U.S. patent application number 14/628838 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for system and method for providing smart electronic wallet and reconfigurable transaction card thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is RAJ RAO. Invention is credited to RAJ RAO.
Application Number | 20150170138 14/628838 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49779167 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150170138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RAO; RAJ |
June 18, 2015 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SMART ELECTRONIC WALLET AND
RECONFIGURABLE TRANSACTION CARD THEREOF
Abstract
A smart electronic wallet with reconfigurable multiple-account
transaction card is provided. The system and method provide
measures for storing a plurality of account identifiers from a
plurality of traditional single-use transaction cards into a
storage memory in a smart wallet. The system and method also
provide for storing a reconfigurable multiple-account transaction
card within the smart electronic wallet and allowing for it to be
dynamically and selectively reconfigured for any one of the
plurality of account identifiers stored within the smart electronic
wallet. Additionally, a consumer is able to initiate a transfer or
trade of transaction cards across different smart electronic wallet
devices.
Inventors: |
RAO; RAJ; (NEWPORT COAST,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RAO; RAJ |
NEWPORT COAST |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49779167 |
Appl. No.: |
14/628838 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13585585 |
Aug 14, 2012 |
8977569 |
|
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14628838 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/40145 20130101;
G06Q 20/363 20130101; G06K 19/07707 20130101; G06Q 20/3672
20130101; G06Q 20/341 20130101; G07F 7/1008 20130101; G06Q 20/3572
20130101; G06Q 20/347 20130101; G06Q 20/4012 20130101; G06Q 20/105
20130101; G07F 7/086 20130101; G06K 19/06196 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/34 20060101
G06Q020/34; G06K 19/077 20060101 G06K019/077; G06Q 20/10 20060101
G06Q020/10; G06K 19/06 20060101 G06K019/06 |
Claims
1. A reconfigurable transaction proxy card selectively encoding at
least one of a plurality of account identifiers for emulating a
wallet and account-bearing transactional cards, comprising: a
substrate; a transaction-terminal interface unit disposed in said
substrate and selectively encoding at least an account identifier
corresponding to at least one of a plurality of predetermined
account-bearing transaction cards, said transaction-terminal
interface unit being thereby readable in substantially identical
manner as selected ones of the predetermined account-bearing
transaction cards; a storage memory disposed in said substrate,
said storage memory storing at least a secondary account
information related to the account identifier; a controller
disposed in said substrate and coupled to said storage memory, said
controller selectively retrieving at least the secondary account
information related to the account identifier from said storage
memory; and, an electronic display disposed on said substrate and
coupled to said controller and said storage memory for displaying
said retrieved secondary account information relating to said
account identifier corresponding to a predetermined account-bearing
transaction card encoded on said transaction-terminal interface
unit.
2. The reconfigurable transaction proxy card selectively encoding
at least one of a plurality of account identifiers for emulating a
wallet and account-bearing transactional cards as recited in claim
1, wherein said transaction-terminal interface unit includes a
passive re-writable magnetic strip having at least one account
identifier encoded thereon.
3. The reconfigurable transaction proxy card selectively encoding
at least one of a plurality of account identifiers for emulating a
wallet and account-bearing transactional card as recited in claim
1, wherein said transaction-terminal interface unit includes an
inductive portion coupled to said controller, said inductive
portion being selectively energized to encode an account identifier
stored in said storage memory, said transaction proxy card being
thereby readable in substantially identical manner as selected ones
of the predetermined account-bearing transaction cards.
4. The reconfigurable transaction card as recited in claim 1,
wherein said reconfigurable transaction proxy card further includes
a user authentication unit selectively disabling said
reconfigurable transaction proxy card responsive to detection of an
unauthorized user.
5. A method for electronically emulating a physical transfer of
transaction cards across an online enterprise, comprising:
establishing a smart wallet including: a card interface unit
configured to read and write contents of transaction cards; a
storage memory coupled to said card interface unit, said storage
memory configured to store a first account token captured from at
least one of a plurality of transaction cards and a second account
token to be written to a reconfigurable transaction proxy card;
and, a network communications unit coupled to said storage memory;
capturing the first account token from a first transaction card via
said card interface unit into said storage memory; transmitting the
first account token to an external enterprise via said network
communication unit; receiving the second account token from the
external enterprise via said network communication unit; and,
actuating said card interface unit to write the second account
token onto a reconfigurable transaction proxy card, said
reconfigurable transaction proxy card being thereby readable in
substantially identical manner as selected ones of the plurality of
transaction cards.
6. The method for electronically emulating a physical transfer of
transaction cards across an online enterprise as recited in claim
5, further comprising actuating said card interface unit to modify
at least one portion of a magnetic strip of the first transaction
card to thereby render the first transaction card unredeemable.
7. The method for electronically emulating a physical transfer of
transaction cards across an online enterprise as recited in claim
5, wherein the first transaction card is rendered unredeemable by
encoding a faulty checksum value onto the first transaction
card.
8. The method for electronically emulating a physical transfer of
transaction cards across an online enterprise as recited in claim
5, wherein the first transaction card is rendered unredeemable by
erasing the first transaction card.
9. The method for electronically emulating a physical transfer of
transaction cards across an online enterprise as recited in claim
5, further comprising rendering the first account token in said
storage memory as unredeemable and confirming the transfer with the
external enterprise via said network communication unit.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a Divisional of co-pending application
Ser. No. 13/585,585, filed 14 Aug. 2012, which is based on
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/540,977, filed 29 Sep.
2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject system and method are generally directed to
establishing a smart electronic wallet equipped with a
reconfigurable transaction card therefor. More specifically, the
subject system and method are directed to providing a smart wallet
which is able to capture account numbers and other information
encoded on, for example: credit cards or other encoded cards and
instead provide a single-reconfigurable transaction card in their
place to dramatically reduce the number of cards or other such
account, access, validation, or value bearing transaction devices a
consumer is obliged to carry.
[0003] Today, consumers carry many extraneous instruments in their
wallet which may include credit cards, gift cards, debit cards,
reward cards, insurance cards, access cards, stored value cards,
transportation cards, identity cards, and the like (interchangeably
referred to herein as "transaction cards" or "transaction
devices"). With the staggering number of different transaction
cards carried, the size of a wallet or purse tends to be
unnecessarily bloated and uneven wear is exerted on the wallet and
a containing pocket or purse. The additional weight and bulk may
pose postural or ergonomic risks, especially if the wallet is
carried in a pocket, such as a pinched sciatic nerve, lower back
pain, and contribute to a general feeling of
uncomfortableness--especially while sitting. Moreover, carrying so
much personal information, credentials, and cards allows for
intrusion by any person gaining access to the physical wallet to
also access the transaction cards (and encoded information)
contained therein. Each traditional single-use transaction card, in
addition to the minimally needed account number, may also maintain
a trove of personal data thereon including a card-holder's name,
billing address, pin-number, and the like. This leads to a less
than ideal situation where an inefficiently heavy and large wallet
or purse is carried around to provide storage for all of these
transaction cards that each have duplicative and unnecessary
personal information thereon.
[0004] Aside from the inconvenience of a large wallet or purse, so
much readily-accessible information may unduly expose the owner of
a lost wallet to identity theft. Further, in the event a wallet is
lost or stolen, an owner must go through the trouble of enumerating
each and every card contained therein and contact all of the
issuers (usually within 24 hours) to cancel the cards--or be held
responsible (potentially even financially) for their fraudulent
use. Still further, with certain services having recurring payments
being tied to specific card numbers, not only must the owner
contact the card-issuers, but often times, the owner must also
contact any service providers billing to the lost card numbers--or
suffer refused transaction penalties.
[0005] There is therefore a need for a system and method for
providing a secure, compact, light-weight smart wallet system
equipped with one or more reconfigurable transaction cards.
[0006] There is therefore a need for a system and method which
allow for carrying a reconfigurable card in place of a plurality of
single-use transaction cards.
[0007] There is therefore a need for a system and method for
establishing authentication measures to restrict access to various
transaction cards and the personal information stored thereon.
[0008] There is a need for a system and method for facilitating an
on-line or virtual exchange of transaction cards between
consumers.
[0009] There is a need for a system and method for securing the
flow of private information contained on transaction cards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
and method for providing a secure, compact, light-weight smart
wallet system equipped with one or more reconfigurable transaction
cards.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
and method which allow for the carrying of a reconfigurable card in
place of a plurality of single-use transaction cards.
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
and method for establishing authentication measures to restrict
access to various transaction cards and the personal information
stored thereon.
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
and method for facilitating an on-line or virtual exchange of
transaction cards between consumers.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system
and method for securing the flow of private information contained
on transaction cards.
[0015] A system realized in accordance with the present invention
includes a portable system for electronically emulating a wallet
and account-bearing transactional card contents. A portable wallet
body defines at least one compartment removably storing at least
one proxy card within the portable wallet body. The proxy card is
electronically reconfigurable to selectively emulate at least one
of a plurality of predetermined account bearing transaction cards.
A transaction card interface unit is disposed within the wallet
body and includes a user interface portion and a card encoding
portion coupled to the user interface portion. The card encoding
portion is actuated responsive to the user interface portion to
selectively encode account data onto the proxy card. The account
data corresponds to at least one of the predetermined
account-bearing transaction cards. The proxy card is thereby
readable in substantially identical manner as selected ones of the
predetermined account-bearing transaction cards.
[0016] Another system realized in accordance with the present
invention includes a reconfigurable transaction proxy card which
selectively encodes at least one of a plurality of account
identifiers for emulating a wallet and account-bearing
transactional cards. A transaction-terminal interface unit is
disposed in a substrate and selectively encodes at least an account
identifier corresponding to at least one of a plurality of
predetermined account-bearing transaction cards. The
transaction-terminal interface unit is thereby readable in
substantially identical manner as selected ones of the
predetermined account-bearing transaction cards. A storage memory
is disposed in the substrate, the storage memory stores at least a
secondary account information related to the account identifier. A
controller is disposed in the substrate and coupled to the storage
memory. The controller selectively retrieves at least the secondary
account information related to the account identifier from the
storage memory. An electronic display is disposed on the substrate
and is coupled to the controller and the storage memory for
displaying the retrieved secondary account information relating to
the account identifier corresponding to a predetermined
account-bearing transaction card encoded on the
transaction-terminal interface unit.
[0017] A method realized in accordance with the present invention
comprises electronically emulating a physical transfer of
transaction cards across an online enterprise. A smart wallet is
established to include a card interface unit configured to read and
write contents of transaction cards and a storage memory coupled to
the card interface unit. The storage memory is configured to store
a first account token captured from at least one of a plurality of
transaction cards and a second account token to be written to a
reconfigurable transaction proxy card. A network communications
unit is coupled to the storage memory. A first account token is
captured from a first transaction card via the card interface unit
into the storage memory. The first account token is transmitted to
an external enterprise via the network communication unit. The
second account token is received from the external enterprise via
the network communication unit. The card interface unit is then
actuated to write the second account token onto a reconfigurable
transaction proxy card; the reconfigurable transaction proxy card
is thereby readable in substantially identical manner as selected
ones of the plurality of transaction cards.
[0018] Additional aspects and utilities of the present general
inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description
which follows, and, in part, will be apparent from the description,
or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating
certain features of a smart electronic wallet system formed in
accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating the
system embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrated in use with a
reconfigurable transaction card formed in accordance with one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
intercoupling of operational components in the system embodiment of
FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary intercoupling of
operational components in accordance with one exemplary embodiment
of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
intercoupling of operational components in accordance with one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process
for storing a transaction card into a smart wallet in accordance
with certain embodiments of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 6;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
intercoupling of operational components of a smart wallet in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
reconfigurable transaction card in accordance with certain
embodiments of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 8A is a reverse view of the block diagram of FIG. 8
illustrating an exemplary reconfigurable transaction card in
accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an illustrative
process for writing a stored transaction card's account information
to a reconfigurable transaction card in accordance with certain
embodiments of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9A is a continuation of the flow diagram as illustrated
in FIG. 9 of populating a reconfigurable transaction card with
account information or identifiers as recovered from a conventional
transaction card;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process
for exchanging transaction cards through a computer network;
[0032] FIG. 10A is a continuation of the flow diagram of FIG. 10
illustrating an exemplary process for exchanging gift cards
virtually;
[0033] FIG. 10B is a continuation of the flow diagram of FIG.
10A;
[0034] FIG. 10C is a continuation of the flow diagram of FIGS. 10A
and 10B;
[0035] FIGS. 10D-F are schematic diagrams illustrating an example
of measures employed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention for interacting with an online Omni Wallet
Community;
[0036] FIG. 11 is another block diagram illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a smart reconfigurable transaction card in accordance
with certain aspects of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 12 is another block diagram illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of the reconfigurable transaction card in accordance
with certain embodiments of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 13 illustrates a smart wallet in accordance with one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0039] FIGS. 13A-13C show various other configurations of the
exemplary smart wallet as illustrated in FIG. 13;
[0040] FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary user interface of a smart
wallet in accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention;
[0041] FIGS. 15-16 show various reconfigurations of the exemplary
smart wallet of FIG. 13 in accordance with certain embodiments of
the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 17 illustrates a back side of the exemplary embodiment
of the smart wallet in accordance with FIG. 13;
[0043] FIG. 18 illustrates a rear storage compartment of an
exemplary smart wallet in accordance with certain aspects of the
present invention; and,
[0044] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary
reconfigurable transaction card in accordance with certain
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] One example of a system and method realized in accordance
with the present invention seeks to dramatically reduce the size of
a wallet, the number of transaction cards required to be carried
for a given consumer, and increase the security of the individual
holder of the transaction cards. Another example of the system and
method realized in accordance with the present invention seeks to
facilitate a secure virtual exchange of transaction cards across a
network communication infrastructure.
[0046] As seen in the illustrative diagram of FIG. 1, a smart
wallet 100 includes a jacket 10 which encompasses an electronic
body portion of the smart wallet 100. The jacket 10 may be any
material known to one of skill in the art--for example: leather,
cloth, polymer-based synthetic material, or any material suitable
to mechanically protect the smart wallet. Preferably, the jacket 10
is sealable along its edges to thereby retainably capture the smart
wallet 100 within a weatherproof/weather resistant enclosure. Such
weatherproof enclosure jacket 10 is preferably dust, water, and
shock resilient or proof while still allowing the smart wallet to
retain a svelte, compact form-factor.
[0047] In a preferred embodiment, jacket 10 suitably emulates the
look of a conventional wallet to make the smart wallet
indistinguishable (aside from the relative thinness thereof) from a
traditional wallet. The smart wallet 100 contains a card interface
unit 20 which may include a magnetic reader, a magnetic strip
writer, a smart card reader, a near field communication (NFC)/radio
frequency identification (RFID), bar code reader, a camera, and the
like. The magnetic reader and writer may be combined as a singular
magnetic transducer or be split into two different heads.
Additionally, a dedicated magnetic strip eraser in the form of a
permanent magnet being mechanically displaceable or a solenoid may
be employed. Transaction card interface unit 20 may employ any
interfacing technology known to one of skill in the art. However,
throughout the disclosure, the transaction card interface unit 20
will be primarily referred to as a magnetic card reader/writer for
convenience and clarity purposes.
[0048] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the smart wallet
100 includes a keyboard, touch screen, and/or any other suitable
user interface 50 for allowing a user to interact with the smart
wallet. A digital display 60 may display information to a user
and/or interact with the user. An additional button or buttons 80
preferably allows a user quick access to certain predefined
features such as activating or storing an account identifier
retrieved from a standard transaction card.
[0049] Additionally, as the smart wallet 100 may contain a
plurality of account identifiers and other personal information
harvested from a plurality of conventional transaction cards, a
series of user authentication measures may be provided such as a
fingerprint reader 40 and/or a retinal scanner 70. Other biometric
or knowledge-based authentication measures may be employed as well,
such as facial recognition, password, pin-code, or a physical
key.
[0050] A receiving chamber 30 is preferably defined in the smart
wallet 100 to releasably store a reconfigurable transaction card,
amongst other cards which may be necessary or desirable to carry.
Such additional cards which may be retained by a user may include
official graphical identifying documents, such as a picture
driver's license, a border crossing document, and any other
document which may be rooted in the visual, as opposed to encoded,
realm. The reconfigurable transaction card is preferably recharged
and/or encoded while stored in the receiving chamber 30.
[0051] The embodiment shown of smart wallet 100 in FIG. 2 includes
at least one removable reconfigurable transaction card 200. Smart
wallet 100 further includes a transaction card interface unit 20, a
retina scanner or camera 70, a fingerprint reader 40, and a
keyboard or touch screen 50. Additionally, a secondary cavity for
storing additional cards such as a driver's license 92 or a library
card 91, is provided. A receiving chamber 30 is defined in smart
wallet 100 for a reconfigurable transaction card 200 to be inserted
therein and releasably captured. The reconfigurable transaction
card 200 in this exemplary embodiment includes on its reverse side
an e-ink, LED, OLED, or other such thin-film-based display as a
signature line 220. Alternatively, such signature line may be
manually signed in permanent ink by a card-holder.
[0052] On a front side of the reconfigurable transaction card 200,
there is provided a primary display 230 which may display a
plurality of different information items such as, for example: a
credit card number (or account identifier) 231, an expiration date
232, and a name of the user 233. Additionally, a watermark or
symbol acting as a check sum or hashed digest 240 or a hardware
identifier may be present as well. The main display 230 on
reconfigurable card 200 may enable a human user to know which
account is encoded onto the storage medium 210 of the
reconfigurable card 200. Such primary display 230 may also be
useful for merchants and vendors to visually identify the type of
account or card being used.
[0053] The storage strip 210 may be, for example, a passive
magnetic strip or magnetic tape--preferably of low coercivity to
allow for low power writing thereto; however, a high coercivity
tape may be employed for a more durable re-writable card at the
expense of a bigger writing head and/or more power usage.
[0054] A magnetic strip card is capable of storing data by
modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a
band of magnetic material on the card. The magnetic strip,
sometimes referred to as swipe card or magstripe, is read by
physical contact and swiping past a magnetic reading head.
[0055] A number of International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) standards exist defining the physical properties of a
magstripe card, including size (generally 3.375'' long by 2.125''
wide by 0.030'' thick), flexibility, location of the magstripe,
magnetic characteristics, and data formats. For example, ISO/IEC
7810, ISO/IEC 7811 (7811-1, 7811-2, 7811-3, 7811-4, 7811-5,
7811-6), ISO/IEC 7812, ISO/IEC 7813, ISO 8583, and ISO/IEC 4909,
which are all incorporated herein by reference as if set forth
explicitly herein.
[0056] Generally there are up to three tracks on magnetic cards
used for financial transactions: Tracks 1, 2, and 3. Track 3 is
generally unused by the major worldwide networks such as VISA, and
is often omitted from the magstripe card to allow for a narrower
magnetic stripe. Point-of-Sale (POS) readers almost always read
Track 1 or Track 2 and sometimes both, in case one track is
unreadable. The minimum cardholder account information needed to
complete a transaction is included on both tracks. Track 1 is
written with code known as DEC SIXBIT plus odd parity. The
information on Track 1 for financial cards is contained in several
formats: A, which is reserved for proprietary use of the card
issuer; B, which is described below; C-M, which are reserved for
use by ANSI subcommittee X3B10; and, N-Z, which are available for
use by individual card issuers.
[0057] Exemplary Format B--Track 1: [0058] Start sentinel--one
character (generally `%`); [0059] Format code=`B`--one character
(alpha only); [0060] Primary Account Number (PAN)--up to 19
characters. Usually matches the credit card number printed on the
front of the card; [0061] Field Separator--one character (generally
` `); [0062] Name--2 to 26 characters; [0063] Field Separator;
[0064] Expiration date--four characters in the form YYMM; [0065]
Service code--three characters; [0066] Discretionary Data--may
include Pin Verification Key Indicator (PVKI, 1 character), PIN
Verification Value (PVV, 4 characters), Card Verification Value or
Card Verification Code (CVV or CVC, 3 characters) [0067] End
sentinel--one character (generally `?`); [0068] Longitudinal
Redundancy Check (LRC)--one character and a validity character
calculated from other data on the track. Most reader devices do not
return this value when the card is swiped to the presentation
layer, and use it internally to verify the card read.
[0069] Track 2 is generally written with a 5-bit scheme including 4
data bits and 1 parity bit allowing for a total of sixteen possible
characters which are numbers 0-9 and six control characters: e.g.
": ; < = > ?" which generally correspond to the ASCII hex
range of 0x30 to 0x3f.
[0070] Exemplary Format B--Track 2: [0071] Start sentinel--one
character (generally `;`); [0072] Primary Account Number (PAN);
[0073] Separator--one character (generally `=`); [0074] Expiration
date--four characters in the form YYMM; [0075] Service code--three
digits specifying interchange rules, authorization processing, and
range of services; [0076] Discretionary Data--as in Track 1; [0077]
End Sentinel--one character (generally `?`); [0078] Longitudinal
Redundancy Check (LRC).
[0079] The magnetic strip is generally disposed 0.223'' (5.664 mm)
from the card edge. The magnetic strip is then divided into three
longitudinally parallel tracks, each latitudinally occupying
0.110'' or 2.794 mm. Track 1 is generally capable of storing 210
bits per inch and encoded with 7 bits per character for a total
storage of approximately 79 alphanumeric characters. Track 2
generally is partitioned for 75 bits per inch for a total of 40
numeric characters with 5 bit per character encoding.
[0080] Several card types exist, such as: Member Card--which may be
encoded, as an example: % MC xxxxxxx? (where the seven x's are
digits padded to the left with Os); Guest-of-Member-Card: % GM
xxxxxxx?; and Gift Card: % GC xxxxxxx?. The x numbers must be
unique within the Card Type. The numbers are attached or
cross-referenced to the appropriate Member, Guest, or Gift Card
file or account number upon activation and inherit their respective
associations such as expiration dates, denominations, limits, etc.
at the time of activation.
[0081] A reconfigurable transaction card employing the passive
magnetic tape may be selectively re-encoded by the smart wallet to
match the encodings copied from a traditional single-use
transaction card belonging to the card-holder. In this manner, the
smart wallet may be employed to copy magstripe contents from, for
example: the card-holder's VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS,
DISCOVERY, library card, BEST BUY gift certificate, gym pass, and
the like onto a memory stored therein. When a card-holder wishes to
use a certain card for a transaction or to gain access, they may
select that transaction card (stored in the smart wallet's memory)
and encode the contents of the selected transaction card onto the
magnetic strip of the reconfigurable transaction card. Such
reconfigurable transaction card may then be swiped through a reader
and be indistinguishable from the single-use transaction card.
[0082] In an alternate embodiment, the storage 210 (in the above
example a passive magstripe) may instead be an active microarray of
wires emitting a magnetic field or fields to emulate a passive
magnetic tape as described above and further detailed in the ISO
standards. The ISO standard for magnetic strips divides a standard
magnetic strip into three parallel longitudinal lanes including
Tracks 1, 2, and 3. Track 1 stores approximately 210 bits per inch
while track 2 stores 75 bits per inch, while Track 3 is not
generally used. Track 1 is the primarily-used track and contains
alphanumeric characters encoding an account number, a card-holder
name, an expiration date, a pin code, and a card security code
amongst other items. In the event that track 1 is unreadable, track
2 serves as a failover-track merely containing an account number or
account identifier. Such tracks may, in an optional embodiment, be
emulated by an active array/s, coils, or bands of selectively
energized wires. Such wires may be laid down through any known
lithographic, etching, silk screen, or other circuit board type
fabrication methods.
[0083] Selectively passing a small electric current through a
microwire induces a magnetic field to radiate therefrom. A
plurality of wires arranged 210 per inch for track 1 emulation or
75 per inch for track 2 emulation may be selectively energized to
create a plurality of magnetic fields and thereby emulate a passive
magnetic strip encoded on a traditional single-use transaction
card. Such active magnetic transducers or electromagnetic arrays
may allow the reconfigurable transaction card to reconfigure itself
dynamically between a plurality of different accounts stored
therein. For example, storage memory contained within the
reconfigurable card, such as a non-volatile flash memory, may
contain a plurality of different single-use transaction cards. The
user, actuating a selectable input button, may choose amongst the
plurality of account identifiers and effectively encode the active
electromagnetic array with that account identifier information for
a given transaction.
[0084] In an alternate embodiment, the track 1 may be intentionally
scrambled or rendered unreadable--even by simply encoding an
incorrect checksum value in the check digit field or by entirely
omitting track 1. Doing so may cause a Luhn algorithm failure which
may indicate to the card reader that the magnetic strip is
erroneous/faulty--either through mechanical failure or error in
encoding. Such error may force the card reader to fall-back from
the advanced feature-set of Track 1 (such as alphanumeric name
encoding) to the redundant, reduced feature-set, but more-reliable
Track 2. By forcing a Track 2 read, manufacturing savings, energy
savings, and resiliency may be furthered as Track 2 only has 75 bit
per inch density as opposed to 210 bits per inch of Track 1.
Manufacturing the active inducer having a 75 microwire per inch
complexity may be much less complicated, more inexpensive, allow
for more resilient wires, more inter-wire spacing, allow for
less-complex interference issues to be modeled and resolved and
therefore be much more desirable. Additionally, Track 2 does not
encode alphanumeric characters or personal data, but instead merely
the bare minimum for an account identifier or unique ID. Therefore,
the user's personal data is not ever transmitted to the merchant
(or needed on the card). Additionally, energy savings may be
realized as well.
[0085] Additionally, a service code field may be selectively
encoded to a predefined value, such as 0, 1, or 6 to thereby advise
the teller to require a pin code, signature, identification, or
other such two or three factor verification to allow a transaction.
The service code field may be selectively restricted to increase
security--such as disallowing cash transactions--and allowing goods
and services only or to disallow international transactions. The
user is thereby empowered to selectively set security permissions
on the reconfigurable transaction card to reduce liability and
exposure- or contrarily, to reduce security but facilitate faster,
more convenient transactions.
[0086] Alternatively, a single coil active inducer sized to mate
with the read head of a standard card reader may be placed at the
interface 210. The usage pattern would change--rather than swiping
the reconfigurable card through the reader, the card would merely
be positioned within the reader such that the actively inducing
coil is brought into close proximity to the reading head of the
credit card reader device. The active inducer may be programmed to
have a time varying signal to emulate the sliding of the card
therethrough. For example, the entirety of the encoded data may be
transmitted to pass through in the time that a traditional swipe
would take. Traditional cards calibrate the swipe speed by reading
a series of sentinel values at the beginning of the strip.
Therefore, by suitably transmitting the sentinel values, the
reconfigurable card may set its own speed for transmission of the
account identifier in toto. Such coil may be selectively wound to
have as many turns or loops as may generally be accommodated within
the smallest dimensioned traditional card-reader gap and fine-tuned
to give off an approximately equal magnetic field as a passive
single-use transaction card. As the magnetic field encoded on a
passive magnetic strip stored in a traditional single-use
transaction card is relatively weak, the power required for an
active magnetic transducer may similarly be very weak. Therefore,
the number of turns needed in an inducer is relatively few.
Therefore, thin wires may be used and a small battery or capacitor
may be used. Moreover, the coil may be positioned almost
immediately abutting the reader and therefore the distance for the
electromagnetic waves to propagate is not far. Following the
inverse square law of electromagnetic power dissipation, the power
requirement is also relatively small and thereby a small battery
may be employed. While the portion of the reconfigurable
transaction card that interacts with the card reader should be
suitably dimensioned to fit within a gap of a card reader, the
remainder of the body portion may exceed this thickness.
[0087] Alternatively, the coil may be dimensioned to be elliptical
or race-track shaped so as to stretch substantially the entire
longitudinal length of the card and substantially the entirety of
the track 1 width. Thereby the card's universal usability is
furthered as it may then be used with any traditional card reader.
Any geometry that suitably accounts for field strength at the
reader, dimensioned so as to fit within a card-reader, requiring
little power may be employed.
[0088] Such a coil may be embedded into a recess or through-hole in
the card, may be constructed through three-dimensional additive
processes, or a via passing through the card may be created with a
spiraling helix type pattern which may thereby act as a coil.
Additionally, such coil may be embedded through lithography, screen
printing, or any means known to one of skill in the art. Indeed,
the number of turns in the coil may be selectively adjusted to
match the desired field strength to be able to operatively couple
with the electromagnetic field reader in the conventional credit
card reader and thereby maintain compatibility amongst the
installed point of sale (POS) infrastructure. Additionally, a
ferrous metallic core may be interposed in the coil with suitable
insulation to further strengthen the emitted magnetic field.
[0089] As some transaction card readers employ a magnetic noise
fingerprint mechanism to statistically verify the stochastically
changing nature of the noise, a noise component may be randomly
induced and interposed or heterodyned with the account identifier
encoded portion. In this manner, such a noise verifying measure may
be accommodated.
[0090] In yet another embodiment, Track 1 or Track 2 (or both) of a
rewritable magnetic strip may be further subdivided into a
plurality of parallel longitudinal subtracks. Each subtrack may be
encoded with different account identifiers thereon. A suitable
mechanical displacement, masking, or amplifying measure may be
employed to selectively present one of the plurality of encoded
account identifiers to have a stronger and more dominant field to
thereby be more likely to be read by the reader device relative to
the other subtracks. A magnetic field masking or shunting strip or
strips may be selectively employed to mask all but the desired
account identifier track through a suitable mechanical manipulation
reference. Further still, a magnetic track may be endowed with a
plurality of layers in a depth direction to be selectively read
therefrom as would be apparent to one of skill in the art.
[0091] In another embodiment employing a passive rewritable
magnetic strip or tape, a flexible reconfigurable card may be
provided with scored areas to enable folding to selectively present
one of a plurality of passive magnetic strips to a card reader
device--thereby allowing a plurality of account identifiers to be
encoded on one reconfigurable card. In another example, a suitable
mechanical carousel may selectively present a selected magnetic
strip to the reader head. In yet another example, the card itself
may be selectively positioned relative to the reader, having a
magnetic strip at each of four terminal edges of both sides to
thereby encode up to eight account identifiers thereon.
[0092] As seen in FIG. 3, an exemplary interconnection of
components in a highly simplified block diagram is illustrated. The
smart wallet 100 preferably includes a processor 130. Such
processor is preferably a low-power processor, such as, for
example: a RISC, ARM, MIPS, or a low power x86, such as, for
example: an INTEL ATOM, IVY BRIDGE, or other similar low power
microprocessor. To further shrink package size, a System on Chip
(SOC) may be used to more fully integrate components, reduce space
and power requirements. With such a general purpose processor, a
full feature-set operating system, such as WINDOWS CE, ANDROID,
MAEMO, LINUX, and the like may be run to provide interactive
services such as a smart wallet social network client, facial
recognition, voice recognition, text to speech to comply with
Americans with Disabilities Act, and the like. Indeed, leveraging
such an existing operating system provides a plurality of benefits
and allows for a completely customizable, programmable, intuitive
user interface able to take advantage of existing encryption, user
interface, security features, and the like. The microprocessor 130
may be directly coupled to a plurality of system components or may
be coupled to a bus providing a universal connection to other
components within the system. The components of the smart wallet
100 are shown directly intercoupled with processor 130 merely for
illustrative, convenience, and clarity purposes. However, the
components may be interconnected to the processor through any
suitable interconnecting mechanism such as a bus or the like.
[0093] Processor 130 is coupled to a network interface unit 140
providing for a wireless or wired connection, such as 3G, 1xRTT,
LTE 4G, WiMAX 4G, EDGE, WIFI, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Infrared, Visible
light modulation, and the like to a desired network, host computer,
or gateway. Additionally, the processor 130 may be coupled with, in
an alternate embodiment, a GPS chip 150 for locating the smart
wallet 100. Such location may prove useful in recovering a lost or
stolen smart wallet, in reducing fraud and theft, and other such
endeavors. An owner of a lost smart wallet may simply log in to a
smart wallet or Omni Wallet community through a website or
telephone service to remotely lock, wipe, or determine a location
of the wallet.
[0094] A near field communication (NFC) chip 160 is coupled in this
embodiment to the processor 130 for providing a wireless payment
capability whereby the smart wallet may merely be waved over an NFC
reader to actuate payment. NFC generally operates in a manner
similar to a radio frequency identification (RFID) scheme whereby
the reader device may impinge an electromagnetic field onto a smart
wallet and the NFC chip may respond by modulating the
electromagnetic field to be read by the reader. Alternatively, the
NFC chip may operate in peer-to-peer mode and may initiate the
transaction by impinging its own field onto the reader.
[0095] A data storage unit 170 may include a non-volatile flash
memory or other such memory which may retain a plurality of account
identifiers, personal details, such as name, credit card account
number, expiration dates, security codes, and the like. A memory
120 is coupled to processor 130. Memory 120 may provide a small
amount of fast working memory such as RAM. Such memory 120 supports
the processor in executing programs for acquiring account
identifiers, and exporting account identifiers, amongst other
features. Such personal information and account identifiers may be
stored and transferred internally in encrypted form or salted and
hashed to obscure the true values until such time as they are
needed to actually complete a transaction. Any encryption scheme
that balances power and computational expense with security as
would be known to one of skill in the art may be employed such as
3DES (128 bit), AES (128/256 bit), RSA, and the like. Such
encryption measures should employ key rotation and expiry. Any
secure hashing algorithm, such as SHA, MD5, and the like may be
used.
[0096] A power source or battery 110 is provided and intercoupled
with the various components of the system. Such power source or
battery may be chosen among any source known to one of skill in the
art to provide a reasonably suitable charge to allow the smart
wallet to operate for a substantial period of time without needing
to be recharged--such as, a day or a week, and likely at least 20
transactions. Such power source or battery may, for example, be
provided in a lithium polymer or lithium ion battery, and in the
illustrative size of, for example, 1500 milliamp hours (mah).
[0097] Additionally, the processor 130 is coupled to a display 60.
Such display 60 may comprise one or a plurality of displays
situated about the card. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of
displays are provided to emulate the traditional single-use
transaction card's standard locations for certain information. A
traditional one-use transaction card may, for example, have
information such as a name of the user appearing in the front
middle of the card, whereas a name of the bank may appear in the
front upper left hand corner of the card. Additionally, a signature
field may appear on the rear of the card with a separate security
code appearing below and to the right of the signature line. While
it may not be necessary to provide a plurality of different
displays to mimic the physical locations on the card of such
information, it may be desirous, at least at first, to ease the
transition for less capable users. However, in a preferred
embodiment, a sole primary display is provided to reduce drain on
the power source or battery 110 and reduce complexity and
manufacturing costs. The primary display 60 may, preferably, be an
electronic-ink (e-Ink) which draws no power until a refresh or a
change of the screen content is desired. Thereby, a user name,
account, expiration and security code may all be statically
provided on the e-Ink display 60 which requires no power until a
different transaction card has been selected and encoded onto the
reconfigurable transaction card itself. In this manner, even if the
battery is extinguished, the card number may still be displayed for
transactions.
[0098] As a plurality of account identifiers and personal
information may be stored in the data storage 170, an
authentication or security measure 40, such as a fingerprint
reader, a retinal scanner, or a camera for authentication by facial
recognition may be employed. Indeed, such smart wallet and/or
reconfigurable transaction card may be restricted until such an
authentication measure 40 has been satisfied. Additionally, a
keyboard input device 50 may be provided for a user to interact
with the smart wallet and a one touch function button 80 may also
be provided for quick reference and quick accessing of a predefined
function, such as activation or storing of an account
identifier.
[0099] In certain alternative embodiments, an existing smartphone
may be used to provide certain functionalities of the smart wallet.
Magnetic read and write heads may be built in and integrated into a
pre-existing smartphone. Otherwise, the read and write heads may be
provided by one or more external accessories coupled to communicate
with the smartphone through existing interfaces such as the
tip-ring-shield (TRS) 3.5 mm/2.5 mm headphone port, BLUETOOTH,
WiFi, infrared, NFC, USB, USB on the go (OTG), and the like. Such
an approach may allow leveraging the smartphone's processor,
security, biometric sensors, internet connection, hashing,
encryption/decryption functions, GPS, online web browser, display,
battery and the like to thereby reduce the additional hardware
components needed to physically implement the smart wallet and
reconfigurable transaction card.
[0100] In an exemplary embodiment that leverages existing
smartphone infrastructure, a standalone magnetic strip reader or
reader/writer device may be selectively coupled with a smartphone
when needed to read or write a magnetic strip of a transaction
card. Such reader device may, for example, utilize a headphone port
of the smartphone (thereby enabling connectivity with all
smartphones). In this alternative embodiment, an external dedicated
battery and a large portion of the logic hardware may be omitted as
the reader/writer device may draw power from the headset port/jack
when operationally coupled using a suitably written application
("app") executing on the smartphone. An exemplary app may be
provided on an IOS, ANDROID, or similar platform and provide, for
example, a substantially white-noise output (or other suitable
energizing signal) to the headphone jack at maximum volume to
provide power to the reader/writer device. The reader/writer device
may harness this energy to read and/or write magnetic strips.
[0101] Additionally, the energizing signal may be suitably
modulated to encode card data to be written to a reconfigurable
transaction card. Conversely, the microphone input may be employed
to send card data which has been read from a traditional
transaction card to the smartphone. In a preferred embodiment, the
standalone card reader/writer employs digital to analog conversion
(DAC), analog to digital conversion (ADC), encryption/decryption
hardware, and/or a memory card reader/writer to suitably encrypt
transaction card contents before leaving the reader/writer device.
A suitably written application executing on the smartphone may
operate to receive an acoustic or analog signal from the microphone
contacts of the headphone port, convert the analog signal into
digital, and store the digital encrypted transaction card contents.
The storage may occur for instance in a secure portion of the
smartphone memory, in a cloud server, or on a removable memory card
(either disposed in the smart phone or directly on the
reader/writer device itself). Such transaction card contents may
then be decrypted and written to a smart reconfigurable transaction
card. Where the card contents are directly written to a passive
magnetic strip type reconfigurable transaction card, it is
preferable that a low coercivity magnetic strip be used to reduce
needed power and writing head size for writing.
[0102] Alternatively, a reader device (exclusive of a writer
device) may be provided which may be coupled to the phone to
cooperate with an application (or may be wholly autonomous and
self-contained) to scan and record magnetic strip contents. The
application that is executed (or the reader device) may then store
the card contents in a secure memory location--preferably in
encrypted form.
[0103] As seen in FIG. 19, a reconfigurable transaction card 2000
employing an active electro-magnet coil 2002 (as discussed above)
and a near field communication (NFC) transceiver with an e-ink
display 2004 and a micro SDHC memory card 2200 reader 2012 is
employed. The app (residing on the smart wallet or on the
smartphone) may be executed to selectively handshake with the
reconfigurable transaction card and transmit stored card contents
(such as account id) via NFC to the reconfigurable transaction card
2000. The reconfigurable transaction card 2000 may store the card
contents into a memory thereof. Alternatively, a removable micro
secure digital high capacity (SDHC), secure digital extended
capacity (SDXC) card, or other suitably-dimensioned memory card may
be employed to ferry transaction card contents from the smartphone
or smartwallet (or directly from the reader/writer) to the
reconfigurable transaction card 2000.
[0104] A strip reader device with a memory card slot may operate to
scan traditional transaction cards, receiving power parasitically
via headset port from a specifically written app (or potentially
any pre-existing app capable of generating suitable voltage through
the headset port) or via an internal battery, and write transaction
card contents to the SDHC or other memory card. A reconfigurable
transaction card with active electromagnetic coil may receive the
memory card with transaction card accounts and potentially other
secondary information stored thereon.
[0105] A minimal user interface 2006 on the reconfigurable
transaction card 2000 may allow a user to select one of a plurality
of traditional transaction card contents stored on the SDHC card
2200 and execute a processor to effect modulation of those
transaction card contents (such as account number) through the
active electromagnetic coil 2002 to be read by a card reader at a
point of sale (POS) device to effect a purchase or transaction.
[0106] When actuated to effect payment, the reconfigurable
transaction card preferably displays at least a portion of the
captured transaction card contents and/or secondary account
information on an e-ink display and selectively energizes the
active electromagnetic coil to communicate the card contents to a
reader device at the point of sale (POS) terminal of a vendor.
[0107] To save energy, the reconfigurable card may postpone
magnetic coil activation until it is brought into contact with the
magnetic read head of the card reader device at the POS. Such
determination of proximity may be triggered through the physical
closing of an open circuit such as by mechanical displacement by
the walls abutting the recess of the POS card reader, via a
detected capacitance change, via contact with the metal head of the
read head to close a sensing circuit, by actuating a manual button,
or the like.
[0108] As seen in FIG. 4, a plurality of hardware components shown
in block form are intercoupled through a data bus 190 an exemplary
embodiment of the smart wallet 100. A magnetic strip reader 20' is
provided for reading magnetic strips from a one-use or
single-account transaction card. A magnetic strip writer 20'' is
also provided for outputting directly to a reconfigurable
transaction card or to a card reading device such as a point of
sale terminal. Additionally, a processor 130 is coupled to data bus
190 to enable interaction with memory 120 and a data interface 180.
An input device/touch pad 50 is also intercoupled to the data bus
190 as are an output device/display 60, an internal storage, such
as a solid state drive (SSD) 170, and an authentication mechanism
40, such as a fingerprint reader, retinal scanner, and/or camera. A
wireless communication module such as a WIFI, 3G, LTE, and any
other interconnecting networking measures 140 are provided.
[0109] As seen in FIG. 5, a smart wallet including a magnetic strip
reader 20' is coupled to a data interface 180 which is coupled to
various components through a data bus 190. A processor 130 is also
coupled through data bus 190 to a memory 120 and an input device or
touch pad 50 is also coupled thereto. An output device/display 60
is coupled to the data bus and an internal storage (SSD) 170 is
also coupled to the data bus 190. In this manner, a magnetically
encoded transaction card can be swiped through the magnetic strip
reader 20', transmitted to the data interface 180, and be stored
temporarily in memory 120 for processor 130 to act thereupon and
potentially transcode, parse, or encrypt the magnetic strip and
store as an account in the internal storage 170. The account
identifier or other account information may be displayed on account
display/device 60 and a user may actuate the input device, touchpad
or keyboard 50 to accept the storage of the account identifier into
the internal storage 170.
[0110] As seen in FIG. 6, a simplified flow diagram illustrating an
exemplary method 600 for storing account identifiers and account
information from a transaction card is illustrated. The flow begins
at block 610 and proceeds to block 620 where a user swipes any card
with a magnetic stripe. Such magnetic card may be any transaction
card as discussed above and illustratively including a gift card, a
credit card, a debit card, a stored value card, hotel entry card,
and the like. At block 630, the magnetic reader extracts the
information on at least one track of the magnetic strip of the
card. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic reader may extract
the information from all three tracks of the magnetic stripe on the
card. ISO standards define that track 1 is a 210-bit per inch
encoding of alphanumeric characters including a sentinel value, an
account value, or account identifier (used interchangeable herein),
expiration date, a secret code, and also a user name. Track 2,
according to ISO standards, is a 75 bit per inch redundant data
track that is to be read if track 1 is unreadable. Track 2 does not
contain alphanumeric characters, but instead contains only digits
0-9 and several sentinel or signal characters such as, for example,
an exclamation or percentage mark. In the event that track 1 is
unreadable, the kernel or nucleus of important information, such as
the account number and expiration date, is decoded therefrom. In
the event that track 1 is unreadable, a reader will attempt to read
track 2 and thereby discern the account identifier which can be
passed along to a billing provider such as VISA, MASTERCARD,
AMERICAN EXPRESS, and the like. The third party billing provider
may then correlate the account number with the user and other such
information. Track 3 is a further redundant track which is
generally not used. However, in a preferred embodiment, to more
comprehensively emulate the single-use transaction card, the
information contained in all three tracks is promiscuously read and
stored.
[0111] The internal storage space within the card may be big
enough, such as 8 gigabytes that these few kilobytes of information
are generally negligible in terms of storage space occupied. With
even a gigabyte of storage, an almost unlimited number of account
identifiers may be stored. Such information should be encrypted or
otherwise secured before being stored. At block 640, the card
information including at least an account identifier is sent to the
main unit processor 130 for processing.
[0112] At block 650, card information is verified as necessary
through a predefined validation process. Such predefined validation
process may be via simple checksums or preprogrammed rules which,
while not infallible, may provide for a certain acceptable level of
validation. For example, in a credit card number, the first digit,
the Major Industry Identifier (MII), generally a 4 may represent a
VISA and a 5 may represent a MASTERCARD. In this example, if it is
determined that the card number does not match the MII, or the user
has entered a VISA and a first digit does not accord thereto, the
validation process may fail. Alternatively, a check sum, digest, or
hash of the credit card, such as by employing a Luhn Algorithm or
Mod 10 algorithm may provide a quick and dirty, processor
inexpensive, and external communications inexpensive means for
determining the validity of the card. Additionally, an inter-track
validation mechanism may be employed whereby the account number
recovered from Track 1 may be compared against an account number on
Track 2 or 3--and only if account numbers are in agreement will the
card be considered valid.
[0113] Preferably, the card's validity may be verified without
referring to an external source such as network communication to a
host, to thereby save battery and thereby ensure privacy. Still
further, a longitudinal redundancy check (LRC), a cyclic redundancy
check (CRC), or check sum may be employed inasmuch as a predefined
field/digit within the credit card or debit card may be based on an
expiration date thereof. Should the predefined field not match the
entered expiration date, then a validity check may fail.
[0114] At block 660, a determination is made whether the card read
is valid. If the card is determined to not be valid, then a display
message that the card is not valid may be provided to the user at
block 680' and then an ending sequence may be commenced at block
690'. Alternatively, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) or error
correcting codec (ECC) may be employed to correct the card read as
may be known to one of skill in the art. However, the most
expedient manner for resolving the validity may be merely to rescan
the card again.
[0115] If, on the other hand, the card validity check is
affirmative, then the block proceeds to block 670 where a message
may be displayed indicating the card type and the default digital
location within the internal storage space 170 for storage of the
card information. Flow proceeds to block 680 of FIG. 6A where the
user confirms the card type such as MASTERCARD or VISA and enters
or chooses a digital location within the internal storage 170 for
storage of the account details or account identifier. At block 690,
the card information is stored with the digital location as a key
on a secure internal storage and referenced for retrieval through
the location in the memory.
[0116] At block 692, a message may be displayed to a user that the
card information is now stored on the smart wallet and ready to be
used. The flow for recording and storing the account identifier
information from the card information is then completed at block
694.
[0117] While the aforementioned Figures discuss storing a magnetic
transaction card, any encoded card may be stored herein. For
example, a smart card having a processor chip thereon may be read
and emulated through an appropriate configuration of pins to
interface with the surface mounted pads of a smart card. Thereby,
the data values stored within the smart card or a mapping of inputs
to corresponding outputs may be read and stored within the memory
in similar fashion as the magnetically stored account
information.
[0118] In certain embodiments, an optical scanner such as a digital
camera, charge-coupled device (CCD), barcode scanner, or the like
is provided on the smart wallet to scan a bar-code stored-value
device, receipt, admission ticket, recycling credits, coupon, and
the like. In certain embodiments, the retinal scanner/camera 70 or
70' (discussed in connection with other embodiments) may be
employed for this purpose. Indeed, anything with a barcode may be
scanned and stored in similar fashion. Receipts may be stored
through the use of the barcode scanner and correlated with
purchases that may be securely logged within the smart wallet or
reconfigurable transaction card. Moreover, a near field
communication (NFC) or radio frequency identification (RFID)
mechanism may be used for reading values from an NFC or RFID card
and storing such values into internal memory for later use. The
smart wallet (or `Omni Wallet`) may intelligently classify scanned
items. For example, scanning an event ticket will result in the
event ticket being stored in an "event ticket section" of the user
interface thereby enabling ready retrieval and avoiding lost ticket
issues. All information from the scanned item will be stored in a
secure memory location such that it may be used in substantially
identical fashion as the original version of the given coupon,
event ticket, or the like. Paper copies may additionally be stored
as backup.
[0119] When an item is ready for purchasing, the Omni wallet may
search through a database of coupons. The database of coupons may
be maintained in an Omni Community, for example, which synchronizes
with newspapers, online coupon websites, specific store websites,
flyers, periodicals, user scanned coupons (discussed above) and the
like to find relevant coupons for particular items to be purchased.
Upon locating an appropriate coupon, it may be communicated to a
teller or Point of Sale (POS) machine. Such communication may be by
any suitable means known, such as the coupon (and barcode) being
displayed on a display of the smart wallet, emailed to the store,
faxed, or automated redemption measures for coupons (such as an
electronic code or a website portal). A post-purchase process may
be employed as well. Such a process may search receipts,
transaction logs, web purchase logs, and the like stored in the
smart wallet or online Omni Community to identify items purchased
and automatically locate coupons for those purchased items. Such
located coupons may then be automatically paired with receipts and
communicated to a manufacturer to initiate rebates and the like. If
an identifier like a UPC code is required, it may be selectively
retrieved from the smart wallet memory, or the user may be prompted
to either take a picture of the UPC code or to physically mail it
separately.
[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 7, a smart wallet having a magnetic
stripe encoder 20'' is employed. Magnetic stripe encoder 20'' is
operatively coupled with the data interface 180 which then, in
turn, is intercoupled through data bus 190 to a plurality of
components within the smart wallet. The processor 130, memory 120,
input device 50, output device/display 60, and internal storage 170
are all intercoupled via data bus 190 to the data interface and
ultimately the magnetic stripe encoder 20''.
[0121] The magnetic stripe encoder 20'' may thereby encode a stored
account identifier from any of a plurality of single-use
traditional transaction cards onto, for example, a rewritable
magnetic stripe (as seen in FIG. 8A). The reconfigurable
transaction card 800 as seen in FIG. 8 may include a plurality of
display devices such as an LED display 230', a primary LED display
230, and potentially a signature verification display 230'', as
seen in FIG. 8A.
[0122] Alternatively, a single display 230 may be used and the
information that may have been displayed on a plurality of displays
may be combined to be displayed on the single display. Single
display may ease fabrication, reduce complexity, and reduce expense
of manufacture, as well as reduce internal signal and power
interplay issues. Preferably, an electronic ink (e-Ink) display may
be used, however, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or any
traditional low power, low profile, high resiliency display may be
used.
[0123] Such display 230 may be used to display a visual
representation of the credit card number or account identifier, an
expiration date, security code, first name, last name, a
verification code, a signature, a type of card, a card-issuer logo,
a picture of the card-holder, and the like. The smart wallet may
transfer such information through a microchip or smart-card chip
130 which may have a plurality of surface mounted pads, terminals,
pins, or interface junctions for transmitting data from the smart
wallet to the reconfigurable transaction card 800. Alternatively,
such information may be passed to the reconfigurable transaction
card 800 through an NFC, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WIFI, or other wireless
transmission means. In an embodiment where a rewritable magnetic
stripe 210 is not employed, but an active transducer such as a
micro-wire array or a single wire coil, the account information and
supplementary information may be transmitted to the card through
the magnetic encoding thereof.
[0124] Referring to FIG. 9, an exemplary flow for retrieving a
stored value card 900 from the smart wallet is shown. At step 910,
an exemplary flow is started. At block 920, a user selects a card
from the stored location within the smart wallet. For example, a
user may select their VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS card, or
any other card which has been prestored into the smart wallet.
Alternatively, the smart wallet may be delivered with one or a
plurality of account identifiers prestored therein by a card
issuer. In another example, the account identifiers may be
delivered wirelessly from the third party credit institutions.
[0125] At block 930, the selected card's memory location is checked
to determine whether it is valid or not. If the card location is
not valid, meaning that no card or account location is stored, or
if the memory has become corrupt, then the decision fails and flow
proceeds to block 940' where a "non-valid selection" message may be
displayed to a user. Then, an ending block 950' terminates the
process of recovery. The flow may then proceed back to the start
block 910 where a user may then again be prompted to select a card
location.
[0126] Alternatively, if the decision at evaluation block 930 is
affirmative then flow proceeds to block 940 where the smart wallet
locates the card information or account identifier information in
the storage based upon the user's selection. Flow proceeds to block
950 where the card information is sent to the main processing unit
130 for processing. At block 960, the card information (preferably
tracks 1, 2, and 3, though not necessarily) is written on the smart
card's rewritable magnetic stripe, via the magnetic encoder/write
head of the card interface unit. Alternatively, such information is
transmitted to the reconfigurable transaction card and stored in
the card's internal memory. In this case, the reconfigurable
transaction card may then be able to dynamically retrieve such
account identifier and card information from the reconfigurable
transaction card's memory and dynamically (in either a time or a
spatial domain), emulate the magnetic stripe and encode the account
information.
[0127] At block 970, if a passive magnetic stripe is being used,
the card information may then be stored on the smart card or smart
chip of the card for displaying such information as the brand of
card, the account number, the expiration date, the user name, and
the like. Where an active magnetic transducer is employed, such
information may flow seamlessly through the active transducer
acting as a receiver from the smart wallet via an electromagnetic
coupling of the wallet's writer with the card's transducer. Such
account information may then be stored within a non-volatile memory
within the reconfigurable transaction card and may be retrieved
on-demand for output through the magnetic transducer to a point of
sale system and/or simultaneously through a display screen on the
reconfigurable transaction card itself for human readability.
[0128] Flow then proceeds to block 980 as seen in FIG. 9A where the
user's validity is determined. Such validity of the user may be
determined through biometric means, such as by interrogating a
user's retina through such means as a camera or a retinal reader.
Alternatively, a fingerprint reader may be employed to determine
whether the fingerprint of the user matches the card-holder's
fingerprint. The owner of the smart wallet may initialize their
smart wallet by storing a retinal pattern, fingerprint, voice
sample, and the like on first use to establish the biometrics of
the authorized user/s. To protect a user's biometric information
such as the retinal pattern, fingerprint, voice sample, and the
like, may preferably be stored in encrypted state or salted and
hashed--with the hashed value thereof being stored. Subsequently
when authenticating a user, the current sample should pass through
the same encryption or salt and hash to be compared to the
initialized values.
[0129] Alternatively, a password, a facial recognition, voice
recognition, or the like known to one of skill in the art may be
employed to ensure that the person actuating the smart wallet or
reconfigurable transaction card is indeed an authorized user of the
account. If a user fails several times to authenticate, such as,
for example, 3 times, the smart wallet may request answers to
personal questions before allowing a user to proceed.
[0130] A smart wallet owner may establish varying levels of
security depending on the risk involved in unauthorized use or
likelihood of delegation. The user may define roles and functions
for each authorization level. For example, only the designated user
may be enabled to actuate a VISA or MASTERCARD account, whereas, a
user's spouse or designated third party user may be selectively
authorized for use of, for example, a gym card. In this manner, a
selective amount of security may be employed where necessary based
upon the risks engendered by allowing use or the card-holder's
amount of trust in 3.sup.rd parties. Clearly, providing carte
blanche to use a VISA card with a $20,000.00 credit limit may be
quite risky and accordingly, the universe of allowed users may be
restricted quite strenuously. Contrastingly, a gym card use may be
almost promiscuously allowed for any user.
[0131] In the event that the user is not an authorized user at
block 990', a message informing the user of a rejection may be
displayed to the user. Alternatively, or, additionally, a plurality
of safety measures may be effected. For example, a lockdown of the
device may be enacted, a remote phone-home feature may be enacted,
or a temporary deactivation of the account or smart wallet may be
employed should an unauthorized user attempt use thereof. In a less
intrusive manner, the unauthorized user may merely be photographed
or documented through a recording of their fingerprint, iris, voice
sample, and/or facial picture, and such information may be merely
stored and time-stamped in the event that a fraudulent use activity
is later determined. In the event that such fraudulent use was
determined, then the biometric information may be recovered by law
enforcement, insurance, or credit card companies. The user
themselves may be presented with the recorded biometric information
such as through a display screen, an email, or a telephone call
whereby the authorized user may then realize that, for example, a
child or spouse has attempted to use the card inappropriately and
the user may be empowered to determine the consequences
thereof.
[0132] Still further, a GPS module may be activated upon
encountering an unauthorized user so that the location and
subsequent retrieval of the wallet may be facilitated.
Alternatively, the contents of all internal memory may be wiped,
for example: by encoding all zeros, or all ones, or random numbers
to the magnetic strip, the non-volatile memory, processing
registers, and other such storage locations. Thereby, a compromised
smart wallet or reconfigurable transaction card may be assured to
be unredeemable or unusable.
[0133] If instead, a valid user has been authenticated, then flow
proceeds to block 990 where the smart card may be released from the
wallet to use. In this embodiment, the smart card or reconfigurable
transaction card may be lockably retained within a jacket or
electronic body portion of the smart wallet. The reconfigurable
transaction card may be retained within an inaccessible slot within
a hard metallic body and is only ejected through a motorized, step
motor, actuator, or other mechanical actuation devices within the
receiving chamber, such as seen, for example: within an APPLE
MACBOOK, where a CD is lockably retained within the drive until a
command within the computer has been executed to release the CD.
Upon release of the reconfigurable transaction card from the wallet
at block 990, the smart card may display card information at block
991 such as a name and other information stored within the
microchip or smart card chip. At block 992, the smart card may
display a message to a user that the smart card may be ready to use
and the flow terminates at block 993.
[0134] As seen in FIG. 10, an exemplary process 1000 for exchanging
gift cards using smart wallets in accordance with certain aspects
of the present invention is disclosed. Block 1010 initiates the
process. At block 1020, a user chooses a receiver using a Smart
Wallet ID, Omni Wallet ID, online ID, or other unique identifier.
During initialization of the smart wallet device, a user may be
asked to register with an Omni Wallet community to activate the
Omni Wallet device. Each Omni Wallet or smart wallet device
preferably has a unique identifier (UID) unalterably embedded
therein that may be tied with a user account and used as a key for
secure communications. Such UID may include an integrated circuit
card identifier (ICCID) which is an international standard used
almost universally for SIM cards.
[0135] Existing social networks may be leveraged to send to, for
example: a Facebook, or Linked-in friend account which may be
associated with another smart wallet. Thereby, the user of the
first smart wallet may select a recipient to send a gift card or
stored value transaction card to. Preferably, communications
between starting and ending points across a network will be secured
with secure sockets layer protocol such as HTTPS/SSL though other
secure transmission schemes will be apparent to those of skill in
the art. Additionally, two smart wallets may employ a secret key
exchange whereby a random key may be generated on the sender wallet
with an expiration timer and the same key may be used on the
receiver wallet to complete the verification or establish a trusted
user relationship. Such relationship of trust may then be used to
confidently exchange account identifiers or other such information,
such as, in a gift card exchange.
[0136] At block 1030, the smart wallet gift card transfer starts a
peer-to-peer or direct communication between the sender of the
transaction card and the receiver of the transaction card.
Alternatively, an infrastructure mode may be employed by leveraging
a secure on-line community which may be established such as an Omni
Wallet or Smart wallet community which may act as a social network
to securely intercouple separate parties. Thereby, a first smart
wallet user may develop a relationship of trust with a second smart
wallet user to enable a first user to send a stored value card to a
second user by means of wireless communication, communication
through a social network, or any other means as would be known to
one of skill in the art. Such network enables a first user with a
physical single-use transaction card to scan the transaction card
into a secure memory within the smart wallet, dispose of the
original stored value card, and transmit the data or account
identifier that was encoded on the original transaction card to
another user by means of the internet or wireless network. Thereby,
a market may be established for pre-existing stored value cards
such as a HOME DEPOT, SEARS, MACY'S gift certificate, or a
coupon.
[0137] At block 1040, a receiver may be provided with an option to
accept the proposed stored value card. If the receiver declines at
block 1040, then the flow will proceed to block 1050' where a
message stating that the receiver denied the sender's request may
be sent to the initial sender of the first smart wallet. Flow then
proceeds to the end block 1060'. Alternatively, if the receiver
does indeed accept the transaction at block 1040, then the flow may
proceed to block 1050 where the receiver may proceed with a
verification process.
[0138] At block 1060, the verification process may complete with a
bi-directional handshake and a secret code with a sender and
receiver in a fast and secure manner. The two or three stage
handshake coupled with a secret code may be implemented with any
known security or encryption measures as would be known to one of
skill in the art. For example, one may use a public/private key or
a shared secret type authentication system.
[0139] As seen in FIG. 10A, flow then proceeds to block 1070 where
it is determined whether a verification of both senders' identities
is complete. If the verification is not complete, then flow will
proceed back to reinitiate the verification procedure. If however
the verification is indeed complete, then the flow proceeds to
block 1080 where the sender proceeds with the gift card transfer
process. At block 1090, the sender chooses the gift card and swipes
through the magnetic reader on the omni wallet or smart wallet. The
sender may read from a magnetic card, a barcode, a smart chip card,
and the like. The magnetic reader is merely an exemplary
illustration. At block 1091, the card information is retrieved via
the magnetic reader and is encrypted and stored on the smart wallet
for transmission.
[0140] At block 1092, the card information is stored for record
only and marked as having been sent to receiver (additionally, the
receiver's name and unique smart wallet UID may be stored) and not
useable for the sender through the smart wallet. Additionally, the
original card may be rendered unredeemable. Such rendering of the
original transaction card may be through an encoding of zeros,
ones, or a random pattern to the magnetic strip of the transaction
card. Additionally, a means for obscuring, defacing, or destroying
a magnetic strip, barcode strip, chip pins, or other such means of
rendering the original card unredeemable so as to provide full
faith in the receiver of the card that this a bonafide exchange,
may be provided. Thereby users may trade with confidence beyond
their circle of trusted friends.
[0141] At block 1093, the card information or account identifier is
then securely transmitted to the receiver's smart wallet from the
sender's smart wallet. At block 1094, the receiver is prompted and
delivered a notification about the incoming gift card transfer from
the sender. At block 1095, it is determined whether the receiver
accepted the incoming transmission of the gift or stored value
transaction card. If the sender did not accept, then the flow
proceeds to block 1096' and a message may be displayed to the
sender that the gift card was denied.
[0142] Flow may then proceed to a general error message at block
1090' of FIG. 10C that the swipe may be denied by the receiver and
to please try again. Flow may then proceed to block 1091' where the
transaction is cancelled. However, if the receiver did indeed
accept the transfer at block 1095, then the flow may then proceed
to block 1096 where the card or account information/identifier is
securely downloaded and stored in a location of the receiver's
smart wallet.
[0143] At block 1097, the card information or account identifier
may be permanently stored in digital code for immediate usage.
Thereby, the receiver may then actuate the smart wallet to write
the account information or identifier to the reconfigurable
transaction card contained within a jacket of the smart wallet. The
reconfigurable transaction card bearing the traded account
identifier may then be utilized at a merchant by being swiped
through a magnetic card reader. Alternatively, an NFC, RFID, or
barcode may be employed for the receiver to realize the benefit and
redeem the traded stored value card.
[0144] Upon successful completion of the transfer at block 1098, a
message confirming receipt is delivered to both the sender and the
receiver. Flow then proceeds to block 1099 of FIG. 10B where the
exemplary process for gift card or stored value card transfer is
completed. Additional features may be apparent to one of skill in
the art, such as payment linking to other accounts such as, for
example, PayPal, Amazon, School food plans, and the like may be
provided. Additional features may be added through an open API
allowing third parties, such as, for example: banks, websites,
vendors, and payment processors to create additional functionality
or integrate the smart wallet within their purchasing network.
[0145] Once the gift card or stored value cards have been scanned
into the smart wallet they may be uploaded or synchronized with an
online vault, clearinghouse, or repository such that they are
safely guarded in the cloud or online smart wallet community, for
example, in an Omni Wallet Community or Omni Community social
network. The Omni Community may provide for a host of functions and
features such as gift card storage, exchange, advertising, sale,
purchase, and the like. As the gift cards may be stored online,
exchanges may then be effected without either smart wallet of the
trading parties being physically present. Such transfers sans smart
wallets may be performed through the use of online terminals,
computers, telephones, or the like. Indeed, an application ("app")
may be provided to facilitate such transfers and other features
present in the Omni Community. An exemplary app may be provided for
IOS on IPHONES, ANDROID devices, NOKIA devices, WINDOWS PHONE
devices, WINDOWS CE, MACINTOSH, Wintel computers, LINUX, and the
like.
[0146] Members may log in to a secure website, portal, or community
to manage their vault of gift-cards and initiate trades with other
members through the app or through a suitable web-browser as
variously seen in FIGS. 10D-10F. Once an agreement or trade has
been agreed-upon by two members, a transfer process securely copies
(or moves) a first selected gift card from a first member's vault
into a second member's vault. Once the copy is verified as having
been completed successfully, the first selected gift card may be
removed from the first member's vault and a reciprocal process for
transferring the second gift card from the second member's vault
into the first member's vault may then be effected. Alternatively,
the copying of both the first and second gift cards may be effected
contemporaneously.
[0147] The smart wallet is not actually indispensably needed until
a member wants to redeem a transferred gift card or capture the
magnetic strip of another gift card. A member, seeking to redeem
their gift card, connects their smart wallet to the online cloud
community to retrieve the gift card from the vault. Authentication
measures may be employed to ensure that the proper members and
their corresponding smart wallet are securely coupled to their
vault. The cloud community then initiates transfer of a selected
gift card in the vault to the smart wallet either automatically or
responsive to a user's selection. The smart wallet may then be
employed to program the reconfigurable transaction card with the
contents of the selected gift card and the reconfigurable
transaction card may then be used at a vendor seamlessly in the
same manner as an original traditional gift card.
[0148] As seen in FIG. 11, a reconfigurable multiple-account
transaction card is provided. The reconfigurable transaction card
1100 has a display screen 230 with a user input mechanism 1130. A
shared centralized memory 1120 may store a plurality of account
identifiers, account information, user names, expiration dates, and
the like, and a plurality of near field communication (NFC) or RFID
transponder chips 1101-1106 are provided. In this embodiment, each
chip 1101-1106 may be encoded to be able to initiate an NFC
transfer.
[0149] In this event, each chip may transmit an account identifier
that was securely stored in memory 1120 through means of a swiping
metallic strip 1110. Such strip may read a standard single-use
transaction card and store the account information and other
information into the memory 1120. The account identifier and other
information stored from the single-use transaction card may then be
used to transmit through a given chip 1101-1106 to a no-contact
near field communication (NFC) transaction station, such as a point
of sale machine.
[0150] Alternatively, each individual chip 1101-1106 may have a
hardware address, potentially a MAC (media access control) address,
unique ID (UID), or serial number stamped thereon and permanently
encoded therein. A user of the reconfigurable smart transaction
card may be able to call a credit provider such as VISA,
MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, or the like, and associate a MAC
address or Serial Number of a given chip 1101-1106 with an account
identifier. Thereby, the chip Serial Number, MAC, or UID address
may be scanned at a point of sale terminal and may be sent to a
credit processor, such as VISA, MASTERCARD, or AMERICAN EXPRESS,
which they may be able to correlate with an account identifier for
a given user's transaction card.
[0151] As seen in FIG. 12, a further example of a reconfigurable
transaction card 1200 is provided. User input mechanism 1130 is
provided which may be a touchpad, or a plurality of mechanical
buttons such as numerals 1-9. Alternatively, merely 1-5 may be
provided to select a top five most frequently used cards. A user
may actuate user input mechanism 1130 to thereby select a stored
value or account identifier stored within the data storage
1120.
[0152] A display screen 230 may then show a corresponding account
indicia signaling visually to a user which account identifier is
being used. A plurality of chips 1101 may each store either an
account identifier, or may have a MAC address which is associated
with an account identifier. A biometric fingerprint scanner 40' and
a retinal scanner 70' are provided. Alternatively, a password may
be required to initiate the card or wallet. Such password may be
entered through user mechanism 1130.
[0153] Additionally, a fraud prevention chip or security chip 1201
may control the user authentication and locking/unlocking/recovery
and such other security features, as would be known to one of skill
in the art. Security chip 1201 may also be actuated to encrypt,
decrypt, or hash account numbers and other information.
[0154] A data networking chip 1202 provides a network access via a
data communications network such as a 1XRTT, 2G, EDGE, UMTS, 3G,
4G, WIFI, or other such suitable means as would be known to one of
skill in the art. Additionally, the data interface or networking
chip 1202 may interface through a USB or other such cable to a
general purpose digital computer to piggyback or tether onto the
general purpose digital computer's internet connection for
communication with card issuers or the smart wallet community. In
such manner, the smart wallet may also be employed as a secure
personal repository to mediate online purchases on itself or
another machine such as a computer or a smart phone (for example,
an IOS, ANDROID, WP8, or the like). The smart wallet may be
operationally coupled with another computer or smartphone or may
merely use its own internet connection and be entrusted with
securely storing personal information such as name, account number,
billing address, usernames, passwords, and the like. The personal
information stored therein may be retrieved to automatically (such
as by the swiping of the reconfigurable transaction card or by
biometric authentication) and used to securely populate fields in
an online transaction form such as a web-purchase page to initiate
that transaction. Upon auto-population, a dialog box may pop up to
prompt the user to verify the populated fields, for example, as
such: "Is the billing address correct?" or "Is the shipping address
correct?--please confirm by clicking the `ok` button." A user may
employ a mouse, touchscreen, keyboard, speech to text, or the like
to confirm or manually correct information. Additional security may
be built in such as requiring a fingerprint, iris, voice
authorization, or the like to actually complete the
transaction.
[0155] In an illustrative example, a smart wallet user may employ a
public computer to enact a purchase through a vendor's website.
Rather than enter sensitive personal and payment information
manually--potentially exposing the user to a keylogger, man in the
middle, temporary storage/caching vulnerability, or the like, the
user may operationally couple the smart wallet with the computer,
such as, through a USB port, BLUETOOTH, WiFi, infrared, NFC, or the
like and execute the device to securely transmit personal/payment
information stored therein to the fields on the purchase page of
the computer or the personal information may be securely
transmitted directly to the vendor.
[0156] Further integration with online banking, accounting,
corporate billing, or tax services, and the like may be provided as
well. Purchases made with the reconfigurable transaction card may
be tabulated locally to be uploaded, synchronized, and compared to
online banking statements through automated means to reduce
fraudulent or erroneous charges. Receipts may be generated or
captured at the point of sale and automatically uploaded,
synchronized, and submitted to corporate accounting, billing, or
accounts-payable departments. Designated purchases may be marked as
certain tax-deductible expenses or other favorable categories for
import into tax programs such as TURBO TAX (R), and the like.
[0157] Additionally, use of the smart wallet may enable transfers
or payments to be received from third parties. The smart wallet may
be employed as a card reader device coupled with a point of sale
application in the smart wallet, reader device, or smart phone
suitably programmed to ensure security of both parties to the
transaction.
[0158] FIG. 13 illustrates one example of a smart wallet
implementation in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the
present invention. Smart wallet 1300 includes in this embodiment an
outer exterior jacket 1330. The jacket portion may shield or
protect the inner components thereof. A license holding slot or
tray 1301 may be provided to securely receive such visual
identification which may not lend well to copying and storing in
the smart wallet's internal memory. For example, a State Driver's
License having a hologram, a US passport card, and other such
visually verifiable identification may be retained in the license
holder slot 1301.
[0159] A rechargeable battery 1304 is coupled to or disposed in the
smart wallet or contained within the jacket. A cash holder or paper
currency holding tray, drawer, or receiving chamber 1303 may also
be provided. A driver's license release button 1305 may
automatically eject a license holder contained within the license
holder slot 1301. An alternating current (AC) adaptor port 1306 is
provided to receive DC or direct current power from a step down
transformer and diode coupled to an AC power outlet within a house,
office, or place of business. The transformer and diode may take
the 110 V AC down to a 12V or 5V direct current DC power source to
supply to the smart wallet 1300.
[0160] A rubber bumper 1307 or other such compressive elastic type
device is provided to soften impacts and/or bias the jacket into
certain configurations. A USB port 1308 is additionally provided to
take direct current power generally approximately 5V RMS from a
computer or other such USB enabled device. Such USB may approach
1000 milliamps of current draw from the computer. Additionally, USB
port 1308 may enable communications with a computer for uploading
and or downloading information therefrom/thereto.
[0161] Another receiving chamber 1310 is preferably provided to
store a plurality of other cards, such as backup cards or other
cards which may have been unreadable to the magnetic reader. A slot
release button 1309 may actuate a tray which releases the stored
cards.
[0162] FIG. 13A shows a user finger actuating a jacket cover 1312
portion of the jacket 1330 of the smart wallet 1300. FIG. 13B shows
a further stage in the progress of an opening where the jacket
cover portion 1312 of the smart wallet 1300' is being further
displaced in a rightward direction, thereby providing access to a
keyboard or other user input device 1311.
[0163] FIG. 13C shows a further progression and completion of the
displacement of jacket cover 1312 which thereby enables or provides
access to a primary display 230 and a supplemental display 230' as
well as a one touch navigation 1313 which may allow a user direct
access to any of certain predefined functions. Additionally, an
alphanumeric keyboard 1130' may be provided as well. In a preferred
embodiment, the smart wallet 1300 may be configured to have one
side of length approximately 4.5'' long with a width of 2.75'' wide
and a depth of 0.75'' to 9'' to thereby securely accept the ISO
defined credit card and driver's license sizes.
[0164] As seen in FIG. 14, a perspective view of the opened
configuration as seen in FIG. 13C of the smart wallet 1300 is
shown. It is seen that a card interface unit 20' or at least a card
reader may be provided. A primary display screen 60 is also
provided. A numeric user interface 50 is provided along with a
keyboard 1311 and a shortcut 1311' for quickly accessing a smart
wallet or omni wallet community (discussed above) may be provided.
A plurality of shortcuts 1311'' may also be provided for the user
allowing an almost instantaneous access to credit cards, gift
cards, savings cards, retail cards, prepaid cards, promotional
cards, travel cards, event tickets, recycling credits, money
orders, social media, government programs such as, for example,
food stamps, and other such government programs, and other
functions. Additionally, a battery indicator 60' may be provided
which shows a current state of the battery, such as for example
100% or 80%. A fingerprint reader 40 may be provided as well as a
retinal scanner 70.
[0165] FIG. 15 shows a license receiving slot containing an
exemplary driver's license and a quick eject button 1305 to release
the license.
[0166] As seen in FIG. 16, another card release button 1309 has
been actuated to release a plurality of credit or plastic
single-use transaction cards, as well as the reconfigurable smart
transaction card 1610. The cards may be contained on a sleeve which
may intercouple with the cards to provide power and/or data to each
one. Also, a battery indicator 1612 is provided.
[0167] As seen in FIG. 17, a rear view of the smart wallet is
shown. A sliding button 1720 allows for a back portion to open to
reveal a storage compartment therein. A hinged back 1710 allows for
the door to swing open. Additionally, a sliding track 1730 is
provided for the front protective cover of the jacket to transition
or slide.
[0168] As seen in FIG. 18, the sliding button has opened the rear
door, exposing a removable coin tray 1810 and a money clip 1820.
However, anything may be stored in the storage compartment.
Additionally, a battery release 1302 is provided for disconnecting
the battery. Lastly, a driver's license release button 1305 is also
provided for ejecting the driver's license.
[0169] An alternative embodiment of the smart wallet and
reconfigurable transaction proxy card employs a smart phone for
certain functionalities. The Smart wallet has a card interface unit
which may include at least one of a magnetic read head, read and
write head, near field communication (NFC) transceiver, BLUETOOTH
transceiver, smart card pads, and the like. A user interface
portion allows a user to initiate various functions within the
smart wallet device. A display allows for display of account
information and secondary account information such as card-holder
name, zip code, pin, expiration date, card verification security
codes, and the like. A tip ring sleeve (TRS) connector is provided
to interface with a smartphone via its headphone port to
send/receive data thereto for display and/or manipulation on its
display and/or draw power from the smartphone.
[0170] In such manner, smart wallet may leverage existing
capabilities of the smartphone such as processing power, network
connection, user authentication, battery power, NFC/bluetooth/wifi
transceivers, user interface, and the like. Preferably however,
components to effect such capabilities are incorporated directly
into the smart wallet device itself TRS connector may alternatively
be a usb on the go (USB OTG), HDMI, mobile high-definition link
(MHL), or other similar type connector suitable to interface the
smart wallet with an external host capable of providing power
and/or services. Such connector may be retractable through a
sliding mechanism to securely house the connector within the smart
wallet body. Alternatively, a female connector portion may allow a
user to couple the smart wallet with the smart phone via a
replaceable cable.
[0171] A user may swipe a traditional predetermined transaction
card through the card interface unit of the smart wallet body. The
smart wallet reads the transaction card and captures the contents
thereof which may include the account identifier and secondary
account information related to the account identifier. The contents
of the transaction card may be stored in a secure storage memory
within the smart wallet, such as a micro secure digital high
capacity (SDHC) card releasably stored within a memory card
reader/writer. The account identifier and/or the secondary account
information may then be displayed on a display where a user may
confirm or delete through actuation of a user interface. A memory
card may ferry the card contents (preferably in encrypted form) to
any of the smart wallet, smartphone, or reconfigurable transaction
proxy card. The card contents are thereby transferable between
portions (the smartphone is preferably provided with a memory card
reader and the reconfigurable transaction proxy card is also
preferably provided with a memory card reader). Alternatively, the
smart wallet may employ NFC, bluetooth, or wireless radiating field
to encode the card contents and provide them to the reconfigurable
transaction proxy card or the smartphone. The wireless radiating
field may be induced via card interface unit such that the
electromagnetic field may directly encode and radiate through an
almost direct contiguous contact with transaction card interface
unit of the proxy card to thereby save power and ensure heightened
security.
[0172] The reconfigurable transaction proxy card receives the card
contents including at least an account identifier and also
secondary account information via any of the measures described
above (wireless, inductive contact, memory card, and the like).
Secondary account information is then displayed on the display
which is preferably an electronic ink (e-ink) display. The user
interface allows a user to selectively retrieve at least one of a
plurality of different stored transaction card contents within the
memory for display and encoding through the card encoding
portion/transaction card interface which may be a solenoid or coil
and preferably disposed in a racetrack configuration spanning the
longitudinal length of the card face occupying at least one ISO
defined track. Card encoding portion receives an electrical energy
from a battery disposed within the proxy card. The battery is
preferably a lithium polymer battery of very small width.
[0173] The card encoding portion then radiates an electromagnetic
field to thereby encode, through modulation of the field, captured
transaction card contents retrieved from memory to thereby
communicate with a vendor's point of sale (POS) terminal to effect
a transaction in a seamless and transparent manner to be
substantially indistinguishable from a standard predetermined
transaction card transaction.
[0174] In various embodiments of the invention, the system may be
implemented in the form of software modules or hardware modules or
a combination of both. In some embodiments of the invention, the
system is implemented as part of a smart wallet social network.
[0175] In a software implementation, the smart wallet software
includes a plurality of computer executable instructions, to be
implemented on a computer system or smart phone. Prior to loading
on the computer system, the software may reside as encoded
information on a computer-readable tangible medium, such as a
magnetic floppy disk, a magnetic tape, CD ROM, DVD ROM, flash
memory, network storage location, or any other suitable computer
readable medium.
[0176] In a hardware implementation, such a system may be
implemented in any suitable computer based platform known in the
art. For example, the system may include suitable storage media
and/or one or more dedicated processors or share one or more
processors executing/controlling other functions, wherein the
employed processor(s) is programmably configured with processor
instructions for performing the functions described herein.
Suitable circuits may also be developed to execute certain aspects
of these functions.
[0177] Thereby, a consumer may be provided with a smart wallet and
reconfigurable transaction card.
[0178] While the magnetic strip context has been used as exemplary
data storage medium for the reconfigurable transaction card, such
magnetic strip is but one of numerous applications and medias of
the subject system and method. Such reconfigurable card may be used
with any type of media, on any type of network, for any type of
transaction, or physically embodied card.
[0179] Although this invention has been described in connection
with specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated
that various modifications other than those discussed above may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for
those specifically shown and described, certain features may be
used independently of other features, and in certain cases,
particular combinations of circuit design and implementation flows
or processing steps may be reversed or interposed, all without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in
the appended Claims.
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