Abstract:
Layers of colored polymers are applied to a surface of a card and are hardened and adhered to a card via light such as ultraviolet or light having a wavelength in the blue spectrum. The layers may be applied to form three dimensional indicia on the surface of the card. For example, letters, numbers, logos, and other indicia (e.g., pictures) may be printed three dimensionally onto the surface of the card. Troughs may be formed via such layering such that indicia is provided as indentations into the added layers. Extensions may be formed via such layering such that indicia is provided as extensions from the added layers. Indicia may be provided via extensions and/or indentations. As such, embossed and/or engraved indicia may be provided on the surface of a card without impacting the structural integrity of the card.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/367,598, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADVANCED CARD PRINTING,” filed Jul. 26, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to magnetic cards and devices and associated payment systems. 
     A traditional card embosser physically punches a payment card number partially through one surface of a card such that the payment card number extends from the other surface of the card. Such a traditional card embosser decreases the structural integrity of the card and, as such, reduces the durability of the card. 
     A traditional card engraver physically engraves a payment card number partially through one surface of a card. Such a traditional card engraver decreases the structural integrity of the card and, as such, reduces the durability of the card. 
     It is therefore desirable to increase the whimsical and festive nature of a card without decreasing the structural integrity of the card. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Systems and methods of card printing are provided that increase the whimsical and festive nature of a card without decreasing the structural integrity of the card. Particularly embossed and/or engraved indicia may be provided on the surface of a card without decreasing the structural integrity of the card. 
     A card may include a dynamic magnetic communications device. Such a dynamic magnetic communications device may take the form of a magnetic encoder or a magnetic emulator. A magnetic encoder may change the information located on a magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripe reader may read changed magnetic information from the magnetic medium. A magnetic emulator may generate electromagnetic fields that directly communicate data to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic emulator may communicate data serially to a read-head of the magnetic stripe reader. 
     All, or substantially all, of the front as well as the back of a card may be a display (e.g., bi-stable, non bi-stable, LCD, LED, or electrochromic display). Electrodes of a display may be coupled to one or more capacitive touch sensors such that a display may be provided as a touch-screen display. Any type of touch-screen display may be utilized. Such touch-screen displays may be operable of determining multiple points of touch. Accordingly, a barcode may be displayed across all, or substantially all, of a surface of a card. In doing so, computer vision equipment such as barcode readers may be less susceptible to errors in reading a displayed barcode. 
     A card may include a number of output devices to output dynamic information. For example, a card may include one or more RFIDs or IC chips to communicate to one or more RFID readers or IC chip readers, respectively. A card may include devices to receive information. For example, an RFID and IC chip may both receive information and communicate information to an RFID and IC chip reader, respectively. A device for receiving wireless information signals may be provided. A light sensing device or sound sensing device may be utilized to receive information wirelessly. A card may include a central processor that communicates data through one or more output devices simultaneously (e.g., an RFID, IC chip, and a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device). The central processor may receive information from one or more input devices simultaneously (e.g., an RFID, IC chip, dynamic magnetic stripe devices, light sensing device, and a sound sensing device). A processor may be coupled to surface contacts such that the processor may perform the processing capabilities of, for example, an EMV chip. The processor may be laminated over and not exposed such that such a processor is not exposed on the surface of the card. 
     A card may be provided with a button in which the activation of the button causes a code to be communicated through a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device (e.g., the subsequent time a read-head detector on the card detects a read-head). The code may be indicative of, for example, a feature (e.g., a payment feature). The code may be received by the card via manual input (e.g., onto buttons of the card) or via a wireless transmission (e.g., via light, electromagnetic communications, sound, or other wireless signals). A code may be communicated from a webpage (e.g., via light and/or sound) to a card. A card may include a display such that a received code may be visually displayed to a user. In doing so, the user may be provided with a way to select, and use, the code via both an in-store setting (e.g., via a magnetic stripe reader) or an online setting (e.g., by reading the code from a display and entering the code into a text box on a checkout page of an online purchase transaction). A remote server, such as a payment authorization server, may receive the code and may process a payment differently based on the code received. For example, a code may be a security code to authorize a purchase transaction. A code may provide a payment feature such that a purchase may be made with points, debit, credit, installment payments, or deferred payments via a single payment account number (e.g., a credit card number) to identify a user and a payment feature code to select the type of payment a user desires to utilize. 
     A dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may include a magnetic emulator that comprises an inductor (e.g., a coil). Current may be provided through this coil to create an electromagnetic field operable to communicate with the read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. The drive circuit may fluctuate the amount of current travelling through the coil such that a track of magnetic stripe data may be communicated to a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. A switch (e.g., a transistor) may be provided to enable or disable the flow of current according to, for example, a frequency/double-frequency (F2F) encoding algorithm. In doing so, bits of data may be communicated. 
     Electronics may be embedded between two layers of a polymer (e.g., a PVC or non-PVC polymer). One or more liquid polymers may be provided between these two layers. The liquid polymer(s) may, for example, be hardened via a reaction between the polymers (or other material), temperature, or via light (e.g., an ultraviolet or blue spectrum light) such that the electronics become embedded between the two layers of the polymer and a card is formed. 
     Layers of colored liquid polymer may be placed on the obverse and reverse surfaces of the card and hardened via a variety of methods. For example, the polymer may be hardened via a reaction with a material (e.g., chemical), temperature, or via light (e.g., an ultraviolet or blue spectrum light). Various layers of colored polymer may be provided in order to form indicia on the obverse and reverse side of the card. Such a printing technique may be utilized, for example, on a mobile telephonic device used for payments. 
     Layers of colored polymer may be built up, for example, in order to form indicia that extends outwardly from the card. Similarly, layers may be built up to form indicia that is formed via troughs in the layers of colored polymer. Both troughs and extensions may be provided to form indicia. Such indicia may take the form of, for example, a payment card number (e.g., debit account number, pre-paid account number, rewards account number, credit account number, or gift account number). Such indicia may take the form of a user&#39;s name, one or more security codes, expiration date, bank issuer logo, technology provider logo, network association logo, security indicia, or any other type of indicia. 
     The layer of solid polymer above and/or below the embedded electronics (e.g., a layer of PVC or non-PVC) may be for example, approximately 3 thousandths to 6 thousandths of an inch thick (e.g., approximately 5 thousandths of an inch thick). The layers of colored liquid polymer sprayed onto the surface of such layers of solid polymer may be, for example, approximately one tenth of a thousandth of an inch to one half of a thousandth of an inch (e.g., approximately 0.15 of a thousandth of an inch). Different layers of colored liquid polymer may be different thicknesses. For example, one layer may be between, for example, one quarter of a thousandth of an inch and one half of a thousandth of an inch (e.g., approximately one quarter of a thousandth of an inch) and another layer may be between one tenth and two tenths of a thousandth of an inch (e.g., approximately two tenths of a thousandth of an inch). The liquid polymer may be hardened, for example, via a reaction (e.g., a reaction with a material, temperature, the atmosphere, or light). The solid layer of polymer above and below the electronics may be, for example, transparent or non-transparent (e.g., a non-transparent white). The colored layers of liquid polymer may be transparent or non-transparent and may include the colors of approximately white, yellow, blue, red, and black. Transparent liquid polymer may also be sprayed onto the surface of the card and hardened. Additional layers of material may be provided anywhere on the card (e.g., between a solid layer of polymer and sprayed layers of liquid polymer that is later hardened). 
     Accordingly, printing may be selectively applied anywhere on the surface of a card. Accordingly, a solid layer of transparent polymer may be provided and the electronics package may include a display, light source, and/or a light sensor. No printing may be selectively applied about such a display, light source, and/or a light sensor. In this manner, a printed card may be provided that has no printing over areas where maximum transparency is desired (e.g., around components that provide or receive light). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The principles and advantages of the present invention can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  are illustrations of cards constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  are illustrations of cards constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  are illustrations of cards constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows card  100  that may include, for example, a dynamic number that may be entirely, or partially, displayed via display  112 . A dynamic number may include a permanent portion such as, for example, permanent portion  111 . Permanent portion  111  may be printed as well as embossed or laser etched on card  100 . Multiple displays may be provided on a card. For example, display  113  may be utilized to display a dynamic code such as a dynamic security code. Display  125  may also be provided to display logos, barcodes, as well as multiple lines of information. A display may be a bi-stable display or non bi-stable display. Permanent information  120  may also be included and may include information such as information specific to a user (e.g., a user&#39;s name or username) or information specific to a card (e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expiration date). Card  100  may include one or more buttons such as buttons  130 - 134 . Such buttons may be mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons, or a combination or mechanical and capacitive buttons. Card  100  may include button  199 . Button  199  may be used, for example, to communicate information through dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  101  indicative of a user&#39;s desire to communicate a single track of magnetic stripe information. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that pressing a button (e.g., button  199 ) may cause information to be communicated through device  101  when an associated read-head detector detects the presence of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. Button  198  may be utilized to communicate (e.g., after button  198  is pressed and after a read-head detects a read-head of a reader) information indicative of a user selection (e.g., to communicate two tracks of magnetic stripe data). Multiple buttons may be provided on a card and each button may be associated with different user selections. Light sensor  127  may be provided, for example, to receive information from a display (e.g., a display of a mobile telephonic device or a laptop computer). Display  125  may allow a user to select (e.g., via buttons) options on the display that instruct the card to communicate (e.g., via a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device, RFID, or exposed IC chip) to use a debit account, credit account, pre-paid account, or point account for a payment transaction. Colored liquid polymer may be provided on the surface of the card in layers to form, for example, full-color indicia. 
     Architecture  150  may be utilized with any card. Architecture  150  may include processor  135 . Processor  135  may have on-board memory for storing information (e.g., drive code). Any number of components may communicate to processor  135  and/or receive communications from processor  135 . For example, one or more displays (e.g., display  140 ) may be coupled to processor  135 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that components may be placed between particular components and processor  135 . For example, a display driver circuit may be coupled between display  140  and processor  135 . Memory  142  may be coupled to processor  135 . Memory  142  may include data that is unique to a particular card. For example, memory  142  may store discretionary data codes associated with buttons of card  150 . Such codes may be recognized by remote servers to effect particular actions. For example, a code may be stored on memory  142  that causes a promotion to be implemented by a remote server (e.g., a remote server coupled to a card issuer&#39;s website). Memory  142  may store types of promotions that a user may have downloaded to the device and selected on the device for use. Each promotion may be associated with a button. Or, for example, a user may scroll through a list of promotions on a display on the front of the card (e.g., using buttons to scroll through the list). A user may select the type of payment on card  100  via manual input interfaces corresponding to displayed options on display  125 . Selected information may be communicated to a magnetic stripe reader via a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device. Selected information may also be communicated to a device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device) having a capacitive sensor or other type of touch sensitive sensor. 
     Card  100  may include, for example, any number of light sensors  127 . Light sensors  127  may be utilized such that a display screen, or other light emitting device, may communicate information to light sensors  127  via light. 
     Any number of reader communication devices may be included in architecture  150 . For example, IC chip  152  may be included to communicate information to an IC chip reader. IC chip  152  may be, for example, an EMV chip. As per another example, RFID  151  may be included to communicate information to an RFID reader. A magnetic stripe communications device may also be included to communicate information to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic stripe communications device may provide electromagnetic signals to a magnetic stripe reader. Different electromagnetic signals may be communicated to a magnetic stripe reader to provide different tracks of data. For example, electromagnetic field generators  170 ,  180 , and  185  may be included to communicate separate tracks of information to a magnetic stripe reader. Such electromagnetic field generators may include a coil wrapped around one or more materials (e.g., a soft-magnetic material and a non-magnetic material). Each electromagnetic field generator may communicate information serially to a receiver of a magnetic stripe reader for particular magnetic stripe track. Read-head detectors  171  and  172  may be utilized to sense the presence of a magnetic stripe reader (e.g., a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader). This sensed information may be communicated to processor  135  to cause processor  135  to communicate information serially from electromagnetic generators  170 ,  180 , and  185  to magnetic stripe track receivers in a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader. Accordingly, a magnetic stripe communications device may change the information communicated to a magnetic stripe reader at any time. Processor  135  may, for example, communicate user-specific and card-specific information through RFID  151 , IC chip  152 , and electromagnetic generators  170 ,  180 , and  185  to card readers coupled to remote information processing servers (e.g., purchase authorization servers). Driving circuitry  141  may be utilized by processor  135 , for example, to control electromagnetic generators  170 ,  180 , and  185 . 
     Architecture  150  may also include, for example, light sensor  143 . Architecture  150  may receive information from light sensor  143 . Processor  135  may determine information received by light sensor  143 . 
       FIG. 2  shows card  200  that may include solid layers  211  and  212 , laminate  230  (e.g., laminate that was provided as liquid form and then hardened via a reaction), electronics packages  222 ,  223 , and  224 . Electronic packages may be provided on a flexible, multiple layer (e.g., several layer) circuit board  221 . Printed polymer layers  201 - 203  and  206 - 208  may be provided (e.g., sprayed) onto the surface of layers  211  and  212 , respectively in a liquid form. The liquid may be hardened via a reaction (e.g., via light, a gas in the atmosphere, another material, or temperature). Each one of printed layers  201 - 203  and  206 - 208  may include one, multiple, or several colors. Such colors may include, for example, white, black, red, blue, magenta, and/or yellow. The layers may be applied at different thicknesses. Accordingly, full-color indicia (e.g., images) may be provided to increase, for example, the whimsical and festive nature of the card as well as increase the structural integrity of the card by providing additional layers of protection to layers  211  and  212 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that card  200  may be less than, for example, approximately 35 thousandths of an inch (e.g., less than approximately 33 thousandths of an inch). For example, the card may be approximately between 30 and 34 thousandths of an inch. 
       FIG. 3  shows card  300 . Card  300  may include, for example, buttons  341 - 343 , and light sensor  330 . Card  300  may include printing selectively applied via one, multiple, or several layers to the surfaces of card  300 . For example, printing may be provided across the obverse surface of the card except over display  350  and light sensor  330 . The printing may provide issuer logo  310  and network association logo  370  as well as payment card number  351 , expiration date  362 , and name  363 . Information  351 ,  362 , and  363  may be provided, for example, as troughs in the printing or as extensions of the printing. Accordingly, information  351 ,  362 , and  363  may have a three-dimensional perspective. Alternatively, for example, information  351 ,  362 , and  363  may be printed to be flush with the rest of the printing such that no three dimensional perspective is provided. 
       FIG. 4  shows card portions  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440 , and  450 . Card portion  410  includes polymer layer  411  and printed layers  412 ,  413 ,  414 ,  415 ,  416 , and  417 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that printed layers  415 ,  416 , and  417  extend and may be provided to provide text (e.g., name, account number, expiration date, and/or security code) or three dimensional portions of an image. Card portion  420  may include printed layers  422 - 425  on top of polymer layer  421 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that additional layers of material may be provided between polymer layer  421  and printed layer  422 . Card portion  430  may be provided with printed layers  433 ,  434 , and  435 . Person skilled in the art will appreciate that layers  433 - 435  may provide extended lettering/images on a thinner card than if, for example, one or more printed layers are printed between layer  431  and layer  433 . Providing a layer between layer  431  and layer  433 , however, may provide a stronger bond of layer  433  to the card. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a printed layer may be provided as a colored liquid plastic that hardens after a reaction (e.g., a reaction to a low-wavelength blue or ultraviolet light). Card portion  440  may include layer  441  and printed layers  442 - 449 . Card portion  450  may include layer  451  and layers  452 - 459 . Person skilled in the art will appreciate that layering vertically and decreasing the area of layers as height increases may provide, for example, a card that is more rounded and durable for certain types of impacts. 
       FIG. 5  shows card portions  510  and  520 . Card portion  510  may include layer  511  and printed layers  512 - 517 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the portion of layer  513  (as well as layers  513  and  512 ) located under and within the proximity of extended portions (e.g., extended layers  515 ,  516 , and  517 ) may be provided to have a different color than layers  515 ,  516 , and  517 . Accordingly, if layers  515 - 517  chip off, for example, the indicia represented by layers  515 - 517  may still be determined. Similarly, the area under as well as about layers  515 - 517  may be of the same color as layers  515 - 517 , but different from, for example, the surrounding portions of layers  512 - 514 . Card portion  520  may be, for example, a bird&#39;s eye view of the obverse side of a card. Printing  521  may be of a first color while printing  522  and  523  may be of a different color. Printing  533  may be representative of, for example, one, multiple, or several layers and may be any color (e.g., white or black). Printing  522  and  521  may be of the same layer. Printing  524  may be the same color (or a different color) as printing  521 , but printing  524  may be a different color. Accordingly, for example, if layers  525  are extensions and are chipped off, for example, any indicia (e.g., alphanumeric character) of printing  524  may still be read via printing  525 . Printing  521 ,  527 , and  528  may each be different colors. 
       FIG. 6  shows card portions  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640 , and  650 . Portion  610  may include, for example, layer  611  and printed layers  612 - 614 . Indicia may be provided, for example, via troughs formed via layers  612 - 614 . Portion  620  may include layer  621  and printed layers  622 - 624 . Portion  630  may include layer  631  and printed layers  632 - 636 . Portion  640  may include layer  641  and printed layers  642 - 649 . Portion  650  may include layer  651  and printed layers  652 - 659 . 
       FIG. 7  shows card  700  that may include layer  751 , printed layer  752 - 755 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one, multiple, or several layers may be printed over the entire surface of a card after troughs and/or extensions are formed, for example, to form indicia such as payment account numbers, names, expiration dates, loyalty numbers (e.g., frequent flier numbers), status, and other indicia such as images. Such a layer may provide additional structural integrity to a trough or an extension. Extensions may be operable to be imprinted on carbon paper via a payment card imprinter that uses carbon paper to copy information that extends from the surface of a card. 
       FIG. 8  shows card  800  that includes layer  801 , layer  807 , electronic component(s)  806 , electronic component(s)  808 , and printed layers  802 - 805 . No printing may be provided above electronic component(s)  806  and layer  807  may be transparent such that, for example, a user may view electrical component(s)  808 . Printing may be provided over a component (or a layer over a component). Extensions may be provided around the perimeter of any component in order to, for example, protect the area above the component from scratching or provide a tactile perimeter for users in low visibility conditions. For example, an extended perimeter may be provided around a button so a user may feel the button in low visibility conditions. An extended perimeter may be provided about a display such that if a user places a card on the top of a table the extensions do not allow the surface of the area above a display to touch the surface of the table. Extensions may be formed, for example, by one or more printed areas around a component. For example, a printed layer may be provided on the entire surface of a card (e.g., a white printed layer) and another printed layer (e.g., a layer of a different color) may be provided around a component (e.g., a button) to provide a perimeter around that component. The additional layer may also be a layer printed across the entire surface of a card except over a component (e.g., a button). More than one button may be provided with a perimeter. For example, two, five, or more than five buttons may be provided with a perimeter. 
       FIG. 9  shows card  900 . The surface may include, for example, printing without printing about one or more of areas  920 ,  930 , and  940 . Areas  920  and  940  may correspond to a display and/or hologram. Area  930  may correspond to, for example, a signature panel. 
     Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, the present invention more generally involves dynamic information and printing. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of the present invention may be implemented in other ways then those described herein. All such modifications are within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.