Abstract: Systems are described herein for providing card reader configuration and access control, including a card reader, a remote computing device, and a communications network coupled to the card reader and the remote computing device. The card reader is configured to connect to the remote computing device via the communications network, transmit a request to the remote computing device via the communications network, receive data from the remote computing device via the communications network, and configure operational settings based on the received data. The remote computing device is configured to receive the request from the card reader via the communications network, generate data responsive to the request, and transmit the data to the card reader via the communications network.

Abstract: Dual interface modules, and methods for manufacturing the same, are described. A substrate layer is provided with at least one dual interface section. At least two first through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. A first connection element is arranged in each first through-hole. Each first connection element is connected to a contact pad that is arranged on a first side of the substrate. Each first connection element is connected to a connection pad that is arranged on a second side of the substrate. At least one electronic element is arranged on the second side of the substrate in each dual interface section. Two second through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. Two soldering pads with a first side and a second side are arranged on the second side of the substrate layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for providing configuration and access control of a card reader using a secure channel between the card reader and a remote computing device. The card reader transmits a request for service to the remote computing device via a cloud-based communications network. The remote computing device receives the request for service via the cloud-based communications network and generates service instructions based on the received request for service. The remote computing device transmits the service instructions to the card reader via the cloud-based communications network. The card reader receives the service instructions from the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network and configures operational settings based on the received service instructions.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a pre-cut plastic card structure via laser cutting, having a plastic card, plastic card prelaminate and sticker separable from the plastic card structure. The plastic card prelaminate includes a first plastic sheet, a first adhesive layer arranged below the first plastic sheet, a release layer arranged below the first adhesive layer, a laser barrier layer arranged below the release layer, and a second plastic sheet arranged below of the laser barrier layer.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for providing identity, authentication, and access control services in a mobile environment utilizing data encoded tags. A server computing device receives tag data and user data from a mobile device, the tag data read from a data-encoded tag in proximity to the mobile device using a short-range communication protocol, and the user data stored on the mobile device. The server computing device authenticates a user of the mobile device based on the user data, determines whether the user is authorized to access an access point associated with the data-encoded tag, transmits a message to the access point that instructs the access point to grant user access if the user is authorized, receives a response from the access point indicating that user access is granted and transmits a message to the mobile device indicating to the user that access is granted to the access point.

Abstract: Described herein are an antenna for a transponder, in particular a near field communication (NFC) or radio frequency identification (RFID) device transponder, a transponder comprising the antenna and a flat panel or poster comprising the transponder, and methods of manufacturing the antenna, the transponder and/or the flat panel or poster.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, are described for developing workflow processes associated with data-encoded tags. A server receives tag data associated with each of a plurality of data-encoded tags from one or more mobile devices capable of reading data-encoded tags. The server generates a collection of tags to include each of the plurality of data-encoded tags. The server develops a workflow process associated with the collection of tags using the received tag data, and stores the workflow process in a data storage module.

Abstract: A system and method for providing continued access to authentication and encryption services that includes a secure key store communicably coupled to a virtual smart card server. A virtual smart card driver is also provided and is communicably coupled to a virtual smart card secure hardware server. The virtual smart card driver communicates with an authentication client to authenticate a user, and access the user's private key stored in the secure key store when the user's physical smart card is unavailable. Continued access is provided when the user has been authenticated.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a pre-cut plastic card structure via laser cutting, having a plastic card, plastic card prelaminate and sticker separable from the plastic card structure. The plastic card prelaminate includes a first plastic sheet, a first adhesive layer arranged below the first plastic sheet, a release layer arranged below the first adhesive layer, a laser barrier layer arranged below the release layer, and a second plastic sheet arranged below of the laser barrier layer.

Abstract: Described herein is a label roll comprising a liner and a plurality of labels affixed to the liner, wherein each edge of a first label that neighbors another label in a release direction of the label roll comprises (i) at least one protuberance that engages with a recess in an edge of the other label or (ii) at least one recess that is engaged by a protuberance in an edge of the other label.

Abstract: Described herein are RFID structures and methods of manufacturing RFID structures. An antenna substrate is provided. A first stack layer is provided. An antenna assembly including an antenna track, and at least two contact pads, are formed on a first surface of the antenna substrate. An integrated circuit unit is coupled to the at least two contact pads. A first surface of the first stack layer, the first surface of the antenna substrate, or both are coated with a unidirectional thermally expansive coating material. The first surface of the antenna substrate is positioned to be adjacent to the first surface of the first stack layer.

Abstract: A plastic card prelaminate and a plastic card including a phone sticker, and methods for manufacturing the same are described herein. A first plastic sheet is provided, having a release layer bonded to the first plastic sheet via an adhesive layer. At least one composite structure is provided, the composite structure including a plastic layer including at least one electronic element. A second plastic sheet is provided on top of the first plastic sheet. At least one through-hole is formed in the second plastic sheet, where each through-hole is smaller than the release layer bonded to the first plastic sheet. A composite structure is positioned in each through-hole.

Abstract: A dual interface module comprises a substrate layer having at least two first through-holes, two contact pads on a first side of the substrate, at least two connection pads on a second side of the substrate, at least one electronic element on the second side of the substrate, an antenna pad comprising an antenna on the second side of the substrate, at least two first connection elements in the first through-holes, each first element electrically connecting one of the contact pads with one of the connection pads, at least two second connection elements, each second element electrically connecting one of the connection pads with the electronic element, and two third connection elements, each third element electrically connecting the electronic element with the antenna pad. The module can be arranged on a plastic card body or in a cavity in a plastic card body to form a dual interface card.

Abstract: Described herein are RFID structures and methods of manufacturing RFID structures. An antenna substrate is provided. A first stack layer is provided. An antenna assembly including an antenna track, and at least two contact pads, are formed on a first surface of the antenna substrate. An integrated circuit unit is coupled to the at least two contact pads. A first surface of the first stack layer, the first surface of the antenna substrate, or both are coated with a unidirectional thermally expansive coating material. The first surface of the antenna substrate is positioned to be adjacent to the first surface of the first stack layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for providing configuration and access control of a card reader using a secure channel between the card reader and a remote computing device. The card reader transmits a request for service to the remote computing device via a cloud-based communications network. The remote computing device receives the request for service via the cloud-based communications network and generates service instructions based on the received request for service. The remote computing device transmits the service instructions to the card reader via the cloud-based communications network. The card reader receives the service instructions from the remote computing device via the cloud-based communications network and configures operational settings based on the received service instructions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described herein for providing continued operation of NFC-enabled mobile devices and NFC-enabled tags. The techniques described herein relate to methods and systems using a short-range frequency-enabled tag that can be applied to a short-range frequency-enabled mobile device, resulting in the reduction of interference between the internal short-range frequency circuitry of the mobile device and the short-range frequency receiver and transmitter circuitry of the tag—particularly when communicating with other short-range frequency devices. The techniques provide the advantage of enabling use of both the internal short-range frequency capabilities of the mobile device and the short-range frequency capabilities of the tag, leading to flexible and dynamic applications that leverage both sets of features, as well as access to a wider variety of current and future applications.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for providing identity, authentication, and access control services in a mobile environment utilizing data encoded tags. A server computing device receives tag data and user data from a mobile device, the tag data read from a data-encoded tag in proximity to the mobile device using a short-range communication protocol, and the user data stored on the mobile device. The server computing device authenticates a user of the mobile device based on the user data, determines whether the user is authorized to access an access point associated with the data-encoded tag, transmits a message to the access point that instructs the access point to grant user access if the user is authorized, receives a response from the access point indicating that user access is granted and transmits a message to the mobile device indicating to the user that access is granted to the access point.

Abstract: Systems are described herein for providing card reader configuration and access control, including a card reader, a remote computing device, and a communications network coupled to the card reader and the remote computing device. The card reader is configured to connect to the remote computing device via the communications network, transmit a request to the remote computing device via the communications network, receive data from the remote computing device via the communications network, and configure operational settings based on the received data. The remote computing device is configured to receive the request from the card reader via the communications network, generate data responsive to the request, and transmit the data to the card reader via the communications network.

Abstract: Described herein is a radio-frequency identification (RFID) credential configured to provide a plurality of message formats. The RFID credential includes a low-frequency proximity chip. The proximity chip includes a controller having a protocol sequencing module, an analog front end, a modes register, and a modulator. The protocol sequencing module is programmed to deliver messages associated with the plurality of message formats to the analog front end using the modes register and the modulator, the delivery of the messages occurring in a sequential manner based on the message format of the message. The modes register is configured to store a plurality of message formats, and one or more bits in each message format identify the message format type.

Abstract: Described are RFID structures and methods for forming RFID structures. An RFID structure includes a loop antenna assembly, an antenna substrate supporting the loop antenna assembly, and a shielding layer parallel with a plane defined by the antenna substrate. The loop antenna assembly has a stand-alone resonant frequency of f1 above or below a standardized reader frequency range. The loop antenna includes an antenna track and at least two contact pads. The loop antenna assembly in combination with the shielding layer has a resonant frequency of f2 below the standardized reader frequency range. If positioned against a metallic surface, the loop antenna assembly in combination with the shielding layer has a resonant frequency within the standardized reader frequency range.