Patent Publication Number: US-2022215379-A1

Title: Smart card with built-in support provisioning mechanism

Description:
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate to computer systems. Specifically, aspects of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for providing specialized smart payment instruments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Payment instruments, such as credit and debit cards, are utilized by millions of users every day across the globe. Maximizing the utility of such instruments often relies on a robust support system. Support may include a session with a support associate. Support may include execution of a request, such as a balance transfer associated with the instrument. Support may also include resolution of an inquiry, such as an account balance inquiry associated with the instrument, a transaction information inquiry associated with the instrument, or an offer inquiry associated with the instrument. 
     Typically, receiving the requisite support involves activity external to the instrument. The user must generally visit a physical branch of a financial institution, or conduct a telephone call or other form of communication via a separate device, to receive the support. Necessitating external activity is inconvenient and inefficient. Involving separate devices may also present security risks. 
     It would be desirable, therefore, to provide systems and methods for smart payment instruments with built-in support provisioning mechanisms, thereby increasing the efficiency and security of the payment instruments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate to a smart payment instrument. The smart payment instrument may be a dedicated smart payment instrument with built-in support provisioning mechanisms. The instrument may include a microprocessor, a display screen, and one or more sensors. The sensors may include a camera, a microphone, and/or a tactile sensor. 
     The instrument may also include a power source for the microprocessor, the display screen, and the sensors. The instrument may also include a wireless communication element configured to provide wireless communication between the instrument and a central system. The instrument may also include a non-transitory memory storing computer-executable instructions, that, when run on the microprocessor, are configured to provide some or all of the instrument functionality. 
     The instrument may be configured to receive a request from a user of the instrument, via the sensors, to initiate a support session. The instrument may transmit the request to the central system via the wireless communication element. The instrument may receive, from the central system, support session data. The instrument may display, on the display screen, information based on the support session data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an illustrative system in accordance with principles of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows an illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows another illustrative apparatus in accordance with principles of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows an illustrative system architecture in accordance with principles of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  shows another illustrative system architecture in accordance with principles of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A smart payment instrument with built-in support provisioning mechanisms is provided. The instrument may provide increased efficiency and security. For example, efficiency may be increased by eliminating the need to use a device external to the instrument for receiving support. Security may be increased by providing a system with dedicated transactional hardware, software, and/or communication channels. Such a system may be associated with a decreased risk of infection with malware, spyware, or other security risk factors. 
     The instrument may include a microprocessor, a display screen, and one or more sensors. The sensors may include a camera, a microphone, and/or a tactile sensor. 
     The instrument may also include a power source for the microprocessor, the display screen, and the sensors. The instrument may also include a wireless communication element configured to provide wireless communication between the instrument and a central system. The instrument may also include a non-transitory memory storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions, when run on the microprocessor, may be configured to perform some or all of the disclosed features of the system. 
     The instrument may be configured to receive a request from a user of the instrument, via the sensors, to initiate a support session. The instrument may transmit the request to the central system via the wireless communication element. The instrument may receive, from the central system, support session data. The instrument may display information on the display screen. The information may be based on the support session data. 
     The instrument may, in certain preferred embodiments, be a card. The card may include metal and/or plastic. The card may at least partially resemble a typical debit or credit card. The card may have dimensions that conform to the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard. The dimensions may, in some embodiments, be no greater than 86 millimeters×54 millimeters×0.8 millimeters. 
     In certain embodiments of the instrument, the wireless communication element may include a nano wireless network interface card (“NIC”). The wireless communication element may include any suitable component capable of facilitating wireless communication. 
     In some embodiments, the power source may be rechargeable. The power source may recharge via solar energy. The power source may recharge via inductive charging, e.g., with a wireless recharging mechanism. The power source may recharge via a charging port. A charging port may include mini or micro Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors, or any other suitable connector. The power source may recharge via any other suitable charging mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the microprocessor, the power source, the wireless communication element, and/or the memory may be embedded in the card. The display screen may be affixed to the card and may be viewable on a surface of the card. 
     In certain embodiments, the request may be an audible request. The instrument may receive the request via the microphone. The instrument may process the request via voice recognition software. 
     In some embodiments, the request may be received via a tactile sensor. The tactile sensor may include a keypad that is separate from the display screen. In other embodiments, the tactile sensor may be a part of the display screen, and the display screen may be augmented to be a touchscreen. 
     The support session may, in certain embodiments, include a live video support session with a support associate. In response to a request for a live support session, the instrument may transmit the request to the central system. The central system may generate a scheduled time for the support session. The instrument may receive the scheduled time from the central system, and may further display the scheduled time via the display screen. At the scheduled time, the instrument may host the live video support session. 
     In some embodiments, to host the live video support session, the instrument may be configured to, in real time: receive video and/or audio of the support associate from the central system, and display the video of the support associate via the display screen and/or play the audio of the support associate via a speaker component of the instrument. The instrument may also be configured to receive audio of the user via the microphone and/or to receive video of the user via the camera, and transmit the audio of the user and/or the video of the user to the central system. 
     In some embodiments, the support session may include: a balance transfer associated with the instrument; an account balance inquiry associated with the instrument; a transaction information inquiry associated with the instrument; or an offer inquiry associated with the instrument. A support session may include execution of a transaction. In certain embodiments, the instrument may be configured to support all of the exemplary support sessions enumerated herein, in addition to any other suitable support session that may be useful in association with a payment instrument. The instrument may enable a user to select from a list and/or request a particular support session from the multiple supported types of support sessions. 
     A method for augmenting a dedicated payment instrument to leverage built-in access to real-time support from a central system is provided. The method may be executed via computer-executable instructions that are stored in a non-transitory memory of the instrument and run on a microprocessor embedded in the instrument. 
     The method may include receiving a request from a user of the instrument, via one or more sensors, to initiate a support session. The sensors may include a camera, a microphone, and/or a tactile sensor. 
     The method may include transmitting the request to the central system via a wireless communication element, and receiving, from the central system, support session data. The method may also include displaying, on a display screen, information based on the support session data. 
     In certain embodiments, the request may be an audible request. The method may further include receiving the request via the microphone, and processing the request via voice recognition software. 
     In some embodiments, the request may be received via the tactile sensor, and the tactile sensor may include a keypad that is separate from the display screen. In other embodiments, the tactile sensor may be a part of the display screen, and the display screen may be configured to be a touchscreen. 
     The support session may, in certain embodiments, include a live video support session with a support associate. In response to a request for a live video support session, the method may include: the central system generating a scheduled time for the support session; the instrument receiving the scheduled time from the central system; the instrument displaying the scheduled time via the display screen; and, at the scheduled time, the instrument hosting the live video support session. 
     In certain embodiments, to host the live video support session, the method may include receiving video and audio of the support associate from the central system, and displaying the video of the support associate via the display screen and playing the audio of the support associate via a speaker component of the instrument. The method may also include receiving audio of the user via the microphone and receiving video of the user via the camera, and transmitting the audio of the user and the video of the user to the central system. 
     In some embodiments of the method, the support session may include: a balance transfer associated with the instrument; an account balance inquiry associated with the instrument; a transaction information inquiry associated with the instrument; or an offer inquiry associated with the instrument. 
     Apparatus and methods described herein are illustrative. Apparatus and methods in accordance with this disclosure will now be described in connection with the figures, which form a part hereof. The figures show illustrative features of apparatus and method steps in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, functional, and procedural modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  shows an illustrative block diagram of system  100  that includes computer  101 . Computer  101  may alternatively be referred to herein as a “server” or a “computing device.” Computer  101  may be a workstation, desktop, laptop, tablet, smart phone, or any other suitable computing device. Elements of system  100 , including computer  101 , may be used to implement various aspects of the systems and methods disclosed herein. 
     Computer  101  may have a processor  103  for controlling the operation of the device and its associated components, and may include RAM  105 , ROM  107 , input/output module  109 , and a memory  115 . The processor  103  may also execute all software running on the computer—e.g., the operating system and/or voice recognition software. Other components commonly used for computers, such as EEPROM or Flash memory or any other suitable components, may also be part of the computer  101 . 
     The memory  115  may be comprised of any suitable permanent storage technology—e.g., a hard drive. The memory  115  may store software including the operating system  117  and application(s)  119  along with any data  111  needed for the operation of the system  100 . Memory  115  may also store videos, text, and/or audio assistance files. The videos, text, and/or audio assistance files may also be stored in cache memory, or any other suitable memory. Alternatively, some or all of computer executable instructions (alternatively referred to as “code”) may be embodied in hardware or firmware (not shown). The computer  101  may execute the instructions embodied by the software to perform various functions. 
     Input/output (“I/O”) module may include connectivity to a microphone, keyboard, touch screen, mouse, and/or stylus through which a user of computer  101  may provide input. The input may include input relating to cursor movement. The input may relate to transactional information. The input/output module may also include one or more speakers for providing audio output and a video display device for providing textual, audio, audiovisual, and/or graphical output. The input and output may be related to provisioning support associated with a payment instrument. 
     System  100  may be connected to other systems via a local area network (LAN) interface  113 . 
     System  100  may operate in a networked environment supporting connections to one or more remote computers, such as terminals  141  and  151 . Terminals  141  and  151  may be personal computers or servers that include many or all of the elements described above relative to system  100 . The network connections depicted in  FIG. 1  include a local area network (LAN)  125  and a wide area network (WAN)  129 , but may also include other networks. When used in a LAN networking environment, computer  101  is connected to LAN  125  through a LAN interface or adapter  113 . When used in a WAN networking environment, computer  101  may include a modem  127  or other means for establishing communications over WAN  129 , such as Internet  131 . 
     It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are illustrative and other means of establishing a communications link between computers may be used. The existence of various well-known protocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed, and the system can be operated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server. The web-based server may transmit data to any other suitable computer system. The web-based server may also send computer-readable instructions, together with the data, to any suitable computer system. The computer-readable instructions may be to store the data in cache memory, the hard drive, secondary memory, or any other suitable memory. 
     Additionally, application program(s)  119 , which may be used by computer  101 , may include computer executable instructions for invoking user functionality related to communication, such as e-mail, Short Message Service (SMS), and voice input and speech recognition applications. Application program(s)  119  (which may be alternatively referred to herein as “plugins,” “applications,” or “apps”) may include computer executable instructions for invoking user functionality related performing various tasks. The various tasks may be related to provisioning support associated with a payment instrument. 
     Computer  101  and/or terminals  141  and  151  may also be devices including various other components, such as a battery, speaker, and/or antennas (not shown). 
     Terminal  151  and/or terminal  141  may be portable devices such as a laptop, cell phone, Blackberry™, tablet, smartphone, or any other suitable device for receiving, storing, transmitting and/or displaying relevant information. Terminals  151  and/or terminal  141  may be other devices. These devices may be identical to system  100  or different. The differences may be related to hardware components and/or software components. 
     Any information described above in connection with database  111 , and any other suitable information, may be stored in memory  115 . One or more of applications  119  may include one or more algorithms that may be used to implement features of the disclosure, and/or any other suitable tasks. 
     The invention may be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, tablets, mobile phones, smart phones and/or other personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. 
       FIG. 2  shows illustrative apparatus  200  that may be configured in accordance with the principles of the disclosure. Apparatus  200  may be a computing machine. Apparatus  200  may include one or more features of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . Apparatus  200  may include chip module  202 , which may include one or more integrated circuits, and which may include logic configured to perform any other suitable logical operations. 
     Apparatus  200  may include one or more of the following components: I/O circuitry  204 , which may include a transmitter device and a receiver device and may interface with fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, telephone lines, wireless devices, PHY layer hardware, a keypad/display control device or any other suitable media or devices; peripheral devices  206 , which may include counter timers, real-time timers, power-on reset generators or any other suitable peripheral devices; logical processing device  208 , which may compute data structural information and structural parameters of the data; and machine-readable memory  210 . 
     Machine-readable memory  210  may be configured to store in machine-readable data structures: machine executable instructions (which may be alternatively referred to herein as “computer instructions” or “computer code”), applications, signals, and/or any other suitable information or data structures. 
     Components  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and  210  may be coupled together by a system bus or other interconnections  212  and may be present on one or more circuit boards such as  220 . In some embodiments, the components may be integrated into a single chip. The chip may be silicon-based. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary payment instrument, illustrative smart card  300 , according to aspects of the disclosure. Smart card  300  includes display screen  305 . Display screen  305  may be configured to display information. For example, display screen  305  shown in  FIG. 3  may be displaying the video feed of a video conference. The video conference may be a live (or, in some embodiments or scenarios, a prerecorded) video chat with a support associate. Smart card  300  may also include a speaker. The speaker may be configured to play the audio portion of a video conference or recording. Display screen  305  may, in some embodiments, be used by a user of smart card  300  to enter a request for support. Display screen  305  may be a touchscreen. 
     Smart card  300  includes a microprocessor and other components for capturing and storing information entered by a user. Smart card  300  may, in certain embodiments, be configured to encrypt the information. Smart card  300  may also include executable instructions for packaging information entered via a keypad (e.g., display screen  305  configured as a touchscreen) into instructions. The instructions may be requests for support. The instructions may also be transactional instructions. Transactional instructions may be executed by a secure transaction gateway. 
       FIG. 3  shows that smart card  300  includes chip  301 . Chip  301  may provide an electrical contact that is accessible through housing  302 . Chip  301  may provide an electrical contact for establishing a wired or contact based communication channel with an ATM or POS terminal when card  300  is inserted into a card reader of the ATM or POS terminal. Chip  301  may be an EMV chip. Chip  301  may facilitate charging of one or more components of smart card  300 . 
     Chip  301  may store a copy of information printed on a face of smart card  300 . For example, chip  301  may store account number  309 , user name  315 , expiration date  313  and issuing bank  311 . Chip  301  may also store encrypted security information. The encrypted security information may be utilized to provide a “second factor” method of authentication prior to triggering execution of transaction instructions. 
     For example, smart card  300  may package information entered by user  315  via keypad  305  into transaction instructions. The transaction instructions may include a PIN associated with smart card  300 . The staged transaction instructions may be submitted for execution to a transaction gateway without requiring any further input from user  315 . The transaction instructions may be transferred to the transaction gateway using wireless circuitry  303 . In some embodiments, the transaction instructions may be transferred via wired communication with chip  301 . 
     After a transaction gateway receives transaction instructions formulated by smart card  300 , the transaction gateway may, in certain embodiments, first verify that the PIN included in the transaction instructions is associated with smart card  300 . For example, the transaction gateway may communicate with a remote payment processing server operated by the issuer and determine whether the received PIN is associated with user name  315  and/or account number  309 . 
     As a second factor method of authentication, the transaction gateway may determine whether the PIN included in the transaction instructions successfully unlocks encrypted security information stored on chip  301 . If the PIN successfully unlocks the encrypted security information, the transaction gateway may execute the received transaction instructions. 
     Smart card  300  may be any suitable size.  FIG. 3  shows that smart card  300  has width w and length l. For example, width w may be 53.98 millimeters (“mm”). Length l may be 85.60 mm. Smart card  300  has thickness t. An illustrative thickness t may be 0.8 mm. An exemplary form factor of smart card  300  may be 53.98 mm×85.60 mm×0.8 mm. Such an exemplary form factor may allow smart card  300  to conveniently fit into a user&#39;s wallet or pocket. This exemplary form factor may allow smart card  300  to fit into a card reader of an ATM or POS terminal. 
       FIG. 4  shows exemplary system architecture  400  according to aspects of the disclosure. User  401  may interface with the system via front façade  403 . The interface may be in the form of tactile input of instructions. In some preferred embodiments, the interface may be in the form of voice instructions entered via a microphone. The instructions may be interpreted via command interpreter  405 . Interpretation may include natural language processing (NLP) executed by NLP processor  407 . The instructions and/or interpretations may be verified via verification controller  409 . 
     The system may communicate via wireless controller  411 . Wireless communications may be transmitted to device  427 . Device  427  may be a nearby mobile phone. The mobile phone may be associated with user  401 . 
     User  401  may interface with the system via front façade  403  by receiving information. The information may include a video conference with a support representative. The video may be received via video controller  413 . Video controller  413  may receive information to display from central system interface  423 . Central system interface  423  may be associated with a financial institution such as bank  425 . 
     User instructions processed via front façade  403  may be transmitted central system interface  423  via one of multiple controllers. A transaction instruction may be transmitted via payment controller  415 . Executing a transaction instruction may include transmitting the transaction to payment gateway  421 . A rewards inquiry may be transmitted via rewards and offers controller  417 . A transaction or other information inquiry may be transmitted via controller  419 . Components  403 - 419  may be resident on a smart card configured according to aspects of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  shows another exemplary system architecture including smart card  500  according to aspects of the disclosure. Smart card  500  may include one or more features of smart cards  300  or the system shown in architecture  400 . Smart card  500  includes information controller  523 . Information controller  523  may direct data associated with video controller  525 . Smart card  500  may display information (e.g., a video feed) via video unit  513 . The information may be derived from the data associated with video controller  525 . 
     Information controller  523  may include, or work in conjunction with, NLP controller  510 . NLP controller  510  may direct data captured via NLP processor  505 . The NLP data may include the translation of audible instruction (captured, for example, by a microphone) into computer executable instructions. Information controller  523  may, in some embodiments, encrypt the data. Illustrative encryption algorithms include RSA cryptography, Blowfish, AES, RC4, RC5, and RC6. Information controller  523  may store data locally on smart card  500 . 
     Smart card  500  includes microprocessor  509  which controls overall operation of smart card  500  and its associated components. For example, microprocessor  509  may control operation of NIC  507  and communication via wireless controller  527  and WiFi component  515 . Wireless communication may be with one or more central systems, such as bank(s)  517  and  519  which may be associated with the user and/or senders or receivers in a transaction. In case of a transaction, the system may include payment controller  521 . 
     The steps of methods may be performed in an order other than the order shown and/or described herein. Embodiments may omit steps shown and/or described in connection with illustrative methods. Embodiments may include steps that are neither shown nor described in connection with illustrative methods. 
     Illustrative method steps may be combined. For example, an illustrative method may include steps shown in connection with another illustrative method. 
     Apparatus may omit features shown and/or described in connection with illustrative apparatus. Embodiments may include features that are neither shown nor described in connection with the illustrative apparatus. Features of illustrative apparatus may be combined. For example, an illustrative embodiment may include features shown in connection with another illustrative embodiment. 
     The drawings show illustrative features of apparatus and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention. The features are illustrated in the context of selected embodiments. It will be understood that features shown in connection with one of the embodiments may be practiced in accordance with the principles of the invention along with features shown in connection with another of the embodiments. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps shown and described herein may be performed in other than the recited order and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional. The methods of the above-referenced embodiments may involve the use of any suitable elements, steps, computer-executable instructions, or computer-readable data structures. In this regard, other embodiments are disclosed herein as well that can be partially or wholly implemented on a computer-readable medium, for example, by storing computer-executable instructions or modules or by utilizing computer-readable data structures. 
     Thus, methods and systems for a smart card with built-in support provisioning mechanism are provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation, and that the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.