Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for protecting documents of value, which has magnetic material. A portion of a magnetic coding is arranged on the security element, which coding consists of several magnetic areas and several gap areas. The portion of the magnetic coding is arranged in a predetermined direction along the security element, for example perpendicularly to a transport direction of the security element or document of value through a magnet sensor. Concerning the length of the magnetic areas and of the gap areas of the magnetic coding, certain length conditions are predetermined, which are chosen in dependence on the magnet sensor employed.

Abstract: A system for managing enhancement features assigned to financial presentation devices such as credit cards. The system includes an accounts database and a feature management module. The accounts database stores account holder data containing assigned enhancement features for associated credit cards. The feature management module is capable of updating and managing the assigned features of an individual credit card independently of other cards so as to provide enhancement features that can be customized for each individual cardholder.

Abstract: A test device for a magnetic stripe decoder chip includes a signal generator, a chip slot, a signal conversion circuit and a control unit. The signal generator sequentially outputs a plurality of test waveform signals. The signal conversion circuit includes at least one transformer, the transformer is used for converting the test waveform signals into a plurality of false track signals, and correspondingly outputting the false track signals to one of track signal receiving ends of the magnetic stripe decoder chip. The control unit receives at least one decoding string generated respectively by decoding the false track signals through the magnetic stripe decoder chip, and compares the at least one decoding string with a test string represented by the basic track signal, thereby determining a decoding function of the magnetic stripe decoder chip.

Abstract: Techniques for checking into a retail establishment are provided. A retailer provides a substrate having a magnetic-field encoded tag. A consumer waves the consumer's device over the tag to electronically capture the magnetic-field encoded tag. The consumer's device is used to communicate the tag to a retailer to validate that the consumer is physically present and now checked into the retail establishment of the retailer.

Abstract: A method for producing a finishing layer containing a window (104) for a portable data storage medium, in particular a chip card, and the use of the method for producing a data storage medium. A transparent plastic-based support layer (28) is used and an opaque color layer (30) is applied on the support layer in a screen printing process, wherein the color layer (30) has a recess (32) having the dimensions of the window (104). A first layer (40) of a transparent primer is then screen printed onto the color layer and a design color layer (50) is then applied in an offset printing process onto the first layer. A second layer (60) of a transparent primer is applied in an offset printing process on top of the design color layer (50) and a transparent finish (70) is finally applied onto the second layer (60).

Abstract: A decoding system, with a decoding engine, runs 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 until the signals reach a steady state, identifies peaks in the incoming signals and digitizes the identified peaks into bits. A transaction engine 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. The first party does not have to share his/her financial transaction card information with the second party. The transaction engine is configured to be coupled to a payment system and a first party's financial transaction card institution or a first party's financial account.

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. At least a portion of a first party's financial card information or information relative to a first party's financial account is used to create a mobile device payment application on the mobile device.

Abstract: A test meter system for testing a characteristic of a fluid, the test meter system including a test meter having a housing with an opening adapted to accept a test strip, an interrogation coil within the housing, a pick-up coil within the housing, and a test strip including at least one magneto-elastic-resonance sensor. When the test strip is within the opening, the interrogation coil may utilize magneto-elastic-resonance technology to interrogate the magneto elastic-resonance sensor and the pick-up coil may be used to sense a resultant oscillation frequency of the magneto elastic-resonance sensor, the resultant oscillation frequency associated with the characteristic. The test strip may include a plurality of sensors. The sensors may be coated with a coating sensitive to a characteristic of the fluid, where the interrogation reveals information about the fluid characteristic.

Abstract: A sheet includes a pulp fiber and a linear magnetic material. The linear magnetic material has a substantially large Barkhausen effect. The linear magnetic material also has irregularities at an outer periphery of the linear magnetic material. The sheet in which the magnetic material is inhibited from being exposed at both surfaces of the sheet can be provided.

Abstract: A method of preventing fraud, and a fraud prevention terminal, are described. The method comprises: detecting an unauthorized reader in the vicinity of a dip card reader, and closing a pin to prevent a card being inserted into the dip card reader.

Abstract: Systems and techniques that relate to a card for use in relation to a transport service are described. Some embodiments of the card include a body having a first face and an opposed second face, a machine-readable code storage means carried by the body and storing coded information, at least one retroreflective area on at least one of the first face and second face, and identification information visible on at least one of the first side and the second side, the identification information corresponding in part to the coded information.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and a method for a baseband near-field magnetic stripe data transmitter (MST) device that transmits payment card data from a smart-phone, or other electronic device, into a Point of Sale (POS) transaction terminal. The MST device includes a driver and an inductor. The MST receives magnetic stripe data comprising payment card data, processes the received magnetic stripe data and emits high energy magnetic pulses comprising the processed magnetic stripe data that are then received remotely by the magnetic stripe reader of the POS.

Abstract: Method for broadcasting a magnetic stripe data packet from an electronic card by measuring a swipe speed of the electronic card past a magnetic reader head during a swipe of the electronic card past the magnetic reader head and then adjusting a broadcast signal containing the magnetic stripe data packet according to the measured swipe speed so that the magnetic stripe data packet in the broadcast signal is read by the magnetic reader head during said swipe.

Abstract: An electronic transaction device with a microprocessor generates digital signals that are converted into at least two tracks of analog signal wave form and two waveform signals are driven on two analog tracks such that the two waveform signals cancel each other out and a simulated magnetic field is generated along a target area located on the transaction device that can contain a transaction specific data packet readable by a magnetic stripe read head.

Abstract: A decoding system includes a decoding engine running on a mobile device that 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 until the signals reach a steady state, detects the read 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. 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.

Abstract: A substrate containing a magnetic strip, a 2-D bar code, or a QR bar code secured to the substrate, the magnetic strip, 2-D bar code, or QR bar code containing electronically readable information about an amount of money. The magnetic strip, 2-D bar code, or QR bar code is passed through a reader and an amount of money is credited in a sale transaction. The 2-D bar code, QR bar code, or magnetic strip may be removably secured to the substrate so that it may be removed and saved for later use.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a card and package assembly and methods of making the same. Card and package assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include a package, a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package, and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. Methods of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include steps of manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card, manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, determining an activation indicia, packaging the data card at least in part within the package, and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a transaction card. The transaction card includes a card body and information. The card body is made from a precious metal alloy. The card body has a front surface and a back surface. At least some portion of the information is defined by disruptions to the precious metal alloy of the card body.

Abstract: A payment system is provided for attended vending machines allowing customers to initiate mobile payment for goods or services with an attendant handheld. The handheld can generate a transaction identifier based on obtained transaction information related to goods or services dispensed, which can be provided to a mobile payment server. The handheld can render a representation of the transaction identifier for consumption by a mobile device, such as a quick response (QR) code, bar code, near field communication (NFC) field, Bluetooth communication, etc. The mobile device can process the representation to obtain the transaction identifier for initiating payment with the mobile payment server.

Abstract: An account application product includes a package, an account identifier and a terms sheet. The package includes a first panel extending from a free edge to a first fold line, a second panel extending away from the first fold line to a second fold line, and a third panel extending away from the second fold line. The first panel is folded back along the first fold line toward a first surface of the second panel to define a storage area between the first panel and the second panel. The third panel is folded forward along the second fold line toward a second surface of the second panel. The account identifier indicates an account associated with the account application product and is configured to be machine readable. The terms sheet is selectively stored in the storage area and includes printed terms for the account. Associated packages and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic stripe reader assembly for a point of sale terminal is provided. The magnetic stripe reader reads the account data from a card and may encrypt it within the magnetic head. An encrypted representation of the account data may be provided to a host processor in the terminal for carrying out a financial transaction, such as a payment for goods or services. The account data is typically recorded on the magnetic stripe on the card in a magnetic flux pattern that is sensed and then converted to an analog signal. Such sensing and conversion and other processing of the account data to produce the encrypted representation of the account data typically involves one or more parameters, and may include at least one parameter that is adjustable.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device, an authentication system using the NFC device and an authentication method thereof are provided. The NFC device includes a RFID tag, a loop antenna, a flexible fabric packaging material and an EMI shielding material. The device can be easily adhered to objects including most handsets for mobile phone services. By adopting the authentication system and the authentication method, the device can be paired with a typical mobile phone and used to authenticate the user, thereby enabling mobile payment and mobile banking activities using mobile phones.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a bit density of a magnetic card (2) are provided. Said control device comprises a stepper motor (1) providing power to drive the magnetic card (2) or a recording magnetic head (15), a transmission mechanism transferring power to the magnetic card (2) or the recording magnetic head (15), a CPU (10) sending magnetic recording information, a track data encoder (13) receiving a magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and generating magnetic writing data in synchronization with the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1), and a magnetic head driving circuit (14) outputting a magnetic writing control signal based on the magnetic writing data. The frequency of the magnetic writing pulse signal (CLK1) and the frequency of a driving pulse signal (CLK0) of the stepper motor are in a linear relationship. Said control method is a method for controlling a bit density.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a biosample cartridge that includes storage slots for holding biosample plates. The cartridge has the same form factor as data tape cartridges to allow the cartridge to be handled by the same robotic mechanisms that handle data cartridges in an automated tape library. One aspect of the disclosure concerns a biosample storage cartridge that has a movable door to provide access to inside the cartridge and a plate holder disposed inside the cartridge. The plate holder includes a plurality of slots for receiving biosample plates that are scanned and processed by the automated tape library.

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 transaction product includes an electrical circuit, a housing, and an account identifier. The electrical circuit includes a plurality of lights The housing substantially encloses the electrical circuit including the plurality of lights. The housing defines a plurality of light cavities separated from one another and substantially enclosed within the housing, and each of the plurality of lights is positioned in a different one of the plurality of light cavities. The account identifier is coupled to the housing and links the transaction product to a financial account having an associated monetary value available toward a price of a purchase, wherein the account identifier is machine readable. Other products, cards, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and a method for a baseband near-field magnetic stripe data transmitter (MST) device that transmits payment card data from a smart-phone, or other electronic device, into a Point of Sale (POS) transaction terminal. The MST device includes a driver and an inductor. The MST receives magnetic stripe data comprising payment card data, processes the received magnetic stripe data and emits high energy magnetic pulses comprising the processed magnetic stripe data that are then received remotely by the magnetic stripe reader of the POS.

Abstract: A near field communication device being operable in a first operating state and a second operating state, the near field communication device comprising a communication unit adapted for communicating with an external device; and a control unit coupled to the communication unit; wherein the control unit is adapted for controlling the communication unit to be presented to the external device to be in the first operating state and supporting the second operating state, and wherein the control unit is adapted for switching the communication unit from the first operating state to the second operating state upon receipt of a configuration signal received from the external device.

Abstract: A magnetic stripe card reader assembly and method includes a panel having portions defining a card entry opening of a card entry path provided for receiving a magnetic stripe card with the magnetic stripe disposed perpendicular to the card entry path. A card swipe path in communication with the card entry path is provided for swiping the card with the magnetic stripe disposed parallel to the card swipe path, and a magnetic stripe read head is disposed proximate the card swipe path for reading only a pre-determined segment of the magnetic stripe. The panel is also provided with portions defining a card withdrawal opening of a card withdrawal path in communication with the card swipe path and partly overlapping the card entry opening for withdrawal of the card with the magnetic stripe disposed perpendicular to the card withdrawal path.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus permits easy and quick attachment and removal of a portable electronic device to smooth surfaces for self-photos or videos, for example. A flat panel/card holds multiple, mini, double-sided suction cup units. One side of each cup unit may be connected to a portable electronic device such as a smart phone, or other lightweight digital media device with a smooth LCD or touch screen. The other side of each cup unit may be connected to a generally vertical surface or other object. The panel/card may be a single-layer plastic card with retention slots into which the double-sided suction cups are inserted. The panel/card may also function as a stored-value card, pre-paid gift card, or credit card incorporating bar codes, scratch-off codes, and magnetic strip features.

Abstract: An improved card design and manufacturing method to produce thin gage, open loop system cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, financial cards, and payroll cards. The thin gage card structure may vary between 5-15 mils in thickness (0.005? inches to 0.015? inches) on a one ply plastic material such as PVC or polyester. The majority of manufacturing steps can be performed on a rotary press in a single operation. Card personalization will be accomplished on a high-speed machine using ink jet for all variable information imaged on both the front and back, and accompanied by high speed encoding of magnetic stripe or activation of integrated circuit elements utilized in the electronic payment process.

Abstract: An avionics data storage device and data transfer system are provided. The data storage device, has a slanted, “shark-like” door, which provides an environmental seal when not installed in the data transfer system. The storage device and data transfer system maintain environmental seals at all times other than installation. The storage device and transfer system can implement a variety of identification and authentication methods, including electrical, physical, and optical authentication or identification.

Abstract: A radio IC device includes an electromagnetic coupling module includes a radio IC chip arranged to process transmitted and received signals and a feed circuit board including an inductance element. The feed circuit board includes an external electrode electromagnetically coupled to the feed circuit, and the external electrode is electrically connected to a shielding case or a wiring cable. The shielding case or the wiring cable functions as a radiation plate. The radio IC chip is operated by a signal received by the shielding case or the wiring, and the answer signal from the radio IC chip is radiated from the shielding case or the wiring cable to the outside. A metal component functions as the radiation plate, and the metal component may be a ground electrode disposed on the printed wiring board.

Abstract: A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable to act as a magnetic stripe read-head detector and a data transmitter. A multiple layer flexible PCB may be fabricated to include multiple magnetic emulators. An emulator may include a coil that includes magnetic, ferromagnetic, or ferromagnetic, material in the coil's interior. Coils may be associated with zones. As a read-head is detected to move from zone-to-zone, coils may be activated to transmit information in those zones.

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: An encoded data card unit apparatus includes a first unit side and an opposed second unit side coextensive with the first unit side, and also includes a case unit. A card-mounted first data-encoded magnetic stripe is mounted on the first unit side adjacent to a straight first card unit edge. A card-mounted second data-encoded magnetic stripe is mounted on the first unit side or on the second unit side adjacent to a straight second card unit edge. The first card unit edge and the second card unit edge are substantially perpendicular to each other. The first unit side and the second unit side are non-rectangular in shape. The card unit and case unit can include a number of devices or applications to protect data, and reduce fraud or identity theft.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for obtaining consumer survey responses encoded on a reactive tag associated with an item. Prior to distributing a product to consumers, a manufacturer may affix a reactive tag to the item for gathering consumer feedback about the product. Consumer survey questions and responses may be encoded on the reactive tag, and the consumer may be able to remove a portion of the tag in order to select a consumer survey response. The reactive tag may be configured to react to the removal of a portion of the reactive tag by encoding data on the reactive tag for the consumer response and/or changing a physico-chemical state of the reactive tag for storing the consumer survey responses. When the consumer has finished with the product, the product may be received at a recycling facility, where a machine may scan the reactive tag to retrieve consumer survey responses.

Abstract: One variation of a method for controlling a payment card comprising a magnetic stripe emulator and a set of input regions includes: receiving a tap input on a surface of the payment card; in response to receiving the tap input, attempting wireless communication with a mobile computing device; suppressing a payment function of the magnetic stripe emulator in response to failed wireless communication with the mobile computing device; receiving a series of inputs through the set of input regions; authenticating the series of inputs as a passcode; and, in response to authenticating the series of inputs as the passcode, enabling the payment function of the magnetic stripe emulator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for validating a user of a transaction card. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention utilize dynamic manipulation of a transaction card to authorize use of the card. In a typical embodiment, the cardholder approaches a magnetic reader with the card. The card is powered up by an embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna in a magnetic field. The cardholder enters a user authorization code using an input method. The entry is compared against the predefined user authorization code. If the entry is invalid, an unauthorized code is put on virtual ferromagnetic cells (VFC) embedded in the card. If the entry is valid, legitimate card information is put into the VFC. When the card is swiped, magnetic information on the VFC is coupled, amplified, and recorded to the reader. After cardholder use, the VFC are reset to a random or unauthorized mode.

Abstract: A solid housing tag and method to form the solid housing tag, the method including for example, an injection molding process. The solid housing tag has a single, continuous housing of which at least partially surrounds one or more various tag components arranged about a frame. The tag components may include a lock component and/or security component. The security component may include EAS elements, such as AM, EM, and/or RF technology elements; RFID elements; and/or benefit denial type elements.

Abstract: A card is fabricated by fixing together multiple boards. By fabricating a card from multiple boards, the reliabilities of the individual boards may be tested independently. Failure of a single board component may not, for example, result in failure of a card so long as the reliability of a single board is determined before the single board component is fixed to the other board component(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of authenticating and/or identifying an article containing a chemical marking agent, which is substantially inseparably enclosed in a marker as a carrier and contains selected chemical elements and/or compounds in the form of marker elements, in concentrations based on a predetermined encryption code, which method comprises the steps of: i) qualitatively and/or quantitatively identifying the marker elements of the chemical marking agent, and ii) comparing the values identified in step (i) with the predetermined encryption code.

Abstract: A high coercivity bias piece for making acousto-magnetic labels is made of an alloy strip with 10-14% weight percent Mn, less than 7% weight percent of one or more other transitional metals, with the balance Fe, after cold rolling to final gage, going through a final aging heat treatment at below 590 C, longer than 5 minutes. The strip thickness is 0.065-0.18 mm with coercivity measured by direct current method being 56-90 Oe. The method of making the high coercivity bias piece is to cold roll the strip to 0.07-0.15 mm with aging temperature at 450-570 C, for 0.5-20 hours to form a magnetic strip with coercivity of 60-85 Oe, followed by cutting the strip to required size. This high coercivity bias piece is manufactured without expensive Co and Ni materials, showing that a low cost Fe-(10-14% weight percent Mn) based alloy can be used to make high coercivity bias.

Abstract: A security element, particularly for banknotes, security cards and the like, comprising a first substrate which is at least partially opaque when viewed in transmitted light, and a plurality of magnetic areas being arranged on the substrate, wherein each of the magnetic areas is formed by a first magnetic material, a second magnetic material or an arrangement of the first and the second magnetic materials being at least partially superimposed, the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material exhibiting different coercivity values which are detectable by a sensor, wherein the first and second magnetic materials are magnetically saturated such that one of the first and second magnetic materials is not affected by the other.

Abstract: The invention provides a paper having a paper body which contains pulp fiber and a magnetic material having a large Barkhausen effect, and an image that is formed on at least one surface of the paper body and is simulative of the magnetic material contained in the paper body.

Abstract: A card is provided having structure, such as a teeth-like pattern, tongue and groove, etc., along at least one edge thereof. The structure is configured for matching or mating with a corresponding similar pattern along at least one edge of another card for selectively attaching and detaching the two cards. The card can be a credit card or other type of card having at least one magnetic stripe for effecting payment for purchases. The card can also be other types of cards, such as gift cards, library cards, identification cards, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for visualization of non-visible information on a packaging material to provide traceability. The method comprises the steps of: reading the non-visible information from the packaging material by means of a magnetic head reader, processing the non-visible information in a central processing unit together with additional new non-visible information, and printing an optional portion of the amount of combined non-visible information onto the packaging material as a traceability marking. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method and a packaging line with a filling machine making use of the device.

Abstract: A card (e.g., a payment card) or device (e.g., a token or phone) is provided with a magnetic emulator having a soft magnetic material whose reluctance is controlled.

Abstract: A hybrid card is described. The hybrid card includes an organic substrate, a first layer of a substantially organic backer that is securely affixed to a first side of the substrate, a second layer of a substantially organic backer that is securely affixed to an opposite side of the substrate, a first layer of thin-film overlay that is attached to the first layer of backer, a second layer of thin-film overlay that is attached to the second layer of backer. Manufacturing methods for the various embodiments of the hybrid card are also described.

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.