Abstract:
Interactive transaction card structures and methods are disclosed which configure and arrange card elements (e.g., contacts, keypads, displays, memories, and microprocessors) to facilitate substantial expansion of the transactions available with conventional cards.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to transaction cards. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Transaction cards facilitate the access of a variety of personal transaction functions for their owners. One of the original transaction cards is the ubiquitous magnetic stripe card which provides a modest amount of stored magnetic data (e.g., 140 bytes). This data is typically limited to the verification of information concerning the card&#39;s owner (e.g., name, account number). Although magnetic stripe transaction cards are inexpensive and widely used, their functions are severely limited. In addition, they can be easily duplicated and these duplicates then fraudulently used. 
         [0005]    Memory cards replace the magnetic stripe with an electronic memory that holds significantly greater data storage (e.g., 1-4 kilobytes). This data can be read, altered and updated via a set of electrical contacts on the card which allow a card reader to access and power the card&#39;s memory. Memory cards have been used for various transactions such as pre-paid, disposable-card applications (e.g., phone cards). Memory cards are more expensive than magnetic stripe cards but their enhanced memory facilitates a greater range of transactions and provides greater security. 
         [0006]    Microprocessor cards (sometimes called processor cards, chip cards or smart cards) insert a microprocessor between the electrical contacts and the memory of memory cards. In addition, they typically expand the memory size (e.g., to 8 kilobytes) and enhance the memory structure (e.g., to include read-only, random-access and programmable read-only memories). Similar to memory cards, processor cards are accessed and powered via a set of electrical contacts on the card. In contrast to memory cards, they are not totally dependent on the card reader (also known as the card-accepting device) for data processing. 
         [0007]    Although presently-available transaction cards have expanded an original range of available transaction functions, they have generally failed to keep up with the ever expanding needs of card owners. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Interactive transaction card embodiments of the present invention offer an enhanced range of transaction functions to card owners. The drawings and the following description provide an enabling disclosure and the appended claims particularly point out and distinctly claim disclosed subject matter and equivalents thereof. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a transaction card embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  are views respectively along the planes  1 B- 1 B and  1 C- 1 C in  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a microprocessor and a printed circuit in the transaction card of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show enlarged side and top views of different battery embodiments for use in the transaction card of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram that corresponds to system elements in the transaction card of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front view of another transaction card embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that illustrates processes realized by the transaction card of  FIG. 1A ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a transaction system that uses transaction card embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Interactive transaction card structure and method embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 1A-7  which substantially expand the advantages and uses of conventional transaction cards. In particular,  FIG. 1A  illustrates a transaction card embodiment  20  which includes a card shell  22 , a battery  23  embedded in a recess of the card shell, and a data exchange system  24  embedded in another recess of the card shell. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  are views along the planes  1 B- 1 B and  1 C- 1 C of  FIG. 1A  and these views show that the card shell  22  preferably comprises first and second shell panels  25  and  26  that each define panel margins  28  and first and second panel depressions  29  and  30  within the margins. The data exchange system  24  is received into the first depressions  29  and the battery  23  is received into the second depressions  30 . Subsequently, the shell panels are joined to complete the card shell  22  about the data exchange system and battery. 
         [0019]    In one card embodiment, the shell panels comprise a flexible polymer (e.g., a thermoplastic polymer) and are joined with the aid of a bonding agent  31  that is inserted between the opposing margins  28  of the first and second shell panels  25  and  26 . The bonding agent is compatible with the polymer shells and responds to heat and/or pressure to permanently secure the shell panels in an abutting arrangement. 
         [0020]    The shell, battery and data exchange system are all configured to have a flexibility sufficient for conventional card use. In addition, the card shell  22  is configured to be consistent with the dimensions specified for identity cards (e.g., 85.60×53.98 millimeters with a 0.76 millimeter thickness) in the standard ISO 7810 of the international organization for standardization. 
         [0021]    The data exchange system  24  is carried on a flexible printed circuit  34  (that defines circuit paths  35 ) and further includes a microprocessor  36 , a memory  37 , electrical contacts  38 , a keypad  39  and a display  40  (an exemplary broken-line enclosure  41  in  FIG. 1C  indicates the elements of the system that are carried on the printed circuit  34 ). As indicated in  FIG. 1A , the printed circuit  34  defines circuit paths  35  and the battery, the microprocessor, the memory, the contacts, the keypad and the display are carried on the printed circuit and interconnected via the circuit paths. The printed circuit  34  is preferably secured to the card shell  22  with various processes (e.g., a heat process or an ultrasonic process which produces staking structures  45 ). 
         [0022]    The card shell  22  defines a window  46  and the electrical contacts  38  are accessible via the window. The electrical contacts are preferably configured to be consistent with the contact dimensions and locations specified in international standard ISO 7816-2. As shown by the example arrow  47 , contacts  1  and  5  are intended to carry a supply voltage V cc  and ground, contacts  2 ,  3  and  7  are intended to carry reset, clock and input/output signals and contacts  4 ,  6  and  8  are currently not connected (n/c) and are reserved for future signals. Another example arrow  48  indicates one pattern embodiment  49  in which the contacts may be formed. 
         [0023]    In another transaction card embodiment, the card shell  22  can be replaced with a molded shell  50  shown in broken lines in  FIG. 1B . an embodiment of the molded shell is an injection molding such as a reaction injection molding (RIM). An RIM shell embodiment  50  is formed with polyurethanes and these polyurethanes can be selected to provide a fairly rigid shell (in one shell embodiment) or a flexible shell (in another shell embodiment). The polyurethanes can also be selected to provide a substantially opaque shell or a somewhat transparent shell. 
         [0024]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 2  which is an enlarged view of a portion of the printed circuit  34 . This view shows that the printed circuit  34  preferably defines an aperture  52  which receives the microprocessor  36 . A predetermined set  53  of the circuit paths  35  extend over the microprocessor and are operatively coupled to ports of the microprocessor. Although not shown, a fanout circuit pattern may be inserted between the microprocessor ports and the circuit paths. 
         [0025]    The outer ends of the fanout are spaced significantly greater than the inner ends and this makes it easier to form attachments to the circuit paths  35 . Preferably, the printed circuit  34  defines a second aperture and the memory ( 37  in  FIG. 1A ) is similarly received into the second aperture so that the printed circuit, the microprocessor and the memory are substantially coplanar and can thereby conform to the thickness limit (0.76 millimeter) of the transaction card. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the battery  23  is embedded in the card shell  22  to provide the supply voltage V cc  and the data exchange system  24  is embedded in the card shell to receive the supply voltage. Front and top views of one battery embodiment  23 A are shown in  FIG. 3A . In this embodiment, a flexible body  60  is covered by a foil sheet as are each of battery tabs (i.e., terminals)  61  and  62 . As also shown in  FIG. 1A , the terminals extend away from the battery body  60  to facilitate contact with the circuit paths ( 35  in  FIG. 1A ) of the flexible printed circuit ( 34  in  FIG. 1B ). 
         [0027]      FIG. 3B  shows another battery embodiment  23 B in which the access to the battery is provided by contacts  63  and  64  that do not extend outward from the battery body  60  but, rather, are contained within the border of the battery. This embodiment is especially useful for a card embodiment such as that shown in  FIG. 5 . In another battery embodiment, one of the contacts can be moved to the other side of the battery as shown in broken lines in the top view of  FIG. 3B . 
         [0028]    One battery structural embodiment is a lithium polymer battery system having a manganese dioxide cathode and a metallic lithium anode which provides a nominal voltage of 3 volts and a nominal capacity of 40 milliamp/hours at 20 degrees Centigrade. This embodiment has a nominal thickness of 0.35 millimeters and includes a flexible aluminum foil jacket with anode and cathode tabs made of nickel flashed copper. This embodiment is especially suited for automated, high volume manufacturing. 
         [0029]    In arrangement of the interactive transaction card  20  of  FIG. 1A , the keypad  39  is coupled to the circuit paths  35  and is configured to receive tactile data and command instructions that may be inserted by a card owner, the display  40  is coupled to the paths to facilitate the display of visual data and commands, the contacts  38  are coupled to the circuit paths  35  to facilitate exchange of electrical data and commands, the microprocessor  36  is coupled to the circuit paths to process electrical data and commands, and the memory  37  is coupled to the circuit paths to store electrical data and commands that can then be accessed by the microprocessor. 
         [0030]    To facilitate the entry of tactile data and commands by a card owner, the keypad  39  is formed with pressure-sensitive keys (e.g., domed switches, membrane switches). In the card embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the keypad  39  comprises five pressure-sensitive keys and the microprocessor  36  is configured to recognize tactile pressure on one of the pressure-sensitive keys (marked F) as selection of a function and recognize tactile pressure on remaining pressure-sensitive entry keys (marked 1-4) as entered data. 
         [0031]    In a display embodiment, the display  40  of  FIG. 1A  may be configured (e.g., with MicroSite technology) as a number (e.g., seven) of light-emitting diode (LED) segments that each draw approximately 0.1 milliamps of current. The microprocessor  36  is preferably configured to keep the display elements powered on for a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds). It is anticipated that when the transaction card  20  of  FIG. 1A  is not operated for an extended time, it will draw a small current (e.g., on the order of a few microamperes) to maintain the microprocessor in a “sleep” mode. If the card is operated three times a day, it is anticipated that the processor, display and PIN entry will consume a slightly greater current (e.g., on the order of a few milliamperes). 
         [0032]    An operative system of the transaction card  20  is best seen in the block diagram of  FIG. 4  which includes elements of  FIG. 1A  with like elements indicated by like reference numbers. As shown, the keypad  39  is provided to receive tactile data and commands and the display  40  is provided to display visual data and commands. The electrical contacts  38  facilitate exchange of electrical data and commands and the memory  37  stores electrical data and commands. Finally, the microprocessor  36  is coupled between the keypad, display, contacts, and memory to process tactile and electrical data and commands which are then displayed on the display, provided at the contacts, and/or stored in the memory. 
         [0033]    The reduced keypad  39  is especially suited for transaction cards that are directed to uses in which the desired tactile entries are limited and/or are directed to a particular group of card owners. As an example, some events (e.g., the Special Olympics) are intended for participation of disabled persons and the keypad can be configured to facilitate their use of the transaction card. In an exemplary keypad configuration, the four entry keys in  FIG. 1A  could be altered to replace the numbers 1-4 with animal figures (e.g., wolf, bear, tiger and lion) and appropriate tactile entries might involve tactile pressure on one or more of these entry keys. The selection of appropriate ones of these figures may be easier considering the disabilities of the card owners. 
         [0034]    Other transaction card embodiments may be directed to uses in which a more traditional keypad is suitable.  FIG. 5 , for example, illustrates a transaction card  70  which is similar to the transaction card  20  of  FIG. 1A  with like elements indicated by like reference numbers. In the card  70 , however, the data exchange system ( 24  in  FIG. 1A ) has been extended to a data exchange system  74  which extends over most or all of the length of the card shell  22 . A battery embodiment such as the battery  23 B of  FIG. 3B  is positioned immediately behind the data exchange system  74  and has contacts  63  and  64  that abut and couple into circuit paths  35  in a flexible printed circuit of the data exchange system  74 . The extended data exchange system  74  facilitates the use of an expanded keypad  79  which has additional keys. 
         [0035]    In an exemplary transaction card interactive operation with the transaction card  20  and  70  of  FIG. 1A , the function key F is pressed to activate the card. The microprocessor  36  may be programmed to respond by generating a message (e.g., “hello”) on the display  40  to indicate that the card system is on and that the card owner should input his or her personal identification number (PIN) via tactile pressure on the entry keys 1-4. The card system is configured to provide a short time (e.g., 10 seconds) for entry of each PIN digit. 
         [0036]    When the PIN number has been entered, the system will, for a short time (e.g., 15 seconds), show a one-time use number in the display  40 . This timeout can be extended for an additional time (e.g., 10 seconds) by pressing any of the numeric keys  39 . The microprocessor  36  is programmed to randomly generate the one-time use number so that it is entirely unpredictable. 
         [0037]    The interactive transaction card structure embodiments of  FIGS. 1A-5  are suited for use in various interactive transaction methods such as that shown in the flow chart  80  of  FIG. 6 . In a process  81  of this method, transaction card are provided that each comprise:
       1) a card shell consistent with the dimensions specified in international standard ISO 7816,   2) a battery embedded in the shell to provide a supply voltage, and   3) a data exchange system that is embedded in the shell.
 
In a second process  82 , the data exchange system is configured to:
       
 
         [0041]    A) receive tactile data and commands via a keypad, 
         [0042]    B) display visual data and commands via a display, 
         [0043]    C) exchange electrical data and commands via contacts, 
         [0044]    D) process electrical data and commands via a microprocessor, and 
         [0045]    E) store electrical data and commands via a memory. 
       In a third process  83 , card readers are provided that can interface between an institution (e.g., banks, restaurants, shops) or an owner and the owner&#39;s transaction card. 
       [0046]    The interactive method embodiment  80  of  FIG. 6  facilitates the interactive transaction card system  90  of  FIG. 7  in which an owner&#39;s transaction card  91  can be accessed by institutional card readers  92  and by a personal card reader  94  which is located, for example, in an owner&#39;s residence and communicates with a personal computer  95 . The institutional reader  92  can be used to conduct and complete transactions on an institutional computer  93  which can communicate with the personal computer via the internet  96 . 
         [0047]    Although the transaction cards  20  and  70  of  FIGS. 1A and 5  are shown to have a standard ISO form of electrical contacts  38  to facilitate the data and command exchange in process step  82  of  FIG. 6 , other card embodiments may substitute other exchange structures such as:
       a) microprocessor-emulated magnetic stripe transmission, and   b) electromagnetic transceivers utilizing wavelengths in transmission regions that include:
           a) the radio frequency (RF) region,   b) the infrared (IR) region,   c) the visual region, and   d) the ultra violet (UV) region.   
               
 
         [0054]    In an important feature of the invention, the personal card reader  94  can be used to initiate interactive transactions which are then completed via the card owner&#39;s personal computer  95  and the internet  96  which permits mutual data flow between the institutional computer and the personal computer. The transaction card embodiments of the invention and the system  90  of  FIG. 7  facilitate a number of transactions of which a selected few are listed in the following transaction table. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 TRANSACTION TABLE 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 authenticate card owner&#39;s identity 
               
               
                   
                 function for multiple applications 
               
               
                   
                 provide information concerning one or more of the 
               
               
                   
                 card owner&#39;s accounts with various entities 
               
               
                   
                 revise and store information in the card&#39;s memory 
               
               
                   
                 revise and store current account cash balances in the 
               
               
                   
                 card&#39;s memory 
               
               
                   
                 function as an “electronic purse” 
               
               
                   
                 facilitate banking, ticketing, ordering and purchasing 
               
               
                   
                 functions 
               
               
                   
                 facilitate passage through mass transit systems 
               
               
                   
                 interface with institutions via mobile telephones and 
               
               
                   
                 the internet 
               
               
                   
                 facilitate use of institutional services such as pay 
               
               
                   
                 telephones 
               
               
                   
                 function as phone cards, java cards, hotel coupons, 
               
               
                   
                 student cards 
               
               
                   
                 function as driving license, passport 
               
               
                   
                 facilitate healthcare, identification, electronic ticketing 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0055]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.