WO2020176922A1

WO2020176922A1 - A multi-account information bearing card

Info

Publication number: WO2020176922A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/050144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeremy Buttriss
Original assignee: Jeremy Buttriss
Priority date: 2019-03-01
Filing date: 2020-02-20
Publication date: 2020-09-10
Also published as: AU2020230451A1; AU2020230451B2; AU2021103208A4

Abstract

A multi-account information bearing card has first and second computer readable media. Each of the first and second computer readable media has separate account information stored therein. The first and second computer readable media can be positioned on the card to selectively make contact with a computer reader to read the respective account information stored therein.

Description

A multi-account information bearing card

Field ofthe Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to a multi-account information bearing card.

Background ofthe Invention

[2] Multi-account information bearing cards, such as bankcards, loyalty cards and the like of various configurations exist, including that disclosed in US 2016/0180210 A1 (CHRISTOPHER STEELE SPEARS) 23 June 2016 which discloses a pushbutton enabled contactless transmitting device having a num ber of smart microchips that may be selectively switched in to determine the data transmitted through an antenna.

[3] WO 2008/127044 A1 (HAREX INFOTECH INC. et al.) 23 October 2008 similarly discloses a contactless card having first and second memory microchips for storing different data and respective antenna which may be selectively switched in.

[4] US 2016/0315931 Al (NETTOKEN LIMITED) 27 October 2016 further similarly discloses a contactless communication device having a rotation type selection means for selectively activating one of a number of microchips.

[5] US 10026078 B1 (NOLAN) 17 July 2018 discloses a processor for which account information may be wirelessly configured.

[6] The present invention seeks to provide alternatives, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[7] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary ofthe Disclosure

[8] There is provided herein a multi-account information bearing card having a number of computer readable media thereon which can be positioned to selectively make contact with a computer reader to selectively read account information stored therein.

[9] As such, unlike the aforedescribed prior art, the present card may be used to selectively contact readers such as contact microchip readers and magnetic strip readers of ATMs, POS devices and the like.

[10] The computer readable media may be fixed in position so as to selectively make contact with the computer reader depending on the orientation of the card. For example, in one manner, the card may be rotated about the same face to expose a contact m icrochip for reading at either end or a magnetic strip at either side.

[11] In a further manner, the card may be fl ipped over to the opposite face to sim ilarly expose a contact m icrochip or a magnetic strip for reading.

[12] In em bodiments, the card may com prise four com puter readable media each of which may be selectively read by the contact reader by fl ipping the card over to an opposite face and rotating the ca rd about the same face. I n em bodiments, the card may com prise four contact m icrochips and four magnetic strips respectively positioned such that each may be selectively used depending on the orientation of the card.

[13] The card may com prise visible information printed thereon, such as account information displayed in an appropriate orientation with respect to the com puter readable media to provide visual orientation referencing for insertion or swiping.

[14] In em bodiments the com puter readable media may sl ide with respect to a body of the card between first and second positions to selectively expose the com puter readable media for reading by the contact reader. For exam ple, in one em bodiment, the card may com prise a sideways channel having adjacent contact microchips slidably retained therein which may be slid to either end of the channel to selectively expose one of the contact m icrochips for reading by the contact reader.

[15] In accordance with this em bodiment, the card may com prise up to eight separate accounts held by eight separate contact m icrochips in four channels at opposite ends and faces of the card wherein each m icrochip may be selected for contact reading by sliding the m icrochips within the channels and controlling the orientation of the card.

[16] In em bodiments the card may com prise an internal sl idable carrier within the body of the card which selectively exposes visible account information or a respective magnetic strip depend ing on the position of the carrier. As such, the card may similarly all ow utilisation of u p to 8 magnetic strips depending on the position of the carrier and orientation of the card.

[17] In embodiments the card may com prise an antenna operably coupled to a pickup which locates beneath either of the contact m icrochips depending on the respective position of the contact m icrochips with respect to the body. The pickup may form an electrical contact or inductive pick up with the respective contact m icrochip thereabove. As such, depending on the respective position of the slidable contact m icrochips with respect to the pickup, the card may be used for wireless payments with different accounts.

[18] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[19] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[20] Figures 1 and 2 show a multi-account information bearing card having a plurality computer readable media on opposite faces thereof in accordance with a first embodiment;

[21] Figure 3 shows a multi-account information bearing card having a plurality of computer readable media on a same face thereof in accordance with a further embodiment;

[22] Figures 4 and 5 show opposite faces of a multi-account information bearing card wherein each face comprises a plurality of computer readable media thereon in accordance with a yet further embodiment;

[23] Figures 6 and 7 show opposite faces of a multi-account information bearing card wherein the computer readable media are slidable with respect to a body of the card in accordance with a further embodiment;

[24] Figure 8 shows a face of a multi-account information bearing card wherein magnetic strips of selectively exposed via a window in accordance with an embodiment;

[25] Figure 9 shows a magnified view of the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7 in accordance with a further embodiment wherein the card comprises an internal slidable carrier;

[26] Figure 10 shows a wireless multi-account of information bearing card in accordance with an embodiment;

[27] Figure 11 shows a multi-magnetic strip card in accordance with an embodiment; and

[28] Figure 12 shows a slide out member for a multi-account information bearing card in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[29] Figures 1 and 2 show a multi-account information bearing card 100 in accordance with a first embodiment. The card 100 comprises a generally rectangular planar plastic body having computer readable media thereon.

[30] The computer readable media of the card 100 may comprise a contact microchip 100 having electrical contacts thereon which make electrical contact with a contact reader such as a reader of an ATM, POS device or the like.

[31] The computer readable media of the card 100 may additionally or alternatively comprise a magnetic strip 102 running longitudinally along the body of the card 100.

[32] The computer readable media stores account information therein which may be utilised for processing financial transactions, redeeming loyalty rewards, credit and the like. [33] The card 100 may further com prise a visible account num ber 102, typical ly em bossed across a face of the card 100.

[34] In accordance with the first em bodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the card 100 defines first and second faces and the com putable readable media is located on opposite faces such that, in use, the card may be flipped over to an opposite face to selectively position the com puter readable media to be alternatively read by a com puter reader.

[35] Specifical ly, Figure 1 may show the first face of the card 100 com prising a contact m icrochip 101 thereon com prising account information corresponding to the visible account num ber 103 displayed thereon.

[36] The card 100 may be inserted with the first face up such that t he contact m icrochip 101 makes electrical contact with the com puter reader. Flowever, to utilise the second account, the card 100 can be fl ipped over to the opposite face of Figure 2 such that, when the card is 100 inserted into the com puter reader in the orientation of Figure 2, the account information borne by the second contact microchip 101 (corresponding to the visible account num ber 103 displayed on the second face) may be read by the contact com puter reader.

[37] Additionally, or alternatively, the com pute r readable media may com prise magnetic strips 102 such that the card 100 may be swiped through a magnetic stripe com puter reader on either face to utilise either account information.

[38] Figure 3 shows a further em bodiment of a card 104 com prising the com puter readable media on the same face of the card. Sim ilarly, the com puter readable media may com prise a contact m icrochip 101 and/or a magnetic strip 102. As such, in accordance with the configuration shown in Figure 3, alternative utilisation of each account may com prise rotating the card around in the same face to utilise the different account information.

[39] For exam ple, the com puter readable media may com prise a first contact m icrochip 101 (on the left-hand side of the card 104 given the orientation of Figure 3) and the visible account information 103 associated therewith may be displayed adjacent the contact m icrochip 101 in the correct orientation (reading left and right given the orient ation of D3).

[40] As such, the card 104 may be inserted at a first end (the left-hand side given the orientation of Figure 3) such that the first contact m icrochip 101 is read by the com puter reader.

[41] To access the second account information, the card 104 may be rotated about the same face and inserted with the opposite end first (i.e., the right -hand side of the card 104 given the orientation of Figure 3) such that the opposite contact m icrochip 101 may be read by the com puter reader. Sim ilarly, a second visi ble account num ber 103 may be displayed in the a ppropriate orientation with respect to the second contact 101 to assist the appropriate orientation of the card 104 for insertion .

[42] Sim ilarly, the card 104 may comprise magnetic strips 102 on the same face whi ch may sim ilarly be alternatively util ised a rotating the card 104 about the same face. In an em bodiment, the card 104 may com prise the contact m icrochips 101 on one face and the magnetic strips 102 on the opposite face.

[43] Figures 4 and 5 show an em bodiment wherein the card 105 com prises four com puter readable media allowing util isation of up to four accounts by rotating the card about the same face and fl ipping the card over to an opposite face.

[44] Specifical ly, Figure 4 shows a first face of the card com prisin g first a nd second com puter readable media (which may com prise a contact m icrochip 103 and or magnetic strip 102). The first face may sim ilarly com prise the appropriately orientated visible account num ber 103 indicating the correct orientation for insertio n of the card 105. As such, by rotating the card 105 by the same face, the account information held by the com puter readable media shown in Figure 4 may be alternatively utilised.

[45] To utilise the third and fourth account information, the card may be fl ipped over to the opposite face is shown in Figure 5 and alternatively inserted either end first or swiped along either side to access the account information held by the third and fourth com puter readable media.

[46] Figures 6 - 9 show an em bodiment of a card 106 wherein the com puter readable media slide with respect to a body 123 of the card to selectively position each com puter readable media to contact the com puter reader.

[47] The em bodiment of Figures 6 and 7 show the body 123 com prising a sideways channel 108 comprising a pair of adjacent contact m icrochips 101 slidably retained therein.

[48] As such, in the manner shown in Figure 6, the microchips 101 may be slid to the lower end of the channel 108 such that the uppermost microchip 101 is in position to be read by the com puter reader.

[49] Alternatively, in the man ner shown in Figure 7, the m icrochips 101 may be slid to the upper end of the channel 108 such that the lowermost m icrochip 101 is in position to be read by the com puter reader.

[50] Figure 9 shows an em bodiment wherein the body 123 encloses a slidable carrier 111 therein. [51] In em bodiments, an end of the card 106 may comprise a recess 124 through which a tab 110 is exposed to slide the carrier 111 up and down.

[52] The carrier 111 may carry the m icrochips 101 thereon to selectively position each m icrochip 101 appropriately for contact by the computer reader.

[53] In em bodiments, the carrier 111 may com prise separate visible account nu mbers 103 displayed thereon and the body 123 may com prise a window 107 to selectively display one of the visible account num bers 103 depending on the position of the carrier 111.

[54] As such, when the first contact m icrochip 101 is in position for reading by the com puter reader, the associated account num ber 103 is visible within the window 107 and when the second contact m icrochip 101 is in position for reading by the com puter reader, the associated account num ber 103 is alternatively visible within the window 107.

[55] With reference to Figure 8, the carrier 111 may carry first and second magnetic strips 102 which are selectively positioned for reading. I n em bodiments, the body 123 may com prise a window 103 for exposing one of the magnetic strips 102 therethrough for selective reading by the magnetic strip reader.

[56] Figure 10 shows an em bodiment wherein a card 111 com prises an N FC antenna 113 and wherein a pickup 114 is located within the channel 108 such that each m icrochip 101 alternatively l ies over the pickup 114.

[57] Each m icrochip 101 may make electrical contact or be ind uctively coupled with the pickup 114 so as to be operably coupled to the antenna 113. As such, in accordance with this embodiment, depending on the position of the contact m icrochips 101 within the channel 101, the card 112 may be used for contactless payment with different account information.

[58] Figure 11 shows an embodiment wherein the card 115 com prises a flexible sleeve 116, such as plastic wrapped about the body 123 of the card 115. The sleeve 160 may com prise a flexible material such as thin -film plastic. The sleeve 116 may com prise a plural ity of magnetic strips 112 located longitudinal ly therealong and wherein the sleeve may be rotated around the body 123 of the card 115 to selectively expose one of the magnetic strips 102 at the edge of the card for reading by the ma gnetic strip reader.

[59] In em bodiment shown in Figure 11, the card 115 com prises three magnetic strips 112 each of which may be selectively positioned at the edge of the card 115 for reading.

[60] In em bodiments, the sleeve 116 may com prise folds or scores 117 which slightly catch an edge of the card 115 to exactly position the respective magnetic strip 102. [61] In embodiments, the body 123 of the card may display respective visible account num bers 103 for each magnetic strip 102 and the sleeve 116 may be non -transparent yet com prise a transparent window which locate s over the respective account num ber 103 depending on the relative position of the sleeve 116 with respect to the body 123 of the card 115, thereby indicating which magnetic strip 102 is currently in positio n for reading.

[62] Figure 12 shows an em bodiment wherein a card com prises a sl ide out mem ber 118 having a first surface 120 and a lower surface 121.

[63] The slide out mem ber 118 may be longitudinal ly keyed within the body 123 of the card such that the sl ide out mem ber 118 can slide out from an edge of the card, be flipped over to an opposite surface and reinserted. Each surface 120, 121 may com prise a separate magnetic strip 102 or contact m icrochip 101.

[64] As such, to switch from account information held by a magnetic strip 102 or contact m icrochip 101 on the first surface 120 of the slide out mem ber 118 to account of information held by a magnetic strip 102 or contact m icrochip 101 on the second surface 121 of the sl ide out member 118, the slide out mem ber 118 may be slid out from an edge of the card, flipped over to the opposite side and reinserted to thereby expose the second surface 121 for contact reading.

[65] The foregoing description, for purposes of expla nation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skil led in the art that specific details are not required in order to practi se the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific em bodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of ill ustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to lim it the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The em bodiments were chos en and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best util ize the invention and various em bodiments with various modifications as are suited to the parti cular use contem plated. It is intended that the fol lowing claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

[66] The term "approximately" or sim ilar as used herein should be construed as being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indica ted.

Claims

Cla i ms

1. A multi-account information bearing card comprising first and second computer readable media, each having separate account information stored therein and wherein the first and second com puter readable media can be positioned to selectively make contact with a computer reader to read the respective account information stored therein.

2. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer readable media comprise separate contact microchips which can be positioned to selectively make electrical contact with the com puter reader.

3. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer readable media comprise separate magnetic strips which can be positioned to selectively make electromagnetic contact with the computer reader.

4. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second com puter readable media are each fixed in position on a surface of the card such that, when the card is in a first orientation, the first computer readable media makes contact with the com puter reader and, when the card is in a second orientation, the second computer readable media makes contact with the com puter reader.

5. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 4, wherein the card defines first and second faces and wherein the first and second computer readable media are on the first face such that positioning the com puter readable media to selectively make contact with the com puter reader comprises turning the card around on the same face .

6. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 5, wherein each computer readable media comprises a contact microchip and wherein the card is rectangular, thereby defining opposite ends and wherein each contact microchip is located at each respective opposite end on the first face.

7. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 6, wherein each computer readable media comprises a longitu dinally running magnetic strip each located adjacent the respective side of the card on the first face.

8. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 6, wherein each computer readable media comprises a longitudinally running magnetic stri p each located adjacent the respective side of the card on the second face.

9. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 4, wherein the card defines first and second faces and wherein the first com puter readable media is on the first face and a second com puter readable media is on the second face such that positioning the computer readable media to selectively make contact with the computer reader com prises flipping the card over to an opposite face .

10. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 9, wherein each computer readable media comprises a contact microchip and wherein the card is rectangular, thereby defining first and second ends and wherein each contact m icrochip is located at the first end on the first and second faces respectively.

11. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 9, wherein each computer readable media comprises a longitudinally running magnetic strip each located adjacent a respective side of the card on the first and second faces of the card respectively.

12. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 4, further comprising third and fourth computer readable media each having further separate account information stored therein and wherein the third and fourth com puter readable media can be positioned to alternatively make contact with the computer reader to read the respective account information stored thereon.

13. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 12, wherein the computer readable media comprises four contact microchips and wherein the card is rectangular, thereby defining opposite ends and wherein the card defines first and second faces and wherein the contact m icrochips are located at opposite ends on either face such that positioning the computer readable media to selectively make contact with the four contact microchips com prises turning the card around on the same face and flipping the card over to an opposite face.

14. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 12, wherein the computer readable media comprises four magnetic strips and wherein the card defines first and second faces and wherein a pair of magnetic strips is located on each of the first and second faces respectively adjacent respective edges such that positioning the magnetic strips to selectively make contact with the four magnetic strips turning card around on the same face and flipping the card over to an opposite face.

15. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computer readable media slide with respect to a body of the card between first and second positions and wherein, in the first position, the first com puter readable media makes contact with the com puter reader and, in the second position, the second computer readable media makes contact with the computer reader.

16. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer readable media comprise adjacent contact microchips slidably retained within a sideways channel and wherein each microchip is selectively positioned for reading by the reader depending on the position of the microchips within the channel.

17. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in clai m 16, wherein the adjacent contact microchips are located on a carrier slidably retained with respect to the body and wherein the carrier exposes a tab via an edge of the card for sliding the m icrochips within the channel .

18. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 16, wherein the adjacent contact strips are located on a carrier slidably retained with respect to the body and wherein the carrier comprises first and second respective visible account information and wherein the body comprises a window and wherein the first and second respective visible account information is selectively visible through the window depending on the position of the carrier microchips within the channel.

19. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a carrier sl idably retained with respect to the body and wherein the carrier comprises first and second magnetic strips and wherein the either of the first and second magnetic strips are positioned for reading at a side of t he card for reading.

20. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 19, wherein the body comprises a window and wherein the first and second magnetic strips are selectively exposed through the window for contact reading.

21. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 15, wherein the computer readable media comprises eight contact microchips, each pair of which is slidably retained within four respective channels and wherein the card defines first and second faces and is rectangular thereby defining opposite ends and wherein each face comprises a channel running sideways there along at each end such that one of the eight m icrochips may be positioned for reading by the contact reader by adjusting the position of the pairs o f contact microchips within the channels and controlling the orientation of the card.

22. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 15, further comprising eight magnetic strips on a carrier which move with the eight contact microchips such that one of the eight magnetic strips may be positioned for reading by adjusting the position of the pairs of contact m icrochips within the channels and controlling the orientation of the card.

23. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the card comprises visible information for each computer readable media and wherein each visible information is displayed in an orientation with respect to the respective computer readable media.

24. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 16, wherein the card comprises a pickup located within the channel, the pickup connected to an antenna and wherein the pickup is operably coupled to one of the contact m icrochips thereabove depending on the position of the contact microchips within the channel such that the card wirelessly transmit account information held by the contact microchip thereabove.

25. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 24, wherein the contact microchip thereabove makes electrical contact with the pickup.

26. A multi-account information bearing card as claimed in claim 24, wherein the contact microchip thereabove inductively coupled with the pickup.