Multi-Chip Payment Card with Selectable Programmable Chips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with multiple accounts often find it inconvenient to carry numerous payment cards, as traditional payment cards are limited in capacity and lack flexibility in account selection during transactions.
Innovation Solution
A payment card equipped with a plurality of programmable chips, each associated with a corresponding account, and a control chip that allows users to select which chip to activate during a transaction, along with additional features like a programmable magnetic stripe, near-field communication, biometric reader, and virtual card capabilities, to facilitate multiple account management in a single card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate payment cards are used for multiple accounts, then each card can be dedicated to a specific account, but the user must carry multiple cards which increases wallet capacity requirements and reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple payment card functionalities into a single physical card by integrating multiple programmable chips, each capable of storing different account information. This merging approach allows users to access multiple accounts through one card, eliminating the need to carry separate cards for each account while maintaining full account management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment card is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating a control chip that can selectively activate different programmable chips based on the required account. This universal design enables a single card to perform the functions of multiple dedicated cards, allowing users to switch between different accounts seamlessly during transactions.
2Ease of operation
If a single payment card contains multiple chips for different accounts, then card carrying convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple chips and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple programmable chips are integrated within a single card body, with a control chip that manages the other chips. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to coexist in a compact form factor, maintaining card thinness and simplicity while accommodating the complexity of multiple account management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control chip serves as an intermediary between the external transaction environment and the multiple programmable chips. It automatically manages chip selection, activation, and deactivation based on transaction requirements, thereby simplifying the user interface and reducing the operational complexity perceived by the user despite the internal multi-chip architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If programmable chips are made releasably attached to the card member, then chip replacement and flexibility are improved, but the reliability of chip attachment may be reduced compared to permanent attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic attachment system where chips are releasably attached to the card member, allowing the attachment state to change from fixed to removable as needed. This dynamic design enables chip replacement for account updates or security purposes while incorporating locking mechanisms that maintain reliable attachment during normal card usage and transactions.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a payment card for multiple accounts. The card comprises a card member; a plurality of programmable chips, at least one of which is releasably attached to the card member; each programmable chip has an associated personal identification number (PIN); and a control chip operable for selecting one of the programmable chips to be active during a transaction.