Validation method for electronic cash cards and digital identity cards utilizing optical data storage

摘要

A method for inhibiting the counterfeiting of electronic cash smart cards that use microchips for monetary stored value or digital identity cards that use microchips to control the transfer of data. Such electronic cash cards have recently been counterfeited by the use of electronic techniques to break the security codes. Such counterfeiting can be inhibited by bonding an optical memory stripe to the smart card with pre-recorded or post-recorded validation data at one or multiple locations on the cards. This optical validation data would be read with a photodetector array and could be transmitted to the recipient during funds transfer and/or used locally to control dispensing of cash or data. Thus successful counterfeiting of the modified electronic cash or digital identity card would require meeting exacting electronic and optical requirements.