JP7278196B2 - Patterned smart card modules, smart cards including patterned smart card modules, methods of manufacturing patterned smart card modules, and methods of verifying authentication of patterned smart card modules - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to smart card modules incorporating integrated circuit (IC) chips, and more particularly to patterned smart card modules.

Conventional smart cards such as credit cards, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, health cards, social benefit cards, and all kinds of IC cards each have an IC chip encapsulated by a chip module embedded in a plastic card body. Including and in addition to conventional contact communication, contactless communication is now typically possible, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) operation. When such a smart card is placed in a pocket, there is a risk that the data stored on the IC chip will be intercepted and extracted using a contactless interface without the knowledge of the cardholder. Furthermore, the chip module usually exposes its contact pads and occupies a portion of the outer surface of the smart card that could have been used to provide other information, making it somewhat visually interesting. I will miss it.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0272800 discloses a conventional smart card having a smart card module with a plurality of exposed contact pads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a patterned smart card module that overcomes at least one of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a patterned smart card module includes a chip module and a patterned ink layer coated on the conductive surface of the chip module. The chip module incorporates an IC chip for storing chip data, and the conductive surface is formed with a plurality of contact pads for a data reader to read the chip data stored in the chip module. Chip data includes owner-related data. The patterned ink layer has a pattern associated with owner-related data.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a smart card which overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the present invention, a smart card includes a card body and a patterned smart card module embedded with an IC chip for storing chip data and embedded in the card body. A patterned smart card module includes a chip module and a patterned ink layer coated on the conductive surface of the chip module. The chip module incorporates an IC chip, and the conductive surface is formed with a plurality of contact pads for a data reader to read the chip data stored in the chip module. Chip data includes owner-related data. The patterned ink layer has a pattern associated with owner-related data.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a patterned smart card module. The method provides a computing device storing chip data to be written to an IC chip embedded within a smart card module, the chip data including owner-related data, the smart card module including the IC chip and a plurality of and a conductive ink layer coated on the conductive surface of the chip module; forming the patterned ink layer to form a patterned smart card module by controllably engraving a pattern indicative of owner-related data into the conductive ink layer of the smart card module; controlling a coupled data writer by a computing device to write chip data to an IC chip embedded within the chip module.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of verifying the authenticity of a patterned smart card module. The patterned smart card module incorporates an IC chip that stores chip data and has a conductive surface formed with a plurality of contact pads for a data reader to read the chip data, the chip data containing owner-related data. and a patterned ink layer coated on the conductive surface of the chip module and having a pattern associated with the owner-related data. The method includes reading owner-related data from an IC chip of a chip module by a data reader; capturing an image of a patterned ink layer by a camera device; and capturing an image of a patterned ink layer by a computer device. obtaining the data indicated by the pattern of the patterned ink layer based on the obtained image; and the data indicated by the pattern and the owner-related data read from the IC chip of the chip module by the computing device. and comparing. The computing device can perform the following actions related to the patterned smart card module if the data indicated by the pattern matches the chip data read from the IC chip of the chip module.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of embodiments which refers to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a smart card according to the invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first exemplary system for manufacturing patterned smart card modules according to the present invention; FIG. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second exemplary system for manufacturing smart cards according to the present invention;

Before describing the present invention in more detail, where considered appropriate, symbols or symbol endings are repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements that may have similar characteristics. Please note that

As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of a smart card according to the present invention comprises a card body 1 and a patterned smart card module 2 enclosing an IC chip and incorporated into the card body 1. It is shown. A smart card may be, for example, a credit card, a SIM card, a health card, a social benefits card, an ID card, etc., the card body 1 of which is usually made of plastic.

The patterned smartcard module 2 is formed by a (bare) chip module 20 and a patterned ink layer 25 . The chip module 20 incorporates an IC chip, and is formed with a plurality of contact pads for reading chip data stored in the IC chip incorporated in the chip module 20 with a data reader (not shown). It has a conductive surface 21 (typically, but not limited to, a metal surface) that is oriented against the surface of the metal. A patterned ink layer 25 is coated on the conductive surface 21 of the chip module 20 . In this embodiment, the chip data includes owner-related data associated with the cardholder of the smart card, such as cardholder name, cardholder phone number, cardholder administrative data (e.g., keys, certificates, etc.), but the invention is not limited in this respect. Patterned ink layer 25 has a pattern associated with owner-related data.

In practice, the conductive surface 21 of the chip module 20 is treated with conductive ink to form a plain conductive ink layer. Then, using conventional laser engraving technology, a desired pattern is formed in the conductive ink layer in a manner that does not impair the normal function of the chip module 20 in which the IC chip is embedded, and the patterned ink layer 25 is formed. to create In this embodiment, the patterned ink layer 25 is a semi-opaque colored layer, but the invention is not limited in this respect. In FIG. 1, the pattern is a two-dimensional barcode (eg, quick response (QR) code) containing owner-related data, although the invention is not limited in this respect. In one example, the pattern can be characters that directly indicate the owner-related data in text. In one example, the pattern can indicate an encrypted data piece generated by encrypting the owner-related data using, for example, Data Encryption Standard (DES), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), etc. It is possible. In one example, the pattern is used to replace sensitive data with tokens, showing a tokenized data piece produced by tokenizing owner-related data using a process known as 'tokenization'. is possible. Since the pattern indicates the owner-related data, the patterned smart card module 2 alone can indicate its ownership, so in some embodiments the card body 1 is omitted and the patterned smart card The module 2 itself functions as a smart card, achieving miniaturization of the smart card. Furthermore, in addition to indicating owner-related data, the pattern may also include, for example, a background image, a background color, etc., so that the patterned smart card module 2 can have a unique, personalized overall appearance. and so on to have a personalized design.

In practice, patterned ink layer 25 and owner-related data are used for authentication or verification of patterned smartcard module 2 . For example, when patterned smart card module 2 is used, a computing device is required to read the owner-related data and obtain the data indicated by the pattern of patterned ink layer 25 . The computing device will perform the next action related to the patterned smart card module 2 (e.g. registration, system login, payment , read sensitive personal data or certificates, perform any processing, or perform any action that requires authentication).

In one embodiment, the chip data stored in the smart card IC chip may include sensitive data (e.g., cardholder personal information, credit card number, deposit information, etc.) and may include owner-related The data can be designed for the purpose of authenticating access to sensitive data by data readers. For example, if a store clerk receives a smart card having a patterned smart card module 2, the store clerk may directly verify the identification or, via the pattern on the patterned smart card module 2, the cardholder's Manual authentication/verification can be performed. In another example, if a data reader (not shown) is used to read sensitive data stored in the IC chip of the chip module 20, the data reader should first at least use image recognition (e.g. optical Character recognition (OCR), QR code recognition, etc.) is required to identify the data hidden in the pattern of the chip module 20 . Accordingly, the data reader may include or be connected to a camera device for capturing an image of the patterned ink layer 25 of the patterned smart card module 2 of the smart card; A processing unit may be included to acquire data indicated by the pattern of the patterned ink layer 25 based on images captured by the camera device. If the pattern indicates an encrypted data piece, the data reader will also need the decryption key to decrypt and identify the data hidden in the pattern. If the pattern indicates a tokenized data piece, the data reader must be connected to a Token Service Provider (TSP) to detokenize the tokenized data, thereby allowing a hidden identify the data that has been processed. The data reader then reads the owner-related data stored on the IC chip of chip module 20 as part of the chip data and compares the identified data with the owner-related data. A data reader is allowed to access sensitive data only if the identified data matches the owner-related data. Sensitive data can therefore only be accessed when the cardholder removes the smartcard to complete a transaction, as an example, and unauthorized contactless reading is possible when the smartcard is placed in a pocket, bag, etc. Operation cannot be eavesdropped on.

FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary system for production line manufacturing of smart card embodiments according to the present invention. The system is electrically coupled to an input roller 100 loaded with blank module tape, a data writer 200, a laser engraver 300 (e.g., fiber laser), and a data writer 200 and laser engraver 300. computer device 400 and an output roller 500 . The blank module tape includes a plurality of blank smart card modules 2', each embedded with one IC chip, formed by blank (and bare) chip modules 20, the blank (and bare) chip modules 20 having IC chips. embedded and coated with a layer of conductive ink. Computing device 400 stores a plurality of chip data corresponding to blank chip modules 20 . Both the input roller 100 and the output roller 500 send blank module tapes to the data writer 200, and the computer device 400 blanks the corresponding chip data for each blank module tape 20 sent to the data writer 200. The data writer 200 is controlled so as to write to the IC chip incorporated in the chip module 20. - 特許庁Subsequently, a blank module tape having data written chip modules 20 is sent to the laser engraving machine 300, where the computing device 400, for each data written chip module 20 sent to the laser engraving machine 300: Control the laser engraver 300 to direct a laser beam toward the conductive ink layer of the data-written chip module 20 to engrave a pattern associated with the owner-related data of the corresponding chip data into each conductive ink layer. to form a patterned ink layer 25 (see FIG. 1) to create the (patterned) smart card module 2 . It should be noted that the computing device 400 processes the owner-related data to create the pattern prior to the engraving process (e.g., converting the owner-related data into a QR code, encrypting the owner-related data, etc.). , and/or tokenization of owner-related data). It then contains a plurality of patterned smart card modules 2 to perform processes such as cutting patterned smart card modules 2 from the module tape and embedding the patterned smart card modules 2 into corresponding card bodies 1 . The processed module tape is conveyed by output rollers 500 to the next manufacturing station. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the order of data writing and laser engraving operations may be interchanged, and the invention is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary system for production line manufacturing of smart card embodiments according to the present invention. The system includes a card feeder 110, a laser engraver 300, a data writer 200, a computer device 400 electrically coupled to the data writer 200 and the laser engraver 300, a card processing system 600, a data It includes a reader 700 , an image inspector 800 and an output tray 510 . Note that although the exemplary production line disclosed herein has an inspection station that includes the data reader 700 and the image inspection machine 800, the inspection station may be omitted in other production lines. want to be The card feeder 110 stores a plurality of blank smart cards each composed of a blank card body 1 (see FIG. 1) and a blank smart card module incorporated in the blank card body 1 . A blank smart card chip is formed by a blank (and bare) chip module 20 and a layer of conductive ink coated on the blank chip module 20 . Computing device 400 stores a plurality of chip data corresponding to blank chip modules 20 . Card feeder 110 feeds blank smart cards, eg, one by one, to laser engraving machine 300, and computing device 400 converts owner-related data in the corresponding chip data to each of the fed blank smart cards. controlling the laser engraving machine 300 to emit a laser beam toward the conductive ink layer coated on the chip module 20 so as to engrave the relevant pattern into the conductive ink layer of the smart card chip of the blank smart card; This forms a patterned ink layer 25 (see FIG. 1) to form a blank smart card (patterned) smart card module 2 (see FIG. 1). Next, the blank smart cards with the patterned smart card module 2 are sent to the data writer 200, where the computing device 400, for each sent blank smart card, writes the corresponding chip data to the blank smart card. Control the data writer 200 to write to the IC chip of the blank chip module 20 . The smart card with the blank card body 1 is then sent to the card processing system 600 for patterning the card body 1 so as to complete the manufacture of the smart card. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the order of laser engraving, data writing, and card processing operations may be changed, and the invention is not limited in this respect.

In this exemplary production line, the completed smartcard can then be sent to an inspection station. The data reader 700 reads the owner-related data of the chip data stored in the IC chip of the chip module 20 of the patterned smart card module 2 of the smart card using a contact or contactless method for each smart card. It is a data reader that reads. The image inspection machine 800 includes, for each smart card, a camera device for capturing an image of the patterned ink layer 25 of the patterned smart card module 2 of the smart card, and the image captured by the camera device. , a processing unit or computing device for obtaining the data indicated by the pattern of the patterned ink layer 25. The inspection station computing device or processor may be included in either data reader 700 or image inspection machine 800, or may be a separate computing device coupled to data reader 700 and image inspection machine 800. Often, the data indicated by the pattern is compared with the owner-related data read from the IC chip of chip module 20 for the smart card. If the data indicated by the pattern matches the chip data read from the IC chip of chip module 20, the patterned smart card chip is sent to the next manufacturing station (eg, output tray 510 in this embodiment). , if they do not match, they are removed from the production line or reworked.

In summary, an embodiment of the patterned smart card module 2 has a pattern on its surface that indicates owner-related data, so that the patterned smart card module 2 alone can indicate its owner, and the card body 1 is omitted. , which reduces the size of the smart card. In some embodiments, the data indicated by the pattern indicates owner-related data stored on the IC chip of chip module 20 for authenticating access to sensitive data, thus allowing chip module 20 to Security of data stored in the IC chip is strengthened.

In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In addition, in the description indicating "one embodiment" and "one embodiment" in this specification, all descriptions with indications such as ordinal numbers are included in specific implementations of the present invention having specific aspects, structures, and features. It should be understood that Further, in this description, at times multiple variations are incorporated into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the description and recognizing the versatility of the invention. It is intended to be understood that one or more features or specific examples of one embodiment may, where appropriate, be applied to one or more of the other embodiments or specific examples in the practice of this disclosure. It may be implemented with more features or with specific embodiments.

Although preferred embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and includes all modifications and equivalents as various configurations included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation. shall include configuration.

Claims (10)

A chip module (20) incorporating an integrated circuit (IC) chip storing chip data including owner-related data, a data reader for reading said chip data stored in said chip module (20). a chip module (20) having a conductive surface (21) with a plurality of contact pads (22) formed thereon;
a patterned ink layer (25) coated on the conductive surface (21) of the chip module (20) and having a pattern associated with the owner-related data;
Patterned smart card module (2). The patterned smartcard module (2) according to claim 1, wherein said chip data further comprises sensitive data, said owner-related data for authenticating access to sensitive data by a data reader. Patterned smart card module (2) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said patterned ink layer (25) is semi-opaque. Pattern according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said owner-related data is one of the name and phone number and other personal information of the owner of said patterned smart card module (2). smart card module (2). A patterned smartcard module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said pattern is a two-dimensional barcode containing said owner-related data. A patterned smartcard module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pattern represents an encrypted data piece produced by encrypting said owner-related data. A patterned smartcard module (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pattern represents a tokenized data piece produced by tokenizing said owner-related data. a card body (1);
a patterned smart card module (2) according to claim 1, incorporated in said card body (1). A computing device (400) storing chip data written to an integrated circuit (IC) chip embedded within a smart card module (2'), said chip data including owner-related data, said smart card module. (2') is a chip module (20) having an electrically conductive surface (21) in which an IC chip is embedded and formed with a plurality of contact pads (22); 21) a conductive ink layer coated on the
A laser engraving machine (300) coupled to said computing device (400) is controlled by said computing device (400) to present said owner-related data on said conductive ink layer of said smart card module (2'). engraving a pattern to form a patterned ink layer (25) to form a patterned smart card module (2);
controlling a data writer (200) coupled to the computer device (400) by the computer device (400) to write the chip data to an IC chip incorporated in the chip module (20); A method for manufacturing a patterned smart card module (2). A method for verifying authentication of a patterned smart card module (2), comprising:
The patterned smart card module (2) comprises:
a chip module (20) incorporating an integrated circuit (IC) chip storing chip data including owner-related data and having a conductive surface (21) formed with a plurality of contact pads (22);
a patterned ink layer (25) coated on the conductive surface (21) of the chip module (20) and having a pattern associated with the owner-related data;
The method includes
reading the owner-related data from the IC chip of the chip module (20) by a data reader;
capturing an image of said patterned ink layer (25) with a camera device;
obtaining, by a computing device, data indicated by the pattern of the patterned ink layer (25) based on images captured by the camera device;
comparing, by the computing device, the data indicated by the pattern with the owner-related data read from the IC chip of the chip module (20);
The computing device is capable of performing the following actions related to the patterned smart card module if the data indicated by the pattern matches the chip data read from the IC chip of the chip module. ,
A method for verifying the authentication of a patterned smart card module (2).

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