Transaction card assembly
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).
1. A card frame, comprising:
a flat sheet having first and second opposing surfaces;
a window in the first opposing surface; and
a receptacle integrated in the flat sheet and configured to secure a transaction card in the card frame, wherein when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the receptacle positions a plurality of contact pads on the transaction card in the window and flush with the first opposing surface.
2. The card frame of claim 1 , wherein the window comprises a perimeter on the first opposing surface that is open at an edge of the flat sheet.
3. The card frame of claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the transaction card such that an edge of the transaction card aligns with the edge of the flat sheet where the perimeter of the window is open.
4. The card frame of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured to provide an audible or tactile click in response to the transaction card being inserted into the receptacle.
5. The card frame of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises a recess in the second opposing surface, and wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the transaction card such that a surface of the transaction card is flush with the second opposing surface.
6. The card frame of claim 5 , wherein the receptacle comprises a magnetic interface configured to hold the transaction card in the recess.
7. The card frame of claim 1 , wherein:
the receptacle comprises a slot between the first and the second opposing surfaces; and
the receptacle is configured to receive the transaction card in the slot via an opening along an edge of the flat sheet.
8. The card frame of claim 7 , wherein the window comprises a perimeter that is open along the edge of the flat sheet where the opening of the receptacle is located.
9. The card frame of claim 1 , wherein the first and the second opposing surfaces comprise a notch along an edge of the flat sheet that exposes the transaction card when secured in the receptacle.
10. A card assembly, comprising:
a transaction card comprising: a first flat sheet, and a plurality of contact pads on a front surface of the first flat sheet; and
a card frame comprising: a second flat sheet, a window in a front surface of the second flat sheet, and a receptacle integrated in the second flat sheet and configured to secure the transaction card in the card frame,
wherein when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the plurality of contact pads is positioned in the window and flush with the front surface of the card frame.
11. The card assembly of claim 10 , wherein the window comprises a perimeter, on the front surface of the second flat sheet, that is open at an edge of the second flat sheet.
12. The card assembly of claim 11 , wherein, when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, an edge of the first flat sheet is aligned with the edge of the second flat sheet where the perimeter of the window is open.
13. The card assembly of claim 10 , wherein the receptacle is configured to provide an audible or tactile click in response to the transaction card being inserted into the receptacle.
14. The card assembly of claim 10 , wherein
the receptacle comprises a recess in a back surface of the second flat sheet of the card frame; and
when the transaction card is secured in the receptacle, the transaction card fits within the recess with a back surface of the first flat sheet of the transaction card being flush with the back surface of the second flat sheet of the card frame.
15. The card assembly of claim 14 , wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the transaction card in the card frame via magnetic coupling between the card frame and the transaction card.
16. The card assembly of claim 14 , wherein the receptacle is configured to secure the transaction card in the card frame via an interference fit between a perimeter of the transaction card and a perimeter of the receptacle.
17. The card assembly of claim 10 , wherein:
the receptacle includes a slot between the front surface, and a back surface, of the second flat sheet of the card frame; and
the receptacle is configured to receive the transaction card in the slot via an opening along an edge of the second flat sheet of the card frame.
18. The card assembly of claim 17 , wherein the window comprises a perimeter that is open along the edge of the second flat sheet where the opening of the receptacle is located.
19. A method comprising:
locating, in a card frame, a receptacle configured to secure a transaction card; and
securing the transaction card in the receptacle such that a plurality of contacts pads on a surface of the transaction card are positioned in a window on a surface of the card frame and flush with the surface of the card frame.
20. The method of claim 19 , comprising:
performing a data transaction between the transaction card secured in the card frame and a credit card reader via the plurality of contacts positioned in the window.