US 7591426 B2
A method of writing data on magnetic stripe of a smart card by imposing a magnetic field of a given polarity on each selected segment of the magnetic stripe, such that data on the magnetic stripe can be read by a magnetic card reader and interpreted as digital bits. The method includes providing a multi-dimensional conductor array placed proximate to the magnetic stripe, the number of conductors in the array is considerably smaller than the number of segments, and each segment is associated with two or more conductors. The method further includes providing current drivers for sending currents in a controlled direction through the conductor array. The system further includes sending currents, using said current drivers, through conductors of the array, such that for each one of the selected segment composite currents flowing through its associated two conductors overcome the coersivity of the segment on the magnetic stripe.
1. A method of statically writing data on standard passive magnetic stripe card by imposing magnetic field of a given polarity on each selected segment of the magnetic stripe, such that data on the magnetic stripe can be read by a standard magnetic card reader and interpreted as digital bits, comprising:
(i) providing a multi-dimensional conductor array statically placed proximate to the magnetic stripe without relative motion between them;
(ii) providing current drivers for sending currents in controlled direction through the conductor array;
(iii) sending currents, using said current drivers, through conductors of the array, such that for each one of the selected array conductors proximate to a magnetic stripe segment, composite currents flow through said conductors, overcoming the coersivity of the corresponding segment of the magnetic stripe.
2. The method according to
3. The method according to
and wherein sending currents, using said current drivers, stipulated in (iii) includes sending a current through the i conductor and sending a current through the j conductor where the sum of the i current and the j current overcomes the coersivity of the respective domain.
4. The method according to
5. The method according to anyone of
6. The method according to
7. A method for statically writing data on a magnetic stripe track of a standard passive magnetic card, comprising:
(i) providing a conductor array proximate to the magnetic stripe statically without relative movement between them;
(ii) providing current drivers for sending currents in a controlled direction through the conductor array; and
(iii) sending currents using said current drivers through conductors of the array, for generating magnetic field of sufficient magnitude so as to overcome the coersivity of the magnetic stripe.
8. The method according to
9. The method according to
10. The method according to
11. The method according to
12. A system for statically writing data on a standard passive magnetic stripe of a card, comprising:
a conductor array capable of being placed proximate to the magnetic stripe statically and without relative motion between them;
current drivers configured to send currents in a controlled direction through the conductor array;
a device configured to sending currents, using said current drivers, through conductors of the array, for generating magnetic field of sufficient magnitude so as to overcome the coersivity of the magnetic stripe.
13. The system according to
14. The system according to
15. The system according to
16. The system according to
17. The system according to
18. The system according to
The present application expressly incorporates by reference herein the entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/464,123, entitled Method and Apparatus for a data Writing onto and Emulating Magnetic Stripe, which was filed on Apr. 21, 2003.
The present invention is generally in the field of improved smart cards.
The use of plastic cards bearing a magnetic stripe for effecting sales, banking, and other diverse transactions is very popular, in part because of the ease with which such cards may be legitimately used to effect these transactions, and because of the ubiquitous infrastructure that makes their use possible.
A magnetic stripe on a card enables the card to be swiped repeatedly in a card reader and convey the digital information stored on the stripe to that reader. The information on a magnetic stripe is written onto the stripe by a magnetic write-head, similar to the way digital information is written onto a magnetic tape. Writing onto the magnetic stripe requires that the write-head moves relative to the stripe while generating a variable bipolar magnetic field that represents the data to be stored, and magnetizes the particles along the stripe accordingly. The magnetic stripe material typically in the form of a slurry is deposited on a card, ticket, or other item in a similar way as paint is deposited on a surface. The magnetic particles retain the memory of their last direction of the magnetic polarity until a magnetic field strong enough to overcome the particle's coercive force changes the polarity to a new direction.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) & ISO/IEC has defined standards relating to magnetic stripe cards.
A typical magnetic stripe is segmented into four channels, three of which are defined for a specific format by ANSI. These tracks are defined only by their location on the magnetic stripe. Each is dedicated to a different purpose:
Track one contains the cardholder's name as well as account and other discretionary data
Track two contains the cardholder's account number, encrypted Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), finger print characteristics, and other discretionary data. This track is the most commonly used and is read by Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) and credit card checkers
Track 3 is unique and rarely used.
Most ATM cards follow these standards, but there are many other types of cards (key cards, security cards, copy machine cards, etc.) that do not follow these established standards.
Smart cards refer to cards that typically include embedded input/output interface, memory, and a microprocessor. Smart cards look like standard plastic cards, but are equipped with embedded Integrated Circuit(s). Smart cards can store information, execute local processing on data, and interface with external devices. These cards take the form of either contact cards that require an electrical connection to an external card interface (Card Acceptance Device (CAD)) or contactless cards that communicate by electromagnetic signals to the external card interface (CAD). The contact card typically has eight metallic interface pads on its surface, each designed to international standards for VCC (power supply voltage), RST (used to reset the microprocessor of the smart card), CLK (clock signal), GND (ground), VPP (programming or write voltage), and I/O (serial input/output line). Two pads are reserved for future use (RFU). Only the I/O and GND contacts are mandatory on a card to meet international standards; the other contacts are optional.
When a smart card is inserted into a Card Acceptance Device or CAD (such as a point-of-sale terminal), the metallic pads come into contact with the CAD's corresponding metallic pins, thereby allowing the card and CAD to communicate. Smart cards are reset when they are inserted into a CAD. This action causes the smart card to respond by sending an Answer-to-Reset (ATR) message, which informs the CAD of what rules govern communication with the card and the processing of a transaction.
Note that in the context of the invention, smart cards are not bound to the structure and manner of operation discussed above. Thus, for example, contact smart cards are not bound by the particular standard described above, and this applies also to contactless cards. By way of another example, smart cards are not bound by any specific substrate, such as plastic cards.
Notwithstanding the advantages of smart cards over magnetic cards, the adoption of smart cards has been relatively slow in the US and other leading markets. One of the main reasons for their slow adoption is the present lack of support infrastructure (e.g. dedicated readers), necessitating retrofitting of equipment such as vending machines, ATMs, and telephones to incorporate dedicated readers that are adapted to read smart cards and possibly also write data thereon.
The standard non-smart magnetic stripe cards, on the other hand, enjoy a ubiquitous infrastructure in many commercial, access control, and other applications and notwithstanding their inferiority compared to smart cards, consumers use predominantly magnetic cards.
The invention according to the PCT publication WO 01/88659 (hereinafter the PCT publication) combines the inherent advantages of smart cards with the widely circulated magnetic card readers. PCT WO 01/88659 discloses an electronic card that can function as an anonymous credit card or banking card for use on or off the Internet, and which utilizes a magnetic storage medium affixed to the card that can be read by a standard magnetic stripe reader. An encoder generates a data packet that can be stored in a designated portion of the magnetic storage medium, which can be a magnetic stripe. The data packet can contain a personal coupon and an alias. A computer or microprocessor generates the personal coupon after a Personal Identification Number is input into the card. The data packet can also be used to convey other information, such as a low battery condition. Several different methods of customizing use of the electronic card provide a vast array of options for handling multiple users, bills, and accounts; and for characterizing individual transactions of the card.
The device disclosed in the '659 publication offers backward compatibility in the sense that information stored in or generated by the smart card and stored in track #2 of the magnetic stripe is accessible by conventional magnetic card readers. The backward compatibility allows the users and industry to benefit from the widely circulated and reliable infrastructure of the magnetic cards readers, and obviates the need for extensive and expensive retrofit, as would be required with conventional smart cards using dedicated smart card readers.
Some of the principles of operation which relate to the PCT application, and which serve as a background for understanding the invention, will be explained with reference to
Where: I is the current in the conductor and R is the radius (distance) from the center of the conductor 4 to the location of interest where magnetic field 6 H is measured. The direction of the magnetic field 6 H is clockwise as indicated by the arrows on the magnetic field lines 6, and corresponds to a current direction in the conductor 4 that is perpendicular to the page and flows in a direction from the viewer into the page.
As is further shown in
Note that it is desirable to minimize the magnitude of the current pulses so that currents and their current drivers become manageable. However, the lower the coercivity of the magnetic stripe material, the more susceptible is the magnetic stripe to being inadvertently modified by external magnetic fields.
The principles described with reference to
There are also provided appropriate electronics and current drivers. The object bearing the magnetic stripe 70, for example, a credit card is placed in close proximity to the conductors 80 a, 80 b, and 80 c as seen in
A smart card of the kind described generally in
For a better understanding of the cumbersome structure of the electronics system and drivers in accordance with the PCT publication, there follows a description of a write bit operation (of bit value 0 or 1), including flip bit value (from 1 to 0 or vise versa) and read bit operation.
Thus, and as depicted in
As depicted in
Generally speaking, when the current flows in a prescribed direction through the two conductors associated with a given magnetic domain (say 34 and 35 in
The encoding of 0 and 1 in the manner specified is illustrated in
In accordance with the PCT publication, two conductors are used per domain, giving rise to four conductors per each bit. The use of two conductors per domain and associated electronics, as described in the '659 publication, facilitates relatively rapid writing and changing of current flow direction (through the conductor(s)) whenever flipping polarity is required (i.e. when a bit value needs to be inversed from 1 to 0 or vise versa). This writing and flipping polarity is achieved at the cost of using a cumbersome system that includes 4 conductors and associated electronics per bit. The associated electronics include current drivers that employ one transistor per conductor. Considering that a relatively high current is required to overcome the magnetic coercivity of the magnetic domain (whenever flipping the polarity is required), the so utilized transistor should sustain currents of relatively high magnitudes, requiring thus power transistors which consequently require larger real-estate on the board or silicon chip than low current transistors do.
As may be recalled, relatively high currents are utilized since the higher the current, the stronger the generated magnetic field, thereby reducing the prospects of undesired flipping of the magnetic domain's polarity due to influence of external magnetic fields.
Thus, for example, for a series of 500 bits that reside on the magnetic stripe, 2000 conductors and 2000 power transistors (used in the current drivers) are utilized. The description with reference to
Realizing such a cumbersome system in a chip that is incorporated in a card having dimensions of a conventional credit card is relatively expensive, because the conductors and associated electronic circuitry would require relatively large real-estate chip space, rendering the manufacture of such chips expensive. Note also that the more complicated the chip, the lesser the yield rate (i.e. the percentage of the fault free manufactured chips), giving rise to increased manufacturing costs, chip price, and the resulting smart card.
Note also that circuitry of the kind specified consumes battery power (due to the use of many current drivers, thus significantly reducing the lifespan of the card's battery, posing undue burden of the user who is compelled to frequently change or re-charge used batteries.
Note also that the switching mechanism of pulsed current in selectable directions into each individual conductor embedded in the magnetic stripe has been used in prior art in conjunction with, for example, magnetic core memory, and will therefore not be further expounded upon herein.
It is thus appreciated that the solution according to the '659 publication suffers from various shortcomings; accordingly there is a need in the art to provide for a novel backward-compatible solution of a smart card that can be used, inter alia, with conventional magnetic card readers. Such an improved smart card can be used, among other uses, to consolidate a plurality of credit cards into a single smart card.
There is a further need in the art for providing an improved smart card capable of static emulation of magnetic stripe, for use with conventional magnetic card readers.
There is still further need in the art for providing an improved smart card capable of dynamic emulation of magnetic stripe, for use with conventional magnetic card readers. There is still further need in the art to use such improved smart card in dual function, allowing also writing thereto using conventional magnetic card writer.
There is still further need in the art for providing a new type of magnetic card writer with no moving parts, configured to write data on magnetic stripes of conventional credit cards, for example.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a smart card device that includes processing and other means coupled to storage medium, and which is associated with a magnetic stripe. The processing and other means enable direct writing of information onto the magnetic stripe. The so written data is originally stored in the storage of the smart card, and/or is generated by the processor of the smart card, and/or based on information that has been received from external source (e.g. by the user through input means such as a keypad that is associated with the smart card).
In accordance with an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved smart card accommodating a stationary bi-dimensional or multi-dimensional array, such as bi-dimensional matrix, without moving parts that selects writing (current flow) to each conductor by addressing at least two matrix coordinates utilized by the smart card. This matrix simplifies the complexity of the electronic drivers that inject current into each conductor segment. As will be explained in greater detail below, such reduced complexity leads to certain advantages, including reduced manufacturing and retail costs, as well as extending the product's battery lifespan.
There is provided, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a method of writing data on magnetic stripe of a smart card by imposing magnetic field of a given polarity on each selected segment of the magnetic stripe, such that data on the magnetic stripe can be read by a magnetic card reader, and interpreted as digital bits, comprising:
(i) providing a multi-dimensional conductor array placed proximate to the magnetic stripe, where the number of conductors in the array is considerably smaller than the number of segments, and where each segment is associated with at least two conductors;
(ii) providing current drivers for sending currents in controlled direction through the conductor array; and
(iii) sending currents, using said current drivers, through conductors of the array, such that for each one of the selected segment composite currents flowing through it's associated segment in at least two conductors overcome the coersivity of the segment of the magnetic stripe.
There is thus provided, in accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a method for statically emulating a magnetic stripe, such that data can be read by a magnetic card reader and interpreted as digital bits, comprising:
a) providing in a smart card a conductor array proximate to the card's surface;
b) providing current drivers for sending currents in controlled direction through the conductor array; and
c) sending currents, using said current drivers, through conductors of the array, for generating magnetic field of sufficient magnitude so as to be read by the magnetic card reader and interpreted as digital bits, while the card is being swiped for reading.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a dynamic emulation of a magnetic stripe that facilitates motionless card reading. In accordance with this aspect, the smart card is positioned so that the magnetic field generated by the conductor is proximate to the magnetic read-head of a card reader. In accordance with this aspect, there is no need to swipe the card such that the magnetic stripe (or the magnetic field in case of static emulated magnetic stripe) traverses the read head of the reader. Accordingly, errors that stem from undue swiping of the card (and which occasionally require that the user should re-swipe the card) are avoided. As will be explained in greater detail below, in dynamic emulation the number of conductors is significantly reduced and the associated electronics is considerably simplified. The net effect is that manufacturing costs are significantly reduced and the smart card's battery lifespan is considerably extended.
There is thus provided in accordance with a third aspect of the invention a method for dynamically emulating a magnetic stripe, such that data can be read by a magnetic card reader and interpreted as digital bits, comprising:
(i) providing at least one conductor proximate the card surface;
(ii) providing at least one current driver for sending current through the at least one conductor; and
(iii) sending variable current, using at least one said current driver, through the at least one conductor, for generating magnetic field of sufficient magnitude so as to be read by the magnetic card reader and interpreted as digital bits.
There is still further provided, in accordance another aspect of the invention, the use of a conventional magnetic stripe writer for conveying data to the smart card using the magnetic coupling between the write head and (possibly) an elongated conductor(s).
There is thus provided in accordance with this aspect of the invention a method for writing data onto a smart card, using a magnetic card writer, comprising:
a) providing at least one conductor proximate the card surface; and
b) providing a magnetic coupling between the write head of a magnetic stripe writer and at least one conductor, for entering data to the smart card.
Still further, there is provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention a new type of magnetic writer, with no moving parts. The magnetic writer includes a conductor array that is external to the card and is used as a magnetic stripe writer for writing onto standard magnetic stripe cards.
There is thus provided in accordance with this aspect of the invention a method for writing data on a magnetic stripe of a magnetic card, comprising:
(i) providing a conductor array proximate to the magnetic stripe;
(ii) providing current drivers for sending currents in controlled direction through the conductor array; and
(iii) sending currents, using said current drivers, through conductors of the array, for generating magnetic field of sufficient magnitude so as to overcome the coersivity of the magnetic stripe.
The invention further provides for a system for writing data on a magnetic stripe of a card, comprising a writing device capable of writing data onto the magnetic stripe being placed in proximity thereto, such that the writing device is characterized as having no moving parts.
The invention further provides for a system for writing data on a magnetic stripe of a card, comprising a writing device capable of writing data onto the magnetic stripe dynamically, in conjunction with a device synchronizing it to the swipe velocity of the card.
Still further, the invention provides for a smart card storing information of multiple cards such that the said card includes a processor and an associated device capable of conveying data indicative of a selected card from among said plurality of cards to a magnetic stripe of the smart card, so as to be read by a magnetic card reader.
Still further, the invention provides for a smart card storing information of multiple cards such that the said card includes a processor and an associated device capable of emulating data indicative of a selected card from among said plurality of cards such that said emulated data is capable of being read by a magnetic card reader.
Still further, the invention provides for a system of storing data indicative of multiple cards in a storage area of a programmable module; such that the said system is capable of transferring data to a magnetic stripe of a card.
For a better understanding, the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bi-dimensional or multi-dimensional conductor array that is proximate to the magnetic stripe that copes with the shortcomings of the hitherto known solutions.
Thus, as shown, two substantially proximate conductors are associated to each domain, to allow a selection of each domain by the sum of currents in the two conductors. (As may be recalled, two domains constitute a single bit). Therefore, the sum of two currents flowing in the same direction is designed to overcome the coercivity of the magnetic stripe for each domain, whereas each current alone or two opposing currents will not. In
The example illustrates the connecting links 101 between successive sets of domain conductors corresponding to x1-x8 and y1-y4, respectively. Note that these links 101 are perpendicular to the domain active conductors, and therefore have no impact on the data content. For example, the domain active conductors Y2 and X6 that control domain 100 are normal to links 101, and therefore currents flowing through links 101 have substantially no impact on the magnitudes of the currents flowing through X6 and Y2 conductors at location 100. Note that in the layout of
Note that in order to further reduce any registration of the links on the magnetic stripe material, these links can be placed on the back layer of the matrix substrate.
Those versed in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is not bound by the specific layout depicted in
Utilizing a conductor array in accordance with the embodiment of
Note that the invention is not bound by the specified matrix realization. Thus, for example the matrix is not necessarily confined to identical number of rows and columns. The current flowing through each entry is likewise not necessarily identical. In other words, it is not necessarily required to push half current intensity through the line entry and another half current intensity through the columns entry in order to bring about a full current intensity required to overcome the coersivity of a magnetic domain. By way of example, 0.75 intensity may be driven through the row entry and 0.25 intensity through the column. Of course, other variants are applicable as required and appropriate. Note that, when using non-identical currents, a careful design should avoid undesired scenarios in which one of the currents is too close to be able to overcome the coersivity. For example, having one current with 0.98 intensity and the other current with 0.02 appears to be risky, because in certain operational scenarios the 0.98 intensity current can overcome by itself the coersivity. The same consideration should apply to the utilization of non identical current in three-dimensional or greater matrix, as will be explained in greater detail below.
By way of another example, a three-dimensional matrix is employed, thus reducing even more the number of conductors that are used. For example, for 500 bits (or 1000 domains) a X*Y*Z matrix can be used with, 10 lines per dimension (supporting up to 1000 domains) giving rise to 30 (i.e. 10*3) lines. Even if using a bi-directional current switch on a single wire, such that two conductors are used (one for each current direction in accordance with the approach of the PCT publication), a total of 60 lines are required (i.e. 30*2), instead of 128 lines, as in the case of two-dimensional matrix exemplified above.
Another matrix example is illustrated in
Other bi-dimensional or multi-dimensional conductor array arrangements that are not necessarily confined to matrix configuration are applicable, all as required and appropriate.
Note that the invention is not bound by the specific architecture illustrated in
The matrix form can be effectively used as a standard magnetic stripe card writer, as will be shown later. These magnetic stripe card writers are static in the sense that there are no moving parts.
The conductor elements 320, 330, 340, and 350 are each driven by current that corresponds to the respective track data, as illustrated in
In accordance with the invention,
Those versed in the art will readily appreciate that the various embodiments discussed above are only few out of many exemplary configurations of a conductor array proximate to the magnetic stripe material for the purpose of writing data onto the magnetic stripe, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
In accordance with a non-limiting application of an improved smart card (described, for example, with reference to the first aspect of the invention), a single smart card can substitute the function of multiple magnetic stripe cards (serving thus as a multi-card) and allow the user to easily change the card's identity/function using the smart card's input/output interfaces, such as a built-in keyboard or display. In other words, a single smart card can store data indicative of plurality of magnetic cards (say of many credit cards) and whenever the card holder wishes to use a given magnetic card, the appropriate data (corresponding to the magnetic card of interest) is written onto the magnetic stripe and can be read by conventional magnetic card reader. The invention is, of course, not bound by this application.
In accordance with a-second aspect of the invention, and as will be explained in greater detail below, there is provided a static emulation of a magnetic stripe by current magnitude and direction control in a conductor retained for the duration of the reading of the emulated magnetic stripe, where the generated magnetic field should substantially correspond to the mapping of bits on a magnetic stripe, in accordance with the standard. Note that the magnetic stripe material is absent, as its functionality is being emulated.
For a better understanding of the second aspect of the invention,
Bearing all this in mind,
In accordance with this embodiment there is provided a static magnetic stripe emulation, obviating the need of using magnetic stripe material. By this embodiment, an array of conductors 180 a, 180 b, and 180 c, shown in
In operation, the user indicates the specific card that is to be used (say, VISA credit card), including PIN and/or finger print to identify an authorized user. In response, the processor retrieves from the storage (both forming part of the credit card) data indicative of the VISA credit card. In the case that the storage stores data indicative of a plurality of credit cards, the data indicative of the sought VISA credit card is identified and retrieved. This operational scenario is by no means limiting and other examples are illustrated by way of non limiting examples with reference to
Note that the static emulation must operate when the card is swiped through the card reader. The emulation can commence shortly before or simultaneously with the swiping of the card through the reader, and the emulation can end when the data is properly read, or shortly after the card has been swiped through the reader. The emulation can likewise be achieved when the current in the conductors is applied sequentially, provided that the sequencing rate is not impacting normal swipe rates. The start/stop of emulation can be automatic or by a user initiated command.
The use of low currents constitutes an advantage, as compared to the use of high currents, because the associated electronics (including the power drivers) is considerably simpler (e.g. transistors compared to power transistors), giving rise to smaller real-estate chip space and consequently lower manufacturing costs. Moreover, utilizing lower currents gives rise to longer battery lifespan. As may be recalled, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, currents are sustained during the reading process. The reading process may be interrupted by the existing external magnetic fields (due to the lower currents that are used) and, accordingly, if desired, higher currents may be employed, all depending upon the particular application.
In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a dynamic emulation of a magnetic stripe by the current's magnitude control and its direction in a conductor. The current's polarity changes in accordance with the data and at a rate determined to be appropriate for a typical magnetic stripe reader. This constitutes a variable magnetic field burst, corresponding to the data to be delivered to the magnetic stripe reader, which is repeated, if necessary, at least for the duration of the reading of the emulated magnetic stripe.
An embodiment of the third aspect of the invention is based on a dynamic emulation of a magnetic stripe, and obviates the act of swiping.
In operation, the card is placed in a conventional magnetic stripe reader in a manner that brings the conductors 120, 130, 140, and 150 proximate to the reading head of the reader. The smart card emulates the swiping action of a magnetic stripe by generating the same varying magnetic field as that of a magnetic stripe being swiped in the vicinity of the read-head. The varying magnetic field is induced by an electromagnetic transducer and is controlled by the transducer's driver in the direction and intensity of the current. For four magnetic stripe channels, four such transducers 120, 130, 140, and 150 and drivers are used. Note that the conductors have to be placed vis-α-vis the reader and, if reading does not occur, i.e. the conductors are displaced relative to the read head, the magnitude of the magnetic field sensed by the magnetic head reader may be too low. In this case the user will have to repeat the procedure until the data is successfully read.
For a better understanding of the foregoing, refer to
The invention is, of course, not bound by this particular Aiken Biphase encoding scheme.
Note that the rate of change of the current, and consequently the flux, represents the swiping action of a standard card. The baud rate (the reciprocal of the shortest time between two sequential transitions i.e. equivalent to one domain being swept) of the data stream being generated by the smart card can be set to any value desired, within the rate range set by the standards. Typically, although not necessarily, it should be set to a safe value around the middle of the range. Once set, it will be consistently repeated every time the card is used, with drifts confined to the tolerance of the internal card's clock.
The baud rate of data generated by the write head of the magnetic stripe card writer is determined by the manufacturer of the magnetic stripe card writer. The smart card will synchronize to that rate in a similar fashion as a magnetic stripe card reader synchronizes to the data baud rate determined by the swipe velocity of the card. The format of the data transfer is specified in great detail in the standards. The standard includes a preamble of zeros for synchronization. However, custom format outside the specifications of the standards (which is often necessary for track 3) are possible.
In accordance with certain embodiments of this aspect of the invention, it is possible to employ a single conductor per track, and to feed through the conductor variable currents indicative of the series of bits that are normally accommodated in a credit card track (say, 500 bits, as described in the examples above), as depicted, for example, in the description with reference to
The invention in accordance with this aspect constitutes a significant advantage in that only few conductors are used and, accordingly, a very simple associated electronics circuitry is required to drive currents to the conductors. This exhibits even greater current savings and further reduces the number of current drivers, compared to the static emulation, in accordance with the second aspect of the invention (the latter, as may be recalled, constitutes a significant current savings over hitherto known solutions). The current consumption in accordance with the third aspect of the invention is reduced because the data is presented sequentially, i.e. in certain embodiments no more than one bit is generated at a time, compared to all the bits generated simultaneously, in accordance with certain embodiments of the second aspect of the invention.
Note also that by this embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, the card can be placed in a selected stationary position inside the reader, thereby obviating the need to swipe the card in the reader. This may constitute an advantage for users who are unable to swipe the card rapidly in the reader (e.g. those suffering from motoric disorders), and now find it unnecessary to perform repeated attempts to swipe the card until the data is duly read by the reader. What would be required in accordance with this embodiment is simply to place the card inside the reader (preferably, although not necessarily, in the center), and the data will be conveyed to the reader by means of the dynamic emulation described above.
By another embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, a magnetic field representing the data extends along a longer segment of the smart card, mimicking the same location where a standard magnetic stripe would be placed.
For a better understanding of the operation of the embodiment of
By the embodiment described with reference to
If desired, the card can be swiped in the conventional manner. This is because the elongated conductor provides the same information throughout its longitudinal extent while the card is swiped.
Attention is now drawn to
In operation, a magnetic flux 219 emanates from the conventional magnetic write head 214 b. The magnetic flux corresponds to the current direction to the write head's coil terminals 216 b and 218 b. The flux 219 is sensed by the C core 212 b and the coil 260 b, resulting in data signals at the coil terminals 208 b and 210 b. By following this approach, data is written to the smart card, using a conventional magnetic write head. Using a standard magnetic write head for writing data to a smart card is not limited to the specific implementation described with reference to
As may be recalled, hitherto known techniques for writing data into smart cards employ transmitting data through designated interface pin(s) for contact smart cards, or communicating by electromagnetic signals from external card interface for contactless cards. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, there is provided yet another means for writing data to smart cards, using standard magnetic write head. As explained above, with reference to the third aspect of the invention, the smart cards that are used are simple, inexpensive, and consume very low power, thereby constituting advantage over other known smart cards.
By a modified embodiment, a read/write functionality is provided, where the smart card of the kind described in a non limiting manner with reference to
Thus, for example, this embodiment also allows a conventional magnetic stripe writer to convey data to the smart card using the magnetic coupling of the write head with the four track channel transducers 220, 230, 240, and 250 (see
Still further, there is provided in accordance with another aspect of the invention a new type of magnetic stripe card writer, with no moving parts. The new type of writer includes a conductor array being external to the card and used as a magnetic stripe writer onto standard magnetic stripe cards.
Attention is now drawn to
By another embodiment, instead of using an array of conductors in the manner described with reference to
As explained above, the invention in accordance with various embodiments thereof obviates the need to carry multiple magnetic cards by storing the content of the multiple cards in a single physical card. It further offers better fraud protection to the consumer. The description below refers mainly to an application of consolidating multiple (magnetic) cards in a single smart card (or programmable device, such as cellular telephone or PDA, referred to also as multi card application). The invention is not bound by this application. For instance, it may be used for other applications, such as those disclosed in the PCT publication.
Thus, the data indicative of the multiple cards can be stored on the smart card, which accommodates also a processor, and in response to user selection, the data of selected card is conveyed by means of the processor through the conductors to the magnetic stripe or emulates the magnetic stripe, all as described in detail above.
By another embodiment of the invention, a portable programmable device stores the information of the multiple cards, and in response to user selection, the data of selected card is conveyed to the magnetic stripe of a conventional magnetic card (or emulates the magnetic stripe), all as described in detail above. The programmable device forms part of external device such as, for instance, a PDA or cellular telephone fitted with or coupled to a writer of the kind described above, e.g. with reference to
Note that by one embodiment, the user does not have a smart card, but rather a conventional, generic magnetic card, which is updated with appropriate data (e.g. of the selected credit card) from the external programmable device being for example the user's PDA or cellular telephone.
The data indicative of the cards (say the credit cards) can be transferred to the smart card (in the case it holds the data indicative of multiple cards), or to the programmable device (in the case it holds the data indicative of multiple cards) from an external source through either direct or remote coupling, using a safe communication channel.
When the user wants to select a given card to use (from among the plurality of stored credit cards), there is provided in accordance with one embodiment an interactive module that presents to the user a summary of the information stored (such as names of the cards, total spending of each card from a specific date etc.), and allows the user to pick the card, using input means such as keypad. The interactive module can form part of the smart card or the programmable device, depending upon the particular application.
In order to store data of existing cards, their contents is read (using, say conventional magnetic card reader), and the data is stored in the smart card/external programmable device for later use. Optionally, additional information can be added by the user through an optional interactive module. The additional data being, for example, the type of the card (e.g. credit/debit card), credit limits, amount spent from a particular date, the card distributor, and any other information that might be of interest to the user.
By one embodiment, the smart card has an embedded display presenting information relating to the emulated card. The display can optionally present the visible information that exists in the original magnetic card, e.g. the contents of each or selected track. Such information can include the name of the institution that supplies the card, the card number, the name of the holder, expiration date, and a sample signature.
A non-limiting example of a display that can be used is a Ferroelectric LCD that does not require power to maintain the current contents of a display, as it only requires power to change the displayed contents.
By another non-limiting example, the display is powered by the smart card's power. Other variants are applicable.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the user can use the smart card only if he or she enters a PIN through the interactive module. The use of PIN can be required, e.g. before commencing a transaction, or once a day, or once a week at any other time, or not required at all. Certain protection means can be employed, e.g. the insertion of a wrong PIN would delete the content (or portion thereof) of the card. Alternatively, N consecutive failures to insert the correct PIN would delete the content (or portion thereof) of the card. Other variants are, of course, applicable.
By one embodiment of the invention, a provider (say the credit card operator, such as VISA, MASTERCARD, etc. transmits information to the programmable device (say a cellular phone), and the latter is capable to receive and store transmitted information. The information is then transferred to the card via the card writer that either forms an integral part of the programmable device, or is coupled thereto.
Non-limiting examples of such transmitted information are:
If desired, the transmission of data can be secured by a PIN, finger print reader, and/or other encryption means. In accordance with this embodiment, the user is exempted from accessing the bank to receive a new card when the previous one has been expired, because the updated data can be transmitted from the credit card operator in the manner described above. Note, generally, that in the context with the various aspects of the invention, encryption means encompass PIN, finger print detection, voice recognition (being example of biometrics identification), and/or other known per se means.
Attention is now drawn to
Thus, module A is a programmable module allowing operation with a card reader and/or writer, designated B, in order to transfer the information to a smart card designated C.
Module A receives card information read from the magnetic stripe of one or multiple cards using module B as a card reader (or possibly other dedicated reader). The information is stored in a storage area of module A. If desired, additional (user defined) information is added to the information stored within module A by input means, such as a keypad that is coupled to module A. By one embodiment, module A is an integral module in the smart card C.
By another embodiment, module A forms part of a programmable device, such as cell-phone, capable of receiving keyed-in and/or transmitted information and/or magnetic card information read from a magnetic card reader. This information is stored or added to the storage area of module A. In operation, the information is transferred to magnetic card C, via the writer functionality of module B (the latter can be separated from A or being integral part thereof). The writing of data to magnetic card C can be, for example, in accordance with the procedure described with reference to
As described above, the user can interact with module A via a keypad and LCD screen. The user is able to view some or all of the stored cards' information, decides which information to send to the magnetic card, and initiates the transfer of the information to the magnetic card.
In the case that modules A and B are fitted in a smart card, the data can be written to the magnetic stripe of the smart card or be sent to emulate the magnetic stripe, all as described in detail above with reference to the various aspects of the invention.
Attention is now directed to
Module B is a LCD device. Module C is data storage area. Module D is a keypad device. Module E is the magnetic stripe of said smart card. Module F is a processor running a control program capable of interacting with the keypad D, data storage C, LCD B, the magnetic stripe E, and module G. Module G is a conductor array and associated electronics, as described above with reference to various aspects of the invention.
By this non-limiting example, information of three cards (numbered 1, 2, and 3) is stored in the storage area C. The control program F is initiated by a user interaction with the keypad D, to navigate between the information of the different cards. Thus, program F switches between the information of the cards 1,2,3 in response to user interaction through keypad D. Whenever program F switches between cards' information, program F sends some of the information of the current card to the LCD B. This information is, e.g., the card name and number (that is presented on the original card). The user is able to select the card of interest, according to the displayed data, by invoking instructions via the keypad D, and thus program module F sends the relevant information of the selected card to module G, which conveys the data to the magnetic stripe E, all as described in detail above. Once the information is available in the magnetic stripe, smart card A is capable to perform as the selected card.
By another non-limiting example, modules B, C, F and D are fitted in a programmable device, such as cell phone or a PDA. Module G is either incorporated in the programmable device, or coupled therewith through interface. Upon user selection of card information, the information of the selected card is transmitted to the magnetic stripe E of card A, via a card writer. By way of another non limiting example, smart card A includes also an LCD screen. When the information is sent from the said device to the magnetic stripe of the smart card, additional information (such as the name and number of the selected card) is sent to the LCD. As may be recalled instead, of magnetic stripe (E) the latter can be emulated, using, e.g., the emulation sequence described with reference to
The present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, with respect to each one of its distinct aspects, but those versed in the art will readily appreciate that various alterations and modifications can be carried out, without departing from the following Claims: