Method and device for activating chip card

Abstract

A method (200) for activating a chip card comprises: assigning (210) a unique identifier (16) to a chip card (10); assigning (220) the unique identifier (16) to a chip card record, which is assigned to a designated holder of the chip card (10); detecting (230), by the personal device (100) of the card holder, the unique identifier (16); sending (240), by the personal device (100), an activation request (28) of the chip card (10) to an activation server (30); sending (250), by the activation server (30), the activation information and the request (32) to the chip card issuer server (40); activating (260), by the chip card issuer server (40), the chip card (10); sending (270), by the chip card issuer server (40), an activation response (34) to the activation server (30); and sending (280), by the activation server (30), an activation acknowledgement (36) to the personal device (100). A personal device (100) for initiating a step for activating a chip card is also described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present description relates to a method for activating a chip card and a personal device which is configured to initiate an activation process for activating a chip card. Background Art

[0002] A chip card can be used by a cardholder to access services provided by a service provider. Generally speaking, the chip card used by the cardholder is indicated to allow the cardholder to access the service. For example, the chip card can be a bank card that can be used to make payments. Typically, in addition to the chip card, the cardholder is also required to prove authorization by entering a password before access to the service is granted.

[0003] Besides bank cards, other examples of chip cards are Subscriber Identity Module cards (SIM cards) for accessing mobile communication networks, identity documents equipped with electronic circuits for enabling access to electronic services provided by public or private organizations, and the like.

[0004] When a chip card is requested by a designated cardholder, the chip card is prepared for use by the chip card issuer and shipped to the cardholder. Before the cardholder can use the chip card to access services, the chip card needs to be activated. In other words, the chip card issuer activates the chip card to access services upon the cardholder's request. The chip card can only be used to access services when it is activated.

[0005] This activation process can be cumbersome and susceptible to security issues. Summary of the invention

[0006] It may be seen as an object to improve the process of activating a chip card, in particular by reducing the complexity for the cardholder and increasing the security of the activation process. This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0007] A method and a personal device according to the features of the independent claims are provided. Further developments can be derived from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] Many features described with reference to the method may be implemented as functions of the personal device, and vice versa. Therefore, the description provided in the context of the method also applies to the personal device in a similar manner. In particular, method steps may be implemented as functions of the personal device and / or its components, and functions described with reference to the personal device and / or its components may be implemented as method steps.

[0009] According to one aspect, a method for activating a chip card includes the following steps: assigning a unique identifier to a chip card; assigning the unique identifier to a chip card record, which is assigned to a designated holder of the chip card; detecting the unique identifier by a personal device of the designated holder of the chip card; sending an activation request for activating the chip card by the personal device to an activation server; sending activation information and a request by the activation server to a chip card issuer server; activating the chip card by the chip card issuer server; sending an activation response by the chip card issuer server to the activation server; and sending an activation confirmation by the activation server to the personal device.

[0010] A chip card may be any personalized card, bank card, credit card, identity document, smart card, SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module card for mobile communications) used to grant (or deny) an individual access to information and / or services of a service provider. A chip card typically comprises an electronic circuit including a processor and a memory and a communication interface for exchanging data with a card reader device. A chip card may also comprise an arrangement for receiving energy wirelessly to operate the electronic circuit. The memory may contain, for example, information and / or certificates for identifying the cardholder to the service provider.

[0011] The unique identifier may be stored in an electronic circuit, such as a tag. For example, the unique identifier is the MAC address (Media Access Control Address) of the tag. Alternatively, the unique identifier may be a unique advertising ID programmed in the tag. The tag may be physically connected to the chip card in a direct or indirect manner. This means that the tag may be attached to the chip card or include a package of the chip card. For example, the tag may operate according to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. Depending on the configuration and technical capabilities of the personal device, the tag may also be or include an RFID chip (Radio Frequency Identification chip).

[0012] A chip card record is a piece of information that indicates a set of data belonging to a designated holder of a chip card. For example, a chip card record can be a chip card account ID, a bank account number, a mobile phone number, or any other number assigned to a chip card holder.

[0013] When the unique identifier of the tag is assigned to a chip card record (which is assigned to a designated holder of the chip card), these can be linked to each other and stored in a storage device to indicate that the unique identifier is associated with the chip card record. In other words, a link between the unique identifier and the chip card record is created and stored so that when the steps of the method according to the embodiment are performed, it can be verified whether the chip card is activated by an authorized cardholder.

[0014] For sending requests and responses between the personal device, the activation server and the chip card issuer server, any data transmission protocol and security mechanism for protecting the exchanged data and messages can be used. Standardized or proprietary protocols can be used for this data exchange. The same applies to the data exchange between the personal device and the tag assigned to the chip card.

[0015] The activation server can implement the service of verifying whether the chip card is sent to the designated cardholder. Usually, the activation server provides personalized services.

[0016] The chip card issuer server can implement a service that grants access to the offered services to the cardholder who proves the authorization of the chip card to access the service, preferably in combination with a password.

[0017] A personal device can be a smartphone, tablet or any other computerized device that is typically assigned to an individual. Personal devices typically have limited access to the individual. Therefore, it can be assumed that a person who has a personal device and can access applications on the personal device is a person who is authorized to access the personal device. Optionally, when the personal device sends an activation request, it sends additional information to the activation server, such as geographic location, device type, IP address and / or timestamp, in order to further verify the legitimacy of the request to activate the chip card.

[0018] The exchange of messages and / or data between the personal device, activation server, chip card issuer server and / or storage device mentioned below may preferably be protected by using security protocols such as encryption and keys of any known and suitable or desired type.

[0019] According to one embodiment, sending by the personal device to the activation server an activation request for activating the chip card comprises sending the detected unique identifier of the chip card and the chip card record assigned to the intended holder of the chip card.

[0020] The personal device may have installed an application including information about the chip card holder and a chip card record. When the personal device detects the unique identifier of the chip card in its vicinity, the personal device sends the chip card record and / or information about the chip card holder together with the unique identifier of the chip card to the activation server to continue the activation process.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the method also includes: after the personal device sends an activation request for activating the chip card to the activation server, and before the activation server sends activation information and a request to the chip card issuer server: the activation server sends a verification request to the storage device, the verification request including at least one of the chip card record assigned to the designated holder of the chip card and the unique identifier of the chip card.

[0022] Therefore, before the activation server sends the activation information and request to the chip card issuer server, the activation server verifies whether the unique identifier of the chip card is assigned to the chip card record of the cardholder who has initiated the activation process. For example, the chip card record may indicate the bank account number or any other identification number of the cardholder assigned to the unique identifier of the tag.

[0023] When the personal device sends an activation request to the activation server, the personal device also sends the unique identifier of the chip card record and the tag to the activation server along with the request. With this information, the activation server can verify whether the activation request is sent by the personal device of the authorized cardholder.

[0024] For example, it is conceivable that the activation server forwards only one of the chip card record and the unique identifier of the label to the storage device, and the storage device sends the other of the chip card record and the unique identifier of the label back to the activation server. The activation server checks whether the data sent back by the storage device corresponds to the data sent by the personal device. If so, the activation server sends the activation information and the request to the chip card issuer server. Otherwise, the activation process is stopped.

[0025] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the activation server sends the unique identifier of the chip card record and the tag to the storage device, and the storage device verifies whether these are assigned to each other. If so, the storage device sends a verification response to the activation server indicating that the request is valid. Otherwise, the storage device does not respond to the verification request or sends an error message to the activation server, and the activation of the chip card is stopped.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises receiving, by the activation server, a verification response from the storage device; and verifying, by the activation server, whether the unique identifier of the chip card sent by the personal device is identical to the unique identifier assigned to the chip card record.

[0027] The verification response sent by the storage device to the activation server may include one or both of the chip card record and the unique identifier, and the activation server verifies whether the data included in the verification response corresponds to the data sent by the personal device in the activation request.

[0028] For example, the activation server verifies that the unique identifier sent by the personal device is identical to the unique identifier stored in the memory device and is assigned to the chip card record linked to the designated cardholder.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the activation server sends the activation information and the request to the chip card issuer server only if the unique identifier of the chip card sent by the personal device is identical to the unique identifier assigned to the chip card record.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the step of assigning a unique identifier to the chip card comprises attaching a label comprising the unique identifier to the packaging of the chip card.

[0031] The tag may include an electronic circuit configured to receive and send data wirelessly. Thus, the personal device may detect the tag and may request data from the tag. The tag includes a unique identifier and sends it to the personal device. The personal device includes an application with a data set that is assigned to the owner of the personal device or to a service that the application is authorized to access. The data set of the application may correspond to a chip card record. In this way, the personal device links the unique identifier of the tag to the chip card record assigned to the cardholder (who is typically the same as the owner of the personal device) and may verify during an activation process whether the chip card is requested to be activated by an authorized device and / or cardholder.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the step of detecting the unique identifier by the personal device is performed by using a wireless data exchange protocol.

[0033] For example, the personal device may be equipped with a transmitting and receiving antenna configured to exchange data according to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. The communication interface of the personal device may be activated at a predetermined time and send a request message. When the chip card with the tag is near the personal device, the tag sends a response message including a unique identifier, and the personal device may initiate the steps of the activation process.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of notifying the user of the personal device of the detection of the unique identifier assigned to the chip card and requesting confirmation from the user to send an activation request to the activation server.

[0035] Thus, when the personal device detects a tag with a unique identifier assigned to a chip card, the application running on the personal device presents a notification to the user that a chip card has been detected. The personal device also requests the user to confirm sending an activation request to the activation server. In other words, it is still the user who decides on the activation of the chip card. However, the method as described herein simplifies the activation process and increases security, since the data required to activate the chip card are automatically sent between the participating entities (tag, personal device, activation server, storage device, chip card issuer server), and only the user confirmation is required to start the activation process.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determining, by the personal device, a location of the personal device when the unique identifier is detected, and sending the location of the personal device together with the activation request to the activation server.

[0037] The personal device determines its location when the unique identifier is detected and sends the location information along with the activation request to the activation server. Using the location of the personal device, it can be determined whether the personal device is at or near the location of the designated cardholder (and / or within a predetermined distance).

[0038] The personal device may include a location determining device, such as a global positioning system sensor (GPS sensor) or any other positioning sensor using a reference system. For example, when the personal device is a smartphone, it typically includes an integrated GPS sensor that can be used to determine the location of the personal device.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises the step of determining a distance between the location of the personal device and a registered address of the designated cardholder.

[0040] The address of the designated cardholder can be stored in a storage device and can be compared to the location of the personal device when the personal device detects the unique identifier. The distance between the location of the personal device and the registered address of the designated cardholder is the distance in a geographic coordinate system. This can increase the security of the activation process.

[0041] According to another embodiment, the chip card issuer server activates the chip card only when the distance between the location of the personal device and the registered address of the designated cardholder is below a predetermined threshold.

[0042] An additional security mechanism is implemented by comparing the location of the personal device when the unique identifier is detected to the registered address of the designated cardholder, so as to ensure that the activation process can only be completed when the personal device is at or near the registered address of the designated cardholder.

[0043] According to another aspect, a personal device is configured to initiate an activation process for activating a chip card. The personal device includes a display, a processor, and a communication interface. The processor is configured to control the communication interface in a manner of sending a request message to a tag assigned to the chip card. The communication interface is configured to receive a response message from the tag, wherein the response message includes a unique identifier of the tag. The processor is configured to create an activation request, wherein the activation request includes the unique identifier and a chip card record assigned to a designated holder of the chip card. The processor is configured to create a notification for activating the chip card and instruct the display to display the notification to a user of the personal device. The processor is configured to send the activation request to an activation server upon confirmation of the notification and initiate the activation process of the chip card.

[0044] The personal device described herein starts and participates in the above activation method. Therefore, for details of the activation process, reference is made to the details of the method.

[0045] The personal device may be a smartphone or tablet computer and in one example includes a processor, a display, a memory, a communication interface and a location determination unit. Applications are stored in the memory and the processor is configured to execute instructions defining the applications. The processor controls the display and the communication interface. The display may be a touch-sensitive display configured to display information to a user and receive input commands from the user. The communication interface may be configured to exchange data with a plurality of other devices wirelessly, thereby utilizing different communication protocols.

[0046] A personal device as described herein may include an application assigned to a service provider's service, such as a bank account at a bank. The bank account is identified by a chip card record, and the chip card record is assigned to a unique identifier of the chip card. In other words, the chip card is assigned to a bank account of a designated cardholder. In order to be able to activate the chip card, the unique identifier of the tag is assigned to the chip card record, which is assigned to the holder of the chip card. This information is stored in a storage device. Now, when the chip card is transported to the designated cardholder and brought close to the personal device, the communication interface of the personal device is able to detect the presence of the tag and obtain the unique identifier of the tag. The personal device sends a request message. When the tag receives the request message, the tag sends a response message, which is received by the communication interface, and the unique identifier can be processed by the personal device during the activation process of the chip card.

[0047] The activation process can be started using the unique identifier of the tag and the chip card record, which is usually assigned to an application in the memory of the personal device. After confirmation by the user, the chip card record and the unique identifier of the tag are sent to the activation server together with the activation request, which starts the activation process. The activation process corresponds to the process described above with reference to this method.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the personal device is configured to execute an application of the service provider, and the application of the service provider is configured to send a request message to a tag assigned to the chip card.

[0049] According to another embodiment, the application is configured to receive a trigger message via the communication interface when a chip card with a tag is sent to a designated cardholder.

[0050] There is no need to permanently send request messages to the chip card tag, since this process requires some energy and may affect the energy consumption of the personal device.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the processor is configured to control the communication interface in such a manner that a request message for detecting a tag having a unique identifier is repeatedly transmitted within a predetermined period of time.

[0052] For example, the personal device may continue to send request messages for several days. The request messages may be sent at regular or irregular intervals. In particular, when the application receives a trigger message that the chip card is shipped to the designated cardholder, the application may repeatedly initiate the sending of request messages. When the chip card has arrived at the designated cardholder, the personal device may detect the presence of the tag assigned to the chip card and initiate the activation process.

[0053] Once the activation process is successfully completed or stopped for any reason, the application can stop sending request messages. When the activation process fails, the chip card may not be activated in the manner described herein. However, at a separate request and when corresponding to a predetermined security policy, the chip card issuer can restart the activation mechanism and the personal device is placed in a state where it sends request messages and the activation process can be initiated as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The subject matter will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, and wherein:

[0055] Figure 1 The chip card activation process is schematically described;

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a personal device configured to participate in an activation process of a chip card;

[0057] Figure 3 The steps of a method for activating a chip card are schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

[0059] The representations and illustrations in the drawings are schematic and not to scale. Like numbers denote like elements.

[0060] A better understanding of the described subject matter can be gained through a review of the drawings and a review of the following detailed description.

[0061] Figure 1The activation process of a chip card 10 is shown. The chip card 10 is housed in a package 12. A tag 15 with a unique identifier 16 is assigned to the chip card 10 by attaching the tag 15 to the package 12 (e.g., to the inside of the package 12). The tag 15 may be a BLE tag. The unique identifier 16 may be a MAC address of the tag 15. By sending a message 12 to a storage device 20, the unique identifier 16 and the card record of the chip card 10 are assigned to each other and stored to the storage device 20. The storage device 20 may be a data processing server accessible via a data network to receive and provide data.

[0062] Once the label 15 is attached to the chip card 10 and / or package 12 and the unique identifier 16 is assigned to the card record and stored in a memory device, the package 12 with the chip card 10 is shipped to the cardholder's address 25 , as indicated by the dotted line 17 .

[0063] When the package 12 with the tag 15 is brought into proximity with the cardholder's personal device 100, the personal device 100 detects the presence of the tag 15 and is able to read the unique identifier 16. The personal device 100 is configured to initiate an activation process when the tag 15 is detected.

[0064] The personal device 100 may include an application that runs a scanning process (eg, Bluetooth scanning) to detect the tag 15. Once the package 12 is within the scanning range of the personal device 100, a notification pops up on the personal device 100, asking the user of the personal device 100 to activate the chip card 10.

[0065] The user then confirms that the activation process is started and the personal device 100 sends an activation request 28 to the activation server 30. The activation server 30 may be a cloud service operated by the chip card manufacturer. The activation request 28 includes the unique identifier 16 of the tag 15 and a record indicating the cardholder or the instance of the application running on the personal device 100.

[0066] Subsequently, the activation server 30 sends a verification request 29 to the storage device 20. The verification request 29 is used to verify whether the activation process of the chip card 10 identified by the unique identifier 16 is initiated by an authorized cardholder. For example, the activation server 30 can request an entry including the unique identifier from the storage device 20, and this data is sent by the storage device 20 to the activation server 30 in a verification response 31. The activation server 30 verifies whether the unique identifier and the card record sent in the activation request 28 are identical to the unique identifier and the card record stored in the storage device and assigned to each other and sent in the verification response 31.

[0067] Assuming the unique identifier of tag 16 and the card record correspond, the authentication process continues. Activation server 30 sends activation information and request 32 to chip card issuer server 40, notifying the chip card issuer that chip card 10 has reached the designated cardholder and meets the activation requirements.

[0068] The chip card 10 is now activated by the chip card issuer server 40 and can be used to access services. The chip card issuer server 40 sends an activation response 34 to the activation server 30, which then sends an activation confirmation 36 to the personal device 100. The personal device 100 may indicate the successful activation to the cardholder by a signal such as a message on the personal device display or by an audible message.

[0069] Figure 2 Shows that already Figure 1 The personal device 100 includes a display 101, a processor 102 running an application 103, a memory 104, a communication interface 106 (such as one or more antennas for sending and receiving signals), and a position determination unit 108 (such as a GPS unit).

[0070] When the application 103 is in a state where a new chip card is expected to be sent to the user, the application executes a command to instruct the communication interface 106 to send a request message 110 for discovering the tag 15. The request message 110 may be repeatedly sent at regular or irregular intervals.

[0071] For example, the activation server 30 or the chip card issuer server 40 may send a message to the application 103 running on the personal device 100 that a new chip card 10 is being shipped to the cardholder (who is the same as the user of the personal device 100). Once the personal device 100 has received such a message, it starts sending request messages 110 after a predetermined time, for example after the expected shipping time.

[0072] In addition, the personal device may be configured so that it sends request messages only during certain daytime hours. For example, during the daytime, the request message 110 may be sent every 2 hours. At night, the request message 110 may not be sent, or the request message 110 may be sent at different intervals.

[0073] When the package 12 with the tag 15 is within a certain range of the personal device 100, the tag 15 responds to the request message 110 with a response message 112. The response message includes at least the unique identifier 16.

[0074] The card record may be stored in the memory 104 of the personal device 100 and assigned to the application 103. The personal device 100 (ie, the application 103) may now create an activation request 28 based on the unique identifier of the tag and the card record (see Figure 1 ), and sends an activation request 28 to the activation server, as shown in reference Figure 1 described.

[0075] The personal device 100 may also determine its geographic location using the location determination unit 108 and add the geographic location to the activation request so that the activation server 30 can verify whether the activation process is initiated from within a certain distance of the cardholder's registered address.

[0076] The application 103 may include one or more modules that perform different functions. For example, one module may be configured to receive information from the activation server 30 that a new chip card is shipped to the cardholder. Another module may be configured to manage the discovery process of the tag 15, i.e., sending request messages 110 and receiving response messages 112. Another module may be configured to communicate with the activation server 30, i.e., managing activation requests and activation confirmations 36. However, these functions may alternatively be implemented in the same application that authorizes access to the services of the chip card issuer, such as a banking application running on a smartphone.

[0077] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 The steps of a method 200 for activating a chip card 10 are schematically shown. The method comprises the following steps: in a step 210, a unique identifier 16 is assigned to the chip card 10; in a further step 220, the unique identifier 16 is assigned to a chip card record, wherein the chip card record is assigned to a designated holder of the chip card 10; in a further step 230, the unique identifier 16 is detected by a personal device 100 of the designated holder of the chip card 10; in a further step 240, an activation request 28 for activating the chip card 10 is sent by the personal device 100 to an activation server 30; in a further step 250, activation information and a request 32 are sent by the activation server 30 to a chip card issuer server 40; in a further step 260, the chip card 10 is activated by the chip card issuer server 40; in a further step 270, an activation response 34 is sent by the chip card issuer server 40 to the activation server 30; and in a further step 280, an activation confirmation 36 is sent by the activation server 30 to the personal device 100.

[0078] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing specific embodiments, it should be understood that there are a large number of variations. It should also be understood that one or more exemplary embodiments are only examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the present invention in any way. On the contrary, the foregoing detailed description will provide a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that various changes may be made to the functions and arrangements of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0079] In addition, it should be noted that "comprising" or "including" does not exclude any other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality or more. It should also be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limitations.

[0080] Reference numerals list

[0081] 10 Chip Card

[0082] 12 Packaging

[0083] 14 Storing Data

[0084] 15 Tags

[0085] 17 Ship the package to the cardholder

[0086] 20 Storage devices (data processing servers)

[0087] 25 cardholders

[0088] 28 Activation Request

[0089] 29 Verification Request

[0090] 30 Activate Server

[0091] 31 Verify Response

[0092] 32 Activation Information and Requests

[0093] 34 Activation Response

[0094] 36 Activation Confirmation

[0095] 40 Chip Card Issuer Server

[0096] 100 personal devices

[0097] 101 Display

[0098] 102 Processor

[0099] 103 Applications

[0100] 104 Memory

[0101] 106 Communication Interface

[0102] 108 Position determination unit

[0103] 110 Request message

[0104] 112 Response message

Claims

1. A method (200) for activating a chip card (10), the method comprising: assigning (210) a unique identifier (16) to a chip card (10); assigning (220) the unique identifier (16) to a chip card record, the chip card record being assigned to a designated holder of the chip card (10); detecting (230) the unique identifier (16) by a personal device (100) of a designated holder of the chip card (10); The personal device (100) sends (240) an activation request (28) for activating the chip card (10) to an activation server (30); The activation server (30) sends (250) activation information and a request (32) to a chip card issuer server (40); activating (260) the chip card (10) by the chip card issuer server (40); sending (270) an activation response (34) by the chip card issuer server (40) to the activation server (30); and An activation confirmation (36) is sent (280) by the activation server (30) to the personal device (100).

2. The method (200) according to claim 1, in, The activation request (28) for activating the chip card (10) sent (240) by the personal device (100) to the activation server (30) comprises sending the detected unique identifier (16) of the chip card and the chip card record assigned to the designated holder of the chip card (10).

3. The method (200) according to claim 2, wherein: The method further comprises: After the personal device (100) sends (240) an activation request for activating the chip card (10) to the activation server (30), and before the activation server (30) sends (250) the activation information and the request (32) to the chip card issuer server (40): A verification request (29) is sent by the activation server (30) to a storage device (20), the verification request (29) comprising at least one of the chip card record assigned to the designated holder of the chip card (10) and the unique identifier (16) of the chip card (10).

4. The method (200) according to claim 3, further comprising: Receiving, by the activation server (30), a verification response (31) from the storage device (20); The activation server (30) verifies whether the unique identifier (16) of the chip card (10) sent by the personal device (100) is identical to the unique identifier (16) assigned to the chip card record.

5. The method (200) according to claim 4, in, The activation server (30) sends the activation information and request (32) to the chip card issuer server (40) only if the unique identifier (16) of the chip card (10) sent by the personal device (100) is identical to the unique identifier (16) assigned to the chip card record.

6. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, The step of assigning (210) the unique identifier (16) to the chip card (10) comprises attaching a label (15) comprising the unique identifier (16) to the package (12) of the chip card (10).

7. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The step of detecting (230) a unique identifier (16) by the personal device (100) is performed by using a wireless data exchange protocol.

8. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The method further comprises the steps of notifying a user of the personal device of the detection of the unique identifier (16) assigned to the chip card (10) and requesting the user to confirm sending (240) the activation request (28) to the activation server.

9. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The method further comprises the steps of determining, by the personal device (100), a location of the personal device (100) when the unique identifier (16) is detected, and sending the location of the personal device together with the activation request (28) to the activation server (30).

10. The method (200) according to claim 9, in, The method also includes the step of determining a distance between the location of the personal device and a registered address of the designated cardholder.

11. The method (200) according to claim 10, in, The chip card issuer server (40) activates the chip card (10) only when the distance between the location of the personal device and the registered address of the designated cardholder is below a predetermined threshold.

12. A personal device (100) configured to start an activation process for activating a chip card (10), the personal device (100) comprising: Display (101); Processor (102); Communication interface (106); wherein the processor (102) is configured to control the communication interface (106) in such a way as to send a request message (112) to a tag (15) assigned to the chip card (10); wherein the communication interface (106) is configured to receive a response message (112) from the tag (15), wherein the response message (112) includes a unique identifier (16) of the tag (15); wherein the processor (102) is configured to create an activation request (28), wherein the activation request comprises the unique identifier (16) and a chip card record assigned to a designated holder of the chip card (10); wherein the processor (102) is configured to create a notification for activating the chip card (10) and instruct the display (101) to display the notification to a user of the personal device (100); Once the notification is confirmed, the processor (102) is configured to send the activation request (28) to an activation server (30) and initiate an activation process for the chip card (10).

13. The personal device (100) according to claim 12, The personal device (100) is configured to execute an application (103) of a service provider, and the application (103) of the service provider is configured to send the request message (110) to the tag (15) assigned to the chip card (10).

14. The personal device (100) according to claim 13, in, The application (103) is configured to receive a trigger message via the communication interface (106) when a chip card with a tag (15) is sent to the designated cardholder.

15. The personal device (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, in, The processor (102) is configured to control the communication interface (106) in such a manner that a request message (110) for detecting a tag having a unique identifier is repeatedly sent within a predetermined time period.

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