System and method for transaction card electronic messaging

Abstract

A system and method for delivering electronic messages automatically to transaction cards. The transaction cards are capable of rendering electronic messages from a server using a transaction activated connection. This system can be used to automatically deliver user specific information such as calendar, reminder, or e-mail information to a person scanning their card in, for example, a building where scanning a badge is required to enter the building. Alternatively, the system can be used to automatically deliver public information to a user such as advertisements to a render-capable transaction card which includes, for example, a calling card, a credit card, or a public transportation access card.

1 . A system for dynamically delivering and rendering electronic messages on a transaction card, which comprises:
 a server executing an application for generating an electronic message;   a network enabling communication between the server and a transaction card reader for transporting the electronic message; and   a transaction card which communicates with the network via the transaction card reader, the transaction card includes a power source, and a rendering element which communicates to a user the electronic message from the network.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the transaction card further includes:
 a communication element which communicates with the transaction card reader, the communication element identifies the transaction card to the server, and the communication element receives the electronic message; and   a processing element interacting with the communication element by forwarding the electronic message to the rendering element.   
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the transaction card further includes:
 an identification (ID), the server application differentiates messages as personal and public in accordance with the ID, and the server delivers the electronic message to a corresponding transaction card.   
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the transaction card further includes:
 a storage element interacting with the communication element and the processing element for storing at least part of the electronic message.   
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the transaction card reader reads and writes to the communication element. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the rendering element, the communication element, and the processing element include circuitry to communicate therebetween. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the communications element includes a wireless receptor for receiving the message from the transaction card reader. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the communication element and the processing element receive and transmit a hyper-link to the rendering element. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rendering element includes speakers for communicating to the user. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rendering element includes electronic paper for displaying a text message. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the rendering element includes a light emitting element visible to the user. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the transaction card further includes: a transaction card ID;
 a communication element for identifying the transaction card to the server using the transaction card ID, the communication element receiving a specific electronic message associated with the transaction card ID; and   a processing clement interacting with the communication element by transmitting the electronic message to the rendering element.   
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein the transaction card further includes a storage element interacting with the communication element and the processing element for storing at least part of the electronic message and the transaction card ID. 
   
   
       14 . A system for dynamically delivering and rendering electronic messages on a transaction card, which comprises:
 a server executing an application for generating an electronic message;   a network enabling communication between the server and a transaction card reader for transporting the electronic message;   a transaction card which communicates with the network via the transaction card reader;   a communications element integral with the transaction card, and adapted to communicate information with the transaction card reader;   a processing element integral with the transaction card and communicating with the communications element, the processing element adapted to receive information from the communications element;   a storage element integral with the transaction card and communicating with the processing element, the storage element adapted to receive and store information from the processing element;   a rendering element integral with the transaction card and communicating with the processing element, the rendering element adapted to communicate to a user the electronic message from the network; and   a power source integral with the transaction card and adapted to supply power to the processing, storage, and rendering elements.   
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the processing element retrieves information from the storage element and transmits the information to the rendering element. 
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein the processing, communication, rendering, and storage element include circuitry for communicating therebetween and are coupled to the power source. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein the transaction card reader is adapted to read and write to the communications element of the transaction card. 
   
   
       18 . A method for dynamically delivering to and rendering electronic messages on a transaction card, comprising:
 providing a transaction card and a transaction card reader;   providing a server including a program capable of processing data and transporting data;   providing network communication between the transaction card reader and the server;   communicating data between the transaction card and the transaction card reader;   communicating the data to the server via the network;   processing the data at the server;   generating an electronic message at the server based on the data;   transporting the electronic message to the transaction card reader via the network;   receiving the electronic message on the transaction card; and   communicating the electronic message on the transaction card to a user.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein communicating information between the transaction card and the transaction card reader includes swiping the transaction card through the transaction card reader. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein communicating the electronic message on the transaction card includes displaying the message as text.