Patent Application
20120109735
None.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to generally to RFID cards, and more specifically, to a batteryless RFID labels having a display, a stored value, and customer loyalty data.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
In recent years, RFID cards are tags have become increasingly prevalent. The have been incorporated into many diverse fields. For example, RFID readers and cards have been incorporated into bill/coin acceptors (U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0321516 and 2009/0218395), tracking systems (U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2010/0066497 and 2010/0019905), authenticatable badges (U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0289762), commodity displays (U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0295749) and luggage tags (U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,569). Advances have been made in some instances to provide RFID cards that receive power from a host device rather than having a battery incorporated into the card (U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2010/0033310, 2010/033307 and 2009/0206994).
Recently, efforts have been made to incorporate displays into RFID cards and tags. For example, in U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2010/0052908 entitled “Transient State Information Display in an RFID Tag,” a display is incorporated into an RFID card to show a transient state such as an age of a product. In the preferred embodiment disclosed in that patent, a card or tag reader provides a current date while the card provides the expiration date of the product. Based on a comparison of those two, an LED is illuminated to reflect the status of the product. The disclosure indicates that a variety of other types of displays may be used and also that the card may be active or passive. In another example, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2010/0079416 entitled “Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Display Pixel, and Display Panel and Display Apparatus Using RFID Display Pixel” discloses an RFID tag connected to an “RFID pixel” or plurality of “RFID pixels.” Another example is described in U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2009/0309736 entitled “Multifunction Contactless Electronic Tag for Goods.”Additionally, WO 00/36560, published on Jun. 22, 2000, discloses an electronic ink display media for security and authentication. In this document an electrophoretic display medium and an supplementary authentication marker is disclosed.
A batteryless RFID label comprising a flexible housing, means for attaching the flexible housing to a non-planar surface of an item, a secure processor with a memory, a near-field antenna connected to the processor, a display control circuitry connected to the processor and a bi-state display connected to the secure processor. The secure processor is solely powered by energy received through the near-field antenna. The flexible housing conforms to a shape of a non-planar surface of an object to which it is attached. The batteryless RFID label further comprises a bi-state display in the housing, wherein the bi-state display is connected to the secure processor and is solely powered by energy received through the near-field antenna. The attachment means comprise one of an adhesive, a magnet and a clamp. The circuit comprises an encapsulation layer and wherein circuit is a circuit in-lay layer. The circuit in-lay layer and the encapsulation layer form the label. The circuit in-lay layer may comprise a printed Teslin layer. The label may be attached, for example, to a coffee mug, cell phone or media player. The bi-state display may comprise a multi-line display.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a stored value payment system comprising a label. The label comprises a flexible encapsulation, means, such as an adhesive layer, a magnetic backing, for attaching the label to a non-planar surface of an object, a circuit having a secure processor with a memory, a near-field antenna connected to the processor and a bi-state display. The secure processor and the display are powered solely by energy received through the near-field antenna. The flexible encapsulation conforms to a shape of a non-planar surface of an object to which it is attached. The information shown on the display may comprise an earned reward, a monetary or non-monetary remaining value, information of prior use of the stored value payment system such as a prior number of cups of coffee used or a date of a use of the system or last visit to a store, or any other type of useful information. The encapsulation may comprise a printed Teslin layer. The label may be attached to any item, such as a coffee mug, cell phone, media player, purse or item of clothing.
In another embodiment, the present invention is a stored value payment system. The system comprises a label. The label comprises a secure processor with a memory, a near-field antenna connected to the processor and a bi-state display and a flexible encapsulation layer encapsulating the secure processor, the near-field antenna and the bi-state display. The encapsulation layer has a window through which information displayed on the bi-state display may be viewed. The secure processor and the display are powered solely by energy received through the near-field antenna and the label conforms to a shape of a non-planar surface of an object to which it is attached.
Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a preferable embodiments and implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A stored value card such as a transit card (
In a preferred embodiment of a stored value card in accordance with the present invention, the display shows a remaining balance on the card. In other card embodiments, the display can show many other items, such as an authentication status, a payment status or an entertaining message such as a horoscope or a message of the day. While coupled to a reader, the display also may be used to show a scrolling or multiple line message. The messages may be received from the reader or may be pre-stored in memory on the card.
The card or tag may be encapsulated using commercially available techniques such as used by Vanguard Identification Systems, Inc. in Westchester, Pa. (see also, U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,896). The display in a preferred embodiment is a bi-state display that does not require power to maintain the display after each use. Rather, the display is changed at the time a transaction occurs. Further, the cards in a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be designed to be interoperable with existing contactless card readers and infrastructure. As shown in
The display and support circuitry will integrate into standard ISO card with reverse capability with magnetic strip, contactless payment readers. The traditional cards have many known security vulnerabilities and this secure display card mitigates these security issues.
The secure payment card of the present invention has two way contactless communication with the payment terminal without the use of a battery. Data is transferred between the card and a reader via modulation in the inductive field. Additionally, the new technology utilizes a secure processor within the card to secure the interface, protect the data stored within the card, and authenticate the user to the card. The complete display and circuitry is encapsulated within the plastic of the card that can provisioned with any company and personalization branding or other printed information.
The new class of card has many applications, including but not limited to the following:
In these two exemplary applications, the display card interaction occurs twice in the transaction. First, to execute a cryptographic challenge response to mutually authenticate the reader/card and to authenticate the user to the card. This process unlocks the cryptographic keys to verify the application running on the mobile phone or computer has not been modified. Second, the payment process is executed between the mobile phone or computer application and the bank or credit card authorization center. This session between the mobile application and the card authorization centers is secure using the session keys provided by the secure display card. Upon payment verification, a message will be sent to the card such as “APPROVED” to positively verify to the cardholder all steps of the transactions were secured and processed.
Mobile Payment Trends Driving this Proposed Architecture:
Recently, there has been a focus on developing mobile payment applications—with the objective of using the phone as a credit card. In connection with those efforts, NFC antennas within phones to interface with the payment terminal.
The main deficiency with this concept is the cell phones' applications and keys stored on the phones to unlock the payment application are not protected. What is needed to address this shortfall is a card to unlock, authenticate, and verify a transaction of the cell phone payment application and used as a communication channel.
Traditional payment interfaces like magnetic strip or contact 7816 card readers are not optimal or practical for integration into mobile devices like cell phones. Recently, NFC (14443) receivers have been embedded in the next gen phones.
An embodiment of the present invention utilizes the NFC in a novel way to bridge credit/debit cards with mobile phones for secure transactions, as shown in
This new class of card inlay can easily embed in ISO standard cards. The solution encompasses has some key technology features. First, the circuitry is powered and communicates entirely from the NFC reader—meaning no battery. Batteries are problematic in integration, reliability, and have a fixed lifetime. Second, the inlay incorporates, for example, a 10 bit alpha numeric display to show the cardholder anything from how much money is left on their college meal card or pre-paid card, the current balance charged on a credit card, or to display text like “APPROVED” visually showing to the cardholder, the transaction being executed on the mobile phone, computer, or standard payment terminal was processed.
The common Interface—Near Field Communications
NFC is the most promising contactless technology enabling wireless connections between two devices, e.g. a mobile phone and a payment, without having to navigate through complicated menus or performing complex set-up procedures. NFC is already internationally in used between a card & stationary reader for access control and public transport. The principle of NFC is to make two devices communicate and connect based on 13.56 MHz radio frequency technology making it backwards compatible with ISO 14443.
NFC was invented as a communication channel, but when introduced for payment transactions, security had to be added. This is done using a secure micro processor in the card. Thus, it supports almost all of today's major contactless smart cards schemes. NFC-enabled devices can act as both contactless card and reader, supporting peer-to-peer communication.
A thin flexible display assembly 300 has circuitry comprised of the functional components in
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display circuitry or assembly 300 is fully encapsulated in a housing formed of a composite layer of Teslin™, and then a polyester plastic. The outer surface of the Teslin is printed using a digital reverse dye sublimation, heat transfer, or any traditional ink process to create the graphics or print on the Teslin. The area were the display 310 is located is cut out in the Teslin. The cutout may be large enough to include all of the lines of the display or there may be a separate cutout for each line of the display. The inlay 300 is attached from the inside and aligned with the cut-out window. The Teslin layer provides excellent thermal barrier from excessive hot & cold temperatures.
The polyester layer serves two functions. First, it provides a transparent or clear protective window on top of the display panel area 3100. Second, it acts a general protective barrier for the circuit display inlay from water and chemicals. The inlay display circuitry shown in
Each NFC system with the card has an antenna with innate capacitive and resistive values which affects the capacity to inductively couple in power and transmit data.
HF antenna—The data read range is very short around 4 inches (10 cm), with a baud rate of 106 kilobaud as defined by the ISO 1443 standard, yet most often read just beyond the actual contact zone of the interrogator.
The card is passive because it cannot generate and reflect radio signals to an interrogator if is not in the presence of an electromagnetic (EM) field. The inlay must be inside the interrogation zone in order to receive enough power to generate a response. The initial interrogator signal powers the inlay's circuitry, allowing communication.
The display in a preferred embodiment is a bi-state display that does not require power to maintain the display after each use. Rather, the display is changed, for example, at the time the card is used. Further, the cards in a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be designed to be interoperable with existing contactless RFID readers and infrastructure.
As shown in
In another embodiment, an SiPix display is used. The SiPix display, shown in
The display structure, typically 150 μm thin, is built upon a flexible PET plastic substrate, which may include a transparent conductor such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). The contents of the microcup are hermitically sealed to protect them from the environment. Similar electrodes on both either side change position and orientation of material suspending in a gel like fluid. SiPix is also an Electrophoretic a reflective display that uses electrophoresis to switch pixels or segments on and off. Electrophoresis is the motion of charged particles suspended in a liquid in response to an electric field. If the white particles migrate to the visible surface, the display exhibits the color white.
In yet another embodiment, the bi-state display is a spiral crystal LCD technology that reflects almost all the image light cast on it while attenuating most of the ambient light to produce a bright reflected display. Cholesteric materials are liquid crystal that is a type of liquid crystal with a helical (smooth curve like a spiral) structure. Cholesteric liquid crystals are also known as chiral nematic liquid crystals have molecules that maintain their orientation. Some substances exist in an odd state that is similar to both liquid and solid. When they are in this state, the molecules tend to maintain their orientation, like solids, but can also move like a liquid. Liquid crystals are such materials. However, in essence they are more like a liquid and require only a little heat to move from this odd state to a liquid state. A feature of liquid crystals is that they are affected by electric currents. Depending on the temperature and particular nature of a substance, liquid crystals can be in one of several distinct phases, including nematic phase and the cholesteric phase. LCDs use these types of crystals because they react predictably to electric current in such a way as to control light passage
In still another embodiment, an electrochromic display is used. The display is comprised of a layer of electrochromic material sandwiched between two electrode layers, as shown in
The chemical reaction at work is an oxidation reaction—a reaction in which molecules in a compound lose an electron. Ions in the sandwiched electrochromic layer are what allow it to change from opaque to transparent. It's these ions that allow it to absorb light. A power source is wired to the two conducting oxide layers, and a voltage drives the ions from the ion storage layer, through the ion conducting layer and into the electrochromic layer. This makes the glass opaque. By shutting off the voltage, the ions are driven out of the electrochromic layers and into the ion storage layer. When the ions leave the electrochromic layer, the window regains its transparency.
The maximal thickness of the module, its components and the display is about 300 micro meter, except for some SMD components that have a thickness of 400 micrometer. The thickness is very suitable for embedding in a standard ISO thickness card (800 micron).
Inlay: FR-4 (glass-epoxy-laminate) thickness: 100 micron (excluding copper tracks) Module base material: Polyimide, thickness: 25 micron Display front material: PET (Polyethylene Therephthalate), thickness: 125 micron
Note: all materials have a CTE (Coefficient of Thermal Expansion) of ±18 ppm/oC.
A block diagram of an exemplary security processor of the secure display device is shown in
Interface execution speed and enhanced functionality and expanded on-chip memory configurations of more than 500 Kbytes. Functions including the operation of DES and AES are fully operational on the contactless interface.
The contactless interface data, processing data within the card, and data storage are protected with an embedded security processor with an international assurance rating of EAL+5 (Evaluation Assurance Level) based upon the common criteria for information security. This security assurance can only be achieved with a series of hardware/software features.
Interface to any security authentication protocol or encryption systems are easily achieved through non-proprietary firmware on the processor.
Security Features to Achieve EAL+5 include, but are not limited to, the following:
Supports public key cryptography based on finite fields of prime order—GF(p)
Supports RSA with an operand length of up to 5 kBits and related standards (PKC#1 [RSA], PKC#3 [Diffie-Hellman] and FIPS186-2 [DSA&EC-DSA], IEEE P1363).
An integrated Hardware 3DES accelerated in incorporated into the processor chip DES3 performance: <50 μs. The Digital Encryption Standard (DES) for symmetric encryption is still used in most applications today and is supported by a dedicated, high performance, highly attack resistant co-processor. Single DES and triple DES, based on two or three DES keys, can be executed within less than 50 μs. Relevant standards (ISO, ANSI, FIPS) and Message Authentication Code (MAC) are fully supported. The use of the embedded DES co-processor increases execution speeds to a level where the actual time needed for a DES encryption becomes entirely irrelevant for an application.
To further protect and prevent reading while encrypting data or while in memory, countermeasures incorporate a range of security features to counter measure side channel attacks like DPA, SPA etc.
A Low power Random Number Generator (RNG) is implemented in hardware, FIPS140-2 compliant
Power-up/Power-down reset•Low/high supply voltage sensor•Low/high clock frequency sensor•Low/high temperature sensor•Light sensor•Single Fault Injection (SFI) attack detection•EEPROM programming:
No external clock—hardware sequencer controlled—on-chip high voltage generation
Electronic fuses for safeguarded mode control
Unique serial number for each die
32 bytes Write Once Security area in EEPROM (bit access)
14 bytes User Write Protected Security area in EEPROM (byte access, inhibit functionality per byte)
32 bytes User Read Only area in EEPROM (byte access)
64 or 128 EEPROM bytes for customer-defined Security FabKey. Featuring batch-, wafer- or die-individual security data, incl. encrypted diversification features on request
Clock Input Filter for protection against spikes
Memory protection (encryption and physical measures) for RAM, EEPROM and ROM
The inlay integrates the SmartMX are microprocessor. The hardware does nothing on its own, it has to be programmed with dedicated software—an operating system. Most of the time, the microprocessor is coupled to a co-processor dedicated to fast cryptographic computations (i.e, Triple DES or AES). The processor capable of executing complex operations that are as secure and fast as operations on contact based cards and slower through the RFID interface. Both the contacts or multiple interfaces can be connected. The processor is capable of supporting a range of both proprietary and open operating systems, including the Java Card™ operating system (JCOP).
Depending on the installed software, this processor is mostly used where a high level of security is required (i.e., secure travel documents, electronic passports, payment cards, etc.), and is certified by independent parties such as Common Criteria. The hardware of the SmartMX processor is Common Criteria certified at EAL5+ by the BSI, which means that it is highly resistant to tampering such as, for instance, reverse engineering attacks, fault/glitch attacks, or power analysis attacks.
NFC is the preferred interface for mobile payments for ease of use between credit cards or bank card.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the RFID card has both a near-field antenna and a UHF antenna. In such a system, the UHF antenna may be used solely for reading information while the near-field antenna can be used to change the display. As shown in
The card or tag 600 may be encapsulated using commercially available techniques such as used by Vanguard Identification Systems, Inc. in Westchester, Pa. (see also, U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,896). Other encapsulating techniques may be used. For example, the Innovatier Corp. (Lakeland Fla.) encapsulation process is both low-temperature and low pressure not damaging the circuitry or display. The process utilizes a flexible urethane elastomer material that becomes structurally integral with the electrical components and display. This process is called Reaction Assisted Injection Molding Process (RAMP) and allows the delivery of gram-level quantities of reaction injection molding material reliably and accurately. Other attributes of RAMP include:
In yet another embodiment a thin flexible display label 650 has circuitry comprised of the functional components in
The configuration of inlay components do not require an internal battery allowing the label to operate for years. The near field communication (NFC) antenna 656 couples power and data electromagnetically from the coil of the reader. Based upon a modulation frequency of 13.45 MHz and using a standard baseband protocol defined as ISO 14443, the invention was design to work entirely through existing NFC RFID hardware.
Since the label 720 is thin and flexible, attachment to the coffee mug 810, 812 or other non-planar container or package, as shown in
The display is written via the RFID interface from the payment terminal reader. The payment terminal or reader is assumed secure and trusted therefore all display information is done through the payment software. Audible tones to mark completion of the process, is done by the payment terminal.
If the merchant or company has a secure payment portal built into their web site and the customer had a NFC reader on their computer, this invention also provides a means to add additional money or awards/rewards directly from the website to the smart label.
Combining the display label with payment and product provides an opportunity for the vender to brand a product that the frequent customer is essentially a walking billboard. It is for this reason that the display label will be branded with at least the vendor's logo and most likely the bank or credit card company that is processing the payment transaction.
Three-fourths of restaurant operators believe that customer loyalty programs helped to grow their business during the economic downturn, according to an online survey by the National Restaurant Association, which polled 1,300 members. Additionally, nine out of 10 survey respondents say that they feel rewards programs give their business a competitive edge, while 84% plan to maintain or increase their financial investment in these programs through 2010. Customer rewards programs establish brand loyalty by offering incentives and discounts to frequent patrons. Starbucks, for example, lets customers use a prepaid Starbucks card that earns “stars” entitling them to free coffee, coupons and even VIP concert passes. While the Starbucks Card is 6 years old, the rewards program attached to it was rolled out in 2010. Rewards program members who register online already receive free syrup and milk options with drinks as well as free refills of hot and iced brewed coffees and a free drink when they buy a pound of coffee beans. Nearly 14% of all U.S. transactions at Starbucks are paid for using the Starbucks Card. The card's new rewards program gives Starbucks an opportunity to gather personal information on its best customers (if they opt in), including details on what they like to eat and drink, and even when. Starbucks also is looking at ways to put card data on key fobs, cell phones and even travel mugs.
While the preferred embodiment is discussed in terms of a label for an item such as a coffee mug, many other embodiments are possible. For example, as shown in
For the reason of a possible display failure as mentioned above the label can be detachable from the surface it is attached to in another embodiment. This can for example be achieved by magnetic means, a clamping device or a removable adhesive. Additionally, the object to which the label is to be attached may have, for example, a window into which the label may be inserted, thereby permitted the label easily to be moved from one item to another. The embodiment is not limited to the aforementioned examples.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein.
The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/394,939 entitled “Mobile Payment and Loyalty Thin Film Display Labels for Non-Conforming Applications” filed by the present inventors on Oct. 20, 2010, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/108,949 entitled “Batteryless Stored Value Card with Display” and filed by Mark Krawczewicz on May 16, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/334,748 filed on May 14, 2010. The above cross-referenced related application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61394939 | Oct 2010 | US | |
| 61334748 | May 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13108949 | May 2011 | US |
| Child | 13278126 | US |
