A credit card reader comprises a card reader, a keypad, a display, and a protector coupled to a front surface of the credit card reader. The credit card reader can also include a sensor coupled to the protector. The sensor is configured to detect a relative positioning between the protector and the credit card reader.

A transaction card includes an anodized card body having a front and rear face. Various information and security features may be provided on the front face and on the rear face. A magnetic stripe may be provided on the rear face of the anodized card body. The magnetic stripe may be adhered within a slot formed within the rear face of the anodized body. Alternatively, the magnetic stripe may be provided via an overlay that is adhered to the rear face of the anodized body, and the magnetic stripe may be integral with the overlay or adhered to the overlay after the overlay is applied to the anodized card body. The transaction card may also include a hologram. The hologram may be integral with the overlay or may be applied to the overlay that has been arranged on the anodized card body.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device, system, methods and components related to a modular card. Example components of the modular card include a thin rectangular rear plate, a thin rectangular front plate overlying the rear plate, a first plurality of fasteners fixed to the thin rectangular front plate, a second plurality of fasteners fixed to the thin rectangular rear plate, the second plurality of fasteners being configured to be removably engaged with the first plurality of fasteners; a magnetic strip, and/or an integrated circuit. In operation a user may remove and/or replace various components to customize the modular card. Some customizations include altering the accounts to which the modular card relates. In some example, the modular card may include components which relate to different accounts.

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 guide light input.

A transaction card includes an anodized card body having a front and rear face. Various information and security features may be provided on the front face and on the rear face. A magnetic stripe may be provided on the rear face of the anodized card body. The magnetic stripe may be adhered within a slot formed within the rear face of the anodized body. Alternatively, the magnetic stripe may be provided via an overlay that is adhered to the rear face of the anodized body, and the magnetic stripe may be integral with the overlay or adhered to the overlay after the overlay is applied to the anodized card body. The transaction card may also include a hologram. The hologram may be integral with the overlay or may be applied to the overlay that has been arranged on the anodized card body.

A card reader for processing an inserted magnetic card may be equipped with a front sensor arranged in the vicinity of an insertion opening for a magnetic card to detect the insertion of the magnetic card, a rear sensor for detecting the magnetic card when the magnetic card is fully inserted, a magnetic field generating unit for generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the insertion opening for a magnetic card, and a control unit for controlling a magnetic field to be generated by said magnetic field generating unit at a first strength or at a second strength weaker than the first strength. The control unit may control the strength of the magnetic field to be generated by the magnetic field generating unit at the second strength while the first time period elapses after the rear sensor has detected the magnetic card and then has stopped sensing it.

A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording medium having a jet-black magnetic stripe which is not tinged with red. The present invention is directed to a magnetic recording medium including: a magnetic recording layer on a substrate; and a protective layer (a) on the magnetic recording layer, wherein the protective layer (a) contains an aniline coloring material. The magnetic recording medium is advantageous in that the magnetic stripe is jet-black and has excellent design properties, and therefore can be widely used for credit cards, bank cards and the like.

An circuit includes a first inductive coil and a second inductive coil each including a plurality of metal traces. The first and second inductive coils are each configured to receive a first signal from an electromagnetic field and generate respective first and second output voltages. Each of the first inductive coil and the second inductive coil are configured to inductively couple to the electromagnetic field. A first circuit element is configured to receive the first output voltage and generate a first response at a first power level of the first output voltage. A second circuit element is configured to receive the second output voltage and transition to an active state to perform one or more functions when the second output voltage exceeds a second power level. The first and second power levels are related to movement of the first and second inductive coils through the electromagnetic field.

A transaction card construction and a method for making transaction cards provides increased security for transaction card magnetic strips. The transaction card construction includes a card inlay and a clear card body. The card inlay is formed via a lamination press process with the magnetic strip attached to a back surface of the card inlay. The card body may have a window through which a data storage element may be exposed for accessing, such as by a magnetic stripe reader or EMV chip reader. The card body may be formed by adhering the card inlay to the clear card body.

A card assembly includes an insulating planar body and a magnetic stripe assembly coupled with the planar body. The magnetic stripe assembly includes a magnetic layer configured to magnetically store information and a metal layer that provides at least one of a security feature, a decorative feature, or other functional feature. The metal layer has a small thickness such that the metal layer prevents conduction of electrostatic discharge (ESD) through the magnetic stripe assembly.