Sliding Transaction Card Assembly for Multi-Account Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Carrying multiple transaction cards is cumbersome due to the need to manage various formats of account information, including magnetic stripes and identification chips, which occupy physical space and are not easily interchangeable.

Innovation Solution

A transaction card assembly comprising two cards that are slidable relative to each other, each equipped with pairs of magnetic stripes and identification chips, allowing for selective exposure and coverage of these components to function as multiple accounts in a compact form.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple transaction cards are carried separately, then each card's account information is easily accessible, but the physical space required and the inconvenience of managing multiple cards increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of account informationVSAvoidPhysical space occupied by multiple cards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple transaction cards into a single card assembly. Each card within the assembly contains complete account information including magnetic stripes and identification chips. The cards are stacked together and held in a single housing, allowing multiple accounts to be accessed from one physical location rather than carrying separate cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where multiple individual cards are placed inside a common housing or holder. Each card is self-contained with its own magnetic stripe and chip, but they are nested together in a compact arrangement that fits within a single card-sized envelope or holder, reducing the overall volume required to carry multiple accounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple identification chips are included on separate cards, then multiple accounts can be stored, but the complexity of managing and switching between accounts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNumber of accounts that can be accessedVSAvoidComplexity of managing multiple cards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple identification chips and magnetic stripes into a single card assembly structure. All account-related components are integrated into one unified device, eliminating the need to manage separate physical cards for different accounts. The user can access multiple accounts by selecting from a single card rather than sorting through multiple separate cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The card assembly serves multiple functions within a single device. Each card in the assembly can be used for different accounts, making the single assembly universal for multiple transaction purposes. The housing and structural components support multiple cards, each with different account information, allowing one physical object to perform the function of multiple separate cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If account information is provided in multiple formats (magnetic stripe, chip, printed text), then compatibility with different readers is improved, but the amount of physical space and material required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCompatibility with different readersVSAvoidMaterial required for multiple information formats

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple information storage formats (magnetic stripes, identification chips, and printed text) into a single card structure. Each card in the assembly contains all three formats of account information, allowing one physical card to replace multiple specialized cards. This merging reduces the total quantity of materials needed while maintaining compatibility with various readers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each card in the assembly is designed to be universally compatible with different types of readers. By incorporating magnetic stripes, identification chips, and printed text on the same card, each card can interact with magnetic stripe readers, chip readers, and visual verification systems. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized cards for each reader type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11836560B2Transaction card assembly

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Provided are approaches for providing multiple user accounts in a same transaction card assembly. The transaction card assembly may include a first card including a first card first side opposite a first card second side, the first card first side including a first pair of magnetic stripes and the first card second side including a first pair of identification chips. The transaction card assembly may further include a second card coupled to the first card, the second card including a second card first side opposite a second card second side, the second card first side including a second pair of magnetic stripes, and the second card second side including a second pair of identification chips. The first and second cards are slidable relative to one another between multiple positions to selectively expose and cover each identification chip of the first and second pairs of identification chips.