ID theft-reducing device to virtualize ID/transaction cards

• US 8,393,535 B1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Albert Yee, Ann Yee, Mabel Yee
• Original Assignee: Joan Yee
• Inventors: Yee, Joan
• Primary Examiner(s): FRANKLIN, JAMARA ALZAIDA
• Application Number:
  US12/386,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07741 comprising a first part operating as a regular record carrier and a second attachable part that changes the functional appearance of said record carrier, e.g. a contact-based smart card with an adapter part which, when attached to the contact card makes the contact card function as a non-contact card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers

Abstract

One embodiment of a device to virtualize a multitude of identification and transaction cards comprises a programmable card, approximately the size of a standard banking card, slidably detachable from a control unit that programs the programmable card. The device includes a microcontroller (26) and user interface to enable a user to access and manipulate data and graphics from the identification and transaction cards. The customized data and graphics can be transferred to the programmable card via a write/read head in a hinged magnetic stripe programmer slot (17) that activates when adjusted to a vertical position. The programmable card communicates compatibly with various transaction readers, including those for magnetic stripe, bar code, and RFID. The device includes security features, including a biosensor (12) to authorize activation of the device, and a visible, audible, and palpable alert to warn in real time of unauthorized use of data stored in the device.

Claims

1. A device to virtualize a multitude of identification and transaction cards, comprising:

(a) a programmable card approximately the size of a standard banking card, slidably detachable from

(b) a control unit adapted to securely hold and program said programmable card, said control unit comprising;

a microcontroller to receive, store, manipulate and manage data and graphics of said identification and transaction cards, operatively connected to

user interface to enable access and manipulation of said data and graphics on at least two displays on said device,

at least one data transferer to transfer the manipulated data and graphics to said programmable card, and

a security system to authorize access to said device and alert a user to unauthorized use of the data stored in said device,

whereby said user can communicate the custom virtualized data and graphics from said device to a variety of card readers.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one data transferer comprises a write/read head in a hinged magnetic stripe programmer slot that activates when said slot is adjusted to a vertical position.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface comprises two displays on said control unit and one display on said programmable card, such that selected data and graphics of more than one virtualized card can be viewed and manipulated at the same time.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface includes an ambient light sensor that enables said microcontroller to adjust automatically said at least two displays for legibility.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said user interface comprises a touch screen and a touchpad to allow said user to add to, edit, delete, combine, separate, re-size, re-position, organize, and orbit and otherwise manipulate the virtualized data and graphics and to generate custom usernames and graphics.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said security system to alert said user to unauthorized use comprises on one said display a visual indicator accompanied by audible and palpable indicia.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said security system further comprises an active transponder to identify the location of said device.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said microcontroller includes a converter to translate language and currency.

9. A method of virtualizing a multitude of identification and transaction cards, comprising:

(a) providing a device comprising a programmable card, approximately the size of a standard banking card, slidably detachable from a control unit adapted to securely hold and program said programmable card,

(b) requiring a user to activate said device through security means that authenticates identity and authorizes access to said device,

(c) receiving, storing, manipulating and managing data and graphics of said identification and transaction cards in said control unit through microcontrolling means operatively connected to user interface,

(d) accessing and manipulating through said user interface said data and graphics on at least two displays on said device,

(e) transferring the manipulated data and graphics through at least one transfer means from said control unit to said programmable card, and

(f) providing an indicator via said security means to alert said user of unauthorized use of the data stored in said device,

whereby said user can communicate the custom virtualized data and graphics from said device to a variety of card readers.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said at least one transfer means comprises a write/read head in a hinged magnetic stripe programmer slot that activates when said slot is adjusted to a vertical position.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said user interface comprises two displays on said control unit and one display on said programmable card, such that selected data and graphics of more than one virtualized card can be viewed and manipulated at the same time.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said user interface comprises a touch screen and a touchpad to allow said user to add to, edit, delete, combine, separate, re-size, re-position, organize, and otherwise manipulate the virtualized data and graphics and to generate custom usernames and graphics.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said indicator of said security means comprises a visual notice on one said display accompanied by audible and palpable indicia.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said security means further comprises an active transponder to identify the location of said device.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein said microcontrolling means includes a converter to translate language and currency.

12. The method of 9 wherein said user interface includes an ambient light sensor that enables said microcontroller to adjust automatically said at least two displays for legibility.

17. A system for virtualizing identification and transaction cards, comprising:

(a) a device comprising a programmable card, approximately the size of a standard banking card, slidably detachable from a control unit adapted to hold and program said programmable card, said control unit comprising;

a microcontroller to receive, store, manipulate and manage data and graphics of said identification and transaction cards, operatively connected to;

user interface to enable access and manipulation of said data and graphics on at least two displays on said device,

at least one transfer means to transfer the manipulated data and graphics to said programmable card,

at least two communications interface to transmit data and graphics from said programmable card, and

security means to authorize access to said device and alert a user to unauthorized use of the data stored within said device,

(b) a computer with Internet access to connect to a multitude of card issuers'"'"' websites for downloading said data and graphics of said identification and transaction cards associated with said user, creating custom data and graphics to associate with said user, and transferring said data and graphics to said device via a cable and a connector port,

(c) a merchant transaction terminal comprising programming means for generating user-associated information and communicating said information to said programmable card,

whereby said user can manipulate the custom virtualized data and graphics and communicate said data and graphics from said device to a variety of card readers and websites.

18. The system of claim 17, further including a security website that comprises registering identifying information for said device and said user;

engaging a GPS receiver to locate an active transponder in said device; and

receiving through said security means a biometric of an unauthorized user who attempts to access said device.