Laminated cards with manual input interfaces

• US 8,282,007 B1
• Filed: 02/22/2010
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
• Inventors: Cloutier, Bruce S., Mullen, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US12/710,196
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 235/488, 235/492, 235/451, 235/449
• US Class Current: 235/488
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07701 the record carrier comprising an interface suitable for human interaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07707 the visual interface being a display, e.g. LCD or electronic ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07745 Mounting details of integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0833 Card having specific functional components

Abstract

A laminated card is provided with manual input interfaces. Such manual input interfaces may provide tactile feedback to a user. Laminated cards may be provided as payment cards, identification cards, medical cards, or any other type of card.

Claims

1. A payment card comprising:

a first layer of polymer;

a second layer of polymer;

a material adhered to said first layer and second layer, wherein a cavity is provided by said adhered material and a mechanical switch is provided in said cavity; and

a hardened material located between said first layer and second layer, wherein said hardened material hardened while being located between said first layer and said second layer.

2. The payment card of claim 1, wherein said cavity is the shape of a dome.

3. The payment card of claim 1, wherein personal payment card information is printed on the exterior of said first layer of polymer.

4. The payment card of claim 1, further comprising a processor and a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.

5. The payment card of claim 1, further comprising an IC chip, wherein a surface of said IC chip is exposed and aligned with the surface of said first layer.

6. The payment card of claim 1, further comprising an RFID.

7. A payment card comprising:

a first layer of polymer;

a second layer of polymer;

a laminate located between said first layer and said second layer;

a cavity formed in said laminate, wherein a mechanical dome switch is provided in said cavity; and

a processor, wherein said processor is electrically coupled with said dome switch.

8. The payment card of claim 7, further comprising a capacitive touch sensor coupled to said processor.

9. The payment card of claim 7, wherein said dome switch is coupled to a flexible printed circuit board.

10. The payment card of claim 7, wherein said dome switch is coupled to a multiple-layer flexible printed circuit board.

11. The payment card of claim 7, further comprising a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device.

12. The payment card of claim 7, further comprising a protrusion, wherein said protrusion is aligned with said dome switch.

13. The payment card of claim 7, further comprising a cavity, wherein said cavity is aligned with said dome switch.

14. A method of fabricating a card comprising:

providing a first layer of polymer;

providing a second layer of polymer;

providing a flexible printed circuit board on said second layer;

injecting a laminate in liquid form between said first and second layers; and

hardening said laminate, wherein a cavity is provided in said hardened laminate and a dome switch is located in said cavity.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising printing personal information on the exterior of said first layer of polymer after said liquid laminate hardens.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising laser engraving personal information on the exterior of said first layer of polymer after said liquid laminate hardens.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said liquid laminate hardens at least in part due to heat.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein said liquid laminate hardens at least in part due to pressure.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein said liquid laminate hardens at least in part due to a substance.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said dome switch is electrically coupled to a processor.