Electronic Card

• US 20120205443A1
• Filed: 04/03/2012
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Privasys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Privasys Incorporated
• Inventors: Routhenstein, Larry, Anderson, Roy L., Wong, Jacob Y.
• Granted Patent: US 8,690,055 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06206 the magnetic marking being emulated
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• 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 20/3415 Cards acting autonomously as pay-media
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3576 Multiple memory zones on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/383 Anonymous user system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4093 Monitoring of device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

An electronic card ha a power source, a user selection mechanism operable to allow a user to select a customization variable for a single transaction, a processor for generating a transaction specific data packet that includes a card number and a customized number and an electronic communication device operable to cause the data packet to be read by a read head of a magnetic strip reader. The electronic communication device is operable to dynamically convey the transaction specific data packet to a read head of a magnetic card reader so that the transaction specific data packet is read by the read head. The transaction specific data packet is dynamically generated for use by the card for the single transaction of the card and the customized number is determined based upon the customization variable selected by the user selection mechanism.

Claims

1. An electronic card, comprising:

a power source contained within the card;

a user selection mechanism operable to allow a user to select a customization variable for a single transaction of the card;

a processor for generating a transaction specific data packet that includes a card number and a customized number; and

an electronic communication device operable to cause the data packet to be read by a read head of a magnetic strip reader;

wherein the electronic communication device is operable to dynamically convey the transaction specific data packet to a read head of a magnetic card reader so that the transaction specific data packet is read by the read head; and

wherein the transaction specific data packet is dynamically generated for use by the card for the single transaction of the card and the customized number is determined based upon the customization variable selected by the user selection mechanism.

2. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the transaction specific data packet includes a piece of data that is generated by a cryptographic algorithm in response to an input from the user selection mechanism.

3. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the card number and a cryptographic key are stored in the card and accessible by the processor.

4. The electronic card of claim 1 further comprising:

an algorithm accessible by the processor for checking a battery life parameter and generating a warning signal when a low battery condition is detected; and

electronics for generating a low battery indicator that is included in the transaction specific data packet;

wherein the card periodically uses the algorithm to check the battery life parameter and the card includes the low battery indicator in the data packet once the low battery condition is detected.

5. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the user selection mechanism is a plurality of buttons that allow the user to select between a plurality of transaction card functions.

6. The electronic card of claim 5 further comprising a visual display for indicating a selection of a particular transaction card function.

7. The electronic card of claim 5 wherein the plurality of buttons is located on a front side of the card.

8. The electronic card of claim 7 further comprising a magnetic stripe located on a back side of the card.

9. The electronic card of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying at least a portion of the transaction specific data packet to the user.

10. The electronic card of claim 1 further comprising a display for visually displaying the card number.

11. The electronic card of claim 10 wherein the card number is visually displayed in the display in response to an input from the user selection mechanism.

12. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the processor is affixed to a flexible printed circuit board.

13. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the electronic communication device is comprised of an electronic encoder.

14. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the card does not contain a magnetic stripe.

15. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the user selection mechanism is operable to allow the user to specify whether the single transaction of the card is for business or non-business use.

16. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the user selection mechanism is operable to allow the user to select one of at least two different handling options by which the user is billed for the single transaction of the card.

17. The electronic card of claim 1 further comprising a diagnostic function accessible by the processor which generates information that is stored the transaction specific data packet.

18. The electronic card of claim 17 wherein the diagnostic function measures at least one parameter and generates a warning signal that is stored in the transaction specific data packet when a preselected threshold is exceeded.

19. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the transaction specific data packet includes a block of data formed by using a Triple Data Encryption Standard algorithm to encrypt a personal identification number.

20. The electronic card of claim 1 wherein the electronic card is contained within a telephone.