Transaction card assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11893573-B2
Application number	US-202117539636-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 1, 2021
Priority date	Dec 1, 2021
Publication date	Feb 6, 2024
Grant date	Feb 6, 2024

Abstract

A modular transaction card assembly includes a card frame having the traditional dimensions of a credit card, and a transaction card that is smaller than a traditional card and that fits into a receptacle of the card frame. Each of the card frame and the transaction card may be capable of performing contactless data transactions individually. The combined assembly of the card frame with the transaction card secured in the receptacle is also capable of performing contact data transactions, and in some instances, with an identifier that is distinct from the card frame or the transaction card alone. The card frame may include a processor enabling it to perform data encryption and authentication of the smaller transaction card.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A smart card frame for performing a contactless data transaction between a transaction card and a terminal, the smart card frame comprising:
a flat sheet;
a receptacle integrated in the flat sheet and configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure the transaction card in the smart card frame;
an antenna integrated in the smart card frame; and
memory and a processor circuit integrated in the flat sheet, wherein the processor circuit is configured to:
perform, via the antenna, a first communication wirelessly between the processor circuit and the terminal;
perform a second communication between the processor circuit and the transaction card when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle;
receive, in the second communication, a first identifier unique to the transaction card;
retrieve from the memory, a second identifier unique to the smart card frame; and
generate a third identifier based on the first identifier and the second identifier, wherein the first communication and the second communication convey data to perform the contactless data transaction between the transaction card and the terminal, and wherein the third identifier is transmitted to the terminal in the first communication.

2. The smart card frame of claim 1 , further comprising a second antenna, wherein the processor circuit is configured to perform the second communication wirelessly via the second antenna.

3. The smart card frame of claim 2 , further comprising an electromagnetic shield configured to block the second communication from being radiated external to the smart card frame.

4. The smart card frame of claim 2 , further comprising a power circuit, wherein the power circuit is configured to supply, via the second antenna, electrical power to the transaction card.

5. The smart card frame of claim 1 , further comprising an electromagnetic shield configured to block radio frequency communications external to the smart card frame from being received by the transaction card while the transaction card is secured in the receptacle.

6. The smart card frame of claim 1 , wherein the processor circuit is configured to:
perform, with a third communication, a second data transaction between the smart card frame and the terminal when the transaction card is not secured in the receptacle.

7. The smart card frame of claim 1 , wherein the first identifier is a secure credential from the transaction card, and wherein the processor circuit is configured to:
verify an identity of the transaction card via authentication of the secure credential.

8. The smart card frame of claim 7 , wherein the processor circuit is configured to perform the second communication based on the authentication of the secure credential.

9. The smart card frame of claim 1 , wherein:
the receptacle is configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure any of a plurality of transaction cards in the smart card frame; and
the processor circuit is configured to:
perform a plurality of third communications between the processor circuit and, respectively, the plurality of transaction cards;
verify, based on the plurality of third communications, a plurality of identities respectively of the plurality of transaction cards; and
perform, via the antenna, a plurality of fourth wireless communications between the processor circuit and the terminal, wherein the plurality of third communications and the plurality of fourth wireless communications convey information between the plurality of transaction cards and the terminal to perform a plurality of contactless data transactions.

10. The smart card frame of claim 1 , further comprising a power circuit configured to:
convert radio frequency power received via the antenna to direct-current power; and
supply the direct-current power to the processor circuit.

11. A smart card system for performing contactless data transactions, the smart card system comprising a smart card frame and one or more transaction cards, wherein:
each of the one or more transaction cards comprises:
a first antenna and a first processor circuit, wherein the first processor circuit is configured to, via the first antenna, perform a first contactless data transaction with a terminal based on a first secure credential stored in and unique to that transaction card; and

the smart card frame comprises:
a flat sheet;
a receptacle integrated in the flat sheet and configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure each of the one or more transaction cards in the smart card frame;
a second antenna; and
a second processor circuit integrated in the flat sheet, wherein the second processor circuit is configured to, for each of the one or more transaction cards:
generate a third secure credential based on a second secure credential stored in the smart card frame and based on the first secure credential, wherein the third secure credential is unique to a combination of the transaction card and the smart card frame; and
perform a second contactless data transaction with the terminal based on the third secure credential.

12. The smart card system of claim 11 , wherein the second processor circuit is configured to:
detect that the receptacle is empty; and
perform, in response to the receptacle being empty, a third contactless data transaction with the terminal based on the second secure credential and not based on the third secure credential.

13. The smart card system of claim 11 , wherein the smart card frame further comprises an electromagnetic shield configured to block radio frequency communications external to the smart card frame from being received by the first antenna.

14. The smart card system of claim 11 , wherein the smart card frame further comprises a third antenna, wherein the second processor circuit is configured to exchange data with the first processor circuit of any of the one or more transaction cards, while secured in the receptacle, via wireless communication between the first antenna and the third antenna.

15. The smart card system of claim 14 , wherein the smart card frame is configured to supply, via the third antenna, electrical power to any one of the one or more transaction cards while secured in the receptacle.

16. A method of performing a contactless data transaction, comprising:
receiving, via an antenna in a card frame, a first communication from a terminal;
detecting, in response to the first communication, a presence of a transaction card in a receptacle integrated in the card frame;
performing, by the card frame, a second communication with the transaction card;
determining, based on the second communication, a first identifier unique to the transaction card;
determining, a second identifier unique to the card frame;
generating a third identifier based on the first identifier and the second identifier and
performing, via the antenna and based on the third identifier, a third communication with the terminal, wherein the second communication and the third communication convey data between the transaction card and the terminal to perform the contactless data transaction.

17. The method of claim 16 ,
wherein the first identifier is a secure credential from the transaction card; and
wherein the method further comprises verifying the identity of the transaction card via authentication of the secure credential, wherein the performing of the third communication is based on the authentication of the secure credential.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
receiving, via the antenna, a fourth communica

Assignees

• Capital One Services Llc

Inventors

• Atkins Phoebe
• Saia Michael
• Vadrevu Vyjayanthi

Classifications

• G06Q20/352 Primary

  Contactless payments by cards · CPC title

• G06K19/071

  the source being a field other than an interrogation field, e.g. WLAN, cellular phone network · CPC title

• G06K19/0723

  the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs · CPC title

• G06K19/07732

  the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks (housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02) · CPC title

• G06K19/07771

  the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object · CPC title