CARD WITH DYNAMIC FEATURE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Smart materials are substances that have one or more properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by varying external factors. Two known smart materials are electroactive polymers and shape memory alloys.

[0002] Electroactive polymers (EAP) are a class of materials that change in size or shape when exposed to an electric field. EAPs are commonly classified into two families: ionic EAPs and electronic EAPs. Ionic EAPs are activated by an electrically induced transport of ions and/or molecules. Electronic EAPs are activated by electrostatic forces. Conventional polymers used most often as actuators include poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF)-based polymers, conjugated polymers, and perflourinated ionamers.

[0003] A shape memory alloy (SMA) is a material that "remembers" its original shape when deformed. One well-known shape memory material is nitinol (NiTi) - an alloy of nickel and titanium. Nitinol and its properties can be modified to a great extent by changes in its composition, mechanical working, and heat treatment. Certain properties of Nitinol are listed in Table 1. Nitinol is commonly manufactured into sheeting, foil, wire, and tubing. At low temperatures, an SMA, such as nitinol, is in the martensite phase, which is ductile and can be easily deformed. Heating the deformed material above a threshold temperature causes a phase change to austenite, at which the deformation induced at the lower temperature can be recovered.

TABLE 1 -- Properties of nitinol

	Austenite	Martensite
Young's Modulus	85 GPa	28-41 GPa1
Yield Strength	195-690 MPa	70-140 MPa
Thermal Conductivity	0.18 W/cm∗deg.C	0.086 W/cm∗deg.C
Ultimate Tensile Strength	895 MPa (when fully annealed)
Elongation at Failure	25 to 50%
Density	6.45 gm/cm3

1Nonlinear with temperature

[0004] Actuators comprising SMA materials may have a one-way effect or a two-way effect. An SMA actuator with a one-way effect can recover a deformation when heated to austenite, but retains that shape when cooled to martensitic. An SMA with a two-way effect has two stable shapes -- one in the austenite phase and the other in the martensitic phase -- and does not require an external force to re-deform the material once it recovers its shape.

[0005] Nitinol materials may also change color when exposed to heat. The incorporation of nitinol in transaction cards that changes color when heated in response to a stimulus, such as to show that the card is invalid, is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,412,192, which also describes card embodiments in which locally generated heat causes heat-sensitive plastic to shrink and highlight raised characters on the surface of the card.

[0006] US 2009/050693 as a further example describes a transaction card that includes an audio circuit, housing and an account identifier. The audio circuit includes memory configured to store an audio file having audio properties. The audio circuit is configured to transform at least one audio property of the audio file such that upon playback of the audio file, the audio file sounds different than when the audio file was initially stored to the memory. The housing substantially encloses the audio circuit, and the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable.

[0007] There is a need in the field of identification cards and transaction cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, smart cards, and the like, to provide robust, two-way, tactile features. Efforts to provide transaction cards with tactile feedback using EAPs have been documented, such as in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20060289657. EAPs are generally not ideal for use in applications that require relatively large displacements in bending motion, fast switching response, low operating voltage, and durable operation. Known ionic EAPs generally have slow actuation response times and relatively minimal displacement under low-voltage operation. While currently known electronic EAPs have very fast response times and high strains, operation voltages in the range of 100 V/µm are currently required.

[0008] Thus, there remains a need in the field of transaction and identification cards to provide dynamic features having characteristics not previously offered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0010] In any of the foregoing methods of conducting activities, movement of the actuator from the inactivated to the activated position may create a tactile indicator on the surface of the card that is perceptible to human touch. In embodiments comprising a covering over the actuator, the actuator may have a planar surface parallel to the planar surface of the card such that the covering over the actuator is flush with the planar surface of the card in the inactivated position and offset relative to the planar surface of the card in the activated position. Activation of the actuator from the inactivated position to the activated position in any of the foregoing embodiments may connect or break an electrical circuit that enables or disables a function of the card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] 

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary nitinol out-of-plane actuator in an exemplary transaction card.

FIG. 2 depicts various exemplary out-of-plane actuators, including (a) a bridge type, (b) a diaphragm type, (c) a free-standing cantilever type, (d) and a bimorph cantilever type.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary circuit comprising an exemplary dynamic feature.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary circuit in which a dynamic actuator opens or closes an electrical circuit.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary circuit in which a receiver or transceiver in communication with the circuit opens or closes the circuit that actuates the actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] SMA (e.g. nitinol) actuators ideal for use in card applications preferably comprise thin sheet SMA materials. Various fabrication methods for developing nitinol are known. One common method is casting, which is associated with high temperature melting levels, which may degrade functional properties due to the secondary phase transformations. Casting may require machining, which may be costly for extremely ductile alloys like nitinol, due to tool wear. Another well-known nitinol manufacturing process is powder metallurgy (PM). PM creates near-net-shape parts that require less machining, but may have high porosity and impurities. Additive manufacturing has also been used to create NiTi parts, having properties that vary based on printing method, but in general, may perform better than parts made via casting and powder metallurgy.

[0013] Once a nitinol sheet is manufactured, its properties may be adjusted through heat treatment to meet design requirements. The temperature at which nitinol "remembers" its high-temperature form generally can range from 0°C to 105°C. The shape transformation typically happens over the range of just a few degrees.

[0014] The mechanical properties of nitinol can be modified by changing its composition. Some alloys have close to a 50-50 balance of Ni and Ti, but this ratio can be changed to suit the application. Ni-rich nitinol is generally very stable and has a diverse microstructure. This helps stabilize the shape memory behavior and makes it easy for use in bulk materials. Shape memory properties can be further modified by adding elements that are chemically similar to Ni and Ti. For example, replacing some Ni with Cu can improve the actuation response and fatigue properties. The addition of Cu to nitinol also reportedly increases the high temperature strength of this alloy. Cu is also used for this purpose in CuAINi alloys -- another family of shape memory alloys. Advantages of NiTiCu and CuAINi SMA alloys are the higher operating temperatures of near 200°C.

EXEMPLARY DYNAMIC FEATURES

[0015] One exemplary use of an SMA feature in a card may be for creating a printed feature that can rise and lower in different conditions. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a financial services corporation logo (e.g. Visa, American Express, Citi Bank, Bank of America, etc.) or other similar indicia may rise relative to the plane defined by the surface of the card when the card is inserted into a chip reader. This provides the user with tactile feedback to show when the card has been inserted properly, as well as provide an additional visual feature to emphasize the card brand.

[0016] The foregoing feature may be accomplished by using a two-way nitinol SMA actuator activated by "joule heating," which occurs when an electric current passes through a conductor. Current drawn from the point-of-sale terminal when the contacts are inserted into a payment machine flows through the SMA, causing the temperature in the SMA actuator to rise, and activating the memory response of the metal. The SMA actuator may be configured to achieve the desired shape by directionally deforming so that it becomes offset relative to the plane of the card, such as in a manner that causes it to push up or pull down on a flexible portion of a covering layer, such as silicone, over the actuator, so that the covering, or at least a portion thereof in contact with the actuator, is elevated or sunken relative to the plane of the card, respectively.

[0017] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the dynamic feature 306 may be part of a circuit 300 coupled to a power source 302 (the coupling may be a physical connection or wireless connection, such as via capacitive or inductive coupling). In embodiments in which the dynamic feature is intended to show a temporary state (such as to signal correct placement in a chip reader), the SMA actuator comprises a two-way SMA actuator that reverts to its relaxed (non-deformed) state as the temperature in the SMA dissipates below the threshold temperature, after disconnection from the power source. The power operative to deform the SMA may be provided by a physical connection, such as with contacts that mate with a POS terminal (such as shown in the embodiment depicted Fig. 1) or other type of chip reader, or by a wireless connection, such as an inductive connection, such as via an inductive RF circuit. In other embodiments, the power source may comprise a battery embedded in the card. Some circuits may include features for receiving power from multiple potential sources (e.g. dual interface circuitry that is capable of receiving power via contacts or inductively, or circuits comprising a battery that is used for providing power assistance when activated via the receipt of power inductively or via the contacts). As shown schematically in Figs. 3 and 4, power sources 302 and 402 represent the local source of power to the card (e.g. the RFID tag, the contacts, or the battery).

[0018] In some embodiments, such as in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, circuit 500 may comprise an RF receiver or transceiver 508, such as a receiver or transceiver configured to communicate via wireless technology, such as short-range wireless technology (e.g. Bluetooth^®), such as may be emitted by a mobile device. Thus, in an exemplary embodiments, wireless commands emanating from a transmitter 510, such as a transmitter connected to a computer processer, such as a processor embedded in a cell phone or other mobile device, may be used for providing a signal capable of causing the actuator to actuate from the inactivated to the activated position (and/or vice versa). Although schematically illustrated as a switch 506 in communication with transceiver 508, it should be understood that the switch may be part of the transceiver or the receipt or non-receipt of power from power source 502 may operate as a switch and the transceiver, in circuits in which the receipt of a signal inductively provides the power required to operate the actuator. As is understood in the art, wireless signals transmitted by a transmitter in a mobile device may be controlled by a computer processor embedded in the device in accordance with programmed instructions readable by the processor. As is common in the field of mobile device application software, the instructions may be stored in part on the device and in part "in the cloud" on servers accessible via a wireless network in communication with the device. The application software for controlling the signals as described may include a user interface for permitting a user to instruct emission of the signal and/or may include an interface controlled by a remote source through a network connected to the device.

[0019] In other embodiments, one or more one-way SMA features may be part of a circuit configured to receive a pulse from the power source for the purposes of causing a one-time deformation. For example, logic in the card reader may be programmed to send a characteristic signal configured to activate a self-destruct circuit when the card has become expired or de-activated because of fraud, and such a one-way feature may be disposed in a location that is sufficiently disruptive to render the card fully or partially inoperative (such as positioned adjacent the contacts for being read by a POS terminal, along the magnetic stripe where the feature renders the card too thick to swipe in a typical card reader or sufficiently disrupts readability of the magnetic strip by a standard reader, in a location where the deformation breaks a connection sufficient to disable an RFID circuit, or in all or some combination of the above). In another embodiment, such circuit 400 illustrated in Fig. 4, dynamic feature 404 may essentially operate as a switch that deforms upon activation by receipt of power from power source 402 to move into a position that creates an electrical connection for activating a functional component 406 (or that breaks an electrical connection for de-activating the functional component). Such a deformation for creating a connection may be formed using a one-way SMA or a two-way SMA, depending upon the functionality desired. Some embodiments may have both two-way and one-way SMA features, which features may be activated in different circumstances, and may have multiple circuits. The schematic circuits shown in Figs. 3 and 4 are illustrative only, and additional components may be included in each circuit.

[0020] In preferred two-way actuator embodiments, the SMA actuator is an "out-of-plane" actuator with a displacement normal to the surface of the card. Figure 2 shows exemplary out-of-plane actuators, including (a) a bridge type, (b) a diaphragm type, (c) a free-standing cantilever type, (d) and a bimorph cantilever type that have so far been reported. While the invention is not limited to the types of actuators depicted, or to any one of those depicted, a diaphragm-type actuator may be highly desirable due to its large force and stroke.

[0021] A layer of deformable, flexible surface covering, such as silicone or a plastic sheet material having suitable properties to permit a desired amount of deformation, may be disposed on top of the SMA actuator. While depicted with a printed logo on the covering in Fig. 2, which logo has a visual contrast to the rest of the card, the invention is not limited to any particular indicia on the coating or relative difference in shading or coloration of the covering layer versus the rest of the card. When the SMA actuator is in an inactivated state, the covering is disposed flush with the surface of the card. When the SMA deforms and pushes on the underside of the covering, the covering assumes a desired shape and position relative to the rest of the planar surface of the card. When the stimulus is removed, such as when the card is removed from a reader, the SMA will revert to its original, non-activated shape and the covering will once again lie flush with the planar surface of the card.

Technical Considerations

[0022] Nitinol SMAs have a relative high work output per unit volume, as well as a high power/mass ratio. Depending on the thickness of the material, nitinol alloys often have an average frequency response time, large strain output, and joule heating activation. Nitinol alloys are capable of producing a strain output of up to 8 to 10%. One concern when using any material in cyclic motion is fatigue. Studies on the fatigue effects of NiTi show that some alloys have a fatigue limit, but can undergo a nearly unlimited number of cycles, so long as the stress is kept below the fatigue limit. For example, if the strain is kept below 2%, the fatigue life of the actuator can exceed more than a million cycles.

[0023] Cards with SMA actuators must generate sufficient current to activate the shape memory effect. The resistivity of NiTi is approximately 90 µΩ^∗cm. The resistance of a metal may be calculated using Equation 1:

where p is the resistivity, I is the length, and A is the cross-sectional area.

[0024] Combining Ohm's law and Joule's law provides Equations 2-4:





where Q is the heat transferred, I is the current through the metal, t is the time the current is flowing, m is the mass, c is the specific heat of the SMA alloy, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

[0025] The foregoing equations can be used to determine the amount of time require to achieve a desired temperature change with a given current and/or to determine the current required to produce a given temperature change over a given amount of time.

[0026] The actuator requires an actuation force sufficient to cause the covering over the SMA to rise by a desired amount. Insufficient force will prevent the printed logo from rising adequately off of the card. Embodiments comprising sputter-deposited nitinol on a polyimide film may be particularly well suited for maximizing actuation power, although the invention is not limited to any particular material deposited, method of deposition, or type of film. Other suitable non-metal films may include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) or any other suitable polymeric organosilicon compound, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or any other suitable synthetic resin, and polyamide, without limitation. Force in such actuators can be calculated using the Equation 5:

where E_s is the Young's modulus of elasticity, I_s is the second moment of area, t_s is the thickness of the polyimide substrate, b is the width and L is the length of the cantilever, and d is the displacement of the free edge. Therefore, the force is approximately proportional to the cube of the polyimide thickness in sputter-deposited nitinol over polyimide film actuators.

[0027] Preferably, heating the metal sufficiently to activate the SMA is controlled and cannot be activated by the environment, else an uncontrolled environment with a high temperate may cause unintended activation. Heat absorbing and/or dissipating material surrounding the SMA, such as copper, aluminum, or any other material known for its relatively high heat transfer characteristics that make it ideal for use as a heat sink, may be included to absorb environmental heat to minimize heat transferred to the memory alloy.

[0028] Nitinol sheeting can be purchased through manufacturers in "untrained" or pre-memory-trained condition. Thus, nitinol actuators may procured ready to be inserted into the cards or "trained" steps may be included as part of the card assembly process.

[0029] In one embodiment, a shape memory actuator may be installed in a payment card in a pocket cut into the card via any method known in the art, such as, for example, using similar methods used for creating chip pockets, such as using a CNC machine. The SMA actuator and any covering are then placed in the cutout. The edges of the sheet are secured in the pocket such as by pinning the corners or gluing the edges of the sheet in the pocket.

[0030] In another embodiment, the SMA actuator may be added into the build of a card before lamination. Then, a pocket is cut though the top layer of the laminated card to expose the SMA actuator, and the covering layer is placed on top of and adhered to the surface of the SMA actuator. The top layer of the card may comprise any materials, including metal, such as but not limited to stainless steel or any metal known in the art for making a metal card, or plastic.

[0031] SMA actuators provide payment card manufacturers with a tool to differentiate themselves from competitors, and provide an end user with tactile feedback, such as to indicate payment. Current drawn through the payment terminal when the chip is inserted flows to the SMA, heating the SMA until it deforms to its predetermined shape. This pushes up a covering, such as a silicone overlay, over the SMA, to create a raised, tactile pattern relative to the planar surface of the card.

[0032] Although discussed extensively with respect to exemplary embodiments herein in the context of SMA actuators, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of SMA actuators, and may feature any type of micro-scale motion activators, actuators or sensors, including microfluidic devices or devices comprising any types of smart materials known in the art that are suitable for embedding in a transaction card and providing the functionality described herein may be provided. In particular, actuators with reversible motion (capable of repeatedly moving back and forth between the activated and inactivated stats) may be particularly useful in many of the embodiments described herein.

[0033] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown.

Claims

1. A transaction or identification card having a width, a length, and at least one planar surface extending across the width and length, the card comprising:

a dynamic feature (306) comprising an actuator having an inactivated position and an activated position, wherein the inactivated position has at least one reversible difference from the activated position relative to the planar surface of the card; and

a circuit (300, 500) comprising the actuator and configured to connect to a power source (302, 402) , the circuit (300, 500) configured to provide sufficient power to the actuator when connected to the power source (302, 402) to cause the actuator to move from the inactivated position to the activated position,

characterized in that

the at least one reversible difference comprises one or more of a perceptible tactile and/or visual difference.

2. The transaction or identification card of claim 1, wherein the dynamic feature (306) has an exposed planar surface that is disposed substantially flush with the at least one planar surface of the card in the inactivated position and offset relative to the at least one planar surface of the card in the activated position.

3. The transaction or identification card of claim 2, wherein the dynamic feature (306) comprises the actuator disposed in a cutout in the surface of the card, with a covering over the actuator, wherein the covering lies flush with the at least one planar surface of the card in the inactivated position.

4. The transaction or identification card of claim 3, wherein the covering comprises printed indicia.

5. The transaction or identification card of claim 4, wherein the printed indicia comprises a logo corresponding to an issuer or sponsor of the card.

6. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the at least one planar surface comprises metal.

7. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the dynamic feature (306) comprises a shape memory alloy having the inactivated position in a first material state of the alloy and the activated position in a second material state of the alloy, wherein the first state is different from the second state.

8. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the dynamic feature (306) comprises a shape memory alloy having the inactivated position in a relaxed material state of the alloy and the activated position in a deformed material state of the alloy, wherein the relaxed state is different from the deformed state and the power is sufficient to cause the shape memory alloy to transition from the relaxed state to the deformed state.

9. The transaction or identification card of claim 8, wherein the power source (302, 402) comprises a battery embedded in the card.

10. The transaction or identification card of claims 8 or 9, wherein the power source (302, 402) comprises a terminal configured to receive a set of metal contacts, and the card comprises metal contacts on at least one surface of the card positioned for mating with the terminal.

11. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 8-10, wherein the power source (302, 402) comprises transmitted power and the card comprises an antenna configured to receive the transmitted power.

12. The transaction or identification card of claim 11, wherein the circuit (300, 500) comprises an inductive RF circuit (300, 500) .

13. The transaction card of any one of claims 8-12, further comprising an RF receiver or transceiver (508) configured to receive a signal operable to cause the actuator to actuate.

14. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises an out-of-plane actuator.

15. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the shape memory alloy actuator comprises a diaphragm actuator.

16. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises nickel and titanium.

17. The transaction or identification card of claim 16, wherein the alloy further comprises copper.

18. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 14-17, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises an actuator comprising a sputter-deposited metal alloy on a non-metal film.

19. The transaction or identification card of claim 18, wherein the sputter-deposited metal alloy comprises nitinol and the non-metal film comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of: polyimide, polyamide, PDMS, and PMMA.

20. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 14-19, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a two-way actuator.

21. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 14-19, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises a one-way actuator.

22. The transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-21, wherein the activation or the deactivation of the actuator causes completion of or a discontinuity in an electrical circuit (300, 500) .

23. A process for making a transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-22, comprising the steps of:

providing the card body ;

cutting a pocket in the at least one planar surface;

providing the circuit comprising the actuator having the at least one reversible difference such that the actuator is inserted in the pocket the at least one reversible difference comprising one or more of the perceptible tactile and/or visual difference; and

disposing a covering over the actuator.

24. A process for making a transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-22 :

providing the card body as a laminated card body with the circuit (300, 500) comprising the actuator, the actuator having the at least one reversible difference comprising one or more of the perceptible tactile and/or visual difference and being embedded in the laminated card body in a position unexposed to the planar surface of the card body;

cutting a pocket in the at least one planar surface to expose the actuator; and

disposing a covering over the actuator.

25. A method of conducting an activity using the transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-22 , the method comprising the steps of:

providing the transaction card or identification card ;

coupling the card to the power source (302, 402) ; and

providing sufficient power to the actuator to cause the actuator to actuate from the inactivated position to the activated position.

26. A system for controlling a transaction or identification card, the system comprising:

the transaction or identification card of any one of claims 1-22 ;

an RF receiver or transceiver (508) configured to receive a signal operable to cause the actuator to actuate;

an electronic device configured to communicate with the RF receiver or transceiver (508) by emitting the signal.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the electronic device comprises a computer processor embedded in a mobile device and responsive to programmed instructions readable by the processor.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the programmed instructions readable by the processor include instructions for providing a user interface configured to permitting a user to interactively instruct emission of the signal.

29. The system of claims 27 or 28, wherein the programmed instructions readable by the processor include instructions for providing an interface controlled by a remote source through a network connected to the mobile device.

Ansprüche

1. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte mit einer Breite, einer Länge und mindestens einer ebenen Oberfläche, die sich über die Breite und Länge erstreckt, wobei die Karte Folgendes umfasst:

ein dynamisches Merkmal (306), das einen Aktuator mit einer inaktivierten Position und einer aktivierten Position umfasst, wobei die inaktivierte Position mindestens einen reversiblen Unterschied zu der aktivierten Position relativ zu der ebenen Oberfläche der Karte aufweist; und

einen Schaltkreis (300, 500), der den Aktuator umfasst und zum Verbinden mit einer Leistungsquelle (302, 402) konfiguriert ist, wobei der Schaltkreis (300, 500) so konfiguriert ist, dass er dem Aktuator genügend Leistung zuführt, wenn er mit der Leistungsquelle (302, 402) verbunden ist, um zu bewirken, dass sich der Aktuator von der inaktivierten Position in die aktivierte Position bewegt,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

der mindestens eine reversible Unterschied einen oder mehrere von einem wahrnehmbaren taktilen und/oder visuellen Unterschied umfasst.

2. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 1, wobei das dynamische Merkmal (306) eine exponierte ebene Oberfläche aufweist, die in der inaktivierten Position im Wesentlichen bündig mit der mindestens einen ebenen Oberfläche der Karte und in der aktivierten Position relativ zu der mindestens einen ebenen Oberfläche der Karte versetzt angeordnet ist.

3. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 2, wobei das dynamische Merkmal (306) den in einem Ausschnitt in der Oberfläche der Karte angeordneten Aktuator mit einer Abdeckung über dem Aktuator umfasst, wobei die Abdeckung in der inaktivierten Position bündig mit der mindestens einen ebenen Oberfläche der Karte liegt.

4. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Abdeckung gedruckte Zeichen umfasst.

5. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 4, wobei die gedruckten Zeichen ein Logo umfassen, das einem Aussteller oder Sponsor der Karte entspricht.

6. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die mindestens eine ebene Oberfläche Metall umfasst.

7. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei das dynamische Merkmal (306) eine Formgedächtnislegierung umfasst, die die inaktivierte Position in einem ersten Materialzustand der Legierung und die aktivierte Position in einem zweiten Materialzustand der Legierung aufweist, wobei sich der erste Zustand vom zweiten Zustand unterscheidet.

8. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei das dynamische Merkmal (306) eine Formgedächtnislegierung umfasst, die die inaktivierte Position in einem entspannten Materialzustand der Legierung und die aktivierte Position in einem verformten Materialzustand der Legierung aufweist, wobei sich der entspannte Zustand vom verformten Zustand unterscheidet und die Leistung ausreicht, um zu bewirken, dass die Formgedächtnislegierung vom entspannten Zustand in den verformten Zustand übergeht.

9. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Leistungsquelle (302, 402) eine in die Karte eingebettete Batterie umfasst.

10. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 8 oder 9, wobei die Leistungsquelle (302, 402) eine Klemme umfasst, die zum Aufnehmen eines Satzes von Metallkontakten konfiguriert ist, und die Karte Metallkontakte auf mindestens einer Oberfläche der Karte umfasst, die zum Zusammenstecken mit der Klemme positioniert sind.

11. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 10, wobei die Leistungsquelle (302, 402) Sendeleistung umfasst und die Karte eine zum Empfangen der Sendeleistung konfigurierte Antenne umfasst.

12. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 11, wobei der Schaltkreis (300, 500) einen induktiven HF-Schaltkreis (300, 500) umfasst.

13. Transaktionskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 12, die ferner einen HF-Empfänger oder -Transceiver (508) umfasst, der zum Empfangen eines Signals konfiguriert ist, das betrieben werden kann, um die Betätigung des Aktuators zu bewirken.

14. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 13, wobei die Formgedächtnislegierung einen Aktuator außerhalb der Ebene umfasst.

15. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 14, wobei der Aktuator aus Formgedächtnislegierung einen Membranaktuator umfasst.

16. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 15, wobei die Formgedächtnislegierung Nickel und Titan umfasst.

17. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 16, wobei die Legierung ferner Kupfer umfasst.

18. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 14 bis 17, wobei die Formgedächtnislegierung einen Aktuator umfasst, der eine aufgesputterte Metalllegierung auf einem nichtmetallischen Film umfasst.

19. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach Anspruch 18, wobei die aufgesputterte Metalllegierung Nitinol umfasst und der nichtmetallische Film eine Verbindung umfasst, die ausgewählt ist aus der Gruppe bestehend aus: Polyimid, Polyamid, PDMS und PMMA.

20. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 14 bis 19, wobei die Formgedächtnislegierung einen Zweiweg-Aktuator umfasst.

21. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 14 bis 19, wobei die Formgedächtnislegierung einen Einweg-Aktuator umfasst.

22. Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 21, wobei die Aktivierung oder Deaktivierung des Aktuators eine Schließung von oder Unterbrechung in einem elektrischen Schaltkreis (300, 500) bewirkt.

23. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 22, das die folgenden Schritte beinhaltet:

Bereitstellen des Kartenkörpers;

Schneiden einer Tasche in die mindestens eine ebene Oberfläche;

Bereitstellen des Schaltkreises, der den Aktuator mit dem mindestens einen reversiblen Unterschied umfasst, so dass der Aktuator in die Tasche eingeführt wird, wobei der mindestens eine reversible Unterschied einen oder mehrere von dem wahrnehmbaren taktilen und/oder visuellen Unterschied umfasst; und

Anordnen einer Abdeckung über dem Aktuator.

24. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 22:

Bereitstellen des Kartenkörpers als laminierten Kartenkörper mit dem Schaltkreis (300, 500), der den Aktuator umfasst, wobei der Aktuator den mindestens einen reversiblen Unterschied aufweist, der einen oder mehrere von dem wahrnehmbaren taktilen und/oder visuellen Unterschied umfasst, und in den laminierten Kartenkörper an einer Position eingebettet ist, die nicht gegenüber der ebenen Oberfläche des Kartenkörpers exponiert ist;

Schneiden einer Tasche in die mindestens eine ebene Oberfläche, um den Aktuator zu exponieren; und

Anordnen einer Abdeckung über dem Aktuator.

25. Verfahren zum Durchführen einer Aktivität mit der Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 22, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte beinhaltet:

Bereitstellen der Transaktionskarte oder Identifikationskarte;

Koppeln der Karte mit der Leistungsquelle (302, 402); und

Versorgen des Aktuators mit genügend Leistung, um die Betätigung des Aktuators von der inaktivierten Position in die aktivierte Position zu bewirken.

26. System zur Steuerung einer Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte, wobei das System Folgendes umfasst:

die Transaktions- oder Identifikationskarte nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 22;

einen HF-Empfänger oder -Transceiver (508), der zum Empfangen eines Signals konfiguriert ist, das bedient werden kann, um die Betätigung des Aktuators zu bewirken;

ein elektronisches Gerät, das zum Kommunizieren mit dem HF-Empfänger oder -Transceiver (508) durch Aussenden des Signals konfiguriert ist.

27. System nach Anspruch 26, wobei das elektronische Gerät einen Computerprozessor umfasst, der in ein mobiles Gerät eingebettet ist und auf programmierte Befehle anspricht, die von dem Prozessor gelesen werden können.

28. System nach Anspruch 27, wobei die programmierten Befehle, die vom Prozessor gelesen werden können, Befehle zum Bereitstellen einer Benutzerschnittstelle enthalten, die so konfiguriert ist, dass ein Benutzer das Senden des Signals interaktiv anweisen kann.

29. System nach Anspruch 27 oder 28, wobei die programmierten Befehle, die vom Prozessor gelesen werden können, Befehle zum Bereitstellen einer Schnittstelle enthalten, die von einer entfernten Quelle über ein mit dem mobilen Gerät verbundenes Netzwerk gesteuert wird.

Revendications

1. Carte de transaction ou d'identification présentant une largeur, une longueur et au moins une surface plane s'étendant sur la largeur et la longueur, la carte comprenant :

une caractéristique dynamique (306) comprenant un actionneur présentant une position inactivée et une position activée, la position inactivée présentant au moins une différence réversible par rapport à la position activée relativement à la surface plane de la carte ; et

un circuit (300, 500) comprenant l'actionneur et configuré pour sa connexion à une source de puissance (302, 402), le circuit (300, 500) étant configuré pour fournir une puissance suffisante à l'actionneur lorsqu'il est connecté à la source de puissance (302, 402) afin d'amener l'actionneur à se déplacer de la position inactivée à la position activée,

caractérisée en ce que

l'au moins une différence réversible comprend une ou plusieurs d'une différence tactile et/ou visuelle perceptible.

2. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la caractéristique dynamique (306) présente une surface plane exposée qui est disposée sensiblement à niveau avec l'au moins une surface plane de la carte dans la position inactivée et décalée relativement à l'au moins une surface plane de la carte dans la position activée.

3. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle la caractéristique dynamique (306) comprend l'actionneur disposé dans une découpe dans la surface de la carte, avec un revêtement par-dessus de l'actionneur, le revêtement reposant à niveau avec l'au moins une surface plane de la carte dans la position inactivée.

4. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle le revêtement comprend des repères imprimés.

5. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle les repères imprimés comprennent un logo correspondant à un organisme émetteur ou un sponsor de la carte.

6. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans laquelle l'au moins une surface plane comprend du métal.

7. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle la caractéristique dynamique (306) comprend un alliage à mémoire de forme ayant la position inactivée dans un premier état de matériau de l'alliage et la position activée dans un second état de matériau de l'alliage, le premier état étant différent du second état.

8. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans laquelle la caractéristique dynamique (306) comprend un alliage à mémoire de forme ayant la position inactivée dans un état de matériau détendu de l'alliage et la position activée dans un état de matériau déformé de l'alliage, l'état détendu étant différent de l'état déformé et la puissance étant suffisante pour amener l'alliage à mémoire de forme à passer de l'état détendu à l'état déformé.

9. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle la source de puissance (302, 402) comprend une batterie intégrée dans la carte.

10. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon les revendications 8 ou 9, dans laquelle la source de puissance (302, 402) comprend une borne configurée pour recevoir un ensemble de contacts métalliques, et la carte comprend sur au moins une surface de la carte des contacts métalliques positionnés pour s'accoupler avec la borne.

11. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10, dans laquelle la source de puissance (302, 402) comprend une puissance émise et la carte comprend une antenne configurée pour recevoir la puissance émise.

12. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle le circuit (300, 500) comprend un circuit RF inductif (300, 500).

13. Carte de transaction selon l'une quelconque des revendications 8 à 12, comprenant en outre un récepteur ou un émetteur-récepteur RF (508) configuré pour recevoir un signal exploitable pour déclencher l'actionnement de l'actionneur.

14. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 13, dans laquelle l'alliage à mémoire de forme comprend un actionneur hors plan.

15. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 14, dans laquelle l'actionneur en alliage à mémoire de forme comprend un actionneur à membrane.

16. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 15, dans laquelle l'alliage à mémoire de forme comprend du nickel et du titane.

17. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 16, dans laquelle l'alliage comprend en outre du cuivre.

18. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 17, dans laquelle l'alliage à mémoire de forme comprend un actionneur comprenant un alliage métallique déposé par pulvérisation sur un film non métallique.

19. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon la revendication 18, dans laquelle l'alliage métallique déposé par pulvérisation comprend du nitinol et le film non métallique comprend un composé sélectionné dans le groupe consistant en : polyimide, polyamide, PDMS et PMMA.

20. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 19, dans laquelle l'alliage à mémoire de forme comprend un actionneur bidirectionnel.

21. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 19, dans laquelle l'alliage à mémoire de forme comprend un actionneur unidirectionnel.

22. Carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 21, dans laquelle l'activation ou la désactivation de l'actionneur provoque la fermeture ou une discontinuité d'un circuit électrique (300, 500).

23. Procédé de fabrication d'une carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 22, comprenant les étapes de :

fourniture du corps de carte ;

découpage d'une poche dans l'au moins une surface plane ;

fourniture du circuit comprenant l'actionneur présentant l'au moins une différence réversible de telle sorte que l'actionneur soit inséré dans la poche, l'au moins une différence réversible comprenant une ou plusieurs de la différence tactile et/ou visuelle perceptible ; et

disposition d'un revêtement par-dessus l'actionneur.

24. Procédé de fabrication d'une carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 22 :

fourniture du corps de carte en tant que corps de carte laminé avec le circuit (300, 500) comprenant l'actionneur, l'actionneur présentant l'au moins une différence réversible comprenant une ou plusieurs de la différence tactile et/ou visuelle perceptible et étant intégré dans le corps de carte laminé dans une position non exposée relativement à la surface plane du corps de carte;

découpe d'une poche dans l'au moins une surface plane pour exposer l'actionneur ; et

disposition d'un revêtement par-dessus l'actionneur.

25. Procédé de réalisation d'une activité à l'aide de la carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 22, le procédé comprenant les étapes de :

fourniture de la carte de transaction ou la carte d'identification ;

couplage de la carte à la source de puissance (302, 402) ; et

fourniture d'une puissance suffisante à l'actionneur pour déclencher l'actionnement de l'actionneur de la position inactivée à la position activée.

26. Système de commande d'une carte de transaction ou d'identification, le système comprenant :

la carte de transaction ou d'identification selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 22 ;

un récepteur ou un émetteur-récepteur RF (508) configuré pour recevoir un signal exploitable pour déclencher l'actionnement de l'actionneur ;

un dispositif électronique configuré pour communiquer avec le récepteur ou l'émetteur-récepteur RF (508) en émettant le signal.

27. Système selon la revendication 26, dans lequel le dispositif électronique comprend un processeur informatique intégré dans un dispositif mobile et répondant à des instructions programmées lisibles par le processeur.

28. Système selon la revendication 27, dans lequel les instructions programmées lisibles par le processeur incluent des instructions pour fournir une interface utilisateur configurée pour permettre à un utilisateur d'ordonner de manière interactive l'émission du signal.

29. Système selon les revendications 27 ou 28, dans lequel les instructions programmées lisibles par le processeur incluent des instructions pour fournir une interface commandée par une source distante par le biais d'un réseau connecté au dispositif mobile.

Drawing