An electronic payment, information, or ID card with a deformation sensing means

IS 2 374 333 T3

DESCRIPTION

Electronic payment, information or identity card with a deformation detecting means

The present invention relates to portable cards, such as identity cards, information cards or payment cards that have an electrical circuit that passes from one mode to the other when a user instructs it to do so.

This type of technology can be used for a variety of purposes. A purpose is seen as a switch in, for example, a payment card or an identification card in which a processor or other electronic circuit is operated or receives instructions from the user through a switch. To increase the life of the card, you want the processor and switch to use power only when required.

Typically such cards comprise mechanical domes or membrane switches which are depressed by the user to, for example, activate the processor. Such switches have several disadvantages. The domes extend from the generally flat surface of the card, and the card production / lamination process can render the dome switch unusable. Both switch solutions require current flow during operation, and a switch that is permanently deformed in the pulsed state can quickly deplete the card's power source.

Different types of card sensors or the like can be seen in documents US2003 / 169574, DE19947180, JP02307792, DE10342054, DE10140662, FR2728710, WO2007 / 11-3722 and WO03 / 037949.

Another purpose for current deformable detection means is for use in detecting or determining deformation of the card, for example to provide visible information to a user. In US-A-5,791,966 or US 2005/0277360 tops that provide information while rotating can be seen. At http://www.loadsmorestuff.com/product info.php? Productid = 1085 and http://web.mit.edu/6.111/www/s2005/PROJECT/Groups/1/main.html you can see products that provide information while being agitated. However, these products are rigid boxes and appear to be very simple systems.

In a first aspect, the invention is related to a portable card according to claim 1.

In the present context, deformation of the detection means will mean moving the detection means away from a rest position by normally providing a force thereto. This force is normally provided at an angle with respect to a direction along which the sensing means has an extension greater than perpendicular thereto. Thus, normally, bending of an elongated object is achieved by providing a force at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis thereto, and typically, bending of a disk-shaped element is achieved by providing a force at an angle with respect to a plane of the disc or plate-shaped element.

Naturally, the sensing means need not be flat in the rest position, whereas it may be flat in the bent or tensioned / deformed position.

The current type of sensor is a piezoelectric element because, in addition, it has the ability to provide energy when deformed or bent. Thus, this type of sensor does not require power to be operational and, therefore, it does not need to be connected to any power source.

Typically, sleep mode is a mode with lower power consumption and operational mode is a mode with higher power consumption. Thus, the detection means, when deformed, is adapted to provide a signal or power to the processor to switch the processor from sleep mode to operational mode. Thus, energy savings can be achieved by making the processor use little or no power before the sensor is bent / flexed.

Preferably, the card is fairly small, having, for example, outer dimensions of: a length of less than 10 cm, a width of less than 5 cm and a thickness of less than 2 mm. The most preferred card is the size of a standard credit card or identity card.

Suitably, the card comprises a flexible base member to which the detection means is attached so that the card is flexible or deformable to infer the flexing / deformation of the detection means. Thus, the sensing means can be fully integrated into the card, as during card lamination, and still be operable from outside the card. Of course, the card can comprise any number of layers, such as layers laminated to the base member. This is known in the supply art, for example, of chip cards.

In one embodiment, the sensing means is provided, in a cross section perpendicular to a plane of the card, adjacent to a layer or an element that is softer at a center of the sensing means than (a material or an element located) in external parts of it. Thus, the detection means can be forced towards the softer layer to deform the softer layer while the detection means is deformed. So, you can

In ES 2 374 333 T3 there is provided a switch-type element which can remain fully positioned within the normally two main generally flat outer surfaces of a card. Of course, a dome could also be used on top of the sensing means to provide a hammer effect when the dome is depressed.

When transitioning when the detection means is bent / deformed, it can be noted, in certain situations, if the detection means or the card is often bent / deformed without taking further action, whereby it could be assumed that the resulting transition would not take place. Bending / deformation can be done accidentally. One situation can be when rhythmic flexing is detected, such as when the sensor is bent / deformed by a walking / running / dancing person.

In such situations, the card may further comprise a means to reduce the sensitivity to deformation of the detection means or to reduce the sensitivity of the circuit to the signal from the detection means.

In a preferred embodiment, the card further comprises an operating means adapted to be operated and to initiate a task, the reduction means being operated if a predetermined number of deformations of the detection means has been detected while no operation has been carried out. of the operating environment.

The operating means can be the detection means operated once more or a means that detects another input, such as entering a code on a card keypad, reading a fingerprint with a card fingerprint reader, detecting by the card of the proximity of a card reader, the detection by an optical sensor of the card of an optical signal or the like.

Naturally, the mode change can be made or maintained until a new deformation of the detection means is performed or for a period of time after the initial deformation. This period of time can be determined simply by means of a timing device, an RC circuit being provided with a voltage at the moment of deformation (or, indeed, by it) of the detection device and subsequently decaying, then producing the point time of the mode change either at the moment of deformation or when the decaying voltage of the RC circuit reaches a threshold.

In one embodiment, the circuit may be RFID tag circuitry, the transmitting / receiving circuit thereof being enabled or disabled when the sensing means is deformed, or a predetermined period of time thereafter. Actually, the operation of the RFID tag can be powered by energy provided by the detection means when it is deformed. In this situation, no battery may be required to make the RFID tag operate.

It should be noted that the deformation of the detection means can be determined and used for multiple purposes. The first operation or the “click” of it can be used for the transition. A "double click" can be used to initiate a predetermined task, and any number of deformations can be used, such as those performed within a certain period of time or in no more than a predetermined period of time between individual deformations (in much the same way as using computer mouse or mobile phone), as inputs and to control the operation of the card circuit. As will be further described below, a strain quantization may alternatively be used to select a mode.

The card further comprises a power source to which the processor is coupled, but the sensing means, adapted to provide the power / signal from the operation of the sensing means, is not connected to the power source. In this way, improper operation of the sensing means need not exhaust the power source.

Smart cards typically also comprise means for outputting the information on the card. Such means can be one or more magnetic stripes, active or passive (changeable or not by the circuit / processor), through electrically conductive terminals on the card, or through wireless means, such as radio waves, magnetic fields, RFID, IR radiation or Bluetooth. Naturally, this communication can be controlled by the processor and can be initiated only when, for example, the processor has been activated by sensor operation.

In various interesting embodiments, the card further comprises means for displaying visual information. This visible information can inform the user of a status or a process carried out by the circuit. It can be used to output information to the user for use in other procedures, such as codes to be entered into an ATM, a computer, a console or the like.

In a particular embodiment, the card comprises means for providing, based on the signal from the detection means, a second information or signals to the display means. Thus, information as to the degree or amount of strain, direction of strain, frequency of strain, or other information derivable from strain can be deduced and used.

IS 2 374 333 T3

The detection means can be adapted to output a signal with a voltage and / or current related to the degree and / or direction of the deformation, or a time duration of the signal can be used to estimate the degree of deformation.

In a second aspect, the invention is related to a method according to claim 7.

As also described above, the card may comprise a flexible base layer to which the detection means is attached, the deformation step comprising flexing of the card or the base layer.

Alternatively, the detection means can be provided with the detection means, in a cross section perpendicular to a plane of the card, adjacent to a layer or an element that is softer at a center of the detection means than (a material or an element located) in external parts of it. The deformation step comprises forcing at least a central portion of the sensing means towards the softer layer and thereby deforming the softer layer. Thus, the sensing means can be provided within the desired uniform surfaces of the card as long as it is operable as a switch. The deformation of the detection means is obtained by pressing the detection means (or the part above the softer material) towards the softer material to also deform this material.

Naturally, the softer material or material can simply be replaced by a hole or cavity in the base layer to provide space for the sensing means to deform.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of reducing the sensitivity to deformation of the detection means or the circuit. This is particularly interesting when the reduction stage is preceded by the stage of detecting a predetermined number of deformations / bends of the detection means as long as no instruction is received to carry out additional tasks. Such instructions can be received by other types of sensors, such as sweep sensors, contact terminals, other switches, or the switch itself. This is described above.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of presenting visual information to a user from the card. This presentation can be made by means of a display means of the card.

Then, an embodiment may be provided which further comprises the step that the circuit provides, based on the signal from the detection means, a second information to the display means.

Thus, certain modes of operation can be initiated when the detection means of the card is deformed, and information can be provided to the user as to the mode in which the card or processor / circuit is located.

In another embodiment, the displacement of a portion of the card during flexing / deformation is used to provide the information.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates elements of a first preferred embodiment of a card according to the invention,

- Figure 2 illustrates a way to reduce the sensitivity of a piezo sensor,

- Figure 3 illustrates a way of providing a switch on a card according to the invention,

- Figure 4 illustrates a card according to an embodiment not covered by the invention,

- Figure 5 illustrates the bending during movement or shaking of the card of Figure 4.

The card 10 has a processor 12 connected to a sensor 14, a power supply 16, an output means 18 and a display means 20. the power supply 16, which can be a battery or the like, and which can be rechargeable or not, also powers the output means 18 and the display means 20.

Preferably, the card is the size of a standard credit card and meets the requirements of ISO standard No. 7810 regarding the physical characteristics of identification cards.

The output medium 18 can be any type of output medium, such as an "old-fashioned" magnetic stripe, a dynamic magnetic stripe, which may be controlled by the processor 12 both as to whether to provide a magnetic field and as to what information to provide by means of the magnetic field. Alternatively, or in addition, the output means may be one or more electrically conductive terminals connected to processor 12, through which communication with a reader may take place. An additional way of communication between the card and a reader is through wireless standards, such as Bluetooth, RFID, magnetic fields, radio waves or through electromagnetic radiation. Suitable means of exit can be seen in document WO2005 / 086102, of the present applicant. The processor can comprise one or more memories, such as ROM, FRAM, RAM, PROM, EpROM, EEPROM, Flash or similar, to store data related to both the card, a cardholder and a user of the card, as well as program instructions that control the processor. The processor is of a type that can be put into sleep mode, such as a mode in which little or no power is consumed. When it receives a signal from sensor 14, processor 12 is activated or becomes operable, after which its program controls what happens. This is done using

ES 2 374 333 T3 energy from energy source 16. A preferred processor may be the Tiny or Mega series of

Atmel aVr.

The processor can control communication through output means 18, as well as display means 20, which can be used to provide information to a user. This information can be the identity of the user, in case the card is lost, or provide, for example, a code (such as a time-dependent code) to the user for use in a cash transaction. Naturally, the display means 20 is not necessary for the operation of a large number of uses of a card.

The display medium can be any suitable display medium, such as an electronic ink display medium or a plastic LCD screen.

Naturally, the processor can be replaced by a static or hardwired circuit. All operations obtainable by a software controlled processor are obtainable using a hardwired circuit. This circuit can be extremely simple, such as using only one flip-flop, and can be used to control (enable or disable) the output means 18.

Sensor 14 is such that it is operable by means of bending or other deformation. Thus, when sensor 14 is bent, as when card 10 is bent, sensor 14 transmits a signal to processor 12 to cause processor 12 to perform a predetermined task or to switch from one mode of operation to another. Currently, the processor 12, when in the power saving sleep mode, is activated by a signal from the sensor 14, after which a predetermined operation is defined by the program that controls the processor 12.

Preferred sensor 14 is a thin, flat piezoelement. This element has the advantage that it generates energy (in this situation, a stress) when it is bent or deformed. This energy is transmitted to processor 12 when it is in sleep mode. Thus, no power needs to be supplied to the sensor 14, so that no improper operation of the sensor 14 will unnecessarily deplete the power of the power source 16.

Thus, the processor 12 is activated by the signal provided by the sensor 14. Furthermore, the sensor 14 only provides a signal during bending, so that a permanent bending of the same will not generate a signal nor will it therefore keep the processor 12 active nor it will cause the processor 12 to operate the output means 18 or the display means 20, which would be an additional loss of power. Sensor 14 may be located at any desired position on card 10. Standard identity / credit cards must meet certain requirements in terms of flexibility, etc., so that all parts of such cards can receive the sensor 14. For the user to get a good grip on the card 10 to fold it, sensor 14 is preferred to be located in the center of the card.

In order to easily obtain a suitable deformation of the sensor 14, the size of the sensor (extension in the plane of the card or, at least, in the direction of bending) can be adapted to individual use.

Depending on the operation of the card, other types of sensors and other means may be desired to operate the card or to instruct the card 10 or the processor 12 to carry out the desired actions.

The simplest cards 10 only need to be operated / initiated, after which no further interaction is required.

Other cards can be more complex and can have sensors to detect, for example, the proximity of a card reader / reader head, after which it can act to provide information by means of a magnetic stripe.

Other types of cards can be adapted to receive or output information using wireless technology, such as IR, magnetic fields, RFID, Bluetooth, radio waves, or the like, and may not initiate information output before actually receiving the information using that technology. .

Alternatively, sensor 14 can be used once more (as with a predetermined timing between activations) for the card to perform a specified action.

Such additional actions of the elements of the card 10 can be carried out only if a certain instruction, action or signal is received after the initial flexing / deformation of the sensor 14. If no such additional instruction / action / signal is received, it can be interpreted that the initial flexing of sensor 14 is accidental and processor 12 may return to sleep mode.

If sensor 14 is bent and activated often, for example rhythmically, without such additional command / action / signal being received, processor 12 may determine that the sensitivity of sensor 14 is too high, and then this sensitivity may be lowered to reduce the number of accidental or unintentional activations of the sensor 14. Of course, the sensitivity can be raised again if no trigger is determined for a period of time or after a trigger followed by the additional command / action / signal.

IS 2 374 333 T3

One way to reduce the sensitivity of a piezo sensor 14 is seen in Figure 2, in which the sensor 14 is located between ground and a trigger input (WU) of the processor 12. The output of the sensor 14 is also connected, through from a resistor R, to a general purpose output (UG) of the processor. Failure to operate the UG output will float it (electrically speaking) and provide the sensor 14 output directly to the WU input without disturbance or load. However, connecting the UG output to ground will load the sensor 14 output and thereby reduce the signal received or detected by the WU input. In effect, since the WU input of processor 12 will not facilitate activation of processor 12 based on signals below the high input threshold level, the overall sensitivity of MR 14 - or, rather, the sensitivity to sensor output 14—. Due to the voltage divider provided by the resistance R and the internal resistance of the sensor 14 output, the sensor then needs to provide a larger signal to activate the processor 12.

Thus, the sensitivity can be set at one of several thresholds. If, when set to a threshold, the card or processor is still powered for no use, the threshold can be raised further.

Actually, the threshold can be set high enough that enabling or activation is quite difficult. In the situation where the sensor 14 is a piezoelectric element, the threshold can be set so high that a slow or medium speed flex is not sufficient, but requires a quick flex or actually squeeze the card (hit the card or hit the card). against a hard surface).

Furthermore, since sensor 14 can output different outputs depending on the degree of strain or rate of strain, different outputs can be used to select different modes in the circuit.

Alternatively, the number of deformations (such as occurred within a predetermined period of time) can be used to select a desired mode.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross section through a card 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. Card 10 is seen to have a base member 22 within which sensor 14 is placed, and an outer layer 24 is provided to protect sensor 14 and to provide a desired surface of card 10. Of course, additional layers may be provided. , as is common in the art of credit cards. Sensor 14 can be laminated / molded / milled on the inside of the card, in the same way as silicon dies on an RFID card or micromodules on chip cards.

Underneath the sensor 14 there is positioned an element or layer 26 which is made of a material that is softer than that of the base element 22. Of course, the element 26 could simply be provided as a hole or a cavity in the base element 22.

Using this configuration, the sensor 14 can be operated by simply depressing it against the interior or towards the element 26, which is then deformed. Thus, no deformation bending of the card 10 is required because a portion 26 of the card 10 is deformable in such a way that the sensor 14 is deformable while it is being laminated on the card 10 and without forming any extension or protrusion outside. of the flat general surface 28 of the card 10.

The fact is that the sensor 14, in all the described embodiments, can be provided within the card and within the two generally flat main surfaces 28 and 30 of the card 10. Thus, the card 10 can be produced using the methods of known and widely used manufacture for chip cards, RFID cards or the like. Thus, there is no risk that the production of the card will result in a defective card 10 because a switch or the like thereof protruding from the flat surface of the card has been permanently deformed in the production process.

A different embodiment of a card not according to the present invention is illustrated by Figures 4 and 5.

In Figure 4, card 10 comprises, at one edge 32, a row of light emitters 40. Light emitters 40 are controlled by a receiver or controller 12 that receives information from a flex estimator / sensor 14.

The flex estimator 14 can be a piezoelectric element, a strain gauge, a pressure sensitive resistor, or the like. This estimator 12 is provided on or on the face of the base material 22 (usually plastic) of the card 10 so that the estimator 14 is extended or compressed during the flexing of the card 10 into or out of the plane of the card. figure and outputs a signal corresponding to compression / extension.

The estimator and controller 12 may, like the light emitters 40, be internally laminated or fixed on the surface of the base element 22 of the card 10, as is known, for example, in credit cards.

The present card 10 is adapted to be held by edge 34 or near edge 34 opposite edge 32 and to be "shaken." This agitation will cause the card 10 to bend, and this bending will provide information as to the movement of the agitation. Estimator 14 is positioned near edge 34, because this is the position where the flex will be greatest. Other positions can be used, although these will bend less.

IS 2 374 333 T3

The information or signal from the estimator 14 is supplied to the receiver 12, which can then, also on the basis of a timer circuit provided therein, determine either the degree of bending or the position of the edge 32. It is clear that the bending of the card 10 combined with the period of time that has elapsed since, for example, an inflection point in a reciprocal shaking motion will point to the position of edge 32.

In addition, the deflection (acceleration), as well as the time elapsed between successive points of inflection, will provide an estimate of the total length of the reciprocal movement.

Thus, the receiver will be able to estimate both the movement of edge 32 and the actual position of edge 32 and light emitters 40.

When it is desired to provide information using the light emitted by the emitters 40, the controller 12 has within it information relating to a two-dimensional image or the like to be provided. This image can be a drawing, a photo or text. Any type of two-dimensional information can be provided.

Since this information is provided during shaking and by one or more of the relatively narrow elongated rows of light emitters 40, controller 12 passes information or signals to light emitters 40 corresponding to the position of edge 32 in the reciprocal movement. This information is used by the controller 12 to pass the correct part of the two-dimensional information to the emitters 40 so that the resulting information provided corresponds to the two-dimensional information. This determination of position is relatively important, because otherwise the overall image would have jumps between passes of the reciprocal movement.

In one embodiment, controller 12 follows the movement of edge 32 and matches the total reciprocal distance to the width of the two-dimensional information in order to display all of the two-dimensional information.

Alternatively, the two-dimensional information may require (to have, for example, the correct resolution or the like), a minimum stirring distance. If the current agitation does not obtain this distance, the controller may decide to provide only a part of the two-dimensional information. Thus, the text "Mickey is a mouse" can be provided if the minimum distance is obtained, but only "Mickey" or "Mickey is a" is obtained if smaller distances are obtained during shaking. The situation with an image can be the same.

Otherwise, the two-dimensional information can move across the “surface” or the “screen” generated by the reciprocal movement of the emitters 40. This movement can be vertical, like the credit labels at the end of a movie, or horizontal, like a perforated tape display, for example of stocks.

This embodiment can be altered to the situation where not only the relative position of edge 32 in relation to, for example, edge 34, but the actual position of edge 32 is followed, thereby shaking card 10 a short distance and providing "Mickey" and then moving the card in the direction of "M" to "y" causing the controller to provide "is a" instead and a further movement in that direction to provide the "mouse". Thus, a short distance of shaking can be compensated for by moving the card 10 in that direction while continuing to shake the small distance.

In another embodiment, the extent along the width W of the light emitter row of the information provided can be varied to take into account the actual distance of the agitation. Thus, if the two-dimensional information to be provided were to have a certain relationship between the direction of W and the direction perpendicular to it, a shorter stirring distance may reduce the extent of the information provided along W. Shaking a greater distance can cause controller 12 to increase the number of light emitters used to also increase the spread of information (such as an image) along the W direction.

In the example of a text, the controller 12 can alter the size of the typeface so that the text is rendered in its entirety at the actual shaking distance. Shaking a greater distance will then increase the size of the typeface.

In one embodiment, card 10 is also adapted to produce sound. Controller 12 can then contain information related to sound. In fact, some bending estimators, such as piezoelectric crystal, may also be capable of producing sound if they receive a corresponding signal. Thus, the flex estimator 14 can also be used to receive a signal from the controller 12 and to produce a corresponding sound. In order to use the estimator 14 for both purposes, it may be desired to only enable the action of producing the sound when it is not bent and light emission occurs.

Figure 5 illustrates shaking / bending viewed from above. Card 10 is illustrated in one end position 36, and the other end position is illustrated at 38.

The distance traveled by the edge 32 can be seen as that produced along the curve C proper, that the edge travels, or it can be taken as the position along a straight line L between the end points 36, 38.

IS 2 374 333 T3

Naturally, the user viewing the information presented from the right in the figure will see the information presented from the C curve. However, the controller 12 can correct the transmission timing of the individual pieces of information to the emitters 40 to emulate the presentation of information on a flat screen. Thus, this requires that the controller 12 not output all parts (in the direction to and from the plane of Figure 5) equally spaced along curve C, but equally spaced along line L.

Naturally, the controller 12 may not provide any information before the card 10 has been shaken a few times so that the controller 12 obtains knowledge regarding shaking (distance, flex, speed, acceleration or the like) and to determine how to provide the information. in different positions of the movement. If not, or in addition, the controller 12 may be adapted to accommodate changes in shaking distance to alter the information provided during shaking.

In addition, the controller 12 can provide the information when it is moved only in one direction (from top to bottom or from bottom to top in Figure 5) or it can provide information in both directions.

Any number of rows of photoemitters can be used. Furthermore, any type of photoemitter 40 (LED, laser, VXEL or the like) can be used. In addition, monochrome light emitters 40 can be used, for example mixed with emitters of other colors, or light emitters capable of producing changing colors can be used.

Naturally, the card can be provided with multiple sets of estimator 14 and emitters 40, as when the emitters 40 of another set are provided on another edge, such as edge 34, and the estimator 14 relative to that set of emitters 40 is provided to the the opposite, that is, near edge 32. In that situation, the two different sets can be used to provide two different messages or information. Additionally, two different controllers 12 may be provided, or the controller 12 may decide which set to use by determining which estimator 14 detects the greatest flex.

In addition, three-dimensional images or information can be provided by providing emitting media at different distances from edge 32. In this way, a plurality of two-dimensional information must be provided, one for each set of emitting media, ie, one for each "depth" for which information is available. These additional emitting means may be provided at a distance from the edge 32 on a side surface of the card 10 or within the card, if the base material thereof is translucent.

Controller 12 may be pre-configured for any type of information or it may be capable of outputting only predetermined information. Controller 12 may be capable of altering the information provided in any suitable way, such as stochastically or sequentially switching between information stored therein or communicating with external equipment adapted to input information to be provided to controller 12. This communication can be wireless or through a wire.

Alternatively, card 10 may comprise a keypad, such as the switch keypad illustrated in Figure

3. Alternatively also, the card 10 may comprise an optical sensor 42 connected to the controller 12. The optical sensor 42 may be exposed, for example, to a computer monitor which is operated to modulate radiation emitted by it to transmit information to the controller 12 by means of sensor 42. Naturally, all other types of information transfer can be used, such as via magnetic stripe 18, RFID, Bluetooth, wireless Ethernet, or any other standard.

In general, these procedures can be used to control a mode of operation of the controller 12 or they can be used to input into the controller 12 desired information provided by the emitters 40.