Many credit cards offer rewards for purchases. These can include perks for entertainment, travel, shopping and services. Gasoline station credit cards often offer lower gas prices for those who use their card for gas purchases. Many retailers offer percentage discounts off purchases or coupons to entice consumers to use a particular credit card. Additionally, credit cards provide a mechanism for making large purchases without carrying cash, for paying expenses over time, for online shopping, and for traveling.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The present disclosure relates to a payment card that is programmable by a user in order to access one or more accounts from multiple financial institutions and/or other institutions. Various embodiments of the present disclosure facilitate the transmission of information relating to one or more transaction accounts to a dynamic magnetic strip of a payment card. For example, the payment card may correspond to a credit card, a debit card, a gift card, and/or other card. In one embodiment, the payment card includes an account selection application that facilitates selection of one of the transaction accounts associated with the payment card. Once an account is selected, the account selection application identifies a code that corresponds with the selected one of the transaction accounts. After the account selection application has identified the code, the code is then embodied in a dynamic account code mechanism. The dynamic account code mechanism may be a dynamic magnetic strip of the payment card. Alternatively, the dynamic account code mechanism may be one of a plurality of radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags that is enabled or configured for the selected one of the transaction accounts. In the following discussion, a general description of the system and its components is provided, followed by a discussion of the same.
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It is understood that there may be other applications that are stored in the memory 109 and are executable by the processor circuit 106 as can be appreciated. Where any component discussed herein is implemented in the form of software, any one of a number of programming languages may be employed such as, for example, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Java, Javascript, Perl, PHP, Visual Basic, Python, Ruby, Delphi, Flash, or other programming languages.
A number of software components are stored in the memory 109 and are executable by the processor circuit 106. In this respect, the term “executable” means a program file that is in a form that can ultimately be run by the processor 106. Examples of executable programs may be, for example, a compiled program that can be translated into machine code in a format that can be loaded into a random access portion of the memory 109 and run by the processor 106, source code that may be expressed in proper format such as object code that is capable of being loaded into a random access portion of the memory 109 and executed by the processor circuit 106, or source code that may be interpreted by another executable program to generate instructions in a random access portion of the memory 109 to be executed by the processor circuit 106, etc. An executable program may be stored in any portion or component of the memory 109 including, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), memory card, or other memory components.
The memory 109 is defined herein as including both volatile and nonvolatile memory and data storage components. Volatile components are those that do not retain data values upon loss of power. Nonvolatile components are those that retain data upon a loss of power. Thus, the memory 109 may comprise, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), memory cards accessed via a memory card reader, and/or other memory components, or a combination of any two or more of these memory components. In addition, the RAM may comprise, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and other such devices. The ROM may comprise, for example, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other like memory device.
Also, the processor circuit 106 may represent multiple processor circuits 106 and the memory 109 may represent multiple memories 109 that operate in parallel processing circuits, respectively. In such a case, the local interface 119 may facilitate communication between any two of the multiple processor circuits 106, between any processor circuit 106 and any of the memories 109, or between any two of the memories 109, etc. The local interface 119 may comprise additional systems designed to coordinate this communication. The processor circuit 106 may be of electrical or of some other available construction.
The memory 109 may include an account selection application 113, account selection configuration data 114, transaction accounts 115, and codes 116. The processor circuit 106 executes the account selection application 113 and directs operation of the dynamic magnetic strip system 123, the data interface 126, the RFID system 129, and/or any other system. The account selection application 113 enables the user of a single card to access many different transaction accounts 115 with the single card. Account selection configuration data 114 is data that may be configured by the data interface 126 that is accessed by the account selection application 113 in selecting the transaction account 115. Transaction accounts 115 identify the particular account which may be debited or credited when a purchase, a cash advance, and/or other transaction is made by a user of the payment card 103. For example, transaction accounts 115 may comprise a credit card account, a checking account, a gift card account, a stored value account, and/or other account.
Codes 116 stores a unique number that is associated with a corresponding one of the transaction accounts 115. For example, the code 116 may correspond to any existing credit card, debit card, gift card, and/or other card that a user may already own. Alternatively, codes 116 may correspond to a transaction account 115 that the user does not currently have.
The dynamic magnetic strip system 123 may be dynamically loaded with a code 116 associated with one of the transaction accounts 115. The data interface 126 facilitates the process of moving data between a computing device 133 and the payment card 103. The RFID system 129 may be configured to dynamically generate a code 116 associated with a corresponding one of the transaction accounts 115.
The computing device 133 may be representative of a plurality of computing devices 133. The computing device 133 may comprise, for example, a processor-based system such as a computer system. Such a computer system may be embodied in the form of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, web pads, tablet computer systems, game consoles, or other devices with like capability. The computing device 133 may be configured to execute various applications such as a card interaction system 136, and/or other applications. Additionally, the computing device 133 may include a display 139. The display 139 may comprise, for example, one or more devices such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs), liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, gas plasma-based flat panel displays, LCD projectors, or other types of display devices, etc.
The card interaction system 136 may be executed in a client device, for example, to access and render network pages, such as web pages, or other network content. The computing device 133 may be configured to execute applications beyond card interaction system 136 such as, for example, email applications, instant message applications, and/or other applications. The card interaction system 133 includes graphical information that is employed, for example, to dynamically generate one or more user interfaces 143 that are transmitted to computing device 133 in order to enable a user that manipulates such computing device 133 to interact with the payment card 103 as will be described.
The card interaction system 136 is configured to receive input provided by the user and send this input via the data interface 126 to the payment card 103. The card application system 136 is also configured to obtain output data and render the same on the display 139. In one embodiment, the card interaction system 136 comprises a plug-in within a browser application. The computing device 133 may include a touch screen display device and may include one or more other input devices. Such input devices may comprise, for example, devices such as keyboards, mice, joysticks, accelerometers, light guns, game controllers, touch pads, touch sticks, push buttons, optical sensors, microphones, webcams, and/or any other devices that can provide user input.
Next, a general description of the payment card 103 and the operation of the various components of the payment card 103 are provided. To begin, a user employing a computing device 133 interacts with the payment card 103 via card interaction system 136. The card interaction system 136 allows a user manipulating a computing device 133 to send data to the payment card 103 via the data interface 126. The data interface 126 facilitates the process of transmitting information to the payment card 103. Such information may include, for example, transaction accounts 115, codes 116, account types, credit limits, reward points, available credit, cash advance limits, pin codes, and/or other information.
The processor circuit 106 executes the account selection application 113. The account selection application 113 may be implemented to facilitate the selection of one or more transaction accounts 115 which may be debited or credited when a purchase, a cash advance, and/or other transaction is made by a user of the payment card 103. For example, the payment card 103 may be used to access different transaction accounts 115 associated with different financial institutions. Alternatively, the payment card 103 may be used to access multiple transaction accounts 115 associated with the same financial institution. After identifying the appropriate transaction account 115 to be debited or credited, the account selection application 113 then facilitates the control of the operation of the dynamic magnetic strip system 123 to embody a code 116 that is associated with the respective one of the transaction accounts 115. A magnetic strip of the dynamic magnetic strip system 123 is rewritten to include the corresponding code 116 associated with the respective one of the transaction accounts 115.
Alternatively, after identifying the appropriate transaction account 115 to be debited or credited, the account selection application 113 then facilitates the control of the operation of the RFID system 129. The RFID system 129 may be composed of the tag, reader and antennae, the reader reads the tag information through the antennae, and the tag information is transmitted to the application system after decoding. The RFID system 129 may be configured to embody the code 116 associated with the selected one of the transaction accounts 115 for the transaction. Of note the demands for ensuring the security of collecting the tag data are becoming increasingly stronger. Therefore, the RFID system 129 may be configured to transmit data only after a user transmits a correct security credential associated with the payment card 103 such as, for example, passwords, pin codes, public key encryption, etc. Alternatively, the RFID system 129 can also be triggered by a different security credential to automatically disable the RFID system 129, for example as a user leaves a store.
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Beginning with box 306, when a user desires to use a payment card 103 for purchases and other transactions, the account selection application 113 determines the appropriate transaction account 115. In one embodiment, the transaction account 115 may be determined based on a location of the payment card 103. In another embodiment, a user may select the transaction account 115 through the use of an input mechanism 203a . . . 203d (
Additional mechanisms may be provided to generate input commands in response to an action taken relative to the physical orientation of the payment card 103. In one embodiment, the payment card 103 includes an accelerometer 215 or other device that can detect orientation, acceleration, and deceleration of the payment card 103. For example, the payment card 103 may be held in a predefined orientation. Once a user rotates the payment card 103, an accelerometer 215 or other type of device detects the orientation of payment card 103 and sends the orientation to the account selection application 113. The account selection application 113 may select the appropriate transaction account 115 based on the orientation of the payment card 103. In another embodiment, a user may tap the payment card 103 on one of the respective edges. The accelerometer 215 included in the payment card 103 detects the acceleration/deceleration of the payment card 103. Next, the accelerometer 215 sends the acceleration/deceleration information to the account selection application 113. The account selection application 113 selects the appropriate transaction account 115 based on the acceleration/deceleration information provided by the accelerometer 215 or other device.
In another embodiment, the account selection application 113 may determine the appropriate transaction account 115 based at least in part on input provided by an internal clock 213 (
After determining the appropriate transaction account 115 to be used, the account selection application 113 then proceeds to box 309. In box 309, the account selection application 113 determines a code 116 associated with the selected transaction account 115. In box 313, the account selection application 113 directs the operation of the dynamic magnetic strip system 123 or the RFID system 129 to embody the code 116 associated with the selected one of the transaction accounts 115 in a form that is readable by existing POS systems.
Although the account selection application 113, and other various systems described herein may be embodied in software or code executed by general purpose hardware as discussed above, as an alternative the same may also be embodied in dedicated hardware or a combination of software/general purpose hardware and dedicated hardware. If embodied in dedicated hardware, each can be implemented as a circuit or state machine that employs any one of or a combination of a number of technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing various logic functions upon an application of one or more data signals, application specific integrated circuits having appropriate logic gates, or other components, etc. Such technologies are generally well known by those skilled in the art and, consequently, are not described in detail herein.
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Also, any logic or application described herein, including account selection application 113 that comprises software or code can be embodied in any non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system such as, for example, a processor circuit 106 in a payment card 103, computer system or other system. In this sense, the logic may comprise, for example, statements including instructions and declarations that can be fetched from the computer-readable medium and executed by the instruction execution system. In the context of the present disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” can be any medium that can contain, store, or maintain the logic or application described herein for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system. The computer-readable medium can comprise any one of many physical media such as, for example, magnetic, optical, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of a suitable computer-readable medium would include, but are not limited to, magnetic tapes, magnetic floppy diskettes, magnetic hard drives, memory cards, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, or optical discs. Also, the computer-readable medium may be a random access memory (RAM) including, for example, static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM). In addition, the computer-readable medium may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other type of memory device.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.