Advanced magnetic stripe bridge (AMSB)

• US 20030057278A1
• Filed: 11/02/2001
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jacob Y. Wong
• Original Assignee: Jacob Y. Wong
• Inventors: Wong, Jacob Y.
• Granted Patent: US 6,811,082 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/451
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil

Abstract

A novel bridge device and accompanying methodology which link the world of the smart cards to that of the magnetic finance cards is described. This bridge device is called the Magnetic Stripe Bridge (MSB), whose primary function is to interface an ordinary or naked smart card, with just a smart chip embedded in, to a magnetic card reader for credit transaction without requiring alteration of the existing card processing infrastructure. This is done using techniques which include magnetic stripe signal emulation. Thus, any smart card is effectively transformed via the use of the MSB into an ordinary magnetic finance card and is admissible for use by any conventional magnetic card reader. Through this MSB and the accompanying methodology, secure smart cards can now be deployed everywhere, including on the Internet, thus significantly reducing the current extensive magnetic finance card fraud and identity theft. In baseline and alternate preferred embodiments, the MSB is adapted for use with lateral, swipe type magnetic card readers. Via an advanced preferred embodiment, an improved AMSB is adapted to enable usage with both swipe-type readers, as well as with ATM-like terminals which require virtually full longitudinal insertion of the card being used.

Claims

1. A method for carrying out a card-authorized financial or data transfer transaction by interfacing a smart card with magnetic card readers of distinct types, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a magnetic stripe bridge having a slot for receiving a smart card, processing circuitry for electronically performing a plurality of method-supporting steps, user-actuated input means, a user-actuable extension member movable to first and second exposed positions, and at least one magnetic stripe simulator;

(b) inserting said smart card into said bridge slot while said extension member is in a second exposed position for allowing an authorization evaluation step by said processing circuitry;

(c) entering a user-known PIN via said input means to allow the conduct of said authorization evaluating step by said processing circuit, and upon successful completion thereof; and

(d) longitudinally inserting said extension member in its second exposed position into an insertion-type card reader for transmission of magnetic stripe simulation signals provided by said processing circuitry thereby enabling a card-authorized transaction.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said provided bridge further comprises processing circuit driven means for indicating the operating status of said method and for providing method-facilitating prompts, whereby a user may timely insert said card and/or timely enter said PIN and/or timely insert said extension member.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said means for indicating include one or more indicators selected from the group containing a multi digit alphanumeric display and a speaker and color coded indicator lamps, whereby a user may more readily be facilitated in timely inserting said card and/or timely entering said PIN and/or timely inserting said extension member.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said input means includes a multiple key keypad such that a bridge user may more readily enter said PIN.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one magnetic stripe simulator is configured to include two orthogonally oriented magnetic stripe simulators whereby with said extension member in its second position said card may be inserted into said slot for authorization evaluation and following successful evaluation said extension member may be moved to its first exposed position and presented laterally to a swipe-type card reader for transmission of said simulated magnetic stripe signals via a suitable oriented magnetic stripe simulator, thereby enabling a card-authorized transaction.

6. A system for interfacing a smart card with magnetic card readers of various or distinct types, comprising:

(a) a magnetic stripe bridge having a slot for receiving a smart card and further having processing circuitry for electronically interfacing with said card and for carrying out other system functions;

(b) said bridge further having user-actuated input means operatively connected to said processing circuitry for entering a user-related PIN for authorization evaluation by said processing circuitry;

(c) said bridge further having a user-actuable extension member operatively connected to said processing circuitry, said member movable to first and second exposed positions, said member including at least one magnetic stripe simulator for producing signals operable responsive to said processing circuitry; and

(d) whereby with said extension member in its second exposed position said card may be inserted into said slot for authorization evaluation and following successful evaluation said extension member may be presented longitudinally into an insertion-type card reader for transmission of said magnetic stripe simulated signals thereby enabling a desired card-authorized transaction.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said bridge further comprises indicator means operatively connected to said processing circuitry for indicating the operational status of said bridge and for prompting a user, thereby facilitating the successful initiation and completion of a desired card authorized financial or data transfer transaction.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said indicator means includes a LCD alphanumeric display.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said input means includes a multiple pad keypad.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein said at least one magnetic stripe simulator is adapted to include two orthogonally oriented magnetic stripe simulators whereby with said extension member in its second exposed position said card may be inserted into said slot for authorization evaluation and following successful evaluation said extension member may be moved to its first exposed position and presented laterally to a swipe-type card reader for transmission of simulated magnetic stripe signals via a suitable oriented magnetic stripe simulator, thereby enabling a desired card-authorized transaction.