Abstract: An apparatus for effecting commercial transactions with a server using a transaction card via a communication device is provided. The apparatus includes a transaction device coupled with the communication device for capturing information from the transaction card and a controller for converting the captured card information into an encrypted audio signal and for transmitting the audio signal to the communication device. The communication device delivers the audio signal to the server for processing the commercial transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reconfigurable stripe reader configured to receive read head signals corresponding to states on a magnetic stripe. The reconfigurable stripe reader can have a first configuration with a first routing of the read head signals to detect an initiation of a swipe of the magnetic stripe from the read head signals. The reconfigurable stripe reader can have a second configuration with a second routing of the read head signals to read data stored on the magnetic stripe from the read head signals during the swipe of the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: In a magnetic read and/or write head (1) for exchanging signals with a magnetic data medium (2), according to the invention a protective diamond foil (10) is fixed, in particular adhered, to a housing wall (3) on which the magnetic data medium (2) is guided in a sliding manner in order to protect the housing wall (3) against abrasion wear and thereby to increase the life of the magnetic read and/or write head (1).

Abstract: An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding coded data on an inserted card is disclosed. The device features a barcode scanner, a magnetic strip reader, and a digital camera for recording an image of the surface of a card. By providing these three scanning options, the device is capable of extracting data from virtually any ID card. The device can also be used to compare text or photographs scanned from a card with the digital photograph or encoded data in a two dimensional barcode and to display both sets for comparison for added reliability. The device can also be used to verify the authenticity of virtually any ID card.

Abstract: A card reading machine includes a card reader for reading data on a magnetic card and a device for preventing reading of the data on the magnetic card by illegal card reading devices operatively associated with the card reading machine. The device for preventing may include an oscillator, a driver circuit and a coil for generating electromagnetic signals similar to data on a card. A method for preventing reading of data on a magnetic card by in illegal card reader in operative association with an apparatus having a card reader intended to read the data on the magnetic card includes producing a signal ruining the data collected by the illegal card reader. The apparatus having a card reader may include an insertion slot in which case the method may further include producing the signal near the insertion slot.

Abstract: Advanced loyalty applications are provided to improve the functionality of cards and devices. For example, a user interface may be placed on a card (e.g., a physical button) or a telephonic device (e.g., a virtual button on a capacitive touch screen). Manual input provided to this user interface may, for example, cause a non-merchant product (e.g., insurance) to be purchased with a merchant purchase. The product can be paid for with debit, credit, gift card balance, or points. A code indicative of a user's desire to purchase the product may be communicated to a payment card reader (e.g., to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic stripe communications device). A display may be provided next to a button to allow a user to scroll, or toggle by pressing the button repeatedly, through different products (which may be merchant or non-merchant products).

Abstract: An RFID/MFID system includes a tag and a reader. The tag is adapted to provide an RF identification signature when interrogated with an electric travelling wave and to provide an MF identification signature when interrogated with a magnetic travelling wave. The tag includes a target data object. The reader is adapted to read electrical and magnetic signatures of the target data object from the tag. A method of providing an identification function includes reading electrical and magnetic signatures of a target data object from tag. The tag provides an RF identification signature when interrogated with an electric travelling wave and provides an MF identification signature when interrogated with a magnetic travelling wave.

Abstract: A non-magnetic card reader, a magnetic card reader and a card transaction method are provided to selectively read a magnetic card and a non-magnetic card for identification of payment transaction at a transaction terminal. The non-magnetic card reader includes an integrator module electrically connecting to the magnetic card reader and the transaction terminal. Each of the non-magnetic card reader, the magnetic card reader and the transaction terminal has one or more physical connectors compatible with a magnetic-card communication protocol. A non-magnetic card signal incorporated with card data of the non-magnetic card is converted by the integrator module to match the magnetic-card communication protocol and is selectively transmitted to a main controller of the transaction terminal for identification. A magnetic card signal from the magnetic card reader incorporated with card data of the magnetic card is selectively transceived through the integrator module to the main controller for identification.

Abstract: A decoding system with a decoding engine running on a mobile device decodes signals produced from a read of a buyer's financial transaction card, accepts and initializes incoming signals from a read of a buyer's financial transaction card until the signals reach a steady state, detects the read of the buyer's financial transaction card once the incoming signals are in a steady state, identifies peaks in the incoming signals and digitizes the identified peaks in the incoming signals into bits. A transaction engine runs on the mobile device and is coupled to the decoding engine. A payment system is in communication with the transaction engine and with a buyer's financial transaction card institution or a first party's financial account. The payment system includes identifying information of second parties qualified by the payment system to conduct business with the payment system.

Abstract: A decoding system has a decoding engine running on a mobile device. The decoding engine decodes signals produced from a read of a first party's financial transaction card, accepts and initializes incoming signals from a read of a first party's financial transaction card. A transaction engine runs on the mobile device and is coupled to the decoding engine. The transaction engine receives as its input decoded first party's financial transaction card information from the decoding engine, and serves as an intermediary between the first party and a second party, so that the first party does not have to share his/her financial transaction card information with the second party. The decoding system is configured to be coupled and decoupled to a card reader with wake-up electronics.

Abstract: A decoding system has a decoding engine running on a mobile device. The decoding engine decodes signals produced from a read of a first party's financial transaction card. The decoding engine accepts and initializes incoming signals from a read of the first party's financial transaction card. A transaction engine runs on the mobile device and is coupled to the decoding engine. The transaction engine receives as its input decoded first party's financial transaction card information from the decoding engine. A user interaction engine is configured to utilize a touch screen of the mobile device. A first party or second party can input at least one of numbers, characters, and signatures by touching the touch screen.

Abstract: A decoding system runs on a mobile device and is coupled to a payment system. The decoding engine decodes signals produced from a read of a first party's financial transaction card. A transaction engine runs on the mobile device and is coupled to the decoding engine. The transaction engine receives as its input decoded first party's financial transaction card information from the decoding engine. A payment system, in communication with the transaction engine, includes at least one of, a user database, a product database, and transaction database.

Abstract: A card reader for use with a mobile device includes a rotatable face that can be rotated over a portion of the mobile device so that when the user slides a card through the card reader, the overlapping portion of the rotatable face prevents the card reader from spinning or rotating. A foot and/or a housing for a jack on the bottom of the card reader prevents the card reader from accidently turning off the mobile device during use.

Abstract: A financial transaction card reader device includes a housing having a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a financial transaction card to complete a financial transaction between a buyer and seller. A read head is in the housing, reads data stored on the magnetic stripe and for produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. An output jack is adapted to be inserted into a microphone input associated with a seller's mobile device for providing the signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe to the mobile device. The signal is decoded in the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a magnetic stripe reader which has a magnetic read head by activating the electronic apparatus from an off state to a reduced power mode, then detecting the magnetic stripe reader, then activating the electronic apparatus from the reduced power mode to a full power mode after detection of the magnetic read head, and then broadcasting a signal that contains a transaction specific data packet that is read by the magnetic read head. The signal is broadcast without using a static magnetic stripe and it is a time varying and spatial varying magnetic field that is interpreted by the magnetic read head as originating from a standard magnetic stripe. A monitoring system can be used to identify what type of point-of-transaction terminal is being used to read the electronic apparatus and choose a timing of the magnetic stripe broadcaster to accommodate it.

Abstract: An RFID system for selectively communicating with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders is provided. The RFID system may include a transponder conveyance system adapted to transport at least one targeted transponder from a group of multiple adjacent transponders through a transponder encoding area along a feeding direction and an antenna having a resonant inductor and a ferrite material, wherein the ferrite material at least partially covers the resonant inductor and defines an exposed portion of the resonant inductor. In one antenna-transponder alignment, the exposed portion extends substantially parallel to the feeding direction.

Abstract: A shutter mechanism of a card reader including a shutter part for opening/closing a card path through which a card is transferred. The shutter part includes: a closing part for closing the card path; a card contacting section, which contacts an end part of the card inserted into the card path, located at a further frontward position from the closing part in a direction X1; and shaft sections, having their rotation axis in a direction Y, for supporting the closing part and the card contacting section so as to keep them rotatable. The closing part and the shaft sections are located at their corresponding positions that are displaced from each other in a direction X. The closing part and the card contacting section rotate on the shaft sections to open the card path, when the end part of the card contacts with the card contacting section.

Abstract: A magnetic head device which suppresses output fluctuation even though the output changes in part of an output waveform from the magnetic head. The magnetic head device includes a magnetic head for reproducing information recorded in a magnetic information recording medium; an amplifier section for amplifying a reproduced signal that the magnetic head has reproduced, by using a gain; an A/D converter section for converting the reproduced signal that has been amplified, to a digital signal, by sampling the signal at predetermined intervals, in order to output the converted digital signal; a signal comparator section for comparing a digital signal output value with a predetermined output criterion value; and a gain control section for adjusting the gain in such a way as to make the output value closer to the output criterion value, in the case where the output value is either greater or smaller than the output criterion value.

Abstract: A method for verifying a portable consumer device. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a transaction conducted using a portable consumer device. The portable consumer device includes a portable consumer device fingerprint. The authorization request message includes an altered portable consumer device fingerprint and an algorithm identifier. The method also includes selecting an algorithm from among a plurality of algorithms using the algorithm identifier, determining the portable consumer device fingerprint using selected algorithm and the altered portable consumer device fingerprint, determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches a stored portable consumer device fingerprint, and sending an authorization response message after determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches the stored portable consumer device fingerprint.

Abstract: A card may include a magnetic stripe emulator having a coil with magnetic or non-magnetic material located inside and/or outside of the coil. A shield may be located adjacent to the magnetic emulator that may include a magnetic or a non-magnetic material. The shield may attract magnetic flux lines generated by the magnetic stripe emulator to reduce a magnitude of an electromagnetic field generated on one side of the card as compared to a magnitude of an electromagnetic field generated on another side of the card. A shield may be laminated between layers of a card or may be fixed on a surface of a card.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for conducting a transaction with an electronic card that dynamically generates transaction specific data determines whether the transaction is being conducted with a smart card reader or with a magnetic stripe reader. A smart card reader mode is activated if the transaction is being conducted with a smart card reader; a magnetic stripe reader mode is activated if the transaction is being conducted with a magnetic stripe reader. The electronic card is activated from a reduced power mode to a full power mode after either the smart card reader mode or the magnetic stripe reader mode is activated and the dynamic field of data is not generated until the full power mode is activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enciphering data are provided. In one embodiment, information is enciphered using a variable block length cipher that returns the encrypted symbol set in any defined symbol set with a radix greater than or equal to the plaintext format. The cipher can be based on DES, AES or other block ciphers. In one example implementation a method for enciphering token information the invention provides for enciphering token information by constructing a tweak of a defined length using token information; converting the tweak to a bit string of a defined size to form a first parameter; converting a number of digits of plaintext to a byte string of a defined size to form a second parameter, wherein the number of digits converted varies; defining a data encryption standard key; applying the data encryption standard key to the first and second parameters; computing a specified number of encryption rounds; and receiving enciphered token information.

Abstract: A banking system operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system includes an automated banking machine comprising a card reader. The card reader includes a movable read head that can read card data along a magnetic stripe of a card that was inserted long-edge first. The card reader includes a card entry gate. The gate is opened for a card that is determined to be properly oriented for data reading. The card reader can encrypt card data, including account data. The machine also includes a PIN keypad. The card reader can send encrypted card data to the keypad. The keypad can decipher the encrypted card data. The keypad can encrypt both deciphered card data and a received user PIN. The card data and the PIN are usable by the machine to authorize a user to carry out a financial transfer involving the account.

Abstract: An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.

Abstract: A method for the compensation of disturbances upon magnetic measurements on value documents, in which a sensor having several measuring tracks for generating measurement signals is employed, in which for each value document a specified number of data records is generated, the value document not being captured by at least one of the measuring tracks during the measurement, wherein from the measurement signal of the at least one measuring track there is ascertained a value for the quantity of a disturbance present in the region of the sensor during the measurement on the value document, and a compensation of the deviations of the measurement signals of the measuring tracks capturing the value document, which deviations are caused by the disturbance present during the measurement, is carried out by means of said ascertained value for the quantity of the disturbance.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for acquiring payment device data for wireless payment transactions are disclosed. According to one method, a request from a wireless payment reader for standardized payment device data for effecting a wireless payment is received by a wireless smart payment device. Payment device data elements are assembled by the wireless smart payment device into the standardized payment device data. The standardized payment device data are sent by the wireless smart payment device to the wireless payment reader.

Abstract: Provided herein are coded fibers. In some embodiments, informationally-encoded carbon fiber structures are provided. In some embodiments, methods of manufacturing and/or reading a coded fiber are provided.

Abstract: A self-service device (1), specifically an automated teller machine, account statement printer, and/or information or transaction terminal, with a base housing (2), an operator interface (3), an input device for identification cards (9), a magnetic interference unit (8) and one or more additional components (4, 5, 6) where the magnetic interference unit (8) is configured as a coil enclosing the input and/or output device for identification cards (9).

Abstract: A medium processing apparatus is provided. The medium processing apparatus comprises an MR sensor, one or more differential amplifiers, a storage, and a controller. The MR sensor comprises a plurality of detection elements configured to detect a magnetic component of a medium. The one or more differential amplifiers receive respective output signals of two detection elements among the plurality of detection elements to subtract and amplify the received signals. The storage stores various pattern information of a magnetic component signal for the medium. The controller compares the pattern information, stored in the storage, with magnetic component signals respectively outputted from the detection elements and a magnetic component signal outputted from the one or more differential amplifiers to determine authenticity of the medium.

Abstract: Tamper evident card readers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a data-bearing instrument reader includes a sensor configured to read data from a data bearing instrument, circuitry configured to receive data from the sensor, a housing that at least partially contains the sensor and the circuitry, wherein at least a portion of the housing is translucent and the translucent portion of the housing is configured to permit visual inspection of the portions of the sensor and circuitry contained within the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and preventing tampering of card readers are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a secure card reader for detecting and preventing tampering, the secure card reader comprising a reading head configured to extract recorded data from a data card, a processing circuitry coupled to the reading head, at least one printed circuit board comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is closer to the processing circuitry than the outer surface, at least one secure trace coupled to the processing circuitry, and a security mesh coupled to the processing circuitry, wherein the security mesh is disposed between the secure trace and the outer surface, and a housing, wherein the housing and the at least one printed circuit board form a compartment substantially enclosing the processing circuitry.

Abstract: When a user who has a magnetic substance attached paper enters a gate which generates a magnetic field, steep magnetization reversal is produced in the magnetic substance by the magnetic field. As a result, pulse current flows into a detection coil provided in the gate, and a generated waveform signal indicating a characteristic transient response is output to a terminal device. The terminal device calculates correlation coefficients of this waveform and a plurality of stored reference waveforms, additionally calculates an average of the calculated correlation coefficients, and determines whether or not the average is equal to or more than a threshold. When the average is equal to or more than the threshold, the terminal device instructs an imaging device to image a user. When the average is below the threshold, the imaging device is not allowed to image the user.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.

Abstract: A card reader that can prevent phishing and causes no damage on a card in the case where no phishing comes up. A card reader equipped with a card transfer mechanism for taking in and ejecting a card includes a gate mechanism, in which formed is an insertion & ejection slot for inserting and ejecting the card. A protrusion protruding toward an ejecting direction of the card is formed in the gate mechanism. Furthermore, the gate mechanism includes: a card detection mechanism for detecting the card having been ejected by the card transfer mechanism to a pullout-enabled position where a user of the card reader can pull out the card; and a card pullout prevention mechanism for protecting the card from being pulled out when the card is not ejected to the pullout-enabled position at the time of ejecting the card. The card detection mechanism is placed inside the protrusion.

Abstract: A magnetic stripe reader assembly for a point of sale terminal is provided. In some embodiments, the magnetic stripe reader assembly includes a holder configured to retain a magnetic head within the terminal and restrict access to electronic components.

Abstract: MICR documents are read and sorted to a destination pocket for processing subject to a determination that an exception does not prevent the routing of the document. In example embodiments, for example, an error does not prevent the routing of the document if it is not related to the routing/transit field. In the case of digit errors, an optical character recognition (OCR) process is performed on the stored, electronic image of the document to correct digit errors in the stored data read from the documents. If a determination is made that correction or other exception processing cannot be handled through the OCR process, the image and corresponding MICR data is displayed on a user terminal, for manual verification or correction by reference to an image of the document, rather than the document itself.

Abstract: Provided is a method of magnetically controlling a magnetic structure, the method including: providing a solution containing magnetic structures, each including a magnetic axis in which magnetic nanoparticles are arranged; and controlling movements of the magnetic structures by applying an external magnetic field to the solution.

Abstract: A wireless sensing system includes a sensor made from an electrical conductor shaped to form an open-circuit, electrically-conductive spiral trace having inductance and capacitance. In the presence of a time-varying magnetic field, the sensor resonates to generate a harmonic response having a frequency, amplitude and bandwidth. A magnetic field response recorder wirelessly transmits the time-varying magnetic field to the sensor and wirelessly detects the sensor's response frequency, amplitude and bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognition of encoded information on documents are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes a document reader configured to read encoded information from a document, and to output an electrical signal representative of the encoded information. The system also includes signal conditioning modules that are each configured to receive the electrical signal, and to condition the received electrical signal differently for outputting a plurality of conditioned electrical signals. Further, the system includes an information recognition module configured to analyze each of the conditioned electrical signals and to select one of the conditioned electrical signals for use in recognizing the encoded information.

Abstract: A transactional card system comprising a carrier having at least one removable die cut card having a unique identifier and wherein the at least one card is removably attached to the carrier and further including at least one removable die cut data component removably attached to the carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reading device for identifying a tag or an object adapted to be identified, said reading device including a first reading element for reading a first set of identification features located in the tag or the object adapted to be identified. The first reading element is a magneto-optical reading element; wherein the first reading element is adapted to conform to the tag or object adapted to be identified when brought into contact with the tag or object adapted to be identified.

Abstract: A system and method for securing a financial transaction using a proxy code, which is assigned a transaction account number. An account issuer permanently assigns the proxy code to a transaction account correlated to the transaction device. The proxy code is uploaded onto the transaction device for later use in completing a transaction request. During transaction completion, the proxy code is provided to a merchant system in lieu of any sensitive account information. Since the proxy code is permanently assigned, the number need not be changed or updated on the merchant system once uploaded into a payment device or merchant database. The account issuer may manipulate the sensitive account information without need to alter the information stored on the merchant database. Since the proxy code contains no sensitive information, the sensitive information related to the transaction account is secured from theft.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system to ensure the safe use of magnetic strip cards in order to prevent the theft of information contained in the magnetic strip of a industry standard magnetic strip card. Security system enabling the safe use of magnetic strip cards that implements the method, composed of a half-cylinder, equipped with a special slot of a thickness almost similar to the magnetic strip card and wide of one card length, a mechanical card loading and rotating device, card presence and position sensors, electrical motors for the mechanical system, an overall electronic command and control module and the physical security box containing all parts of the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element, particularly for banknotes, security cards, passports, identity cards and the like, comprising at least one magnetic area formed of at least a first and a second magnetic material having at least one different magnetic property. The second magnetic material partially covers the first magnetic material. The first magnetic material is exposed at least at two sides of the second magnetic material such that both in a first extension direction of the security element and in a second extension direction perpendicular to the first extension direction there is a change from the first magnetic material to the second magnetic material. Further, a method for reading a security element according to the invention, a system for reading a security element according to the invention, and a method for manufacturing a security element according the invention are described.

Abstract: Audio jack coupled secure magnetic card readers in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment includes reading data from at least one track of data encoded on a magnetic stripe using a magnetic read head, encrypting the data using an encryption circuit, encoding the encrypted data into a transmission format using an encoder, passing the encoded data through an anti-aliasing filter to generate a data signal, and transmitting the data signal. on the microphone channel of an audio jack.

Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to enable an individual to complete a financial transaction by swiping a magnetic stripe card through a card reader connected to a mobile device. The size of the card reader is miniaturized to be portable for connection with the mobile device. The card reader is configured to reliably read data encoded in a magnetic strip of the card with minimum error in a single swipe and provide a signal that corresponds to the data read to the mobile device, which then decodes the incoming signal from the card reader and acts as a point-of-sale device to complete the financial transaction. Such an approach enables a person to become either a micro-merchant (payee) or a buyer/customer (payer) without having to purchase expensive card reader devices or software.

Abstract: The invention relates to A method for speeding up the detection and the activation of the communication protocol used between a terminal (2) and a UICC (4) supporting at least one High Speed protocol (HSP). The method according to the invention is characterized by providing the terminal (2) with information about the High Speed Protocol supported by said UICC (4) through the current interface prior to the communication with said UICC (4) through a HSP interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for determining, communicating, and/or executing hold decisions for deposit items. For example, a method is provided that includes: (a) receiving information associated with a deposit item; (b) determining an actual deposit amount identified by the deposit item; (c) determining a payee account to receive the deposit item and a drawer account on which the deposit item is drawn; (d) determining a hold limit for the payee account; (e) determining an adjusted deposit amount for the deposit item based at least partially on: (i) the actual deposit amount identified by the deposit item, and (ii) one or more characteristics associated with the drawer account, and (f) determining a hold decision for the deposit item based at least partially on a comparison of the adjusted deposit amount to the hold limit.

Abstract: A protective device (26, 28) is proposed that contains a protective generator (26) and an inductor (28) to generate an electromagnetic protective field (29) that is suitable for compromising the function of the spying device (SM), wherein the protective device (26, 28) generates an electromagnetic protective field (29) with a protective signal that simulates the type of signal that occurs when magnetic stripe cards are read. Through the protective field a special protective signal is induced in the potentially present skimming module to imitate the reading of the magnetic stripe card. The skimming card reader reads a pseudo magnetic stripe card, or is at least confused when spying on the genuine magnetic stripe card. In particular, the protective signal can contain pseudo data that are mixed with the actual card data at demodulation or suppress said data completely (capture effect) so that the third party ultimately obtains unusable data.

Abstract: A data storage device for use as a portable card, magnetically encodeable card, magnetic credit card or the like is shown. The data storage device includes a substrate having at least one surface. A high density, magnetically coercive material layer is disposed on or is deposited on the substrate for storing magnetic signals. The magnetically coercive material may have an axis of magnetization that is oriented in a predetermined direction relative to the at least one surface of the substrate. A layer of non-magnetically material is disposed on the substrate for defining an exchange break layer.