Abstract: A transaction product includes an enclosure, an account identifier and an electrical circuit. The enclosure defines an aperture. The account identifier is at least one of connected to or enclosed within the enclosure and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable. The electrical circuit includes a flexible circuit member, wherein the flexible circuit member extends through the aperture defined by the enclosure such that a first portion of the flexible circuit member is coupled to an outside surface of the enclosure and a second portion of the flexible circuit member is positioned inside the enclosure. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a credit card, debit card or prepaid card with a front facing and a back facing with improved security features for a user. The card has printed card related indicia on the front facing of the card to allow the user to determine an account associated with the card and a magnetic strip with encrypted information and a plurality of tracking formats disposed on the back facing of the card to prevent reading by a magnetic stripe reader. There is also a separate supplemental card or document supplied to the user to furnish an account number for ordering desired products or services.

Abstract: An identification verification system includes a combination of indicia that represent measurable characteristics mapped into a characteristic signature, and an indicia detector for detecting the characteristic signature and verifying authenticity of the characteristic signature.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for managing transaction card accounts involves enabling a transaction card account by a card issuer for use with pre-defined categories of providers of goods/services and goods/services sold and issuing a transaction card and establishing an associated pre-qualified category card account. Upon receiving data for a transaction with the transaction card at a transaction terminal by a processing platform of the card issuer via a card association processing network, the category of the provider and goods/services is interrogated to determine whether or not the transaction can be posted on the pre-qualified category card account of the cardholder, and the transaction is approved and posted to the pre-qualified category card account if the transaction falls within the pre-qualified category of the cardholder.

Abstract: A device for treating human keratinous materials includes an electrical appliance comprising a handpiece and a reader, and an applicator suitable for being removably fastened on the handpiece. The applicator includes a solid cosmetic or dermatological composition for applying to the keratinous materials, and/or an applicator element including fibers and/or cells suitable for enabling a cosmetic or dermatological composition to be applied on keratinous materials. The applicator also includes an encoder for encoding information arranged to be read by the reader. The operation of the handpiece depends on the information read.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a support member, an electrical circuit, a button and an account identifier. The support member at least partially depicts a measurement device. The electrical circuit is coupled to the support member, and the button is in communication with the electrical circuit such that user interaction with the button activates the electrical circuit causing the electrical circuit to automatically indicate a reading of the measurement device. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A financial card having a body with a front surface and a back surface and a primary account number associated with a primary account of a user of the financial card, the card including a magnetic strip positioned on the back surface configured for magnetic encoding including the primary account number. The magnetic strip includes a user definable portion for providing a selectable discretionary encoding thereto. The card also includes a user interface having at least one user input device positioned on the body of the financial card. The user interface is configured for receiving input from the user at a time of use of the financial card selecting a particular account indicator from among a plurality of account indicators each of which is associated with the primary account.

Abstract: A payment terminal including a magnetic card reader, a decoder receiving analog signals from the magnetic card reader and providing a digital data output to utilization circuitry and data integrity assurance circuitry operative to eliminate spurious data due to Electromagnetic Field (EMF) interference.

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, magnetic areas being deposited on the substrate, the magnetic areas comprising at least two types of magnetic areas which have different coercivity values and whose residual magnetism is identical or different, said different values being adapted to generate at least three mutually different codes.

Abstract: A method for delivering a plurality of purchase cards includes obtaining the various purchase cards from various retailers and loading the various purchase cards into multiple purchase card feeders, wherein one or more of the multiple purchase card feeders is associated with the various purchase cards from each of the various retailers, verifying the various purchase cards associated with a user to obtain verified purchase cards, where verifying occurs while each of the various purchase cards are located on a conveyor leading from the multiple purchase card feeders to a carrier sheet, placing the verified purchase cards from the various retailers on the carrier sheet, where the carrier sheet corresponds to the user receiving the verified purchase cards, and shipping the verified purchase cards to the user.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus provices an antimicrobial card, badge holder or token made from an antimicrobial polymereric material. The antimicrobial polymereric material includes one or more polymers and one or more antimicrobial agents that affect the growth of bacteria, fungi, virus or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for delivering a plurality of purchase cards includes obtaining the plurality of purchase cards from a retailer and loading the plurality of purchase cards into a plurality of purchase card feeders, activating and verifying each of the plurality of purchase cards associated with a user to obtain activated purchase cards, where activating and verifying occurs while each of the plurality of purchase cards are located on a conveyor leading from the plurality of purchase card feeders to a carrier sheet, placing the activated purchase cards on the carrier sheet, wherein the carrier sheet corresponds to the user receiving the activated purchase cards, and shipping the activated purchase cards to the user.

Abstract: A document authentication apparatus and system is provided comprising a scanner, PC, a central database and a network. The scanner emits a stimulus which illuminates security features such as ink, fibers or planchettes in or on a substrate of a value item such as a check, bank note, credit card or identification document. A sensor(s) detect the illuminated security features and values are generated relating to the color, coordinates on and depth of the security features in the substrate. The values are digitized and recorded for comparison when a value item is presented for authentication. Matching digitized values indicates a match of the substrates thereby identifying the value item.

Abstract: An RFID tag comprising an antenna assembly, including a shielding layer comprising an electromagnetic shielding material, a radio frequency loop antenna, and a spacer comprising a spacer material having a permittivity less than about 2 interposed between the antenna and the shielding layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing such an RFID tag. Also disclosed is the use of such an RFID tag for use in identifying a vehicle, for example in the context of fuel-purchase authorization.

Abstract: A read head includes a light emitting member outputting a predetermined laser beam to a data recording portion, a light receiving member receiving a return beam reflected by the data recording portion and detecting data included in the return beam, a movable section mounted with the light emitting member and the light receiving member, a support mechanism swingably supporting the movable section, and a driving mechanism swinging the movable section. Here, the driving mechanism includes a magnetic field generator disposed in one of the movable section and a fixed section and a magnetic driver disposed in the other and the magnetic field generator includes a first yoke, a second yoke, and a magnet disposed between the first yoke and the second yoke, the first yoke and the second yoke are opposed to each other, and the magnetic driver includes a plurality of coils. In addition, arm portions protruding in multiple directions from one of the yokes are disposed in the coils with a movement margin, respectively.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding information on a magnetic stripe of a transaction card are disclosed. According to one aspect, a transaction card includes a first surface and a second surface that substantially opposes the first surface. The second surface has a magnetic stripe. A first representation of a first pattern and a second representation of the first pattern can be encoded on the magnetic stripe. In one embodiment, the first representation can be encoded beginning at approximately a first distance from a first edge of the second surface, and the second representation can be encoded to within approximately the first distance from a second edge of the second surface.

Abstract: In an RF label identification system comprising a label reader and a plurality of labels, a unique and secret identifier being associated with each label, a first random number is sent from a label to the reader. A second random number is then sent from the reader to the label. In the RF label, a value of the encrypted identifier is then obtained by generating third and fourth random numbers in accordance with a probabilistic rule, by transforming the first and second random numbers in accordance with a determined function and by combining the identifier with the first and second random numbers, with the first and second transformed numbers and with the third and fourth random numbers. The value of the encrypted identifier is sent to the reader. After N repetitions of the above process, the reader identifies the RF label as a function of the N values of the encrypted identifier received, of the determined function, of the N first and second random numbers and of the probabilistic rule.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a housing, a tray, one or more articles and an account identifier. The tray is selectively maintained within and readily removable from the housing. The one or more articles are selectively maintained by the tray, and each of the one more articles are readily removable from the tray. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. Other products, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic device that includes a magnetic stripe for recording a combination of dynamic and static magnetic data. The magnetic stripe includes at least two regions of material with substantially different coercivities. One region contains static information and the other can be re-written with dynamic information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an irregularly shaped Radio Frequency operable transaction device using conventional International Standards Organization dimensions for conventional transaction cards. The invention provides for normal manufacture of a plurality of transaction cards joined together in a single sheet. The outline of a RFID transaction device is impressed in a center portion of one of the transaction cards. A RFID transaction device may then be removed, or punched out of the transaction card in accordance with the transaction device outline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification documents and smart cards. In one implementation, we provide a contactless smart identification document comprising a first contact layer, a second contact layer, and a carrier layer. The carrier layer is sandwiched in between the first and second contact layers, and the carrier layer includes least a transceiver and electronic circuitry. At least a portion of the first and second contact layers migrate into the carrier layer. This migration helps to secure at least a portion of the transceiver or electronic circuitry to the first and second contact layers.

Abstract: An electronic card includes a digital processor, an electrochemical battery and a communications port. The processor and battery are essentially coplanar, and are sandwiched between and enclosed by two flexible covers, preferably made from an insulating plastic material, and preferably fitted to the components that they enclose. The communications port can include, for example, a Smart Card contact port, a stripe emulator, an RF port, and IR port, etc. The battery may comprise a rechargeable battery. In an exemplary embodiment, at least the processor is carried by a flexible printed circuit (PC) board. In other exemplary embodiments, switches and/or indicators are also carried by the PC board. A method for manufacturing an electronic card having at least two components is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in security devices that can be used in varying shapes and sizes for various authenticating or security applications, and in particular to an optically variable security device utilising colourshift materials. The security device (10) comprises a first and a second layer (11a, lib) of a colourshifting material at least partially overlying each other and each having different colourshifting properties. At least partially applied over surface of one of the colourshifting layers is a light control layer (12) having a surface structure which modifies the angle of reflected light, such that light reflected by the security device is seen at a different viewing angle.

Abstract: Metal-containing transaction cards, useful for the purchase of goods and/or services are disclosed. The metal-containing transaction cards may be standard-sized (i.e., about 3? inches by about 2 14 inches) or any other size yet still usable as a transaction card. Moreover, the metal-containing transaction card may include a pocket having characters embossed therein. Further, the metal-containing transaction card may include a fill panel disposed within the pocket. The metal may be titanium or stainless steel.

Abstract: A payment card has a generally planar body having a first side and a second side, and a plurality of acceptance attributes on the second side. The first side is formed without any acceptance attributes thereon. The first side may include artwork of an issuer of the payment card. The acceptance attributes may include, for example, a signature panel, a cardholder name, a card expiration date, at least one of a bar code and a magnetic stripe, and a card security code. A method of using such a card includes physically presenting the card to a merchant, and viewing, by the merchant, of at least needed ones of the acceptance attributes without the merchant being required to turn the card over.

Abstract: A transaction card having two embossed account names, two embossed account numbers, two magnetic strips, an embossed expiration date, a card issuer logo, a security hologram, and a single signature block all placed in such a way that the embossed elements do not overlap the magnetic stripes or the signature bar and thus the cards may be manufactured using conventional manufacturing equipment.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present application relates to card-free programs provided by a merchant to a customer, whereby the customer has access to functions such as payment options and/or loyalty program benefits without needing to present a physical card at a point of sale. For example, a customer may make a card-free purchase of goods or services from a merchant, whereby the customer need not present a card such as a debit card, credit card, loyalty card, or other physical tender to make a purchase. Further, the customer need not provide biometric data or otherwise use an electronic device or identifier to make a purchase. Alternatively or additionally, the customer may access a loyalty program without needing to provide a physical card or data associated with a card.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed towards a method and apparatus provided for improved sterile labeling on medications, solutions and medical supplies. The apparatus includes a sterile label, including associated corresponding medical product information. The sterile label is contained inside a sterile cavity housing which is formed from a first and second sheet of flexible plastic or other material. The flexible plastic material is bound together along its peripheral edges by an adhesive or heat sealing process. In this form, the flexible plastic or other material creates a package which may be peeled apart, enabling the label to be delivered or flipped to a sterile field while maintaining sterility. The label may contain on it many types of information corresponding to a medication. Furthermore, information can be added by a user. The disclosure makes the medication labeling system more accurate, safe and legible.

Abstract: A method of making an electronic label including a chip (1) provided with two contact strips (2, 3) onto which a conducting wire (4) is welded in a single operation. The segment of conducting wire (4) forming the antenna is then cut between the two contact strips (2, 3) of chip (1). The group of chip and antenna thus realized may then be encapsulated between two sheets of a fibrous or plastic material.

Abstract: A hand-held electronics device for aggregation of and management of personal electronic data useable for identification and, or transacting business includes a digital medium for storing data and software, a card reading/writing interface, a display screen, a biometric scanner, a user interface application stored on and executable from the digital medium and a docking bay for docking a readable and rewriteable internal card blank.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a housing, an article and an account identifier. The article is selectively maintained within the housing. Following removal of the article from the housing, the article is configured to self-inflate upon activation of the article by a bearer of the transaction product. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services.

Abstract: A financial transaction card assembly comprises a financial transaction card, a package, and at least one article. The financial transaction card includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The package is separate from the financial transaction card and defines an internal cavity. The at least one article is enclosed within the internal cavity. The financial transaction card is maintained outside of the internal cavity and is removably coupled to the package. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card assembly, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly, and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for personalizing a presentation instrument for an account holder while the account holder is present is described. The method includes transmitting to a server computer a request to personalize a presentation instrument for an account holder who has a financial account with a financial institution. The request includes the account holder's name and background information indicating a background to be placed onto the presentation instrument. The method further includes receiving, at the server computer from the financial institution, presentation instrument data to be included on the presentation instrument. The presentation instrument data comprises an account number and an expiration date.

Abstract: A pest management apparatus includes a machine readable storage medium such as a magnetic strip. The machine readable storage medium embeds trivector data indicative of a composite trivector signature. The composite trivector signature is derived from first and second trivector signatures. The first and second trivector signatures are indicative of first and second electromagnetic fields characteristic of first and second species respectively. The composite trivector signature may be derived by summing the first trivector signature and an inverse of the second trivector signature. The machine readable storage medium may have a plurality of tracks and one or more of the tracks may include a portion of the trivector data. The magnetic strip may include three tracks, each storing a component of the trivector data. The presence of each data component within its respective track generates a magnetic field and the cumulative effect of the three fields approximates the composite trivector field.

Abstract: A transaction card package assembly comprising a transaction card connected to a first panel via a releasable interface, wherein the first panel is affixed to a second panel such that upon releasing the interface, the first panel remains affixed to the second panel and the transaction card is released from the package assembly.

Abstract: A method of providing inventory control service to a point of sale, the method comprising: providing readers adapted to read a unique identifier (UID) of a purchased item and transmit the UID to a database together with a reader identification code (RIC) of a specific reader; implementing reading of UIDs by the readers as items are purchased; and allowing access to data transmitted from a designated set of readers to an authorized party.

Abstract: A method for facilitating biometric security in a smartcard-reader transaction system is provided. The method includes determining if a transaction violates an established rule, such as a preset spending limit. The method also includes notifying a user to proffer a biometric sample in order to verify the identity of said user, and detecting a proffered biometric at a sensor to obtain a proffered biometric sample. The method additionally comprises verifying the proffered biometric sample and authorizing a transaction to continue upon verification of the proffered biometric sample.

Abstract: A dynamic credit card is provided in which a secure credit card number (e.g., a secret/hidden credit card number) is encoded based on a timing signal (e.g., an internal counter) to provide a dynamic credit card number. This dynamic number may be displayed to a user via a display (e.g., so that online purchases can be made) or written onto a magnetic stripe such that the number may be processed by traditional credit card merchants (e.g., swiped). At a remote facility, the dynamic number may be decoded based on time (and/or a counter/key number/equation) Thus, a dynamic credit card number may change continually or periodically (e.g., every sixty seconds) such that credit card numbers may not be copied by thieves and used at later times. A dynamic verification code may also be utilized in addition to, or in lieu of, a dynamic credit card number.

Abstract: This invention relates to the methods of coordinating and tracking product and service demonstrations. An event coordinator directs event operators to conduct a product or service demonstration event. The event coordinator provides event operators with cards, such as debit cards, credit cards, or smart cards, to purchase items needed for the demonstration. The event operator contacts a card administration system to activate the card. The card administration system verifies that the provided card ID and event ID are valid, and associates an authorized budget of the demonstration event with the card. The event operator then purchases items with the card, and conducts demonstrations. Event data is provided to the parties involved in the demonstration such as a product manufacturer or service provider, the event coordinator, a staffing agency, the event operator, and a retail store.

Abstract: A financial transaction card has a first major surface on one side and a second major surface on an opposite side. A first set of raised indicia projects outwardly from the first major surface. A second set of raised indicia projects outwardly from the second major surface and is directly contralateral with the first set of raised indicia. The second major surface is devoid of any indication of the first set of raised indicia and the first major surface is devoid of any indication of the second set of raised indicia. Each indicium denotes an alphabetic letter or a number and in one embodiment is a Braille character.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security element for securing documents of value. Along the security element a portion of a magnetic coding with first and second coding elements is arranged. The coding elements are arranged along a predetermined direction, wherein the first coding element continuously has along the predetermined direction a first magnetic region with a first coercive field strength and the second coding element has at least one first gap region and one second magnetic region with a second coercive field strength. At least one of the first magnetic regions is directly adjacent to at least one of the second magnetic regions. The sum of the lengths of the directly adjacent first and second magnetic regions amounts to a maximum of 8 mm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monetary cards are described. The cards are free from personally identifiable data, e.g., no name or embossment. In an example, the card includes a first number that activates the card and a second number written to the card at activation away from the card manufacturer. This helps prevent theft at the manufacturer. This second account is a bearer account where anyone who knows the account number can withdraw the funds from the account. The account may be funded with either the account number or the authentication number.

Abstract: The described embodiments contemplate a system, method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for accessing multiple accounts. The apparatus may be an interactive access card and/or portable electronic device that includes a memory component for storing data associated with multiple accounts, an input component for selecting an account, and a processing component for retrieving data associated with the selected account. The apparatus also may be an access card that includes a rectangular shaped substrate and an interface component for storing data associated with multiple accounts.

Abstract: The invention comprises arrangement and methods for contact- and contactless-services, e.g. payments, money transfer, electronic tickets or identity cards. A card comprises a point of service interface for communication with a point of service, a card database, a mobile terminal interface for connect the card to a mobile terminal connectable to a telecommunication network. The card database can be controlled by the mobile terminal. The card database is configured for storing data and the card data can be accessed via the point of service interface. The date stored in the card database relates to e.g. bank cards, credit cards, identification, tickets, electronic money, identification 15 cards. The invention also comprises a mobile terminal (MT) suitable for communication with the card described.

Abstract: An authorized sample receiver configured to verify an RF device in response to proffered biometric sample data is disclosed. The authorized sample receiver may be configured to receive data from the RF device and decrypt an encrypted authentication code using a unique device identification code. The RF device is authenticated in response to verifying proffered biometric sample data and the authentication code.

Abstract: An IC card used as a portable electronic device includes a CPU which performs various processes by executing control programs, a memory which stores data files, and a communicating portion which communicates with an external device. When receiving a command from the external device via the communicating portion, the CPU of the IC card determines whether or not a process corresponding to the command for the data string specified by the command received from the external device can be performed based on one of access conditions set for the respective data strings in the files stored in the memory and performs a command process when it is determined in the above determining process that the command process for the data string specified by the command can be performed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method and an apparatus are provided wherein a device is disabled if the device is located more then a predetermined distance away from the owner. Accordingly, a lost or stolen device is rendered unusable. The device has coupled thereto a receiver or transceiver. A transmitter or transceiver is located separately from the device. When the receiver and transmitter can communicate, the device is usable, when the receiver and transmitter cannot communicate, the receiver disables the device, rendering the device unusable.

Abstract: A system and method for processing transactions using a multi-account transaction device. The method comprises the steps of: receiving at least one transaction particular relating to a transaction conducted with a multi-account transaction device; determining at least one first desired account associated with the multi-account transaction device to which the transaction will be posted; posting the transaction to the at least one first desired account; receiving at least one second desired account to which at least a portion of the transaction should be posted; posting the at least a portion of the transaction to the at least one second desired account; and reconciling the at least one first desired account.

Abstract: A transaction card includes a base member, an auxiliary member and an account identifier. The base member defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and a slot extending therethrough. The auxiliary member includes a first section and a handle section and is coupled with the base member such that the first section is disposed on the first surface of the base member. The handle section extends from the first surface, through the slot and to the second surface of the base member such that movement of the handle section causes movement of the auxiliary member relative to the base member. The account identifier is included on one of the base member and the auxiliary member and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record.

Abstract: There is provided a short-range wireless communication apparatus and a cellular phone terminal that can surely and immediately notify a user of the optimum distance between a contactless IC card reader/writer and a contactless IC card not through an MPU or a CPU and if the contactless IC card function is locked, surely notify the user as such. In an RFID card, a magnetic field strength/brightness conversion section adjusts the brightness of two LEDs in accordance with the detected magnetic field strength of a carrier wave. A blink generation circuit detects whether the RFID card is in a communication state and blinks the LEDs if so. A function combining section combines the functions to indicate the magnetic field strength and the communication state with the brightness and blinking of the LEDs. An LED with another color illuminates only when an RFID function LSI is in a lock state.