Selectable multi-purpose card

• US 6,631,849 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2000
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/730,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20030111527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/492
• 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, the plurality of card features comprising a stored-value account feature and a second account feature;

selection means allowing a user to select a card feature; and

a flexible display which displays a remaining amount of stored value.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a light emitting polymer (LEP) display.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means is adapted to store information relating to the user of the card.

4. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means is adapted to store health information pertaining to the user of the card.

5. The card of claim 1, wherein the display displays information denoting a selected card feature.

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

7. The card of claim 1, wherein the selection means comprises a plurality of buttons.

8. The card of claim 1, wherein the selection means comprises a plurality of contacts.

9. The card of claim 1, wherein the second account feature comprises a credit card account feature.

10. The card of claim 1, wherein the second account feature comprises a debit card account feature.

11. The card of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a touch-sensitive light emitting polymer (LEP) display.

12. The card of claim 1, further comprising a power source mounted on the card.

13. The card of claim 1, wherein the memory means comprises a plurality of magnetic strips.

14. The card of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic strips corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of card features.

15. The card of claim 1, further comprising a programmable magnetic strip.

16. The card of claim 1, further comprising an interface for establishing an electronic communication between the card and a service institution handling an account corresponding to the selected card feature.