# Smart Payment Card with Transaction Info Locked to Payment Method > This patent describes a smart payment card that can use various payment methods like magnetic stripes or NFC, and generates unique, single-use payment information specific to the chosen interface for each transaction. - **Patent:** US 12737748 - **Original title:** Multi-function electronic payment card and device system - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, telecommunications, software, finance ## What it does This payment card device is shaped like a standard card and includes a memory, a processor, and multiple ways to connect to a payment reader. These connection options, or 'interfaces,' can include a smart card chip reader, a magnetic stripe, a radio frequency (RF) interface like NFC, or even information visible on the card's surface. For each transaction, the card generates special 'limited-use payment information.' This information is designed to work only through the specific interface chosen for that payment. For example, if you tap the card using NFC, the payment information generated will only be valid for an NFC transaction and cannot be used if someone tries to replay it through a magnetic stripe reader. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover payment cards where the same payment information can be used across multiple different interfaces (e.g., magnetic stripe data also working for NFC). - Does not cover payment cards that do not generate limited-use payment information for transactions. - Does not cover payment cards that only support a single payment interface, such as a traditional magnetic stripe-only card. - Does not cover systems where the limited-use payment information is not specifically tied to the interface used for the transaction. - Does not cover payment cards that do not contain a processor and memory to manage the limited-use information. ## The clever bit The clever part is generating payment information that is not only temporary but also specifically locked to the exact communication method (like NFC or magnetic stripe) used for that single transaction, making it useless if intercepted and replayed on a different interface. ## Real-world examples 1. Advanced smart credit cards 2. Digital payment tokens 3. Secure contactless payment systems 4. Multi-interface payment cards ## Why it matters If implemented, this technology could significantly enhance the security of payment card transactions by making intercepted payment data useless for unauthorized purchases on different systems. It offers a flexible solution, allowing a single card to adapt securely to various types of payment terminals, from older magnetic stripe readers to modern contactless systems. This approach could help reduce financial fraud and improve consumer confidence in digital payments. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Smart Payment Card with Transaction Info Locked to Payment Method cover? This patent describes a smart payment card that can use various payment methods like magnetic stripes or NFC, and generates unique, single-use payment information specific to the chosen interface for each transaction. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? If implemented, this technology could significantly enhance the security of payment card transactions by making intercepted payment data useless for unauthorized purchases on different systems. It offers a flexible solution, allowing a single card to adapt securely to various types of payment terminals, from older magnetic stripe readers to modern contactless systems. This approach could help reduce financial fraud and improve consumer confidence in digital payments. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover payment cards where the same payment information can be used across multiple different interfaces (e.g., magnetic stripe data also working for NFC). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737748/multi-function-electronic-payment-card-and-device-system **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12737748 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How a Single Card Can Pay for Transit Using Loyalty Points](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10176475/square-point-of-sale) — A system that lets one payment card handle both retail shopping and transit fares, automatically converting loyalty points between different geographic regions to cover travel costs. - [How Wearable Devices Act as Secure Bridges for Transactions](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9699159/microsoft-teams) — A system where a wearable device acts as a secure middleman between your phone and a payment terminal or electronic lock to verify your identity and complete transactions. - [How Your Car Can Become a Payment Card](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737743/connected-car-as-a-payment-device-12737743) — This patent describes a system where a car's computer system can store your payment cards and use special short-range signals from external car parts to securely pay at places like gas stations or drive-thrus. - [How a Store's Payment System Keeps Your Card Info Safe](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737570/point-of-sale-system-transaction-processing) — This patent describes a store payment system where your touchscreen inputs, like your PIN, are encrypted by a special processor before being sent for payment, keeping your information secure. - [Central Bank Digital Currency for Phones and Watches](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10147076/airbnb-experiences) — This patent describes a system for using a central bank-issued digital currency on mobile devices, generating a special 3D code for payments that can be scanned or read via near field communication.