Patent Publication Number: US-11023796-B1

Title: Dynamic magnetic stripe communications device with stepped magnetic material for magnetic cards and devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/591,027, titled “DYNAMIC MAGNETIC STRIPE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH STEPPED MAGNETIC MATERIAL FOR MAGNETIC CARDS AND DEVICES,” filed on May 9, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/660,920, titled “DYNAMIC MAGNETIC STRIPE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH STEPPED MAGNETIC MATERIAL FOR MAGNETIC CARDS AND DEVICES,” filed on Mar. 17, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/071,565, titled “DYNAMIC MAGNETIC STRIPE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH STEPPED MAGNETIC MATERIAL FOR MAGNETIC CARDS AND DEVICES,” filed on Nov. 4, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/732,080, titled “DYNAMIC MAGNETIC STRIPE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH STEPPED MAGNETIC MATERIAL FOR MAGNETIC CARDS AND DEVICES,” filed Nov. 30, 2012, 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. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A card may include a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device. Such a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may take the form of a magnetic encoder or an electromagnetic generator. 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. An electromagnetic generator may generate electromagnetic fields that directly communicate data to a magnetic stripe reader. Such an electromagnetic generator 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, 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. A barcode, for example, 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 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, and a dynamic magnetic stripe communications 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 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 payment option. The code may be received by the card via manual input (e.g., onto buttons of the card). 
     An electromagnetic generator may be constructed as a stacked assembly of layers where one of the layers includes one or more coils. Inside each coil, one or more strips of a material (e.g., a magnetic or non-magnetic material) may be provided. Outside of the coil, one or more strips of a material (e.g., a magnetic or non-magnetic material) may be provided. For example, three strips of soft magnetic material may be provided in a coil and one strip of hard magnetic material may be stacked exterior of the coil on the side of the coil opposite of the side of the coil utilized to serially communicate magnetic stripe data to a magnetic stripe reader. 
     An electromagnetic generator may include a coil that may produce an electromagnetic field when current is conducted through the coil. A magnetic material (e.g., a soft-magnetic material) may be located within the coil, which may enhance the electromagnetic field produced by the coil. For example, multiple or several strips of soft-magnetic material may be stacked to form a stepped material inside of the coil. 
     The one or more strips of material (e.g., a soft-magnetic material) within the coil may be of different lengths. Accordingly, for example, a length of a first strip of material may be longer than a length of a second strip of material, a length of the second strip of material may be longer than a third strip of material, and so on, to form multiple strips of material having a stepped structure within the coil. 
     A magnetic material (e.g., a hard-magnetic material) may be stacked outside of the coil. The hard-magnetic material may be provided on the side of the coil opposite the side of a coil that communicates to a read head of a magnetic stripe reader. The electromagnetic field produced by the coil may be subjected to a torque that may be induced by the magnetic field generated by the hard-magnetic material stacked outside of the coil. 
     A shield may be stacked adjacent to the electromagnetic generator. For example, a shield may be provided adjacent to the electromagnetic generator on a side opposite a side that communicates data to a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. In so doing, the shield may reduce a magnetic bias from a magnetic material located outside of a coil of an electromagnetic generator, as well as reduce an electromagnetic field that may be produced by a coil of an electromagnetic generator. In doing so, magnetic-based signals from an electromagnetic generator may be substantially attenuated on an adjacent side of the electromagnetic generator. 
     The shield may, for example, be an assembly of multiple strips of shielding material that may be bonded together using a flexible adhesive, such as a room-temperature vulcanizing compound (e.g., an RTV silicone). The adhesive may, for example, be cured by exposure to a change in one or more conditions (e.g., a change in atmospheric humidity). Once cured, the flexible adhesive may bond the strips of shielding material together while at the same time remaining flexible. The shield assembly may, for example, be bonded to a magnetic material using an adhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, that remains flexible. An additional layer of flexible adhesive may be bonded to the shield assembly. Accordingly, for example, the shield assembly may float between two layers of flexible adhesive to allow the shield assembly to bend and flex while the flexible adhesive stretches and compresses in conformance with movement of the shield assembly. 
    
    
     
       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 a card and architecture constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device 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  is an illustration of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of interior portions of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of stacked interior portions of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart of processes 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 using a display (e.g., display  106 ). A dynamic number may include a permanent portion such as, for example, permanent portion  104  and a dynamic portion such as, for example, dynamic portion  106 . Card  100  may include a dynamic number having permanent portion  104  and permanent portion  104  may be incorporated on card  100  so as to be visible to an observer of card  100 . For example, labeling techniques, such as printing, embossing, laser etching, etc., may be utilized to visibly implement permanent portion  104 . 
     Card  100  may include a second dynamic number that may also be entirely, or partially, displayed via a second display (e.g., display  108 ). Display  108  may be utilized, for example, to display a dynamic code such as a dynamic security code. Card  100  may also include third display  122  that may be used to display graphical information, such as logos and barcodes. Third display  122  may also be utilized to display multiple rows and/or columns of textual and/or graphical information. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any one or more of displays  106 ,  108 , and/or  122  may be implemented as a bi-stable display. For example, information provided on displays  106 ,  108 , and/or  122  may be stable in at least two different states (e.g., a powered-on state and a powered-off state). Any one or more of displays  106 ,  108 , and/or  122  may be implemented as a non-bi-stable display. For example, the display is stable in response to operational power that is applied to the non-bi-stable display. Other display types, such as LCD or electrochromic, may be provided as well. 
     Other permanent information, such as permanent information  120 , may be included within card  100 , which may include user specific information, such as the cardholder&#39;s name or username. Permanent information  120  may, for example, include information that is specific to card  100  (e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expiration date). Information  120  may represent, for example, information that includes information that is both specific to the cardholder, as well as information that is specific to card  100 . 
     Card  100  may accept user input data via any one or more data input devices, such as buttons  110 - 118 . Buttons  110 - 118  may be included to accept data entry through mechanical distortion, contact, or proximity. Buttons  110 - 118  may be responsive to, for example, induced changes and/or deviations in light intensity, pressure magnitude, or electric and/or magnetic field strength. Such information exchange may be determined and processed by a processor of card  100  as data input. 
     Dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  may be included on card  100  to communicate information to, for example, a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader via, for example, electromagnetic signals. Dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  may be formed on a printed circuit board (PCB) as a stacked structure including, for example, an electromagnetic generator including an interior stepped material (e.g., stepped soft-magnetic material  124 ), an exterior magnet, and a shield. The electromagnetic generator, exterior magnet and shield may be stacked and adhered together using any combination of flexible adhesion components to form dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  having elastic and flexible characteristics. 
     Accordingly, for example, dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  may exhibit a flexibility whereby each layer of the stack may move independently of each other layer, while at the same time maintaining adhesion between all layers of the stack. In so doing, individual components of each layer of dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  may maintain a correct orientation to each other layer while card  100  may undergo bending and flexing. 
     A material (e.g., stepped soft-magnetic material  124 ) and an exterior magnet (not shown) may, for example, interact to improve performance of dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  while dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  generates an electromagnetic signal. For example, stepped ends of soft-magnetic material  124  may cause a gradual change (e.g., a gradual increase in the magnetic field magnitude) as a function of a position of a read head of a magnetic stripe reader along dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102  (e.g., along end portions of dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  102 ). 
     Card  100  may, for example, be formed as a laminate structure of two or more layers. Card  100  may, for example, include top and bottom layers of a plastic material (e.g., a polymer). Electronics package circuitry (e.g., one or more printed circuit boards, a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device, a battery, a display, a processor, and buttons) may be sandwiched between top and bottom layers of a laminate structure of card  100 . A material (e.g., a polyurethane-based or silicon-based substance) may be applied between top and bottom layers and cured (e.g., solidified) to form card  100  that has a flexible laminate structure. 
       FIG. 1  shows architecture  150 , which may include, for example, one or more processors  154 . One or more processors  154  may be configured to utilize external memory  152 , internal memory within processor  154 , or a combination of external memory  152  and internal memory for dynamically storing information, such as executable machine language, related dynamic machine data, and user input data values. 
     One or more of the components shown in architecture  150  may be configured to transmit information to processor  154  and/or may be configured to receive information as transmitted by processor  154 . For example, one or more displays  156  may be coupled to receive data from processor  154 . The data received from processor  154  may include, for example, at least a portion of dynamic numbers and/or dynamic codes. The data to be displayed on the display may be displayed on one or more displays  156 . 
     One or more displays  156  may, for example, be touch sensitive and/or proximity sensitive. For example, objects such as fingers, pointing devices, etc., may be brought into contact with displays  156 , or in proximity to displays  156 . Detection of object proximity or object contact with displays  156  may be effective to perform any type of function (e.g., transmit data to processor  154 ). Displays  156  may have multiple locations that are able to be determined as being touched, or determined as being in proximity to an object. 
     Input and/or output devices may be implemented within architecture  150 . For example, integrated circuit (IC) chip  160  (e.g., an EMV chip) may be included within architecture  150 , that can communicate information with a chip reader (e.g., an EMV chip reader). Radio frequency identification (RFID) module  162  may be included within architecture  150  to enable the exchange of information with an RFID reader. 
     Other input and/or output devices  168  may be included within architecture  150 , for example, to provide any number of input and/or output capabilities. For example, other input and/or output devices  168  may include an audio device capable of receiving and/or transmitting audible information. Other input and/or output devices  168  may include a device that exchanges analog and/or digital data using a visible data carrier. Other input and/or output devices  168  may include a device, for example, that is sensitive to a non-visible data carrier, such as an infrared data carrier or electromagnetic data carrier. 
     Electromagnetic field generators  170 - 174  may communicate one or more tracks of electromagnetic data to read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader. Electromagnetic field generators  170 - 174  may include, for example, a series of electromagnetic elements, where each electromagnetic element may be implemented as a coil wrapped around one or more materials (e.g., a soft-magnetic material and/or a non-magnetic material). Additional materials, such as a magnet (not shown) and a shield (not shown), may be stacked in proximity to electromagnetic field generators  170 - 174  using any combination of adhesives (e.g., flexible adhesives), so that the stacked components may be flexed while remaining within a substantially fixed relationship to one another. 
     Electrical excitation by processor  154  of one or more coils of one or more electromagnetic elements via, for example, driving circuitry  164  may be effective to generate electromagnetic fields from one or more electromagnetic elements. One or more electromagnetic field generators  170 - 174  may be utilized to communicate electromagnetic information to, for example, one or more read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader. 
     Timing aspects of information exchange between architecture  150  and the various I/O devices implemented on architecture  150  may be determined by processor  154 . One or more detectors  166  may be utilized, for example, to sense the proximity, mechanical distortion, or actual contact, of an external device, which in turn, may trigger the initiation of a communication sequence. The sensed presence or touch of the external device may then be communicated to a controller (e.g., processor  154 ), which in turn may direct the exchange of information between architecture  150  and the external device. The sensed presence, mechanical distortion, or touch of the external device may be effective to, for example, determine the type of device or object detected. 
     The detection may include, for example, the detection of a read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader. In response, processor  154  may activate one or more electromagnetic field generators  170 - 174  to initiate a communications sequence with, for example, one or more read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader. The timing relationships associated with communications to one or more electromagnetic field generators  170 - 174  and one or more read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader may be provided through use of the detection of the magnetic stripe reader. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that processor  154  may provide user-specific and/or card-specific information through utilization of any one or more of buttons  110 - 118 , RFID  162 , IC chip  160 , electromagnetic field generators  170 - 174 , and other input and/or output devices  168 . 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a card (e.g., card  100  of  FIG. 1 ) may, for example, be a self-contained device that derives its own operational power from one or more batteries  158 . Furthermore, one or more batteries  158  may be included, for example, to provide operational power to a card for a number of years (e.g., approximately 2-4 years). One or more batteries  158  may be included, for example, as rechargeable batteries. 
       FIG. 2  shows dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  200  that may include printed circuit board (PCB)  202  and an adhesive layer (not shown) on top of PCB  202 , electromagnetic generator  210  and another adhesive layer (not shown) on top of electromagnetic generator  210 , magnet  215 , adhesive layer  216 , shield  220 , and protective layer  230 . Electromagnetic generator  210  may include, for example, one or more coils (e.g., two coils  211  and  213 ) that may each include a conductive winding (e.g., a copper winding) that may surround material (e.g., stepped soft-magnetic material  214  and  212 , respectively) along at least a portion of respective lengths of materials  212  and  214 . Two tracks of electromagnetic data may, for example, be communicated by electromagnetic generator  210  to read-heads of a magnetic stripe reader by appropriate control of current conducted by coils  211  and  213 . Materials  212  and  214  may, for example, include one or more (e.g., three) layers of material (e.g., soft-magnetic material) each having a different length to provide a stepped shape on one or both ends of materials  212  and  214 . 
     Electromagnetic generator  210  may, for example, be constructed as a multiple-layer circuit (e.g., a circuit constructed on a multiple-layer printed circuit board (PCB)). A first layer, for example, may include patterns of a conductive element (e.g., copper) that may be added to a PCB substrate according to a patterning mask definition layer to form portions (e.g., the bottom portions) of coils  211  and  213 . Alternately, a first layer of a PCB may, for example, include patterns of a conductive element (e.g., copper) that may be subtracted from a pre-plated PCB substrate according to an etching mask definition layer to form portions (e.g., the bottom portions) of coils  211  and  213 . A second PCB layer may, for example, use additive and/or subtractive techniques to form portions (e.g., the top portions) of coils  211  and  213 . 
     The first and second PCB layers may be separated by an insulation layer (e.g., a dielectric layer). Pockets within the insulation layer (e.g., pockets located between the top and bottom portions of coils  211  and  213 ) may include a magnetic material (e.g., a lamination stepped layers of soft magnetic material) to form materials  212  and  214 . 
     The top and bottom portions of coils  211  and  213  may be interconnected through the insulation layer (e.g., interconnected using plated vias through the insulation layer) to form coils  211  and  213 . Conductive pads (not shown) may be patterned at each end of coils  211  and  213  on the first and/or second layers of the PCB, so that electrical signals (e.g., current) may be conducted through coils  211  and  213 . 
     Magnet  215  may be arranged in proximity to coils  211  and  213 , such that magnet  215  may extend along at least a portion of a length of coils  211  and  213 . Magnet  215  may be arranged in proximity to coils  211  and  213 , such that magnet  215  may extend along at least a portion of a width of coils  211  and  213 . 
     Layer  216  may include a flexible adhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., a solvent-based acrylic). Layer  216  may include a liner (not shown) that may remain in place to allow compression of layer  216  onto magnet  215 . Accordingly, for example, adhesion between layer  216  and layer  215  may be activated by a die of a press (not shown) while the liner (not shown) of layer  216  prevents adhesion of layer  216  to the die. 
     Shield  220  may include, for example, two shields (e.g., shields  221  and  223 ) that may be bonded together (e.g., via layer  222 ) and placed in proximity to magnet  215 . Shields  221  and  223  may include, for example, soft-magnetic materials. One or both sides of shields  221  and  223  may be abraded to improve, for example, an adhesion quality to layer  222  and/or an adhesion quality to layers  216  and/or  231 . 
     Layer  222  may, for example, include a flexible adhesive, such as a room-temperature vulcanizing material (e.g., an RTV silicone). Layer  222  may, for example, cure when exposed to a change in one or more external conditions (e.g., atmospheric humidity). Once cured, layer  222  may form a bond between shields  221  and  223  that remains flexible. Accordingly, for example, layer  222  may allow shields  221  and  223  to be flexed, bent, or otherwise manipulated, while maintaining the bond between layers  221  and  223 . 
     Shield  220  may, for example, be placed in proximity to and bonded with magnet  215  using a flexible adhesive layer, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (e.g., solvent-based acrylic layer  216 ) or other adhesive. Adhesive layer  216  may form a flexible bond between shield  220  and magnet  215 , such that shield  220  maintains a substantially fixed relationship with relation to magnet  215  despite any flexing, bending, or any other form of manipulation that may occur with dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  200 . 
     Shield  220  may be attached to electromagnetic generator  210  via magnet  215  and any intervening adhesion layers (e.g., layers  222  and  216 ) to form an electronic package that may be held together with other electronic packages via a mold while a liquid laminate material (e.g., a polyurethane-based or silicon-based substance) is provided (e.g., sprayed) into the mold. A protective layer, such as a tape layer (e.g., polyimide tape layer  230 ) may wrap around at least portions of shield  220 , magnet  215 , electromagnetic generator  210 , PCB  202  and/or intervening adhesion layers to prevent liquid laminate from penetrating the individual layers of dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  200 . The liquid laminate material may be cured (e.g., solidified) via a reaction caused by a change in condition (e.g., chemical, temperature, or UV light). The resulting interior laminate may be sandwiched between two layers of polymer to form a card having a laminate structure with top, middle, and bottom layers. 
     Layer  230  may include a protective layer, such as a tape layer (e.g., polyimide tape layer  232 ) and an adhesive layer, such as a flexible, pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (e.g., solvent-based acrylic layer  231 ). Accordingly, shield  220  may float between flexible adhesive layers  231  and  216  to allow shield  220  to remain in a substantially fixed relationship with respect to magnet  215  and electromagnetic generator  210  notwithstanding any flexing, bending or any other type of manipulation of dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  200 . 
       FIG. 3  shows card  300 . Card  300  may include one or more printed circuit boards (e.g., boards  308 ,  310 , and  312 ). Boards  308 ,  310 , and/or  312 , may contain, for example, a processor, a battery, a display, a button, and any other component that may be provided on a card. Card  300  may include region  314  that may include a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device (not shown) and stepped materials (e.g., soft-magnetic materials  304  and  306 ) displaced within coils of the dynamic magnetic strip communications device (not shown). Stepped material  304  may, for example, be displaced within a coil of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device (not shown) that may communicate a first track of magnetic stripe data to a read head of a magnetic stripe reader. Stepped material  306  may, for example, be displaced within a coil of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device (not shown) that may communicate a second track of magnetic stripe data to a read head of a magnetic stripe reader. 
     Positioning of stepped material  304  within region  314  may be established, for example, by centering stepped material  304  about a centerline of a magnetic stripe data track (e.g., Track  1 ) position on card  300 . Positioning of stepped material  306  within region  314  may be established, for example, by centering stepped material  306  about a centerline of a magnetic stripe data track (e.g., Track  2 ) position on card  300 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an additional stepped material may, for example, be positioned about a centerline of a magnetic stripe data track (e.g., Track  3 ) position on card  300  to establish three tracks of data communication capability from card  300 . 
     Stepped materials  304  and  306  may include two or more layers (e.g., three layers) of material (e.g., soft magnetic material). A first layer of material of stepped materials  304  and/or  306  may have a length  316  that is between approximately 2.9 and 3.1 inches (e.g., approximately 2.984 inches). A second layer of material of stepped materials  304  and/or  306  may have a length  318  that is between approximately 2.8 and 2.9 inches (e.g., approximately 2.858 inches). A third layer of material of stepped materials  304  and/or  306  may have a length  320  that is between approximately 2.7 and 2.8 inches (e.g., approximately 2.734 inches). 
     Stepped materials  304  and  306  may include shorter layers stacked on top of longer layers so as to form a stepped structure on one or both ends of stepped materials  304  and  306 . For example, a bottom layer of stepped materials  304  and  306  may extend beyond a length of a middle layer of stepped materials  304  and  306  by a length  322  that is between approximately 0.06 and 0.065 inches (e.g., approximately 0.0625 inches). Additionally, for example, the middle layer of stepped materials  304  and  306  may extend beyond a length of a top layer of stepped materials  304  and  306  by a length  324  that is between approximately 0.06 and 0.065 inches (e.g., approximately 0.0625 inches). 
     Card  300  may be laminated to form a card assembly, such that the laminate may cover a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device including stepped materials  304  and  306 , PCBs  308 - 312  and any other components that may exist on PCBs  308 - 312 . Prior to lamination, for example, a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device including stepped materials  304  and  306  may be built up onto PCB  312  via one or more production steps to yield an assembly that extends away from PCB  312  in a stacked fashion. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-section of dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  400 . A strip of adhesive (e.g., cyanoacrylate  404 ) or other adhesive may be applied (e.g., manually or robotically) to PCB  402 . Electromagnetic generator  406  may be placed onto PCB  402  along the strip of adhesive  404 . Electromagnetic generator  406  may include a coil wrapped around a stepped material (e.g., soft-magnetic material  412 ) and may include another coil wrapped around a stepped material (e.g., soft-magnetic material  414 ). 
     PCB  402  may be placed into a press and PCB  402 , adhesive layer  404 , and electromagnetic generator  406  may be pressed together for a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) thereby activating adhesive  404  to form a flexible bond between electromagnetic generator  406  and PCB  402 . Once compressed, a stacked height of the combination of PCB  402 , adhesive layer  404 , and electromagnetic generator  406  may be between approximately 0.0095 and 0.0105 inches (e.g., approximately 0.010 inches). 
     A strip of adhesive (e.g., cyanoacrylate  410 ) or other adhesive may be applied (e.g., manually or robotically) to electromagnetic generator  406 . Magnet  420  may be placed onto electromagnetic generator  406  along the strip of adhesive  410 . The stack may be placed into a press and PCB  402 , adhesive layer  404 , electromagnetic generator  406 , adhesive layer  410 , and magnet  420  may be pressed together for a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) thereby activating adhesive  410  to form a flexible bond between magnet  420  and electromagnetic generator  406 . Once compressed, a stacked height of the combination of PCB  402 , adhesive layer  404 , electromagnetic generator  406 , adhesive layer  410 , and magnet  420  may be between approximately 0.0145 and 0.0175 inches (e.g., 0.016 inches). 
     An adhesive, such as a pressure-activated adhesive (e.g., solvent-based acrylic  408 ) may be applied to the stacked combination of PCB  402 , adhesive layers  404  and  410 , electromagnetic generator  406 , and magnet  420 . The stacked combination may then be pressed for a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) to form a flexible bond between a top surface of magnet  420  and a bottom surface of adhesive layer  408 . A top surface of adhesive layer  408  may be lined so as to avoid adhering adhesive layer  408  to the press. In addition, a die of the press may be shaped to conform to the shape of magnet  420 . Accordingly, for example, adhesive layer  408  may be compressed to wrap around the edges of magnet  420  and along a length of each end of electromagnetic generator  406 . Adhesive layer  408  may, for example, be non-conductive. 
     A liner (not shown) attached to adhesive layer  408  may be peeled away to expose a top surface of adhesive layer  408 . Shield  416  may be placed onto the exposed adhesive layer  408 . A protective layer, such as a protective tape layer (e.g., polyimide tape layer  418 ) may be placed onto shield  416  and wrapped around the stacked structure substantially as shown. Protective layer  418  may include a layer of adhesive, such as a pressure-activated adhesive (e.g., a solvent-based acrylic). Accordingly, for example, protective layer  418  may be pressed onto shield  416  to activate the adhesive layer. Shield  416  may, for example, float between the layer of adhesive of protective layer  418  and adhesive layer  408 . 
     Accordingly, for example, shield  416  may be substantially free to move between top and bottom layers of adhesive during any bending, flexing, or manipulation of dynamic magnetic stripe communications device  400  while remaining substantially fixed in position relative to magnet  420  and electromagnetic generator  406 . Once compressed, a stacked height of the combination of PCB  402 , adhesive layer  404 , electromagnetic generator  406 , adhesive layer  410 , magnet  420 , adhesive layer  408 , shield  416 , and protective layer  418  may be between approximately 0.0165 and 0.0215 inches (e.g., approximately 0.019 inches). 
       FIG. 5  shows material portions that may exist within one or more coils of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device. As per an example, a stepped material (e.g., soft-magnetic material layers  502 ,  504  and  506 ) may exist within a first coil of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device to enhance communication of a first track of magnetic stripe information to a read head of a magnetic stripe reader from the dynamic magnetic stripe communications device. A length  508  of layer  502  may be longer than a length  510  of layer  504 , which may in turn be longer than a length  512  of layer  506  to form a stepped structure having width  516  that may be between approximately 0.14 and 0.145 inches (e.g., 0.142 inches). 
     As per another example, a stepped material (e.g., soft-magnetic material layers  514 ,  516  and  518 ) may exist within a second coil of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device to enhance communication of a second track of magnetic stripe information to a read head of a magnetic stripe reader from the dynamic magnetic stripe communications device. A length  524  of layer  514  may be longer than a length  522  of layer  516 , which may in turn be longer than a length  520  of layer  518  to form a stepped structure having width  526  that may be between approximately 0.14 and 0.145 inches (e.g., 0.142 inches). 
       FIG. 6  shows a layered configuration that may include layered materials (e.g., soft-magnetic material stack  602 - 606  and soft-magnetic material stack  608 - 612 ). Three layers of material (e.g., soft-magnetic material stack  602 - 606 ) may, for example, be combined to form the stepped material contained within a first coil of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device that may communicate a first track of magnetic stripe information to a read head of a magnetic stripe reader. Three layers of material (e.g., soft-magnetic material stack  608 - 612 ) may, for example, be combined to form the stepped material contained within a second coil of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device that may communicate a second track of magnetic stripe information to a read head of a magnetic stripe reader. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of layers (e.g., 2 or more layers) of stepped material (e.g., soft-magnetic material) may be used to form stepped material included within one or more coils of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device. 
     Layer  604  may be positioned to be approximately centered within a length of layer  606  while layer  602  may be positioned to be approximately centered within a length of layer  604 . Accordingly, the stacked assembly may have stepped ends. Similarly, layer  610  may be positioned to be approximately centered within a length of layer  612  while layer  608  may be positioned to be approximately centered within a length of layer  610  to form a stacked assembly having stepped ends. 
       FIG. 7  shows flow charts  710  through  740 . Sequence  710  may include, for example, applying an adhesive, such as a flexible adhesive, between an electromagnetic generator and a PCB and activating the flexible adhesive (e.g., as in step  711 ) by pressing the electromagnetic generator onto the PCB. In step  712 , an adhesive, such as a flexible adhesive, may be applied between a magnet and the electromagnetic generator and activated by pressing the magnet onto the electromagnetic generator. In step  713 , an adhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., a solvent-based acrylic) may be applied between a shield and the magnet and activated by pressing the shield onto the magnet. In step  714 , a protective layer containing a flexible adhesive, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., a solvent-based acrylic) may be wrapped around the shield to allow the shield to float between the flexible adhesive of the protective layer and the flexible adhesive layer between the shield and the magnet. 
     In step  721  of sequence  720 , a flexible electromagnetic generator may be installed (e.g., glued) onto a flexible PCB of a flexible card using a flexible glue. In step  722 , a flexible magnet may be installed (e.g., glued) onto the flexible electromagnetic generator using a flexible glue. In step  723 , a substantially non-flexible shield may be installed (e.g., glued) onto the magnet using a flexible glue. In step  724 , the shield may be adhered to and cushioned between two layers of flexible glue, such that when the shield is bent or flexed, the two layers of flexible glue may stretch, compress or otherwise conform to the flexed or bent shield (e.g., as in step  725 ). Accordingly, for example, the shield may remain laminated to the magnet while the card is being flexed, bent, or otherwise manipulated. 
     In step  731  of sequence  730 , layers of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may be stacked onto a card. One of the layers may be non-flexible (e.g., a shield) and may be sandwiched between two flexible layers (e.g., two layers of flexible adhesive as in step  732 ). As the card is bent, flexed, or manipulated, the non-flexible layer may not stretch or compress, but the flexible layers that are adhered to the non-flexible layer may stretch or compress. Accordingly, for example, while the non-flexible layer is bent, flexed or otherwise manipulated, the non-flexible layer moves within the flexible layers (e.g., as in step  733 ) such that the flexible adhesive of the flexible layers adheres to the non-flexible layer and stretches and compresses to conform to the movement of the non-flexible layer. 
     In step  741  of sequence  740 , layers of a dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may be stacked onto a card. One of the layers may include one or more coils of the dynamic magnetic stripe communications device. Each coil may include one or more layers of material (e.g., a soft-magnetic material) contained within each coil. Each layer of material within each coil of the dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may be shorter than the layer beneath it (e.g., as in step  742 ). For example, a length of a bottom layer of material may be made to be longer as compared to a length of a middle layer of material, while a length of the middle layer of material may be made to be longer as compared to a length of a top layer of material. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, the present invention more generally involves dynamic information. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of the present invention may be implemented in ways other than those described herein. All such modifications are within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.