# US 12,554,958 B2 · Metal card with biometric features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,554,958 B2 - Document ID: US12554958B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/766,805 - Filed: 2020-10-22 - Published: 2024-02-29 - Granted: 2026-02-17 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-25 - Assignees: CompoSecure, LLC - Applicants: CompoSecure, LLC - Inventors: Adam Lowe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12554958B2 ## CPC - G06K 19/0718: {the sensor being of the biometric kind, e.g. fingerprint sensors (fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/13; biometric access-control systems in general, see G07C9/00)} - B32B 15/04: comprising metal as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/08; next to a water-setting substance layer B32B13/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/061; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/042)} - G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs} - G06K 19/07722: {the record carrier being multilayered, e.g. laminated sheets (flat articles in general, see B32B37/00)} - G06K 19/10: at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards (verification of coded identity or credit cards in mechanisms actuated by them G07F7/12) - G06Q 20/40145: {Biometric identity checks} - G06V 40/1306: {non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing} - G06V 40/1365: {Matching; Classification} - B32B 2425/00: Cards, e.g. identity cards, credit cards - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract Metal transaction cards and methods of making metal transaction cards are disclosed. One metal transaction card includes at least one metal layer and an inlay layer comprising a biometric sensor and one or more payment interface components configured to interface with a card reader, a secure element configured to exchange information with the card reader pursuant to processing a financial transaction, and at least one logic component connected to the biometric sensor. The logic component is configured to compare information detected by the biometric sensor to stored information and to enable processing of the financial transaction only upon a detected match between the detected and stored information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A metal transaction card comprising: at least one metal layer; a biometric sensor; one or more payment interface components configured to interface with a card reader; a secure element configured to exchange information with the card reader pursuant to processing a financial transaction; at least one logic component connected to the biometric sensor and configured to compare information detected by the biometric sensor to stored information and to enable processing of the financial transaction only upon a detected match between the detected and stored information; visible indicia on a front outer surface of the card aligned with the biometric sensor to signify a lateral location of the sensor relative to a periphery of the card, such that the biometric sensor is not visible from the front outer surface of the card; and wherein at least a portion of the at least one metal layer or a further layer overlies the biometric sensor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein one or more the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, and the at least one logic component are disposed on an inlay. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The metal transaction card of claim 2, further comprising at least one non-metal layer disposed between a first surface of the inlay layer and the metal layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The metal transaction card of claim 2, further comprising at least one other layer assembled on a second surface of the inlay layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The metal transaction card of claim 2, wherein the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, and the at least one logic component are distributed among more than one inlay with one or more conductive elements conductively connecting at least one to another of the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, and the at least one logic component, wherein at least one of the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, the at least one logic component, and the one or more conductive elements comprise a printed circuit board (PCB). ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The metal transaction card of claim 2, wherein the inlay has lateral dimensions smaller than lateral dimensions of the card. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein the one or more payment interface components comprises a set of physical contacts configured to interface with a card reader and accessible from a surface of the card. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The metal transaction card of claim 7, wherein the at least one logic component further comprises the secure element connected to the set of physical contacts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The metal transaction card of claim 8, wherein the at least one logic component comprises the secure element, a microprocessor configured to compare information detected by the biometric sensor to stored information, computer memory for storing the stored information, and one or more antennae configured for contactless communication with a card reader in a single integrated secure processing module. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein the one or more payment interface components comprises one or more antennae configured for contactless communication with a card reader. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein the one or more antennae is configured for contactless communication with a card reader in the nature of short-range wireless interconnection. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein the one or more payment interface components comprises a dual interface chip comprising a set of physical contacts configured to interface with a card reader and accessible from a surface of the card, one or more antennae configured for contactless communication with a card reader, and the secure element in a single integrated payment module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, further comprising at least one opening in the metal layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The metal transaction card of claim 13, wherein the one or more payment interface components configured to interface with a card reader comprises contacts accessible through the at least one opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The metal transaction card of claim 13, wherein the biometric sensor is accessible through the at least one opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor is a fingerprint sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor comprises an image capture device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The metal transaction card of claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor is configured to detect a change in reflected radiation corresponding to biometric user information. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The metal transaction card of claim 18, wherein the biometric sensor is an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The metal transaction card of claim 18, wherein the biometric sensor is partially or entirely not visible from an outer surface of the card. ### Claim 21 A method for making a transaction card, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one metal layer; (b) providing at least one inlay layer comprising a biometric sensor, one or more payment interface components configured to interface with a card reader; a secure element configured to exchange information with the card reader pursuant to processing a financial transaction; at least one logic component connected to the biometric sensor and configured to compare information detected by the biometric sensor to stored information and to enable processing of the financial transaction only upon a detected match between the detected and stored information; and visible indicia on a front outer surface of the card aligned with the biometric sensor to signify a lateral location of the sensor relative to a periphery of the card, such that the biometric sensor is not visible from the front outer surface of the card; (c) assembling the card with the biometric sensor and the one or more payment interface components in communication with the inlay and configured to obtain transaction information and biometric information originating from a location on or above the metal layer; and wherein at least a portion of the at least one metal layer or a further layer overlies the biometric sensor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of: (d) providing at least one non-metal layer; (e) providing at least one other layer; (f) disposing the at least one non-metal layer between a first surface of the at least one inlay layer and the at least one metal layer and disposing the at least one other layer on a second surface of the at least one inlay layer. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising creating one or more openings in the metal layer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the one or more payment interface components comprises a set of physical contacts configured to interface with a card reader and accessible from a surface of a finished card, and creating at least one opening in the metal layer aligned with the set of physical contacts. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, comprising at least one non-conductive adhesive layer in contact with an underside of the at least one metal layer, wherein the non-conductive adhesive fills a peripheral gap between the opening in the metal layer and the one or more payment interface components, including the set of physical contacts, in a finished card, said non-conductive adhesive operable to isolate the one or more payment interface components from the metal layer electrically, magnetically, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, comprising creating at least one opening in the metal layer aligned with the biometric sensor. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, comprising at least one non-conductive adhesive layer in contact with an underside of the at least one metal layer, wherein the non-conductive adhesive fills a first peripheral gap between a first opening in the metal layer and the one or more payment interface components, including the set of physical contacts, and a second peripheral gap between a second opening in the metal layer and the biometric sensor in a finished card, said non-conductive adhesive operable to isolate the one or more payment interface components and the biometric sensor from the metal layer electrically, magnetically, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, comprising creating at least one opening in the metal layer aligned with the biometric sensor. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, comprising at least one non-conductive adhesive layer in contact with an underside of the at least one metal layer, wherein the non-conductive adhesive fills a peripheral gap between the opening in the metal layer and the biometric sensor in a finished card, said non-conductive adhesive operable to isolate the biometric sensor from the metal layer electrically, magnetically, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the step of assembling the card comprises a hot lamination step. ### Claim 31 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the step of assembling the card comprises a cold lamination step. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein step (b) further comprises distributing the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, and the at least one logic component among the at least one inlay layer, with one or more conductive elements conductively connecting at least one to another of the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, and the at least one logic component, and wherein at least one of the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, the at least one logic component, and the one or more conductive elements comprise a printed circuit board (PCB). ### Claim 33 A method for making a transaction card, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one metal layer; (b) creating a plurality of openings in the metal layer, and a plurality of grooves in the metal layer connecting respective openings; (c) inserting in respective openings of the plurality of openings each of a plurality of electronic components, the plurality of electronic components comprising: a biometric sensor configured to obtain biometric information originating from a location on or above the metal layer, such that the biometric sensor is not visible from a front outer surface of the transaction card, one or more payment interface components configured to interface with a card reader and configured to obtain transaction information originating from a location on or above the metal layer, a secure element configured to exchange information with the card reader pursuant to processing a financial transaction, and at least one logic component configured to communicate with the biometric sensor and to compare information detected by the biometric sensor to stored information and to enable processing of the financial transaction only upon a detected match between the detected and stored information; (d) creating electrical connections among predetermined inputs and outputs of the electronic components, the electrical connections comprising metallic traces disposed in the plurality of grooves; (e) providing visible indicia on the front outer surface of the card, the visible indicia being aligned with the biometric sensor to signify a lateral location of the sensor relative to a periphery of the card; and wherein at least a portion of the at least one metal layer or a further layer overlies the biometric sensor. ### Claim 34 A metal transaction card comprising: at least one metal layer; a biometric sensor; one or more payment interface components configured to interface with a card reader; a secure element configured to exchange information with the card reader pursuant to processing a financial transaction; at least one logic component connected to the biometric sensor and configured to compare information detected by the biometric sensor to stored information and to enable processing of the financial transaction only upon a detected match between the detected and stored information; visible indicia on a front outer surface of the card aligned with the biometric sensor to signify a lateral location of the sensor relative to a periphery of the card, such that the biometric sensor is not visible from the front outer surface of the card; and wherein at least a portion of the at least one metal layer or a further layer overlies the biometric sensor, wherein one or more the biometric sensor, the one or more payment interface components, the secure element, and the at least one logic component are disposed on an inlay, wherein the inlay has lateral dimensions smaller than lateral dimensions of the card, wherein the inlay comprises a first inlay layer coextensive with the card and a second inlay layer received in a pocket formed in the at least one metal layer and surrounded by an encapsulant.