Personalised credit card and method for conducting a financial transaction with the credit card

Abstract

The invention relates to a personalised card (1) for initiating an authorization, a financial transaction or the like, comprising a wireless communication unit (2) and a power supply unit (8) operatively connected to the communication unit (2). The card according to the invention is characterised in that two or more wireless communication units (2,...,5) are arranged, in that a control unit (7) is provided that is operatively connected to the wireless communication units (2,...,5), and in that sensor units (9,...,12) are provided corresponding to the number of communication units (2,...,5) that are operatively connected to the control unit (7), in that each of the wireless communication units (2,...,5) is uniquely assigned to one of the sensor units (9,...,12), and in that the communication units (2,...,5) can be activated by the sensor unit (9,...,12) respectively assigned to the communication unit (2,...,5).

Description

[0001] PERSONALIZED CREDIT CARD AND PROCEDURE FOR

[0002] CARRYING OUT A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION WITH THE CREDIT CARD

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present invention relates to a personalized card, in particular a credit card, according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for carrying out a financial transaction or the like with the personalized card.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Credit cards are used to pay for goods and services and can usually be used worldwide and online. The term originated in the 20th century and is derived from the English word "credit card," as the classic credit card grants the cardholder credit.

[0007] Nowadays, credit card users usually have several credit cards on hand. Often, different terms and conditions are associated with each credit card, or different bonus systems are offered along with a credit card. Accordingly, users often have a variety of credit cards on hand and need to keep them ready for transactions.

[0008] The disadvantage is that users have to carry a multitude of credit cards in their wallets, which many users consider cumbersome. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a personalized card, in particular a credit card, which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantage or disadvantages or in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are at least reduced.

[0010] This object is achieved by the personalized card having the features listed in the characterizing part of claim 1. Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention are defined by the features of further claims. Furthermore, a method according to the invention for carrying out financial transactions or authorizations using the personalized card according to the invention is specified.

[0011] The personalized card according to the invention for triggering an authorization, a financial transaction or the like comprises: a wireless communication unit and a power supply unit operatively connected to the communication unit.

[0012] The card according to the invention is characterized in that two or more wireless communication units are arranged, that a control unit is provided which is operatively connected to the wireless communication units, that sensor units are provided which are operatively connected to the control unit in accordance with the number of communication units, that each of the wireless communication units is uniquely assigned to one of the sensor units and that the communication units can be activated by the sensor unit respectively assigned to the communication unit.

[0013] Thus, a single personalized card according to the invention can contain the information from several physical cards, thus reducing the number of cards in the wallet without limiting card availability.

[0014] Furthermore, it is highly advantageous that both multiple sensor units and multiple communication units are present on a card according to the invention. This ensures that if one component—a sensor unit or a communication unit—fails, the card according to the invention can continue to be used via the remaining components.

[0015] The personalized card can, for example, contain the information of two or more credit cards. This information can, for example, be stored in the control unit, in particular in a memory element of the control unit. Additionally or alternatively, the control unit can access this information. One of these credit cards can, for example, be assigned to a sensor unit and a communication unit. By activating this sensor unit when paying with the personalized card at a payment terminal, the credit card assigned to this sensor unit is used for the payment process.

[0016] One embodiment of the personalized card according to the invention is that the sensor units each comprise a biometric recognition unit and / or the personalized card has at least one biometric recognition unit.

[0017] This can prevent unauthorized use of the card according to the invention.

[0018] It may be preferred that the sensor unit and / or the sensor units is / are designed as a touch-sensitive element, for example a capacitive sensor chip and / or a touchpad.

[0019] A preferred embodiment of the personalized card is characterized in that the control unit is arranged and designed such that when one of the sensor units is activated, a wireless communication unit associated with it is activated, the remaining wireless communication units being blocked, that a read / write process is carried out between a terminal and the activated wireless communication unit to carry out a financial transaction or an authorization, and that when the card is removed from the terminal, the control unit is reset.

[0020] Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention consist in that the biometric recognition unit is a fingerprint unit for recognizing an individual fingerprint.

[0021] Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention consist in the presence of four wireless communication units and four sensor units.

[0022] Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention consist in that the mutually associated wireless communication unit and sensor units are arranged in card corners (19, ..., 22), in particular in opposite card corners.

[0023] This makes the card according to the invention particularly easy to handle for the user.

[0024] Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention include the power supply unit consisting of a coil that is operatively connected to the control unit, wherein the coil is arranged adjacent to the wireless communication unit. Furthermore, it may be preferred that the power supply unit consists of or comprises the coil, wherein the coil is operatively connected to the control unit. In particular, it may be preferred that the coil partially or completely encloses the personalized card.

[0025] It may be preferred that the power supply unit and one, two, or more of the communication units are at least partially integrally formed. For example, the coil can be used for power supply on the one hand and for communication on the other. Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention include the wireless communication units being of the RFID and / or NFC (Near Field Communication) type.

[0026] A further preferred embodiment of the personalized card comprises one, two, or more contact-based communication units, which are preferably arranged on different sides, in particular opposite sides, of the personalized card. For example, one, two, or more payment functions can be assigned to the contact-based communication unit.

[0027] Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention include an EMV chip arranged at a defined location on the card, wherein the EMV chip is operatively connected to the control unit. The personalized card preferably comprises two or more EMV chips. It may be preferred that the EMV chip or chips comprise the contact-based communication unit and / or the contact-based communication units. It may be particularly preferred that each EMV chip comprises and / or forms a contact-based communication unit.

[0028] The two EMV chips can be arranged, for example, on a first side, for example a front side, adjacent to two opposite ends of the personalized card. Furthermore, two additional EMV chips can be arranged on the second side opposite the first side, for example a back side, adjacent to the two opposite ends of the personalized card. Thus, depending on how the card is inserted into a payment terminal, in particular whether the front or back side is placed at the front and / or whether the card is inserted with a first end or a second end, a total of four EMV chips can be directly controlled by the contact-based communication unit.

[0029] It is preferred that the control unit has a memory, for example, the memory element, in particular a non-volatile memory. Furthermore, it may be preferred that the control unit is arranged and configured to provide a secondary function. The secondary function is or preferably comprises a locking function, in particular for a vehicle. It may be preferred that the control unit is arranged and configured such that the secondary function is installable.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferred that the secondary function interacts, for example, communicates, with an external unit, in particular a payment terminal, and preferably does not communicate with the EMV chip. This achieves decapsulation, enabling greater security. For example, additional secondary functions can be installed and / or uninstalled without reprogramming the EMV chip.

[0031] A further preferred embodiment of the personalized card comprises a display device, which is preferably LED-based, wherein the display device is arranged and configured to display information provided by the control unit. For example, a validity date of the personalized card can be displayed using the display device. The display device can, for example, be controlled by the control unit in such a way that a green illuminated border appears upon a successful transaction.

[0032] Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention include predefining one of the wireless communication units as the master, which is activated whenever none of the sensor units is active or is activated. Alternatively, multiple masters can be predefined.

[0033] Further embodiments of the personalized card according to the invention consist in that the external dimensions of the card correspond to a standardized credit card.

[0034] A further preferred embodiment of the personalized card is characterized in that it has one, two or more, in particular four, magnetic strips.

[0035] A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that one of the, two or more of the communication units, the power supply unit, the EMC chip or the EMC chips and / or the control unit are integrally formed, preferably formed with a chip.

[0036] Finally, a method for performing a financial transaction or authorization using a personalized card is specified. The method according to the invention consists in activating a sensor unit, activating a wireless communication unit associated with it, while blocking the remaining wireless communication units. A read / write operation is performed between a terminal and the activated wireless communication unit to execute the financial transaction or authorization. Removing the card from the terminal resets the control unit.

[0037] One embodiment of the method according to the invention consists in that upon activation of a transmitting unit for activating a wireless communication unit associated with it, biometric recognition of a user is carried out.

[0038] Further embodiments of the method according to the invention consist in the use of individual recognition of a fingerprint for biometric recognition of the user.

[0039] Further embodiments of the method according to the invention consist in using a magnetic field generated by the terminal to supply energy to the control unit by means of induction.

[0040] A further preferred embodiment is characterized by the provision of a secondary function, wherein the secondary function preferably includes or is a locking function, in particular for a vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary function can be collecting points and / or miles, checking account balances, and / or providing health insurance data. The aforementioned embodiments of the personalized card and the method can be combined in any desired manner. Only those combinations are excluded which would lead to a contradiction.

[0041] SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. These are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be interpreted in a restrictive manner.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows part of a first embodiment of a personalized card according to the invention with two communication units and

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a personalized card according to the invention in a simplified representation with four communication units.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Fig. 1 shows part of a first embodiment of a card 1 according to the invention with a known EMV chip 17, via which encrypted information can be read from the card 1 by a terminal or written to the card 1. This is a method for payment processing in which physical contact between the credit card and the terminal is necessary. Even though contactless payment processing, which uses the so-called NFC (Near Field Communication) method, is currently being used more and more, an EMV chip is still frequently present. However, it is also conceivable that the card 1 according to the invention does not have an EMV chip, and thus the card according to the invention is only equipped with wireless communication units - such as NFC chips.Since the EMV chip or the long-established magnetic stripe are primarily used in ATMs, a card according to the invention equipped only with wireless communication units cannot or could not be used in these ATMs for the time being. The card 1 according to the invention has a control unit 7 and at least two assemblies, each consisting of or comprising a sensor unit 9 or 10, a coil 13 or 14, and a contactless communication unit 2 or 3, each of which is operatively connected to the control unit 7. The connection to the control unit 7 can be established, for example, via a conductor track. The use of a bus system via which the individual units communicate with each other is also conceivable.

[0047] The coil 13, 14 acts as a power supply unit to provide the necessary energy required for operation by the sensor unit 9, 10, the communication unit 2, 3, the EMC chip 17 and, if applicable, the control unit 7.

[0048] The sensor unit 9, 10 is, for example, a capacitive sensor chip that can detect a touch by a user's finger. Upon detection of a touch by a sensor unit 9, 10, the communication unit 2, 3 assigned to this sensor unit 9, 10 is activated or enabled. Additionally, all communication units 2, 3 not assigned to the corresponding sensor unit 9, 10 are disabled. This means that only the enabled communication unit 2, 3 can perform a desired process, such as a financial transaction. The remaining communication units are disabled.

[0049] According to the present invention, information is stored and / or assigned to the individual communication units 2, 3 present on the card. After being activated by a sensor unit, this information is wirelessly transmitted to a terminal (not shown in Fig. 1) by the communication unit 2, 3 assigned to this sensor unit 9, 10. The stored information can also be stored in the EMV chip 17 and provided by it. In one embodiment of the present invention, in which individual credit card information is transmitted by the communication unit 2, 3 after it has been activated by the assigned sensor unit 9, 10, desired financial transactions (payment processes) can be initiated. According to the invention, a number of payment services can be stored selectably on one card. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, this can be the information from two different credit cards or

[0050] payment services.

[0051] To ensure easy handling by the card user when initiating a transaction, the associated sensor units 9, 10 and communication units 2, 3 are arranged at a distance from one another on the card 1. For example, the sensor unit 9 arranged in the card corner 19 is assigned to the communication unit 3 arranged in the card corner 20, which is located in the opposite card corner 20 with respect to the sensor unit 9. This allows the user to hold their thumb or index finger on the sensor unit 9 (in the card corner 19) and the associated - and thus activated - communication unit 3 (in the card corner 20) on the receiver symbol of a terminal. Conversely, with such an embodiment variant, the user can hold their thumb or index finger on the sensor unit 10 and the communication unit 2 on the receiver symbol of the terminal in order to initiate a different transaction orto select a different banking relationship for a financial transaction to be carried out.

[0052] By providing multiple sensor units 9 to 12 and multiple associated communication units 2 to 5, it is always ensured that good reading quality is achieved at a payment terminal (POS terminal). This is easily achieved by the user adjusting the position of the card 1 according to the invention relative to the payment terminal.

[0053] Furthermore, the multiple design of the card according to the invention with several sensor units 9 to 12 and several associated communication units 2 to 5 ensures that in the event of a failure of one or possibly also several sensor units 9 to 12 or communication units 2 to 5, the card 1 according to the invention can continue to be used via the functioning components.

[0054] If the personalized card according to the invention is to be used with today's commonly used credit cards or other payment cards, the external dimensions of this standardized credit card must also be maintained for the card according to the invention. The intended use of the card according to the invention can be crucial: For a pure NFC card, both the width and length correspond to those of the standardized card. The thickness of this pure NFC card can be greater, allowing the use of thicker components, which are usually also less expensive.

[0055] In a further embodiment of a personalized card 1 according to the invention, the sensor units 2 to 5 each comprise a biometric recognition unit (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2). This prevents unauthorized use of the card 1 according to the invention, because only a recognition unit preprogrammed with biometric data of a specific user can recognize or re-recognize and / or identify the respective user in order to enable the communication unit 2 to 5 connected to the respective sensor unit 9 to 12 for data transmission.

[0056] In a more specific embodiment of the personalized card 1 according to the invention with the recognition unit, this consists of or comprises a fingerprint unit for recognizing the individual fingerprint of the respective user.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a personalized card 1 according to the invention with four wireless communication units 2 to 5, four power supply units consisting of or comprising coils 13 to 16, and four sensor units 2 to 5. Fig. 2 shows a simplified representation of the card 1 according to the invention, in which the sensor unit, coil, and communication unit, each arranged in a card corner 19 to 22, are represented by a single block. Accordingly, the operative connections to the control unit 7 are indicated by a line, whereby both a bus system and individual connections are conceivable for implementing the operative connection—as already explained in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

[0058] As with the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a sensor unit is assigned, for example, to a spaced-apart communication unit, particularly in diagonally opposite card corners. For example, the sensor unit 9 located in card corner 19 is assigned to the communication unit 4 located in the diagonally opposite card corner 21. Thus, upon detecting a contact, the sensor unit 9 activates the communication unit 4, while the communication units 2, 3, and 5 are disabled. The commands and switching operations required for this are executed, in particular, by the control unit 7.

[0059] It is expressly pointed out that the type of signal transmission and the signals themselves can correspond to the known specifications for existing credit cards. Therefore, financial transactions via credit cards or bank cards preferably do not require any modifications to existing terminals. In particular, by using the known RFID and / or NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for the wireless communication units, existing systems, in particular terminals, can preferably also be readily used with the card 1 according to the invention.

[0060] When using the card 1 according to the invention, for example, the following process steps are carried out:

[0061] 1. a magnetic field of the terminal provides the required energy for the sensor unit and the control unit through induction in the coil;

[0062] 2. the activated sensor unit blocks all communication units that have not been selected by touch;

[0063] 3. the communication unit assigned to the activated sensor unit becomes active by carrying out a read / write operation (payment process);

[0064] 4. the card according to the invention is then removed from the terminal (point of sale, PoS terminal), which interrupts the power supply and returns the system to its initial state.

[0065] If the personalized card 1 according to the invention is equipped with a biometric recognition unit (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2), a check is performed before method step 2—but after method step 1—to determine whether the recognition unit preprogrammed with biometric data of a specific user can recognize or re-recognize the respective user. Only if this is the case will the communication unit 2 to 5 connected to the respective sensor unit 9 to 12 be enabled for data transmission.

[0066] To ensure that the user of card 1 selects the correct bank or credit card details, the logos of the banks / credit card institutions are located in the card corners of the respective sensor unit.

[0067] In one embodiment of the card according to the invention, one of the communication units is defined as the master, which is always active when no contact is detected by one of the sensor units. This ensures that the card, for example, inserted into an ATM, functions properly when withdrawing banknotes. This also applies to the magnetic stripe, which is still present. The master communication unit becomes inactive as soon as another communication unit is activated by touching the corresponding sensor unit.

[0068] REFERENCE SYMBOL

[0069] 1 personalized card, in particular credit card or debit card

[0070] 2 to 5 communication units

[0071] 5 control unit 9 to 12 sensor units

[0072] 13 to 16 coils as power supply units

[0073] 17 EMV chip

[0074] 18 Terminal

[0075] 19 to 22 card corners

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Personalized card (1) for triggering an authorization, a financial transaction or the like, comprising: a wireless communication unit (2), a power supply unit (8) which is operatively connected to the communication unit (2), characterized in that two or more wireless communication units (2, ... , 5) are arranged, that a control unit (7) is provided which is operatively connected to the wireless communication units (2, ... , 5), that sensor units (9, ... , 12) are provided which are operatively connected to the control unit (7) according to the number of communication units (2, ... , 5), that each of the wireless communication units (2, ... , 5) is uniquely assigned to one of the sensor units (9, ... , 12), and that the communication units (2, ... , 5) can be activated by the sensor unit (9, ... , 12) respectively assigned to the communication unit (2, ... , 5).

2. Personalized card (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor units (9, ... 12) each comprise a biometric recognition unit.

3. Personalized card (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the biometric recognition unit is a fingerprint unit for recognizing an individual fingerprint.

4. Personalized card (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that four wireless communication units (2, ..., 5) and four sensor units (9, ..., 12) are present.

5. Personalized card (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mutually associated wireless communication unit (2, ... , 5) and sensor units (9, ... , 12) are arranged in card corners (19, ... , 22), in particular in opposite card corners (19, ... , 22).

6. Personalized card (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy supply unit (8) consists of a coil (13, ... , 16) which is operatively connected to the control unit (7), wherein the coil (13, ... , 16) is arranged next to the wireless communication unit (2, ... , 5).

7. Personalized card (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless communication units (2, ..., 5) are of the RFID and / or NFC (Near Field Communication) type.

8. Personalized card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by one, two or more contact-based Communication units, which are preferably arranged on different sides, in particular opposite sides, of the personalized card.

9. Personalized card (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an EMV chip (17) is arranged at a defined location on the card, wherein the EMV chip is connected to the control unit (7) is operatively connected and preferably includes the contact-based communication unit.

10. Personalized card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a display device, which is preferably LED-based, wherein the display device is arranged and designed to display information provided by the control unit.

11. Personalized card according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit provides a secondary function, wherein preferably the secondary function comprises or is a locking function, in particular for a vehicle.

12. Personalized card (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the wireless communication units (2, ... , 5) is predefined as a master, which is always activated when none of the sensor units (9, ... , 12) is active.

13. Personalized card (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that external dimensions of the card (1) correspond to a standardized credit card.

14. A method for carrying out a financial transaction or an authorization by means of a personalized card (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the method consists in that upon activation of a sensor unit (9, ... , 12), a wireless communication unit (2, ... , 5) associated therewith is activated, the remaining wireless communication units (2, ... , 5) being blocked, that a read / write operation between a terminal (18) and the activated wireless communication unit (2, 5) for Execution of the financial transaction or authorization is carried out and that when the card is removed from the terminal (18) the control unit (7) is reset.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that upon activation of a transmitting unit (9, ..., 12) for activating a wireless communication unit (2, ..., 5) associated with it, comprises a biometric recognition of a user.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that individual recognition of a fingerprint is used for the biometric recognition of the user.

17. Method according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that a magnetic field generated by the terminal (18) is used to supply energy to the control unit (7) by means of induction.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a secondary function is provided, wherein the secondary function preferably comprises or is a locking function, in particular for a vehicle.

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