Transaction card assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11907786-B2
Application number	US-202217829809-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 1, 2022
Priority date	Dec 1, 2021
Publication date	Feb 20, 2024
Grant date	Feb 20, 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. The card frame may include a window in which contact pads of the transaction card are positioned and flush with the surface of the card frame when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle. The card frame and transaction card assembled together may form a uniform assembly that appears and functions as a traditional transaction card (e.g., credit card).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A card assembly, comprising:
a card frame comprising: a first sheet having first and second opposing surfaces separated by a first thickness and bounded by a first perimeter, a window in the first opposing surface, and a receptacle; and
a transaction card comprising: a second sheet having third and fourth opposing surfaces separated by a second thickness and bounded by a second perimeter, an integrated circuit, and a plurality of contact pads on the third opposing surface;
wherein the receptacle is configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure the transaction card in the card frame, and
wherein, when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the plurality of contact pads are positioned in the window and flush with the first opposing surface of the card frame.

2. The card assembly of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises a recess in the second opposing surface of the card frame, and when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the transaction card fits within the recess with fourth opposing surface of the transaction card being flush with the second opposing surface of the card frame.

3. The card assembly of claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the transaction card in the card frame via magnetic coupling between the receptacle and the transaction card.

4. The card assembly of claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the transaction card in the card frame via an interference fit between the second perimeter of the transaction card and a third perimeter of the receptacle.

5. The card assembly of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a third perimeter open partially along the first perimeter of the card frame.

6. The card assembly of claim 1 wherein, when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the first opposing surface of the card frame conceals the third opposing surface of the transaction card.

7. The card assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the receptacle comprises a slot between the first and the second opposing surfaces; and
the receptacle is configured to secure, enable the removal of, and resecure the transaction card through the slot.

8. The card assembly of claim 7 , wherein slot comprises an opening along the first perimeter and perpendicular to the first and the second opposing surfaces.

9. The card assembly of claim 7 , further comprising a detent mechanism between an inner surface of the slot and the transaction card, wherein the detent mechanism provides: a snap fit indicating that the detent mechanism is engaged to secure the transaction card in the receptacle, a holding resistance preventing the detent mechanism from being disengaged, and a sliding resistance opposing translation of the transaction card in the slot.

10. The card assembly of claim 9 , wherein:
the detent mechanism comprises a protrusion and a recess;
the protrusion is on the transaction card and the recess is in the inner surface of the slot, or the protrusion is on the inner surface of the slot and the recess is in the transaction card;
the protrusion fits within the recess when the detent mechanism is engaged to secure the transaction card in the receptacle, and
the slot is configured to deflect in response to an applied force overcoming the holding resistance to disengage the detent mechanism.

11. The card assembly of claim 10 , wherein the recess includes the window in the first opposing surface of the card frame, the protrusion includes the plurality of contact pads, and the detent mechanism is engaged when the plurality of contact pads are positioned within the window.

12. The card assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first perimeter of the card frame is a rounded rectangle 3.361 to 3.382 inches wide and 2.119 to 2.133 inches high, and the first thickness is 0.027 to 0.033 inches.

13. The card assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the card frame comprises a notch along the first perimeter;
the third opposing surface of the transaction card comprises a first portion and a second portion; and
when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the first portion is exposed in the notch and the second portion is concealed by the first opposing surface of the card frame.

14. A card frame, comprising:
a first sheet having first and second opposing surfaces separated by a thickness of 0.027 to 0.033 inches and bounded by a rounded rectangle perimeter 3.361 to 3.382 inches wide and 2.119 to 2.133 inches high;
a window in the first opposing surface; and
a receptacle configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure a transaction card in the card frame, wherein the receptacle is arranged to position a plurality of raised contact pads on the transaction card in the window and flush with the first opposing surface when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle.

15. The card frame of claim 14 , wherein:
the receptacle comprises a slot between the first and the second opposing surfaces through which the transaction card is inserted; and
wherein the slot is configured to expand to permit the plurality of raised contacts to pass through the slot, and return to a nominal shape when the plurality of raised contacts are positioned in the window.

16. The card frame of claim 14 , wherein the receptacle is configured to provide an audible or tactile click indicating the transaction card is secured in the receptacle.

17. The card frame of claim 14 , wherein the receptacle comprises:
a recess in the second opposing surface in which to secure the transaction card; and
a magnetic interface configured to hold the transaction card in the recess.

18. A method comprising:
locating, in a card frame, a receptacle configured to secure, enable removal of, and resecure a transaction card;
identifying a window in a first surface of the card frame;
identifying a plurality of raised contacts on the transaction card;
inserting, the transaction card in an opening of the receptacle;
positioning the transaction card in the receptacle such that the plurality of raised contacts are positioned in the window and flush with the first surface of the card frame.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
inserting, into a credit card reader, the card frame with the transaction card secured in the receptacle; and
performing a data transaction between the transaction card and the credit card reader via the plurality of raised contacts positioned in the window.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
applying a first force to the plurality of the raised contacts to disengage the plurality of raised contacts from the window; and
applying, after the plurality of the raised contacts are disengaged from the window, a second force to the transaction card to remove the transaction card from the receptacle, wherein a magnitude of the first force necessary to disengage the plurality of raised contacts from the window is greater than a magnitude of the second force necessary to remove the transaction card from the receptacle.

Assignees

• Capital One Services Llc

Inventors

• Atkins Phoebe
• Saia Michael
• Vadrevu Vyjayanthi

Classifications

• G06K19/0772 Primary

  Physical layout of the record carrier · CPC title

• G06K19/06196 Primary

  Constructional details · 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

• G06K19/07722

  the record carrier being multilayered, e.g. laminated sheets (flat articles in general, see B32B37/00) · CPC title