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`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION COVER SHEET
`o 7
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`This is a requestforfiling a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION under 37 CFR 1.53(c).
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`v0
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`DOCKET NUMBER: W0537-700900
`Express Mail Label No. EV 307785964 US
`Date of Deposit: February
`21, 2006
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`CO
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`Kenneth P.
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`Weiss
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`INVENTOR(S)/APPLICANT(S)
`Given Name (first and middle [if any])|Family Name or Surname Residence (City and either State or
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`Foreign Country)
`Newton, MA
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`S
`-iN
`Nv
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`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMULATING A MAGNETIC STRIPE READABLE CARD
`
`
`pe
`
`
`
` CUSTOMER NUMBER: 37462
`
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`
`
`
`
`2. Exhibit B (US Application No. 09/810,703) (48 pages)
`
`
`
`The invention was made by an agencyof the United States Government or under a contract with an agencyof the
`' United States Government.
`
`[X] No
`]Yes, the name of the U.S. Government Agency and the Government Contract Number are:
`
`[
`METHOD OF PAYMENT(cheekail that apply)
`
`[X] A check is enclosed to cover the Provisional Filing Fees, including the Application Size Fee (if applicable).
`
`
`
`[X] The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge any deficiencies or credit overpayment to Deposit Account
`50/2762, Docket No. W0537-700900. A duplicate of this sheet is enclosed.
`
`
`(X] Small Entity Status is claimed.
` PROVISIONAL FILING FEE AMOUNT
`$ 225.00
`
` espectfully submitted,
`
`Kvdoroac A, ROI,
`
`ENCLOSED APPLICATION PARTS (check ail that apply)
`
`[X] Specification Number of Pages 22
`
`[X] Drawing(s) Numberof Sheets 3
`
`[X] Application Data Sheet, See 37 CFR 1.76
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`[X] Return receipt postcard
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`[X] Other (specify): 1. Exhibit A (US Publication No. 2004/0133787) (35 pages)
`
`
`
`eeeSE
`
`
`Date
`. Anastasi, Reg. No. 37,765
`
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`Sne No.: 617-395-7000
`
`
`
`
`756757.1
`Page 1 of 112
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`Express Mail Label No.: EV307785964US
`Date of Deposit: February 21, 2006
`
`-l-
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMULATING A MAGNETIC STRIPE
`READABLE CARD
`
`1.
`
`Field of Invention
`
`BACKGROUNDOF INVENTION
`
`The invention relates generally to systems and methods for obtaining
`
`information from and/or transmitting information to a user device and, in particular, to
`
`systems, methods, and apparatusthat provide for contactless information
`
`transmission.
`
`2.
`
`Background
`
`Today, both commercial (e.g., banking networks) and non-commercial(e.g.,
`
`security systems) information systemsoften rely on magnetic card readersto collect
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`information specific to a user (e.g., a security code, a credit card number, etc.) from a
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`user device(e.g., a transaction card). Credit card purchases madein person provide
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`an example of the most commontransaction-type that relies on a user device, the
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`credit or debit card, which is read by a magnetic card reader. User devices that rely
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`on magnetic-stripe based technology magnetically store information (e.g., binary
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`information) in the magnetic stripe. The magnetic stripe reader provides an interface
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`to a larger computerized network that receives the user’s information to determine,for
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`example, whether to authorize a transaction, to allow the user access to a secure area,
`etc.
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`Recently, such devices have seen technological advancesthat increase their
`
`capabilities and improve their security. For example, such devices may now include
`
`embedded processors, integral biometric sensors that sense one or more biometric
`
`feature (e.g., a fingerprint) of the user, and magnetic stripe emulators. As oneresult,
`
`today’s user devices may provide greater security by dynamically generating the
`
`necessary information, for example, generating the credit card numberat the time ofa
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`transaction. Improved security can also be provided by such devices because more
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`sophisticated authentication schemes can be implemented with the devices.
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`In addition, user devices such as transaction cards may nowalso provide for
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`one or more modes ofinformation transmission other than transmission via a
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`magnetic stripe/card reader combination. For example, user devices that may transmit
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`information optically or via radio frequency (“RF”) signal transmission to a
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`compatible system interface are now available. Further, the architecture of a user
`device that includes a processoris generally compatible with both the improved
`
`security features described above andthe contactless transmission modessuch as
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`optical and RF signal transmission. As a result of the improved security and greater
`
`functionality of some current user devices, there is a desire to replace magnetic-stripe
`
`based user devices with devices that include forms of information transmission other
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`than the reading of a magnetic-stripe.
`
`There is, however, a substantial installed base of interfaces (for example,at
`
`points of sale, at automatic teller machines (“ATM”), and the like) that include
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`magnetic card readers which are not equippedto receive information from a user
`
`device in any other formatother than from a magnetic stripe. Asa result of the cost to
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`replace or retrofit the installed base, efforts to more-widely introduce user devicesthat
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`do not employ magnetic stripe devices have not been developed. Because ofthe
`potential to substantially reduce fraud, however, the further implementation of such
`
`devicesis of great interest to financial institutions among others. RF devices that
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`transmit information wirelessly are expected to become much moreprevalent and at
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`somepoint, the predominant form of information transmission for user authentication
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`based on a hand-held device, for example, credit card, debit card, drivers license,
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`passport, social security card, personal identification, etc. Thus, new and improved
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`methodsfor transitioning from a purely magnetic based form of communication to a
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`wireless form of communication are desired.
`
`Onecurrent approach that is intended to “transform”a smart card for use with
`
`a magnetic stripe card reader employsa “bridge” device. The bridge device requires
`
`that the smart card be inserted within it. The bridge device includesa slot for
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`receiving the smart card, a key pad wherebythe user may enter information (e.g., a
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`PIN number), and a credit card sized extension member. Operation ofthe bridge
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`device requires that the smart card be inserted within it and that an electrical contact
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`surface of the smart card engage a similar surface within the bridge device before the
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`bridge device(i.e., the extension member) can be used with a magnetic card reader.
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`Thus, the contactless nature of more advanced information transmission systemsis
`
`lost with the bridge device becauseit does not support wireless signal transmission.
`
`SUMMARYOF INVENTION
`
`In one aspect of the invention, a device converts a wireless transaction device
`
`to a magnetic-stripe emulator device. In one embodiment, the device includes a
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`wireless signal receiver that is configured to receive a wireless signal and provide
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`information from the wireless signal. In addition, the device may include a magnetic-
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`stripe emulator which is communicatively coupled to the wireless signal receiver and
`
`adapted to provide a time-varying signal which emulates data provided by a magnetic-
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`stripe card to a magnetic card reader in response to receiving the information from the
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`wireless signal. In one embodiment, the device includes a processor communicatively
`
`coupled to the wireless signal receiver and to the magnetic-stripe emulator. The
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`device may also include an LED. Inaversion of this embodiment, the processoris
`
`configured to control the LEDto indicate that the device is properly aligned with the
`magnetic card reader. In another embodiment, the device includes an output device
`
`that can provide information to a network or to a network device. In a version ofthis
`
`embodiment, the output device is a wireless transmitter device.
`
`Further embodiments of the invention may include additional features, for
`
`example, in one embodimentthe output device is a data port to which the device can
`
`provide data to a network or to a network device. In a version of this embodiment, the
`data port is also configured to receive data from the network or the network’s device.
`
`In a further embodiment, the device is configured to communicate with the magnetic
`
`card readervia the data port.
`
`In a further embodiment, the wireless receiver and/or processors configure,
`
`decrypt and encryptthe wireless signal. In a further embodiment, the processoris
`
`configured to determine whethera useris authorized to provide the information
`
`contained within the wireless signal from data within the wireless signal. In a version
`
`of this embodiment, the data contained within the wireless signal includes user ID
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`information.
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`In yet another embodiment, the data contained within the wireless signal
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`includes biometric information of the user.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings, are not intended to be drawnto scale. In the
`
`drawings, each identical or nearly identical componentthatis illustrated in various
`
`figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposesofclarity, not every component
`
`may belabeled in every drawing.
`In the drawings:
`FIG.
`| illustrates a system in accordance with one embodiment of the
`invention;
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates a process in accordance with an embodimentofthe
`
`invention; and
`
`FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a converter device in accordance with one embodiment
`
`of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and
`
`the arrangement of componentsset forth in the following description or illustrated in
`
`the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
`
`or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used
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`herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The
`mW 66
`27
`66
`“containing”, “involving”, and
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`use of "including," “comprising,” or "having,"
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`variations thereof herein, is meant to encompassthe itemslisted thereafter and
`
`equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates an embodimentof a system 100 that employsa converter
`
`device 102 to provide an interface between a user device 104 (e.g., a transaction card)
`
`and a system interface 106 where, for example, the system interface 106 employs a
`
`magnetic card reader and the user device 104 is not equipped with a magneticstripe.
`
`That is, in one embodiment, the converter device 102 provides a mode of information
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`transmission between the user device 102 and the system interface 106 which would
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`otherwise be unavailable to the user device 102. The converter device 102 provides a
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`modified system 100 that provides compatibility with a greater variety of user
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`devices, for example, user devices such as transaction cards that are not equipped with
`a magnetic stripe. For example, in one embodiment, the converter device 102
`includes a magnetic stripe emulator 137 communicatively coupled to a wireless signal
`
`receiver 140 and adapted to provide a time-varying signal emulating data provided by
`
`a magnetic stripe card to a magnetic card reader 152.
`
`Theuser device need not be a “card” and may, for example, take the form of a
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`fob used as a key ring, a cell phone, a watch, a personal digital assistant or any device
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`that can include a wireless transmitter, or a magnetic stripe emulator.
`
`In general, the system interface 106 provides an interface to a larger
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`information system (e.g., a financial system, an access control system, a medical
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`records system, and the like) that in one embodiment includes a system processoror
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`controller 110, a database 112, a network 114, other systems 116, such as a universal
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`secure registry 118 as will be described further herein. Each of the preceding system
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`elements may be placed in communication with any one.or any combination of the
`
`system elements, for example, over communication links 120A, 120B, 120C, 120D.
`
`It should be recognized that the communication links 120 need not provide the
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`communication paths shownin FIG. 1 and that other communication paths may be
`
`employed. For example, the database 112 may be connected to the network 114 via
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`the communication link 120A and to the system processor 110 via the communication
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`link 120B instead of being connected as shownin FIG. 1.
`
`The communication link may be a wireless communication link, a hardwired
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`communication link, a fiber optic communication link, any communication link used
`in the art, as well as a combination of any ofthe preceding or any other any
`communication link capable of transmitting signals between the elements of the
`
`system 100. The system processor 110 allows information transfer of both data and
`
`instructions, for example, between the interface 106 and one or more databases which
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`may be connected to the system or other network elements.
`
`In general, the operation of the converter device 102 allows a user in
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`possession ofa transaction card 104 to wirelessly communicate information to the
`
`device so that the device can be employedto interface with a network system. For
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`example, in one embodiment, the network system may provide a magnetic card reader
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`interface and the converter device 102 provides a magnetic stripe emulator that can
`
`interface with the system. In general, the overall operation of the system 100 includes
`
`the communication of information between the user device 104 and the converter
`
`device 102, for example, RF communication. In one embodiment, the communication
`
`is bi-directional such that information can be communicated both to and from the user
`
`device 104. The converter device 102 provides an interface by which information
`
`derived from the information being transmitted to or from the user device 104 is
`
`transmitted between the converter device and the system interface 106. The system
`
`interface 106 provides the communication interface between it and the remainder of
`
`the system 100 (e.g., processor 110, database 112, network 114,etc.).
`
`According to one embodiment, the user device 104 includes a processor 122, a
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`user interface 124, a wireless transmitter 126 and card indicia 128.
`
`In another
`
`embodiment, the user device 104 includes a biometric sensor 130.
`
`In various
`
`embodiments, the processor 122 is communicatively coupled to each of the wireless
`
`transmitter 126, the user interface 124 and the biometric sensor 130.
`
`The processor 122 may include a chip such as a general purpose processor, an
`
`application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or a field programmable gate array
`
`(“FPGA”) and the like that may execute various programs and/or provide logic inputs
`
`and outputs. For example, the processor 122 may process biometric information
`
`received from the biometric sensor 130 to verify the identity of the user before the
`user can employ the user device 104. Exemplary details of a processor and biometric
`
`sensor which are configured to authenticate a fingerprint of a user are disclosed in
`
`U.S. published application 2004/0133787, published on July 8, 2004, which is herein
`
`incorporated by reference andalso attached as Exhibit A. The processor 122 mayalso
`
`include or be coupled to driver circuitry to drive a display included in the user
`
`interface 124 and can be configured to process user input data entered via the user
`
`interface 124. In one embodiment, the user interface 124 includes one or more
`
`control inputs (for example, control buttons).
`
`The wireless transmitter 126 can process information provided by the
`
`processor and convert the information to an RF signal and can also include an RF
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`antennathat transmits the RF information wirelessly. In another embodiment, the
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`transaction card mayalso include an RF receiverthat receives a wireless RF signal
`
`from the RF antenna and converts the RF signal to an information signal provided to
`
`the processor. It is to be appreciated that the wireless transmitter and/or receiver need
`
`not be an RF device,it can also be any of a IR device, an optical device, a Bluetooth
`
`signal or any other wireless signal transmitter or receiver used in the art.
`
`Theuser device mayalso include a powersource suchasa battery thatfits
`
`within the device. In one alternative embodiment, the user device remainsin a sleep
`
`modeuntil it is placed in the vicinity of an RF transmitter at which time the user
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`device 104 converts received RF energy into electrical energy used to provide power
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`to the processor 122 and the other componentsincluded in the user device 104.
`
`According to one embodiment, the user device 104 can be a smart card
`
`configured for wireless signal transmission using RF signals. For example, the
`
`wireless transmitter 126 may be an RF transmitter device or any other wireless
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`transmitter device configured to transmit the smart card information ofthe card.
`
`Alternatively, it is to be appreciated that the card can be manycards such as a debit
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`card, a plurality of credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or any
`
`other card with the card indicia and relevant information being stored in card memory
`
`129 and read out by processor 122 and provided to the wireless transmitter 126.
`
`In the embodimentillustrated in FIG, 1, the converter device 102 includes a
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`substrate 132 which mayinclude a stripe 134 and a magnetic field generator 136
`
`which together comprise the magnetic stripe emulator 137, a processor 138, a wireless
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`receiver 140, a user interface 142, a memory 144, and a powersource 146. Ina
`
`further embodiment, the converter device 102 includes an indicating light 148 (e.g.,
`
`an LED) and anoutput device 150.
`
`According to one embodiment, the system interface 106 with which the
`
`converter device 132 is employed includesany ofor all of a magnetic card reader 152,
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`a wireless transceiver 154 and a data port 156.
`
`In general, according to one embodiment, the converter device 102 receives a
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`wireless signal from the user device 104, processes the information that is received
`
`and provides an output in the form of a time-varying signal providedto the stripe 134
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`(e.g., a magnetic stripe). The signal provided to the stripe 134 can then be provided to
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`the system processor | 10 by inserting the stripe and the associated substrate 132 or
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`portion thereofin the magnetic card reader of the system interface 106. That is, in
`
`one embodiment,the stripe 134 andat least a portion of the substrate 132 can be
`
`either slid by the magnetic card reader 152 or inserted to sit statically in front of the
`
`read head ofthe card reader.
`
`The processor 138 may be a general purpose processor, an application specific
`
`integrated circuit (“ASIC”), or a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) and may be
`
`implementedin hardware, software, firmware or any combination ofthe preceding.
`
`The processor 138 may be communicatively coupled with any of the magnetic field
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`generator 136 the wireless receiver 140, the memory 144, the user interface 142, the
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`light source 148, the power source 146 and the output device 150. In general, the
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`processorcan be configured to receive inputs from one or more ofthe preceding
`
`elements and may provide outputs to each of the elements included in converter
`
`device 138.
`
`For example, according to one embodiment, the magnetic stripe 134 isa
`
`programmable magnetic stripe and the magnetic field generator 136 generates a
`
`magnetic signal that controls the information provided by the magnetic stripe 134.
`
`The U.S. Patent Application No. 10/680,050, filed October 7, 2003, entitled “System
`
`Method and Apparatus for Enabling Transactions Using a Biometrically Enabled
`
`Programmable Magnetic Stripe which was published on July 8, 2004 as
`
`US2004/0133787 (the ‘050 application), provides further details concerning
`
`embodiments of a transaction card that emulates a magnetic stripe and mayalso
`
`include, for example, a biometric sensor. The ‘050 application is attached hereto as
`
`Exhibit A. In this embodiment, the processor 138 may control the operation of the
`
`magnetic field generator 136 to provide the desired information to the stripe 134. For
`
`example, the processor 138 may provide an outputto the stripe 134 in response to
`
`receiving information from the wireless receiver 140, where the information from the
`
`wireless receiver is information transmitted from the user device 104.
`
`Further, the processor 138 may be configured to provide signals to drive a
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`display included in the user interface 142 and process user input data entered with the
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`user interface 142. In one embodiment,the user interface 142 includes a display
`
`screen that can be usedto display an imageof the user to whom the user device 104
`
`belongs, for security purposes. The image to be displayed by the UI can either be part
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`of the information transmitted by the transaction card 104, for example, where the
`
`transaction card 104 also requires some authentication by the user before transmitting
`
`the card information and image, or can be provided, for example, by the USR system
`
`118 through the system interface 106 as part of the user authentication process, as will
`
`be described in more detail herein. In further embodiments, the user interface 142
`
`may include a plurality of control elements that allow the user and/or the transaction
`
`processor(e.g., store clerk, security guard, medical service provider, etc.) to enter
`
`information into the converter device 102.
`
`The processor 138 may also be configured to provide signals to operate the
`
`indicating light 148. The indicating light 148 may provide an indication of the
`operational status of the converter device 102, for example, the indicating light 148
`
`may indicate any of the following: that the converter device 102 is receiving a
`transmission from a user device 104; that the converter device 102 has generated
`
`output data to the stripe 134; the status of the power source 146 is normalor
`
`conversely that the power source has a low powerlevel; that the converter device 102
`
`is transmitting information via the output device 150; that the converter device 102 is
`
`properly aligned with the magnetic card reader 152; that the converter device 102 has
`
`received authorization for a transaction; and the like. It should be apparent to one of
`
`skill in the art that the indicating light may be a single lampora plurality of lamps
`
`and that the lamp or lamps maybe a single color including white or may included a
`
`plurality of colors. Further, it should also be apparent that the lights may provide a
`
`plurality of status indications based on their color, intensity, rate of change of the
`
`preceding characteristics or any combination of these and other features.
`
`The power source 146 mayinclude a battery power source or other energy
`
`sources suitable for the form factor of the converter device 102. For example, ina
`
`form factor where the converter device 102 is a hand-held device the power source
`
`146 maybe any oneof a standardsize battery (e.g., a AA battery). In a further
`
`embodiment, the powersourceis a lithium battery. Alternatively, the power source
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`can be any of an AC powersource, an AC to DC converter device, or any other DC
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`powersource knownto thoseskilled in the art.
`
`According to one embodiment, the converter device 102 includes a power bus
`
`158 that provides a path for the transmission of powerto the various components
`
`included in the converter device 102.
`
`In accordance with one embodiment, the converter device 102 includes the
`
`output device 150. It is to be appreciated that the output device can be any standard
`
`interface device to be coupled to a data bus such as a USBdevice,or the output
`
`device can be configured for contactless communication with the system interface
`
`106. For example, in one embodiment, the output device is an optical transmitter
`
`device. In general, the communication between the converter device 102 and the
`
`system interface 106 is bi-directional such that information (e.g., information
`
`associated with the user’s identity) may be transmitted to the system interface 106, the
`
`system processor 110 may generate a response (e.g., a transaction approval), and the
`
`response maytransmitted to the converter device 102 via the system interface 106.
`In one embodiment, the processor 138 is configured in combination with the
`
`output device 150 to provide an encrypted output signal. In a further embodiment, the
`
`processor 138 is configured in combination with the output device 150 to provide a
`
`time-varying encrypted output signal. In yet another embodiment, the processor 138
`
`is configured in combination with the output device 150 to provide a time-varying
`
`encrypted (or not) public and private key output signal.
`
`In addition, the processor can
`
`also be configured in combination with the wireless receiver to receive and decrypt
`
`any and all of an encrypted signal, a time-varying encrypted signal and a time-varying
`
`encrypted (or not) public and private key as provided by the transaction card 104.
`
`In some embodiments, the output device 150 need not transmit any personal
`
`information associated with the user. For example, commonly owned U.S. Patent
`
`Application No. 09/810,703, filed March 16, 2001, entitled “Universal Secure
`
`Registry”(“the ‘703 application”) describes an approach that can improve security
`
`and reduce the need for multiple forms ofidentification. The ‘703 applicationis
`
`herein attached as Exhibit B andis incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.
`
`The universal secure registry 118 included in the system 100 provides one example of
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`the integration of such a registry into a system that employs a converter device 102.
`
`With the USR system, for example, the transaction card 104 can provide some
`
`information, e.g., such as a public code of the user, which can be authenticated by the
`
`user, for example by providing an ID throughthe user interface 124 or through
`
`biometric sensor 130. The public code can be provided to the USR via the converter
`102, system interface 104, and network 114. The USR can then provide back to any
`of the system interface and the converter device any orall of transaction card
`
`information, authorization for a transaction, e.g., where the network or the USRalso
`
`communicates with the relevant authority, and indicia about the card holder. Various
`
`alternatives and embodimentsare described in the attached Exhibit B.
`
`The system 100 may include a variety of system interfaces 106 of different
`
`types such as the wireless transceiver 154 and the data port 156 in addition to the
`
`magnetic card reader 152. Although notillustrated, other system interfaces such as an
`
`optical interface, a smart card reader interface or any other system interface knownto
`
`those ofskill in the art can also be included. Further, the system interfaces may be
`
`either commonly located or may be geographically distributed such that some
`
`locations include a wireless transceiver 154, some locations include a data port 156,
`
`some locations include a magnetic card reader 152, and some locations include a
`
`plurality of types of system interfaces.
`
`Thus, in some embodimentsthe output device 150 of the converter device 102
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`mayinclude a data port via which the converter device 102 can provide data to a
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`network or a networked device.
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`In one embodiment, the data port is also configured
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`to receive data from the network or a networked device..
`Embodiments of the converter device 102 can be configured to provide
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`communication to the system interface 106 via any of the preceding approaches
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`including wireless signal transmission. In a version of this embodiment, the converter
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`device 102 mayreceive wireless signals from the user’s transaction card and transmit
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`wireless signals to the system interface 106. Further, the device may include a
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`transmitter that allows it to transmit information back to the user’s transaction card.
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`Referring now to FIG. 2, a process 260 employing the converter device 102 is
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`illustrated in accordance with one embodiment. The process beginsat Stage 262 —
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`START. Here, the converter device 102 is in a steady state in which it awaits receipt
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`of a signal from a user device 104. At Stage 264, the converter device 102 receives
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`data, for example, a wireless signal transmitted from the user device 104. At Stage
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`266, the converter device 266 extracts information from the wireless signal for
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`processing. As one example, the converter device 102 mayextract information
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`correspondingto the user’s identity and/or the identity of the individual to whom the
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`user device was issued. The extracted information is then provided to the system
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`interface, for example, it is simulated as magnetic striped data to the magnetic card
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`reader. At Stage 268, the system 100 authenticates the user. In one embodiment, if
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`the authentication is successful, the process continues at Stage 270. In this
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`embodiment,if the authentication is unsuccessful, the process returns to Stage 262
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`where, for example, the user may be prompted to attempt to authenticate again.
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`Various user authentication approaches may be implemented using the
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`converter device 102. For example, the authentication may be performedlocally, that
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`is, without the need for communication between the converter device 102 and the
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`system interface 106 and system processor 110. In one embodiment, the
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`authentication process employs the universal secure registry 118. In further
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`embodiments, the authentication process employs one or more authentication
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`protocols such as public-key cryptography, key exchangeprotocols, protocols
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`employing one-way functions, and the like that are well knownby those of ordinary
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`skill in the art.
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`In other embodiments, however, the authentication may require an
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`exchangeofinformation between the converter device 102 and any of the system
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`interface 106, the network 114, the USR 118 and anotherdatabase 112.
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`At Stage 270, the completion of the transaction may be involve any of a wide
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`variety of acts including: authorizing a withdrawal of money from a user’s account,
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`permitting the user access to a secure area, permitting a user to view medical
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`information concerning themselvesor a third party, or permitting the user to access
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`other confidential information.
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`In addition, in some embodiments, the process 260 includes Stage 274 where
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`following authentication the converter device 102 receives information associated
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`with the user. The information may, for example, be necessary for the completion of
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`the transaction. For example, where the system 100 is employed in conjunction with
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`a check-authorization process, the converter device 102 may receive an indication that
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`the user has sufficient funds to cover the amount of the check that is presented at a
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`point of sale. Alternatively, or in addition, the information may include indicia
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`related to the authorized holderof the transaction card 104, such as a picture ID,asis
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`described in more detail in the attached Exhibit B. The process 260 is completed at
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`Stage 272 — END.
`An embodiment, of the converter device 302 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A through
`3D. Asillustrated in the front view of FIG. 3A, in one embodiment, the converter
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`device 302 includes a housing 380, a substrate 332, and a magnetic stripe 334.
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`In one
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`embodiment, the housing 380 is manufactured from a rigid material, for example,
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`metal or plastic and the converter device 302 is designed to be a hand-held device.
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`FIG. 3B illustrates a side view perspective of an embodimentof the converter device
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`302, showingan indicating light 348 (e.g., an LED). As described in greater detail
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`above, the indicating light 348 can include a single indicating light or a plurality of
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`indicating lights.
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`FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate an embodiment where the substrate extends
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`substantially perpendicular from a side of the housing 380, however, the specific
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`angle at which the substrate extends from the housing may vary so long as the
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`housing does not interfere with the insertion of the substrate into, for example, the
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`magnetic card reader 152.
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`FIG.3D illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the converter device 302
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`which includes a display screen (e.g., an LCD display screen) that may provide the
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`user interface 342 or a p