WO2007108585A1

WO2007108585A1 - Virtual magnetic line strip type ic card being readable with card reader for magnetic cards

Info

Publication number: WO2007108585A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/005476
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joonsoo Choi; Junekoo Rhee; Junesuh Cho
Original assignee: Tamarix Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-03-23
Filing date: 2006-12-14
Publication date: 2007-09-27

Abstract

A virtual magnetic line strip type IC card being capable to be read by a magnetic strip card reader is provided. An information transmission controller reads out a value in the card in¬ formation from a card information storing device and outputs a pulse signal corresponding to a magnitude of the value. A magnetic current driving device generates an analog magnetic driving current corresponding to the change of magnitude of the pulse signal from the information transmission controller. A magnetic transmitter transmits a time-varying magnetic field cor¬ responding to polarity changes of the magnetic driving current at predetermined locations cor¬ responding to tracks by the magnetic strip card standard. The time-varying magnetic field is read by a magnetic line strip type card reader. An alignment detector detects aligning of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter, and an ID confirmation device verifies users using the user's fingerprint or password. The IC card can be used without incurring any change to the card readers for the magnetic line strip type cards. Also, a single physical IC card can function as many logical IC cards by storing a plurality of card information therein.

Description

VIRTUAL MAGNETIC LINE STRIP TYPE IC CARD BEING READABLE WITH CARD READER FOR MAGNETIC CARDS

Technical Field

[1] The invention relates to an IC card with an integrated circuit. More specifically, the invention relates to an IC card that is readable with a magnetic card reader.

[2]

Background Art

[3] There are two types of credit cards according to the type of recording information on a card; magnetic line strip credit card using magnetic strip (MS) type and IC card having an integrated circuit chip within. The integrated chip in the IC card, including its own memory and processor capable of computing, enables a security function such as a digital signature and an access control function (physical access control or online access control), and provides services including point service, electronic pass, and financial service such as payment by credit card and cash withdrawal. Since it does not have functions for security or ID checking, the magnetic strip type card may cause financial damage to a card holder or a financial organization that issues credit cards when it is lost, forged, or tampered. However, the IC card can be used with a relatively high security due to an ID checking function such as fingerprint recognition and due to password confirmation system by card reader. Because of the multiple functions and high security, the IC card is expected to be a main stream in the card business of the next generation, and actually replacing the magnetic strip card worldwide.

[4] In spite of all these advantages, the transition from the magnetic card to the IC card makes a slower progress than expected. The first obstacle to the transition is that a separate IC card reader must be provided since the IC card cannot be read by the magnetic strip card reader, but the introduction of the IC card reader is not progressive due to the high cost. For example, the VAN service providers, who should invest to replace the magnetic strip card readers with the IC card readers, cannot afford such a huge cost.

[5]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] It is an object of the present invention to provide an IC card configured to be read using a magnetic strip card reader, which encourages to introduce the IC cards more rapidly by making it unnecessary to replace the magnetic strip card readers with the new IC card readers of high cost. [7] Also, it is another object of the present invention to provide an IC card the stored information of which cannot be read without the ID confirmation of the user using the high security functions of the IC card.

[8]

Technical Solution

[9] One aspect of the invention provides a virtual magnetic line strip type IC card being capable to be read by a magnetic strip card reader. The IC card comprises: a card information storing device for storing a card information provided by a card issuing machine; an information transmission controller for reading out a value in the card information from the card information storing device and outputting a pulse signal corresponding to a magnitude of the value; a magnetic current driving device for receiving the pulse signal from the information transmission controller and generating an analog magnetic driving current corresponding to the change of magnitude of the pulse signal; and a magnetic transmitter for flowing the magnetic driving current and transmitting a time- varying magnetic field corresponding to polarity changes of the magnetic driving current at predetermined locations corresponding to tracks by the magnetic strip card standard such that the card information be read by the card reader. These elements are installed on the IC card substrate.

[10] The IC card further comprises a card issuing machine connector which provides an interface to the card issuing machine to be connected to the card issuing machine and transferring the card information from the card issuing machine to the card information storing device.

[11] The IC card may further comprise an alignment detector which detects aligning of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter and provides an alignment detection signal to the information transmission controller. Then, the information transmission controller outputs the pulse signal on confirming the alignment of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter. The alignment detector comprises an impedance meter measuring the impedance of the magnetic transmitter, and the information transmission controller determines the alignment of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter when the measured impedance falls in a predetermined range.

[12] The IC card further comprises an ID confirmation device for allowing a legitimate user to use the IC card by storing the IC card user's standard ID information in a memory and outputting a confirmation signal for those who input information that matches with the stored confirmation information. The standard ID information comprises at least one of a fingerprint and a password. In order to make a single physical IC card function as a plurality of logical IC cards, the card information storing device and the ID confirmation device comprise a plurality of card informations and a plurality of corresponding standard ID informations, respectively, such that the single physical IC card comprises the plurality of logical IC cards, and the ID confirmation device is configured to allow the use of the IC card by comparing the information input by the user with the plurality of standard ID informations and outputting a confirmation signal corresponding to the standard ID information that matches.

[13] According to an embodiment of the invention, the ID confirmation device comprises: an ID information storing unit for storing the fingerprint of the IC card owner as a standard ID information; a fingerprint sensor for taking the IC card user's fingerprint and transforming the fingerprint information to a digital fingerprint information; and a user confirmation unit for receiving the fingerprint information as a user confirmation information from the fingerprint sensor and the standard ID information from the ID information storing unit and providing a user confirmation signal to the information transmission controller when the two information match each other. The information transmission controller activates the IC card by responding to the user confirmation signal and outputting the pulse signal.

[14] The standard ID information stored in the ID information storing unit comprises a representative fingerprint selected from a plurality of fingerprints that have matched with the first fingerprint or second and later fingerprints collected by the fingerprint sensor after reset, or the user's fingerprint information, provided by the card issuing machine, taken by the IC card company.

[15] According to another embodiment of the invention, the ID confirmation device comprises: an ID information storing unit for storing the password set by the IC card owner as a standard ID information; a password input unit to which the user inputs the password; and a user confirmation unit for receiving a password as a user confirmation information from the password input unit and the standard ID information from the ID information storing unit and providing a user confirmation signal to the information transmission controller when the two information match each other.

[16] The IC card may further comprise: an LED lamp which is turned on for a predetermined time period by a control signal from the ID confirmation device; and a battery for supplying electrical power to the elements of the IC card.

[17] According to still another embodiment of the invention, the magnetic current driving device may further comprise: a magnetic current driver for outputting an analog magnetic driving current changing polarity according to the change of the level of the pulse signal received from the information transmission controller; and a low- pass filter, for transferring the magnetic driving current to the magnetic transmitter, disposed between the magnetic current driver and the magnetic transmitter.

[18] According to still another embodiment of the invention, the magnetic transmitter of the IC card may comprise: same number of magnetic coils as the number of the tracks disposed on the predetermined locations of the card substrate, and two ends of each of the magnetic coils are connected to the outputs of the magnetic current driver.

[19] According to still another embodiment of the invention, the magnetic transmitter may comprise: same number of magnetic field generating coils as the number of the tracks disposed on the predetermined locations of the card substrate; and corresponding number of magnetic circuits, each of which configured to include a strip line passing through the magnetic field generating coils, extending to the predetermined locations forming substantially a shape of circle, ellipse, or polygon, and transmitting the time- varying magnetic field through a predetermined gap provided between the two ends of the strip line. Two ends of each of the magnetic field generating coils are connected to the outputs of the magnetic current driver. Further, one end of the magnetic circuit is finished with a strip line having a shape of "D", and the other end is finished with a linear strip line disposed apart by a predetermined gap from the strip line of the shape of "D".

[20] According to still another embodiment of the invention, the magnetic transmitter may comprise: same number of magnetic field generating coils as the number of the tracks disposed on the predetermined locations of the card substrate; and corresponding number of magnetic circuits, configured to include first strip lines of numbers corresponding to the number of the tracks, each having a shape of semi-circle or semi-ellipse passing through the magnetic field generating coils, and a second single common strip line having a shape of semi-circle or semi-ellipse having a larger width than total width of the first strip lines, wherein the first strip lines and the second single common strip line are connected at one ends, forming a circle or a ellipse, extend to the predetermined locations forming a predetermined gap at the other ends, and transmit the time-varying magnetic field through the predetermined gap provided between the two ends of the strip line. Further, the other end of the second strip line is provided with three grooves of the shape of "D" facing the other end of the first strip line, which is disposed apart by a predetermined gap from the strip line of the shape of "D".

[21] The predetermined locations in the above embodiment may comprise three locations for the three tracks disposed in parallel with predetermined intervals. And, the intervals between the magnetic heads of the magnetic transmitter for generating the magnetic field and transmitting to the magnetic head, that is, the intervals between the three locations is substantially same as the intervals between the three magnetic heads of the card reader.

[22] According the above embodiments, the one ends of the strip lines may advance into the strip line of the shape of "D" or into the groove of the shape of "D", and overlap with each other by a predetermined length. And the overlapping length may be determined to be larger than the width of core of the magnetic head in the direction of card movement and smaller than the length of the magnetic strip of the IC card. The overlapping length is long enough for the card information to be read by the head of the card reader when the IC card is inserted and swiped.

[23] According to still another embodiment of the invention, the virtual magnetic line strip type IC card being readable with card reader for magnetic cards comprises: a card information storing device for storing a card information provided by a card issuing machine; a card issuing machine connector which provides an interface to the card issuing machine to be connected to the card issuing machine and transferring the card information from the card issuing machine to the card information storing device; an information transmission controller for reading out a value in the card information from the card information storing device and outputting a pulse signal corresponding to a magnitude of the value when the alignment detection signal confirming the alignment of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter is detected in responding to the input of the user confirmation information; an ID confirmation device for allowing a legitimate user to use the IC card by storing the IC card user's standard ID information in a memory and outputting a confirmation signal for those who input information that matches with the stored confirmation information; a magnetic current driver for receiving the pulse signal from the information transmission controller and generating an analog magnetic driving current corresponding to the change of magnitude of the pulse signal; a magnetic transmitter for flowing the magnetic driving current and transmitting a time-varying magnetic field corresponding to polarity changes of the magnetic driving current at predetermined locations corresponding to tracks by the magnetic strip card standard such that the card information be read by the card reader; and an alignment detector which detects aligning of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter and provides an alignment detection signal to the information transmission controller. These elements are installed on the IC card substrate.

[24]

Advantageous Effects

[25] The IC card according to embodiments of the invention generates magnetic field information that is readable with a magnetic line strip type card reader. Therefore, such cards can be used immediately in the environment established with the traditional magnetic line strip card readers.

[26] The IC card according to embodiment of the invention also has advantages in keeping the convenience and security of the IC cards, and still being readable using the magnetic line strip type card readers without installing another card reader for the IC cards. These advantages enable to establish an environment for the IC cards without further investment for the IC card readers. Therefore, the potential delay in the introduction of the IC cards due to the extra cost for the IC card readers can be avoided with ease.

[27]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[28] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a track layout of a conventional magnetic line strip type card;

[29] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing ISO 7811/2-1985, standard for the length of data, standard of letter, and recording density in recording information on three tracks of the magnetic line strip type card;

[30] Figs. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating how to read the information using a magnetic head (50) of the card reader;

[31] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a virtual magnetic line strip type

IC card (100) according to an embodiment of the invention;

[32] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of layout of a virtual magnetic line strip type IC card (100);

[33] Figs. 6 through 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of a magnetic transmitter (110);

[34] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating how to read the information of the IC card having a magnetic transmitter (110a) of Fig. 6 using a magnetic head (50); and

[35] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating how to read the information of the IC card having the magnetic transmitter (110b, 110c, 11Od) of Figs. 6 through 9.

[36]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[37] The embodiments of the invention are described in more detail by referencing the drawings below.

[38] There is provided an IC card (100) which has functions of the IC cards and still can be read by a conventional card reader (40) without changes in the magnetic line strip type card reader (40). It would not be desirable to attach a magnetic line stripe on the IC card such that the conventional magnetic line strip type card reader may be used, for such a measure cannot make the most of the IC card's high security while keeping the weak points of the conventional magnetic line strip type card. The high security of the IC cards and the convenience of the magnetic line strip cards can be appropriated at the same time.

[39] The method of reading information recorded in the conventional magnetic line strip type card is explained below to facilitate the understanding of the IC card according to the invention. The magnetic line strip type credit card includes three tracks on the magnetic line strip as shown in Fig. 1. The information is recorded on each of the tracks. There is a standard for recording information on the tracks of the magnetic line strip; ISO7811/2-1985. There is a standard for recording information on a single track. The information is recorded according to such standards.

[40] Fig. 3 shows schematic diagrams illustrating how to read the information recorded on a track (14) of the magnetic line strip (12) of a magnetic line strip card (10) using a magnetic head (50) of a card reader. Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B show the magnetic head (50) of the card reader positioned on the track (14) of the magnetic line strip (12). The magnetic head (50) comprises a coil (52) wound several times around non-magnetic material (54), and reads out the card information in the magnetic line strip (12) by detecting the voltage V(t) induced across the coil (52) by the time-varying magnetic field cut by a core (56) of the coil (52). As shown in Fig. 3, the card information is recorded as a plurality of N and S in a predetermined order on each track (14) of the magnetic line strip (12). For the magnetic recording of information, the magnetic line strip is coated with powder of magnet. The information is recorded in terms of the order of the poles N and S disposed on the magnetic line strip.

[41] To read out information recorded on the track (14) of the magnetic line strip (12), the track (14) must be moved to pass or be scanned by the magnetic head (50) of the card reader. By this scanning, the information recorded in terms of N and S in order is read by the magnetic head (50) serially. Therefore, there appears a changing magnetic field under the coil (52) of the magnetic head (50), and the resulting time- varying magnetic field cutting through the coil (52) of the magnetic head (50) generates an induced current in the coil (52). The information is read by detecting the induced current flowing in the coil (52). In other words, the magnetic information recorded on each track (14) of the magnetic line strip (12) induces electric signal in the coil (52) of the magnetic head (50), and the induced current is converted into a series of binary codes in internal circuits of the card reader, which is read as the card information by the card reader. Information T and '0' are determined by change between N and S poles according to the standard. The magnetic head (50) includes ferromagnetic material inside the coil (52) to obtain a strong magnetic induction, and non-magnetic material outside the coil (52).

[42] Embodiments of the invention apply some of the operational principle of the magnetic information writing and reading in the conventional magnetic line strip type card (10). If 'predetermined parts' (the magnetic transmitter (110) in Fig. 5) of the IC card are aligned with the magnetic head (50) of the card reader and the predetermined parts induce magnetic field corresponding to the card information serially, then the magnetic head (50) can detect the serial change of the magnetic field and convert them to binary codes, which is same as the method to read the magnetic information from the magnetic line strip type card (10) using a conventional magnetic head (50). Therefore, if an IC card comprises the 'predetermined parts' and an element for converting card information to magnetic information serially through the predetermined parts in addition to the general elements discussed in the above, then the conventional magnetic line strip type card reader can be used without changes.

[43] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of a virtual magnetic line strip type

IC card (100) according to an embodiment of the invention. The IC card (100) comprises a card issuing machine connector (520), a card information storing device (510), an ID confirmation device (200), an information transmission controller (550), an impedance meter (560), a magnetic current driver (570), a low-pass filter (580), an LED lamp (150), a battery (140), and a magnetic transmitter (110).

[44] The connections and relationship between the elements of the above shown in Fig.

4 are as follows.

[45] (1) Card issuing machine (600) - The IC card company is equipped with it. It comprises an electrical or magnetic interface with the IC card according to the invention and is configured to transmit and provide the card information to an IC that is being issued. It is further configured to control registering fingerprint information or a password of the card owner as a standard ID information in advance by providing a card reset signal to the IC card (100). These functions can be added to the conventional card read to form the card issuing machine (600). The electrical and magnetic interface may use a standard technology which is already available to the public.

[46] (2) Card issuing machine connector (520) - It provides an interface to the card issuing machine (600) of the IC card company. More specifically, it receives the card information of the card user from the card issuing machine (600) and has the card information stored in the card information storing device (510). Further, the card issuing machine connector (520) receives the standard ID information of the card owner from the card issuing machine (600) and has the information stored in a ID information storing unit (530) (refer to below for further description).

[47] (3) Card information storing device (510) - It stores a credit card or other card information provided through the card issuing machine connector (520) by the card issuing machine (600). Also, it provides the stored card information if requested by the information transmission controller (550). The card information storing device (510) may comprise a nonvolatile memory.

[48] (4) ID confirmation device (200) - It allows only the users confirmed as legitimate owner of the IC card (100) to use the IC card (100). The ID confirmation device (200) is configured to allow the user's using of the IC card (100) only when the confirmation information input by the user matches the standard ID information of the IC card (100), where the standard ID information may comprise a fingerprint information of the owner or a password set by the owner, and the confirmation information input by the user may comprise the user's fingerprint or a password. The ID confirmation device (200) may be configured to adopt either a fingerprint confirmation device or a password confirmation device, or both.

[49] 1) Fingerprint confirmation device

[50] The fingerprint confirmation device comprises a fingerprint sensor (130), a ID information storing unit (530), and a user identifier (540). The fingerprint confirmation device can register the fingerprint of the owner of the IC card (100) as the standard ID information, and confirm the user using the user's fingerprint.

[51] a) Fingerprint sensor (130) - If the owner or the user of the IC card (100) contacts the fingerprint sensor (130) with a predetermined fingerprint following predetermined directions, then the fingerprint sensor (130) converts the fingerprint information to a digital data type. The acquired owner's fingerprint information is provided to the ID information storing unit (530) to register as the standard ID information, and to the user identifier (540) to identify users later. The technology regarding to taking fingerprint is not repeated here since it is well known to the public.

[52] b) ID information storing unit (530) - It may comprise a nonvolatile memory and is configured to store the standard ID information of the IC card owner. The ID information storing unit (530) selects a representative fingerprint from a plurality of fingerprints that have matched with the first one fingerprint or two or more fingerprints collected by the fingerprint sensor after reset, and use it as the standard ID information. The card reset is performed by a card reset signal from the card issuing machine (600) or by a reset signal generated by a reset key (not shown) provided on the IC card (100).

[53] The standard ID information can be obtained and registered directly from the IC card (100), or can be provided by the card issuing machine (600). The card owner may provide her or his own fingerprint to the card company, and the fingerprint information is provided by the card issuing machine (600) to be stored in the ID information storing unit (530).

[54] The pre-registered card owner's fingerprint information is used to identify the user by comparing it with the fingerprint input by the user. Also, if the standard ID information is stored in the ID information storing unit (530) of the IC card (100), then it is possible to identify a user without consulting a system (not shown) of the card company.

[55] c) User identifier (540) - It receives from the fingerprint sensor (130) the fingerprint information of a user who wants to use the IC card (100), compares the received fingerprint information with the stored fingerprint information, and verifies the identification of the user. The user identifier (540) verifies the identification of the user when there exists a correlation above a predetermined degree between the fingerprint information provided by the fingerprint sensor (130) and the fingerprint information stored in the ID information storing unit (530). Once the user is identified, then the user identifier (540) provides a confirmation signal to the information transmission controller (550). Then, an information transmission buffer in the information transmission controller (550) is activated by the confirmation signal, and the IC card (100) is activated to be used.

[56] The user identifier (540) has the LED lamp (150) turned on by providing the confirmation signal to the LED lamp (150). The user can recognize that the IC card (100) is allowed to be used by the LED lamp (150) turned on. In a predetermined time period, the user identifier (540) cancels the fingerprint confirmation signal to the information transmission controller (550) and the LED lamp (150), deactivating the information transmission buffer and turning off the LED lamp (150).

[57] d) Others

[58] A user identification through the system of the card company is also possible. The standard ID information can be stored in the system of the card company only, which does not have to be stored in the IC card (100). But, the user's fingerprint information obtained locally should be provided to the system of the card company for the user identification. In such a case, the user's fingerprint information should be obtained using the fingerprint sensor (130) of the IC card (100) or using a fingerprint sensor (not shown) provided in a card reader (40) installed at a member store. Then, the member store card reader (40) transmits the obtained fingerprint information to the system of the card company. The system of the card company compares the received fingerprint information for a specific IC card with the pre-registered fingerprint information (standard ID information), verifies the identification, and notifies the result to the member store card reader (40). In this embodiment, since the entire of part of user identification is supported by a resource external to the IC card (100), the IC card (100) does not have to comprise the ID confirmation device (200). Instead, the IC card (100) may further comprise an element for receiving the confirmation signal that the system of the card company provides through the member store card reader (40) and transmitting the signal to the member store transmission controller (550). The IC card (100) may still further comprise another element for providing the user's fingerprint information that the fingerprint sensor (130) obtained to the card reader (40) if necessary.

[59] 2) Password confirmation device

[60] The ID confirmation using a password is different in replacing the fingerprint information with the password, but same in registering the password as the standard ID information when the IC card (100) is issued and receiving and comparing the password input with the pre-registered password to identify the user. [61] The password confirmation device in the IC card (100) comprises a password input unit (130-1) instead of the fingerprint sensor (130). The ID information storing unit (530) and the user identifier (540) are configured to work as a password storing unit and a password identifier respectively. In another embodiment using the fingerprint and the password as ID information, the IC card (100) comprises the fingerprint sensor (130) and the password input unit (130-1), and each of the ID information storing unit (530) and the user identifier (540) is configured to have the fingerprint confirmation function and the password confirmation function.

[62] The password input unit (130-1) may comprise a plurality of number keys and a reset key. The password working as the standard ID information can be registered locally using the password input unit (130-1). That is, the first password input by the user after the reset key can be stored in the ID information storing unit (530) as the standard ID information. Alternatively, the password set through the card issuing machine (600) by the system of the card company can be registered and stored as the standard ID information in the ID information storing unit (530). The password input through the password input unit (130-1) by the user for the identification is provided to the user identifier (540). The following processes, including the user identifier (540)'s comparing the password stored in the ID information storing unit and the password provided by the password input unit (130-1) to verify the identification, are same as in the fingerprint confirmation.

[63] (5) LED lamp (150) - It provides the user with a visual confirmation that the fingerprint or the password is verified. It is an example of displaying the status of the IC card. Therefore, the status displaying unit is not restricted to this. For a user with impaired vision, for example, the LED lamp (150) can be replaced with a sound or touch-related devices.

[64] (6) Magnetic transmitter (110) - Transmitting the card information to the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40). The magnetic transmitter (110) flows the magnetic driving current and transmits a time- varying magnetic field corresponding to polarity changes of the magnetic driving current at predetermined locations corresponding to tracks by the magnetic strip card standard such that the card information is transmitted as magnetic information. More detailed description is disclosed later in the specification.

[65] (7) Information transmission controller (550) - Reading the card information, converting to a time- varying electrical information, and providing the converted electrical information to the magnetic current driver (570). If the magnetic line strip has a plurality of tracks, then the information transmission controller (550) converts and transmits information for all the tracks at the same time. The converted electrical information is provided to the magnetic current driver (570) at the moment when the IC card (100) is inserted to the card reader (40) and the magnetic transmitter (110) of the IC card (100) engages magnetically with the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40). The magnetic engagement is obtained when the location of the magnetic transmitter (110) and the location of the magnetic head (50) are aligned. The alignment of the magnetic head (50) and the magnetic transmitter (110) is confirmed by an alignment detection signal. The information transmission controller (550) can determine the relative locations of the magnetic head (50) and the magnetic transmitter (110) from the alignment detection signal. The information transmission controller (550) determines the alignment of the magnetic head (50) and the head of the magnetic transmitter (110) when the measured impedance falls in a predetermined range, and starts to transmit the electrical information to the magnetic current driver (570) when the alignment is confirmed. Also in case the IC card (100) is allowed to the confirmed users, the information transmission controller (550) controls to activate the card information transmission when the user identifier (540) provides the confirmation signal.

[66] (8) Impedance meter (560) - The IC card (100) comprises an alignment detector which detects aligning of the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40) and the head of the magnetic transmitter (110) and provides an alignment detection signal to the information transmission controller (550). This alignment detector may comprise the impedance detector (560) measuring impedance of the magnetic transmitter (110). The impedance meter (560) detects the moment when the magnetic head (50) and the head of the magnetic transmitter (110) are aligned by measuring the impedance of the magnetic transmitter (110) since the fingerprint is confirmed. For that, the impedance meter (560) flows current through the magnetic transmitter (110) and measures the impedance of the magnetic transmitter (110). The frequency of the current can be higher enough than 10 kHz, the bandwidth of the magnetic driving current that the magnetic current driver (570) outputs in order to avoid errors of the card reader (40). The alignment of the magnetic head (50) and the head of the magnetic transmitter (110) is detected by measuring the change of the measured impedance of the magnetic transmitter (110). That is, the impedance of the head of the magnetic transmitter (110) increases when the magnetic head (50) approaches a magnetic material (the impedance may decrease for some magnetic material). Particularly, the impedance increase drastically when the magnetic head (50) is aligned with the magnetic transmitter (110). The impedance meter (560) detects and converts the change of the impedance into an alignment detection signal, and transmits the corresponding alignment detection signal to the information transmission controller (550).

[67] (9) Magnetic current driver (570) - Converting the pulse signal from the informa tion transmission controller (570) to the magnetic driving current in analog for driving the magnetic transmitter (110). For example, the change (rising edge and falling edge) of the magnitude of the pulse signal is converted to electrical signal having corresponding change of polarity of the magnetic driving current. And, the magnetic driving current may be amplified enough to induce sufficient magnetic information in the magnetic head (50) of the card reader. Since it works as a current supply, i(t), to the magnetic transmitter (110), the magnetic current driver (570) should be in impedance matching with the low-pass filter (580), the magnetic transmitter (110), and the magnetic head (50) of the card reader, so as to be able to induce maximum magnetic signal in the magnetic transmitter (110). Considering the capacity of the magnetic line strip of maximum 600 bits per track and the maximum velocity of the card, the magnetic current driver (570) can be designed to have a bandwidth of about 10 kHz.

[68] (10) Low-pass filter (580) - The magnetic driving current provided by the magnetic current driver (570) is transferred to the magnetic transmitter (110) through the low- pass filter (580). The low-pass filter (580) is disposed between the magnetic current driver (570) and the magnetic transmitter (110), and isolates the magnetic current driver (570) from the high frequency components of the impedance meter (560).

[69] (11) Battery (140) - Comprising a primary battery or a secondary battery. The secondary battery can be charged by electrodes or by magnetic coil induction. When the battery comprises the secondary battery, a charging circuit is needed. Since the charging method and the charging circuit are well known to the public, detailed description is omitted here.

[70] The card issuing machine connector (520), the card information storing device

(510), the ID confirmation device (fingerprint sensor) (130), the ID information storing unit (530), the user identifier (540), and the information transmission controller (550) are digital circuits (500). The impedance meter (560), the magnetic current driver (570), the low-pass filter (580), and a battery (140) charging circuit are analog circuits. The digital circuits (500) can comprise a single chip or ASIC chip such as CPU or microprocessor. In such a case, the analog circuits are provided separately. The digital and analog circuits can be realized by an ASIC, and then the two circuits can be formed in a single ASIC chip.

[71] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of layout of a virtual magnetic line strip type IC card (100). The reference numeral 120 stands for the combined digital and analog circuits. For example, the battery (140), magnetic transmitter (110), the analog circuits, and the digital circuits are buried in the plastic substrate (160), and the fingerprint sensor (130) and the LED lamp (150) are installed to be exposed to the outside. In this structure, there seems to exist a virtual magnetic line strip (116) similar to a magnetic line strip installed under the IC card (100) by the magnetic circuit formed by the magnetic transmitter (110). The virtual magnetic line strip (116) does not exist physically. [72] Figs. 6 through 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating embodiments of a magnetic transmitter (110).

[73] Fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram illustrating embodiments of a magnetic transmitter (HOa) comprising a magnetic coil (112), which is the simplest form of the magnetic transmitter (110) according to the embodiments. Three magnetic coils (112) wound several or tens of times with a thin copper wire are disposed in a straight line on locations corresponding to the tracks of the magnetic line strip in predetermined regions of the card substrate (160). Since the magnetic head (50) is provided to each of the three tracks of the magnetic line strip type card (10), the intervals between the three magnetic coils (112) are same as the intervals of the three magnetic heads corresponding to the tracks, such that the three magnetic coils (112) and the three magnetic heads (50) are aligned. The cross-sectional diagram of Fig. 10 shows the position and size of the magnetic coils when the magnetic coils are disposed side by side with the magnetic sensor core (inside the magnetic coil (52)) of the magnetic head (50) of the card reader. The inner diameter of the magnetic coil (112) is the same as the outer diameter of the magnetic sensor core, and the efficiency is maximized when the outer diameter is the same as the inner diameter of the sensor case magnetic material enclosing the magnetic sensor core. The design of this magnetic transmitter (HOa) expects a good efficiency, but considering that the thickness of regular credit card is about 0.8 mm, the thickness of the magnetic coils (112) is restricted. Each of the magnetic coils (112) is connected to a current source, i(t), that is to the magnetic current driver (570) after the low-pass filter (580).

[74] Using Fig. 10, the information transfer to the magnetic head (50) by the magnetic transmitter (110a) is explained. The magnetic current driver (570) provides the magnetic driving current corresponding to the card information to each of the magnetic coils (112) of the magnetic transmitter (110a) depending on the card information stored in the card information storing device (510). And, each of the magnetic coils (112) generates magnetic signal changing magnetic filed serially corresponding to the information, and induces magnetic field. When the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40) and each coil (112) of the magnetic transmitter (110a) are disposed as shown in part "A" of Fig. 6, the magnetic field line (219) of the time-varying magnetic field generated by the magnetic coils (112) crosses with the coils (52) of the magnetic head (50) and induces time-varying current in the coil (52). Then, the card reader (40) can read the information in the IC card (100) by detecting the time- varying current. For example, the information for each of the tracks is stored in the card information storing device (510) according to the standard (ISO7811/2-1985), the digital values "0" and " 1" for the information are converted to pulse signals by the information transmission controller (550), and the pulse signals are converted to corresponding magnetic driving current in analog by the magnetic current driver (570). The magnetic driving current is configured to change its polarity according to the pulse signals provided by the information transmission controller (550), such that the order of change of magnetic field at the head (part "A") of the magnetic transmitter (HOa) matches the order of change of polarity of the magnetic driving current.

[75] Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of the magnetic transmitter (110), comprising: three magnetic field generating coils (212), each of which being separately connected to the magnetic current driver (570); and three magnetic circuits (214) having magnetic material formed by substantially elliptical strip lines passing through each of the magnetic field generating coils (212). The magnetic circuits (214) can be made of ferromagnetic material to induce more magnetic field lines. The magnetic circuits (214) having magnetic material are not closed completely and forms an ellipse having a gap of about the size of the magnetic sensor core of the magnetic head (50). The left end of the head of the magnetic circuit (214) of the magnetic transmitter (HOb) comprises a linear strip line (214a), while the opposing right end comprises a linear strip line (214b) having a shape of "D" at the end. The left end strip line (214a) is disposed to advance slightly into the shape "D" of the right strip line (214b). As in Fig. 6, the intervals between the three heads of the magnetic circuits (214) are same as the intervals of the three magnetic heads (50), such that the three heads of the magnetic circuits (214) and the three magnetic heads (50) are aligned.

[76] Fig. 8 shows a third embodiment of the magnetic transmitter (110), which comprises an improvement of the magnetic circuits (214) of Fig. 7. The magnetic circuit according to the embodiment comprises a left half of three strip lines (314a) of a shape of semi-ellipse including a part passing through the magnetic field generating coil (212), but it is different from the embodiment of Fig. 7 in comprising a right half of one common strip line (314b) of the shape "D" having a larger width than the left half of the strip lines (314a). The magnetic circuit, half of which is made of the common strip line (314b), increases the area and the efficiency of the magnetic flux crossing with the magnetic head (50), and mitigates the cross-talk problem between the strip lines as compared to the three strip lines in Fig. 7. The end of the common strip line (314b) of the shape "D" facing the ends of the three strip lines (314a) comprises three grooves (318) of the shape "D", such that the end of each of the strip lines (314a) is disposed to advance slightly into the grooves (318).

[77] Fig. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the magnetic transmitter (110), which is different from Fig. 7 in that ends of the open part (part "D") of the magnetic circuit (414) having magnetic material comprise linear strip lines (414a, 414b). It is possible to combine the embodiments of Fig. 7 and Fig. 9. For example, one strip line (214b) can be ended with a linear strip line instead of "D" shaped strip line, and configured to overlap with the facing strip line (214a) by a overlapping length described below.

[78] Using Fig. 11, the information transfer to the magnetic head (50) by the magnetic transmitter (110b, 110c, 11Od) is explained. In order to read information from the IC card having the magnetic transmitter (110b, 110c, 11Od) in Fig. 7 or Fig. 9 using a conventional magnetic line strip type card reader (40), the heads ("B", "C", "D") of the magnetic circuit (214, 314, 414) generating magnetic field lines should be aligned with the magnetic sensor core (inside the magnetic coil (52)) as shown in Fig. 11. The procedures to read information from the IC card using Fig. 7 are as follows. The magnetic current driver (570) provides the magnetic driving current corresponding to the information to each of the magnetic field generating coil (212) of the magnetic transmitter (HOb), and then each of the magnetic field generating coils (212) generates magnetic signals changing magnetically and serially corresponding to the information. The substantial part of the generated magnetic signals proceed along the magnetic circuit (214) penetrating the magnetic material. The magnetic field lines proceeding along the magnetic circuit (214) having magnetic material form time- varying magnetic field between the linear strip line (214a) and the "D" shaped strip line (214b) in the head (part "B" in Fig. 7) of the magnetic transmitter (HOb). The "D" shaped strip line (214b) reduces the loss of the magnetic field lines and increase the detecting ability of the magnetic head (50) as compared to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 7, if the magnetic sensor core of the magnetic head (50) is aligned with the head of the magnetic circuit (214) having magnetic material of the magnetic transmitter (110b), a current corresponding to the card information in the IC card (100) is induced in the coil (52) of the magnetic head (50) as shown the first embodiment in Fig. 6, such that the card reader (40) can read the information from the IC card (100).

[79] The principle of reading information of the IC card (100) from magnetic flux (319,

119) generated at the head of the magnetic transmitter (110c, 11Od), when the magnetic head (50) is aligned with the head (part "C" in Fig. 8 and part "D" in Fig. 9) of the magnetic transmitter (110c, 11Od) in Figs. 8 and 9, is the same as in Fig. 7.

[80] In a conventional magnetic line strip type card (10), the information stored in the tracks of the magnetic strip is scanned by the magnetic head (50) while moving the card (10). The change of poles N and S in time read by the track scanning of the magnetic head (50) can be obtained by applying, to a "stationary" magnetic transmitter (110) aligned with the magnetic head (50), the 'time- varying magnetic driving current' (provided by the magnetic current driver (570)) according to the card information in the present invention. The invention uses the principle that the same effect as inducing change of poles N and S with moving the card can be obtained by changing the polarity of the magnetic driving current for the magnetic transmitter (110) with optimal interval of time. The serial change of the polarity of the magnetic driving current is generated by the card information stored in the card information storing device (510). By this, the IC card (100) according to the invention can generate the same serial magnetic induction to the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40) as obtained by moving the magnetic line strip type card against the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40). Therefore, the IC card (100) can transmit the same information as the magnetic line strip type card.

[81] By making the depth of the "D" shaped strip line (214b), one end of the strip line

(214) in Fig. 7, long enough and disposing the linear type strip line (214a) facing the "D" shaped strip line (214b) deep inside, when inserting the overlapping distance of the two strip lines, the IC card (100), into the card reader (40) and moving the IC card (100) by a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance can be long enough for the entire card information to be read by the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40). More specifically, the overlapping distance can be determined between the width (from about 2 mm to about 3 mm) of the core (56) of the magnetic head (50) in the direction of movement and the length of the magnetic line strip of the card. The overlapping distance can be from about 1 cm to about 2 cm. Similarly, the "D" shaped groove (318) formed at one end of the common strip line (314b) and the linear strip line (314a) can be overlapped using the same criterion as the above. If the overlapping distance is long enough, then the length of the head (part "B" in Fig. 7 and part "C" in Fig. 8) of the magnetic transmitter (110b, 110c, 11Od) transmitting the time-varying magnetic field corresponding to the card information becomes lengthened. As a result, the head of the magnetic transmitter (110b, 110c, 11Od) can have sufficiently long touching time with the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40) while inserting and moving the IC card (100) in the card reader (40). During this long touching time, the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40) can read the entire card information in the IC card (100) in the form of time- varying magnetic field from the head of the magnetic transmitter (110b, HOc, 11 Od).

[82] Next, the method of using the IC card (100) according to the invention and the types of operation are explained.

[83] (1) When the card company adopts the fingerprint confirmation for identifying the user of the IC card (100), the method comprises: obtaining the user's fingerprint; storing the fingerprint data extracted from the fingerprint in the ID information storing unit (530); and issuing the IC card (100) to the user. If adopting an ID confirmation method other than the fingerprint confirmation, the related information can be stored in the information storing unit of the IC card (100).

[84] (2) The card user who has the IC card (100) issued inputs her or his fingerprint to the fingerprint sensor (130) installed in the card for ID confirmation before using the IC card (100). [85] (3) The user identifier (540) of the IC card (100) extracts characteristic data from the fingerprint, and compares it with the fingerprint characteristic data of the card owner stored in the ID information storing unit (530). If the result shows a difference, no further measure is taken. If they match, however, the user identifier (540) provides an information confirming the use of the card to the information transmission controller (550) and supplies power to the LED lamp (150) to turn on to indicate that the user's fingerprint confirmation is successful and the card can be used. For a predetermined time period (for example, 3 minutes) after the fingerprint confirmation, the LED lamp (150) is left ON and the IC card (100) can be used. After the predetermined time period, however, the card can be blocked to be used.

[86] (4) After the fingerprint confirmation, and after the card can be used, it keeps checking whether the magnetic head (50) of the card reader (40) and the magnetic transmitter (110) are aligned. If the user contacts the IC card (100) with the magnetic head (50) correctly during this checking, the alignment of the magnetic head (50) and the magnetic transmitter (110) is confirmed and the information transmission controller (550) converts the card information into serially changing electrical information and transmits to the magnetic current driver (570) serially, such that the time-varying magnetic field is generated in the magnetic transmitter (110). The time- varying magnetic field is generated to change the magnetic polarity in the same order as the magnetic polarity representing the information stored in the magnetic line strip.

[87] In another embodiment, a single physical IC card (100) can be configured to function as a plurality of logical IC cards. In order to configure the plurality of logical IC cards, the card information storing unit (510) is configured to store information for the plurality of IC cards at the same time, and, when the confirmation of the user's specific ID information, to provide selectively the card information corresponding to the specific ID information. The standard ID information for each card is registered in the ID information storing unit (530). For example, a plurality of fingerprint information (or passwords) are mapped to the card information of other account in terms of the fingerprints or passwords, and stored in the ID information storing unit (530) with serial numbers to distinguish the information. The user identifier (540) finds out fingerprint information having correlation with a predetermined level or above from the plurality of fingerprint information provided by the fingerprint sensor (130) and stored in the ID information storing unit (530), and transmits the serial number of the fingerprint information to the information transmission controller (550). For a password confirmation, the matching of the password input by the card user and the password stored in the ID information storing unit (550) is checked. By doing this, the card information for other account corresponding to the each of the fingerprints (or passwords) can be verified. If storing the plurality of fingerprints in the IC card (100), then the single physical IC card can function as the plurality of logical cards.

[88] It is also possible to provide the card reader (40) with a fingerprint or password input function and to confirm the user ID. Then, a separate fingerprint sensor (130) or a password input device (130-1) is not necessary.

[89] The explanation in the above has been given with reference to different embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

[90]

Industrial Applicability

[91] The invention enables the IC card to be used without establishing card reader environments for the IC card and without incurring no change to the card readers for the magnetic line strip type cards. Also, the invention enables to utilize the high security and convenience that the IC cards can provide. Therefore, the invention can facilitate to encourage the introduction of the IC cards.

[92]

Claims

[1] A virtual magnetic line strip type IC card being capable to be read by a magnetic strip card reader, the IC card comprising: a card information storing device for storing a card information provided by a card issuing machine; an information transmission controller for reading out a value in the card information from the card information storing device and outputting a pulse signal corresponding to a magnitude of the value; a magnetic current driving device for receiving the pulse signal from the information transmission controller and generating an analog magnetic driving current corresponding to the change of magnitude of the pulse signal; and a magnetic transmitter for flowing the magnetic driving current and transmitting a time-varying magnetic field corresponding to polarity changes of the magnetic driving current at predetermined locations corresponding to tracks by the magnetic strip card standard such that the card information be read by the card reader.

[2] The IC card of Claim 1, further comprising a card issuing machine connector which provides an interface to the card issuing machine to be connected to the c ard issuing machine and transferring the card information from the card issuing machine to the card information storing device.

[3] The IC card of Claim 1, further comprising an alignment detector which detects aligning of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter and provides an alignment detection signal to the information transmission controller on confirming the alignment.

[4] The IC card of Claim 3, wherein the alignment detector comprises an impedance meter measuring the impedance of the magnetic transmitter, and wherein the information transmission controller determines the alignment of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter when the measured impedance falls in a predetermined range.

[5] The IC card of any one of Claims 1 through 4, further comprising an ID confirmation device for allowing a legitimate user to use the IC card by storing the IC card user's standard ID information in a memory and outputting a confirmation signal for the user who inputs information that matches with the stored standard ID information.

[6] IC card of Claim 5, wherein the standard ID information comprises at least one of a fingerprint information and a password.

[7] The IC card of Claim 5, wherein the card information storing device and the ID confirmation device comprise a plurality of card informations and a plurality of corresponding standard ID informations, one-to-one correspondingly, such that the single physical IC card comprises the plurality of logical IC cards, and the ID confirmation device is configured to allow the use of the IC card by comparing the information input by the user with the plurality of standard ID informations and outputting a confirmation signal corresponding to the standard ID information that matches.

[8] The IC card of Claim 5, wherein the ID confirmation device comprises: an ID information storing unit for storing the fingerprint of the IC card owner as the standard ID information; a fingerprint sensor for taking the IC card user's fingerprint and transforming the fingerprint information to a digital fingerprint information; and a user confirmation unit for receiving the fingerprint information as a user confirmation information from the fingerprint sensor and the standard ID information from the ID information storing unit and providing a user confirmation signal to the information transmission controller when the two information match each other, wherein the information transmission controller activates the IC card in response to the user confirmation signal and outputting the pulse signal.

[9] The IC card of Claim 5, wherein the ID confirmation device comprises: an ID information storing unit for storing the password set by the IC card owner as a standard ID information; a password input unit to which the user inputs the password; and a user confirmation unit for receiving a password as a user confirmation information from the password input unit and the standard ID information from the ID information storing unit and providing a user confirmation signal to the information transmission controller when the two information match each other, wherein the information transmission controller activates the IC card in response to the user confirmation signal and outputting the pulse signal.

[10] The IC card of Claim 8, wherein the standard ID information stored in the ID information storing unit comprises a representative fingerprint selected from a plurality of fingerprints that have matched with the first one fingerprint or two or more fingerprints collected by the fingerprint sensor after reset of the IC card, or the user's fingerprint information, provided by the card issuing machine, taken by an IC card company.

[11] The IC card of Claim 5, further comprising an LED lamp which is turned on for a predetermined time period by a control signal from the ID confirmation device.

[12] The IC card of Claim 1, wherein the magnetic current driving device further comprise: a magnetic current driver for outputting an analog magnetic driving current changing polarity according to the change of the level of the pulse signal received from the information transmission controller; and a low-pass filter, for transferring the magnetic driving current to the magnetic transmitter, disposed between the magnetic current driver and the magnetic transmitter.

[13] The IC card of Claim 1, further comprising a battery for supplying electrical power to elements of the IC card.

[14] The IC card of Claim 1, wherein the magnetic transmitter comprises magnetic coils of the same number as the number of the tracks disposed on predetermined locations of a card substrate, and wherein two ends of each of the magnetic coils are connected to outputs of the magnetic current driver.

[15] IC card of Claim 1, wherein the magnetic transmitter comprises: magnetic field generating coils of the same number as the number of the tracks disposed on predetermined locations of a card substrate; and corresponding number of magnetic circuits having magnetic material, each of which configured to include a strip line passing through the magnetic field generating coils, extending to predetermined locations forming substantially a shape of circle, ellipse, or polygon, and transmitting the time- varying magnetic field through a predetermined gap provided between the two ends of the strip line, wherein two ends of each of the magnetic field generating coils are connected to the outputs of the magnetic current driver.

[16] The IC card of Claim 15, wherein one end of the magnetic circuit is finished with a strip line having a shape of "D", and the other end is finished with a linear strip line disposed apart by a predetermined gap from the strip line of the shape of

[17] The IC card of Claim 1, wherein the magnetic transmitter may comprise: magnetic field generating coils of the same number as the number of the tracks disposed on the predetermined locations of the card substrate; and corresponding number of magnetic circuits, configured to include first strip lines of numbers corresponding to the number of the tracks, each having a shape of semi-circle or semi-ellipse passing through the magnetic field generating coils, and a second single common strip line having a shape of semi-circle or semi- ellipse having a larger width than total width of the first strip lines, wherein the first strip lines and the second single common strip line are connected at one ends, forming a circle or a ellipse, extend to the predetermined locations forming a predetermined gap at the other ends, and transmit the time- varying magnetic field through the predetermined gap provided between the two ends of the strip line.

[18] The IC card of Claim 17, wherein the other end of the second strip line comprises three grooves of the shape of "D" facing the other ends of the first strip lines, each of which is disposed apart by a predetermined gap from the strip line of the shape of "D".

[19] The IC card of any one of Claims 14 through 18, wherein the predetermined locations comprises three locations for the three tracks disposed in parallel with a predetermined intervals.

[20] The IC card of Claim 19, wherein the predetermined intervals between the three locations are substantially same as the intervals between the three magnetic heads of the card reader.

[21] The IC card of Claim 16 or Claim 18, wherein the one ends of the strip lines advance into the strip line of the shape of "D" or into the groove of the shape of "D", and are disposed to overlap with each other by a predetermined length, and wherein the overlapping length is larger than the width of core of the magnetic head in the direction of card movement and smaller than the length of the magnetic strip of the IC card.

[22] A virtual magnetic line strip type IC card being capable to be read by a magnetic strip card reader, the IC card comprising: a card information storing device for storing a card information provided by a card issuing machine; a card issuing machine connector which provides an interface to the card issuing machine to be connected to the card issuing machine and transferring the card information from the card issuing machine to the card information storing device; an information transmission controller for reading out a value in the card information from the card information storing device and outputting a pulse signal corresponding to a magnitude of the value when the alignment detection signal confirming the alignment of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter is detected in responding to the input of the user confirmation information; an ID confirmation device for allowing a legitimate user to use the IC card by storing the IC card user's standard ID information in a memory and outputting a confirmation signal for those who input information that matches with the stored confirmation information; a magnetic current driving device for receiving the pulse signal from the information transmission controller and generating an analog magnetic driving current corresponding to the change of magnitude of the pulse signal; a magnetic transmitter for flowing the magnetic driving current and transmitting a time-varying magnetic field corresponding to polarity changes of the magnetic driving current at predetermined locations corresponding to tracks by the magnetic strip card standard such that the card information be read by the card reader; and an alignment detector which detects aligning of the magnetic head of the card reader and the head of the magnetic transmitter and provides an alignment detection signal to the information transmission controller.

[23] The IC card of Claim 22, wherein the card information storing device and the ID confirmation device store a plurality of card informations and a plurality of corresponding standard ID informations, one-to-one correspondingly, such that the single physical IC card comprises the plurality of logical IC cards, and the ID confirmation device is configured to allow the use of the IC card by comparing the information input by the user with the plurality of standard ID informations and outputting a confirmation signal corresponding to the standard ID information that matches.

[24] The IC card of Claim 22, wherein the magnetic transmitter comprises magnetic coils of the same number as the number of the tracks disposed on predetermined locations of a card substrate, and wherein two ends of each of the magnetic coils are connected to outputs of the magnetic current driver.

[25] The IC card of Claim 22, wherein the magnetic transmitter comprises: magnetic field generating coils of the same number as the number of the tracks disposed on predetermined locations of a card substrate; and corresponding number of magnetic circuits having magnetic material, each of which configured to include a strip line passing through the magnetic field generating coils, extending to predetermined locations forming substantially a shape of circle, ellipse, or polygon, and transmitting the time- varying magnetic field through a predetermined gap provided between the two ends of the strip line, wherein two ends of each of the magnetic field generating coils are connected to the outputs of the magnetic current driver.

[26] The IC card of Claim 25, wherein one end of the magnetic circuit is finished with a strip line having a shape of "D", and the other end is finished with a linear strip line slightly advanced into the strip line of the shape of "D".

[27] The IC card of Claim 22, wherein the magnetic transmitter may comprise: magnetic field generating coils of the same number as the number of the tracks disposed on the predetermined locations of the card substrate; and corresponding number of magnetic circuits, configured to include first strip lines of numbers corresponding to the number of the tracks, each having a shape of semi-circle or semi-ellipse passing through the magnetic field generating coils, and a second single common strip line having a shape of semi-circle or semi- ellipse having a larger width than total width of the first strip lines, wherein the first strip lines and the second single common strip line are connected at one ends, forming a circle or a ellipse, extend to the predetermined locations forming a predetermined gap at the other ends, and transmit the time- varying magnetic field through the predetermined gap provided between the two ends of the strip line.

[28] The IC card of Claim 27, wherein the other end of the second strip line comprises three grooves of the shape of "D" facing the other ends of the first strip lines, each of which is disposed apart by a predetermined gap from the strip line of the shape of "D".

[29] The IC card of Claim 22, further comprising: a battery for supplying electrical power to elements of the IC card; and an LED lamp which is turned on for a predetermined time period by a control signal from the ID confirmation device.