U.S. patent application number 15/078216 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for magnetically coupling radio frequency antennas.
The applicant listed for this patent is DeviceFidelity, Inc.. Invention is credited to Tuan Quoc Dao, Deepak Jain.
Application Number | 20160275393 15/078216 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44121182 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160275393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jain; Deepak ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
MAGNETICALLY COUPLING RADIO FREQUENCY ANTENNAS
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for
using magnetically coupled antennas to enhance receptivity and/or
reading range of radio frequency (RF) transaction devices. In some
implementations, a method for boosting RF signals includes
wirelessly receiving an RF signal from a transaction terminal at a
passive antenna. The passive antenna is magnetically coupled to the
antenna of a transaction card. The transaction card is inserted in
a mobile host device and configured to execute a payment
application using user credentials in response to at least a
transaction request and transmits at least one transaction response
to the transaction terminal based, at least in part, on the
executed transaction application and using the antenna either
standalone or through the coupled antenna configuration. The RF
signal is transmitted to the transaction card using the inductive
coupling with the terminal.
Inventors: |
Jain; Deepak; (Garland,
TX) ; Dao; Tuan Quoc; (Richardson, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DeviceFidelity, Inc. |
Richardson |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44121182 |
Appl. No.: |
15/078216 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12776285 |
May 7, 2010 |
9304555 |
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15078216 |
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12571163 |
Sep 30, 2009 |
8915447 |
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12776285 |
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12275527 |
Nov 21, 2008 |
7604492 |
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12571163 |
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12209087 |
Sep 11, 2008 |
9384480 |
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12275527 |
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60971813 |
Sep 12, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/041 20130101;
G07F 7/1008 20130101; G06Q 20/341 20130101; H04W 88/00 20130101;
G06Q 20/32 20130101; G06Q 20/3576 20130101; H04M 2215/0196
20130101; G06F 1/1698 20130101; G06K 19/07732 20130101; G06K
7/10237 20130101; G06K 19/07794 20130101; H01Q 1/2225 20130101;
G06Q 20/3574 20130101; G07F 7/0833 20130101; G06K 7/10297 20130101;
H04W 12/0609 20190101; G07F 7/0806 20130101; G06K 19/07749
20130101; H04W 74/00 20130101; H04M 1/0274 20130101; G06K 7/10336
20130101; H04M 1/72575 20130101; H04M 15/68 20130101; H01Q 19/005
20130101; H04W 12/0602 20190101; G06Q 20/352 20130101; H01Q 7/00
20130101; G06K 19/07779 20130101; H04M 17/02 20130101; H04W 88/02
20130101; G06Q 20/3278 20130101; G06K 19/0727 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 19/077 20060101
G06K019/077; G06K 7/10 20060101 G06K007/10; G06K 19/04 20060101
G06K019/04; G07F 7/08 20060101 G07F007/08; G06K 19/07 20060101
G06K019/07; G06Q 20/32 20060101 G06Q020/32; G06Q 20/34 20060101
G06Q020/34 |
Claims
1. A transaction system, comprising: a transaction card,
comprising: a dynamic antenna; a memory-card interface that
connects to a mobile host device; a communication module that
wirelessly receives Radio Frequency (RF) signals from and transmits
RF signals to a transaction terminal; secure memory that stores
user credentials and a payment application used to execute
financial transactions with the transaction terminal, the user
credentials and the transaction application associated with an
institution; a user-interface module that presents and receives
information through the GUI of the mobile host device; a processing
module that executes the transaction using the user credentials in
response to at least a transaction request received by the RF
module and transmits at least one transaction response to the
terminal based, at least in part, on the executed transaction
application; and a boosting element including a passive antenna
configured to magnetically couple with the dynamic antenna and
increase an operating range of RF signal communication between the
dynamic antenna and the transaction terminal.
2. The transaction system of claim 1, the passive antenna included
in a first layer, further comprising a second layer coupled to the
first layer and including an adhesive configured to affix the
passive antenna to a device hosting the transaction card and at
least proximate a card slot of the host device.
3. The system of claim 1, the passive antenna included in a first
layer, further comprising a second layer including substantially
planar ferrite and a first surface and a second surface, the first
surface affixed to the first layer and the second surface affixed
to the second layer.
4. The system of claim 1, the passive antenna substantially planar
and at least twice as large as the dynamic antenna.
5. The system of claim 4, the passive antenna comprising an antenna
in a shape of a coil.
6. The system of claim 1, the passive antenna configured to
magnetically couple to the dynamic antenna inside the transaction
card to substantially operate as a single antenna.
7. The system of claim 6, the single antenna tuned to perform at an
operating range greater than an operating range of the dynamic
antenna inside the transaction card.
8. The system of claim 1, the boosting element integrated in a
housing of the host device for the transaction card.
9. The system of claim 1, the mobile host device operates
independent of interference from the boosting element.
10. The system of claim 1, the boosting element affixed to an inner
surface of a battery cover of the mobile host device.
11. The system of claim 1, the boosting element affixed to the
terminal, the terminal operates independent of interference from
the boosting element.
12. The system of claim 1, the transaction card configured to
execute transactions with RF enabled terminals using RF signals
transmitted in accordance with contactless standards ISO 14443 Type
A and Type B, MiFare, RFID, Felica, NFC, ISO 15693, or
Bluetooth.
13. The system of claim 1, the user credentials associated with one
of a credit card account, a checking account, a debit account, a
gift account, or a prepaid account.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing module comprises:
a security module that generates the transaction response based, at
least in part, on the user credentials and the transaction
application; and an operating system with a runtime environment
that executes the transaction application independent of the mobile
host device.
15. A method for boosting an RF-signal communication range between
a transaction card and a terminal, comprising: magnetically
coupling an antenna of a transaction terminal and a passive antenna
inside a boosting element; magnetically coupling the passive
antenna inside the boosting element with a dynamic antenna of a
transaction card, the transaction card inserted in a mobile host
device, the boosting element coupled with the terminal antenna
regenerating a terminal magnetic field with a higher flux density
near the transaction card effecting an indirect magnetic coupling
of the terminal antenna with the dynamic antenna; and wirelessly
communicating RF signals between the terminal and the transaction
card using indirect magnetic coupling.
16. The method of claim 15, the indirect magnetic coupling through
the boosting element allowing communication between the terminal
and the transaction card at a greater operating range than direct
coupling between the terminal antenna and the dynamic antenna
inside the transaction card.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising substantially
reducing interference generated by material of the mobile host
device.
18. The method of claim 15, the passive antenna adjacent a surface
of the mobile host device or a surface of the terminal.
19. The method of claim 15, the passive antenna magnetically
coupled to the dynamic antenna to substantially operate as an
antenna larger than the dynamic antenna.
20. The method of claim 15, the passive antenna boosts a
communication range of the terminal independent of interfering with
operations of the mobile host device or the terminal.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/571,163, filed Sep.
30, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/272,527, filed Nov. 17, 2008,
which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/209,087, filed Sep. 11, 2008, which
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/971,813, filed on Sep. 12, 2007, the entire
contents of each of the above-identified cases are hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to network communications and, more
particularly, to wirelessly communicating radio frequency
signals.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Portable electronic devices and tokens have become an
integrated part of the regular day to day user experience. There is
a wide variety of common portable and handheld devices that users
have in their possession including communication, business and
entertaining devices such as cell phones, music players, digital
cameras, smart cards, memory token and variety of possible
combinations of the aforementioned devices and tokens. All of these
devices share the commonality that consumer are accustomed to
carrying them with them most of the time and to most places. This
is true across the various demographics and age groups regardless
of the level of the sophistication of the consumer, their age
group, their technical level or background.
[0004] These common handheld devices offer options for expandable
memory. Micro Secure Digital (microSD) is the popular interface
across high-end cellphones while SD and MultiMediaCard (MMC)
interfaces are also available in limited models. MicroSD is the
least common denominator supported by the majority of these devices
and tokens (in terms of size). In addition, adaptors are available
to convert a MicroSD into MiniSD, SD, MMC and USB Although most
popular MP3 player (iPOD) offer's a proprietary interface,
competing designs do offer standard interfaces. Digital cameras
offer mostly SD and MIVIC while extreme Digital (xD) is another
option. Micro and Mini versions of these interfaces are also
available in several models. Mini-USB is increasingly available
across cellphones, digital cameras and MP3 players for
synchronization with laptops.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure is directed to a system and method
for using magnetically coupled antennas to enhance receptivity
and/or reading range of radio frequency (RF) transaction devices.
In some implementations, a method for boosting RF signals includes
wirelessly receiving an RF signal from a transaction terminal at a
passive antenna. The passive antenna is magnetically coupled to the
antenna of a transaction card. The transaction card is inserted in
a mobile host device and configured to execute a payment
application using user credentials in response to at least a
transaction request and transmits at least one transaction response
to the transaction terminal based, at least in part, on the
executed transaction application and using the antenna either
standalone or through the coupled antenna configuration. The RF
signal is transmitted to the transaction card using the inductive
coupling with the terminal.
[0006] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an example transaction system in accordance with
some implementations of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an example transactions system that transmits
transaction information through a cellular core network;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an example intelligent card of FIG. 1 in
accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an example intelligent card that selectively
switching an antenna;
[0011] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of antenna design
1;
[0012] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another example of antenna
design
[0013] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another example of antenna
design
[0014] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate another example of antenna
design;
[0015] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate another example of antenna
design;
[0016] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another example of antenna
design;
[0017] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate another example of antenna
design;
[0018] FIG. 12A and 12B illustrates yet other examples of an
antenna design; and
[0019] FIGS. 13A-C are cross-sectional views for a system that
passively amplifies RF signals;
[0020] FIGS. 14A and 14B are cross-sectional views for another
system that passively amplifies RF signals;
[0021] FIGS. 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views for a system
that actively amplifies RF signals;
[0022] FIGS. 16A-C illustrate another example of antenna designs;
and
[0023] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view for a system that actively
amplifies RF signals;
[0024] FIGS. 18A-D illustrate an example booster element affixed to
a mobile device;
[0025] FIGS. 19A-C illustrate another example booster element
affixed to a mobile device;
[0026] FIGS. 20A-D illustrate yet another example booster element
affixed to a mobile device;
[0027] FIGS. 21A-C illustrate another example booster element
affixed to a mobile device;
[0028] FIGS. 22A-C illustrate an example booster element affixed to
a terminal; and
[0029] FIGS. 23A-C illustrate another example booster element
embedded in a mobile device.
[0030] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example
transaction system 100 for wirelessly executing transactions using
an intelligent card independent of a host device. For example, the
system 100 may include a micoSecure Digital (microSD) card that
executes transactions with financial institutions independent of a
host device. Aside from microSD, the system 100 may include other
mass storage interfaces that connect an intelligent card to the
host device such as, for example, MultiMediaCard (MMC), SD,
Universal Serial Bus (USB), Apple iDock, Firewire, and/or others.
An intelligent card is a device configured to insert into or
otherwise attach to a host device and access or otherwise execute
services (e.g., transactions) independent of the host device. In
some implementations, the intelligent card may be shaped as a
microSD card including, for example, notches, raised portions
and/or other features. The system 100 may include an intelligent
card that includes a dual interface. The dual interface may connect
the intelligent card to both the host device through a physical
interface (e.g., SD, MMC, USB) and external devices through a
wireless connection (e.g., NFC, ISO 14443). In some
implementations, the intelligent card may include an embedded
secure chip, Central Processing Unit (CPU) with operating system,
local memory and value added applications accessible by the user
through the host device. A host device may include a cellphone, a
smartphone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a MPEG-1 Audio
Layer 3 (MP3) device, a digital camera, a camcorder, a client, a
computer, and/or other device that includes a mass memory and/or
peripheral interface. In some implementations, the intelligent card
can operate as a master with the host device being a slave such
that the intelligent card controls operational aspects of the host
device such as a user interface. The intelligent card in the system
100 may execute one or more of the following: selectively activate
an antenna for wireless transactions in response to at least an
event;
[0032] verify the host device with a financial institution through,
for example, a Point Of Sale (POS) using a host signature; execute
a transaction with a financial institution through, for example, a
POS terminal independent of the host device; and/or other
processes. By providing an intelligent card, the system 100 may
wirelessly execute transactions with financial institutions without
either requiring additional hardware, software, and/or firmware on
the host device and/or without requiring changes to existing
hardware, software, and/or firmware for reader terminals to enable
a user to wirelessly execute a transaction.
[0033] At a high level, the system 100 includes an offline store
102 and clients 104a and 104b coupled to financial institutions 106
through a network 108. While not illustrated, the system 100 may
included several intermediary parties between the financial
institution 106 and the network such as, for example, a transaction
acquirer and/or a payment network host. The offline store 102
includes a mobile device 110a having a transaction card 112a and a
Point of Sale (POS) device 114 that executes transactions with
customers. The POS device 114 includes a Graphical User Interface
(GUI) 109 for presenting information to and/or receiving
information from users. In some implementations, the POS 114 may
transmit a request to execute a transaction to the transaction card
112. The transaction card 112 may transmit authentication
information to the POS 114. The client 104 includes the GUI 115 for
presenting information associated with the system 100. The client
104a includes a card reader 116 that interfaces the transaction
card 112c with the client 104a. The financial institution 106 may
authorize the transaction based, at least in part, on information
transmitted by the transaction card 112. The mobile device 110
includes a GUI 111 for presenting information associated with
financial transactions.
[0034] The offline store 102 is generally at least a portion of an
enterprise having a physical presence (e.g., building) for
operations. For example, the offline store 102 may sell goods
and/or services at a physical location (e.g., a brick-and-mortar
store) directly to customers. In this example, the offline store
102 buys or otherwise receives goods (e.g., produce) from
distributors (not illustrated) and then may sell these goods to
customers, such as users of the mobile device 110. In general, the
offline store 102 may offer face-to-face experiences with customers
in providing goods and/or services. For example, the offline store
102 may be a click-and-mortar store such that a user selects a good
or service using the Internet and purchases and receives the good
or service at the offline store 102. The offline store 102 may
provide one or more of the following services associated with
goods: inventory, warehousing, distribution, and/or transportation.
As a result, the offline store 102 may not immediately distribute
goods received from distributors. The offline store 102 may include
a single retail facility, one or more retail facilities at a single
geographic location, and/or a plurality of retail facilities
geographically distributed. In some cases, two or more entities may
represent portions of the same legal entity or affiliates. For
example, the offline store 102 and distributors may be departments
within one enterprise. In summary, the offline store 102 may
wirelessly execute financial transactions with the mobile device
110.
[0035] Each mobile device 110 comprises an electronic device
operable to interface with the transaction card 112a. For example,
the mobile device 110 may receive and transmit wireless and/or
contactless communication with the system 100. As used in this
disclosure, the mobile devices 110 are intended to encompass
cellular phones, data phones, pagers, portable computers, SIP
phones, smart phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), digital
cameras, MP3 players, camcorders, one or more processors within
these or other devices, or any other suitable processing devices
capable of communicating information with the transaction card 112.
In some implementations, the mobile devices 110 may be based on a
cellular radio technology. For example, the mobile device 110 may
be a PDA operable to wirelessly connect with an external or
unsecured network. In another example, the mobile device 110 may
comprise a smartphone that includes an input device, such as a
keypad, touch screen, mouse, or other device that can accept
information, and an output device that conveys information
associated with a transaction with the offline store 102, including
digital data, visual information, or GUI 111.
[0036] The GUI 111 comprises a graphical user interface operable to
allow the user of the mobile device 110 to interface with at least
a portion of the system 100 for any suitable purpose, such as
authorizing transactions and/or displaying transaction history.
Generally, the GUI 111 provides the particular user with an
efficient and user-friendly presentation of data provided by or
communicated within the system 100 and/or also an efficient and
user-friendly means for the user to self-manage settings and access
services offered by the financial institution 106. The GUI 111 may
comprise a plurality of customizable frames or views having
interactive fields, pull-down lists, and/or buttons operated by the
user. The term graphical user interface may be used in the singular
or in the plural to describe one or more graphical user interfaces
and each of the displays of a particular graphical user interface.
The GUI 111 can include any graphical user interface, such as a
generic web browser or touch screen, that processes information in
the system 100 and presents the results to the user.
[0037] The transaction card 112 can include any software, hardware,
and/or firmware configured to wirelessly execute transactions with
the POS device 114. For example, the transaction card 112 may
execute a contactless transaction with the POS device 114
independent of the mobile device 110a. In other words, the
transaction card 112 may wirelessly execute transactions without
aspects of the transaction being executed by the mobile device 110.
The transaction card 112 may execute transactions with the POS
device 114 using short range signals such as NFC (e.g., ISO
18092/ECMA 340), ISO 14443 type A/B, ISO 15693, Felica, MiFARE,
Bluetooth, Ultra-wideband (UWB), Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID),
contactless signals, proximity signals, and/or other signals
compatible with retail payment terminals (e.g., POS 114). In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 may include one or more
chipsets that execute an operating system and security processes to
independently execute the transaction. In doing so, the mobile
device 110 does not require additional hardware, software, and/or
firmware to wirelessly execution a transaction with the POS 114
such as an NFC transaction. In some implementations, the
transaction card 112 may execute one or more of the following:
wirelessly receive a request from the POS device 114 to execute a
transaction and/or and provide a response; translate between
wireless protocols and protocols compatible with the transaction
card 112; translate between transaction-card protocols and
protocols compatible with mobile device 110; present and receive
information (e.g., PIN request, PIN) from the user through the GUI
111; decrypt and encrypt information wirelessly transmitted between
the transaction card 112 and the POS 114; execute applications
locally stored in the transaction card 112; selectively switch the
antenna of the transaction card 112 on and off based, at least in
part, on one or more events; execute authentication processes
based, at least in part, on information received, for example,
through the GUI 111; transmit a host signature to POS 114 in
response to at least a transaction challenge; store, at least in
part, details of the transaction executed between place between the
card 112 and the POS device 114; generate and/or present alerts
(e.g., audio-visual alerts) to the user through the GUI 111;
generate and/or transmit wireless-message alerts to the financial
institution 106 using the mobile device 110 if cellular capable;
and/or others. In some implementations, the transaction card 112
may include a communication module with of a protocol translation
module, antenna tuning circuit, power circuit and a miniature
antenna tuned to exchange wireless data with a retail terminal
114.
[0038] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may
initiate a transaction in response to at least a user selecting a
graphical element in the GUI 111. The transaction card 112 may
initiate a transaction with the POS 114 in response to at least
wireless request transmitted by the POS 114. In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 may selectively switch
the antenna between an on and off state in response to one or more
events. The one or more events may include a user request,
completion of transaction, insertion of card 112 in a different
mobile device, location change, timer events, detection of
incorrect PIN entered by the user, change of wireless network that
the device is connected to, message received from the financial
institution 106 using wireless communication methods such as SMS,
and/or other events. For example, the transaction card 112 may
receive one or more commands to switch the antenna off from a
cellular network (not illustrated) through the mobile device 110.
In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may request user
identification such as a PIN, a user ID and password combination,
biometric signature, and/or others.
[0039] In regards to translating between protocols, the transaction
card 112 may process information in, for example, ISO 7816, a
standard security protocol, and/or others. In this case, the
transaction card 112 may translate between an NFC protocol (e.g.,
ISO 18092) and the transaction-card protocol. In some
implementations, ISO 7816 commands may be encapsulated within
interface commands used to transmit data between the host device
114 and the card 112. In addition, the transaction card 112 may
interface the mobile device 110 through a physical interface such
as MicroSD, Mini-SD SD, MMC, miniMMC, microMMC, USB, miniUSB,
microUSB, firewire, Apple iDock, and/or others. In regard to
security processes, the transaction card 112 may implement one or
more encryption algorithms to secure transaction information such
as card number (e.g., credit card number, debit-card number, bank
account number), PIN, and/or other security related information.
The security related information may include an expiry date, card
verification code, user name, home phone number, user zip code
and/or other user information associated with verifying an identity
of the card holder. In some implementations, the transaction card
112 may execute private key (symmetric algorithms) such as DES,
TDES and/or others or public key (asymmetric algorithms) such as
RSA, elliptic curves, and/or others. In addition, the transaction
card 112 may include memory (e.g., Flash, EEPROM) for storing user
data, applications, offline Webpages, and/or other information. In
regards to applications, the transaction card 112 may execute a
locally stored application and present information to and received
information from the user through the GUI 111. For example, the
transaction card 112 may execute an application used to synchronize
an account balance with the financial institution 106 using the GUI
111 and the mobile device 110. Alternatively or in addition to
applications, the transaction card 112 may present offline Web
pages to the user using the GUI 111. In response to initiating a
transaction, the transaction card 112 may automatically present an
offline Web page through the GUI 111. In some implementations, the
offline Web page can be associated with a financial institution
106. In some implementations, the transaction card 112 can be
backward compatible and operate as a mass storage device. For
example, if the wireless interface of the transaction card 112 is
not available or deactivated, the transaction card 112 may operate
as a mass storage device enabling users to access data stored in
the memory component (e.g., Flash). In some implementations, the
transaction card 112 can execute a set of initialization commands
in response to at least insertion into the mobile device 110. These
initialization commands may include determining device related
information for the mobile device 100 (e.g., phone number,
signature, connected network information, location information and
other available properties), determining user relating information
(e.g., PIN code, activation code), incrementing counters, setting
flags and activating/deactivating functions according to
pre-existing rules and/or algorithms.
[0040] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may
automatically execute one or more fraud control processes. For
example, the transaction card 112 may identify an operational
change and automatically transmit a notification to the financial
institution based, at least in part, on the identified change. The
transaction card 112 may execute two fraud control processes: (1)
determine a violation of one or more rules; and (2) automatically
execute one or more actions in response to at least the violation.
In regards to rules, the transaction card 112 may locally store
rules associated with updates to operational aspects of the
transaction card 112. For example, the transaction card 112 may
store a rule indicating a change in mobile host device 110 is an
operational violation. In some implementations, the transaction
card 112 may store rules based, at least in part, on updates to one
or more of the following: phone number of host device 110; MAC
address of host device 110; network wirelessly connected to host
device 110; location of host device; and/or other aspects. In
response to one or more events matching or otherwise violating
rules, the transaction card 112 may execute one or more processes
to substantially prevent or otherwise notify the financial
institutions 106 of potentially fraudulent activity. For example,
the transaction card 112 may execute a command to block an
associated user account and/or the transaction card 112.
Alternatively or in addition, the transaction card 112 may transmit
a command to the financial institution 106 to call the mobile host
device 110. In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may
execute a command based, at least in part, on an event type. In
some examples, the transaction card 112 may initiate a call with
the financial institution 106 in response to at least a change in
number of the host device 110. In some examples, the transaction
card 112 may re-execute an activation process in response to at
least a specified event type. An activation process may include
activating the transaction card and/or financial account as
discussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 9. In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 may execute a command to
disconnect the GUI 111 from the transaction card 112. The
transaction card 112 may present a disconnection notification
through the GUI 111 prior to executing the command. In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 may transmit a command to
the financial institution 106 to deactivate an account associated
with the card 112.
[0041] In some implementations, the POS 114 may transmit a
transaction request 117 to the transaction card 112 for information
to generate an authorization request 118. In response to at least
the transaction request, the transaction card 112 may transmit one
or more transaction responses 119 identifying information
associated with a payment account. In some implementations, the POS
device 114 may transmit a request 118 to authorize a transaction to
the financial institution 106. The authorization information may
include an account number, a transaction amount, user credentials,
and/or other information. In response to at least the transaction
request 118, the financial institution 106 may transmit an
authorization response 120 to the POS device 114. In some
implementations, the POS device 114 may transmit the response 120
to the transaction card 112. The transaction response 120 may
include, for example, a receipt presentable to the user through the
GUI 111a. In some implementations, the financial institution 106
may transmit the authorization response 120 to the mobile device
through a cellular core network (see FIG. 2). In this
implementation, the financial institution 106 may have stored the
association between the mobile device 110 and the transaction card
112 during the user sign-up process, automatically upon user
activation of the card 112 when, for example, the card 112 is
initially inserted into the mobile device 110, and/or other event.
In the illustrated implementation, the POS 114 includes the GUI
109.
[0042] The GUI 109 comprises a graphical user interface operable to
allow the user of the POS 114 to interface with at least a portion
of the system 100 for any suitable purpose, such as a user entering
transaction information (e.g., PIN, transaction acceptance) and/or
and presenting transaction information (e.g., transaction amount).
Generally, the GUI 109 provides the particular user with an
efficient and user-friendly presentation of data provided by or
communicated within the system 100 and/or also an efficient and
user-friendly means for the user to initiate a wirelessly
transaction with the transaction card 112. The GUI 109 may present
a series of screens or displays to the user to, for example, accept
a transaction and enter security information such as a PIN.
[0043] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 can be
implemented differently. The transaction card 112 may be
implemented as a KeyFOB and remains live outside the mobile device
110 as a FOB. In this case, the transaction card 112 may be passive
and powered from an induction magnetic field generated by the POS
114. The transaction card 112 may be implemented in the form of an
industrial integrated circuit chip for mounting on a PCB or IC
chip. In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may be
implemented in the form of a self contained desktop standalone unit
powered by external AC adapter or stand alone box. In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 can be implemented as an
external attachment to a mobile device 110 (e.g., case) and
connected to the mobile device using a peripheral interface such as
USB, serial port, the iDock apple proprietary interface, and/or
other interface.
[0044] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may
operate in accordance with one or more of the following modes:
active card emulation; active reader; self train; killed; memory;
inactive; and/or other modes. The transaction card 112 may operate
active-card-emulation mode to convert the mobile device 110 to a
contactless payment device loaded with a financial vehicle (FV)
that may be, for example, a credit card, a debit card, a gift card
and/or other retail payment product. In this mode, the transaction
card 112 may execute payment transactions at any capable retail
payment terminal (e.g., POS 114) that accepts contactless payment
transactions. For example, such terminals may be
contactless-enabled terminals currently being deployed by merchants
under MasterCard's paypass, Visa's paywave programs, Amex
ExpressPay, Discover Zip, and/or other payment programs. After the
antenna of the transaction card 112 is activated in this mode, a
merchant terminal may detect the presence of a host device with the
transaction card 112 and prompt the user to authorize a transaction
such as by entering a PIN, signing on a terminal interface,
confirming the amount of the transaction, and/or other action. In
this mode, such transactions may be handled as a normal
card-present transaction. In other words, the POS 114 may perceive
the transaction card 112 as a contactless plastic payment card and
may communicate with the transaction card 112 as a contactless
plastic payment card to execute payment transactions. In these
implementations when the card 112 operates in an active-card
emulation mode, the POS 114 can wirelessly communicate with the
transaction card 112 using the same signals used to communicate
with a contactless plastic payment card. In this active-card
emulation mode, the transaction card 112 emulates a contactless
plastic payment card and may be backward compatible with the POS
114. In this implementation, neither the terminal nor the financial
institution may require additional software to execute the
transaction. In addition, the transaction card 112 in this mode may
be used for other applications such as physical access control (to
open gates either in a corporate environment or in a transit
environment), logical access control (to request network access via
a PC), application access control (to buy access for amenities such
as transportation, movies or wherever payment needs to be made to
gain access to a facility), and/or other applications.
[0045] In the active-reader mode, the transaction card 112 may
convert the mobile device 110 to a contactless reader device
capable of receiving data when in range of a transmitting terminal
(e.g., POS 114). In some implementations, this mode can require
special NFC hardware with reader mode capability as part of the
transaction card 112. In the event that the mobile device 110 is
proximate (e.g., 10 cm or less) a transmitting terminal, the reader
mode of the transaction card 112 may activated and prompt the user
for authorization to receive data through the GUI 111. This mode
may only be suitable for mobile devices 110 with a UI element, such
as an OK button and a screen, an LED to indicate that data
reception is being requested, and/or other interfaces. Once the
user authorizes the transmission, the transaction card 112 in this
mode may receive, and locally store, process and may execute a
transaction and/or forward received data to another entity. For
example, the transaction card 112 in this mode may receive content
through promotional posters, validating the purchase of a ticket,
and/or others. For example, the transaction card 112 in this mode
may function as a mobile POS terminal receiving transaction
information from a plastic contactless card/FOB and instructing the
POS 114 to prepare a transaction authorization request for the
financial institution 106 through a cellular core network. Once the
financial institution 106 authorizes the transaction, the mobile
device 110 may display the confirmation of the transaction to the
user through the GUI 111.
[0046] In regards to the self-train mode, the transaction card 112
may execute a version of the reader mode. In some implementations,
the self-train mode can be activated by a special action (e.g., a
needle point press to a small switch, entry of an administrative
password via the GUI 111). In response to at least activating this
mode, the transaction card 112 may be configured to receive
personalization data over, for example, the short range wireless
interface from another peer transaction card such as the plastic
contactless cards compliant with this functionality and issued by
the financial institution 106 or a specially prepared
administrative card for this purpose. Personalization data received
in this mode may include encrypted FV information that is stored in
secured memory of the transaction card 112. In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 in this mode may receive
the FV information through a contactless interface of a transmitter
and/or others. The transaction card 112 may then synthesize the FV
information that corresponds to the user account and personalize an
internal security module that includes, for example, payment
applications for executing transactions with financial institutions
106 and associated user credentials. The self-train mode may be
used to re-personalize the transaction card 112 in the field. In
some implementations, all previous data can be deleted if the
self-train mode is activated. The self-train mode may be a
peer-to-peer personalization mode where the card 112 may receive
personalization information from another transaction card 112. This
mode may represent an additional personalization mode as compared
with factory, store and/or Over-The-Air (OTA) personalization
scenarios which may be server to client personalization scenarios.
In some implementations, the self-train mode may be a peer-to-peer
personalization mode where the transaction card 112 receives
personalization information from another transaction card. Since
two transaction cards 112 are used in this mode, this mode may be
different from a server-to-client personalization scenario as with
a factory, store, and OTA personalization.
[0047] In regards to the inactive mode, the transaction card 112
may temporarily deactivate the contactless interface. In some
implementations, the inactive mode can be activated through the
physical interface with the mobile device 110 such as a microSD
interface. In response to at least the activation of the inactive
mode, the transaction card 112 may temporarily behave as only a
mass-memory card. In some implementations, the card 112 may also
enter this state when the reset needle point is pressed. In this
mode, the transaction card 112 may preserve locally-stored
information including financial user data. In this mode, the
transaction card 112 may execute the activation process and if
successful may return to the active mode. Financial institutions
106 may use this mode to temporarily prevent usage in response to
at least identifying at least potentially fraudulent activity.
[0048] In regards to the killed mode, the transaction card 112 may
permanently deactivate the contactless interface. In some
implementations, the killed mode is activated through the physical
interface with the mobile device 110 such as a microSD interface.
In response to at least the activation of the killed mode, the
transaction card 112 may permanently behaves as a mass memory
stick. In the event that the reset needle point is pressed, the
transaction card 112 may, in some implementations, not be made to
enter any other modes. In addition, the transaction card 112 may
delete financial content in memory in response to at least this
mode being activated. In some implementations, financial
institutions 106 may use this mode to delete data from a
transaction card 112 that is physically lost but still connected to
the wireless network via the host device 110.
[0049] In regards to the memory mode, the transaction card 112 may
operate as a mass memory stick such that the memory is accessible
through conventional methods. In some implementations, the
transaction card 112 may automatically activate this mode in
response to at least being removed from the host device, inserted
into a non-authorized host device, and/or other events. The
transaction card 112 may be switched to active mode from the memory
mode by, for example, inserting the card 112 into an authorized
device or may be switched from this mode into the self-train mode
to re-personalize the device for a new host device or a new user
account. In some implementations, the memory mode may operate
substantially same as the inactive mode.
[0050] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may be
re-personalized/updated such as using software device management
process and/or a hardware reset. For example, the user may want to
re-personalize the transaction card 112 to change host devices, to
have multiple host devices, and/or other reasons. In regards to the
software device management, the user may need to cradle the new
host device with the transaction card 112 inserted to launch the
software device management application. In some implementations,
the software management application can be an application directly
installed on the client 104, integrated as a plug-in to a normal
synchronization application such as ActiveSync, available via a
browser plug-in running on the plug-in provider's website, and/or
other sources. The user may log into the application and verify
their identity, and in response to verification, the application
may allow access to a devices section in the device management
application. The device management application may read the
transaction card 112 and display the MAC addresses, signatures of
the devices that he has inserted his plug-in to, and/or other
device specific information. The mobile device 110 may be marked as
active and the host device may be shown as disallowed or inactive.
The application may enable the user to update the status of the new
host device, and in response to at least the selection, the device
management application may install the signature on the new host
device and mark update the status as allowable in secure memory of
the transaction card 112. The user may be able to also update the
status of the mobile device 110 to disallowed. Otherwise, both
devices may be active and the transaction card 112 may be switched
between the two devices. In regards to the hardware reset process,
the use may use the reset needle point press on the physical
transaction card 112 to activate the self-train mode. In this mode,
the financial data may be deleted and have to be reloaded. When the
transaction card 112 is inserted into the new host device, the
provisioning process may begin as discussed above.
[0051] The POS 114 can include any software, hardware, and/or
firmware that receives from the transaction card 112 account
information for executing a transaction with one or more financial
institutions 106. For example, the POS 114 may be an electronic
cash register capable of wirelessly communicating transaction
information with the transaction card 112a. The POS 114 may
communicate transaction information associated with traditional
contact payment methods such as plastic cards and checks. If
enabled for wireless/contactless payment transactions, the POS 114
may communicate information with the transaction card 112 in one or
more the following formats: 14443 Type A/B, Felica, MiFare, ISO
18092, ISO 15693; and/or others. The transaction information may
include verification information, check number, routing number,
account number, transaction amount, time, driver's license number,
merchant ID, merchant parameters, credit-card number, debit-card
number, digital signature and/or other information. In some
implementations, the transaction information may be encrypted. In
illustrated implementation, the POS 114 can wirelessly receive
encrypted transaction information from the transaction card 112 and
electronically send the information to one or more of the financial
institutions 106 for authorization. For example, the POS 114 may
receive an indication that a transaction amount has been accepted
or declined for the identified account and/or request additional
information from the transaction card 112.
[0052] As used in this disclosure, the client 104 are intended to
encompass a personal computer, touch screen terminal, workstation,
network computer, a desktop, kiosk, wireless data port, smart
phone, PDA, one or more processors within these or other devices,
or any other suitable processing or electronic device used for
viewing transaction information associated with the transaction
card 112. For example, the client 104 may be a PDA operable to
wirelessly connect with an external or unsecured network. In
another example, the client 104 may comprise a laptop that includes
an input device, such as a keypad, touch screen, mouse, or other
device that can accept information, and an output device that
conveys information associated with transactions executed with the
financial institutions 106, including digital data, visual
information, or GUI 115. In some implementations, the client 104b
can wirelessly communicate with the transaction card 112b using,
for example, an NFC protocol. In some implementations, the client
104a includes a card reader 116 having a physical interface for
communicating with the transaction card 112c. In some
implementations, the card reader 116 may at least include an
adapter 116b that adapts the interface supported by the client 104
(e.g., USB, Firewire, Bluetooth, WiFi) to the physical interface
supported by the card 112 (e.g., SD/NFC). In this case, the client
104a may not include a transceiver for wireless communication.
[0053] The GUI 115 comprises a graphical user interface operable to
allow the user of the client 104 to interface with at least a
portion of the system 100 for any suitable purpose, such as viewing
transaction information. Generally, the GUI 115 provides the
particular user with an efficient and user-friendly presentation of
data provided by or communicated within the system 100. The GUI 115
may comprise a plurality of customizable frames or views having
interactive fields, pull-down lists, and/or buttons operated by the
user. The term graphical user interface may be used in the singular
or in the plural to describe one or more graphical user interfaces
and each of the displays of a particular graphical user interface.
The GUI 115 can include any graphical user interface, such as a
generic web browser or touch screen, that processes information in
the system 100 and presents the results to the user. The financial
institutions 106 can accept data from the client 104 using, for
example, the web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer or
Mozilla Firefox) and return the appropriate responses (e.g., HTML
or XML) to the browser using the network 108. In some
implementations, the GUI 111c of the transaction card 112c may be
presented through the GUI 115a of the client 104a. In these
implementations, the GUI 115a may retrieve user credentials from
the GUI 111c and populate financial forms presented in the GUI
115a. For example, the GUI 115a may present a forum to the user for
entering credit card information to purchase a good through the
Internet, and the GUI 115a may populate the form using the GUI 111c
in response to at least a request from the user.
[0054] Financial institutions 106a-c can include any enterprise
that may authorize transactions received through the network 108.
For example, the financial institution 106a may be a credit card
provider that determines whether to authorize a transaction based,
at least in part, on information received through the network 106.
The financial institution 106 may be a credit card provider, a
bank, an association (e.g., VISA), a retail merchant (e.g.,
Target), a prepaid/gift card provider, an internet bank, and/or
others. In general, the financial institution 106 may execute one
or more of the following: receive a request to authorize a
transaction; identify an account number and other transaction
information (e.g., PIN); identify funds and/or a credit limit
associated with the identified account; determine whether the
transaction request exceeds the funds and/or credit limit and/or
violates any other rules associated with the account; transmit an
indication whether the transaction has been accepted or declined;
and/or other processes. In regards to banking, the financial
institution 106 may identify an account number (e.g., bank account,
debit-card number) and associated verification information (e.g.,
PIN, zip code) and determine funds available to the account holder.
Based, at least in part, on the identified funds, the financial
institution 106 may either accept or reject the requested
transaction or request additional information. As for encryption,
the financial institution 106 may use a public key algorithm such
as RSA or elliptic curves and/or private key algorithms such as
TDES to encrypt and decrypt data.
[0055] Network 108 facilitates wireless or wired communication
between the financial institutions and any other local or remote
computer, such as clients 104 and the POS device 114. Network 108
may be all or a portion of an enterprise or secured network. While
illustrated as single network, network 108 may be a continuous
network logically divided into various sub-nets or virtual networks
without departing from the scope of this disclosure, so long as at
least a portion of network 108 may facilitate communications of
transaction information between the financial institutions 106, the
clients 104, and the offline store 102. In some implementations,
network 108 encompasses any internal or external network, networks,
sub-network, or combination thereof operable to facilitate
communications between various computing components in system 100.
Network 108 may communicate, for example, Internet Protocol (IP)
packets, Frame Relay frames, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
cells, voice, video, data, and other suitable information between
network addresses. Network 108 may include one or more local area
networks (LANs), radio access networks (RANs), metropolitan area
networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), all or a portion of the
global computer network known as the Internet, and/or any other
communication system or systems at one or more locations.
[0056] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
transaction system 200 for wirelessly communicating transactions
information using cellular radio technology. For example, the
system 200 may wirelessly communicate a transaction receipt to a
transaction card 112 using a mobile host device 110 and cellular
radio technology. In some implementations, cellular radio
technology may include Global System for Mobile Communication
(GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile
[0057] Telecommunications System (UMTS), and/or any other cellular
technology. The financial institutions 106 may assign one or more
mobile host devices 110 to a transaction card 112 in response to
one or more events. In some examples, the user may register the one
or more mobile devices 110 with the financial institution 106 in
connection with, for example, requesting the associated transaction
card 112. In some examples, the transaction card 112 may register
the mobile host device 110 with the financial institution 106 in
response to at least an initial insertion into the device 110.
Regardless of the association process, the system 100 may use the
cellular capabilities of the host devices 110 to communicate
information between the financial institutions 106 and the
transaction card 112. In using the cellular radio technology of the
host device 110, the system 100 may communicate with the
transaction card 112 when the card 112 is not proximate a retail
device, such as the POS device 114 of FIG. 1.
[0058] In the illustrated implementation, the cellular core network
202 typically includes various switching elements, gateways and
service control functions for providing cellular services. The
cellular core network 202 often provides these services via a
number of cellular access networks (e.g., RAN) and also interfaces
the cellular system with other communication systems such as the
network 108 via a MSC 206. In accordance with the cellular
standards, the cellular core network 202 may include a circuit
switched (or voice switching) portion for processing voice calls
and a packet switched (or data switching) portion for supporting
data transfers such as, for example, e-mail messages and web
browsing. The circuit switched portion includes MSC 206 that
switches or connects telephone calls between radio access network
(RAN) 204 and the network 108 or another network, between cellular
core networks or others. In case the core network 202 is a GSM core
network, the core network 202 can include a packet-switched
portion, also known as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS),
including a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) (not illustrated),
similar to MSC 206, for serving and tracking communication devices
102, and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) (not illustrated) for
establishing connections between packet-switched networks and
communication devices 110. The SGSN may also contain subscriber
data useful for establishing and handing over call connections. The
cellular core network 202 may also include a home location register
(HLR) for maintaining "permanent" subscriber data and a visitor
location register (VLR) (and/or an SGSN) for "temporarily"
maintaining subscriber data retrieved from the HLR and up-to-date
information on the location of those communications devices 110
using a wireless communications method. In addition, the cellular
core network 202 may include Authentication, Authorization, and
Accounting (AAA) that performs the role of authenticating,
authorizing, and accounting for devices 110 operable to access GSM
core network 202. While the description of the core network 202 is
described with respect to GSM networks, the core network 202 may
include other cellular radio technologies such as UMTS, CDMA, and
others without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0059] The RAN 204 provides a radio interface between mobile
devices and the cellular core network 202 which may provide
real-time voice, data, and multimedia services (e.g., a call) to
mobile devices through a macrocell 208. In general, the RAN 204
communicates air frames via radio frequency (RF) links. In
particular, the RAN 204 converts between air frames to physical
link based messages for transmission through the cellular core
network 202. The RAN 204 may implement, for example, one of the
following wireless interface standards during transmission:
Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), GSM standards, Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), IS-54
(TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates
for Global Evolution (EDGE), or proprietary radio interfaces. Users
may subscribe to the RAN 204, for example, to receive cellular
telephone service, Global Positioning System (GPS) service, XM
radio service, etc.
[0060] The RAN 204 may include Base Stations (BS) 210 connected to
Base Station Controllers (BSC) 212. BS 210 receives and transmits
air frames within a geographic region of RAN 204 (i.e. transmitted
by a cellular device 102e) and communicates with other mobile
devices 110 connected to the GSM core network 202. Each BSC 212 is
associated with one or more BS 210 and controls the associated BS
210. For example, BSC 212 may provide functions such as handover,
cell configuration data, control of RF power levels or any other
suitable functions for managing radio resource and routing signals
to and from BS 210. MSC 206 handles access to BSC 212 and the
network 108. MSC 206 may be connected to BSC 212 through a standard
interface such as the A-interface. While the elements of RAN 204
are describe with respect to GSM networks, the RAN 204 may include
other cellular technologies such as UMTS, CDMA, and/or others. In
the case of UMTS, the RAN 204 may include Node B and Radio Network
Controllers (RNC).
[0061] The contactless smart card 214 is a pocket-sized card with
embedded integrated circuits that process information. For example,
the smart card 214 may wirelessly receive transaction information,
process the information using embedded applications and wirelessly
transmit a response. The contactless smart card 214 may wirelessly
communicate with card readers through RFID induction technology at
data rates of 106 to 848 kbit/s. The card 214 may wirelessly
communicate with proximate readers between 10 cm (e.g., ISO/IEC
14443) to 50 cm (e.g., ISO 15693). The contactless smart card 214
operates independent of an internal power supply and captures
energy from incident radio-frequency interrogation signals to power
the embedded electronics. The smart card 214 may be a memory card
or microprocessor card. In general, memory cards include only
non-volatile memory storage components and may include some
specific security logic. Microprocessor cards include volatile
memory and microprocessor components. In some implementations, the
smart card 214 can have dimensions of normally credit card size
(e.g., 85.60.times.53.98.times.0.76 mm, 5.times.15.times.0.76 mm).
In some implementations, the smart card 214 may be a fob or other
security token. The smart card 214 may include a security system
with tamper-resistant properties (e.g., a secure cryptoprocessor,
secure file system, human-readable features) and/or may be
configured to provide security services (e.g., confidentiality of
stored information).
[0062] In some aspects of operation, the financial institution 106
may use the mobile host device 110 to communicate information to
the transaction card 112. For example, the financial institution
106 may wirelessly communicate with the mobile host device 110
using the cellular core network 202. In some implementations, the
financial institution 106 may transmit information to the mobile
host device 110 in response to at least an event. The information
may include, for example, transaction information (e.g.,
transaction receipt, transaction history), scripts, applications,
Web pages, and/or other information associated with the financial
institutions 106. The event may include completing a transaction,
determining a transaction card 112 is outside the operating range
of a POS terminal, receiving a request from a user of the mobile
host device, and/or others. For example, the financial institution
106 may identify a mobile host device 110 associated with a card
112 that executed a transaction and transmit transaction
information to the mobile host device 110 using the cellular core
network 202. In using the cellular core network 202, the financial
institutions 106 may transmit information to the transaction card
112 without requiring a POS terminal being proximate to the card
112. In addition or alternatively, the financial institution 106
may request information from the mobile host device 110, the
transaction card 112 and/or the user using the cellular core
network 202. For example, the financial institution 106 may
transmit a request for transaction history to the card 112 through
the cellular core network 202 and the mobile host device 110.
[0063] In some aspects of operation, a merchant or other entity may
operate the mobile host device 110c as a mobile POS terminal
configured to wirelessly execute transactions with the smart card
214. For example, a vendor may be mobile (e.g., a taxi driver) and
may include a mobile host device 110c with a transaction card 112c.
In this example, the transaction card 112c may wirelessly receive
account information from the smart card 214 and the POS 114 may
transmit an authorization request to the financial institution 106
using the mobile host device 110 and the cellular core network 202.
In response to at least the request, the financial institution 106
may generate an authorization response to the transaction card 112c
using the mobile host device 110 and the cellular network 202.
[0064] In some implementations, the system 100 may execute one or
more of the modes discussed with respect to FIG. 1. For example,
the transaction card 112 may be re-personalized/updated using the
cellular radio technology of the mobile host device 110. The user
may want to re-personalize the transaction card 112 to change host
devices, to have multiple host devices, and/or other reasons. In
regards to the software device management, the user may transmit to
the financial institution 106 a request to re-personalize the
transaction card 112 using the cellular radio technology of the
host device 110.
[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates is a block diagram illustrating an
example transaction card 112 of FIG. 1 in accordance with some
implementations of the present disclosure. In general, the
transaction card 112 includes personalized modules that execute
financial transactions independent of the mobile device 110. The
illustrated transaction card 112 is for example purposes only, and
the transaction card 112 may include some, all or different modules
without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0066] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 can
include an interface layer 302, an API/UI 304, a Web server 306, a
real-time framework 308, payment applications 310, value added
applications 312, user credentials 314, real-time OS 316,
contactless chipset 318, antenna control functions 320, antenna
322, bank used memory 324, and free memory 326. In some
implementations, a host controller includes the interface layer
302, he API/UI 304, the Web server 306, the real-time framework
308, the contactless chipset 318, and the antenna control functions
320. In some implementations, a security module includes the
payment applications 310 and the user credentials 314. The bank
used memory 324 and free memory 326 may be contained in Flash. In
some implementations, the contactless chipset 318 may be integrated
within the security module or operated as a standalone. The antenna
322 may be electronic circuitry.
[0067] The interface layer 302 includes interfaces to both the host
device, i.e., physical connection, and the external world, i.e.,
wireless/contactless connection. In payment implementations, the
wireless connection can be based on any suitable wireless standard
such as contactless (e.g., ISP 14443 A/B), proximity (e.g., ISO
15693), NFC (e.g., ISO 18092), and/or others. In some
implementations, the wireless connection can use another short
range wireless protocol such as Bluetooth, another proprietary
interfaces used by retail payment terminals (Felica in Japan,
MiFare in Asia, etc.), and/or others. In regards to the physical
interface, the interface layer 302 may physically interface the
mobile device 110 using an SD protocol such as MicroSD, Mini-SD or
SD (full-size). In some implementations, the physical interface may
include a converter/adapter to convert between two different
protocols based, at least in part, on the mobile device 110. In
some implementations, the mobile device 110 may communicate using
protocols such as USB, MMC, iPhone proprietary interface, or
others.
[0068] The API/UI layer 304 can include any software, hardware,
and/or firmware that operates as an API between the mobile device
110 and the transaction card 112 and as the GUI 111. Prior to
executing transactions, the transaction card 112 may automatically
install drivers in the mobile device 110 in response to at least
insertion. For example, the transaction card 112 may automatically
install a MicroSD device driver in the device 110 to enable the
transaction card 112 to interface the mobile device 110. In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 may install an enhanced
device driver such as a Mass Memory with Radio (MMR) API. In this
implementation, the interface can drive a class of plug-ins that
contain mass memory as well as a radio interface. The MMR API may
execute one or more of the following: connect/disconnect to/from
the MMR controller (Microcontroller in the plug-in); transfer data
using MM protocol (e.g., SD, MMC, XD, USB, Firewire); send
encrypted data to the MMR controller; receive Acknowledgement of
Success or Error; received status word indicating description of
error; turn radio on/off; send instruction to the transaction card
112 to turn the antenna on with specifying the mode of operation
(e.g., sending mode, listening mode); transmit data such as send
instruction to controller to transmit data via the radio; listen
for data such as send instruction to controller to listen for data;
read data such as send instruction to controller to send the data
received by the listening radio; and/or others. In some
implementations, MMR can be compliant with TCP/IP. In some
implementations, API encapsulated ISO 7816 commands may be
processed by the security module in addition to other commands.
[0069] In some implementations, the API can operate in accordance
with the two processes: (1) the transaction card 112 as the master
and the mobile device 110 as the slave; and (2) the card UI as the
master. In the first process, the transaction card 112 may pass one
or more commands to the mobile device 110 in response to, for
example, insertion of the transaction card 112 into a slot in the
mobile device 110, a transaction between the transaction card 112
and the POS 114, and/or other events. In some implementations, the
transaction card 112 can request the mobile device 110 to execute
one or more of following functions: Get User Input; Get Signature;
Display Data; Send Data; Receive Data; and/or others. The Get User
Input command may present a request through the GUI 111 for data
from the user. In some implementations, the Get User Input may
present a request for multiple data inputs. The data inputs may be
any suitable format such as numeric, alphanumeric, and/or other
strings of characters. The Get Signature command may request the
mobile device 110 to return identification data such as, for
example, a phone number, a device ID like an IMEI code or a MAC
address, a network code, a subscription ID like the SIM card
number, a connection status, location information, Wi-Fi beacons,
GPS data, and/or other device specific information. The Display
Data command may present a dialog to the user through the GUI 111.
In some implementations, the dialog can disappear after a period of
time, a user selection, and/or other event. The Send Data command
may request the mobile device 110 to transmit packet data using its
own connection to the external world (e.g., SMS, cellular, Wi-Fi).
The Receive Data command may request the mobile device 110 to open
a connection channel with certain parameters and identify data
received through the connection. In some implementations, the
command can request the mobile device 110 to forward any data
(e.g., SMS) satisfying certain criteria to be forwarded to the
transaction card 112.
[0070] In regards to the UI as master, the UI may execute one or
more of the following commands: security module Command/Response;
Activate/Deactivate; Flash Memory Read/Write; Send Data with or
without encryption; Receive Data with or without decryption; URL
Get Data/URL Post Data; and/or others. The security module commands
may relate to security functions provided by the card and are
directed towards the security module within the transaction card
112 (e.g., standard ISO 7816 command, proprietary commands). In
some implementations, the commands may include encryption,
authentication, provisioning of data, creation of security domains,
update of security domain, update of user credentials after
verification of key, and/or others. In some implementations, the
commands may include non security related smart card commands such
as, for example, read transaction history commands. The read
transaction history command may perform a read of the secure memory
324 of the transaction card 112. In some implementations, certain
flags or areas of the secure memory 324 may be written to after
security verification. The Activate/Deactivate command may activate
or deactivate certain functions of the transaction card 112. The
Flash Memory Read/Write command may execute a read/write operation
on a specified area of the non-secure memory 326. The Send Data
with or without encryption command may instruct the transaction
card 112 to transmit data using its wireless connection with, for
example, the POS 114. In addition, the data may be encrypted by the
transaction card 112 prior to transmission using, for example, keys
and encryption capability stored within the security module. The
Receive Data with or without decryption command may instruct the
transaction card 112 to switch to listening mode to receive data
from its wireless connection with the terminal/reader (e.g., POS
114). In some implementations, data decryption can be requested by
the security module using, for example, keys and decryption
algorithms available on the security module, i.e., on-board
decryption. The URL Get Data/URL Post Data command may instruct the
web server 306 to return pages as per offline get or post
instructions using, for example, offline URLs.
[0071] The Web server 306, as part of the OS of the transaction
card 112, may assign or otherwise associate URL style addressing to
certain files stored in the memory 326 (e.g., flash) of the
transaction card 112. In some implementations, the Web server 306
locates a file using the URL and returns the file to a browser
using standard HTTP, HTTPS style transfer. In some implementations,
the definition of the files can be formatted using standard HTML,
XHTML, WML and/or XML style languages. The file may include links
that point to additional offline storage locations in the memory
326 and/or Internet sites that the mobile device 110 may access. In
some implementations, the Web server 306 may support security
protocols such as SSL. The Web server 306 may transfer an
application in memory 326 to the mobile device 111 for installation
and execution. The Web server 306 may request the capabilities of
the browser on the device 110 using, for example, the browser user
agent profile, in order to customize the offline Web page according
to the supported capabilities of the device and the browser, such
as, for example, supported markup language, screen size,
resolution, colors and such.
[0072] As part of the Real time OS, the real-time framework 308 may
execute one or more functions based, at least in part, on one or
more periods of time. For example, the real-time framework 308 may
enable an internal clock available on the CPU to provide timestamps
in response to at least requested events. The real-time framework
308 may allow certain tasks to be pre-scheduled such that the tasks
are executed in response to at least certain time and/or event
based triggers. In some implementations, the real-time framework
308 may allow the CPU to insert delays in certain transactions. In
some implementation, a part of WAP standards called WTAI (Wireless
Telephoney Application Interface) can be implemented to allow
offline browser pages on the card 112 to make use of functions
offered by the mobile device 110 (e.g., send/receive wireless data,
send/receive SMS, make a voice call, play a ringtone etc.).
[0073] The payment applications 310 can include any software,
hardware, and/or firmware that exchanges transaction information
with the retail terminal using, in some instances, a pre-defined
sequence and/or data format. For example, the payment applications
310 may generate a response to a transaction request by selecting,
extracting or otherwise including user credentials in the response,
in a format compatible with the retail terminal's payment
processing application. In some implementations, the payment
applications 310 may execute one or more of the following: transmit
properties of the transaction card 112 in response to at least an
identification request received from the POS 114; receive a request
to execute a transaction from, for example, the POS 114; identify
user credentials in the bank-used memory 324 in response to at
least the request; generate a transaction response based, at least
in part, on the user credentials; transmit the transaction response
to the POS 114 using, for example, a contactless chipset; receive
clear data, for example a random number, from the POS 114 and
provide a response containing encrypted data by encrypting the
clear data using the cryptographic capabilities of the secure
element; transmit the encrypted data using the contactless chipset
318; increment a transaction counter with every transaction request
received; transmit a value of the transaction counter in response
to a request from the POS 114; store details of the transaction
request received from the POS 114 into the transaction history area
of the bank used memory 324; transmit transaction history to the
CPU of the intelligent card 112 in response to such a request;
receive ISO 7816 requests from the CPU of the intelligent card 112;
execute corresponding transactions using the secure element OS;
provide responses back to the CPU; and/or other processes. In
generating the transaction response, the payment application 310
may generate the response in a format specified by the payment
network (VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover) associated with a
financial institution 106 or a proprietary format owned and defined
by the financial institution 106 and processible by the POS 114.
The transaction request may include one or more of the following:
user credentials (e.g., account number); expiry data, card
verification numbers; a transaction count; and/or other card or
user information. In some implementations, the payment application
310 may comprises a browser application to enable transactions. The
browser application 310 may be a browser that may be installed if
the device 110 is either missing a browser or has a browser that is
incompatible with the Web server 306 on the card 112. After
installation of such browser 310, future communications between the
mobile device 110 and the web-server 306 make use the newly
installed browser.
[0074] The real-time OS 316 may execute or otherwise include one or
more of the following: real-time framework 308; a host process that
implements the physical interface between the transaction-card CPU
and the mobile device 110; an interface that implements the
physical interface between the transaction-card CPU and the
security module; a memory-management process that implements the
ISO 7816 physical interface between the transaction-card CPU and
the memory 324 and/or 326; an application-layer process that
implements the API and UI capabilities; the Web server 306;
antenna-control functions 320; power management; and/or others. In
some implementations, the real-time OS 316 may manage the physical
interface between the transaction-card CPU and the secure memory
324 that includes memory segmentation to allow certain memory areas
to be restricted access and/or data buffers/pipes. In some
implementations, the security module can include a security module
OS provided by the security module Vendor and may be compliant with
Visa and MasterCard specifications. The security module OS may
structure the data in the security module to be compliant with
Paypass and/or payWave specifications or any other available
contactless retail payment industry specifications. In addition,
the security module may store host device signatures and allow
modes of the antenna 322 in the secure element 324. In some
implementations, the real-time OS 316 may include a microcontroller
OS configured to personalizing the secure element 324 such as by,
for example, converting raw FV data (account number, expiry date,
Card Verification Number (CVN), other application specific details)
into secure encrypted information. In addition, the microcontroller
OS may present the card 112 as a MicroSD mass storage to the host
device. The microcontroller OS may partition the memory into a user
section and a protected device application section. In this
example, the device application section may be used to store
provider specific applications that either operate from this
segment of the memory or are installed on the host device from this
segment of the memory.
[0075] The security module chip may provide tamper-resistant
hardware security functions for encryption, authentication,
management of user credentials using multiple security domains,
on-board processing capabilities for personalization, access and
storage, and/or others. In some implementations, the security
module chip can include the contactless chipset 318.
[0076] The contactless chipset 318 may provides the hardware
protocol implementation and/or drivers for RF communication. For
example, the contactless chipset 318 may include on-board RF
circuitry to interface with an external world connection using a
wireless/contactless connection. The wireless connection may be,
for example, client to node (terminal/reader/base station), node to
client (passive tag), or peer to peer (another transaction card
112).
[0077] The antenna control function 320 may controls the
availability of the RF antenna. For example, the antenna control
function 320 may activate/deactivate the antenna 322 in response
to, for example, successful authentication, completion of a routine
established by the OS 316, and/or other event. The antenna 322 may
be a short range wireless antenna connected to an NFC inlay via a
software switch such as a NAND Gate or other element.
[0078] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example
intelligent card 400 in accordance with some implementations of the
present disclosure. For example, the transaction card of FIG. 1 may
be implemented in accordance with the illustrated intelligent card
400. In general, the intelligent card 400 may independently access
services and/or transactions. The intelligent card 400 is for
illustration purposes only and may include some, all, or different
elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0079] As illustrated, the intelligent card 400 includes an antenna
402, a switch plus tuning circuit 404, a security module and
contactless chipset 406, a CPU 408 and memory 410. The antenna 402
wirelessly transmits and receives signals such as NFC signals. In
some implementations, the switch plus tuning circuit 404 may
dynamically adjust the impedance of the antenna 402 to tune the
transmit and/or receive frequency. In addition, the switch plus
tuning circuit 404 may selectively switch the antenna 402 on and
off in response to at least a command from the CPU 408. In some
implementations, the antenna 402 can be a short range wireless
antenna connected to an NFC inlay via a software switch such as an
NAND Gate or other element to allow for code from the CPU 408 to
turn the antenna 402 on and off. In some implementations, the card
400 may include an NFC inlay (not illustrated) that can be a
passive implementation of NFC short range wireless technology
deriving power from the reader terminal in order to transmit data
back or a stronger implementation using an eNFC chipset to power
active reader mode and self-train mode. In addition, the card 400
may include an external needle point reset (not illustrated) that
prompts the CPU 408 to depersonalize the memory or secure
element.
[0080] The CPU 408 may transmit the switching command in response
to an event such as a user request, completion of a transaction,
and/or others. When switched on, the security chip and contactless
chipset 406 is connected to the antenna 402 and executes one or
more of the following: format signals for wireless communication in
accordance with one or more formats; decrypt received messages and
encrypt transmitted messages; authenticate user credentials locally
stored in the memory 410; and/or other processes.
[0081] The memory 410 may include a secure and non-secured section.
In this implementation, the secure memory 410 may store one or more
user credentials that are not accessible by the user. In addition,
the memory 410 may store offline Web pages, applications,
transaction history, and/or other data. In some implementations,
the memory 410 may include Flash memory from 64 MB to 32 GB. In
addition, the memory 410 may be partitioned into user memory and
device application memory. The chipset 406 may include a security
module that is, for example Visa and/or MasterCard certified for
storing financial vehicle data and/or in accordance with global
standards. In addition to a user's financial vehicle, the secure
element may store signatures of allowed host devices and/or antenna
modes.
[0082] In some implementations, the CPU 408 may switch the antenna
402 between active and inactivate mode based, at least in part, on
a personalization parameter defined by, for example, a user,
distributor (e.g., financial institution, service provider), and/or
others. For example, the CPU 408 may activate the antenna 402 when
the intelligent card 400 is physically connected to a host device
and when a handshake with the host device is successfully executed.
In some implementations, the CPU 408 may automatically deactivate
the antenna 402 when the intelligent card 400 is removed from the
host device. In some implementations, the antenna 402 is always
active such that the intelligent card 400 may be used as a
stand-alone access device (e.g., device on a keychain). In regards
to the handshaking process, the CPU 408 may execute one or more
authentication processes prior to activating the intelligent card
400 and/or antenna 402 as illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, the
CPU 408 may execute a physical authentication, a device
authentication, and/or a user authentication. For example, the CPU
408 may activate the antenna 402 in response to at least detecting
a connection to the physical interface with the host device (e.g.,
SD interface) and successful installation of the device driver for
mass memory access (e.g., SD device driver) on the host device. In
some implementations, device authentication may include physical
authentication in addition to a signature comparison of a device
signature stored in memory (e.g., security module (SE)) that was
created during first-use (provisioning) to a run-time signature
calculated using, for example, a unique parameter of the host
device. In the event no host device signature exists in the memory,
the CPU 408 may bind with the first compatible host device the card
400 is inserted into. A compatible host device may be a device that
can successfully accomplish physical authentication successfully.
If a host-device signature is present in the memory, the CPU 408
compares the stored signature with the real-time signature of the
current host device. If the signatures match, the CPU 408 may
proceed to complete the bootstrap operation. If the signatures do
not match, host device is rejected, bootstrap is aborted and the
card 400 is returned to the mode it was before being inserted into
the device.
[0083] User authentication may include verification of physical
connection with a user using a PIN entered by the user, a x.509
type certificate that is unique to the user and stored on the host
device, and/or other processes. Device and user authentication may
verify a physical connection with device through comparison of a
device signature and user authentication through verification of
user PIN or certificate. In some implementations, the user can
select a PIN or certificate at provisioning time. If this case, the
CPU 408 may instantiate a software plug-in on the host device. For
example, a software plug-in may request the user for his PIN in
real time, read a user certificate installed on the device (e.g.,
x.509), and/or others. The operation of the software plug-in may be
customized by the provider. Regardless, the returned user data may
be compared with user data stored in the memory. In case of a
successful match, the antenna 402 may be activated. In case of an
unsuccessful match of a certificate, then card 400 is deactivated.
In case of unsuccessful PIN match, the user may be requested to
repeat PIN attempts until a successful match or the number of
attempts exceeds a threshold. The disk provider may customize the
attempt threshold.
[0084] In regards to network authentication, the host device may be
a cellphone such that the card 400 may request network
authentication prior to activation. For example, the card 400 may
be distributed by a Wireless Network Operator (WNO) that requires a
network authentication. In this example, a flag in memory may be
set to ON indicating that network authentication is required. If
the flag is set to ON, a unique identity about the allowed network
is locally stored in memory such a Mobile Network Code for GSM
networks, a NID for CDMA networks, a SSID for broadband networks,
and/or identifiers. If this flag is ON, the CPU 408 in response to
at least insertion may request a special software plug-in to be
downloaded to the host device and instantiated. This software
plug-in may query the host device to respond with network details.
In some cases, the type of unique network identity employed and the
method to deduce it from the host device may be variable and
dependent on the network provider and capability of the host
device. If the locally-stored ID matches the request ID, the CPU
408 activated the antenna 402 to enable access or otherwise
services are denied.
[0085] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example transaction card 112
in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.
In the illustrated implementation, the transaction card 112
includes a shape and dimensions exactly the same or substantially
similar to a standard MicroSD card. The transaction card 112
includes an antenna 502 for wirelessly communicating with, for
example, retail terminals (e.g., POS 114) using RF signals and an
SD interface 506 for physically interfacing a device (e.g., mobile
device 110). The antenna 502 may be a flat coil (e.g., copper coil)
integrated on one or more layers the MicroSD transaction card 112,
a printed circuit (e.g., copper circuit) etched on one or more
layers of the MicroSD transaction card 112, and/or other
configuration for wirelessly transmitting and receiving RF signals.
In some implementations, the antenna 502 may be substantially
planar and adjacent at least a portion of the housing 508 of the
transaction card 112 (e.g., top, bottom). The antenna 502 may
include a width in the range of approximately 9 mm and a length in
the range of approximately 14 mm. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the
antenna 502 is connected to a transaction circuit 510 (e.g., a
contactless chipset) using, for example, a tuning circuit that
tunes the antenna 502 to one or more frequencies. The one or more
frequencies may be based, at least in part, on the terminal and/or
type of terminal (e.g., POS 114). For example, the tuning circuit
may tune the antenna 502 to 13.56 MHz for ISO 14443 related
transactions. In some implementations, the antenna 502 may include
insulation, using material, for example, ferrite, to substantially
prevent signals from interfering with the circuit 510, mobile
device 110, battery elements, and/or other elements that may be
proximate to the transaction card 112. The transaction card 112 may
include an amplifier circuit 504 to amplify (e.g., a factor of 10)
signals generated by the antenna 502. In some implementations, the
amplifier 504 may be of two types. For example, the amplifier 504
may be a passive amplifier that uses passive circuitry to amplify
the RF signals received by the antenna (see FIGS. 13A and 13B)
and/or a powered active amplifier that uses the energy from the
battery of the host device to operate the transaction circuit (see
FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B). In some implementations, the transaction
card 112 may contain two additional RF interface pins 509A and 509B
to allow the transaction card to use an external antenna, for
example, an antenna contained in a separate housing for
transactions and/or personalization.
[0086] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another example of the
transaction card 112 in accordance with some implementations of the
present disclosure. In the illustrated implementation, the
transaction card 112 includes a three-dimensional antenna 602. For
example, the antenna 602 may include a shape that is substantially
helical such as a three-dimensional antenna coil. In addition, the
transaction card 112 may include a housing 608 enclosing the
antenna 602 and a transaction circuit 610. As illustrated in FIG.
6B, the antenna 602 may include a core 608 that substantially
defines a length and a width of a three-dimensional shape of the
antenna 602. In some implementations, the core 608 may comprise a
middle segment of the transaction card 112 such that the width of
the antenna coil 602 is substantially similar to the transaction
card 112. The core 608 may reflect at least some wireless signals
to substantially isolate the magnetic field from the transaction
circuit 610, the mobile device 110, battery elements, and/or other
elements proximate the antenna 602 in such a way that the magnetic
field is concentrated in a direction substantially pointing away
from the host device. The illustrated antenna 602 can be connected
to the transaction circuit 610 (e.g., contactless chipset). In some
implementations, the antenna 602 may be connected to a tuning
circuit that substantially tunes the antenna 602 to one or more
frequencies compatible with, for example, a retail terminal 114.
For example, the tuning circuit may tune the antenna 602 to 13.56
MHz for ISO 14443 related transactions. The transaction card 112
may include an amplifier circuit 604 to amplify (e.g., a factor of
10) wireless signals generated by the antenna 602. In some
implementations, the amplifier 604 may be of two types. For
example, the amplifier 604 may be a passive amplifier that uses
passive circuitry to amplify the RF signals received by the antenna
(see FIGS. 13A and 13B) and/or a powered active amplifier that uses
the energy from the battery of the host device to operate the
transaction circuit (see FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B).
[0087] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example transaction card 112
including an external antenna 702 in accordance with some
implementations of the present disclosure. In the illustrated
implementation, the transaction card 112 can include an antenna 702
enclosed in a resilient member 704 and external to a housing 706 of
the transaction card 112. The antenna 702 and the resilient member
704 may extend outside the SD slot during insertion of the housing
706. In some cases, the housing 706 may be substantially inserted
into the slot of the device (e.g., mobile device 110). In the
illustrated implementation, the housing 706 can include a shape and
dimensions exactly the same or substantially similar to a standard
MicroSD card. The antenna 702 wirelessly communicates with, for
example, retail terminals (e.g., POS 114) using RF signals. In
addition, the transaction card 112 may include an SD interface 710
for physically interfacing a device (e.g., mobile device 110). The
antenna 702 may be a substantially planar coil (e.g., copper coil)
integrated into one or more layers, a printed circuit (e.g., copper
circuit) etched into one or more layers, and/or other configuration
for wirelessly transmitting and receiving RF signals. The enclosed
antenna 702 and the housing 706 may form a T shape. In some
implementations, the antenna 702 may be substantially planar and
adjacent at least a portion of the housing 708 of the transaction
card 112 (e.g., top, bottom). The antenna 702 may include a width
in the range of approximately 9 mm and a length in the range of
approximately 14 mm. The resilient member 704 may be rubber, foam,
and/or other flexible material. In some implementations, a flat,
cylindrical or other shaped block of ceramic antenna may be used
instead of the resilient member 704 and antenna 702. As illustrated
in FIG. 7B, the antenna 702 is connected to a transaction circuit
710 (e.g., a contactless chipset) using, for example, a tuning
circuit that tunes the antenna 702 to one or more frequencies. The
one or more frequencies may be based, at least in part, on the
terminal and/or type of terminal (e.g., POS 114). For example, the
tuning circuit may tune the antenna 702 to 13.56 MHz for ISO 14443
related transactions. In some implementations, the antenna 702 may
include insulation using material, for example, ferrite, to
substantially isolate and direct magnetic field signals away from
interfering with the circuit 710, mobile device 110, battery
elements, and/or other elements that may be proximate to the
transaction card 112 in such a way that the magnetic field is
concentrated in a direction substantially pointing away from the
host device slot in which the transaction card is inserted. The
transaction card 112 may include an amplifier circuit 712 to
amplify (e.g., a factor of 10) signals generated by the antenna
702. In some implementations, the amplifier 712 may be of two
types. For example, the amplifier 712 may be a passive amplifier
that uses passive circuitry to amplify the RF signals received by
the antenna (see FIGS. 13A and 13B) and/or a powered active
amplifier that uses the energy from the battery of the host device
to operate the transaction circuit (see FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B).
[0088] FIGS. 8A-C illustrate an example transaction card 112
including an external three-dimensional antenna 802 in accordance
with some implementations of the present disclosure. In the
illustrated implementation, the transaction card 112 can include an
antenna 802 enclosed in a resilient member 804 and external to a
housing 806 of the transaction card 112. The antenna 802 and the
resilient member 804 may extend outside the SD slot receiving the
housing 806. In some cases, the housing 806 may be substantially
inserted into the slot of the device (e.g., mobile device 110). In
the illustrated implementation, the housing 806 can include a shape
and dimensions exactly the same or substantially similar to a
standard MicroSD card. The antenna 802 wirelessly communicates
with, for example, retail terminals (e.g., POS 114) using RF
signals. In addition, the transaction card 112 may include an SD
interface 808 for physically interfacing a device (e.g., mobile
device 110). The member 804 may include an arcuate outer surface
and/or a substantially flat surface that abuts a portion of the
housing 806. As illustrated in FIG. 8C, the antenna 802 may include
a core 810 that substantially defines a length and a width of a
three-dimensional shape of the antenna 802. The core 810 may
reflect at least some wireless signals to substantially isolate the
magnetic field from the transaction card 112, the mobile device
110, battery elements, and/or other elements proximate the antenna
802 in such a way that the magnetic field is concentrated in a
direction substantially pointing outside the host device. In some
implementations, the core 810 may include a cylindrical ferrite
core around which the antenna 802 of the transaction card 112 is
wrapped. In some implementations, the core 810 may substantially
reflect signals away from the transaction card circuitry, mobile
device 110, battery elements, and/or other elements that may be
proximate to the transaction card 112 in such a way that the
magnetic field is concentrated in a direction substantially
pointing away from the host device. The antenna 802 may include a
width in a range of 9 mm and a length in a range of 14 mm. The
resilient member 804 may be rubber, foam, and/or other flexible
material. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the antenna 802 is connected
to a transaction circuit 810 (e.g., a contactless chipset) using,
for example, a tuning circuit that tunes the antenna 802 to one or
more frequencies. The one or more frequencies may be based, at
least in part, on the terminal and/or type of terminal (e.g., POS
114). For example, the tuning circuit may tune the antenna 702 to
13.56 MHz for ISO 14443 related transactions. The transaction card
112 may include an amplifier circuit 812 to amplify (e.g., a factor
of 10) signals generated by the antenna 802. In some
implementations, the amplifier 812 may be of two types. For
example, the amplifier 812 may be a passive amplifier that uses
passive circuitry to amplify the RF signals received by the antenna
(see FIGS. 13A and 13B) and/or a powered active amplifier that uses
the energy from the battery of the host device to operate the
transaction circuit (see FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B). In some
implementations, the transaction card 112 may contain two
additional RF interface pins 814a and 814b to allow the transaction
card to use an external antenna, for example, an antenna contained
in a separate housing for transactions and/or personalization.
[0089] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate an example transaction card 112 an
antenna element 902 and a card element 904. In the illustrated
implementations, the card element 904 can be inserted into the
antenna element 902 to form the transaction card 112. The antenna
element 902 may include an antenna 906 enclosed in a resilient
member 908 as illustrated in FIG. 9B and include antenna
connections 910 for connecting the antenna 906 to the card element
904. The card element 904 may include card connections 916
corresponding to the antenna connections 910 that connect to, for
example, the contactless chipset. By selectively positioning the
antenna element 902 and the card element 904, the antenna
connections 910 may abut the card connections 916 to form an
electrical connection between the two elements. In addition to an
electric connection, this connection may also provide a mechanical
lock between the antenna element 902 and the card element. Once
attached, the contactless chipset may be connected to the antenna
906 using a tuning circuit that tunes the antenna 906 to one or
more frequencies for wireless communicating with, for example, the
retail terminal 114. For example, the tuning circuit may tune the
antenna 906 to 13.56 MHz for ISO 14443 related transactions.
[0090] In some implementations, the card element 904 can include a
width and a thickness the same or substantially the same as a
standard MicroSD card such that at least a portion of the card
element 904 may be inserted into a standard MicroSD slot. In some
instances, the card element 904 may be 3-5 mm longer than a
standard MicroSD card. The card element 904 may include a head
protrusion that is slightly wider and/or thicker than a main body
of the card element 904. The antenna element 902 typically extends
outside of the MicroSD slot after insertion of the card element
904. In some implementations, the antenna element 902 may include a
rounded curvature facing away from the slot during insertion and a
flat surface on the other side. In some implementations, the
antenna element 902 may form an opening having a width
approximately 1-2 mm wide. The width of the opening may be
approximately equal to the thickness of the main body of the card
element 904. In some implementations, the width of the opening may
match the thickness of the head protrusion of the card element 904.
In the protrusion example, the thinner side of the card element 904
may be initially inserted into the antenna element 902. In some
implementations, the head protrusion of the card element 904 after
insertion may be substantially flush with the opening. In this
instance, the antenna element 902 and the card element 904 may form
a cap with flat ends connected by a curvature. The antenna element
902 may be soft rubber, foam, and/or other material that may
conform to portions of an SD slot during insertion of the card
element 904. The antenna 906 may be a flexible PCB including a thin
copper antenna coil that is etched and/or mounted to form the
antenna 906. In some implementations, the card element 904 may
include a notch 914 for receiving a portion of the antenna element
902 such as the protrusion 912. In this case, the notch 914 and the
protrusion 912 may substantially secure the card element 904 in the
antenna element 902.
[0091] FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrates another implementation of the
transaction card 112. In the illustrated implementation, the
transaction card 112 includes an antenna element 1002 connected to
a card element 1004. The card element 1004 may include the same or
substantially the same dimensions as a standard MicroSD card such
that the card element 1004 may be inserted into an SD slot. The
antenna element 1002 may be attached to a surface of, for example,
a mobile device 110. In the illustrated element, the antenna
element 1002 includes a base 1005 affixed to a surface and
configured to receive a pad 107. For example, the base 1005 may be
configured to secure the pad 107 adjacent a surface of the mobile
device 110 as illustrated in FIG. 10B. In some implementations, the
base 1005 may include an adhesive plastic base including a
detachable perforation 1006. The pad 1007 may extend around a
mobile device and attaches to the base 1005. In some examples, the
base 1005 and the pad 1007 may form a thin and flat sticker on the
surface of the phone. The pad 1007 may include an antenna 1003, a
non-adhesive pad 1008, and/or peripherals elements 1010. The
outside portion of the pad 1007 may include a plastic inlay
enclosing the antenna 1003 of the transaction card 112. The antenna
1003 may include copper coils etched on a very thin plastic film
forming one of the layers of the inlay. The antenna 1003 may be
connected to the contactless chipset of the card element 1004 using
a connector 1012 (e.g., a flexible thin film) that wraps around the
edge of the mobile device 110. The connector 1012 may connect the
antenna 1003 to the contactless chipset using a tuning circuit that
tunes the antenna 1003 to one or more frequencies compatible with,
for example, the retail terminal 114. For example, the tuning
circuit may tune the antenna 1003 to 13.56 MHz for ISO 14443
related transactions. The base 1005 may include a ferrite material
that substantially isolates RF analog signals and the magnetic
field from the mobile device 110 (e.g., circuits, battery) in which
case the connector may include additional connectivity wires than
those used for antenna connection only. The pad 1007 may also
contain another peripheral 1010 such as a fingerprint scanner
connected to a corresponding logical element in the card element
1004 using the same connector 1014.
[0092] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an example transaction card 112
including a wireless connection between an antenna element 1102 and
a card element 1104. For example, the antenna element 1102 and the
card element 1104 may include a wireless connection such as
Bluetooth. The card element 1104 may include the same shape and
dimensions as a standard MicroSD card such that the card element
1104 is substantially in an SD slot during insertion. The antenna
element 1102 may be affixed to a surface of a device housing the
card element 1104. In some implementations, the antenna element
1102 can form a thin and flat sticker on the surface of the mobile
device 110 as illustrated in FIG. 11B. The antenna element 1102 may
include a plastic inlay enclosing at least a portion of the antenna
1104. The antenna 1104 may include a copper coil etched on a very
thin plastic film forming one or more layers of the inlay. The
antenna 1104 may connect to the card element 1104 (e.g., the
contactless chipset) using a wireless pairing connection 1113
between a transceiver chip 1114 in the card element 1114 and a
corresponding transceiver chip 1108 in the antenna element 1108.
The wireless connection 1113 may connect the antenna 1104 to the
card element 1104 using a tuning circuit that tunes the antenna
1104 to one or more frequencies compatible with, for example, the
retail terminal 114. The wireless pairing connection used in this
case may be in the high frequency spectrum (e.g., 900 Mhz, 2.4
GHz), which are unlicensed and free for use by domestic appliances,
for example. For example, the tuning circuit may tune the antenna
1104 to 13.56 MHz for ISO 14443 related transactions. The antenna
element 1102 may include a ferrite material that reflects wireless
signals to substantially prevent interference with the mobile
device 1110. The antenna element 1102 may also contain another
peripheral 1110 such as a fingerprint scanner wirelessly connected
to a corresponding logical element in the card element using the
same wireless connection 1113.
[0093] FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate example transaction cards 112
using a circuit board 1202 of a mobile device to receive and
transmit wireless RF signals. Referring to FIG. 12A, the
transaction card 112 includes a plurality of connections 1210 to
the circuit board 1202 to interface the mobile device 110.
Typically, the circuit board 1202 includes interconnecting copper
wires that communicate digital signals. In some implementations,
the circuit board 1202 may communicate analog signals in addition
to the digital signals such as RF signals. In these instances, the
transaction card 112 may include a frequency filter circuit 1206 to
filter out RF signals (e.g., 13.56 MHz) transmitted by a retail
terminal and received by the circuit board 1202. In addition to
receiving RF signals, the transaction card 112 may communicate an
analog RF signal to the circuit board 1202 to transmit RF signals
to the retail terminal. In some implementations, the transaction
card 112 may contain two additional RF interface pins 1212a and
1212b to allow the transaction card to use an external antenna, for
example, an antenna contained in a separate housing for
personalization and/or transaction.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 12B, the circuit board 1202 includes an
external antenna 1214 that may be used by the transaction card 112.
In this case, the original SD interface PINs 1210 may be used for
the sole purpose of standard SD host communication. The external
antenna 1214 may be embedded in, affixed to or otherwise included
on the board 1202. The external antenna 1214 are connected to the
pins 1216a and 1216b on the circuit board 1202 such that when the
transaction card 112 is inserted into the mobile device the card
112 is connected to the external antenna 1214. In some
implementations, the pins 1212a and pins 1212b can connect to two
the pins 1216a and 1216b on the handset circuit board 1202, which
are in turn connected to the antenna 1214 tuned to receive reader
signals. The pins 1216 are positioned on the handset board 1202
such that upon insertion of, for example, the MicroSD in the phone,
1212a connects to 1216a and 1212b connects to 1216b. In these
implementations, the transaction card 112 can exchange RF signals
with the reader using the handset antenna 1214 and the pins 1212
and 1216.
[0095] FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate cross sectional views 1800a and
1800b, respectively, of card systems 1302a and 1302b that passively
amplify RF signals. In general, passive in this context means
amplifying received RF signals without power, electricity, and/or
moving parts. An active device would thus use power, electricity,
or moving parts to perform work. As illustrated, the card system
1302 includes a transaction card 112 and a card element 1303a. The
transaction card 112 may be inserted into an opening formed by the
card element 1303. As illustrated, the card is inserted into a side
of the card element 1303. Though, the card element 1303 may form
other opening without departing from the scope of the disclosure
such as an opening in the top surface. Both implementations of the
card element 1303 include an antenna 1306 connected to an SD pin
connector 1307. In these instances, the transaction card 112
connects to the antenna 1306 using the SD pin connector 1307. Each
card system 1302 includes a passive amplification module 1304 that
amplifies received RF signals using passive components. For
example, the passive amplification module 1304 may include one or
more diodes, one or more resistors, one or more capacitors, and/or
other components to passively amplify received RF signals (e.g., a
single diode). Each transaction card includes a transaction circuit
1308 and an associated virtual ground 1310. The antenna 1306 is
connected to the transaction circuit 1308 through the SD pin
connector 1307 and passes received RF signals to the transaction
circuit 1308. The passive amplification module 1304 connects to
both a lead of the antenna 1306 and the virtual ground 1310 of the
RF front end 1308. More specifically and for example, the antenna
lead to which the passive amplification module 1304 connects to, is
the lead that carries the modulation signals for data transfer. As
previously mentioned, the passive amplification module 1304
amplifies received RF signals. For example, the passive
amplification module 1304 may amplify the signal by a factor of
about 10.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 13A, the transaction card 112 may include
the passive amplification module 1304a and connect to the lead of
the antenna 1306 within the housing of the card 112. In these
implementations, the card element 1303 may only include the SD pin
connector 1307 and the antenna 1306. Referring to FIG. 13B, the
passive amplification module 1304b resides in the card element
1303. In these implementations, the transaction card 112 may
include an additional pin 1312 that connectors to the virtual
ground 1310b when the card 112 is inserted in the card element
1303b. In other words, the card element 1303 may house, enclose, or
otherwise include the passive amplification module 1304b, the SD
pin connector 1307b, and the antenna 1306b.
[0097] Referring 13C, the profile 1320 illustrates a side view of
the card system 1302. In the illustrated implementation, the card
system 1302 include a first portion 1324 with a first thickness
indicated by th.sub.1 and a second portion 1326 with a second
thickness indicated by th.sub.2. In some implementations, the first
thickness may be approximately a width of a credit card such as,
for example, 0.76 mm and/or other widths that comply with standards
such as ISO 7810, ID1 and CR80. In some implementations, the second
thickness may be at least a thickness of an SD card such as, for
example, between about 1 mm and 2.1 mm. In addition, the card
system 1302 includes a first width (w.sub.1) indicating a width of
the card element 1303, a second width (w.sub.2) indicating a width
of the second portion 1326, and a third width (w.sub.3) indicating
a width associated a portion 1324 used during the personalization
process. In some implementations, the first width may be
approximately the same width as a standard credit card in
accordance with ISO/IEC 7810 standard. In some implementations, the
second width may be at least a width of a microSD card such as, for
example, about 11 mm, 20 mm, or 24 mm. The third width may be
sufficient to personalize the transaction card 112 using standard
personalization machines when inserted into the card element 1303.
In some implementations, the third width may be sufficient to
receive a mag stripe such as about 9.52 mm. In addition, the third
width may be sufficient for graphical personalization such as
embossing an account number, name, and expiration date. In these
instances, the third width may be sufficient to affix a mag stripe,
a signature strip, and/or printing characters. In some
implementations, the outer edge identified by w.sub.3 may be
compatible with current personalization without requiring physical
modification.
[0098] FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate cross sections 1400a and 1400b
of a transaction card 112 that passively amplifies an internal
antenna 1402. Referring to FIG. 14A, the card 112 includes a
passive amplification module 1406 that amplifies received RF
signals using passive components. In the illustrated
implementation, the passive amplification module 1406a is a
component separate from the transaction circuit 1404a. The passive
amplification module 1406a may include one or more diodes, one or
more resistors, one or more capacitors, and/or other components to
passively amplify received RF signals (e.g., a single diode). The
transaction circuit 1404 includes a virtual ground 1408. The
internal antenna 1402 is connected to the transaction circuit 1404
through two dedicated antenna leads and passes received RF signals
to the transaction circuit 1404. The passive amplification module
1406 connects to both a lead of the internal antenna 1402 and the
virtual ground 1408 of the transaction circuit 1404. More
specifically and for example, the antenna lead to which the passive
amplification module 1304 connects to is, the lead that carries the
modulation signals for data transfer. As previously mentioned, the
passive amplification module 1406 amplifies received RF signals.
For example, the passive amplification module 1406 may amplify the
signal by a factor of about 10. Referring to FIG. 14B, the cross
section 1400b illustrates that the passive amplification module
1406b is included in the transaction circuit 1408b. In these
implementations, the passive amplification module 1406b connects to
the virtual ground 1408b and the lead of the antenna 1402b in the
transaction circuit 1408b.
[0099] In addition, either implementation may operate in a
power-off mode. In other words, the received RF signals may power
the transaction card 112 independent of external power source
(e.g., mobile-phone battery). In some implementations, the passive
amplifier 1406 may draw enough power from the RF signals
transmitted by readers to power the smartchip or transaction
circuit 1404. For example, the transaction card 112 may use power
from the RF signals in response to the host device losing power. In
some implementations, the transaction circuit 1404 can receive a
sufficient voltage output from the passive amplifier 1406 to boot
up and start operating. In these instances, the transaction card
112 may execute transactions with the reader including responding
appropriately for a successful transaction. For example, a user may
lose power on a host device in connection with executing a transit
application, the transaction card 112 may be able to pay for his
metro ticket in the power-off mode. The transaction card 112 may
power the transaction circuit using received RF signals.
[0100] FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate cross sections 1500a and 1500b
of transaction cards 112 that actively amplify RF signals. For
example, the transaction card 112 amplifies signals using an
external power supply (e.g., mobile-phone battery). Each
transaction card 112 includes an active amplification module 1502.
The output of the passive amplification module is connected to
either the lead of the antenna 1504 or to a dedicated PIN 1503 in
the transaction circuit. For example, the output of the
amplification module 1502 connects to the non modulating lead of
the antenna 1504. The input to the amplification module 1502 is
regulated voltage supplied from the microcontroller unit 1501 of
the transaction card which in turn receives power from the host
device through the voltage output PIN 1506 of the SD interface. The
pin 1506 may be a standard microSD pin (see FIG. 15A) and/or a
dedicated pin (see FIG. 15B). In connection with inserting the card
112 in a host device, the pin 1506 connects the active
amplification module 1502 to an external power source 1508 through
the MCU 1501 of the transaction card. For example, the external
power sources 1508 may be a battery of the host device. The active
amplification module 1502 uses power from the external power source
1508 to amplify signals received and/or transmitted by the antenna
1504. In some implementations, the active amplification module 1502
can amplify signals a factor of about 10.
[0101] FIGS. 16A-C illustrate views 1600a-c of transaction circuits
1602a-c of a transaction card in accordance with some
implementations of the present disclosure. In particular, the
transaction circuit 1602 includes a printed circuit board (PCB)
antenna 1604. In these implementations, the PCB antenna 1604 is
embedded (or printed) with metal traces (e.g., copper) in a circuit
board. For example, the antenna 1604b may be embedded in the main
MicroSD circuit board 1602, where the rest of the In2Pay hardware
components are mounted. For example, the antenna 1604b may also be
partly embedded in the main MicroSD circuit board 1602 and may
partly be in a separate antenna only PCB board. Two implementations
include: (1) embed the entire antenna metal traces into the circuit
board (see FIG. 16B); and (2) attach a separate antenna-only PCB
onto the main MicroSD circuit board 1602 (see FIG. 16C). The
antenna traces may be multi-layered such as regular multi-layer
signal traces in a normal circuit board. In these implementations,
the layers are connected through metal vias such as with regular
multi-layer signal traces.
[0102] In some implementations, the PCB antenna 1604 can be
manufactured using standard MicroSD manufacturing (assembly) flow
and techniques such as metal trace lithography and planar
processing, component pick-and-place, and/or component attachment.
As a result, the PCB antenna 1604 may be better suited for
automated mass manufacturing. In addition, metal traces can be
fairly compact, i.e., space saving, as compared with coiled
antennas. For example, more turns and longer wires may be used in
metal traces in the PCB antenna 1604 as compared with coiled
antennas.
[0103] In some implementations after the metal traces are
manufactured around the periphery of the PCB antenna, it might
leave available a cylindrical empty space that could be hollow.
This hollow cylindrical space may be used to situate a ferrite core
that may be used to magnetically attract the RF field available
from the terminal and increase the performance of the antenna
system.
[0104] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross section 1700 of a transaction
card 112 that actively amplifies RF signals. For example, the
transaction card 112 amplifies signals using an external power
supply such as a battery in a mobile device. In the illustrated
implementation, the transaction card 112 includes a transceiver
1702, a modulator 1704, and an amplifier that actively communicate
RF signals. The transceiver 1702 wirelessly transmits and receives
RF signals to and from transaction terminals. In some
implementations, the transceiver 1702 may include an on-chip
antenna (OCA), a coil on the chip antenna, or other elements that
beam signals in a configurable frequency range. The modulator 1704
is connected to the transceiver 1702 and modulates the signal in
accordance with one or more standards. For example, the modulator
1704 may be a software modulator that modulates the frequency range
to the 13.54 MHz range. For example, the software code that drives
the software modulator to operate in the appropriate frequency may
reside in the MicroController Unit 1701 of the transaction card. In
connection with inserting the card 112 in a host device, the power
amplifier 1706 connects to the a regulated output voltage supplied
by the MCU 1701 which in turn receives power from an external power
source and the transceiver 1702. For example, the external power
sources may be a battery of a mobile host device. The power
amplifier 1706 uses power from the external power source to amplify
signals received and/or transmitted. In some implementations, the
power amplifier 1706 can amplify signals a factor of about 10. The
power amplifier 1706 may ensures that the amplitude and voltage
delivered to the smartchip is properly set to ensure operation.
[0105] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 can be
shielded by metal included in surrounding circuitry in the mobile
device. For example, the transaction card 112 may be inserted in a
memory card slot that is behind a battery cover and unable to
communicate via RF signal with a terminal or reader. In these
instances, a low cost booster coupler may enhance the operating
range of the transaction card 112. FIGS. 18 to 23 illustrate
different possible implementations of the transaction card 112 with
such a booster coupler. FIGS. 18A-D illustrate an example
transaction card 112 including an antenna 1802 magnetically coupled
to a booster coupler 1804. For example, the booster coupler 1804
may passively boost or otherwise increase RF signals communication
range with the antenna 1802. In some implementations, the booster
coupler 1804 can be physically separate from the card 112 that
houses the antenna 1802. In other words, the card 112 may enclose
at least a portion of the antenna 1802 and the booster coupler 1804
may be affixed to an inside or outside housing of the card 112 and
wirelessly coupled to the antenna 1802. In the illustrated
implementation, the reader antenna couples with the booster antenna
1804 which in turn couples with the antenna 1802, which may allow
through induction a flow of energy and modulation to exchange
information between the card 112 and the reader. In some instances,
the booster coupler 1804 may operate as a repeater of the reader
antenna and may boost the receptivity of the miniature antenna 1802
inside the card 112. The booster coupler 1804 may increase the
magnetic flux density while repeating the reader magnetic field to
allow effective induction between the antenna 1802 and the reader
antenna at a greater operating range. In some implementations, the
booster coupler 1804 can increase the RF signals communication
range with the transaction card 112 using magnetic induction.
Referring to FIG. 18C, the booster coupler 1804 may include at
least three layers 1810, 1812, and 1814. The three layers 1810,
1812, and 1812 are for illustration purposes only and the booster
coupler 1804 may include a single layer including the antenna inlay
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The layers 1812
and 1814 may be optional layers. Layer 1810 may include a
substantially planar antenna 1806 such as a coiled antenna. In some
implementations, only the shape of the antenna 1806 can be a coil.
The antenna 1806 may be a thin wire and embedded in a thin sheet of
PVC, a silver printing on paper, and/or another type of thin
antenna coil inlay. Layer 1812 may be adjacent layer 1810 and
include material 1816 that passively amplifies the signal (e.g.,
ferrite). In amplifying the signal, ferrite may shield the antenna
1806 from interference from signals generated elements on which the
antenna 1806 is affixed by reflecting the flux outwards and
reducing eddy currents. In the illustrated implementation, the
material 1816 may include substantially planar ferrite. Layer 1814
may include an adhesive for attaching the booster coupler 1804 to a
host device.
[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 18D, the booster coupler 1804
overlaps a portion of the antenna 1802 to passively amplify the RF
signals reception range and/or transmission range from the antenna
1802 of the transaction card 112. The axis 1818 illustrates an
example magnetic axis of the antenna 1806. In some implementations,
a magnetic axis of the booster coupler 1804 and a magnetic axis of
the antenna 1802 may substantially overlap as illustrated in FIG.
18D. By selectively positioning the magnetic axis to overlap, the
booster coupler 1804 and the antenna 1802 may resonate at
substantially the same frequency, which may maximize, enhance or
otherwise increase induction with the reader antenna. For example,
the booster coupler 1804 may include a coiled antenna that has a
magnetic field substantially aligned along axis perpendicular to a
plane of the coiled antenna. In this example, the transaction card
112 may include a coiled antenna having a magnetic field
substantially aligned along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the
coiled antenna. Continuing with this example, in the event that the
two axis substantially overlap, the antenna 1802 and the booster
coupler 1804 may be coupled through magnetic induction and
wirelessly communicate. The booster coupler 1804 may include
substantially the same shape and dimensions as a standard MicroSD
card such that the booster coupler 1804 may substantially overlap
the transaction card 112 during insertion in a host device. Though,
the booster coupler 1804 may include a shape and/or dimensions
different from the transaction card 112 without departing from the
scope of the disclosure. In some implementations, the width and
total surface area of the booster coupler 1804 may be greater than
the width and total surface area of the antenna 1802. For example,
the booster antenna 1804 must entirely overlap the antenna 1802
without overlapping the entire card 112.
[0107] The booster coupler 1804 may be affixed to a surface of the
host device housing the card transaction card 112. For example, the
booster coupler 1804 may be affixed to the housing surface using an
adhesive. In some implementations, the booster coupler 1804 can
form a thin and flat sticker on an inner or outer surface of the
host device (e.g., device 110). In examples where the card slot is
under a battery cover of the user device, the booster coupler 1804
may be affixed the inside of the battery cover such that, when the
battery cover is closed, the booster coupler 1804 overlaps the
antenna 1802. In the battery-cover example, the booster coupler
1804 may not be visible outside the device housing. In addition,
the booster coupler 1804 may not include ferrite because the
coupler 1804 may not be affixed to metal. Also, the booster coupler
1804 may be sufficiently thin to not pose a problem for the battery
cover to close normally. In the same orientation, the booster
coupler 1804 may be affixed to the outside of the battery cover in
such a way that overlaps the antenna 1802 inside the device. In
these instances, the booster coupler 1804 may include a brand for
the associated financial institution and/or other enterprises. The
booster coupler 1804 may include a plastic inlay enclosing at least
a portion of the antenna 1808. The antenna 1808 may include a
copper coil etched on a very thin plastic film forming one or more
layers of the inlay. The antenna 1808 may connect to a passive
amplification module such as the module 1406 as discussed above. In
this case, signals communicated with the booster coupler 1804 may
be passively amplified and/or tuned to the correct resonant
frequency using one or more diodes, one or more resistors, one or
more capacitors, and/or other components to passively amplify
received RF signals (e.g., a single diode). In some
implementations, the booster coupler 1804 may include a ferrite
material to substantially insulate against interference of wireless
signals by material of the surface of the device.
[0108] In some implementations, the transaction card 112 may
experience interference associated with metal in the host device,
circuit board, the socket (e.g., microSD socket), and/or other
elements. The read range of the transaction card 112 may be reduced
as a result of the interference. To maximize, enhance or otherwise
increase the read range, the booster coupler 1804 may be affixed to
the housing of the host device to substantially overlap the antenna
of the transaction card 112. In doing so, the booster coupler 1804
may increase the RF sensitivity such that signals previously
unreadable by the transaction card 112 may become readable. As
discussed above, the booster coupler 1804 may be an external
antenna and/or inlay that magnetically couples with the antenna
1802 embedded or otherwise included in the transaction card 112. In
implementations as an external component, the booster coupler 1804
may be manufactured independent of the form factor and
manufacturing constraints of the transaction card 112. The booster
coupler 1804 may be manufactured with different types of adhesives
such that the booster coupler 1804 may be affixed to different
surfaces such as an external surface, an internal surface, plastic,
metal, and/or others. In some implementations, the booster coupler
1804 may resonate at 13.56 MHz. The booster coupler 1804 may have a
resonate frequency other than the ISO CONTACTLESS frequency of
13.56 MHz. In some implementations, the antenna 1802 and the
booster coupler 1804 individually resonate at different resonant
frequency but resonate at 13.56 MHz readers when coupled together.
The frequency 13.56 MHz is merely for illustrative purposes and the
reader may communicate using other frequencies. For example, the
antenna 1802 and the booster coupler 1804 may communicate with a
reader using a Ultra High Frequency (UHF) such as the resonant
frequency 800 MHz and above.
[0109] FIGS. 19-22 illustrate passively amplifying communications
with a transaction card 112 using the booster coupler 1804 in
different orientations. In particular, FIGS. 19-21 illustrate the
booster coupler 1804 affixed or otherwise associated with the
housing of a host device 110, and FIG. 22 illustrates the booster
coupler 1804 affixed or otherwise associated with a reader. As
previously mentioned, different host devices 110 may include
different configurations and/or orientations for receiving
transaction cards 112. For example, a card socket may be enclosed
in the housing of the host device 110 such that at least a portion
of the housing is removed when inserting and/or removing the
transaction card 112. In another example, the host device 110 may
include an opening that receives the transaction card 110 without
removing a portion of the housing such as a card slot on the side
of the host device 110, such as an externally-accessible side
socket.
[0110] Referring to FIGS. 19A-C, the system 1904 passively
amplifies RF signals communicated with the host device 110. In the
illustrated implementation, the host device 110 includes a socket
1908 enclosed in the housing 1910. In particular, a portion of the
housing 1912 is removed or otherwise moved relative to the housing
1910 to insert or remove the transaction card 112 from the socket
1908. In the illustrated implementation, the booster coupler 1804
is affixed to the external or outer surface of the portion 1912.
For example, the booster coupler 1804 may be attached to an outside
cover, which covers the socket 1908 and inserted transaction card
112. The booster coupler 1804 may be oriented to overlap at least a
portion of the transaction card 112. The booster coupler 1804 can,
in some implementations, include relative dimensions much larger
than illustrated such as at least twice the size of the card 112. A
magnetic axis of the booster coupler 1804 may substantially overlap
a magnetic axis of the transaction card 112 to magnetically couple
the two elements. In some implementations, the housing 1910
entirely encloses the socket 1908 and may prevent users from
externally accessing the transaction card 112. In this
implementation, the booster coupler 1804 can be attached on the
outside of the host device 110 without having to open, remove, or
otherwise move the back cover 1912.
[0111] FIGS. 20A-D illustrate another example system 2004 that
passively amplifies RF signals communicated with the transaction
card 112. The host device 110 includes a socket 1908 enclosed in
the housing 1910. As with the previous implementation, a cover 1912
encloses the transaction card 112 and the socket 1908. In contrast,
the booster coupler 1804 is affixed to an internal surface of the
cover 1912, and the cover 1912 and device 110 enclose the booster
couple 1804 when the cover 1912 is attached to the device 110. The
illustrated booster coupler 1804 may also be oriented to overlap at
least a portion of the transaction card 112. The magnetic axis of
the booster coupler 1804 and the transaction card 112 may
substantially overlap for coupling using magnetic induction. In
some implementations, the housing 1910 entirely encloses the socket
1908 and may prevent users from externally accessing the
transaction card 112. In this implementation, the booster coupler
1804 can be attached on the inside of the host device 110, which
may protect the coupler 1804 from view and/or detachment. FIG. 20D
illustrates the booster coupler 1804 affixed to the transaction
card 112 and a portion of an internal surface of the housing 1910
and is illustrated by the surface 2020. In this implementation, the
booster coupler 1804 resides over a portion of the transaction card
112. As a result, the booster coupler 1804 may be attached directly
to, for example, the socket 1908 without depending on the shape of
the device 110 and/or an attachable space such as the surface
2010.
[0112] FIGS. 21A-C illustrate yet another system 2104 for passively
amplifying RF signals. In this implementation, the host device 110
includes an external slot 2108. In other words, a user of the
device 110 may insert or remove the transaction card 112
independent of removing a portion of the housing of the device 110.
In the illustrated implementation, the host device 110 includes an
opening of the slot 2108 formed by a side surface 2112. For
example, the slot 2108 may be accessible through the side of the
host device 110 without removing housing elements. As previously
mentioned, different transaction cards 112 may include different
antenna configurations. In the event that the antenna is proximate
the opening of the slot 2108, the booster couple 1804 may be
positioned to overlap the top surface 2110 and the side surface
2112. By overlapping the two surfaces, the magnetic axis of the
booster coupler 1804 and the transaction card 112 may substantially
overlap for magnetic coupling. In some implementations, the booster
couple 1804 may include flexible elements, which may allows the
coupler 1804 to wrap along the device contour to increase the
coupling effect with the antenna included in the card 112. For
devices 110 with a socket 2108 (e.g., microSD socket) externally
accessible, the booster coupler 1804 may be attached on an outside
phone surface on top and/or near the socket opening.
[0113] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate system 2300 that passively
amplifies wireless communications between a reader 2202 and the
host device 110. In the illustrated implementation, the booster
coupler 1804 is affixed to the reader 2202. When the host device
110 including the transaction card 112 is proximate the reader
2202, the booster coupler 1804 may amplify wireless communication
with the reader 2202. In some implementations, the booster 1804 on
the reader 2202 may form a more concentrated magnetic field pattern
such that the field concentration is increased and more energy is
transferred to the card 112 by induction. For example, the booster
coupler 1804 may amplify signals transmitted by the reader
2202.
[0114] FIGS. 23A-C illustrate another example system 2304 that
passively amplifies RF signals communicated with the transaction
card 112. The host device 110 includes a socket 1908 enclosed in
the housing 1910. The cover 1912 encloses the transaction card 112
and the socket 1908. The booster coupler 1804 is embedded,
integrated or otherwise included in the cover 1912, and, when the
cover 1912 is in place, the illustrated booster coupler 1804 may be
oriented to overlap at least a portion of the transaction card 112.
The magnetic axis of the booster coupler 1804 and the transaction
card 112 may substantially overlap for coupling using magnetic
induction. The booster coupler 1804 may be included in the cover
1912 when, for example, the battery and/or housing cover 1912 is
made of metal and interferes with signals. In some implementations,
the cover 1912 may replace an original cover, which may have
substantially the same physical shape and dimensions as the
original cover. The cover 1912 may be made of plastic and may form
the booster itself in its entirety. The embedded coupler 1804
assist in preventing the user from accidentally misaligning the
placement of the booster coupler 1804 in the previous cases.
[0115] A number of embodiments of the invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within
the scope of the following claims.
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