U.S. patent application number 12/339061 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for payment cards and devices with enhanced magnetic emulators.
This patent application is currently assigned to Dynamics Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruce Cloutier, David Lambeth, Jeffrey D. Mullen.
Application Number | 20090159701 12/339061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40787420 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090159701 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mullen; Jeffrey D. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2009 |
PAYMENT CARDS AND DEVICES WITH ENHANCED MAGNETIC EMULATORS
Abstract
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) or other device
(e.g., mobile telephone) is provided with a magnetic emulator
operable to communicate data to a magnetic stripe read-head. Such a
magnetic emulator may comprise non-magnetostrictive material such
that the magnetic emulator may be fabricated in a wide variety of
fabrication processes. Additionally, magnets may be added to
amplify the signal of a magnetic emulator. In doing so, a magnetic
emulator may provide a large amount of signal while consuming a
reduced amount of electrical energy when compared to a magnetic
emulator that does not include the presence of one or more
magnets.
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.: |
12/339061 |
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: |
235/493 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 9/32 20130101; G06K
2209/05 20130101; G06Q 30/0641 20130101; G06Q 20/18 20130101; G06Q
30/0222 20130101; G06K 19/07709 20130101; G06K 19/083 20130101;
G06T 2207/30004 20130101; G06K 19/07749 20130101; G06Q 20/3415
20130101; G06Q 20/385 20130101; G06K 7/10297 20130101; G06Q 20/401
20130101; G06K 7/087 20130101; G07F 7/1008 20130101; G06K 7/0004
20130101; G06K 19/07705 20130101; G06K 9/3233 20130101; G06K
19/0723 20130101; G06K 19/07345 20130101; G06K 19/0704 20130101;
G06K 19/0725 20130101; G06Q 20/34 20130101; A61B 5/02 20130101;
G06Q 20/352 20130101; G06T 7/62 20170101; G06F 3/0488 20130101;
G06Q 20/341 20130101; G06K 19/07766 20130101; G06K 19/07 20130101;
G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06K 19/06187 20130101; G07F 7/0806 20130101;
G06K 19/07703 20130101; G06T 2207/10024 20130101; G06Q 30/0241
20130101; G06K 19/0702 20130101; G06Q 30/0277 20130101; A61B
5/02042 20130101; G06K 19/0775 20130101; G06K 19/07773 20130101;
G06K 19/06206 20130101; G06K 7/084 20130101; G06K 19/07707
20130101; G06K 19/07769 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/493 |
International
Class: |
G06K 19/06 20060101
G06K019/06 |
Claims
1. A payment card comprising: a magnetic emulator, operable to
communicate information to a magnetic stripe reader, for generating
an electromagnetic signal; and a magnet located outside of said
magnetic emulator for providing magnetic bias to said
electromagnetic signal.
2. A payment card comprising: a magnetic emulator, operable to
communicate information to a magnetic stripe reader, for generating
an electromagnetic signal, said magnetic emulator comprising: a
coil having an interior and an exterior; and a material placed
within said interior of said coil for increasing the amount of said
electromagnetic signal located about said exterior of said coil,
wherein said material is substantially non-magnetostrictive.
3. A payment card comprising: a magnetic emulator, operable to
communicate information to a magnetic stripe reader, for providing
an electromagnetic signal, wherein said magnetic emulator
comprises: a coil having an interior and an exterior; a material
placed within said interior of said coil for increasing the amount
of said electromagnetic signal located about said exterior of said
coil, wherein said material is substantially non-magnetostrictive;
and a magnet placed within said interior of said coil for providing
a bias signal.
4. The payment card of claim 3, wherein said electromagnetic signal
communicates a dynamic number that is time-based.
5. The payment card of claim 3, wherein said electromagnetic signal
communicates a dynamic number that is use-based.
6. The payment card of claim 3, further comprising a bi-stable
display.
7. The payment card of claim 3, further comprising a bi-stable
display and a non-bistable display.
8. The payment card of claim 3, further comprising a non bi-stable
display.
9. The payment card of claim 3, wherein said emulator was
fabricated on printed circuit board and a property of said material
was tested after manufacturing of said printed circuit board.
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
(Docket No. D/012 PROV), 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 or more) 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] 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.
[0012] A read-head detector, or an array of read-head detectors,
may be able to, for example, determine the type of reader that the
card entered into. For example, a read-head detector array may
determine, for example, when a motorized reader was utilized, an
insertion reader was utilized, or a user-swipe reader was utilized.
Such information may be stored and communicated to a remote storage
device (e.g., a remote database). This stored information may be
utilized to combat, for example, card cloning. For example, if a
particular number of cards (e.g., 10 more) that made consecutive
purchases from a machine (e.g., an ATM) detected more than one
reader, then, for example, the system may make an autonomous
determination that an illegal cloning device was located on front
of that ATM machine. If, for example, multiple cards use a
restaurant point-of-sale terminal and determine that multiple
readers were used then, for example, a computer can make an
autonomous determination that cloning may have occurred at the
restaurant.
[0013] A material may be sandwiched between the two layers to
assist in reducing the effect of the electromagnetic fields from
one set of coil segments on the side of the material opposite that
set of coil segments. Such an interior material may be insulated
such that the material does not short the coil segments.
Additionally, such an interior material may be chosen, for example,
such that the material does not saturate when the coil is
conducting current. The coil and material may run, for example,
along the location of a track of magnetic data for a payment card.
Accordingly, a coil may be fabricated so that the coil wraps around
an interior material.
[0014] A material may be placed and/or printed on a PCB layer and
sandwiched between two other PCB layers. These two other layers may
each include coil segments and vias. The middle layer may also
include vias such that the material is fabricated to be located in
the center of the coil. The material may take a cylindrical,
rectangular, square, or any type of shape. Four layers may also be
utilized, where the coil segments are printed on a surface of the
exterior layers and one or more materials are printed and/or placed
on/between the interior layers. A material may be a magnetic
material, ferromagnetic material, ferrimagnetic material, or any
type of material. For example, copper may be printed on a PCB layer
and plated with a material (e.g., nickel, iron, chrome, tin, gold,
platinum, cobalt, zinc, alloys). A material, for example, may have
a relative permeability multiple times greater than the
permeability of a vacuum. A material, for example, may have a
relative permeability of 2 to 100 to 25,000. A material may
include, for example, a permalloy, iron, steel, ferrite, nickel or
any other material (e.g., any soft magnetic material). A material
may be an alloy such as a nickel-iron alloy. Such a nickel-iron
alloy may include, for example, nickel (e.g., 75-85%), iron,
copper, molybdenum and may be placed through one or more annealing
processes. Annealing may occur before and/or after the material is
placed/printed on a layer of material (e.g., a PCB or other layer).
A similar and/or different material may be placed either above
and/or below a portion, or the entire, set of paths on a layer for
a coil. Accordingly, for example, a material may be placed in the
interior of a coil as well as along a side of the coil.
[0015] Displays may be provided near user interfaces or other
structures. For example, a display may be provided next to an LED.
Cards may be programmed during manufacturing so that these displays
may display particular information. Accordingly, for example, the
same card architecture may be utilized to provide a number of
different types of cards. A user may utilize user interfaces (e.g.,
mechanical or capacitive interfaces) to change the function of the
display. For example, codes may be entered to reconfigure the
displays. Alternatively, for example, a user may utilize buttons to
select information to be displayed on displays associated with user
interfaces. A code may associate a name of a store with a button
and/or a dollar amount. For example, a display may be configured to
read "Target $50." Information may be entered manually, but also
may be received by a card. For example, a user may swipe a card a
second time through a magnetic stripe reader and receive
information via a magnetic emulator. This received information may
be utilized to update information on the card (e.g., the balance of
a gift card, credit account, and/or debit account). Information may
also be received by an RFID antenna and/or IC chip located on a
card and in communication with a central processor (or distributed
processors). For example, transaction information (e.g., list of
past transactions, stores where transactions occurred, amounts of
transactions) and account information (e.g., balance information,
bill information, amount due information) may be communicated to
the card and displayed on one or more displays.
[0016] A dynamic card may be manufactured in a variety of ways. For
example, a dynamic card may be printed onto a flexible material
(e.g., a flexible polymer). Multiple layers of this material may be
bonded together to form a multiple layer flexible structure. This
multiple layer structure may be laminated (e.g., via hot, warm
and/or cold lamination) to form a card. The card may be programmed
before or after lamination. A card may be programmed via a direct
connection between a programmer and one or more contacts on a card.
A card may be programmed via a capacitive, optical, or inductive
communication via a communication link between a programmer and one
or more communication components on a card. Accordingly, for
example, a card may be laminated and capacitively, optically, or
inductively programmed. After programming, a processor on the card
may be signaled to burn-out its programming communication
channel(s) such that no further programming may occur. A portion of
the card may not be laminated. Accordingly, a programmer may
connect to this non-laminated portion of the card. The
non-laminated portion of the card may be laminated after
programming. Alternatively, for example, the non-laminated portion
of the card may be cut after programming (e.g., and after the
processor burns-out its programming ports so the processor cannot
be further programmed).
[0017] Additional external communication devices may be provided on
a card. For example, a USB port or Wi-Fi antenna may be provided on
a card. Such additional external communication devices may, for
example, allow a user to communicate with stationary computer,
laptop, or other device. Such communication devices may, for
example, be utilized to load gift cards, or other information
(e.g., transactional or account information) from a laptop to a
card or other device. A card is provided that includes a light
sensor such that information can be communicated to a card via
light (e.g., via a light transmitted from a TV or website).
[0018] A magnetic emulator may produce an electromagnetic field
that is operable to be read by a magnetic stripe reader. Such a
magnetic emulator may include a coil. Current may be provided
through such a coil such that an electromagnetic signal is
produced. Material may be placed inside the coil with a
permeability that results in an increase of the electromagnetic
signal about the exterior of the coil. Such a material may be, for
example, a soft-magnetic material (e.g., a permalloy). Such a
soft-magnetic material may not be able to, for example, be
permanently magnetized.
[0019] A magnetic emulator having a coil with a soft-magnetic
interior may be fabricated in a printed circuit board process
(e.g., using an FR4 board material). In doing so, for example, the
electromagnetic field located about the exterior of the coil may be
increased by the presence of the soft-magnetic interior.
[0020] Magnetostrictive materials may be provided about the
interior of a coil. Magnetostrictive materials may mechanically
distort in response to a magnetic field. This mechanical distortion
may, in turn, affect the magnetic field. Magnetic emulators are
provided with coils having magnetostrictive interior materials. An
aperture may be cut into a printed circuit board layer such that
the magnetostrictive material is operable to mechanically distort
within the aperture while in a multiple layer printed circuit
board.
[0021] Non-magnetostrictive material may be utilized as an interior
material for a coil operable to communicate data to a magnetic
stripe reader. Such a non-magnetostrictive material may have zero
parts per million of magnetostrictive elements or may have a low
amount of magnetostriction (e.g., less than 200 parts per
million).
[0022] A permanent magnet may be placed about a magnetic emulator.
For magnetic emulators that include one or more coils, a permanent
magnet may be placed about the interior, or exterior, of one of the
coils. Such a permanent magnetic may provide, for example, a bias
magnetic field that may increase the amount of electromagnetic
field present about the exterior of a coil. A bias field may also
be created, for example, via a coil (e.g., a coil about a magnetic
emulator).
[0023] A magnetic emulator may include one or more coils that
include both a soft-magnetic material and a permanent magnet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] 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:
[0025] FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a card and a reader constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a card and a reader constructed
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 7 is an illustration of control signals and magnetic
stripe reader sense signals constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 8 is an illustration of coils constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a card manufacturing process
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a card manufacturing process
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 11 are illustrations of cards constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 12 are flow charts constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 14 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 15 is an illustration of control signals constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention
[0040] FIG. 16 is a schematic of a drive circuit constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 17 is an illustration of a card constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention; and
[0042] FIG. 18 is an illustration of a personal electronic device
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] 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 or any other type of card (e.g., security access
or identification 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.
[0044] 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 identified 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.
[0045] Card 150 may be provided. Card 150 may include static
magnetic stripe tracks 153 and 152. Magnetic emulator 151 may be
included and 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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. Emulator 151 may be included such
that dynamic information may be communicated to a magnetic stripe
reader, for example, without a magnetic stripe via an
electromagnetic signal transmitted directly from emulator 151 to a
read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. Any combination of emulators
and static magnetic tracks may be utilized for a card or device
(e.g., two magnetic emulators without any magnetic stripes).
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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. A smart-card
chip may, for example, be included on card 200 in lieu of, or in
addition to, RFID 210.
[0054] 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).
[0055] 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.
[0056] Card 250 includes emulator 251 that includes a coil 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 a coil may run across the length of a card such that a
read-head moves along the length of the coil and can receive
information transmitted serially from the coil. The coil may extend
into multiple tracks such that multiple read-heads receive
information from the coil. Track information can be sent serially
(e.g., track 1 information followed by track 2 information).
Multiple coils may be driven separately and placed in different
zones such that a single read-head moves from coil-to-coil (e.g.,
zone-to-zone) and power is conserves as only coils in a particular
zone (or zones) may be utilized to communicate information any
particular time. Separate coils may be utilized for separate
tracks. Materials may be placed in the interior of each coil to
assist with manipulating the electromagnetic field produced by the
coils. Material may be placed above or below a coil to further
manipulate the electromagnetic field produced by the coil.
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). For example, a coil may be utilized to transmit a
string of information to a particular read-head. Different coils
may transmit information at different speeds (or at the same
speed). Different coils may transmit different amounts of
information. For example, three coils may be provided. The coil
closest to the bottom of the long-end of a card may transmit at
least 79 characters. The coil next closest to the bottom of the
long-end of a card may transmit at least 40 characters of
information. The coil next closest to the bottom of the long-end of
the card may transmit at least 107 characters. One or more coils
may have different character sets (e.g., a 6-bit character set or a
7-bit character set). The last bit in a character may include, for
example, a parity bit. Additional synching information may be
transmitted before and after the data information to assist with
synching a magnetic stripe reader. For example, a string of zeros
may be communicated before and after communicating primary data.
Characters may be included in the data information for other
purposes such as an LRC character.
[0057] FIG. 3 shows card 300 that may include a number of
components. Card 300 may include one or more processors 320. A
processor may include, for example, cache memory, RAM, and/or ROM.
Additional memory may be provided on card 300. For example,
additional non-volatile, volatile, cache memory, RAM, and/or ROM
may be provided on card 300. Battery 325 may be provided on card
300. Battery 325 may be, for example, a lithium polymer battery and
may have a thickness less than a millimeter (e.g., approximately
0.5 mm). RFID antenna 315 may be provided on card 300 and may
communicate data to an RFID reader. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that an RFID may be included that is a passive or active
RFID. IC chip 310 may be included on card 300 and may communicate
data to an IC chip reader. Device 301 may be included to
communication information to a magnetic stripe reader. Device 301
may include any number of magnetic emulators, magnetic encoders
that encode magnetic stripes, and/or magnetic stripes. For example,
device 301 may include a magnetic emulator for one track of
magnetic data and a magnetic stripe for a second track of data.
Alternatively, for example, device 301 may include two emulators
for separate tracks of data. An emulator may, for example,
communicate information to a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader
serially. One or more read-head detectors 302 may be provided to
detect a read-head (or other attribute) of a magnetic stripe
reader. Additional detectors may be included to detect, for
example, when a card is provided into an IC chip reader and/or an
electromagnetic field from an RFID reader. Button array 330 may be
provided, for example, to receive input from a user. Button array
330 may include any number of buttons (e.g., 4, 5, 10, or more than
10). Button array 330 may include, for example, mechanical buttons,
capacitive buttons, or any type of user interface. One or more
displays 340 may also be included. A display may be, for example,
an electronic ink display (e.g., electrochromic display), LCD
display, or any other type of display. Display 340 may be
flexible.
[0058] Display 340 may be printed onto a layer during a printed
fabrication process (e.g., PCB). Additionally, for example, battery
325 may be printed onto a layer during a printed fabrication
process (e.g., PCB). Similarly, a magnetic emulator may be printed
onto a layer during a printed fabrication process (e.g., PCB).
Other components may be printed onto a layer during a printed
fabrication process (e.g., PCB) such as capacitive read-head
detectors, and capacitive touch sensors. Accordingly, a display,
battery, read-head detector, and button array may be printed on one
or more layers that are bonded together and laminated.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows card 350 that may include, for example,
processor 353, switching circuitry 352, and emulator 351 having
active region 354. Switching circuitry 352 may, for example,
control the direction of current through emulator 351 in order to
change the direction of electromagnetic fields generated by
emulator 351 such that data may be communicated serially to a
magnetic stripe read-head. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that emulator 351 may be fabricated on a single layer
and that region 354 may include coil segments dense enough to
generate an electromagnetic field that can be recognized by a
read-head of a magnetic stripe reader.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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).
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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 using, for example, a hot and/or
cold lamination. Portions of an electronic ink display may also be
fabricated on a layer during a PCB printing process.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that different
emulators may be controlled by different switching circuitry (e.g.,
different transistors).
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the
direction of current through magnetic circuit 650 may be changed
and controlled 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 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").
[0074] FIG. 6 shows and 650 that includes buttons 651-664, light
sources 691-694, displays 852-853, permanent information 651 and
670, buttons 681-684, and hologram 699. A user may be provided with
a payment number. Such a payment number may be comprised of
permanent data, dynamic data, or a combination of permanent and
dynamic data. Dynamic data may be provided, for example, on display
652. Display 653 may be utilized to provide a code, which may be
dynamic. Such a code may be utilized in authorize a transaction.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that displays may
display a code, payment number, or any type of data that changes
based on time or based on use (e.g., utilizes one-time use data).
Similarly, data may be static and may not change. Accordingly, for
example, a display may be utilized to display the same data when
desired such that the data may be hidden when the data is not
desired to be displayed. Buttons 651-664, 681-682, and/or 683-684
may be utilized to signal a processor to display information on
display 652, display 643, or display 652 and display 653.
[0075] A Personal Identification Code (PAC) may be entered to
utilize to display data, as well as instruct a processor to provide
particular data. For example, a particular PAC may provide one
payment number (e.g., a credit card number) while a different PAC
may provide a different payment number (e.g., a debit card number).
A PAC may include a sequence of button presses (e.g., 5 particular
button presses). Furthermore, a PAC may be utilized to unlock a
card so that the card may be utilized. For example, buttons 681,
682, 683, and 684 may not be utilized by a user until an
appropriate PAC has been entered via buttons 651-665. A number may
be changed based on time (e.g., via display 652, display 653, or
display 652 and display 653). Accordingly, a PAC may be entered
such that the particular number associated with a particular button
(e.g., a number associated with button 651) for a particular time
period (e.g., a particular day) may be displayed. One PAC may
activate display 652 while another PAC may activate display
653.
[0076] Light source 691 may be an LED or other source of light.
Light source 691 may display light each time a button associated to
light source 691 is pressed (e.g., buttons 661-662). Similarly,
light source 692 may display light each time a button associated
with light source 692 is pressed (e.g., button 681 or 682). Light
source 693 may display light each time a button associated with
light source 693 is pressed (e.g., light source 683 or 684). Light
source 694 may be associated to a component and may display light
each time that component is activated (e.g., display 653 or 652 is
activated). Light sources may emit light having different colors.
For example, a processor may determine that a PAC provided to the
processor via buttons 661-665 matches a valid PAC for performing an
operation. Each button press may cause light source 691 to emit
light of a first color (e.g., YELLOW). The last button press to
complete the PAC, however, may cause light source 691 to emit a
different color if the PAC is VALID (e.g., emit GREEN) yet emit
another color if the PAC is INVALID (e.g., emit RED). Particular
areas of a laminated card may be transparent such that light from a
light-source illuminates the transparent area.
[0077] Button 681 may be associated with a card of a particular
country. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a card may
be provided with a default number. Such a default number may
include, for example, permanent data 651 and data displayed on
display 652. Accordingly, a particular PAC may display the default
data on display 652.
[0078] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other
default data may be provided to other components of a card upon
entry of a PAC. For example, particular default data (e.g., payment
card number and discretionary data) may be communicated to a
magnetic emulator (or magnetic encoder) such that the information
may be communicated to a magnetic stripe read-head. Similarly,
default data (e.g., payment card number and discretionary data) may
be communicated to an RFID antenna, an IC chip, or an RFID antenna
and an IC chip. Such default data may be different for each
component (e.g., magnetic encoder/emulator, RFID antenna, IC Chip)
and may be in different formats (e.g., one track of payment data
for one magnetic emulator and another track of payment data for
another magnetic emulator).
[0079] Button 681 may cause, for example, display 652, display 653,
or display 652 and 653 to display data associated to button 681.
Similarly, data associated to button 681 for other components of
card 650 (e.g., a magnetic emulator, magnetic encoder, RFID
antenna, and IC chip) may be communicated through those components.
Button 681 may be associated with, for example a particular
territory (e.g., America). Accordingly, for example, information
communicated via card 650 may be associated with a default country
upon entry of a particular PAC until, for example, a button is
pressed associated with a different country. At this time, for
example, the information communicated by card 650 may change to the
information associated with the particular button pressed. Button
692 may be provided for a country different than, for example, a
default country and a country associated with another button (e.g.,
button 681). A card may not be associated with a default country
such that, for example, a button is pressed to determine the type
of information communicated by a card.
[0080] Button 683 may be utilized to provide instructions to a
processor that a gift card is desired to be utilized via card 650.
A gift code may be entered (e.g., via buttons 661-665) after button
683 is pressed such that a user may, for example, associate a gift
card to card 650. Accordingly, card 650 may be utilized to make a
gift purchase such that the original gift card may be thrown out
(or left at home). The code entered into card 350 may be utilized,
for example, to provide a processor with a number to transmit via
the card (e.g., next time button 683 is utilized). Such a number
(as well as associated data such as associated discretionary data)
may be communicated by card 650 via one or more displays, magnetic
emulators, magnetic encoders, RFID antennas, and IC chips. A code
may alternatively, for example, transmit a flag (e.g.,
discretionary data) that a gift card is being utilized (e.g., upon
another use of button 683) such that a server may look at a seller
ID number and check if there are any gift cards associated to a
particular payment card number for that seller ID number.
Accordingly, for example, a user may obtain a gift card (e.g.,
Target gift card) and may link that gift card to his/her payment
card account (e.g., credit card account) and may utilize a button
(e.g., 683) to send a flag that a gift card is desired to be
utilized. A code may be entered to provide a particular flag (e.g.,
a flag associated with a particular seller). Alternatively, no code
may be entered and button 683 may just be utilized to generate a
generic flag (e.g., causing a server to check if there are any
linked gift cards for the account associated with the seller
associated with the utilized point-of-sale reader). A user may be
provided with a particular code to be entered when utilize the gift
card at an online store (e.g., Target's online store). The online
store may, for example, allow a user to enter his/her payment
information (e.g., credit card number, expiration date, name on
card, zip code associated with card) and allow the user to select
whether a gift card should be utilized associated with that card
(e.g., via a radio button or other webpage input structure).
[0081] Button 684 may be provided. Button 684 may be utilized, for
example, to make an in-store purchase. Button 684 may activate, for
example, display 652 but not display 653. Code 653 may be utilized,
for example, to at least complete a particular online transaction.
In not activating display 653, for example, a user that is provided
with a card during an in-store purchase may not gain access to
information displayed on display 653. Persons skilled in the art
will appreciate, for example, that the information on display 653
may be transmitted via a component (e.g., emulator) even though the
information is not displayed. Moreover, for example, display 652
and 653 may be the same display but that a particular interface
(e.g., button) may display information on different portions of the
display.
[0082] Button 681 may be associated with a security code such that
each time button 681 is pressed, a new security code is displayed
(e.g., via display 653). Permanent information 671 may be utilized
to describe the functionality of button 681.
[0083] Button 682 may be by associated with unlocking and locking a
card. A processor (not shown) may look to receive a personal
identification code after button 682 is pressed to unlock a card.
Similarly, an unlocked card may re-task a number of buttons to
perform a variety of functions. Locking a card (e.g., via button
682) may cause those buttons to return to a default state in which
a processor (not shown) is looking to receive a personal
identification number. Permanent information 672 may be associated
with, for example, the functionality of button 682.
[0084] Button 683 may be associated with, for example, display 654.
Button 683 may be associated with, for example, display 655. The
utilization of displays 654 and 655 may be programmed, for example,
by a user at any time through the entry of a reconfiguration code.
For example, a user may load multiple gift cards into his/her
payment card and associate each payment card with a different
display and associated button. Light source 693 may activate when
button 683 is pressed by a user. Light source 692 may activate when
button 684 is pressed by a user.
[0085] FIG. 7 shows control signals 710 and 720 and magnetic stripe
reader sense signals 730 and 740. Control signals 710 may be
utilized to drive, for example, a magnetic emulator serially
communicating data to a magnetic stripe reader. A magnetic emulator
may be, for example, driven by a current having a positive polarity
or being able to swing between a positive and a negative polarity.
Such a current may be generated, for example, from a transistor
providing a drive voltage over a drive resistor. An H-bridge may be
utilized, for example, to drive current through a coil in both
directions.
[0086] Range 710 shows current signal 711 that is provided in a
single polarity. A magnetic stripe reader may read the timing of
phase transversals to determine whether a one ("1") or a zero ("0")
was received. For example, a short period of time before a phase
transversal may be determined to be a particular bit of information
while a long period of time before a phase transversal may be a
different bit of information. Information may be encoded using, for
example, F2F encoding such that a magnetic stripe reader may be
configured to perform F2F decoding to extract information.
[0087] Range 720 shows signal 721, which may be the signal sensed
by a magnetic stripe reader. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that signal 721. Signal 721 may, for example, be
provided as a series of pulses. An increase of current through an
emulator may, for example, correspond to a positive pulse and a
decrease of current through an emulator may, for example,
correspond to a negative pulse. The magnitude of a magnetic stripe
reader sense pulse may, for example, be correlated with the rate of
change of the drive signal of a magnetic stripe emulator.
Accordingly, for example, a larger rate of change may correlate to
larger sense pulses. Information may be determined at the reader
by, for example, F2F decoding. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that, for example, a longer period of a pulse may
lengthen the distance between pulses. Decoding may, for example,
determine a swipe rate (e.g., by looking at a string of leading
zero bits). A logic zero may provide pulses that define the
beginning and end of a LONG period of time. Thus, a string of logic
zeros may allow a reader to determine the LONG period for that
swipe. A logic one may recognized, for example, when a pulse is
provided in the middle of a LONG period of time such that the
reader sees two SHORT periods of time. Accordingly, changing the
time between when a current increase and decrease occurs may be
utilized to communicate a logic one or logic zero. Similarly, the
amount of time before a current decrease and increase occurs may be
utilized to communicate a logic one or a logic zero.
[0088] Range 730 may correlate to a current drive signal that
swings between a positive and a negative polarity. As a result, the
amplitude of sense signal 741 on range 740 may be increased with
respect to signal 731 having the same amplitude, but a single
polarity.
[0089] FIG. 8 shows magnetic emulator 800 that may be utilized, for
example, to communicate data serially to a magnetic stripe reader.
Emulator 800 may include coil 811 around material 810. Material 810
may be, for example, a soft magnetic material.
[0090] Magnetic emulator 850 may be utilized, for example, to
communicate data serially to a magnetic stripe reader. Emulator 850
may include coil 861 and 862 around material 860. Material 860 may
be, for example, a soft magnetic material. Persons skilled in the
art will appreciate that the increased number of coil turns may,
for example, result in a larger electromagnetic field. Coil 861 may
be fabricated on one layer above and one layer below material 860.
Coil 862 may be fabricated, for example, on a different layer above
and a different layer below material 860.
[0091] FIG. 9 shows manufacturing process 900 that may be utilized,
for example, to provide a card that includes a coil (e.g., coil
990). Coil 990 may take the form of birds-eye view perspective 991
and angled cross-sectional perspective 992.
[0092] Layer 910 may be provided. Coil segments 911 may be printed
on, for example, layer 910. Material 953 may be provided between
layer 910 and layer 930. Material 954 may be provided on layer 920
(e.g., printed on layer 920). Vias may be provided on layer 920 to
couple, for example, coil segments 911 to coil segments 931 of
layer 930. Additional layers may be provided. For example, layer
910 may be provided and may include printed contacts for
interconnecting circuitry. Layer 960 may be provided, for example,
at locations 961-963. For example, layer 960 may be provided as
shown and at location 963. Each such layer may include, for
example, coil segments for a second coil. Layers 910, 920, and 930
may, for example, include vias for coupling the coil segments for
the second coil together. Any layer of FIG. 9 may include contacts
to, and interconnections between, card components such as a
processor, LEDs, buttons, battery, RFID, and IC chip (e.g., EMV
chip).
[0093] FIG. 10 shows materials 1090 that includes material 1091 and
1093. Material 1091 may be magnetostrictive such that, for example,
material 1091 mechanically distorts in the presence of a magnetic
field. For example, material 1091 may distort from a resting
location to distorted location 1092. Material 1091 may affect an
electromagnetic field as material 1091 distorts. Materials 1093
may, for example, be a soft-magnetic material with zero, or
substantially zero, parts per million of magnetostriction. Material
1093 may be operable to affect an electromagnetic field without
distorting.
[0094] Person skilled in the art will appreciate that a
magnetostrictive material may, for example, have a better
performance if allowed to mechanically distort. Accordingly, for
example, layer 1020 may be provided with aperture 1054.
Magnetostrictive material 1021 may be placed within cavity 1054
such that magnetostrictive material 1021 may mechanically distort
within aperture 1054. Layer 1010 may be provided with coil segments
1011 coupled to vias on layer 1020 to couple the coil segments on
layer 1010 to layer 1030.
[0095] FIG. 11 shows card 1100 that may include, for example,
permanent magnet 1111 located about coil 1113. Coil 1113 may be
located around material 1112. Material 1112 may be, for example, a
soft-magnetic material. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate
that permanent magnet 1111 may provide a bias magnetic field that
may increase the field located at the exterior of coil 1113 by
providing bias to the field located at the exterior of coil
1113.
[0096] Cross-section 1150 may be, for example, a cross section of
any type of card (e.g., payment card, gambling card, phone card,
security access card). Coil 1153 may be provided, for example, to
communicate data serially to a magnetic stripe reader.
Soft-magnetic material 1151 may be provided within coil 1153.
Similarly, for example, permanent magnet 1152 may be provided
inside of coil 1153. Soft-magnetic material 1151 may be, for
example, thicker (or thinner) than magnet 1152. Similarly, for
example, soft magnetic material 1151 may be physically touching
permanent magnet 1152 or may be separated (e.g., via an
insulator).
[0097] FIG. 12 shows flow charts 1200 that may include, for
example, flow chart 1210, 1220, 1230, and 240. Flow chart 1210 may
include step 1211, in which a number, such as a payment number, may
be retrieved. Step 1213 may determine, for example, whether the
payment number is associated with a security code, discretionary
code, a code for both security and discretionary data, or no code.
The code may be executed in step 1213. For example, if a security
code is associated with a payment number then the security code may
be, for example, validated. As per another example, if a
discretionary code is associated with a payment number then the
discretionary code may be, for example, validated. Persons skilled
in the art will appreciate that no code may be associated to a
payment number or only in particular instances (e.g., online
purchases). Similarly, a card may have both a security component
and a discretionary data portion. A transaction (e.g., a payment
transaction) may be validated in step 1214. Step 1215 may, for
example, be included to allow for a device to provide information
to a card (e.g., via a magnetic stripe emulator, RFID antenna, or
IC chip).
[0098] Process 1220 may be provided. Step 1221 may be included in
process 1220 that may, for example, include producing an interior
and two exterior layers. Such layers may be, for example, a printed
circuit board layer (e.g., an FR4 layer). Step 1221 may include,
for example, steps such as layer printing, cutting, and testing.
Step 1222 may be included to cut, for example, an aperture into the
interior board layer. Such an aperture may be sized to
approximately the size of one or more materials that may be
utilized in the interior of a coil of a magnetic emulator. The
aperture may, for example, be larger than the one or more materials
utilized in the interior of a coil of a magnetic emulator. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that such a material may be a
magnetostrictive material that distorts in the presence of a
magnetic field in order to provide a particular influence on that
magnetic field. Accordingly, a magnetostrictive material may be
utilized with, for example, a two-dimensional coil (e.g.,
underneath or above) or another type of device (e.g., a magnetic
encoder). Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate, for
example, that a magnetostrictive material may distort if the
material is placed in a cavity that is the same size as the
magnetostrictive material. A magnetostrictive material may be
configured to distort, for example, so long as the magnetostrictive
material is not adhered to adjacent board layers.
[0099] Step 1222 may be utilized to place a material into the
aperture. Person skilled in the art will appreciate that an
aperture may be cut through a board layer and that a cut may be
provided that only provides space partially through a board such
that a trough is formed. Any material may be placed in a space that
is cut for the material. For example, a permanent magnet or
non-magnetostrictive material may be placed in such a space. In
doing so, for example, a multiple layer board may be formed that
has even exterior surfaces void of bulges. Without a space, for
example, a bulge may appear. Bulges may be useful, however, in that
apertures may increase the cost of making a multiple layer card.
Apertures may also be cut into layers exterior to the layer housing
the material (e.g., all layers) in order to reduce bulges as well
as provide a thin card. For example, a permanent magnet may be
placed outside of a coil and an aperture may be cut through all
layers of the multiple layer circuit board such that a relatively
thick permanent magnet may be provided. A material and board layer
including an aperture may, for example, be configured to have
substantially the same thickness. A machine may autonomously cut
spaces and place materials into those spaces. Layers of a
multiple-layer board may be adhered together in step 1224 and the
board may be tested in step 1225.
[0100] Process 1230 may be provided in which a single or
multiple-layer board (e.g., utilizing FR4) is produced in step
1231. The board may include a magnetostrictive material and the
magnetostriction of the magnetostrictive material may be tested in
step 1232. The magnetostriction of a material may be tested, for
example, by providing a particular amount of current through a coil
in which the magnetostrictive material resides and determining the
amount of electromagnetic field produced by the magnetostrictive
material.
[0101] The magnetism associated with a permanent magnetic included
in a multiple layer board (if a permanent magnet is provided) may
be tested in step 1233. Tests for any shorts, such as shorts in one
or more coils, may be tested in step 1234. Boards that pass all
tests may be, for example, assembled in step 1235 by placing
electrical components (e.g., microprocessors, LEDs, oscillators,
buttons, IC chips) on a board. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that boards for cards may be fabricated in sheets and
assembly and lamination may also occur in sheets. Programming may
also be performed while cards are in sheet form as well as any
additional personalization (e.g., printing and embossing). Sheets
may be cut into cards at any time (e.g., after the cards are ready
for mailing).
[0102] Process 1240 may be included. A single or multiple layer
board may be fabricated in step 1241. Non-magnetostrictive material
may be tested in step 1242. Permanent magnets may be tested in step
1243. Magnetostrictive material (if provided on a board) may also
be tested. Shorts may be tested for in step 1244 and boards may be
assembled or sent to an assembler in step 1245.
[0103] FIG. 13 shows card 1300 that may include a number of
components for use in cards such as payment cards. Card 1300 may
include RFID 1312, dynamic magnetic device 1350 (which may include
one or more magnetic encoders or emulators), IC chip 1330,
processor 1340, battery 1360, display 1380, biometric sensor 1320,
permanent magnetic 1399, light communications device 1370 (for
receiving and/or sending light-based information signals), sound
communications device 1371 (for receiving and/or sending
sound-based information signals), and power generator 1372 (for
generating electrical energy to recharge battery 1360). Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that additional components may
be provided on card 1300. For example, an oscillator may be
provided as component 1398 such that time may be kept (e.g., to
assist the deployment of time-based encryption).
[0104] FIG. 14 shows card 1400 that may include, for example,
magnetic emulator 1422 (e.g., for serially communicating track 1
information), magnetic emulator 1423 (e.g., for serially
communicating track 2 information), and permanent magnet 1424.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate, for example, that a
permanent magnet may be configured to provide a bias magnetic field
that does not substantially emit from card 1300 such that the bias
magnetic field may not substantially affect objects placed outside
of card 1400 (e.g., a static magnetic stripe of a nearby payment
card). Furthermore, permanent magnet 1424 may be configured such
that permanent magnet 1424 is not strong enough to, for example,
erase information of any nearby static magnetic stripes. Similarly,
the coercivity of such a permanent magnet may be large such that
the permanent magnet may have an expected lifespan of a relatively
long period of time (e.g., over 10 years).
[0105] Card 1400 may include, for example, RFID 1450, battery 1410,
processor 1430 and EMV chip contacts 1441 and 1442 such that
processor 1430 may perform the processing of an EMV chip such that
card 1400 may not include, for example, an EMV chip.
[0106] FIG. 15 shows control signals 1500. Range 1500 may include
control signal 1512. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate
that skewing control signal 1511 to produce curved signal 1512 may
increase the ability for a magnetic stripe reader to recognize
information. Similarly, range 1530 shows control signal 1531 skewed
to provide a curved control signal in both a positive and negative
polarity.
[0107] FIG. 16 shows driving circuit 1600. Driving circuit 1600 may
include, for example, node 1601, node 1602, transistor 1610,
resistor 1620, coil 1630, diode 1640, and node 1603. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that a voltage may be coupled to
note 1601. A processor may be coupled to, for example, node 1602.
processor may control when the voltage coupled to node 1601 is
coupled to resistor 1620 via transistor 1610. Resistor 1620 may be
utilized, for example, to provide a drive current through coil
1630. Node 1603 may be coupled, for example, to ground. Diode 1640
may be coupled in parallel with coil 1630 in order to, for example,
protect against voltage pulses that may be generated as the result
of the inductance of coil 1630. Coil 1630 may be provided, for
example, without diode 1640.
[0108] FIG. 17 shows card 1700 that may include emulators 1720 and
1730 located above a surface of permanent magnet 1710. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that a permanent magnet may be
provided above one or more coils and another permanent magnet may
be provided below, for example, those one or more coils. Persons
skilled in the art will appreciate that a permanent magnet may be
polarized and oriented in a number of ways. For example,
arrangement 1750 may be provided in which soft-magnetic material
1170 may be provide adjacent to permanent magnet 1760. Permanent
magnet 1760 may be polarized such that region 1761 has one pole
(e.g., a North pole) and region 1762 has another pole (e.g., a
South pole). Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that
materials may be polarized to form a permanent magnet. For example,
a polarized metal, such as a magnetized steel allow, may be
utilized.
[0109] Card portion 1770 shows layer 1771, 1772 and 1773. A cavity
may be provided, for example, by cutting out a portion of layer
1772. A material (e.g., magnetostrictive material 1775 may be
provided in the cavity. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate
that, for example, apertures may be provided (e.g., aperture 1781
of layer 1771 and aperture 1782 of layer 1773). Such apertures may,
for example, be provided before board layers are adhered together
in order to, for example, prohibit a vacuum from forming inside of
a cavity. Similarly, for example, apertures may be cut after a
board is adhered to remove a vacuum from forming in a cavity. Such
apertures may also be utilized to test characteristics of material
1781 as well as an associated device (e.g., a dynamic magnetic
communications device). For example, testing probes may be placed
in such apertures to determine, for example, if material 1781
shorted to other circuitry. Any number of apertures may be provided
in any number of locations. A board having apertures may be, for
example, laminated over after testing. For example, a board may be
laminated via injection molding.
[0110] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that data may be
transferred, such as gift card and/or pre-paid card data, to a card
in a variety of ways. For example, a card may be swiped a second
time through a magnetic stripe reader that includes a magnetic
stripe encoder. A coil on the card may be utilized to receive the
information and provide the received information to a processor. In
doing so, information may be loaded into the card. Similarly, an IC
chip may be utilized to receive data as well as a passive or active
RFID. Additionally, one or more microphones may be included to
receive audio information that may be representative of data.
Accordingly, for example, a user may hold his/her card, or other
device, next to a device that is operable to transmit audio via a
speaker (e.g., laptop, stationary computer, or mobile telephonic
device). The audio information may be discerned by the card and
utilized to load information into the card (e.g., a gift card or
pre-paid card. An application may also be loaded that enhances the
functionality of the card. Such an application may include, for
example, a user's medical information such that medical information
can be displayed via the card (or other device) during a medical
emergency. Accordingly, applications and/or payment cards may be
purchased online and a speaker may communicate information to a
card. Similarly, the card may include a speaker for transmitting
information such that bi-directional communications are
established. A light detector may be provided on a card that may
receive light pulses indicative of data. Accordingly, for example,
a user may hold a card up to a display--such as the screen of a
laptop, stationary computer, or mobile phone--and information may
be communicated from the display to the card via the light
detector. Similarly, a light source may be utilized to communicate
information from one device to another. For example, a light source
(e.g., LED) may be utilized to communicate information from one
card to another. Similarly, a magnetic stripe reader may include a
light source. A card may be positioned over the light source such
that a light detector of the card is aligned with the light source
to receive light. Accordingly, the light of a magnetic stripe
reader (or other type of reader) may be utilized to communicate
information back to a card. A user may utilize interfaces on the
card (e.g., buttons) to initiate a transfer of data from one card
to another card or from a device to a card. A variety of types of
data may be communicated. For example, money may be communicated
from one debit card to another debit card such that payments may
occur between the cards. Accordingly, for example, the next time a
card is utilized via a reader (e.g., a magnetic stripe reader)
information of the transfer may be communicated to a server for
processing. Light may be utilized to transfer data from a card to a
computer using, for example, a camera (e.g., webcam) on the
computer. Sound may be utilized to transfer data from a card to a
computer using, for example, a microphone on the computer.
[0111] A display may also be utilized as an interface. For example,
a display may include a contact and an electronic ink. The
electronic ink may change colors in response to, for example, a
particular electrical signal being supplied to the contact. A
capacitive sensor may be coupled to such a contact, however, such
that a user interaction with the contact may be sensed by the
capacitive sensor. Accordingly, a card may include a display that
can also receive user input. Persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that a display may include multiple contacts. For
example, a display may include multiple 7-segment (e.g., to display
digits) or 11-segment, 14-segment, or 16-segment (e.g., to display
alphanumerics) regions where each segment may be coupled to a
capacitive sensor.
[0112] A biometric sensor may be placed on a card or other device.
Such a biometric sensor may be, for example, a fingerprint reader.
Accordingly, one or more fingerprints may be stored in the memory
of a card and compared to scanned fingerprints. Different
fingerprints may activate the card differently (e.g., utilize a
different user's payment card info).
[0113] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a user's
payment card number (e.g., credit card or debit card number) does
not have to change. A display may hide this payment card number
until an appropriate unlocking code is entered into buttons of the
card. Similarly, a magnetic emulator may not be provided current
until the proper unlocking code is entered--thus keeping magnetic
information private and not allowing undesirable readers to read a
card. A security code may be displayed on the same or a different
display. A button may be provided representative of an online
purchase (or a user may utilize buttons to instruct the processor
that an online purchase is desirable). For such an online purchase,
the credit card number and the security code may be displayed--but
the magnetic emulator may not be activated. In doing so, the level
of security of the card is increased. Furthermore, for example, a
button may be provided representative of in-store purchases (or a
user may utilize buttons to instruct the processor that an in-store
purchase is desirable). Accordingly, a processor may be signaled
that an in-store purchase is desired. A different operation may be
associated with different types of purchases (e.g., online or
in-store). Accordingly, for example, magnetic emulators may be
activated for an in-store environment--but not the displays.
Accordingly, for example, a restaurant cashier may not be able to
read the credit card number from the card, but may still be able to
swipe the card. If a reader is down or a cashier requires reading
particular information (e.g., a security code or credit card number
information) then controls may be utilized to communicate this
information. A record of the types of transactions may be stored
and may be communicated in discretionary fields of data within a
transmitted data track. Such record information may be utilized,
for example, to further increase security and/or introduce a
variety of additional functionality.
[0114] Different types of cards may be provided on a card. For
example, a security ID number and a credit card number may both be
provided on the same card. A button may be utilized to allow a user
to provide instruction to a processor such that the processor can
display (e.g., visually and/or magnetically) the desired
information. For example, a user may determine to use one of a
variety of payment accounts (e.g., credit and/or debit) for a
purchase. An entire payment number (e.g., credit or debit) may be
changed and/or hidden visually and/or magnetically. A portion of a
payment card number (e.g., credit or debit) may be changed and/or
hidden visually and/or magnetically.
[0115] 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 (or transaction or button press). 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.
[0116] 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 receipt 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).
[0117] 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.
[0118] 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.
[0119] FIG. 18 shows personal electronic device 1800 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 1800 may include, for example, user
inputs 1840 and display 1810. Virtual card 1820 may be displayed on
display 1820. Display 1820 may be a touch-sensitive display such
that, for example, virtual button 1830 may be provided on virtual
card 1820. 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 1800 may communicate to a card reader such as,
for example, an RFID reader.
[0120] 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).
[0121] 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").
[0122] 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.
[0123] 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").
[0124] 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).
[0125] 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.
[0126] 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.
[0127] 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.
[0128] 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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