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US 2022/0027694 A1Published application
Payment card with light-based signature
AssigneeBank of America Corporation
InventorVijay Kumar Yarabolu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.
Claims20
A system for light-based authentication of a payment card, the system comprising:
- a payment card comprising a randomized mix of materials;
- a light source configured to emit light in a predetermined range of wavelengths;
- an image capture device configured to:
- capture a light pattern, the light pattern appearing when light from the light source passes through the payment card;
- and
- convert the captured light pattern to a digital image;
- and
- a processor in communication with the image capture device, the processor configured to:
- compare the digital image of the captured light pattern to a digital image of a reference light pattern;
- and
- authenticate the payment card when the digital image of the captured light pattern matches the digital image of the reference light pattern, the match comprising a percentage match that is greater than a predetermined threshold;
- wherein:
- the randomized mix of materials comprises one or more randomly selected materials from a first set of materials comprising opaque materials and one or more randomly selected materials from a second set of materials comprising translucent materials;
- and
- the payment card further comprises a plurality of predefined spaces extending through a front card surface and a rear card surface, the spaces filled with the randomized mix of materials;
- and
- wherein:
- the payment card further comprises a diffraction grating configured to split the light from the light source into individual wavelengths;
- the image capture device comprises a photosensor positioned to detect a diffracted wavelength, the photosensor position determined based on an angle of incidence and a predetermined wavelength;
- and
- the processor is further configured to authenticate the payment card when the diffracted wavelength corresponds to the predetermined wavelength.
18 more elements
A method for light-based authentication of a payment card, the method comprising:
- generating a payment card comprising:
- a randomized mix of materials comprising one or more randomly selected materials from a first set of materials comprising opaque materials and one or more randomly selected materials from a second set of materials comprising translucent materials;
- and
- a plurality of predefined spaces extending through a front card surface and a rear card surface, each space filled with one of the randomly selected materials from the first set of materials or the second set of materials;
- emitting light from a light source in a predetermined range of wavelengths, light source positioned to irradiate a surface of the payment card;
- capturing a light pattern with an image capture device, the light pattern cast by light from the light source passing through the payment card;
- converting the captured light pattern to a digital image;
- accessing a digital image of a reference light pattern, the digital image of the reference light pattern associated with a payment card account;
- comparing the digital image of the captured light pattern to a digital image of a reference light pattern to determine a percentage match;
- authenticating the payment card when the percentage match is at or above a predetermined threshold;
- and
- declining the payment card when the percentage match is below a predetermined threshold;
- wherein:
- the payment card comprises a diffraction grating configured to split the light from the light source into individual wavelengths;
- the image capture device comprises a photosensor positioned to detect a diffracted wavelength, the photosensor position determined based on an angle of incidence and a predetermined wavelength;
- and
- the processor is further configured to authenticate the payment card when the diffracted wavelength corresponds to the predetermined wavelength.
14 more elements
The method of claim 14, wherein a digital image of the reference light pattern is stored on an encoded magnetic strip on the payment card.
A card reader for light-based authentication of a payment card, the card reader comprising:
- a light source configured to emit light in a predetermined range of wavelengths, the light source positioned to irradiate a surface of a payment card;
- an image capture device configured to:
- capture a light pattern, the light pattern generated when light from the light source passes through the payment card;
- and
- convert the captured light pattern to a digital image;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- access a reference light pattern associated with a payment card account;
- compare the captured light pattern to the reference light pattern;
- and
- authenticate the payment card when the digital image of the captured light pattern matches the digital image of the reference light pattern, the match comprising a percentage match that is greater than a predetermined threshold;
- wherein:
- the payment card comprises a randomized mix of opaque and transparent materials, each material extending through a front card surface and a rear card surface;
- the payment card further comprises a diffraction grating configured to split the light from the light source into individual wavelengths;
- the image capture device comprises a photosensor positioned to detect a diffracted wavelength, the photosensor position determined based on an angle of incidence and a predetermined wavelength;
- and
- the processor is further configured to authenticate the payment card when the diffracted wavelength corresponds to the predetermined wavelength.
14 more elements
(canceled)
The card reader of claim 15, wherein the reference light pattern is encoded on a payment card magnetic strip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.