CHIP CARD, SYSTEM, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CHIP CARD AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CHIP CARD

Abstract

Chip card (100) which includes the following: • a first electrically conductive area (106) on a first surface of the chip card (100); • a second electrically conductive area (114) on the first surface or on a second surface of the chip card (100) opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material; • a measuring circuit (101) designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area (106) and the second electrically conductive area (114); • an evaluation circuit (103) designed to determine whether the electrical parameter meets a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area (106) and the second electrically conductive area (114); and • an antenna; wherein the first electrically conductive area (106) completely covers the first surface of the chip card (100) or is formed with openings above the antenna to avoid shielding the antenna, wherein the openings are formed with a width and / or a length that is less than 2 centimeters.

Description

Technical field

[0001] Various embodiments generally relate to a chip card, a system, a method for manufacturing a chip card, and a method for operating a chip card. background

[0002] Nowadays, virtually all new bank cards, such as debit and credit cards, are equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, such as a near-field communication (NFC) device, which provides a cardholder verification method (CVM) to enable quick and easy transactions without requiring a PIN or two-factor authentication (2FA). This means that an NFC transaction could be completed silently, without any notification or indication to the cardholder.

[0003] Communication is standardized according to the ISO / IEC 14443 standard, and several interfaces, e.g., external reading devices suitable for initiating such a transaction, are freely available on the market.

[0004] DE 10 2005 020 101 A1 discloses a portable data carrier with an electronic circuit for storing and / or processing data and a resonant circuit for contactless communication and / or energy transfer. The portable data carrier according to the invention is characterized in that an externally controllable adjusting device is provided for changing the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit between a first frequency range and a second frequency range.

[0005] DE 10 2013 011 060 A1 discloses a method for manufacturing a portable data carrier with a chip, characterized by the following steps: applying at least one electrically conductive layer to the surface of the chip over at least one terminal of the chip, such that an electrically conductive connection exists between the applied layer and the terminal of the chip, wherein the area of ​​the applied layer is larger than the area of ​​the terminal of the chip, wherein there is no electrically conductive connection between the terminals of the chip on the surface; manufacturing a data carrier body; manufacturing at least one recess in the data carrier body; inserting the chip into the recess; and establishing at least one contact which is located on the surface of the data carrier body and has an electrically conductive connection with each electrically conductive layer applied to the chip.on which the contact is arranged, wherein there is no electrically conductive connection between the terminals of the chip and a gap between the at least one contact and the data carrier body is filled with an electrically insulating material, so that a flat surface with the surface of the data carrier body is created.

[0006] US 2019 / 0392436A1 discloses a fingerprint recognition card. The fingerprint recognition card includes: a fingerprint recognition sensor for capturing fingerprint information corresponding to a touch of a user's fingerprint; a front sensor comprising a bezel formed on the outer circumference of the fingerprint recognition sensor and operating as a capacitive sensor; and a controller for receiving an energy sensing signal corresponding to the detection of a user's touch by the front sensor and for recognizing it as an energy supply operation. Brief description

[0007] Chip cards according to claims 1 and 14, a system according to claim 15, a method for manufacturing a chip card according to claim 16, and a method for operating a chip card according to claim 16 are provided. Further embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] A chip card is provided. The chip card comprises a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of the chip card, a second electrically conductive area on the first surface or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material, a measuring circuit designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area, and an evaluation circuit designed to determine whether the electrical parameter meets a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] In the drawings, the same reference numerals in all different views generally refer to the same parts. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; rather, the emphasis is generally placed on illustrating the principles of the invention. The following description details various embodiments of the invention with reference to the following drawings, in which the following applies: Fig. Figure 1A shows a skewed perspective view of a chip card according to different embodiments; Fig. 1B shows a schematic top view of a chip card according to different embodiments; Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B each represents a schematic drawing of a system according to different embodiments during operation, wherein the system comprises a chip card according to different embodiments, for example the chip card of Fig. 1A; Fig. Figure 3 schematically illustrates electrical / electronic components of a chip card according to different embodiments; Fig. Figures 4A to 4E each illustrate a layout of a first electrically conductive area and a second electrically conductive area on a chip card according to different embodiments; Fig. Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a process for manufacturing a chip card according to various embodiments; and Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a chip card according to different embodiments. Description

[0010] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific details and embodiments according to which the invention can be practically implemented.

[0011] The word "exemplary" is used here to mean "serving as an example, case, or illustration." Any embodiment or design described here as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be interpreted as preferable or advantageous compared to other embodiments or designs.

[0012] Various aspects of the disclosure are provided for devices and various aspects of the disclosure are provided for methods. It is understood that fundamental properties of the devices also apply to the methods and vice versa. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, a repeated description of such properties may have been omitted.

[0013] In connection with the aforementioned problem of illegal exploitation of authentication-free transactions (also known as “RFID skimming”), a number of countermeasures and remedies have been proposed.

[0014] Firstly, such transactions are usually limited to small amounts of money.

[0015] Nevertheless, a number of measures relating to the environment and / or hardware modifications of the chip card itself have been proposed and / or applied in the technology, each of which has one or more disadvantages.

[0016] A bag or wallet with RFID shielding can be used to store the chip card. While this may only incur a small additional cost, the extra bulk and weight of the shielding can be inconvenient, and the protection provided may be unreliable, as the attenuation achieved by the shielding could potentially be overcome by signal amplification in the receiving chain.

[0017] As an alternative, RFID jamming cards were provided, which may need to be kept near the chip card to be protected. The jamming card can be designed to generate a noise signal when it receives a signal from an external card reader.

[0018] While this works in approximately 90% of cases, the additional card (or cards – a standard wallet may require several) can add bulk and weight. Furthermore, the disruption may not be 100% reliable and could be ineffective in some configurations (e.g., with multiple cards).

[0019] State-of-the-art technology can use two-factor authentication (2FA).

[0020] The standard measure of providing a PIN code is used for transactions involving larger sums of money, but is cumbersome and is therefore intentionally not used for smaller transactions.

[0021] Some newer smart cards are equipped with a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor, and biometric authentication must be provided to successfully activate the smart card.

[0022] While this may be popular, biometric sensors are expensive and not 100% reliable. The user experience with this type of sensor can be quite poor, for example, because the correct finger must be positioned in the correct orientation. Furthermore, the fingerprint must be stored on the card, which usually requires a registration process, and, for example, a cast on the corresponding finger can render the card unusable.

[0023] In various embodiments, a chip card is provided that detects the presence of a hand on the chip card by measuring an electrical parameter, such as an ohmic resistance between or a capacitance of two electrically conductive surfaces of the chip card that are separated by an electrically insulating material, e.g. a dielectric.

[0024] The two electrically conductive surfaces can be arranged on the chip card such that an ohmic contact is created between them when a user handles the chip card in a typical (e.g., natural) way for a wireless transaction, but it is ensured that no ohmic contact exists between the two conductive surfaces when the chip card is not in use, e.g., when stored in a wallet. The two conductive surfaces can, for example, be located on opposite surfaces of the chip card or on a single side of the chip card, but close enough together that their distance can be bridged by a user's finger holding the chip card.

[0025] In particular, in various embodiments, each of the opposing main chip card surfaces can be covered with an electrically conductive material, at least in an area that is typically touched when the chip card is held with the fingers.

[0026] In further embodiments, only one of the main chip card surfaces may be provided with both electrically conductive areas, for example as circumferential parallel areas with an electrically insulating gap between them, the gap being located in an area spanned by a user's finger, or as a non-circumferential configuration that ensures that a surface area of ​​the chip card, which is normally covered by a finger when the chip card is held by the user to a card reader, includes both electrically conductive areas.

[0027] An ohmic resistance or impedance between the two surfaces can essentially exhibit a very high ohmic value / impedance when the chip card is kept in a wallet or elsewhere. When the chip card is held in the hand to present it to an external card reader, the hand touching the chip card surfaces creates an ohmic contact between the two electrically conductive areas (either with a single finger spanning the insulating gap on the single surface, or by touching the opposing conductive areas with two fingers), thereby reducing the resistance / impedance value below an upper limit of the resistance / impedance value.

[0028] Similarly, in a stored chip card, the two electrically conductive surfaces can be essentially electrically separated, forming a "true" capacitor. However, when the chip card is held in the hand to be held against an external card reader, the hand touching the chip card surfaces creates an electrically conductive connection between the two conductive areas. This means that the two surfaces no longer form a "true" capacitor. Some parasitic capacitance can still be measured, but the capacitance value can be significantly lower than when the chip card is not being held in the hand.

[0029] The differences between the electrical parameters described above (impedance / resistance, capacitance) when the chip card is stored and when the chip card of various designs is intentionally used and held in a user's hand can be exploited by measuring at least one of the electrical parameters and checking whether the measured value meets a predefined criterion. For example, the criterion could be that the measured impedance / resistance is below an upper limit or that the measured capacitance is below an upper limit.

[0030] In various embodiments, a predefined chip card function (e.g., a financial transaction such as a payment) may only be permitted if the criterion is met.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1A shows an expanded perspective view of a chip card 100 according to various embodiments and Fig. Figure 1B shows a schematic top view of a chip card 100 according to various embodiments.

[0032] The chip card 100 comprises a first electrically conductive area 106 on a first surface of the chip card 100, a second electrically conductive area 114 on the first surface of the chip card (in Fig. 1B) or on a second surface of the chip card 100 (in Fig. 1A). The second surface can be opposite the first surface. The first and second surfaces can be the two opposing main surfaces of the chip card 100.

[0033] Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are each to be understood as an embodiment of the chip card 100, which can be varied in various ways.

[0034] For example, the chip card contains 100 in Fig. 1A a chip card body 120 designed to provide standard chip card functionality (wireless communication and the special function of the chip card 100, e.g., financial transactions or the like, and mechanical stability). One, several, or all of the layers 108, 110, and 112 that form the chip card body 120 can individually provide the carrier function for the chip card 100, i.e., provide mechanical stability for the chip card 100. Alternatively, the combination of all layers 108, 110, and 112 (e.g., laminated layers) can provide the required mechanical stability.

[0035] Although Fig. 1B does not show the chip card body 120 with the same level of detail as Fig. 1A, the chip card body can be 120 of the chip card 100 of Fig. 1B in a similar way to in Fig. Designed to be 1A.

[0036] The chip card body 120 can comprise an antenna layer 110 (also referred to as a "core") with an antenna 111 arranged on or in the antenna layer 110. The antenna layer 110 can, for example, comprise or consist of a plastic layer, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester (PET, PETG), polycarbonate (PC), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or, for example, a paper layer.

[0037] The antenna 111 arranged on or in the antenna layer 110 can, for example, be configured as known in the art. The antenna 111 can, for example, contain or consist of aluminum, copper, conductive ink, or carbon. The antenna 111 can, for example, be etched, laser-etched, embedded, or printed.

[0038] An upper cover layer 108 and a lower cover layer 112 (together referred to as "cover layers") can be arranged such that the antenna layer 110, 111 is arranged between them.

[0039] The upper cover layer 108 can be designed as a chip carrier layer, which carries a chip that is usually (but not limited to) provided as a chip module 102.

[0040] A coupling between an antenna of the chip module 102 and the antenna 111 can be provided via direct contact or wirelessly.

[0041] The chip card 100 can be designed as a dual-interface chip card 100. In this case, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1A, an upper surface of the chip module 102 can be exposed on the first surface of the chip card 100. In the case of a wireless-only chip card 100, the chip module 102 can be completely embedded in the chip card 100 without being exposed on the first surface of the chip card 100. This can also be the case for the chip card of Fig. 1B applies.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1A The first electrically conductive area 106 can be formed on a substrate layer, e.g., a plastic substrate layer, and arranged on the card body 120 to form the first surface of the chip card 100. Alternatively, the first electrically conductive area 106 can be formed directly on the upper cover layer 108, e.g., applied, or the first electrically conductive area 106 can be formed as a purely electrically conductive layer.

[0043] Similarly, the second electrically conductive area 114 can be formed on a substrate, e.g., a plastic substrate, and arranged on the card body 120 to form the second surface of the chip card 100. Alternatively, the second electrically conductive area 114 can be formed directly on the upper cover layer 108, e.g., applied, or the second electrically conductive area 114 can be formed as a purely electrically conductive layer.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1B The first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 can both be formed on a substrate layer, e.g., a plastic substrate layer (separated by a width W), and arranged on the card body 120 to form the first surface of the chip card 100. Alternatively, the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 can both be formed directly on the upper cover layer 108, e.g., applied, or the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 can be formed as two separate parts of a purely electrically conductive layer.

[0045] Materials of the first electrically conductive region 106 and / or the second electrically conductive region 114 may include or consist of an electrically conductive transparent, translucent or opaque overlay material, for example a plastic material containing carbon, transparent conductive oxides (TCO) (e.g. indium tin oxide (ITO)), FTO glass (FTO: fluorinated tin oxide), carbon materials and / or metals such as aluminum, silver, gold, palladium or the like.

[0046] The first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114 may use the same electrically conductive materials or different electrically conductive materials.

[0047] The plastic material used for the cover layers 108, 112 and / or for the antenna layer 110 and / or the support layers of the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area may, for example, comprise or consist of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester (PET, PETG), polycarbonate (PC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

[0048] The layers of the chip card 100, e.g. layers 106, 108, 110, 112 and 114, can be laminated together, for example.

[0049] Optional additional elements may be included, such as a hologram 104, a surface section 116 designed to be inscribed (for a signature), a biometric sensor (not shown), etc., and may be designed essentially as is known in the art.

[0050] As variations of the embodiment shown, the mechanical stability can be provided not (or not only) by the card body 120, but by the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114, which may comprise or consist of an electrically conductive layer, e.g. a metal layer, which is thick and stable enough to provide sufficient mechanical strength to the chip card 100.

[0051] As a further variation of the embodiment shown, the antenna function can be contained not by the dedicated antenna layer 110 with the antenna 111, but instead in the layers that form the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114, particularly in a case where the chip card 100 is designed as a metal chip card 100, which derives its mechanical stability and its antenna function from the structure of a thick metal sheet. In such a case, it may be necessary to electrically isolate the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114 from the antenna 111 formed in the same layer.

[0052] In the variations described above, the respective unnecessary layers of the embodiment can be omitted. Fig. 1A can be dispensed with.

[0053] In various embodiments, the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114 can cover the entire respective surface of the chip card 100. An example of this is shown in the second electrically conductive area 114 of Fig. Shown in 1A.

[0054] Furthermore, they Fig. Figures 4A to 4D each represent chip cards 100 according to various embodiments, in particular design examples of the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114. An embodiment with two full cover layers is shown in Fig. 4A shown.

[0055] Depending on the requirements (e.g., whether underlying layers, e.g., the cover layers 108, 114, include visual information (e.g., printed information or a hologram) or not), the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114 can be designed to be transparent, translucent, opaque, or a mixture of transparent, translucent, and / or opaque areas.

[0056] In various embodiments, the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114 can only partially cover the respective surface of the chip card 100.

[0057] An example of this is in the first electrically conductive area 106 in Fig. Figure 1A shows an opening for exposing contact surfaces of the chip module 102.

[0058] Further examples are described in Fig. 4B to 4D shown.

[0059] In the embodiments of Fig. 1B, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C takes into account that the chip card 100 is typically held near the edge of the chip card 100, as in Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows a system 200 comprising a chip card 100 according to various embodiments and an external reader 220, during operation of the chip card 100. At least, the chip card 100 is generally not held exclusively in the center.

[0060] Therefore, the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 are only formed in a circumferential area near the edge of the chip card 100, for example with a width corresponding to that of a finger, e.g. about one to two centimeters.

[0061] In the embodiments of Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C takes into account a structuring of the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114, such that the antenna 111 can be shielded by an electrically conductive layer arranged above it if the layer is too thick.

[0062] Therefore, the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 are provided with one or more openings 440 above and / or below the antenna 111 to reduce or eliminate the shielding effect. The openings 440 can expose a total of at least 20%, at least 40%, at least 60%, at least 80%, or more of the antenna 111 (in the electromagnetic sense – the antenna 111 may still be embedded in or covered by a plastic layer). The opening(s) 440 can be designed to have a width W in at least one dimension that is smaller than the width / length of a typical finger, or rather: smaller than the width of a finger's "base" in the relevant dimension when the chip card 200 is held by a user to hold it against a card reader.For example, the opening(s) 440 can have a width W in at least one dimension that is at most slightly over one centimeter.

[0063] A distance D from each edge of the chip card 100, within which at least a part of both the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 may be arranged, can be approximately the same value, e.g. slightly over one centimeter, e.g. 1.1 cm, or a suitably set value that can be determined experimentally.

[0064] In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1B, the second electrically conductive area 114, which is arranged within the circumferentially arranged first electrically conductive area 106, can extend parallel to the circumference of the chip card 100, its outer edge being a distance from the circumference of the chip card 100 that is less than a length extending towards the center of the chip card 100 and typically spanned by a user's finger, for example, slightly more than 1 cm, e.g., about 1.1 cm. A suitable value can be determined experimentally. This ensures that a common way of holding the chip card 100 against a chip card reader 220, for example, similar to the method described in Figure 1B, does not compromise the reader's ability to read the chip card. Fig. 2A and Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, it can ensure that both the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 are touched by the user.

[0065] As shown in the schematic representation of Fig. Figure 4E shows different embodiments of the chip card 100. The arrangement of the first electrically conductive area 106 need not be circumferential to ensure that the area of ​​the surface of the chip card 100 extending from its edges by the distance D (as defined above) to the center includes both the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114. In the embodiment of Fig. 4E The first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 each have a comb-like structure extending from opposite long edges of the chip card 100 and interlocking, with each of the comb's points extending towards the opposite edge to a distance from the edge less than D. The first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 can be insulated from each other by the insulating layer 108 on which they can be arranged.

[0066] In various embodiments, for example when the antenna 111 is largely or completely covered by the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114, the respective electrically conductive area 106 and / or 114 can be formed with a thickness (e.g. less than a few micrometers) that is sufficiently thin to avoid the shielding effect.

[0067] Although the embodiments of Fig. Figures 4A to 4C show that the first electrically conductive region 106 and the second electrically conductive region 114 have more or less the same structures (in the sense that they overlap laterally more or less completely). However, in other embodiments, the first electrically conductive region 106 and the second electrically conductive region 114 may have different structures. For example, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1A, the second electrically conductive area 114 completely covers the second surface of the chip card 100, while the first electrically conductive area 106 has an opening to provide access to the chip module 102. Other suitable combinations of the embodiments shown or other configurations can be used as required.

[0068] The chip card 100 may also include a measuring circuit 101 designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114.

[0069] The measuring circuit 101 can be included in the chip module 102 in various embodiments, and this can require the fewest hardware modifications in the chip card 100 compared to prior art chip cards. However, a separate measuring circuit 101 is also possible.

[0070] As briefly explained above, electrical parameters differ between a situation where the chip card 100 is not touched (but is, for example, kept in a wallet) and a situation where the chip card 100 is held by a user (e.g., as in Fig. 2A and Fig. (2B shown), change an ohmic resistance (or its AC equivalent impedance) between the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 and a capacitance of a capacitor formed between the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114. Both the resistance / impedance and the capacitance can be high while the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 are electrically isolated from each other, and low(er), e.g., falling below a predefined upper limit, when the chip card 100 is held in the hand, with a first finger 232, a second finger 230, and a hand connecting the first finger 232 and the second finger 230 forming a low-resistance connection 118 between the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 (see Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B for illustration), or by forming the low-resistance connection 118 with only one finger (e.g. when the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 are located on the same side).

[0071] Fig. Figure 3 schematically illustrates electrical / electronic components of the chip card 100 according to various embodiments. The first electrically conductive area 106 can be electrically conductive with a first connection (in various embodiments). Fig. 3 (referred to as "OUTPUT") of the measuring circuit 101, and the second electrically conductive area 114 can be electrically conductive with a second terminal (in Fig. 3 (referred to as "INPUT") of the measuring circuit 101.

[0072] The in Fig. Figure 3, an overview of the chip card 100, is not to be understood as a physical arrangement, but rather as an indication of which parts of the measuring circuit 101 (and an evaluation circuit 103, which is described below) and the elements connected to it are part of the chip card 100 and which are not (the resistor 118 represents the hand of the user and is therefore not part of the chip card 100).

[0073] The measurement of the electrical parameter can be carried out essentially as is known in engineering for resistance / impedance or capacitance measurements. A two-wire measurement is described below as an example. Other embodiments may, for example, use a three- or four-wire measurement.

[0074] For example, a known / measured (DC or AC) voltage can be applied to the first and second terminals, and a current through the first and second terminals can be measured. To limit the current even with a highly conductive connection between the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114, the first and / or the second terminal can be electrically connected to a resistor / impedance 330 with a known resistance / impedance value.

[0075] Similarly, to measure the capacitance, the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 can be charged by a known (measured) current through the first terminal and the second terminal, and a resulting voltage at the first terminal and at the second terminal can be measured.

[0076] The chip card 100 can further comprise an evaluation circuit 103, which is designed to determine whether the electrical parameter fulfills a criterion indicating that a first finger 232 touches the first electrically conductive area 106 and that a second finger 230 touches the second electrically conductive area 114. The evaluation circuit 103 can be connected to the measuring circuit 101. The evaluation circuit 103 can receive the measured values ​​from the measuring circuit 101. The evaluation circuit 103 can, for example, be contained in the chip module 102. In this case, the evaluation circuit 103 can be formed as a single unit with the measuring circuit 101. In principle, however, the evaluation circuit 103 can still be integrated as a separate circuit in the chip card 100.

[0077] Although the in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the position shown for holding / presenting the chip card 100, is one of several natural positions, most or all of which may involve touching the first electrically conductive area 106 with a first finger 232 and touching the second electrically conductive area 114 with the second finger 230. In principle, other parts of the user's body may also be in contact with the first electrically conductive area 106 and / or the second electrically conductive area 114 and may correspond to the first finger 232 and the second finger 230, respectively, for example, as in connection with Fig. As described in 1B, a single finger may be sufficient if the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 are located on the same side of the chip card 100.

[0078] As explained above, the question of whether the electrical characteristic meets the criterion indicating that a user touches the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 is relevant for determining whether the chip card 100 is stored somewhere or actively presented by a user to initiate an action, e.g. a financial transaction.

[0079] In various embodiments, the measured value can be used directly as an electrical parameter to be evaluated, for example, in comparison to a value representing the criterion. If, for instance, the applied voltage is essentially constant during the measurement, the measured current can be used directly for comparison with a reference current, e.g., a lower current limit. A current reading above the lower current limit would indicate a low-resistance connection 118 formed by the user's hand and thus indicate that the criterion is met.

[0080] In various embodiments, a value derived from the measured value can be used to evaluate the electrical parameter. For example, if the applied voltage for measuring a resistance / impedance varies, the resistance / impedance value can be calculated by the evaluation circuit 103 based on the measured current and compared with a reference resistance / impedance value, e.g., an upper resistance / impedance limit. A measured resistance / impedance value below the upper resistance / impedance limit would indicate a low-resistance connection 118 formed by the user's hand and thus indicate that the criterion is met.

[0081] Accordingly, when measuring a capacitance instead of a resistance / impedance, the measured voltage can be used directly by the evaluation circuit 103 to determine whether the criterion is met when a constant current is applied to charge the capacitor 106, 114, and if the applied current is variable, the capacitance can be calculated by the evaluation circuit 103 based on the measured voltage.

[0082] In various embodiments in which the chip module 102 is designed to be directly electrically connected to the antenna 111, the process used for electrically connecting the chip module 102 to the antenna 111 can also be used for electrically connecting the first terminal of the measuring circuit 101 to the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second terminal of the measuring circuit 101 to the second electrically conductive area 114.

[0083] If the chip module 102 is inductively coupled to the antenna 111, at least one dedicated connection process can be carried out to electrically connect the first terminal of the measuring circuit 101 to the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second terminal of the measuring circuit 101 to the second electrically conductive area 114, for example by using one or more vias through the adjacent electrically insulating layers 108 and / or 110.

[0084] The measuring circuit 101 and the evaluation circuit 102 (e.g., the chip module 102) can be powered via a first power supply connection and a second power supply connection, which can be connected to an antenna, either the antenna 111 or a chip module antenna inductively coupled to the antenna 111. This allows the chip module 102 (and thus the measuring circuit 101 and the evaluation circuit 103) to receive power from the electromagnetic field radiated by an external card reader 220.

[0085] Since the chip card 100 can only be supplied with power while it is in an active field (e.g., RFID field) of the external card reader 220, the measurement by the measuring circuit 101 and the evaluation by the evaluation circuit 103 can only be carried out after the chip card 100, e.g., the chip module 102, has been switched on. The measurement and evaluation can be activated automatically when the chip card 102 is placed in the field of the external card reader 220.

[0086] In various embodiments, the provision of a function of the chip card 100 can only be permitted or activated if the measuring circuit 103 confirms that the criterion is met. For example, if the evaluation circuit 103 determines that the resistance between the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 is infinite, essentially infinite, or very high, indicating that the chip card 100 is not being touched by a user, a requested transaction (e.g., a payment transaction) can be refused.

[0087] If, on the other hand, the evaluation circuit 103 determines that the resistance between the first electrically conductive area 106 and the second electrically conductive area 114 is comparatively low, for example, a few MΩ (a value below the upper resistance limit), indicating that the chip card 100 is being handled by a user, a requested transaction (e.g., a payment transaction) can be permitted. The evaluation circuit 103 can be designed to generate the corresponding instructions that allow or deny the function. This can make the chip card 100 completely protected against a skimming attack.

[0088] In various embodiments, the chip card 100 can include an indicator 240, for example an optical indicator such as an LED or the like, which can indicate an activation status by activation / deactivation or different colors (e.g. green or red) of the indicator 240.

[0089] Fig. Figure 5 shows a flowchart 500 of a method for manufacturing a chip card according to different embodiments.

[0090] The method comprises providing a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of a chip card (510), providing a second electrically conductive area on the first surface of the chip card or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material (520), connecting a measuring circuit to the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area, wherein the measuring circuit is designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (530), and coupling an evaluation circuit to the measuring circuit, wherein the evaluation circuit is designed to determine whether the electrical parameter satisfies a criterion indicatingthat a user touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (540).

[0091] Fig.Figure 6 shows a flowchart 600 of a method for operating a chip card according to various embodiments. The chip card has a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of the chip card and a second electrically conductive area on the first surface of the chip card or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material. The method comprises measuring an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (610) and determining whether the electrical parameter satisfies a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (620).

[0092] The following is an illustration of various examples: Example 1 is a chip card. The chip card comprises a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of the chip card, a second electrically conductive area on the first surface or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material (and is, for example, electrically insulated), a measuring circuit designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area, and an evaluation circuit designed to determine whether the electrical parameter satisfies a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 may optionally include the electrical characteristic being the capacitance of a capacitor comprising the first electrically conductive region and the second electrically conductive region. In Example 3, the subject of Example 1 or 2 may optionally include the criterion being a capacity value below an upper capacity limit. In Example 4, the subject of Example 1 may optionally include the electrical parameter being an impedance measured between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. In Example 5, the subject of Example 1 or 4 may optionally include the criterion being an impedance value below an upper impedance limit, or optionally an impedance value in a range between a lower impedance value and the upper impedance limit. In Example 6, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 5 may optionally include that the first electrically conductive area completely covers, substantially completely covers, or partially covers the first surface of the chip card. In Example 7, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 6 may optionally include that the second electrically conductive area completely covers, substantially completely covers, or partially covers the second surface of the chip card. In Example 8, the subject matter of one of Examples 1 to 7 may optionally include the first electrically conductive area being configured as a strip approximately 1 centimeter wide along a circumference of the chip card. In Example 9, the subject matter of one of Examples 1 to 7 may further optionally include an antenna designed for communication with an external chip reader, and the first and / or the second electrically conductive area is / are configured with openings above and / or below the antenna, respectively, to avoid shielding the antenna, the openings having a width and / or length smaller than the width of a finger, e.g., smaller than about 1 to 2 centimeters. In Example 10, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 9 may optionally include the fact that the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area are at least partially opposite each other in that they have at least a partial lateral overlap. In Example 11, the subject of Example 8 may optionally include the fact that the second electrically conductive area on the first surface is located within a region defined by the first electrically conductive area and at least partially with its outer edge at a distance from the circumferential edge of the chip card of at most about 1.1 centimeters. In Example 12, the subject matter of one of Examples 1 to 11 may optionally include the first electrically conductive area and / or the second electrically conductive area comprising or consisting of a transparent electrically conductive material. In Example 13, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 12 may optionally include the fact that the measuring circuit and / or the evaluation circuit are designed to commence operation in response to the application of an electric field to the chip card. In Example 14, the object of one of Examples 1 to 13 may optionally further include an indicator coupled to the evaluation circuit, wherein the evaluation circuit is designed to indicate via the indicator whether the chip card is being touched by the two fingers or not. In Example 15, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 14 can optionally be designed to provide a chip card function via wireless communication with an external chip card reader, wherein the evaluation circuit is designed to generate an instruction that allows the provision of the chip card function only if the criterion is met. In Example 16, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 15 may optionally further include a wireless communication circuit designed for wireless communication, for example near field communication (NFC), with an external smart card reader. In Example 17, the subject matter of one of Examples 1 to 16 may optionally further comprise an antenna designed for wireless communication, wherein a first region of the first surface is located above the antenna and wherein the first region is free from the first electrically conductive region or the first conductive region in the first region is formed with at least one opening in which the first region is free from the first electrically conductive region. In Example 18, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 17 may optionally include that a second region of the second surface is located above the antenna and that the second region is free of the second electrically conductive region, or that the second conductive region in the second region is formed with at least one opening in which the second region is free of the second electrically conductive region. In Example 19, the subject of one of Examples 1 to 10 and 12 to 18 may optionally include that a first finger of the user touches the first electrically conductive area and that a second finger of the user touches the second electrically conductive area when the user touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. In Example 20, the object of one of Examples 1 to 9 and 11 to 18 may optionally include that a user's first finger touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area when the user touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. Example 21 is a system. The system includes a chip card according to one of Examples 1 to 20 and an external chip card reader. Example 22 is a method for manufacturing a chip card. The method comprises providing a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of a chip card, providing a second electrically conductive area on the first surface or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material (and, for example,electrically insulated), connecting a measuring circuit to the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area, wherein the measuring circuit is designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area, and coupling an evaluation circuit to the measuring circuit, wherein the evaluation circuit is designed to determine whether the electrical parameter meets a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. In Example 23, the subject of Example 22 may optionally include the provision of the first electrically conductive area and / or the provision of the second electrically conductive area involving a deposition process, a plating process and / or a lamination process. In Example 24, the subject of Example 22 or 23 may optionally further include structuring the first electrically conductive region and / or the second electrically conductive region, wherein the structuring is obtained by providing the first electrically conductive region and / or the second electrically conductive region using a mask and / or by structuring the first electrically conductive region and / or the second electrically conductive region after providing the first electrically conductive region or the second electrically conductive region, respectively. Example 25 is a method for operating a chip card having a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of the chip card and a second electrically conductive area on the first surface of the chip card or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material (and is, for example, electrically insulated). The method comprises measuring an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area and determining whether the electrical parameter satisfies a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. In Example 26, the subject of Example 25 may optionally also include generating an instruction that enables the provision of a chip card function only if the criterion is met. In Example 27, the subject of Example 25 or 26 may optionally include the electrical characteristic being the capacitance of a capacitor comprising the first electrically conductive region and the second electrically conductive region. In Example 28, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 27 may optionally include the criterion being a capacity value below an upper capacity limit. In Example 29, the subject of Example 25 or 26 may optionally include the electrical parameter being an impedance measured between the first electrically conductive region and the second electrically conductive region. In Example 30, the subject of Example 25, 26 or 29 may optionally include that the criterion is an impedance value below an upper impedance limit, or optionally an impedance value in a range between a lower impedance value and the upper impedance limit. In Example 31, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 30 may optionally include that the first electrically conductive area completely covers, substantially completely covers, or partially covers the first surface of the chip card. In Example 32, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 31 may optionally include that the second electrically conductive area completely covers, substantially completely covers, or partially covers the second surface of the chip card. In Example 33, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 31 may optionally include the first electrically conductive area being formed as a strip approximately 1 centimeter wide along a circumference of the chip card. In Example 34, the subject matter of one of Examples 25 to 33 may further optionally include arranging an antenna designed to communicate with an external chip reader and providing the first electrically conductive area and / or the second electrically conductive area with openings above or below the antenna, respectively, to avoid shielding the antenna, wherein the openings are formed with a width and / or a length that is less than the width of a finger, e.g. less than about 1 to 2 centimeters. In Example 35, the subject matter of one of Examples 25 to 34 may optionally include the fact that the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area are at least partially opposite each other in that they have at least a partial lateral overlap. In Example 36, the subject of Example 33 may optionally include the fact that the second electrically conductive area on the first surface is located within a region defined by the first electrically conductive area and at least partially with its outer edge at a distance from the circumferential edge of the chip card of at most about 1.1 centimeters. In Example 37, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 36 may optionally include that the first electrically conductive area and / or the second electrically conductive area comprise or consist of a transparent electrically conductive material. In Example 38, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 36 may optionally include the fact that the measuring circuit and / or the evaluation circuit are designed to commence operation in response to the application of an electric field to the chip card. In Example 39, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 37 may optionally further include that the chip card includes an indicator coupled to the evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit being designed to indicate via the indicator whether the chip card is being touched by the user or not. In Example 40, the subject matter of one of Examples 25 to 39 may optionally include that the chip card is designed to provide a chip card function via wireless communication with an external chip card reader, the method further comprising generating an instruction that enables the provision of the chip card function only if the criterion is met. In Example 41, the subject matter of one of Examples 25 to 40 may optionally further include that the chip card comprises a wireless communication circuit designed for wireless communication, for example near field communication (NFC), with an external chip card reader. In Example 42, the subject matter of one of Examples 25 to 41 may optionally further comprise that the chip card includes an antenna designed for wireless communication, wherein a first region of the first surface is located above the antenna and wherein the first region is free from the first electrically conductive region or the first conductive region in the first region is formed with at least one opening in which the first region is free from the first electrically conductive region. In Example 43, the subject matter of one of Examples 25 to 42 may optionally include that the chip card includes an antenna designed for wireless communication, wherein a second area of ​​the second surface is located above the antenna and wherein the second area is free from the second electrically conductive area or the second conductive area in the second area is formed with at least one opening in which the second area is free from the second electrically conductive area. In Example 44, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 35 and 37 to 43 may optionally include that a first finger of the user touches the first electrically conductive area and that a second finger of the user touches the second electrically conductive area when the user touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area. In Example 20, the subject of one of Examples 25 to 34 and 36 to 43 may optionally include that a first finger of the user touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area when the user touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area.

[0093] Although the invention has been shown and described with particular reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art understand that various modifications regarding form and details can be made without departing from the concept and scope of protection of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the invention is specified by the accompanying claims, and all modifications that fall within the meaning and equivalence of the claims are therefore to be considered as included therein.

Claims

[1] Chip card (100) comprising the following: • a first electrically conductive area (106) on a first surface of the chip card (100); • a second electrically conductive area (114) on the first surface or on a second surface of the chip card (100) opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material; • a measuring circuit (101) designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area (106) and the second electrically conductive area (114); • an evaluation circuit (103) designed to determine whether the electrical parameter meets a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area (106) and the second electrically conductive area (114); and • an antenna; wherein the first electrically conductive area (106) completely covers the first surface of the chip card (100) or is formed with openings above the antenna to avoid shielding the antenna, wherein the openings are formed with a width and / or a length that is less than 2 centimeters. [2] Chip card (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical characteristic is a capacitance of a capacitor comprising the first electrically conductive area (106) and the second electrically conductive area (114). [3] Chip card (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the criterion is a capacity value below an upper capacity limit. [4] Chip card (100) according to claim 1, wherein the electrical characteristic is a measured impedance between the first electrically conductive area (106) and the second electrically conductive area (114). [5] Chip card (100) according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the criterion is an impedance value below an upper impedance limit. [6] Chip card (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second electrically conductive area (114) completely covers, substantially completely covers or partially covers the second surface of the chip card (100). [7] Chip card (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first electrically conductive area (106) and the second electrically conductive area (114) are at least partially opposite each other in that they have at least a partial lateral overlap. [8] Chip card (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second electrically conductive area (114) is formed on the first surface within an area defined by the first electrically conductive area (106) and at least partially with its outer edge at a distance from the circumferential edge of the chip card (100) of at most about 1.1 centimeters. [9] Chip card (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first electrically conductive area (106) and / or the second electrically conductive area (114) comprise or consist of a transparent electrically conductive material. [10] Chip card (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the measuring circuit (101) and / or the evaluation circuit (103) is designed to commence operation in response to the application of an electric field to the chip card. [11] Chip card (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: • an indicator coupled to the evaluation circuit (103), • wherein the evaluation circuit (103) is designed to indicate via the indicator whether the chip card (100) is being touched by the user or not. [12] Chip card (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, designed to provide a function of the chip card (100) via wireless communication with an external chip card reader; wherein the evaluation circuit (103) is designed to generate an instruction that enables the provision of the function of the chip card (100) only if the criterion is met. [13] Chip card (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: • an antenna designed for wireless communication; • wherein a first region of the first surface is located above the antenna; and • wherein the first region is free from the first electrically conductive region (106) or the first conductive region in the first region is formed with at least one opening in which the first region is free from the first electrically conductive region (106). [14] Chip card (100) according to claim 13, • wherein a second area of ​​the second surface is located above the antenna; and • wherein the second region is free from the second electrically conductive region (114) or the second conductive region in the second region is formed with at least one opening in which the second region is free from the second electrically conductive region (114). [15] System comprising the following: • a chip card (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14; and • an external chip card reader. [16] A method for manufacturing a chip card, the method comprising: • Providing a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of a chip card (510) having an antenna, wherein the first electrically conductive area (106) completely covers the first surface of the chip card (100), or is formed with openings above the antenna to avoid shielding the antenna, wherein the openings are formed with a width and / or a length that is less than 2 centimeters; • Providing a second electrically conductive area on the first surface or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material (520); • Connecting a measuring circuit to the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area, wherein the measuring circuit is designed to measure an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (530); and • Coupling an evaluation circuit with the measurement circuit, wherein the evaluation circuit is designed to determine whether the electrical parameter meets a criterion indicating that a user is touching the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (540). [17] A method for operating a chip card comprising an antenna, a first electrically conductive area on a first surface of the chip card, and a second electrically conductive area on the first surface or on a second surface of the chip card opposite the first surface, wherein the first electrically conductive area (106) completely covers the first surface of the chip card (100) or is formed with openings above the antenna to avoid shielding the antenna, wherein the openings are formed with a width and / or a length of less than 2 centimeters, and wherein the first electrically conductive area is separated from the second electrically conductive area by an electrically insulating material, the method comprising: • Measuring an electrical parameter between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (610); and • Determine whether the electrical characteristic meets a criterion indicating that a user touches the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area (620). [18] The method of claim 17, further comprising: Generating an instruction that enables the provision of a chip card function only if the criterion is met (630).

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