Abstract: Systems and methods for personalizing data card are disclosed. One embodiment includes a card receiver configured to receive one or more data cards, a control system connected to the card receiver, the control system configured to receive personalization information, an encoder system connected to the control system, the encoder system configured to encode the one or more data cards with at least some portion of the personalization information, a card reader connected to the control system, the card reader configured to read magnetic fingerprint information from the one or more data cards, and the control system configured to store the magnetic fingerprint information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for personalizing data card are disclosed. One embodiment includes a card receiver configured to receive one or more data cards, a control system connected to the card receiver, the control system configured to receive personalization information, an encoder system connected to the control system, the encoder system configured to encode the one or more data cards with at least some portion of the personalization information, a card reader connected to the control system, the card reader configured to read magnetic fingerprint information from the one or more data cards, and the control system configured to store the magnetic fingerprint information.

Abstract: A card authentication system. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for authenticating a data card having an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card, the method including reading information from the data card, the data card information including the intrinsic magnetic characteristic and the recorded data on the data card, encrypting the data card information, sending the encrypted data card information, receiving the encrypted data card information, decrypting a portion of the encrypted data card information, the portion including the intrinsic magnetic characteristic, generating a score indicative of a degree of correlation between the intrinsic magnetic characteristic of the data card information and a stored value, and determining an authenticity of the data card based at least in part on the score.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for secure multi-factor authentication using dynamic data, the system including a card reader, and a computer having a display, wherein the card reader is configured to read card information from a data card, provide a scramble code to the computer, receive user input data indicative of user input responsive to a graphical numeric display based on the scramble code, generate PIN data based on the user input data, generate a PIN block including the PIN data and the card information, and transmit the PIN block for authentication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating aspects of an online transaction using a secure peripheral device having a message display and/or user input are provided. One such method for establishing a secure communication channel between a computer peripheral device and a host includes responding to requests to authenticate the peripheral device, authenticating the host, receiving one or more messages from the host, displaying the one or more messages on a display of the peripheral device, receiving user input in response to the one or more messages, sending the user response to the host.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for secure multi-factor authentication using dynamic data, the system including a card reader, and a computer having a display, wherein the card reader is configured to read card information from a data card, provide a scramble code to the computer, receive user input data indicative of user input responsive to a graphical numeric display based on the scramble code, generate PIN data based on the user input data, generate a PIN block including the PIN data and the card information, and transmit the PIN block for authentication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for personalizing data card are disclosed. One embodiment includes a card receiver configured to receive one or more data cards, a control system connected to the card receiver, the control system configured to receive personalization information, an encoder system connected to the control system, the encoder system configured to encode the one or more data cards with at least some portion of the personalization information, a card reader connected to the control system, the card reader configured to read magnetic fingerprint information from the one or more data cards, and the control system configured to store the magnetic fingerprint information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for personalizing data card are disclosed. One embodiment includes a card receiver configured to receive one or more data cards, a control system connected to the card receiver, the control system configured to receive personalization information, an encoder system connected to the control system, the encoder system configured to encode the one or more data cards with at least some portion of the personalization information, a card reader connected to the control system, the card reader configured to read magnetic fingerprint information from the one or more data cards, and the control system configured to store the magnetic fingerprint information.

Abstract: Magnetic stripe readers are disclosed that are configured to extract information from magnetic media and encrypt part of the extracted information. Embodiments of magnetic stripe readers include measures to resist tampering and inputs to receive unencrypted information from input devices. One embodiment includes a housing containing a magnetic reading head connected to a decoder circuit that is connected to an encryption engine. The magnetic reading head generates a signal indicative of a magnetic field. The decoder circuit is configured to extract data from the output of the magnetic reading head and the encryption engine is configured to encrypt a portion of the extracted data and the encryption engine is configured to pass a portion of the extracted data unencrypted.

Abstract: Magnetic stripe readers are disclosed that are configured to extract information from magnetic media and encrypt part of the extracted information. Embodiments of magnetic stripe readers include measures to resist tampering and inputs to receive unencrypted information from input devices. One embodiment includes a housing containing a magnetic reading head connected to a decoder circuit that is connected to an encryption engine. The magnetic reading head generates a signal indicative of a magnetic field. The decoder circuit is configured to extract data from the output of the magnetic reading head and the encryption engine is configured to encrypt a portion of the extracted data and the encryption engine is configured to pass a portion of the extracted data unencrypted.

Abstract: Magnetic stripe readers that are configured to extract information from magnetic media and encrypt part of the extracted information are provided. Embodiments of magnetic stripe readers include measures to resist tampering and inputs to receive unencrypted information from input devices. One embodiment includes a housing containing a magnetic reading head connected to a decoder circuit that is connected to an encryption engine. The magnetic reading head generates a signal indicative of a magnetic field. The decoder circuit is configured to extract data from the output of the magnetic reading head and the encryption engine is configured to encrypt a portion of the extracted data and the encryption engine is configured to pass a portion of the extracted data unencrypted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encrypting the output of a card reader in a card authentication system are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for reading a data card having an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card using a read head including a magnetic sensor having a housing, an analog to digital converter located within the housing and a processor located within the housing, the method including generating an analog signal indicative of the intrinsic magnetic characteristic and the recorded data of the data card, converting the analog signal into a digital signal, generating a magnetic fingerprint based on the intrinsic magnetic characteristic from the digital signal, extracting the recorded data from the digital signal, encrypting at least a portion of the recorded data, storing the magnetic fingerprint and the recorded data, and outputting the encrypted at least the portion of the recorded data.

Abstract: A card reader for use in web based transactions is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for establishing a secure connection between a card reader and a server, the method including receiving a first challenge request, generating a response to the first challenge request using a first encryption key, sending the response to the first challenge request, sending a second challenge request, receiving an encrypted response to the second challenge request, verifying the encrypted response to the second challenge request; and, if the encrypted response is verified, reading data card information from a data card, the data card information including an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card, generating a magnetic fingerprint based on the intrinsic magnetic characteristic, and sending the magnetic fingerprint to authenticate the data card.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encrypting the output of a card reader in a card authentication system are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for reading a data card having an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card using a read head including a magnetic sensor having a housing, an analog to digital converter located within the housing and a processor located within the housing, the method including generating an analog signal indicative of the intrinsic magnetic characteristic and the recorded data of the data card, converting the analog signal into a digital signal, generating a magnetic fingerprint based on the intrinsic magnetic characteristic from the digital signal, extracting the recorded data from the digital signal, encrypting at least a portion of the recorded data, storing the magnetic fingerprint and the recorded data, and outputting the encrypted at least the portion of the recorded data.

Abstract: A card authentication system. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for authenticating a data card having an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card, the method including reading information from the data card, the data card information including the intrinsic magnetic characteristic and the recorded data on the data card, encrypting the data card information, sending the encrypted data card information, receiving the encrypted data card information, decrypting a portion of the encrypted data card information, the portion including the intrinsic magnetic characteristic, generating a score indicative of a degree of correlation between the intrinsic magnetic characteristic of the data card information and a stored value, and determining an authenticity of the data card based at least in part on the score.

Abstract: A card reader for use in web based transactions is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for establishing a secure connection between a card reader and a server, the method including receiving a first challenge request, generating a response to the first challenge request using a first encryption key, sending the response to the first challenge request, sending a second challenge request, receiving an encrypted response to the second challenge request, verifying the encrypted response to the second challenge request; and, if the encrypted response is verified, reading data card information from a data card, the data card information including an intrinsic magnetic characteristic and recorded data on the data card, generating a magnetic fingerprint based on the intrinsic magnetic characteristic, and sending the magnetic fingerprint to authenticate the data card.

Abstract: A data-bearing card is transported past a reading, writing or other communication head by at least one drive element connected to an electric motor through a preselected gear train. The mechanism moves the card at speeds corresponding to a preferred range of rates at which data borne by the card is intended to pass the communication head, and does so with a minimum of "jitter". In one particular embodiment, the gear train includes a worm screw driving a worm wheel for rotation with the drive element. In another embodiment, the electric motor is supported on a base oriented substantially parallel to the card being transported, and a shaft carrying the drive element and a first gear of the gear train is supported for rotation by at least one side plate detachably mounted to the base.

Abstract: A card entry gate has a slot defining several ridges extending longitudinally from the upper and lower surfaces of the slot. A data-bearing card, with an encoded strip and embossed portions, fits between the ridges of the slot when inserted lengthwise in any orientation. The ridges are positioned to avoid the encoded strip and the embossed portions, thereby preventing damage to the card and reducing jitter. The ridges further resist the malicious or accidental insertion of certain coins, odd-shaped cards, and many foreign objects.