Cards and devices with multifunction magnetic emulators and methods for using same
A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver).
1. A device comprising:
an emulator operable to electrically couple to a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader;
an RFID operable to electrically couple to a RFID reader; and
a processor for controlling the emulator; and
wherein the emulator is operable to electrically couple to and communicate the data to the read-head when the device is located outside and within proximity of the magnetic stripe reader.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is thicker than a credit card.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a wireless communication device.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a portable telephonic device.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a portable media player.
6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a display operable to display a virtual card.
7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a touch-sensitive display operable to display a virtual card.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operable to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the read-head and then to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the RFID reader after driving the emulator to electrically couple to the read-head.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operable to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the read-head and, in parallel, to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the RFID reader.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operable to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the RFID reader and then to drive the emulator to electrically couple to the read-head after driving the emulator to electrically couple to the RFID reader.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the emulator comprises a magnetic emulator and an RFID antenna.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the RFID is an RFID receiver detector.
13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the RFID is operable to receive electrical power.
14. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rechargeable battery,
wherein the RFID is operable to receive electrical power and recharge the rechargeable battery with the electrical power.
15. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rechargeable battery,
wherein the RFID is operable to receive electrical power from and RFID receiver and recharge the rechargeable battery with the electrical power.
16. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a rechargeable battery,
wherein the device is operable to wirelessly recharge the rechargeable battery.
17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is operable to communicate payment card information from the RFID and the emulator during a transaction.
18. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is operable to communicate payment card information from the RFID and the emulator during a transaction, the payment card information being communicated from the RFID before being communicated from the emulator.