Transaction card with storage for a physical key

In some implementations, a transaction card includes a card body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the card body may be in a configuration that defines a storage area for a physical key. The transaction card may include at least one of an integrated circuit chip or a magnetic stripe accessible from at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the card body. The transaction card may include a connecting element to connect the physical key to the card body. The connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the physical key between a storage position, in which at least a portion of the physical key occupies the storage area, and a use position, in which at least a portion of the physical key is outside of the storage area.

BACKGROUND

Transactions often involve use of a transaction card (e.g., a credit card, a debit card, a gift card, an automated teller machine (ATM) card, a rewards card, an access card, or client loyalty card, among other examples) to pay for products or services at a transaction terminal (e.g., point of sale (PoS) terminal) of an individual or business engaged in the sale of goods or services (e.g., via a swiping of the transaction card at a card reader, insertion of the transaction card into a chip reader, or wireless transmission of transaction card data to a wireless receiver). In some instances, a magnetic stripe, integrated circuit chip, radio frequency (RF) antenna, and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) tag may be included in a transaction card to provide information associated with the transaction card (e.g., an account identifier, account information, a payment token, or the like).

SUMMARY

In some implementations, a transaction card includes a card body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the card body may be in a configuration that defines a storage area for a physical key. The transaction card may include at least one of an integrated circuit (IC) chip or a magnetic stripe accessible from at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the card body. The transaction card may include a connecting element to connect the physical key to the card body. The connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the physical key between a storage position, in which at least a portion of the physical key occupies the storage area, and a use position, in which at least a portion of the physical key is outside of the storage area.

In some implementations, a transaction card includes a card body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the card body may be in a configuration that defines a storage area for a physical key. The transaction card may include a connecting element to connect the physical key to the card body. The connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the physical key between a storage position, in which at least a portion of the physical key occupies the storage area, and a use position, in which at least a portion of the physical key is outside of the storage area.

In some implementations, a transaction card includes a card body having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The transaction card may include at least one of an IC chip or a magnetic stripe accessible from at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the card body. The transaction card may include a connecting element to connect a physical key to the card body. The connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the physical key between a storage position and a use position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An individual may carry numerous items when traveling away from home. For example, the individual may carry one or more transaction cards (e.g., credit cards) and one or more keys (e.g., a house key, a car key, or the like) in a storage article (e.g., a pocket, a wallet, a purse, or the like). Sometimes, these items may occupy a significant amount of space in the storage article and/or may result in excessive bulkiness of the storage article. Moreover, a key can be easily lost due to its small size.

Some implementations described herein provide a transaction card with storage for a physical key. In some implementations, a card body of the transaction card may be in a configuration that defines a storage area for the key. For example, the storage area may be a cut-out area of the card body or a cavity in the card body. The transaction card may include a connecting element, such as a hinge element, a tab, or the like, configured to connect the key to the card body. The connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the key between a storage position, in which at least a portion of the key occupies the storage area, and a use position, in which at least a portion of the key is outside of the storage area. For example, the connecting element may enable the key to move between the storage position and the use position in a swinging motion, in a sliding motion, or the like. In the use position, the card body may be grasped by an individual to facilitate turning of the key in a lock. In this way, the transaction card reduces the combined footprint of the transaction card and the key, thereby conserving space. Moreover, connection of the key to the transaction card reduces a likelihood that the key will be lost.

FIG.1Ais a front view of an example transaction card100,FIG.1Bis a back view of the transaction card100, andFIG.1Cis a front view of the transaction card100. The transaction card100may include a credit card, a debit card, a gift card, an ATM card, a rewards card, an access card, or a client loyalty card, among other examples.

The transaction card100may include a card body102. The card body102may have a length (e.g., along the x-axis shown) and a height (e.g., along the y-axis shown). In some implementations, the length of the card body102may be greater than the height (e.g., a maximum height) of the card body102. For example, the length of the card body102may be about (e.g., ±5%) 85 millimeters (mm) (e.g., 85.6 mm) and the height of the card body102(e.g., the maximum height) may be about 54 mm (e.g., 53.98 mm).

The card body102may include (e.g., may be composed of) a resilient material (e.g., a material that returns to an equilibrium position following deformation). For example, the card body102may include a plastic (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC)) and/or a metal (e.g., steel). The card body102may include a thin substrate upon which information or visual indicia are printed. The card body102may have a first surface104(e.g., a front surface, as shown inFIGS.1A and1C) and a second surface106(e.g., a back surface, as shown inFIG.1B) opposite the first surface104.

The transaction card100may include an IC chip108(e.g., a EUROPAY®, MASTERCARD®, VISA® (EMV) chip). Additionally, or alternatively, the transaction card100may include a magnetic stripe110. The IC chip108may be embedded in the transaction card100and accessible from a surface of the card body102(e.g., the first surface104, as shown). For example, electrical contacts of the IC chip108may be electrically accessible (e.g., by a chip reader) from the surface of the card body102. The magnetic stripe110(also referred to as a “magnetic strip”) may be disposed on the transaction card100and accessible from a surface of the card body102(e.g., the second surface106, as shown). For example, the magnetic stripe110may be readable (e.g., by a magnetic stripe reader) from the surface of the card body102. The IC chip108and the magnetic stripe110may store and/or encode information associated with the transaction card100. For example, the information may identify an account associated with the transaction card100.

The card body102may be in a configuration that defines a storage area for a physical key112(e.g., a key that opens a physical lock), such as a house key, a car key, a safe key, a lock box key, a luggage key, or the like. As shown inFIGS.1A-1C, the card body102may be a rectangular shape with a cut-out area114(e.g., a key-shaped cut-out area) at one or more edges of the rectangular shape, and the cut-out area114may be the storage area for the key112. Thus, the card body102(e.g., when viewed two-dimensionally as shown) may have no line of symmetry. For example, a section of a perimeter of the card body102may be recessed relative to an outermost edge of the perimeter, and the cut-out/storage area114may be along that section of the perimeter. In some implementations, the card body102may include a first corner (e.g., a rounded corner) of a rectangle, a second corner of the rectangle, a third corner of the rectangle, and the cut-out area114may be at a location of a fourth corner of the rectangle. For example, a first half of the card body102(e.g., a top half) may be a rectangle, and a second half of the card body102(e.g., a bottom half) may be non-rectangular (e.g., an irregular shape).

An area of the cut-out area114may be greater than an area of the key112. In some implementations, a shape of the cut-out area114may correspond to a shape of the key112. That is, a section of a perimeter of the card body102along the cut-out area114may follow the contours of a portion of the key112(e.g., in an un-cut state of the key112).

The transaction card100may include a connecting element to connect the key112to the card body102. The connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the key112between a storage position in which at least a portion of the key112(e.g., the blade of the key112) occupies the storage area (as shown inFIGS.1A-1B) and a use position in which at least a portion of the key112(e.g., the blade of the key112) is outside of the storage area (as shown inFIG.1C). For example, the key112may pivot or swing about the connecting element between the storage position and the use position. As shown inFIGS.1A-1C, the card body102may include an aperture118, and the connecting element may be a hinge element116(e.g., a grommet, a pin, a peg, or the like) disposed in the aperture118. As shown inFIG.1C, in the storage position of the key112, a first section of a perimeter of the transaction card100may be defined by an edge of the card body102, and a second section of the perimeter of the transaction card100may be defined by an edge of the key112. Thus, the transaction card100may have an overall rectangular shape when the key112is in the storage position.

In some implementations, the transaction card100may omit the key112. That is, the key112may be attached to (and detached from) the transaction card100by a user of the transaction card100. In some implementations, the transaction card100may include the key112. That is, the key112may be connected to the transaction card100in a manner that does not permit a user to remove the key112from the transaction card100(e.g., under normal use conditions). Here, the key112may be a blank key, and the user may have the key112cut for a particular lock. In some implementations, a shape of the key112may include a corner (e.g., with straight edges of the key112extending perpendicularly from the corner) that corresponds in shape and size to a corner of the card body102, such that the second section of the perimeter of the transaction card100may be defined by the edge of the key112. For example, the key112may have a straight edge extending along the blade of the key112, the shoulder of the key112, and the bow of the key112that defines an edge of the transaction card100when the key112is in the storage position.

The key112may include an aperture120in the bow of the key112. The aperture120in the key112may be aligned with the aperture118in the card body102, and the connecting element (e.g., the hinge element116) may extend through the aperture118and the aperture120to connect the key112to the card body102. In some implementations, the card body102may include a cavity122(e.g., a void space) between the first surface104and the second surface106. The cavity122may be configured to receive a portion (e.g., a portion of the bow) of the key112and to allow movement of the key112from the storage position to the use position. Walls of the cavity122may also prevent over-rotation of the key112during movement of the key112from the storage position to the use position. A thickness of the card body102about the cavity122may be greater than a thickness of a remaining portion of the card body102(e.g., to enable insertion of the transaction card100into a chip reader or swiping of the transaction card100at a magnetic stripe reader).

In some implementations, the cut-out area114may be configured such that, in the storage position, the blade of the key112extends (e.g., away from the bow of the key112) in a direction of the length of the card body102, as shown. Here, the magnetic stripe110may also extend along the length of the card body102. Alternatively, the cut-out area114may be configured such that, in the storage position, the blade of the key112extends (e.g., away from the bow of the key112) in a direction of the height of the card body102. Here, the magnetic stripe110may also extend along the height of the card body102.

As indicated above,FIGS.1A-1Care provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS.1A-1C.

FIG.2Ais a front view of an example transaction card200, andFIG.2Bis a bottom view of the transaction card200. The transaction card200may be any of the types of transaction cards described in connection withFIGS.1A-1C. The transaction card200may include a card body202having a first surface204and a second surface206opposite the first surface204, in a similar manner as described in connection withFIGS.1A-1C. The transaction card200may include an IC chip and/or a magnetic stripe, in a similar manner as described in connection withFIGS.1A-1C. In some implementations, the transaction card200may have a generally rectangular shape; however, other shapes are possible.

The card body202may be in a configuration that defines a storage area for a physical key212. As shown inFIGS.2A-2B, the card body202may include a cavity214(e.g., a void space) between the first surface204and the second surface206, and the cavity214may be the storage area for the key212. A volume of the cavity214may be greater than a volume of the key212. In some implementations, the cavity214may have a rectangular shape, as shown. In some implementations, a shape of the cavity214may correspond to a shape of the key212. That is, a section of a wall of the cavity214may follow the contours of a portion of the key212(e.g., in an un-cut state of the key212). A thickness of the card body202about the cavity214may be greater than a thickness of a remaining portion of the card body202(e.g., to enable insertion of the transaction card200into a chip reader or swiping of the transaction card200at a magnetic stripe reader).

The transaction card200may include a connecting element to connect the key212to the card body202. As described above, the connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the key212between a storage position in which at least a portion of the key212(e.g., the entirety of the key212) occupies the storage area and a use position in which at least a portion of the key212(e.g., the entirety of the key212) is outside of the storage area. For example, the key212may be engaged with the connecting element in the storage position and the key212may be disengaged from the connecting element in the use position. As shown inFIGS.2A-2B, the connecting element may include at least one tab216that projects from the card body102into the cavity214. For example, the tab216may project from a back of the first surface204into the cavity214toward a back of the second surface206(e.g., leaving a gap between the tab216and the back of the second surface that is narrower than a thickness of the key212). In some implementations, a first tab216may project from a back of the first surface204into the cavity214, and a second tab216(not shown) may project from a back of the second surface206into the cavity214and toward the first tab216(e.g., leaving a gap between the first tab216and the second tab216that is narrower than a thickness of the key212).

In some implementations, the transaction card200may omit the key212. That is, the key212may be attached to (and detached from) the transaction card200by a user of the transaction card100. For example, the key212may include an aperture220in the bow of the key212, in a similar manner as described in connection withFIG.1, and the connecting element (e.g., the tab(s)216) may extend into or through the aperture220to connect the key212to the card body202.

In some implementations, an opening to the cavity214may be along the length of the card body102, as shown, along the height of the card body102, or along both the length and the height of the card body102.

As indicated above,FIGS.2A-2Bare provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS.2A-2B.

FIG.3Ais a front view of an example transaction card300,FIG.3Bis a front view of the transaction card300,FIG.3Cis a side view of the transaction card300, andFIG.3Dis an exploded view of the transaction card300. The transaction card300may be any of the types of transaction cards described in connection withFIGS.1A-1C. The transaction card300may include a card body302having a first surface304and a second surface306opposite the first surface304, in a similar manner as described in connection withFIGS.1A-1C. The transaction card300may include an IC chip and/or a magnetic stripe, in a similar manner as described in connection withFIGS.1A-1C. In some implementations, the transaction card300may have a generally rectangular shape; however, other shapes are possible.

The card body302may be in a configuration that defines a storage area for a physical key312. As shown inFIGS.3A-3D, the card body302may include a cavity314(e.g., a void space) between the first surface304and the second surface306, and the cavity314may be the storage area for the key312. A volume of the cavity314may be greater than a volume of the key312. In some implementations, the cavity214may have an overall rectangular shape that tapers toward an edge of the card body302, as shown. That is, the shape of the cavity may be a combination of a rectangle and a trapezoid. This shape may enable the key312to slide within the cavity314while preventing removal of the key312from the cavity314. A thickness of the card body302about the cavity314may be greater than a thickness of a remaining portion of the card body302(e.g., to enable insertion of the transaction card300into a chip reader or swiping of the transaction card300at a magnetic stripe reader).

The transaction card300may include a connecting element to connect the key312to the card body302. As described above, the connecting element may be configured to enable movement of the key312between a storage position in which at least a portion of the key312(e.g., the entirety of the key312) occupies the storage area, and a use position in which at least a portion of the key312(e.g., at least the blade of the key312) is outside of the storage area. The card body302may include, in the first surface304and/or in the second surface306, an elongate opening322to the cavity314. The opening322may be rectangular, pill-shaped, or another elongated shape. As shown inFIGS.3A-3D, the connecting element may include a tab316that is connected to the key312. The tab316may be slidably engaged with the opening322. The tab316may be configured for grasping or other manipulation by a user of the transaction card300. Sliding of the tab316distally may move the key312toward the use position, and sliding of the tab proximally may move the key312toward the storage position.

As shown inFIGS.3C-3D, the card body302may include a first element324(e.g., one of a track or a channel) of a track-and-channel coupling facing the cavity314(shown inFIGS.3C-3Das a track). For example, the first element324of the track-and-channel coupling may be on a back of the first surface304and/or a back of the second surface306of the transaction card300. The first element324of the track-and-channel coupling may be configured to slidably engage with a second element326(e.g., the other of the track or the channel) of the track-and-channel coupling on the key312. For example, the second element326of the track-and-channel coupling may be on the bow of the key312. The track-and-channel coupling may force linear movement of the key312during movement of the key312between the storage position and the use position.

In some implementations, the transaction card300may omit the key312. That is, the key312may be attached to (and detached from) the transaction card300by a user of the transaction card300. In some implementations, the transaction card300may include the key312. That is, the key312may be connected to the transaction card300in a manner that does not permit a user to remove the key312from the transaction card300(e.g., under normal use conditions). Here, the key312may be a blank key, and the user may have the key312cut for a particular lock.

In some implementations, an elongated dimension of the opening322may extend in a direction of the length of the card body102, such that the key312moves (e.g., slides) from the storage position to the use position along the length of the card body102, as shown. Alternatively, the elongated dimension of the opening322may extend in a direction of the height of the card body102, such that the key312moves (e.g., slides) from the storage position to the use position along the height of the card body102.

As indicated above,FIGS.3A-3Dare provided as examples. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIGS.3A-3D.

In some implementations, a transaction card may include multiple storage areas and connecting elements for multiple keys. For example, the transaction card100may include multiple cut-out areas114(e.g., on opposite sides of the card body102from each other). As another example, the transaction card200may include multiple cavities214. As a further example, the transaction card300may include multiple cavities314and openings322(e.g., where the cavities314and openings322are parallel to each other). In some implementations, a transaction card may include a combination of two or more of the storage areas/connecting elements described in connection withFIGS.1A-1C,2A-2B, and3A-3C. In some implementations, a magnetic stripe of a transaction card may extend along the height of the transaction card when multiple storage areas are employed.