Smartcards (SC) having a metal layer (ML) or metal card body (MCB) and a module opening (MO) for a transponder chip module (TCM). A slit (S) or notch (N) in the metal card body may extend from a peripheral edge of a metal layer or card body, without extending to the module opening. A flexible circuit (FC) with one or two patch antennae (PA) or sense coils (SeC) connected to a coupling loop structure (CLS) with an antenna structure (AS) on the same substrate may be incorporated into the card body (CB). A fingerprint sensing module comprising an electrically-conductive metal bezel housed in the card may be electrically isolated from the metal layer or metal card body by the application of coatings (DLC) or anodizing (oxidizing) the respective metal surfaces. The cards may be contactless only, contact only, or dual-interface (contact and contactless).

A smartcard includes a fingerprint sensor and a detector circuit comprising at least first and second electrodes that are insulated from each other and that form an open circuit. The first electrode and the second electrode is arranged in such a manner that. When a user applies a first finger on the fingerprint sensor and uses a second finger to grip the smartcard, the first finger contacts the first electrode and the second finger contacts the second electrode so as to form a loop that closes the open circuit. The detector circuit further comprises a filter circuit connected to the first electrode and to the second electrode, a generator arranged to generate first signals across the terminals of the filter circuit, and processor means arranged to acquire second signals and, from the second signals, to detect whether the first and second fingers include a fake finger.

There is provided a fingerprint sensing module comprising a fingerprint sensor device having a sensing array arranged on a first side of the device, the sensing array comprising an array of fingerprint sensing elements. The fingerprint sensor device also comprises connection pads for connecting the fingerprint sensor device to external circuitry. The fingerprint sensing module further comprises a fingerprint sensor device cover structure arranged to cover the fingerprint sensor device, the cover structure having a first side configured to be touched by a finger, thereby forming a sensing surface of the sensing module, and a second side facing the sensing array, wherein the cover structure comprises conductive traces for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor module to external circuitry, and wherein a surface area of the cover structure is larger than a surface area of the sensor device. Moreover, the fingerprint sensor device comprises wire-bonds electrically connecting the connection pads of the fingerprint sensing device to the conductive traces of the cover structure.

A fingerprint sensing module comprising a fingerprint sensor device having a sensing array arranged on a first side of the device, the sensing array comprising an array of fingerprint sensing elements. The fingerprint sensor device comprises connection pads for connecting to external circuitry. The fingerprint sensing module further comprises a fingerprint sensor device cover structure, arranged to cover the fingerprint sensor device, having a first side configured to be touched by a finger, thereby forming a sensing surface of the sensing module, and a second side facing the sensing array, wherein the cover structure comprises conductive traces for electrically connecting the fingerprint sensor module to external circuitry, and wherein a surface area of the cover structure is larger than a surface area of the sensor device. The fingerprint sensor device comprises wire-bonds electrically connecting the connection pads of the fingerprint sensing device to the conductive traces of the cover structure.

A sensor device is provided that includes a fingerprint sensor and an antenna coupled with the fingerprint sensor for inductive coupling of the fingerprint sensor with a booster antenna.

Disclosed is a method for recording a reference biometric data item in a biometric smart card including a biometric sensor. The recording of a biometric data item acquired by the biometric sensor, as a reference biometric data item, is completed in response to the validation, by the biometric smart card, of a personal secret code of the biometric smart card user entered on a first external device to authorise a transaction between the biometric smart card and a second external device by way of the first external device.

Technologies are described for delivering an active agent using an ingestible pill device, securing medication package content, and monitoring the medication package content. Examples of the technology include using an ingestible pill device to deliver an active agent, where release of the active agent can be based on patient authentication, analyzing sensor data to determine a condition for releasing the active agent, analyzing image data to identify a release point, etc. Examples of the technology also include using a monitoring device to secure a medication package using a cover and locking device, monitoring the medication package to detect access to the medication package, and tracking access to the medication package to determine medication adherence.

Smartcards (SC) having a metal layer (ML) or metal card body (MCB) and a module opening (MO) for a transponder chip module (TCM). A slit (S) or notch (N) in the metal card body may extend from a peripheral edge of a metal layer or card body, without extending to the module opening. A flexible circuit (FC) with one or two patch antennae (PA) or sense coils (SeC) connected to a coupling loop structure (CLS) with an antenna structure (AS) on the same substrate may be incorporated into the card body (CB). A fingerprint sensing module comprising an electrically-conductive metal bezel housed in the card may be electrically isolated from the metal layer or metal card body by the application of coatings (DLC) or anodizing (oxidizing) the respective metal surfaces. The cards may be contactless only, contact only, or dual-interface (contact and contactless).

The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems, including a method for placing a card into a usable state. A biometric input is received for a user to which a card has been issued by an entity. The card has an operational mode of an unusable state that has been previously identified by the entity for a particular PAN. The particular PAN is invalidated for use in further data exchanges using the card. The biometric input is received by an electronic controller embedded in the card. A determination is made that the biometric input matches one of one or more stored biometric profiles of users authorized to use the card. Based on the determining, a new PAN is activated for the card. The new PAN is usable in further data exchanges of the card. The operational mode of the card is modified to a usable state by the electronic controller.

Transaction cards, systems and methods configured with card validation and fingerprint or other activation features. In one embodiment, an exemplary transaction card may comprise transaction circuitry configured to conduct purchase transactions, at least one fingerprint sensor, data storage configured to store fingerprint reference data, communication circuitry, card control circuitry configured to activate or otherwise control the card based on fingerprint verification, and computer readable media storing instructions for transmitting fingerprint verification information when a purchase transaction is attempted to POS device and/or an online entity.