A card exhibiting multiple linear arrays of sensors are provided to detect a presence and movement of an external object (e.g., a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader). Each sensor of each array of sensors may be independently connected to a dual port of a processor so that the processor may determine a direction in which the card is swiped through a magnetic stripe reader. A portion of sensors of each array of sensors may be shared by a portion of inputs and/or outputs of a single port of a processor. Sensors may be cross-coupled to a single processor port so that forward and reverse directions of a card swipe may nevertheless be detected by a single-port processor of a card.

A card with a magnetic stripe and increased durability is described. A protective lamina or coating may be disposed on a card with a magnetic stripe to protect the magnetic stripe embedded into the card from scratches, fractures, or chemical damage. An adhesive in the protective lamina is compatible with a material composition of the magnetic stripe such that the bond established onto the card surface is also accomplished with the magnetic stripe. The magnetic stripe has high coercivity and is overlaminated. The overlamination is performed across the entire rear side of the card. Accordingly, stress lines in cards with magnetic stripes can be avoided thereby significantly reducing cracking and fractures in cards.

A reader for article identification comprises one or more solenoids configured to generate a magnetic field for locally exciting portions of a marker element carrying at least one data feature as the marker element moves through the magnetic field and for causing the marker element to generate a varying magnetic field; and one or more giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) sensors upstream of the one or more solenoids configured to detect the varying magnetic field and produce output based on the varying magnetic field.

A transaction card includes at least one metal layer having one or more apertures therein. A light guide is disposed beneath the metal layer. The light guide has a light output and a light input. The light output is positioned to transmit light through at least the one or more apertures of the metal layer. At least one LED is positioned to transmit light into the light input of the light guide.

Various electronic credentials comprising signal activation are disclosed. An electronic credential core comprises a controller configured to maintain an off-state until activated by a received signal during a personalization process. The electronic credential core further comprises an antenna configured to receive a first signal. The energy in the first signal is harvested by a signal interface. The signal interface generates a second signal using the harvested energy of the first signal. The second signal is provided to the controller. The controller transitions to an active state and continuously performs one or more functions until an onboard battery is depleted. By maintaining an off-state until personalization, the electronic credential can be stored without draining power from the battery, extending the shelf life of the electronic credential.

A transaction card includes at least one metal layer having one or more apertures therein. A light guide is disposed beneath the metal layer. The light guide has a light output and a light input. The light output is positioned to transmit light through at least the one or more apertures of the metal layer. At least one LED is positioned to transmit light into the light input of the light guide.

The invention relates to a magnetic multilayer system (1) which is arranged on a substrate (6) which is made of a material from the group consisting of a plastic from the group of polymers, metal, metal alloy and paper and/or which is at least one element from the group consisting of a document and packaging. The invention further relates to packaging which comprises such a magnetic multilayer system (1). According to the invention, the multilayer system (1) is used for proving the authenticity of an object. Likewise according to the invention are a method for marking an object with a magnetic multilayer system for proving the authenticity of an object and a method for reading a magnetic multilayer system for proving the authenticity of an object.

The present invention provides integrated circuit chips having chip identification aspects. The chips include magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures, and more specifically, include permanent bit strings used for chip identification and/or authentication. Systems and processes for chip identification are also disclosed herein. The MTJ element structures provided herein can have a defined resistance profile such that the intrinsic variability of the MTJ element structure is used to encode and generate a bit string that becomes a fingerprint for the chip. In some embodiments, an oxygen treatment covering all or a selected portion of an array of MTJ elements can be used to create a mask or secret key that can be used and implemented to enhance chip identification.

The present invention is generally directed towards a card and package assembly and methods of making the same. Card and package assemblies in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include a package, a data card, the data card packaged at least in part within the package, and an activation indicia, the activation indicia comprising a first portion printed on the package and a second portion printed on the data card. Methods of packaging a data card in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention may include steps of manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a data card, manufacturing or otherwise obtaining a package, determining an activation indicia, packaging the data card at least in part within the package, and printing the activation indicia in part on the data card and in part on the package.

The present invention provides integrated circuit chips having chip identification aspects. The chips include magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures, and more specifically, include permanent bit strings used for chip identification and/or authentication. Systems and processes for chip identification are also disclosed herein. The MTJ element structures provided herein can have a defined resistance profile such that the intrinsic variability of the MTJ element structure is used to encode and generate a bit string that becomes a fingerprint for the chip. In some embodiments, an oxygen treatment covering all or a selected portion of an array of MTJ elements can be used to create a mask or secret key that can be used and implemented to enhance chip identification.