Advanced Magnetic Stripe Bridge for Smart Cards
Source Micropatent via NewsEdge Corporation
Title: Advanced magnetic stripe bridge (AMSB)
Abstract: A novel bridge device and accompanying methodology which link the world of the smart cards to that of the magnetic finance cards is described. This bridge device is called the Magnetic Stripe Bridge (MSB), whose primary function is to interface an ordinary or naked smart card, with just a smart chip embedded in, to a magnetic card reader for credit transaction without requiring alteration of the existing card processing infrastructure. This is done using techniques which include magnetic stripe signal emulation. Thus, any smart card is effectively transformed via the use of the MSB into an ordinary magnetic finance card and is admissible for use by any conventional magnetic card reader. Through this MSB and the accompanying methodology, secure smart cards can now be deployed everywhere, including on the Internet, thus significantly reducing the current extensive magnetic finance card fraud and identity theft. In baseline and alternate preferred embodiments, the MSB is adapted for use with lateral, swipe type magnetic card readers. Via an advanced preferred embodiment, an improved AMSB is adapted to enable usage with both swipe-type readers, as well as with ATM-like terminals which require virtually full longitudinal insertion of the card being used. Exmp. Claim 1 Ex Claim text A method for carrying out a card-authorized financial or data transfer transaction by interfacing a smart card with magnetic card readers comprising the steps of: (a) providing a magnetic stripe bridge having a slot for receiving a smart card, processing circuitry for electronically performing a plurality of method-supporting steps, user-actuated input means, a user-actuable extension member movable to first and second exposed positions, and at least one magnetic stripe simulator; (b) inserting said smart card into said bridge slot while said extension member is in a second exposed position for allowing an authorization evaluation step by said processing circuitry; (c) entering a user-known PIN via said input means to allow the conduct of said authorization evaluating step by said processing circuit, and upon successful completion thereof; and (d) longitudinally inserting said extension member in said second exposed position into a card slot of said magnetic card reader for transmission of magnetic stripe simulation signals provided by said processing circuitry thereby enabling a card-authorized transaction.
