System for securing personal cards
View Patent ↗A credit card comprises a plastic layer, a processor, and a keypad. The keypad provides the ability to input a code (e.g., a personal identification number (PIN) code) to the processor as a part of validating the transaction. Illustratively, the entry of a valid PIN code may cause the processor to trigger an alerting device as an indicator to the merchant that the holder of the credit card is authorized for its use.
1. A card capable of user authentication, comprising:
an input interface through which a user of the card can enter a personal identification number; electronics for comparing an entered personal identification code to a stored reference code; and
thermochromatic ink adapted to change color when the entered code corresponds to the stored reference code.
2. The card of claim 1 , wherein the electronics comprises conductors formed from conductive ink.
3. The card of claim 2 , wherein the card comprises multiple layers including at least one layer made up of circuit elements formed using conductive ink.
4. The card of claim 3 , wherein the card further comprises at least one layer of dummy circuit elements formed using conductive ink.
5. The card of claim 1 , wherein the input interface comprises a multiple of keys.
6. The card of claim 5 , wherein the input interface comprises a multiple of alpha/numeric keys.
7. The card of claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic strip for storing information.
8. The card of claim 7 , further comprising a noise generator for blocking reading of the magnetic strip until an entered code corresponds to the stored reference code.
9. The card of claim 8 , wherein upon entry of an entered code corresponding to the stored reference code, the noise generator is turned off for a predetermined period of time.