U.S. patent application number 12/339093 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for cards and devices with multi-function magnetic emulators and methods for using same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dynamics Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruce Cloutier, David Lambeth, Jeffrey D. Mullen.
Application Number | 20090159682 12/339093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40787420 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090159682 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mullen; Jeffrey D. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2009 |
CARDS AND DEVICES WITH MULTI-FUNCTION MAGNETIC EMULATORS AND
METHODS FOR USING SAME
Abstract
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with
a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a
magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial
transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating
server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information
for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of
time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an
emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe
reader--yet communicate different information based on time. An
emulator may receive information as well as communicate information
to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver).
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.: |
12/339093 |
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 7/10297 20130101;
G06K 19/07773 20130101; G06K 19/0723 20130101; G06K 19/0725
20130101; G06K 19/07709 20130101; G06K 19/07707 20130101; G06K
19/07769 20130101; A61B 5/02042 20130101; G06K 2209/05 20130101;
G06Q 20/352 20130101; G06K 19/07749 20130101; G06Q 20/18 20130101;
G06K 9/32 20130101; G06T 2207/10024 20130101; G06T 2207/30004
20130101; G06K 19/0702 20130101; G06K 19/0775 20130101; A61B 5/02
20130101; G06K 19/06187 20130101; G06K 19/07705 20130101; G06K
19/07345 20130101; G07F 7/0806 20130101; G06T 7/62 20170101; G06F
3/0488 20130101; G06K 19/07766 20130101; G06Q 30/0241 20130101;
G06K 7/0004 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06Q 20/34 20130101;
G06Q 30/0641 20130101; G06Q 30/0222 20130101; G06K 7/087 20130101;
G06K 7/084 20130101; G06K 19/083 20130101; G07F 7/1008 20130101;
G06Q 20/385 20130101; G06Q 20/3415 20130101; G06K 19/0704 20130101;
G06Q 20/341 20130101; G06K 9/3233 20130101; G06Q 20/401 20130101;
G06Q 30/0277 20130101; G06K 19/07 20130101; G06K 19/07703 20130101;
G06K 19/06206 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/449 |
International
Class: |
G06K 7/08 20060101
G06K007/08 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: recognizing a first type of card reader
from a plurality of types of card readers; and driving a magnetic
emulator of a card based on the recognized type of card reader,
wherein said magnetic emulator is operable to communicate with a
magnetic stripe reader.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein a time-based number is
communicated from said magnetic emulator.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein a use-based number is
communicated from said magnetic emulator.
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 magnetic emulator may be operated to electrically couple,
and transmit data to, devices other than a magnetic stripe reader.
For example, a magnetic emulator may be operated to electrically
couple, and transmit data to, a device using a Radio Frequency
IDentification (RFID) protocol. Accordingly, a processor may drive
the emulator at a frequency and magnitude in order to electrically
couple with a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader and then drive
the emulator at a different frequency and a different magnitude in
order to electronically couple with an RFID reader.
[0007] A processor may receive information from a magnetic stripe
reader detector and/or an RFID receiver detector. 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. The processor may also detect, for example,
the presence of and RFID receiver by receiving signals from an RFID
receiver detector and, in response, the processor may drive a
magnetic emulator in a manner that allows the emulator to couple
with the RFID receiver. 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.
[0008] A circuit may be provided on a credit card that is operable
to receive data from a magnetic stripe encoder and/or an RFID
transmitter. Such a circuit may electrically couple with an RFID
transmitter and/or magnetic stripe encoder and deliver information
to a processor. In this manner, a card, or other device, may
communicate bi-directionally with a device.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] 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:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an illustration of process flow charts constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the electrical coupling between
a card and a reader constructed in accordance with the principles
of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is an illustration of the electrical coupling between
a card and a reader constructed in accordance with the principles
of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an illustration of magnetic shielding in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is an illustration of process flow charts constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a personal electronic device
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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 servers 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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).
[0029] 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.
[0030] A static magnetic stripe may be provide 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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
204. Both RFID antenna 210 and magnetic emulator 204 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.
[0036] Card 250 may be provided and may include static magnetic
track 253, magnetic emulators 251 and 252, and magnetic read-heads
254-257). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that static
magnetic track 253 may be a read-write track such that information
may be written to magnetic track 253 from a magnetic stripe reader
that includes a head operable to magnetically encode data onto a
magnetic track. Information may be written to magnetic track 253 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).
[0037] FIG. 3 shows card 300 that may include magnetic encoders 302
and 302 without, for example, a static magnetic track. Read-head
detectors 304-307 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.
[0038] Card 350 includes processor 360. RFID field detector 353 may
provide information to processor 350. Additionally, magnetic stripe
detectors may provide information to processor 350. An RFID
receiver may produce an electromagnetic field that an RFID antenna
is operable to electrically couple with and communicate information
to. An RFID receiver may act as a source of electrical power to an
RFID antenna. Such a power may be harvested (e.g., via RFID 210 of
FIG. 2) to charge a rechargeable battery of a card or other device.
An RFID field detector may thus be provided to detect an RFID
field.
[0039] Emulator 351 may be able to generate electromagnetic fields
of different frequencies and magnitudes, and operate in different
manners, depending on drive signals provided by processor 360.
Accordingly, emulator 351 may be driven to electrically couple with
an RFID receiver and emulator 351 may also be driven to
electrically couple with a magnetic stripe reader. Accordingly,
processor 360 may drive emulator 351 to communicate information
(e.g., payment information that includes dynamic information) to an
RFID receiver when an RFID field is present and to a magnetic
stripe reader when a magnetic stripe is present. Accordingly, for
example, a multi-purpose emulator is provided. In instances where,
for example, both an RFID field and a magnetic stripe reader is
detected, processor 360 may select a default communications
methodology (e.g., an RFID or magnetic stripe methodology).
Processor 360 may be operable to communicate at least two different
drive signals to emulator 351 (e.g., signals 391 and 392).
[0040] Card 400 shows card 400 that may include processor 400,
emulator 401, read-heads 402 and 403, and magnetic stripe encoding
receiver 420. Magnetic stripe encoding receiver 420 may be a coil
such that a current is induced in the coil when a magnetic stripe
encoder attempts to provide a signal that would encode a static
magnetic track. Accordingly, receiver 420 may receive information
via an encoder such that bi-directional communication can be
established with a magnetic stripe reader that includes an encoding
capability. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a
magnetic emulator may be provided that can both transmit data to a
read-head of a magnetic stripe reader as well as receive data from
an encoding-head of a magnetic stripe reader.
[0041] Card 450 includes emulator 451 that includes active region
454 operable to communicate data serially to a magnetic stripe
reader. Similarly, for example, emulator 451 may receive
information for a magnetic stripe encoder. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that emulator 451 includes a tail that is
spread-out. Such a tail may include the return lines of emulator
451 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 454 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
453 may drive emulator 451 via switching circuitry 452. Switching
circuitry 452 may include, for example, one or more transistors
that may be utilized to control the direction of current via
emulator 451 (e.g., the polarity of voltage(s) across a drive
resistor).
[0042] FIG. 5 shows flow chart 510 that may includes steps 511-513.
Step 511 may be utilized to determine, of example, whether an RFID
or a magnetic stripe reader is within the proximity of a card (or
other device). Step 512 may be utilized to run an emulator as an
RFID or magnetic stripe in response to step 511. Step 513 may be
utilized to determine an RFID and magnetic stripe reader such that
the process may be repeated.
[0043] Process 520 may be included and may include step 521 to
detect a read-head. Step 522 may be included to transmit
information using an emulator in a transmitting mode. Step 523 may
be utilized to receive information from an emulator (or receiving
coil) in a receiving mode. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that an emulator may be operating in a receiving mode
and a transmitting mode at the same time.
[0044] Process 530 may be included and may include step 531 to
encode data into static magnetic tracks fabricated from a magnetic
material. Step 532 may be provided to program data into a processor
to be utilized in a subsequent step (e.g., step 533). Step 533 may
be utilized to emulate data using an emulator driven by the data
programmed in the processor.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows environment 600 that may include magnetic
stripe reader 610, read-head housing 640, card 620, and magnetic
emulator 630. Read-head housing 640 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 630 (or a magnetic stripe, such as a magnetic
stripe encoded on-card by card 620). Emulator 630 may be positioned
to be adjacent to any one or more read-heads of read-head housing
640 or may be positioned to communicate information to any one or
more read-heads of read-head housing 640. 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.
[0046] FIG. 7 includes environment 700 that may include cards 720
and 730 as well as magnetic stripe reader 710. Read-head housing
711 may be included on a wall of a trough of magnetic stripe reader
710. The trough may be sized to accept cards (e.g., credit
cards).
[0047] Card 720 may include emulator 721. Emulator 721 may provide
electromagnetic field 791 that may transmit through a portion of
the housing of magnetic stripe reader 710 (e.g., through a wall of
a trough to get to read-head housing 711). Accordingly, card 720
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 721 can provide
electromagnetic field 791 over a distance of, for example, a
quarter of an inch or more.
[0048] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that card 720 may
be coupled to a device via a permanent or removable cable. Such a
device may provide power to card 720 as well as control
information--such as control information for emulator 730. An
external source of power may be utilized, for example, to provide a
larger amount of electrical energy to emulator 721 than from a
source of power located within card 720. 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.
[0049] Card 730 may be provided with emulator 731 and may
electrically couple with a read-head of magnetic stripe reader 710.
Any number of emulators may be provided in card 730 in any number
of orientations such that the appropriate electromagnetic field may
couple with a read head of read-head housing 711 regardless of the
orientation of card 720 with respect to read-head 711. More
particularly, for example, additional read-head housings may be
provided in magnetic stripe reader 710 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.
[0050] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic
stripe reader may include a trough that includes two (or more)
read-head housings 711 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 721 may, for example, communicate
magnetic fields outside both the front and read surfaces of a card.
Accordingly, a single emulator 721 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.
[0051] An dynamic magnetic communications device, such as a
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
(e.g., FR4 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.
[0052] Magnetic shielding may be provided to limit an
electromagnetic field of an emulator. For example, layer 810 may
include magnetic shielding 811 (which may be a magnetic material).
Magnetic shielding may block magnetic fields from emulator 851 on
layer 820. Accordingly, for example, a card may not interact with
read-heads blocked from emulator 851 from magnetic shielding 811.
In doing so, for example, a magnetic stripe reader may receive
information from a single read-head housing at any given time.
Layer 830 may be provided, for example, with magnetic shielding 831
that includes an active-region space 832. Accordingly, layer 830
may block magnetic fields from emulator 851 except for those fields
generated by active portion 854 (e.g., if space 832 is aligned with
active potion 854).
[0053] FIG. 9 shows processes 900 that may include flow chart 910.
Flow chart 910 may include step 911, in which a first layer of
magnetic shielding may be provided (e.g., printed). Step 912 may be
provided such that, for example, an emulator is provided (e.g.,
printed). Step 913 may be included such that, for example, a second
layer of shielding may be provided (e.g., printed).
[0054] Flow chart 920 may be included. Step 921 may be included in
flow chart 920. A read-head may be detected in step 921, a first
level of current may be provided through an emulator in step 922,
and the direction of the current through the emulator may be
switched in step 923 in order to transmit data.
[0055] Flow chart 930 may be included. Step 931 may be included in
flow chart 930. A button press may be detected in step 931, a
second level of current may be provided through an emulator in step
932, and the direction of the current through the emulator may be
switched in step 933 in order to transmit data. Flow chart 921 and
931 may be utilized together, for example, to provide a
multi-function emulator. For example, an emulator may provide a
magnetic-stripe signal to a magnetic stripe reader in flow chart
920 and may provide an RFID signal to an RFID receiver in flow
chart 930.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that different
emulators may be controlled by different switching circuitry (e.g.,
different transistors). Opto-isolators may be included to protect
the processor from any voltage swings driving a magnetic
emulator.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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.
[0062] FIG. 10 shows card 1000 that may include, for example, one
or more IC chips 1030 (e.g., EMV chips), RFID antennas 1020,
processors 1040, displays 1050, dynamic magnetic communications
devices 1010 (e.g., magnetic encoders and/or magnetic emulators),
batteries 1060, and buttons 1051 and 1052. Additional circuitry
1098 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 1051 may, for example, be utilized
by a user to select one encryption algorithm for a number displayed
on display 1050 while button 1052 may be utilized by a user to
select a different encryption algorithm. Persons skilled in the art
will appreciate that the components of card 1000 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.
[0063] 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 1051 is pressed and
displayed on display 1050. 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).
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] FIG. 11 shows card 1100 that may include, for example,
signature area 1140 that may include a material operable to receive
marks from a pen (e.g., a signature). Card 1100 may also include,
for example, displays 1120 and 1130. Display 1120 may, for example,
display a payment number while display 1130 displays a security
code (e.g., for online purchase authentication). Display 1120 as
well as display 1130 may be utilized on the same side as, for
example, dynamic magnetic communications device 1110.
[0067] FIG. 12 shows personal electronic device 1200 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 1200 may include, for example, user
inputs 1240 and display 1210. Virtual card 1220 may be displayed on
display 1220. Display 1220 may be a touch-sensitive display such
that, for example, virtual button 1230 may be provided on virtual
card 1220. 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 1200 may communicate to a card reader such as,
for example, an RFID reader.
[0068] 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).
[0069] 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").
[0070] 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").
[0071] 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).
[0072] 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 transverals. 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.
[0073] 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.
[0074] 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.
[0075] 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.
* * * * *