Systems for authenticating the use of transaction cards having a magnetic stripe
First Claim
1. A transaction card comprised of a magnetic stripe and a transducer in magnetic communication with said magnetic stripe, said card being responsive to user activity, further comprised of:
- an energy source;
a keypad;
a logic processor;
a transducer; and
a magnetic stripe, each incorporated into the card,said energy source being a battery in electrical contact with said logic processor;
said keypad being a plurality of switches operable for converting tactile user input into an electrical signal processable by;
said logic processor being a microcircuit operable for receiving the electrical signal, comparing it to a stored code, and enabling said transducer in accordance with that comparison;
said transducer in communication with said logic processor being an electrical conductor operable for converting electrical energy to magnetic energy in a spatial pattern;
said magnetic stripe in proximity and responsive to said transducer being operable for maintaining a magnetic field thereonsaid energy source further comprising a thin, flat energy cell having a thickness less than about 3 mm and greater than about 0.2 mm whereby the cell can be incorporated between the two flat surfaces of a standard transaction card;
said keypad further comprising a thin, flat element having a plurality of switches, each switch being operable for providing a unique signal to the logic processor;
said logic processor further comprising a microcircuit having;
a first portion operable for receiving user inputs;
a second portion for storing and recalling a reference code;
a third portion in communication with the first and second portions operable for executing a logic program including comparing user inputs to reference codes;
a fourth portion for generating an enable signal in accordance with the comparison; and
a fifth portion in communication with the transducer operable for delivering the enable signal theretosaid logic processor being a microcircuit operable for receiving the electrical signal, comparing it to a stored code, and enabling said transducer in accordance with that comparison.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Transaction cards operable as "smart cards"; credit cards; debit cards; access cards; et cetera, having an self-enabling and self-disabling feature provides for authentication and proper user verification. The card receives input from a user and determines if the input is valid. If the user input is valid, the card responds by enabling a magnetic stripe thereon. The magnetic stripe is enabled for a limited time after which it is then disabled. A disabled magnetic stripe is then inoperable for activating card readers. A card which is lost or stolen cannot be used by unauthorized users as it would have a magnetic stripe in a disabled state and only an authorized user would have the ability to enable it. The card possesses a high level of compatibility with known methodology in the art and does not require additional equipment and systems to attain its high security level.
95 Citations
5 Claims
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1. A transaction card comprised of a magnetic stripe and a transducer in magnetic communication with said magnetic stripe, said card being responsive to user activity, further comprised of:
- an energy source;
a keypad;
a logic processor;
a transducer; and
a magnetic stripe, each incorporated into the card,said energy source being a battery in electrical contact with said logic processor; said keypad being a plurality of switches operable for converting tactile user input into an electrical signal processable by; said logic processor being a microcircuit operable for receiving the electrical signal, comparing it to a stored code, and enabling said transducer in accordance with that comparison; said transducer in communication with said logic processor being an electrical conductor operable for converting electrical energy to magnetic energy in a spatial pattern; said magnetic stripe in proximity and responsive to said transducer being operable for maintaining a magnetic field thereon said energy source further comprising a thin, flat energy cell having a thickness less than about 3 mm and greater than about 0.2 mm whereby the cell can be incorporated between the two flat surfaces of a standard transaction card; said keypad further comprising a thin, flat element having a plurality of switches, each switch being operable for providing a unique signal to the logic processor; said logic processor further comprising a microcircuit having; a first portion operable for receiving user inputs; a second portion for storing and recalling a reference code; a third portion in communication with the first and second portions operable for executing a logic program including comparing user inputs to reference codes; a fourth portion for generating an enable signal in accordance with the comparison; and a fifth portion in communication with the transducer operable for delivering the enable signal thereto said logic processor being a microcircuit operable for receiving the electrical signal, comparing it to a stored code, and enabling said transducer in accordance with that comparison.
- an energy source;
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2. A method of authenticating a transaction card having a magnetic stripe responsive to user activity comprising the steps:
- a) receiving user input;
b) comparing the user input to a stored reference signal; and
c) enabling a magnetic media in accordance with said comparison with prescribed data. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
- a) receiving user input;
Specification