One variation of a method for controlling a dynamic transaction card includes: at a first time, accessing a first cryptogram; at a second time, establishing a wireless connection with a mobile computing device; in response to establishing the wireless connection with the mobile computing device, accessing a first token associated with the first cryptogram from the mobile computing device via the wireless connection; generating a first magnetic stripe sequence command representing the first cryptogram and the first token; and in response to detecting a magnetic stripe card reader proximal a magnetic stripe emulator integrated into the dynamic transaction card at a third time succeeding the second time, driving the magnetic stripe emulator according to the first magnetic stripe sequence command.

During recent years, chip-based transactions has been changing from mainly physical, like a chipcard, to mainly virtual, such as a software application on a mobile device. Although such mobile devices are very powerful compared to a conventional chip card, the data interactions with POI terminals must still be compliant with relevant specifications and standards such as the EMV standards. A computer implemented transaction method is provided that enables a first application to be switched with a second application whilst the transaction is in progress, and without loss of information relating to the transaction. The switching process can be facilitated by either instructing a user to remove an identification device, such as a mobile phone or a chipcard, out of a field produced by a terminal and subsequently return the identification device to within the field produced by the terminal, or turning an antenna of the identification device off, waiting a predetermined length of time and turning the antenna back on again. This enables the transaction to be completed using an optimal application whilst also providing a positive user experience throughout.

A terminal device includes selection means for comparing a payment amount with a set amount read from a recording medium and for selecting between off-line processing and on-line processing, depending on a result of the comparison, off-line processing means for subtracting the payment amount from the set amount recorded in the recording medium and sending the payment amount to a server device; and on-line processing means for sending the payment amount to the server device and updating the set amount when having received an update value. A server device includes server processing means for receiving the payment amount from a terminal device and subtracting the payment amount from a balance of an account corresponding to the recording medium, and in a case of the on-line processing, sending the update value to the terminal device.

Methods, apparatus and computer software are provided for authorizing an EMV transaction between a user device and a point of sale terminal, particularly, but not exclusively, in situations where a secure element is not made available for the deployment of a payment application on the user device. The payment application is instead deployed to a processing environment that is outside of any secure element on the user device. An ICC Master Key corresponding to the payment application is held by a trusted authority, such as the issuing bank. The trusted authority is adapted generate time-limited session keys on the basis of the ICC Master Key and distribute session keys to the payment application. Receipt of a session key by the payment application enables the payment application to conduct an EMV payment transaction. The session key is used to authorize a single EMV payment transaction.

One variation of a method for controlling a dynamic transaction card includes: at a first time, accessing a first cryptogram; at a second time, establishing a wireless connection with a mobile computing device; in response to establishing the wireless connection with the mobile computing device, accessing a first token associated with the first cryptogram from the mobile computing device via the wireless connection; generating a first magnetic stripe sequence command representing the first cryptogram and the first token; and in response to detecting a magnetic stripe card reader proximal a magnetic stripe emulator integrated into the dynamic transaction card at a third time succeeding the second time, driving the magnetic stripe emulator according to the first magnetic stripe sequence command.

Aspects described herein may allow for prompting a user to access an on-line tool to create an identification element to be added to an exterior surface of a personal card. A server device may prompt the user to select a location for the identification element from a plurality of pre-selected locations on the personal card, each of the plurality of pre-selected locations being proximate edges of the personal card and outward of any of magnetic strips, chips, text, photos, and images on the personal card. The server device may modify an exterior surface of the personal card to include the identification element at the selected location, and deliver the personal card to the user.

Aspects described herein may allow for prompting a user to access an on-line tool to create an identification element to be added to an exterior surface of a personal card. A server device may prompt the user to select a location for the identification element from a plurality of pre-selected locations on the personal card, each of the plurality of pre-selected locations being proximate edges of the personal card and outward of any of magnetic strips, chips, text, photos, and images on the personal card. The server device may modify an exterior surface of the personal card to include the identification element at the selected location, and deliver the personal card to the user.

There is provided a computer-implemented method for management of a transaction device with a contactless interface, the method being performed by a mobile device. The method comprises accessing a mobile service application installed on the mobile device, authenticating a user at the mobile device, establishing a management operation associated with the transaction device. The method further comprises the mobile device requesting a response from the transaction device associated with the management operation via the contactless interface, the transaction device generating the response and providing it to the mobile device; and the mobile service application using the response to effect the management operation. There is also provided a suitably configured mobile device and transaction device for performance of the above-described methods.

During recent years, chip-based transactions has been changing from mainly physical, like a chipcard, to mainly virtual, such as a software application on a mobile device. Although such mobile devices are very powerful compared to a conventional chip card, the data interactions with POI terminals must still be compliant with relevant specifications and standards such as the EMV standards.

A computer implemented transaction method is provided that enables a first application to be switched with a second application whilst the transaction is in progress, and without loss of information relating to the transaction. The switching process can be facilitated by either instructing a user to remove an identification device, such as a mobile phone or a chipcard, out of a field produced by a terminal and subsequently return the identification device to within the field produced by the terminal, or turning an antenna of the identification device off, waiting a predetermined length of time and turning the antenna back on again. This enables the transaction to be completed using an optimal application whilst also providing a positive user experience throughout.

A smart payment device is issued to a user; the device is capable of both offline and online transactions and has a total available balance split. The split is between an available offline balance and an available online balance. It is determined whether the user has entered a primarily offline environment or will imminently enter a primarily offline environment. If this is so, the total available balance split is redistributed to favor offline transactions.