Passive detection mechanisms for magnetic cards and devices

• US 9,053,398 B1
• Filed: 08/12/2011
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dynamics Inc.
• Inventors: Cloutier, Bruce S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Savusdiphol, Paultep
• Application Number:
  US13/208,604
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/492, 235/493
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06206 the magnetic marking being emulated
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07707 the visual interface being a display, e.g. LCD or electronic ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/082 using inductive or magnetic sensors

Abstract

A card exhibiting enhanced operating modes is provided. A normal-operating mode reverts to a low-power mode of operation after a period of inactivity has transpired. The card automatically reactivates in response to a passive detection event during a low-power mode of operation when the card is ready for use.

Claims

1. A card, comprising:

a device operable to communicate a track of magnetic stripe data to a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader;

a first detector operable to detect contact with said card, wherein an activation signal is provided in response to said detected contact with said card; and

a second detector operable to detect a read-head housing of said magnetic stripe reader in response to said activation signal, wherein said first detector is not a manual data input device operable to receive user input data.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein said second detector is an active detector, and

said first detector is a passive detector.

3. The card of claim 1, wherein said first detector and said second detector are single-mode detectors.

4. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

an input device operable to activate a normal-mode of operation,

wherein a pad of said first detector is operable to actively detect a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader in response to said activation of said normal-mode of operation.

5. The card of claim 1, further comprising a processor operable to change between at least three modes of operation.

6. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor operable to change between at least three modes of operation,

wherein each of said modes of operation are associated with a different rate of power consumption.

7. The card of claim 1, wherein said second detector is connected to active detector circuitry, and

said first detector is not connected to active detector circuitry.

8. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor including at least one input port,

wherein said first detector is connected to said at least one input port, and

said processor is operable to detect a change in signal magnitude at said at least one input port and to change operational modes in response to said signal magnitude change.

9. The card of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor including at least one input port,

wherein at least a part of said processor is a portion of said first detector,

at least a part of said processor is a portion of said second detector,

a pad of said first detector is connected to said at least one input port, and

said processor is operable to detect a change in signal magnitude at said at least one input port and to change operational modes in response to said signal magnitude change.

10. A method of using a card, comprising:

activating a search mode to search for a presence of a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader during a first time period;

deactivating said search mode during a second time period in response to expiration of said first time period; and

detecting contact with said card during said second time period without using a manual data input device operable to receive user input data,

wherein said search mode is reactivated in response to said detection.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said activating a search mode includes transitioning a processor to a normal-mode of operation.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

detecting said presence of said read-head housing after said search mode is reactivated; and

preparing for a transaction in response to said detecting said presence of said read head.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said reactivating said search mode includes transitioning a processor to a normal-mode of operation.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said deactivating said search mode includes transitioning a processor to a sleep state.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

detecting said presence of said read-head housing after said search mode is reactivated; and

communicating one or more tracks of information.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

detecting said presence of said read-head housing after said search mode is reactivated;

communicating one or more tracks of information to said read head; and

deactivating said reactivated search mode.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

detecting said presence of said read-head housing during a third time period after said search mode is reactivated;

communicating one or more tracks of information to said read head during said third time period; and

deactivating said search mode during a fourth time period in response to expiration of said third time period.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

detecting said presence of said read-head housing during a third time period after said search mode is reactivated;

communicating one or more tracks of information to said read head during said third time period; and

deactivating said search mode during a fourth time period,

wherein said deactivating said search mode during a fourth time period includes transitioning a processor to a deep-sleep state.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

deactivating said reactivated search mode,

wherein said activating said search mode includes transitioning a processor into a normal-mode of operation,

said deactivating said search mode includes transitioning a processor to a low-power sleep state during which passive ambient events are detectable, and

said deactivating said reactivated search mode includes transitioning a processor to a deep-sleep mode of operation during which passive ambient events are not detectable.