Search

EP-4738189-A1 - CHIP CARD AS WELL AS MANUFACTURING METHOD AND CONSTRUCTION KIT FOR A CHIP CARD COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE PART

EP4738189A1EP 4738189 A1EP4738189 A1EP 4738189A1EP-4738189-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a chip card (1), in particular a transaction card, comprising a card body (2) holding a chip module (3) enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, the card body (2) having a main section (11), wherein the chip card (1) further comprises a flexible part (F) which is linked to the main section (11) and at least sectionwise has a higher elasticity than the main section (11), as well as to a method, and a construction kit (10) for manufacturing a corresponding chip card (1).

Inventors

  • GILLE, Jean Philippe

Assignees

  • Giesecke+Devrient ePayments GmbH

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20241030

Claims (15)

  1. Chip card (1), in particular a transaction card, comprising a card body (2) holding a chip module (3) enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, the card body (2) having a main section (11), wherein the chip card (1) further comprises a flexible part (F) which is linked to the main section (11) and at least sectionwise has a higher elasticity than the main section (11).
  2. Chip card (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chip module (3) is provided at the main section (11).
  3. Chip card (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible part (F) is electrically connected to the chip module (3).
  4. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chip card (1) further comprises an electronic device (20), such as a microchip, a keypad, a display, a sensor module, an interface module and/or a photovoltaic module.
  5. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the chip card (1) further comprises and/or provides a physiological module (50), such as a sensor arrangement and/or medical interface configured to acquire at least one physiological parameter of a living being.
  6. Chip card (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the electronic device (20) and/or the physiological module (50) are or is, respectively, arranged at main section (11) and/or the flexible part (F).
  7. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible part (F) extends a usable surface area of the card body (2).
  8. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the flexible part (F) is provided as an elastic layer (7).
  9. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flexible part (F) comprises at least one electrical conductor (8).
  10. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the flexible part (F) at least partly closes a cavity (9) formed in the card body (2).
  11. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flexible part (F) is at least in part formed of a stretchable material, such as a silicone-based elastomer.
  12. Chip card (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the chip module (3) comprises a secure element (30).
  13. Chip card (1) according to claim 12, wherein the secure element (30) is configured to encrypt data held on the chip module (3) and/or acquired from the flexible part (F).
  14. Method of manufacturing a chip card (1), in particular a transaction card, the method comprising the steps of - providing a card body (2) configured to hold a chip module (3) enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, the card body (2) having a main section (11); - linking the main section (11) to a flexible part (F) which at least sectionwise has a higher elasticity than the main section (11); and - electrically connecting the main section (11) and the flexible part (F) to each other.
  15. Construction kit for a chip card (1), in particular a transaction card, the construction kit comprising a card body (2) configured to hold a chip module (3) enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, the card body (2) having a main section (11), the construction kit (10) further comprising a flexible part (F) at least sectionwise has a higher elasticity than the main section (11), and means for electrically connecting the main section (11) and an flexible part (F) to each other.

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to the field of chip cards or other portable data carriers comprising a card body carrying an electronic chip module. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a chip card, in particular a transaction card, comprising a card body holding a chip module enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, to a method of manufacturing a chip card, in particular a transaction card, and to a construction kit for a chip card, in particular a transaction card. Background of the Invention Chip cards, also known as portable data carriers, are known from the state of the art and can be used, for example, for cashless payment of goods or services, for personal identification and/or for access to Internet-based application programs. Accordingly, there are, for example, card-shaped data carriers in the form of chip cards in general, payment cards, such as credit cards or debit cards, as well as ID cards or identity cards. Such chip cards usually have a card body carrying a chip module comprising an electronic circuit with an electronic component, such as an integrated chip, which can be accessed in order to read data from it and based on this, allow a legitimate owner of the data carrier to perform and/or authorize a specific action, such as a transaction, in particular a financial transaction. According to the prior art, card bodies of portable data carriers and security elements are usually made of relatively stiff plastic which can provide a relatively high stability and resistance of the card body against environmental influences while allowing for an implementation of a wide range of features as well as adaptations of the card body, for example by forming or embedding secure features in the plastic material. However, application of the card bodies and thus possible of the chip module they carry can be restricted in that their surface is restricted to the actual dimensions of the chip card. Furthermore, the stiffness of the card body may limit the application of the chip cards in that they keep their respective dimensions. EP 1 429 283 B1, for example, relates to a chip card interface using interface contacts arranged on a contact strip formed from the card body. The interface is preferably a USB interface. The card body is made of multiple layers, the height and width of the layer structure being matched to the dimensions of the connector space of a USB socket located under complimentary contacts. FR 2 798 209 A1 relates to a method for manufacturing smart cards that includes forming a sheet and fold line forming along the middle of the sheet. A chip and/or a cavity of a module is inserted in and/or applied to sheet. Adhesive is applied to a face of the sheet, the sheet is folded in half, pressed together and the adhesive activated so the sheet remains folded. Chip cards known from the prior art may not satisfy all requirements regarding their range of possible applications. The prior art does not provide sufficient ways to extend the range of possible physical applications for chip cards. By contrast, the rigid nature of chip cards limits their applicability in terms of both, handling and functional versatility. Summary of the Invention It may be seen as an object underlying the present invention to overcome above-mentioned limitations of chip cards known from the prior art. In particular, it may be seen as an object underlying the present invention to expand the applicability of chip cards, preferably regarding both, handling and functional versatility. These and further objects are at least partially achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. According to an aspect, a chip card, in particular a transaction card, comprising a card body holding a chip module enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, is provided, the card body having a main section, wherein the chip card further comprises a flexible part which is linked to the main section and at least sectionwise has a higher elasticity than the main section According to an aspect, a method of manufacturing a chip card, in particular a transaction card, is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a card body configured to hold a chip module enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, the card body having a main section; linking the main section to a flexible part which at least sectionwise has a higher elasticity than the main section, and electrically connecting the main section and the flexible part to each other. According to an aspect, a construction kit for a chip card, in particular a transaction card, is provided, the construction kit comprising a card body configured to hold a chip module (3) enabling electronic transactions, such as secure communications involving a trusted entity, the card body having a main section, the construction kit