Abstract: A transaction card includes at least one metal layer having one or more apertures therein. A light guide is disposed beneath the metal layer. The light guide has a light output and a light input. The light output is positioned to transmit light through at least the one or more apertures of the metal layer. At least one LED is positioned to transmit light into the light input of the light guide.

Abstract: A transaction card includes at least one metal layer having one or more apertures therein. A light guide is disposed beneath the metal layer. The light guide has a light output and a light input. The light output is positioned to transmit light through at least the one or more apertures of the metal layer. At least one LED is positioned to transmit light into the light input of the light guide.

Abstract: A non-provisioned card having a front side and a back side, and at least one visible surface that is patinated or activated to promote patination.

Abstract: A transaction card includes at least one metal layer having one or more apertures therein. A light guide is disposed beneath the metal layer. The light guide has a light output and a light input. The light output is positioned to transmit light through at least the one or more apertures of the metal layer. At least one LED is positioned to transmit light into the light input of the light guide.

Abstract: Cards made in accordance with the invention include a specially treated thin decorative layer attached to a thick core layer of metal or ceramic material, where the thin decorative layer is designed to provide selected color(s) and/or selected texture(s) to a surface of the metal cards. Decorative layers for use in practicing the invention include: (a) an anodized metal layer; or (b) a layer of material derived from plant or animal matter (e.g., wood, leather); or (c) an assortment of aggregate binder material (e.g., cement, mortar, epoxies) mixed with laser reactive materials (e.g., finely divided carbon); or (d) a ceramic layer; and (e) a layer of crystal fabric material. The cards may be dual interface smart cards which can be read in a contactless manner and/or via contacts.

Abstract: A transaction card includes at least one metal layer having one or more apertures therein. A light guide is disposed beneath the metal layer. The light guide has a light output and a light input. The light output is positioned to transmit light through at least the one or more apertures of the metal layer.

Abstract: A card includes a layer of deformable material embossed with a three dimensional (3-D) pattern. A first layer is in direct contact with and overlies the embossed deformable layer. A second layer is in direct contact with and underlies the embossed deformable layer. The first layer is of conformable material and extends within the embossed pattern for filling, setting and maintaining the embossed pattern in a fixed condition. The second layer is of conformable material and conforms to the embossed pattern set in the deformable layer.

Abstract: A transaction card having a metal layer, an opening in the metal layer for a transponder chip, and at least one discontinuity extending from an origin on the card periphery to a terminus in the opening. The card has a greater flex resistance than a card having a comparative discontinuity with the terminus and the origin the same distance from a line defined by a first long side of the card periphery in an absence of one or more strengthening features. Strengthening features include a discontinuity wherein one of the terminus or the origin are located relatively closer to the first long side of the card periphery than the other, a plurality of discontinuities wherein fewer than all extend from the card periphery to the opening, a self-supporting, non-metal layer disposed on at least one surface of the card, or one or more ceramic reinforcing tabs surrounding the opening.

Abstract: A transaction card having a partial glass layer including an interior glass member connected to a non-glass frame. The frame defines opposite planar surfaces, has an outer periphery coextensive with the outer periphery of the card, and has a frame inner periphery spaced radially inward from the frame outer periphery. The frame inner periphery defines an interior area occupied by the glass member. The transaction card further includes at least one additional layer having a periphery coextensive with the periphery of the card, and a payment module configured for contactless operation or dual interface contact/contactless operation.

Abstract: A transaction card having a metal layer, an opening in the metal layer for a transponder chip, and at least one discontinuity extending from an origin on the card periphery to a terminus in the opening. The card has a greater flex resistance than a card having a comparative discontinuity with the terminus and the origin the same distance from a line defined by a first long side of the card periphery in an absence of one or more strengthening features. Strengthening features include a discontinuity wherein one of the terminus or the origin are located relatively closer to the first long side of the card periphery than the other, a plurality of discontinuities wherein fewer than all extend from the card periphery to the opening, a self-supporting, non-metal layer disposed on at least one surface of the card, or one or more ceramic reinforcing tabs surrounding the opening.

Abstract: A transaction card having a partial glass layer including an interior glass member connected to a non-glass frame. The frame defines opposite planar surfaces, has an outer periphery coextensive with the outer periphery of the card, and has a frame inner periphery spaced radially inward from the frame outer periphery. The frame inner periphery defines an interior area occupied by the glass member. The transaction card further includes at least one additional layer having a periphery coextensive with the periphery of the card, and a payment module configured for contactless operation or dual interface contact/contactless operation.

Abstract: A transaction card includes at least one metal layer having one or more apertures therein. A light guide is disposed beneath the metal layer. The light guide has a light output and a light input. The light output is positioned to transmit light through at least the one or more apertures of the metal layer. At least one LED is positioned to transmit light into the light guide light input.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a transaction card includes forming an opening in a card body of the transaction card; inserting an electronic component into the opening; and disposing a non-conductive material about the electronic component. A transaction card includes a molded electronic component.

Abstract: A transaction card having a discontinuous metal stratum with a desired degree of electrical eddy current disruption disposed on a surface of a first layer, such as a glass or other transparent layer. A transaction module disposed in the first layer is electrically isolated from the discontinuous metal stratum. The discontinuous metal stratum may include a plurality of isolated metal features that form a halftone pattern, such as a pattern that is visibly opaque to the naked eye.

Abstract: A transaction card having a discontinuous metal stratum with a desired degree of electrical eddy current disruption disposed on a surface of a first layer, such as a glass or other transparent layer. A transaction module disposed in the first layer is electrically isolated from the discontinuous metal stratum. The discontinuous metal stratum may include a plurality of isolated metal features that form a halftone pattern, such as a pattern that is visibly opaque to the naked eye.

Abstract: A dual interface transaction card includes a metal card body having first and second surfaces. A contact-only transaction module is secured in the card body, the contact-only transaction module including contact pads disposed on the first surface of the card body and including a first transaction circuit. A contactless transaction module is secured in a void in the metal card body. The contactless transaction module includes a second transaction circuit and an antenna. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the dual interface transaction card. The process includes the steps of constructing a metal card body having the first and second surfaces, securing the contact-only transaction module in the metal card body, forming the void in the metal card body, and securing the contactless transaction module in the void.

Abstract: Metal transaction cards and methods of making metal transaction cards are disclosed. One metal transaction card includes at least one metal layer and an inlay layer comprising a biometric sensor and one or more payment interface components configured to interface with a card reader, a secure element configured to exchange information with the card reader pursuant to processing a financial transaction, and at least one logic component connected to the biometric sensor. The logic component is configured to compare information detected by the biometric sensor to stored information and to enable processing of the financial transaction only upon a detected match between the detected and stored information.

Abstract: Cards embodying the invention include a core subassembly whose elements define the functionality of the card and a hard coat subassembly attached to the top and/or bottom sides of the core subassembly to protect the core subassembly from wear and tear and being scratched. The core subassembly may be formed solely of plastic layers or of different combinations of plastic and metal layers and may include all the elements of a smart card enabling contactless RF communication and/or direct contact communication. The hard coat subassembly includes a hard coat layer, which typically includes nanoparticles, and a buffer or primer layer formed so as to be attached between the hard coat layer and the core subassembly for enabling the lasering of the core subassembly without negatively impacting the hard coat layer and/or for imparting color to the card.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a transaction card includes forming an opening in a card body of the transaction card; inserting an electronic component into the opening; and disposing a non-conductive material about the electronic component. A transaction card includes a molded electronic component.

Abstract: Systems, methods, transaction cards, mobile devices, processors, and computer memory programmed with machine-readable instructions, for providing a dynamic Card Verification Value (dCVV) to a user of a transaction card. A mobile device associated with the user and with the transaction card initiates a non-payment near field communication (NFC) with the transaction card, receives a message from the transaction card in the non-payment NFC communication, transmits a prompt to an IP address or web address over a global computer information network, and receives a secure communication from containing the dCVV from a server accessible from the IP address or web address in response to the prompt. The dCVV code is then provided to the user. In embodiments, the non-payment NFC may be initiated via a card tap, a user interface, or a communication from a website.