Card equipped with secret number input keys and the method of activating the same

• US 20040034782A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jung Woong Park
• Original Assignee: Jung Woong Park
• Inventors: Park, Jung Woong
• Application Number:
  US10/636,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20040034782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/185
• 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 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/12 the marking being sensed 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 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• 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 device to input a user-defined secret code to activate the card with magnetic film strip, integrated circuitry or the combination of the two and a method of activating the card. The key entry device is fixed at a side of the card. The card equipped with secret code input keys have magnetic film strip, a part or the whole of which are printed without being magnetized and the method of the present invention operates only when the defined secret code is entered and, therefore, can prevent unauthorized use of stolen or lost card. Also the present invention will prevent the use of copied or forged cards.

Claims

1. As stated in the preceding paragraphs, the card equipped with secret number entry keys and the method to activate the same can be applied in various different ways. FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate the application of the present invention to an IE control card (also known as a smart card), showing a sidelong view and a block diagram, respectively.

2. Using the installed control program, the above-described control section (30) checks the secret code entered by pressure on the secret number input entry keys against the secret number stored in the program (not shown in the figure). If the two numbers match, where the whole or (20) part of data patterns in the magnetic film strip are printed in non-magnetized state, the card can be read as the magnetism is supplied to the whole or part of the above-described magnetic film, thus activating the card.

3. FIG. 2 illustrate a sidelong view of the card equipped with entry keys.

4. FIG. 3 illustrates a sidelong view of separate layers of the card.

5. FIG. 4a illustrates a sidelong view of the method pf inputting secret numbers using a finger tip.

6. FIG. 4b illustrates a sidelong view of the method of inputting secret numbers using a pencil tip.

7. FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of the circuitry block inside the card.

8. FIG. 6a illustrates a sidelong view of the card equipped with secret number entry keys with solar power source.

9. FIG. 6b illustrates a plan view of the components of the card equipped with secret code entry keys.

10. FIG. 6a illustrates a sidelong view of the card equipped with secret number entry keys with solar power source.

11. FIG. 2 illustrates a sidelong view of the card equipped with secret code entry keys. FIG. 2 represents an example of the application of the present invention. This example of the application of the present invention includes the secret number entry keys (10) formed at the lower part of one side of the card to activate or deactivate the card, the magnetic film strip (20) on which the whole or a part of the data patterns are printed unmagnetized, the control section or the IC chip (30) connected to the entry keys (10) that controls the supply of magnetic power to the magnetic film (20) in accordance with the secret number being entered, and a thin, film permanent magnetic material (40) to supply magnetic power to the magnetic strip (20). The card that embodies the present invention may include, on the front surface of the card, the power source part (60) consisting of a photovoltaic solar film to supply electricity to component circuitries inside the card. The above-described photovoltaic solar film (60) may generate electricity using light sources that are available in normal operating environment of the card (e.g. electric light and natural light). If the control part (30) is made of IC chips, electric power may be supplied using coils inside the chips.

12. As shown in FIG. 2, the card that applies the present invention has a display window (70) that displays readiness of the card for usage, i.e. “

OK”

status for a fixed period of time, e.g. 30 minutes or 60 minutes, after the correct secret number is entered through secret number entry keys (10) under the control of the control part (30). The display will show an error message when a wrong number is entered.