible PCB
layers 1610, 1620, 1630, and 1640 to form card 1650. Layer 1610 may
include magnetic emulation circuit 1511. Layer 1620 may include
magnetic shielding 1621 and 1622. Layer 1630 may include magnetic
emulation circuit 1631. Layer 1640 may include read-head detectors
(e.g., read-head detector 1642) and magnetic shielding (e.g.,
shielding 1641).
[0081] FIG. 17 includes circuit 1700 that may include, for example,
read-head detectors 1741, 1742, 1751, and 1752. Circuit 1700 may
also include, for example, magnetic emulation circuits 1710, 1720,
and 1730. Read-head detectors 1741, 1742, 1751, and 1752 may be
utilized as read-head detectors and may provide the capability for
a read-head to be detected when the read-head is over a particular
magnetic emulation circuit or portion of a magnetic emulation
circuit. Read-head detectors 1741, 1742, 1751, and 1752 may detect
a read-head by sensing, for example, capacitive coupling of a
read-head. Alternatively, for example, a read-head contact may be,
for example, pressed against another contact when pressure is
applied via a read-head.
[0082] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a display on
the card may display a credit card number that does not change with
time. Additionally, for example, a magnetic emulator (or multiple
magnetic emulators) may magnetically communicate financial data
that does not change with time. Such a card may reduce, for
example, the effects of physical card theft and card cloning.
[0083] One or more light generation devices, such as a Light
Emitting Diode (LED), may be provided as part of a card (or other
device). Such an LED may produce light, for example, upon a manual
input such as a button press, the correct entry of a PIC such as a
PIN, and/or the incorrect entry of a PIC. A light emitting device
may be operable to produce different colors of light. For example,
the incorrect entry of a PIC may produce a red light and the
correct entry of a PIC may produce a green light. A PIC may take
any form such as a numerical code or a code that include alphabet
letters and/or symbols. For example, a PIC may be "A-B-B-B-A" and
an "A" button may be provided on a card in addition to a "B" button
(as well as other buttons such as a "C," "D," and/or "E"
buttons).
[0084] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any numbers
of a credit card number may remain static and/or change either with
time or based off a transaction (e.g., by sensing a read-head
"swipe"). Additionally, any static and/or dynamic numbers may be
displayed via a display or printed on a card. For example, a middle
6 digits of a credit/debit card number may be static and may be
displayed on a display. Such a middle 6 digits may be displayed,
for example, upon the entry of a correct PIC. Similarly, a magnetic
emulator may not communicate information until a correct PIC has
been entered by a user. Doing so may, for example, reduce fraud
associated with card cloning. Additionally, a receipts may be
provided that includes masked credit card numbers except for the
last few digits of credit card numbers. Accordingly, displaying a
static middle 6 digits of credit card numbers may allow for such a
receipt to be provided while still reducing credit card fraud from
hiding numbers that are not displayed on such a receipt. Any amount
of numbers and/or characters may be displayed through a display.
For example, nineteen digits may be displayed as part of a
credit/debit numbers and these numbers may also be communicated
through one or more magnetic emulation circuits. The entry of
particular PICs may provide different results. For example, a first
PIC may only display a string of alphanumeric characters. A second
PIC may only activate a magnetic emulation circuit to transmit
information including that string of alphanumeric characters (or a
different string). A third PIC may activate a magnetic emulation
circuit and a display. A display and/or magnetic emulation circuit
may be turned OFF, for example, upon entry of an incorrect PIC
and/or after a period of time has passed since the entry of the PIC
and/or after the detection of a particular number of swipes by a
read-head detector (e.g., one or two).
[0085] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a
credit/debit card number (or any other information) may remain
static until an event occurs and then may become dynamic (e.g.,
change based on swipes and/or time). For example, a particular PIC
may change from a static to a dynamic topology and/or a topology
may be changed from static to dynamic after a pre-determined period
of time. Additionally a card and/or device may include a wireless
receiver and a topology may be changed from a static to a dynamic
topology upon, for example, receiving an appropriate signal from
the wireless receiver. Accordingly, a validation process may change
at a validation server depending upon whether a card is utilizing a
static and/or dynamic topology at any given time. Additionally, a
static credit/debit card number may be printed on the face of a
card and information (e.g., a security code) may be displayed via a
display and remain static over time (or with use) or be provided
dynamically.
[0086] A card or other device (e.g., a mobile telephone) may accept
a pre-determined number of consecutive incorrect PICs before
locking the card for a period of time or until an appropriate
secondary PIC is entered. Accordingly, a user may enter in an
incorrect PIC a number of times and then, after a card becomes
locked, call a support center for a secondary one-time use PIC. A
card may cycle through unlocking PICs based, for example, on time
or the number of previous unlock attempts.
[0087] A website may be provided where a user enters in his/her
credit card number, pays a fee, and a new card is programmed and
sent to the user. The new card may include a display to display a
portion of the users credit/debit card number in a static form upon
entry of an appropriate PIC. Such a card may also include one or
more magnetic emulation circuits to transmit the information to a
reader. Such a card may or may not, for example, include a portion
of a magnetic stripe. For example, three tracks of magnetic stripe
data may be communicated via three different emulation circuits,
more than three different emulation circuits, one emulation
circuits (e.g., tracks communicated serially to all read-heads), or
one or more tracks may be represented by magnetic stripe(s) while
one or more other tracks may be represented by a magnetic emulation
circuit. A track of data may also be partially represented by a
magnetic emulation circuit and partially represented by a magnetic
stripe.
[0088] FIG. 18 shows card 1800 that may include, for example, one
or more IC chips 1830 (e.g., EMV chips), RFID antennas 1820,
processors 1840, displays 1850, dynamic magnetic communications
devices 1810 (e.g., magnetic encoders and/or magnetic emulators),
batteries 1860, and buttons 1851 and 1852. Additional circuitry
1898 may be provided which may be, for example, one or more
oscillators or emulator driving circuits. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that button 1851 may, for example, be utilized
by a user to select one encryption algorithm for a number displayed
on display 1850 while button 1852 may be utilized by a user to
select a different encryption algorithm. Persons skilled in the art
will appreciate that the components of card 1800 may be provided on
either surface of a card (e.g., a front or rear surface of the
card) or inside of a card. A logo (e.g., of a card issuer) and logo
may be provided on either surface of a card.
[0089] A button, such as button 1051, may be utilized, for example,
to display a number. Such a number may be, for example, encrypted
from a secure number based on time or use. For example, one-time
use numbers (e.g., a payment number or code) may be retrieved from
a list of numbers on memory each time button 1851 is pressed and
displayed on display 1850. A processor may only go through each
number once on a list. A registration process may be provided in
which a user may be requested to enter in a sequence of numbers
such that a remote server may validate the card and learn where in
a sequence of a list a card currently resides. Numbers may be
repeated on a list or may only occur once on a list. All of the
numbers available by the length of the number may be utilized by
the list or only a portion of the numbers available by the length
of the number may be provided by the list. A secret number may be
encrypted on a card and a verification server may also have
knowledge of this secret number. Accordingly, the remote server may
perform the same encryption function as the card on the secret
number and verify that the resultant encrypted number is the same
as the resultant encrypted number on a card. Alternatively, for
example, the remote server may decrypt the received encrypted
number to determine the authenticity of the encrypted number and
validate an activity (e.g., validate a security access request or a
purchase transaction).
[0090] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate, for example,
that a card may include an IC chip (e.g., EMV chip), RFID, and a
dynamic magnetic communications device (e.g., a magnetic emulator
or encoder). The same information may be communicated through, for
example, any number of such devices (e.g., a dynamic magnetic
communications device, RFID, and an EMV chip). A central processor
may cause each device to communicate the information (in the same
format or a different format). Each component may have its own
processor or driving circuitry. Such individual processors or
driving circuitry may be coupled to a central processor. An EMV
chip may be utilized, for example, to provide control signals to
other devices (e.g., circuitry driving a display as well as a
dynamic magnetic communications device). Such an EMV chip may
receive signals provided by one or more buttons to determine, for
example, that a particular button, or sequence of buttons, was
pressed by a user.
[0091] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a read-head
housing may include, for example, multiple read-heads. A read-head
detector may, more generally, detect a read-head housing and, in
doing so, detect a read-head.
[0092] FIG. 19 shows card 1900 that may include, for example,
signature area 1940 that may include a material operable to receive
marks from a pen (e.g., a signature). Card 1900 may also include,
for example, displays 1920 and 1930. Display 1920 may, for example,
display a payment number while display 1930 displays a security
code (e.g., for online purchase authentication). Display 1920 as
well as display 1930 may be utilized on the same side as, for
example, dynamic magnetic communications device 1910.
[0093] FIG. 20 shows personal electronic device 2000 which may be,
for example, a portable telephonic device, portable media player,
or any type of electronic device. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that the functionality of a card may be provided on a
personal device and displayed through a graphical user interface.
Personal electronic device 2000 may include, for example, user
inputs 2040 and display 2010. Virtual card 2020 may be displayed on
display 2020. Display 2020 may be a touch-sensitive display such
that, for example, virtual button 2030 may be provided on virtual
card 2020. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that cards
may be provided as virtual cards and a user may interact with such
virtual cards in order to provide a variety of functions. Personal
electronic device 2000 may communicate to a card reader such as,
for example, an RFID reader.
[0094] A display may be bi-stable or non bi-stable. A bi-stable
display may consume electrical energy to change the information
displayed on the bi-stable display but may not consume electrical
energy to maintain the display of that information. A non bi-stable
display may consume electrical energy to both change and maintain
information on the non bi-stable display. A display driving circuit
may be provided, for example, for a bi-stable display (or a non
bi-stable display). Such a display driving circuit may step-up a
supply voltage (e.g., 1-5 volts) to a larger voltage (e.g., 6-15
volts) such that a bi-stable display may change displayed
information. A controller (e.g., a processor) may be utilized to
control such a display driving circuit. Persons skilled in the art
will appreciate that a display may be configured to display
numerical data or alphanumerical data. A display may also be
configured to display other indicia (e.g., the image of a battery
and its remaining life).
[0095] A magnetic stripe reader may, for example, determine
information on a magnetic stripe by detecting the frequency of
changes in magnetic fields (e.g., flux transversals). A particular
frequency of flux transversals may correlate to, for example, a
particular information state (e.g., a logic "1" or a logic "0").
Accordingly, for example, a magnetic emulator may change the
direction of an electromagnetic field at particular frequencies in
order to communicate a different state of information (e.g., a
logic "1" or a logic "0").
[0096] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic
emulator may electromagnetically communicate information serially
by changing the magnitude of an electromagnetic field with respect
to time. As such, for example, a current in a single direction may
be provided through a magnetic emulator in order for that magnetic
emulator to generate an electromagnetic field of a single direction
and a particular magnitude. The current may then be removed from
the magnetic emulator such that, for example, the electromagnetic
field is removed. The creation of a presence of an electromagnetic
field, and the removal of that electromagnetic field, may be
utilized to communicate information to, for example, a magnetic
stripe reader. A magnetic stripe reader may be configured to read,
for example, the change in flux versus time and may associate an
increase in an electromagnetic field (e.g., creation of a field) as
one flux transversal and a decrease (e.g., removal of a field) as
another transversal. In doing so, for example, driving circuitry
(not shown) may be provided which, in turn, controls when current
is provided to a magnetic emulator. The timing of magnetic flux
transversals, as determined by a magnetic stripe reader, may be
utilized by that reader to determine whether a logic one ("1") or
logic zero ("0") was communicated. Accordingly, a driving circuit
may change the frequency of when current is supplied and removed
from a magnetic emulator in order to communicate a logic one ("1")
or a logic zero ("0").
[0097] A driving circuit may, for example, change the direction of
current supplied to a magnetic emulator to increase the amount of
change in an electromagnetic field magnitude for a period of time.
In doing so, for example, a magnetic stripe reader may more easily
be able to discern overall changes in an electromagnetic field and,
as such, may more easily be able to discern information. As such,
for example, a driving circuit may increase the magnitude of an
electromagnetic field by providing negative current, decrease the
amount of negative current until no current is provided and provide
an increasing positive current in order to provide a large swing in
the magnitude of an electromagnetic field. Similarly, a driving
circuit may switch from providing one amount of negative current
(or positive current) to one amount of positive current (or
negative current).
[0098] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a string of
a particular bit of data (e.g., a string of logic zeros "0s") may
be communicated before as well as after information is communicated
through a magnetic emulator. A magnetic stripe reader may utilize
such data, for example, to determine base timing information such
that the magnetic stripe reader has a timing reference that the
reader can utilize to assist in determining timing changes of
perceived flux transversals. Accordingly, for example, a magnetic
emulator may send data at different overall frequencies and a
magnetic stripe reader may be able to reconfigure itself to receive
data at such overall frequencies. Information may be encoded using,
for example, Frequency/Double Frequency (F2F) encoding such that
magnetic stripe readers may perform, F2F decoding.
[0099] A processor may control one or more emulators by, for
example, controlling the direction of the current supplied through
one or more segments of an emulator. By changing the direction of
current through a region, for example, the direction of an
electromagnetic field may be changed. Similarly, a processor may
control one or more emulators by, for example, controlling the
change in magnitude of current supplied through one or more
segments of an emulator. As such, for example, a processor may
increase the magnitude of current as well as decrease the magnitude
of current supplied through an emulator. A processor may control
the timing of such increases and decreases in current such that a
magnetic emulator may, for example, communicate F2F encoded
information.
[0100] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a dynamic
magnetic communications device (e.g., a magnetic emulator or
magnetic encoder) may be fabricated, either completely or
partially, in silicon and provided as a silicon-based chip. Other
circuitry (e.g., driving circuitry) may also be fabricated on such
a silicon-based chip. A processor, such as a processor for
controlling a magnetic communications device, may be, for example,
a programmable processor having on-board programmable non-volatile
memory (e.g., FLASH memory), volatile memory (e.g., RAM), as well
as a cache. Firmware as well as payment information (e.g., dynamic
numbers) may be, for example, communicated from a programming
device to a processor's on-board programmable non-volatile memory
(e.g., a FLASH memory) such that a card may provide a variety of
functionalities. Such a processor may also have one or more
power-saving operating modes, in which each operating mode turns
OFF a different set of circuitry to provide different levels of
power consumption. One or more power-savings modes may turn OFF,
for example, one or more clocking circuitry provided on a
processor. An Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) may
also be included in a card or other device to provide, for example,
processing, dynamic magnetic communications, as well as driving
capabilities.
[0101] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the
present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described.
Instead, the present invention more generally involves dynamic
information. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that
the apparatus of the present invention may be implemented in other
ways then those described herein. All such modifications are within
the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the
claims that follow.
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