Overloaded card information display

• US 6,431,443 B1
• Filed: 12/17/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Berstis, Viktors, Barnes, Stacey Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, UYEN CHAU N
• Application Number:
  US09/465,290
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/492, 235/382, 235/449, 235/487, 235/379, 235/384, 235/488, 705/42, 705/41, 705/43, 705/44
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• 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 20/3576 Multiple memory zones on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0806 Details of the card record carriers per se G06K
• 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 card structure provides an existing card having an associated card service and further having at least one associated service of at least one other card that is used by a card user. A display is coupled to the card structure for displaying desired information on the overloaded card. The overloaded card display comprises a silicone sheet display having embedded thereon an array of electrostatically chargeable balls. An electric charge is applied to each of the balls so that each of the balls is in a desired position to display the information on the overloaded card. The card is read by a reader at a card terminal, and an array of electrodes that charge and manipulate the balls face the display to charge them so that images programmed at the electrodes are left thereon.

Claims

1. A method of providing and using a host card with multiple card services, comprising the steps of:

associating a host card having an associated card service with at least one other service, wherein said at least one other service is associated with at least one other card;

managing the host card with the at least one other card service within a networked server independent of altering any data on the host card, wherein said managing includes;

responsive to a specified vendor establishment being designated as associated with one of said at least one other card service, automatically charging said one of said at least one other card service when said host card is used at said specified vendor establishment, and

charging another of said at least one card service responsive to no specified vendor being designated, and

displaying information on a display on the host card in accordance with the managing of said host card.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displayed information is advertising information.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displayed information is transaction information.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the transaction information is at least one last transaction information.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displayed information is security information.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the displaying step further comprises the step of:

providing multiple displays on the host card for displaying the desired information thereon.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said display comprises an electret ball array, said displaying further comprising:

placing said electret ball array under an array of electrodes within a card reading device; and

in response to reading the host card within the card reading device, applying an electric field from said array of electrodes to said electret ball array, wherein said electric field rotatably manipulates individual electrets within said electret ball array such that an image is displayed on said electret ball array.

8. The method according to claim 7, the step of applying an electric field from said array of electrodes to said electret ball array further comprising the step of:

programming individual electrodes within said array of electrodes to have either a positive or a negative charge.

9. A system of providing and using a card with multiple card services, comprising:

means for associating a host card having an associated card service with at least one other service, wherein said at least one other service is associated with at least one other card,

means for managing the host card with the at least one other card service within a networked server independent of altering any data on the host card, wherein said managing includes;

responsive to a specified vendor establishment being designated as associated with one of said at least one other card service, automatically charging said one of said at least one other card service when said host card is used at said specified vendor establishment, and

charging another of said at least one card service responsive to no specified vendor being designated, and

displaying information on the host card in accordance with the managing of said host card.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the displayed information is advertising information.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the displayed information is transaction information.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the transaction information is at least one last transaction information.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the displayed information is security information.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the host card does not require a power source therein to display the desired information.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the means for managing the host card includes multiple displays on the host card.

16. The system according to claim 9, further comprising:

a display writer containing an array of electrodes that represents programmed images that is used in order to apply electric fields to an array of electrets within a host card display.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said array of electrets is embedded within a flexible flat silicon sheet, said array of electrets comprising electrically maneuverable balls that each have a white side and a black side.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said flexible flat silicon sheet is impregnated with a lubricant such that said electrically maneuverable balls can freely rotate in response to an applied electric field.