HK1168072A - Payment card having acceptance attributes on a single side - Google Patents

Description

Payment card with acceptance attributes on a single side

Cross reference to related applications

This PCT patent application claims priority of united states provisional patent application No. 61/153,693 entitled "Payment Card with Acceptance Attributes on a Single Side" (laid Card Having Acceptance Attributes on a Single Side) "filed on 2.19.2009. This PCT patent application also claims priority from U.S. patent application No. 12/708,029, filed on 2/18/2010 and entitled "payment card with acceptance attributes on a single side". The disclosures of the aforementioned provisional patent application No. 61/153,693 and the aforementioned U.S. patent application No. 12/708,029 are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to electronic commerce, and more particularly to payment cards for use with electronic payment systems.

Background

A payment card is a card that can be presented by a cardholder for payment. By way of example and not limitation, the payment card may be a credit card, debit card, charge card, stored value card, or pre-paid card.

Generally, all payment cards have a "front" and a "back". In the case of store cards (also known as private brands or closed loop cards), the front of the card typically has the store name and/or identification and at least the account number and customer name, and the back of the card typically has at least a bar code or magnetic strip containing the account information. In the case of a general payment card (also known as an open loop card), such as a MasterCard card, the card front typically has a payment brand, an issuer brand, an account number, a cardholder name, an expiration date, and certain security features (e.g., a hologram). The back of the card typically has at least a magnetic stripe and a signature panel.

Disclosure of Invention

Principles of the present invention provide techniques for a payment card having an acceptance attribute on a single side.

In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of a payment card includes: a generally planar body having a first side and a second side; and a plurality of acceptance attributes on the second side; wherein the first side is not formed with any acceptance attributes thereon. The first side may include artwork of an issuer of the payment card. For example, the acceptance attributes may include a signature field, a cardholder name, a card expiration date, at least one of a barcode and a magnetic stripe, and a card security code.

In another aspect, an exemplary method of using a payment card includes: actually presenting the described kind of payment card to the merchant; and viewing, by the merchant, at least required ones of the acceptance attributes without the merchant flipping the card. Additional steps may include: conducting a transaction based on the merchant viewing a desired one of the acceptance attributes; and/or advertising an issuer of the card by including issuer artwork on the first side of the card.

In yet another aspect, another exemplary method of using a payment card includes: acceptance attribute information for a payment card of the kind described is supplied (not necessarily actually presenting the card) from the card user to the merchant. The acceptance attributes include acceptance attribute information (e.g., account number and card security code). The additional steps include: viewing, by the card user, the acceptance attribute information without the card user having to flip the card. Additional steps may include: conducting a transaction based on the supplied acceptance attribute information; and/or advertising an issuer of the card by including issuer artwork on the first side of the card.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a preferred embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate another preferred embodiment according to another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a general example of a payment system that may implement the techniques of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts exemplary interrelationships between and among: (i) a payment network configured to facilitate transactions between a plurality of card issuers and a plurality of acquirer mechanisms, (ii) a plurality of customers, (iii) a plurality of merchants, (iv) a plurality of acquirer mechanisms, and (v) a plurality of card issuers;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system useful in at least some instances in conjunction with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate yet another preferred embodiment (with a contact pad for the chip) according to yet another aspect of the present invention; and is

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate yet another preferred embodiment (with a non-contact operation flag) according to yet another aspect of the present invention.

Detailed Description

As mentioned above, a payment card is a card that can be presented by a cardholder for payment. By way of example and not limitation, the payment card may be a credit card, debit card, charge card, stored value card, or pre-paid card.

Generally, all payment cards have a "front" and a "back". In the case of store cards (also known as private brands or closed loop cards), the front of the card typically has the store name and/or identification and at least the account number and customer name, and the back of the card typically has at least a bar code or magnetic strip containing the account information. In the case of a general payment card (also known as an open loop card), such as a mastercard, the card front typically has a payment brand, an issuer brand, an account number, a cardholder name, an expiration date, and certain security features (e.g., a hologram). The back of the card typically has at least a magnetic stripe and a signature panel.

Generally, the issuer of a payment card must make the aforementioned elements on the front or back of the card to present visually appealing card artwork to the cardholder.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a payment card in which all of the acceptance attributes or features are located on one side of the card. Acceptance attributes are those attributes required by the merchant to accept the card for payment and/or to process the transaction. Such acceptance attributes include: signature fields, cardholder name, expiration date, magnetic stripe, and desired security features such as holograms, uv inks, and CVC2 codes (or other card security codes).

By way of background, Card Security Codes (CSCs), sometimes referred to as card verification values (CVV or CV2), Card Verification Value Codes (CVVC), Card Verification Codes (CVC), verification codes (V-codes or V-codes), or Card Code Verification (CCV), are security features for credit or debit card transactions that give increased protection against credit card fraud. There are several types of security codes:

a first code called CVC1 or CVV1 is encoded on the magnetic strip of the card and used for transactions made by the person.

Second code and most referenced is CVV2 or CVC 2. The merchant typically asks for this CSC (also known as a CCID or credit card ID) for its assurance of a "card not present" transaction occurring via the internet, by mail, fax, or via telephone. In many countries in western europe, due to the increased attempts at card fraud, it is now mandatory to provide this code when the cardholder is not personally present.

Contactless cards and chip cards can supply their own electronically generated codes, such as iccvs or dynamic CVVs.

CVV2 is a3 or 4 digit value printed on a card or signature strip but not encoded on a magnetic strip. Mastercard, Visa (Visa) card, Diners Club (Diners Club) card, discovery (Discover) card and JCB card (in each case including credit and debit cards) have 3-digit codes called "CVC 2" (card authentication code), "CVV 2" (card verification value), "CVV" and "CID" (card identification number), respectively. It is not usually embossed like the card number, but is usually always the final group of numbers printed on the back signature field of the card. In some applications, "CVC 2" is in a separate column to the right of the signature strip. This is done to prevent overwriting of the number by signing the card. The American Express card has a 4-digit code, called CID (or unique card code), printed on the front side of the card over the number. Which are typically printed flat rather than embossed like the card number. The number is typically generated at the time the card is issued by hashing the card number and expiration date under a key known only to the issuing bank. Supplying this code in a transaction is intended to verify that the customer owns the card. Knowing the code proves that the customer has seen the card or has seen a record made by someone who saw the card.

By locating all of the acceptance attributes on one side of the card, the card according to embodiments of the invention supports:

the merchant and cardholder view all required card acceptance attributes at the central location; and

the card side dedicated to the card issuer is fully used for the non-accepted card original.

One or more embodiments provide the following advantages: in interaction with the merchant, the merchant is not required to flip the card. The signature is present on the same side of the card as other information typically accessed by the merchant, such as the account number and expiration date. This reduces the likelihood of refunds and/or re-presentment due to merchant failure to check the signature.

In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the magnetic strip is provided in a similar color or shade, hue or chroma to the background of the side of the card in which it is positioned. In some examples, the magnetic stripe may be the same color as the background; however, this is not considered as desirable as some other options, as it would make the magnetic stripe difficult to locate for scanning purposes (in which case other indicia such as an outline, a pattern, or lack of a pattern may be used to outline the magnetic stripe). Furthermore, in some cases, the magnetic strips may be of different non-coordinated colors or even a conventional black color, but this is not considered as desirable as some other options due to aesthetic aspects. In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the signature bar and/or CVC2 area may be presented in the same color, similar color or shade, tone or chroma of the background. If the signature bar and/or CVC2 area is the same color as the background, it is preferably outlined from the background in another way, such as by having a pattern on the background that is not present in the signature bar and/or CVC2 area.

In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment, the signature section has the name or indicia of the payment card network operator imprinted thereon at a 45 degree angle (e.g., mastercard international liability, inc.); preferably, lettering having a color similar to but distinguishable from the background region is provided on the background region in harmony therewith.

Thus, the magnetic stripe and/or signature panel is preferably color matched or color coordinated with the background, but may be finely distinguishable from the background. Furthermore, in a preferred but non-limiting method, the two sides of the card are color matched or color coordinated with each other.

One or more embodiments produce the perception of a card having "two front sides".

It should be noted that in one or more examples, an operator of a payment card network (by way of example and not limitation, mastercard international liability, ltd, or the weiss international service association, or proprietary trademarks) may set aesthetic design requirements for one or more payment cards incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention.

A magnetic stripe card is a type of card that is capable of storing data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based magnetic particles on a strip of magnetic material on the card. A magnetic stripe (also referred to herein as a magnetic stripe) is read by physically contacting and scanning it across a read head.

Referring now to fig. 1A and 1B, an exemplary embodiment of a payment card includes: a first side 10 shown in FIG. 1A, reserved for card issuer artwork; and a second side 12 shown in FIG. 1B, on which all acceptance attributes are located. Looking clockwise at the legend from the top right, the second side contains source information 32, issuer identification 34, intaglio 38 for CVC2, CVC2 area 40, Mastercard Identification Area (MIA)42, intaglio 36 for the last four digits of the account number, expiration date 30, cardholder name 28, day-keepingA period legend ("validity period to") 26, a BIN (bank identification number) 24, and an account number 22. Continuing with the clockwise legend, the word "valid with authorized signer" at 20, the mastercard signature column 18, the magnetic stripe 16, and the product identifier 14 are also included. It will be seen that the product identifier and issuer identification may be superimposed on the magnetic stripe. Further, the CVC2 column is adjacent to the signature column. Note that the mastercard with CVC2 security code is shown for exemplary purposes, but other types of cards with other types of card security codes may also be configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that some cards may not have product identifiers and some cards may have more, less, or different legends than the legends shown in the examples. Further, with regard to superimposing product identifiers and/or issuer identifications on magnetic strips, magnetic strip material is currently manufactured on rollers, and words (if any) are typically provided thereon in a repeating pattern. This approach may be taken in some instances, possibly with some sort of indexing scheme; in other cases, additional printing or the like may be applied to the magnetic strip; holograms (e.g., HOLOGMAG from Jedi Signal electro-optical Corporation of 430. Midbida North McCartesin Avenue, Calif. (JDS UNIPHASE Corporation, 430North McCarthy Blvd. Milpitas California, formerly U.S. Bank Note Hologrphides No. 2 (postal code: 08691), Robinville, N.J.) can be appliedA magnetic encoding strip; and so on.

The MIA 42 and mastercard signature column 18 are exemplary and alternatives may be employed for other brands of cards.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are generally similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B, except that a business card is shown instead of a personal card; the business card has a different product identifier and contains a company name shown at 28 'following the cardholder's name. In other aspects, similar items have received similar numbers.

Fig. 6A and 6B show an alternative embodiment with a chip card with a chip contact plate 110. Fig. 7A and 7B show an alternative embodiment with a logo 78 indicating that the card is contactless and corresponding indicia 76 (exemplary of indicia for contactless card products and/or services). PaypassIs a registered mark of mastercard international llc of New York pascal (Purchase, New York, USA), USA. In these non-limiting examples, there is no lettering in the magnetic strip 16; the product identifier 14 is in a different position, the field 42 is lowered, and the name 28 is moved over the account number 22. Note that in some examples, the contact plate 110 may instead be located on the side 10. In other aspects, similar items have received similar numbers. Note the customer service number 62.

It is also noted that in some examples, lettering and/or numbering on a card may not be embossed due to possible effects on the appearance of the side of the card opposite the lettering. In some cases, lettering can be simulated using a "shadow" type font. Further, in some cases, the embossed features may be implemented on a separate substrate 79 and glued to or laminated with the remainder of the card. Laser or thermal imprinting may be employed in some examples. Of course, conventional embossing can be used if desired.

Note that some embodiments may not have a magnetic stripe (by way of example and not limitation, a chip card to be used outside the united states).

It will thus be appreciated that in one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of a payment card includes a generally planar body having a first side 10 and a second side 12, and a plurality of acceptance attributes on the second side, wherein the first side is not formed with any acceptance attributes thereon. The first side may include artwork of the issuer of the payment card (optionally subject to review and approval by entity 208 or the like). For example, the acceptance attributes may include one, some, or all of signature field 18, cardholder name 28, card expiration date 30, and card security code (e.g., 38). In some cases, the acceptance attribute further comprises at least one of a bar code and a magnetic strip 16. When used, the magnetic strip may be color coordinated with the second side in some cases. The card security code may also be located on a region 40 color coordinated with the second side. In some examples, the first and second sides are color coordinated. The body portion preferably has a conventional form factor. In some cases, the integrated circuit chips 104, 114 are located within the body portion. As shown in fig. 6B and 3, a contact pad 110 may be coupled to the integrated circuit chip and located on one of the first and second sides. As shown in fig. 3, in some cases, an antenna is coupled to an integrated circuit chip; in such examples, as seen in fig. 7B, the non-contact operated flag 78 may be located on the second side.

In another aspect, an exemplary method of using a payment card includes: actually presenting the described kind of payment card to the merchant; and viewing, by the merchant, at least required ones of the acceptance attributes without the merchant flipping the card. Additional steps may include: conducting a transaction based on the merchant viewing a desired one of the acceptance attributes; and/or advertising the card issuing institution of the card by including card issuing institution artwork on the first side of the card.

In yet another aspect, another exemplary method of using a payment card includes: acceptance attribute information for a payment card of the kind described is supplied (not necessarily actually presenting the card) from the card user to the merchant. The acceptance attributes include acceptance attribute information (e.g., account number and card security code). The additional steps include: viewing, by the card user, the acceptance attribute information without the card user having to flip the card. Additional steps may include: conducting a transaction based on the supplied acceptance attribute information; and/or advertising an issuer of the card by including issuer artwork on the first side of the card.

Attention should now be directed to FIG. 3, which depicts a non-limiting example of a system 100 within which a card according to embodiments of the present invention may be used and/or within which an exemplary method according to embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Various possible components of the system are shown. The system 100 may include one or more different types of portable payment devices. For example, one such device may be a contact device, such as card 102. Card 102 may include an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip 104 having a processor portion 106 and a memory portion 108. A plurality of electrical contacts 110 may be provided for communication purposes. System 100 may also be designed to work with non-contact devices, such as card 112, in addition to or in place of card 102. The card 112 may include an IC chip 114 having a processor portion 116 and a memory portion 118. An antenna 120 may be provided for contactless communication, for example using Radio Frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves. One or more oscillators may be provided for one or more of modulation, demodulation, down-conversion, etc. Other types of devices may include a card 150 having a magnetic stripe 152.

The ICs 104, 114 may contain processing units 106, 116 and memory units 108, 118. Preferably, the ICs 104, 114 may also include one or more of control logic, timers, and input/output ports. Such elements are well known in the IC art and are not separately illustrated. One or both of the ICs 104, 114 may also include a coprocessor, which is also well known and not separately illustrated. The control logic may provide the controls necessary to handle communications between the memory units 108, 118 and the input/output ports in conjunction with the processing units 106, 116. The timer may provide a timing reference signal from the processing units 106, 116 and the control logic. The coprocessor may provide the ability to perform complex computations, such as those required by cryptographic algorithms, in real-time.

The memory portions or units 108, 118 may include different types of memory, such as volatile and non-volatile memory and read-only and programmable memory. The memory unit may store transaction card data, such as a personal identification number ("PIN") and/or a primary account number ("PAN") of a user. Memory portions or units 108, 118 may store the operating system of cards 102, 112. The operating system loads and executes application programs and provides file management or other basic card services to the application programs. One operating system that may be used is MULTIPOS licensed by Maxco LimitedAnd (4) operating the system. (Maosco Limited, St. Andrews House, The Links, Kelvin Close, Birchwood, Warrington, WA37PB. United Kingdom) of Studies park of Clauss Linx, Wallington, Wa 37 PB, Wallington, Winterd Kingdom). Alternatively, a JAVA-based CARD may be employed^TMTechnical JAVA CARD-based^TMLicensed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Inc., 4150network circle, Santa Clara, CA 95054 USA) of Santa Clara network Loop 4150 (zip code: 95054), Calif. or a proprietary operating system available from several vendors. Preferably, the operating system is stored in read only memory ("ROM") within the memory portions 108, 118. Flash memory or other non-volatile and/or volatile types of memory may also be used in memory units 108, 118.

In addition to the basic services provided by the operating system, the memory portions 108, 118 may also include one or more application programs. One possible specification that such applications may currently conform to is the EMV interoperability Payment Specification by EMVCo, Inc. (Metro Center Boulevard, Mailsup M3-3D, Central street 901, zip code 94404(901Metro Center Boulevard, Mailsup M3-3D, Foster City, California, 94404, USA). It will be appreciated that, strictly speaking, the EMV specification defines the behaviour of the terminal; however, the card may be configured to conform to this EMV-compliant terminal behavior and is itself EMV-compliant in this sense. It will be appreciated that the application may be configured in a variety of different ways.

As noted, cards 102, 112 are examples of various payment devices. The device may include cards with conventional form factors, smaller or larger cards, cards of different shapes, key fobs, and the like. The card may include a body portion (e.g., a laminate plastic layer of a payment card, a chip package, etc.), a memory 108, 118 associated with the body portion, and a processor 106, 116 associated with and coupled to the body portion. The memory 108, 118 may contain appropriate applications. The processor 106, 116 may be operable to perform one or more method steps. For example, the application may be an Application Identifier (AID) linked to software code in the form of firmware plus data in card memory, such as electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). Also, note that a "smart" card is not necessarily required and that conventional magnetic stripe cards may be employed.

Note that it is presently believed that full-size cards employing a conventional form factor are preferred to have sufficient space to contain the acceptance attributes on a single side.

For example, the card may conform to the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 format (also referred to as "full size" or "regular form factor").

Several different types of terminals can be employed with system 100. Such terminals may include a contact terminal 122 configured to interface with the contact-type device 102, a wireless terminal 124 configured to interface with the wireless device 112, a magnetic stripe terminal 125 configured to interface with the magnetic stripe device 150, or a combination terminal 126. The combination terminal 126 is designed to interface with any type of device 102, 112, 150. Some terminals may be contact terminals with plug-in contactless readers. The combination terminal 126 can include a memory 128, a processor portion 130, a reader module 132, and optionally an item interface module (e.g., a barcode scanner 134 and/or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader 136). The items 128, 132, 134, 136 may be coupled to a processor 130. Note that the principles of construction of the terminal 126 are applicable to other types of terminals and are described in detail for illustrative purposes. The reader module 132 may be configured for contact communication with the card or device 102, contactless communication with the card or device 112, reading a magnetic stripe 152, or a combination of any two or more of the foregoing (different types of readers may be provided to interact with different types of cards, such as contact cards, magnetic stripe cards, or contactless cards). The terminals 122, 124, 125, 126 may be connected to one or more processing centers 140, 142, 144 via a computer network 138. For example, the network 138 may include the internet or a proprietary network. More than one network may be employed to connect the different elements of the system. For example, the processing centers 140, 142, 144 may include host computers of card issuing institutions for payment devices.

Many different retail or other stores, represented by points of sale 146, 148, may be connected to the network 138. In one or more examples, various stores may interface with a telecommunications network, such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), via one or more machines that are then connected to the network. Each such store may have one or more terminals. Further, different types of portable payment devices, terminals, or other elements or components may combine or "mix and match" one or more features depicted on the exemplary device in fig. 3.

The portable payment device may facilitate a transaction by a user with a terminal (e.g., 122, 124, 125, 126) of a system, such as system 100. Such a device may include a processor, for example, the processing units 106, 116 discussed above. The device may also include a memory, such as the memory portions 108, 118 discussed above, coupled to the processor. Further, the device may include a communication module coupled to the processor and configured to interface with a terminal, such as one of terminals 122, 124, 125, 126. For example, the communication module may include contacts 110 or antenna 120 along with appropriate circuitry (e.g., the aforementioned one or more oscillators or oscillators and related circuitry) that permits interfacing with the terminals via contact or wireless communication. A processor of an apparatus may be operable to perform one or more steps of methods and techniques. The processor may perform such operations via hardware techniques and/or under the influence of program instructions (e.g., an application) stored in one of the memory units.

The portable device may include a body portion. For example, in the case of a "smart" card or magnetic stripe card, it may be a laminated plastic body (as discussed above).

It will be appreciated that terminals 122, 124, 125, 126 are examples of terminal equipment for interacting with the holder's payment device. The apparatus may include a processor, such as processor 130, a memory, such as memory 128, coupled to the processor, and a communication module, such as 132, coupled to the processor and configured to interface with a portable device. Processor 130 may be operable to communicate with a user's portable payment device via communication module 132. The terminal device may function via hardware techniques in the processor 130 or by program instructions stored in the memory 128. This logic may optionally be provided from a central location, such as processing center 140, via network 138. The aforementioned barcode scanner 134 and/or RFID tag reader 136 may be provided and may be coupled to the processor to collect attribute data, such as product identification, from a UPC code or RFID tag on a product to be purchased.

The devices 102, 112 may be ISO 7816 compliant contact cards or devices or NFC (near field communication) or ISO 14443 compliant proximity cards or devices. In operation, the terminals 124 or 128 may be touched or tapped with the card 112, and the terminals 124 or 128 then contactlessly transmit electronic data to a proximate IC chip or other wireless device in the card 112.

One or more of the processing centers 140, 142, 144 may include a database, such as a data warehouse 154.

Referring to FIG. 4, exemplary relationships among multiple entities are depicted. Several different customers 202 (C)₁、C₂…C_N) With a number of different merchants 204 (M)₁、M₂…M_M) And (6) interacting. The merchant 204 and a number of different acquirer 206 (A)₁、A₂…A_I) And (6) interacting. The acquirer 206 and several different card issuers 210 (I)₁、I₂…I_J) By being configured to facilitate multiple card issuing mechanisms and multiple acquiring mechanismsA single operator 208 interaction of the payment network of the transaction between; for example, BANKNETNetwork Universal card International Limited liability company operator, or VISANETThe network's wiji international service association operator. Generally, N, M, I and J are integers that may or may not be equal.

In the context of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, cardholder 202 may hold a device such as a payment card in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; the merchant 204 may have terminals such as 122, 124, 125, 126, and the entities 206, 208, 210 may operate processing centers such as 140, 142, 144 (with data storage 154 as needed). As noted, the network 138 may include a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and/or the internet; the VPN can be, for example, the aforementioned BANKNETNetwork, and entity 208 may be, for example, an entity such as mastercard international limited liability company.

Network 138 may be operated by entity 208 and may employ ISO 8583 messaging, for example.

System and article details

Cards according to embodiments of the present invention may be used within larger systems that may employ hardware and/or software aspects. Software includes, but is not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, and the like. Software may be employed, for example, in connection with: terminals 122, 124, 125, 126; the merchant, the issuer, the processing center 140, 142, 144 of the acquirer (optionally with data warehouse 154), the processor, or the operator of the network operating according to the payment system standard (and/or specification); and so on. Firmware may be employed, for example, in connection with payment devices such as cards 102, 112.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system 500 in which a card according to an embodiment of the invention may operate, or in which a method according to an embodiment of the invention may be implemented, which may implement part or all of one or more aspects or processes of the system. As shown in fig. 5, memory 530 configures processor 520 to implement one or more aspects of the methods, steps, and functions disclosed herein, shown collectively in fig. 5 as process 580. Different method steps may be performed by different processors. Memory 530 may be distributed or local and processor 520 may be distributed or singular. The memory 530 may be implemented as an electrical, magnetic, or optical memory, or any combination of these or other types of storage devices, including memory portions as described above with respect to cards 102, 112. It should be noted that if distributed processors are employed, each distributed processor comprising processor 520 typically contains its own addressable memory space. It should also be noted that some or all of computer system 500 may be incorporated into an application-specific or general-purpose integrated circuit. For example, one or more method steps may be implemented in hardware in an ASIC rather than using firmware. Display 540 represents various possible input/output devices (e.g., a display, a mouse, a keyboard, etc.).

As known in the art, part or all of one or more aspects of methods and apparatus may be distributed as an article of manufacture that itself comprises a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon. The computer readable program code means is operable, in conjunction with a computer system, to carry out all or some of the steps to perform the methods or form the apparatus. The computer-usable medium may be a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium (e.g., floppy disks, hard drives, compact disks, EEPROMs, or memory cards; contain no transmission medium or tangible signals) or may be a transmission medium (e.g., a network comprising fiber-optics, the world-wide web, cables, or a wireless channel using time-division multiple access, code-division multiple access, or other radio-frequency channel). Any medium known or developed that can store information suitable for use with a computer system may be used. The computer readable code means is any mechanism for allowing a computer to read instructions and data, such as magnetic variations on a magnetic medium or height variations on the surface of an optical disc. The media may be distributed across multiple physical devices (or across multiple networks). For example, one device may be a physical memory medium associated with the terminal, and another device may be a physical memory medium associated with the processing center.

The computer systems and servers described herein each contain memory that will configure the associated processor to implement the methods, steps, and functions. Such methods, steps and functions may be implemented, for example, by processing power on various system elements or by any combination of elements. The memory may be distributed or local and the processor may be distributed or singular. The memory may be implemented as an electrical, magnetic or optical memory, or any combination of these or other types of storage devices. Furthermore, the term "memory" should be construed broadly enough to encompass any information able to be read from or written to an address in the addressable space accessed by an associated processor. With this definition, information on a network is still within memory because the associated processor can retrieve the information from the network.

Thus, elements of the system may utilize computer technology with appropriate instructions to facilitate method steps. By way of another example, the terminal apparatus 122, 124, 125, 126 may include, among other things, a communication module, an antenna coupled to the communication module, a memory, and at least one processor coupled to the memory and the communication module and operative to interrogate a contactless payment device (instead of the antenna and communication module, appropriate contacts and other elements may be provided to interrogate a contact payment device such as a contact card or to read a magnetic strip).

Thus, it will be appreciated that one or more aspects of a system may comprise a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform one or more steps when such program is run on a computer, and that such program may be embodied on a tangible computer readable recordable storage medium; for example in the form of different software modules that are then executed on one or more hardware processors. Further, a system may comprise a computer comprising code adapted to cause the computer to perform one or more steps in conjunction with one or more apparatus elements or features.

The computers discussed herein may be interconnected by one or more of the network 138, another Virtual Private Network (VPN), the internet, a local area network, and/or a wide area network (LAN and/or WAN), for example, via an EDI layer or the like. The computer may be programmed, for example, in one or more of a compiled, interpreted, object-oriented, assembly, and/or machine language (e.g., C, C + +, Java, Visual Basic, etc. (an exemplary and non-limiting list)), and may also utilize, for example, extensible markup language (XML), known applications such as relational database applications, spreadsheets, and the like. The computer may be programmed to implement the described logic.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A payment card, comprising:

a generally planar body having a first side and a second side; and

a plurality of acceptance attributes on the second side;

wherein the first side is not formed with any acceptance attributes thereon.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the first side includes artwork of an issuer of the payment card.

3. The card of claim 2, wherein said acceptance attributes include a signature panel, a cardholder name, a card expiration date, and a card security code.

4. The card of claim 3, wherein the acceptance attribute further comprises at least one of a bar code and a magnetic stripe.

5. The card of claim 3, wherein the acceptance attribute further comprises a magnetic stripe.

6. The card of claim 5, wherein the magnetic stripe is color coordinated with the second side.

7. The card of claim 5, wherein the card security code is located on a region color-coordinated with the second side.

8. The card of claim 5, wherein the card security code is located on a region color coordinated with the second side, and the magnetic stripe is color coordinated with the second side.

9. The card of claim 8, wherein said first and second sides are color coordinated.

10. The card of claim 1, wherein the body portion has a conventional form factor.

11. The card of claim 1, further comprising an integrated circuit chip located within the body portion.

12. The card of claim 11, further comprising contact pads coupled to the integrated circuit chip and located on one of the first and second sides.

13. The card of claim 11, further comprising an antenna coupled to the integrated circuit chip.

14. The card of claim 13, further comprising a non-contact operating indicia on the second side.

15. A method of using a payment card, comprising:

physically presenting a payment card to a merchant, the card in turn comprising:

a generally planar body having a first side and a second side; and

a plurality of acceptance attributes on the second side;

wherein the first side is not formed with any acceptance attributes; and

at least required ones of the acceptance attributes are viewed by the merchant without the merchant flipping the card.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising conducting a transaction based on the merchant viewing desired ones of the acceptance attributes.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising promoting an issuer of the card by including issuer artwork on the first side of the card.

18. A method of using a payment card, comprising:

supplying acceptance attribute information for a payment card from a card user to a merchant, the card in turn comprising:

a generally planar body having a first side and a second side; and

a plurality of acceptance attributes on the second side, the plurality of acceptance attributes including the acceptance attribute information;

wherein the first side is not formed with any acceptance attributes; and

viewing, by the card user, the acceptance attribute information without the card user having to flip the card.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising conducting a transaction based on the supplied acceptance attribute information.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising promoting an issuer of the card by including issuer artwork on the first side of the card.