Electronic device cover with embedded radio frequency (RF) reader and method of using same

• US 20050040951A1
• Filed: 11/09/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Shaw, Steven A., Zalewski, Thomas W., Roberts, Randall C., Pennington, Michael C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,079,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/26 Debit schemes, e.g. "pay now"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3255 using mobile network messaging services for payment, e.g. SMS
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/349 Rechargeable cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/24 for parking meters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/68 Payment of value-added services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0196 : Payment of value-added services, mainly when their charges are added on the telephone bill, e.g. payment of non-telecom services, e-commerce, on-line banking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 : Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 : Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A changeable cover for an electronic device and method of using same in a payment system is provided. The cover has a transponder responsive to interrogation by an electric field. The cover provides an electronic identification number and other information in response to the interrogation signal. Also provided is a system for making payments, comprising at least one mobile station (4) which has an associated cover (100) for providing local data transfer. The system also comprises at least one point of sale terminal or the like, which has a second transceiver for providing data transfer.

Claims

1-21. -21. (cancelled).

22. A removal non-planar external cover module for a mobile device comprising:

a main face, having an upper surface which is exposed when said removal non-planar cover is removably attached to said mobile device;

a plurality of wall elements joining said main face at its edge wherein said main face and at least portions of said wall elements define a receivable cavity for receiving said mobile device;

an RFID reader for interrogating RFID transponder tags; and

an interface with a portable radio communication device.

23. The module of claim 29 further comprising:

a memory for storing digital data.

24. A method for performing an action in a mobile device based on information from a tag associated with an item, said method comprising the steps of:

providing the mobile device with a removable cover having an interface for exchange of power and data;

interrogating the tag with a electromagnetic energy sensor disposed in the removable cover of the mobile device;

obtaining information from the tag associated with the item;

mobile station establishing a connection with a server having database through a wireless access point based on the information from the tag associated with the item;

receiving data from the server.

25. A method for previewing a multimedia product on a mobile device before purchase said multimedia content, wherein the multimedia content is contained in packaging with an RFID tag, said method comprising the steps of:

providing the mobile device with a removable cover having an interface for exchange of power and data;

interrogating the RFID tag with a reader disposed in the removable cover on the mobile device;

obtaining an identification number associated with the multimedia product;

mobile station establishing a connection with a server having database through a wireless access point;

providing the identification number associated with the multimedia product to the server;

receiving from the server files related to the identification number associated with the multimedia product