Multi-functional data card

• US 7,044,368 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary Barron
• Original Assignee: Gary Barron
• Inventors: Barron, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/779,308
• Time in Patent Office: 819 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/380, 235/375, 235/382, 235/381, 235/383, 235/486, 235/487, 705/43, 705/44, 705/45
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0718 the sensor being of the biometric kind, e.g. fingerprint sensors fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/13; biometric access-control systems in general, see G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• 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 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• 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 multifunctional data card for carrying personal information includes a housing that has a keypad for initializing a selected program and entering a user access code unique to the selected program. The data card further includes a microprocessor disposed within the housing that is programmable via the keypad. A display panel is operably connected to the microprocessor for displaying a unique barcode associated with the selected program so that a vendor may scan the card and access data corresponding to the selected program. A fingerprint pad is attached to the microprocessor for verifying a cardholder identity after a barcode is scanned from the panel. A memory is connected to the microprocessor for storing user data therein so that the card will switched to an inoperable mode after a predetermined number of unauthorized attempts to access the card have been executed.

Claims

1. A multifunctional data card for carrying personal information about a user, said card comprising:

a housing having a generally rectangular shape and including a keypad for initializing a selected program and for entering a user access code unique to the selected program;

a microprocessor disposed within said housing and being programmable via said keypad for processing data associated with a plurality of banking accounts that are owned by a user;

a display panel operably connected to said microprocessor and for displaying a unique barcode associated with the selected program so that a vendor may scan the card and access data corresponding to the selected program;

a fingerprint pad attached to said microprocessor for verifying a cardholder identity after a barcode is scanned from said panel;

a memory connected to said microprocessor and for storing user data therein so that said card will switched to an inoperable mode after a predetermined number of unauthorized attempts to access said card have been executed;

a power supply source disposed within said housing and electrically coupled to said microprocessor; and

a first section and a second section pivotally connected thereto, said first and second sections being selectively movable between engaged and disengaged positions for allowing a user to access data stored within said card.

2. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless modem connected to said microprocessor and for allowing a user to remotely communicate with a third party and verify data displayed on said display panel, said modem including a transceiver for receiving an input signal from a user and transmitting a corresponding output signal to a vendor accessing a select one of a plurality of banking accounts.

3. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a sound generating device connected to said microprocessor and for alerting a user of unauthorized attempts to access said card.

4. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of lights disposed within said housing and being illuminable when said keypad is activated during operating conditions.

5. A multifunctional data card for carrying personal information about a user, said card comprising:

a housing having a generally rectangular shape and including a keypad for initializing a selected program and for entering a user access code unique to the selected program;

a microprocessor disposed within said housing and being programmable via said keypad for processing data associated with a plurality of banking accounts that are owned by a user;

a display panel operably connected to said microprocessor and for displaying a unique barcode associated with the selected program so that a vendor may scan the card and access data corresponding to the selected program;

a fingerprint pad attached to said microprocessor for verifying a cardholder identity after a barcode is scanned from said panel;

a memory connected to said microprocessor and for storing user data therein so that said card will switched to an inoperable mode after a predetermined number of unauthorized attempts to access said card have been executed;

a power supply source disposed within said housing and electrically coupled to said microprocessor;

means for wirelessly communicating directly with a third party to verify data displayed on said display panel, said wireless communicating means including a transceiver for receiving an input signal from a user and transmitting a corresponding output signal to a vendor accessing a select one of a plurality of banking accounts; and

a first section and a second section pivotally connected thereto, said first and second sections being selectively movable between engaged and disengaged positions for allowing a user to access data stored within said card.

6. The card of claim 5, further comprising;

a sound generating device connected to said microprocessor and for alerting a user of unauthorized attempts to access said card.

7. The card of claim 5, further comprising:

a plurality of lights disposed within said housing and being illuminable when said keypad is activated during operating conditions.

8. A multifunctional data card for carrying personal information about a user, said card comprising:

a housing having a generally rectangular shape and including a keypad for initializing a selected program and for entering a user access code unique to the selected program;

a microprocessor disposed within said housing and being programmable via said keypad for processing data associated with a plurality of banking accounts that are owned by a user;

a display panel operably connected to said microprocessor and for displaying a unique barcode associated with the selected program so that a vendor may scan the card and access data corresponding to the selected program;

a fingerprint pad attached to said microprocessor for verifying a cardholder identity after a barcode is scanned from said panel;

a memory connected to said microprocessor and for storing user data therein so that said card will switched to an inoperable mode after a predetermined number of unauthorized attempts to access said card have been executed;

a power supply source disposed within said housing and electrically coupled to said microprocessor;

means for wirelessly communicating directly with a third party to verify data displayed on said display panel, said wireless communicating means including a transceiver for receiving an input signal from a user and transmitting a corresponding output signal to a vendor accessing a select one of a plurality of banking accounts;

a sound generating device connected to said microprocessor and for alerting a user of unauthorized attempts to access said card;

a first section and a second section pivotally connected thereto, said first and second sections being selectively movable between engaged and disengaged positions for allowing a user to access data stored within said card;

means for entering a user access code unique to a selected program such that the user may initialize the selected program; and

means for storing user data within said memory such that said card will be switched to an inoperable mode after a predetermined number of unauthorized attempts to access said card have been executed.

9. The card of claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of lights disposed within said housing and being illuminable when said keypad is activated during operating conditions.