Selectable multi-purpose card

• US 20030111527A1
• Filed: 12/06/2000
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Bank One Delaware National Association (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Blossom, George
• Granted Patent: US 6,631,849 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06187 with magnetically detectable marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06206 the magnetic marking being emulated
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0719 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for application selection, e.g. an acceleration sensor or a set of radio buttons application selection on smart cards using pure software control, see G07F7/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/072 the record carrier comprising a plurality of integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/08 using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3572 Multiple accounts on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3576 Multiple memory zones on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising a plurality of features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card and selection means for allowing a user to select a feature in a few simple steps, preferably in a single step. In one embodiment the card includes a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each magnetic strip separately using conventional reading devices. Each magnetic strip activates a different feature of the card. In another embodiment the card includes a programmable magnetic strip, a plurality of features stored in memory means mounted on the card, a plurality of buttons or contacts, and means for programming the magnetic strip with a different card feature. The card may also include a thin, flexible display.

Claims

1. A selectable, multi-purpose card comprising:

a plurality of card features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card; and

selection means mounted on the card allowing a user to select a card feature.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the selection means allow a user to select a card feature in a single step.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein the card comprises a magnetic strip card or a smart card.

4. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means comprises a programmable magnetic strip.

5. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means comprises a plurality of magnetic strips positioned on the card in a manner to allow swiping each magnetic strip separately using a magnetic reader, wherein each magnetic strip stores information corresponding to a feature of the card.

6. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means comprise a plurality of chips positioned on the card in a manner to allow activation of each chip separately using a smart card reader, and wherein each chip stores information corresponding to a feature of the card.

7. The card of claim 1, wherein the selection means comprises a touch-sensitive LEP screen.

8. A selectable multi-purpose card having a plurality of features that allow the card to function as multiple cards comprising:

memory means for storing feature information that activates the various card features;

input means operatively mounted on the card for allowing a user to select a card feature in a single step;

processing means for retrieving feature information that activates the selected card feature and outputting a drive signal representing the feature information; and

information retaining means, responsive to the drive signal, for preserving the feature information in a form that is readable by a reader device.

9. The card of claim 8, further comprising a display which after a selection of a card feature is made displays information denoting the selected feature.

10. The card of claim 8, wherein the information retaining means comprises an inductor, and the processing means comprises a central processor, an associated memory and magnetic strip control circuit.

11. A method for conducting an electronic transaction comprising:

providing a selectable multi-purpose card having a plurality of features stored in memory means operatively mounted on the card allowing the card to function as multiple cards;

providing a card reader;

establishing an electronic communication between the card and the card reader; and

selecting a card feature.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein selection means are operatively mounted on the card reader for selecting a card feature.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the card reader comprises a display for displaying information relating to the card features.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying the selected card feature on a display mounted on the card reader.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of establishing an electronic communication between the card, and a service institution handling at least one account corresponding to the selected feature.