MOBILE SUBSCRIBER DEVICE FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTION TOKENS

• US 20080314971A1
• Filed: 06/22/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Visa USA, Inc. (Visa, Inc.)
• Inventors: Faith, Patrick L., Hammad, Ayman A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,733,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/326 Payment applications installed on the mobile devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/353 Payments by cards read by M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0833 Card having specific functional components
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0873 Details of the card reader
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

There is provided a mobile subscriber unit for a financial transaction token. The subscriber unit interfaces with a financial token or card that is in communication with the subscriber unit. The financial token or card has an onboard energy source so that the card token may operate away from proximity to a merchant terminal (e.g.; a POS terminal). In one implementation, the onboard power storage device includes a rechargeable battery or capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power the subscriber unit'"'"'s onboard electronics and/or the electronics of a financial token in communication with the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit may be a component of another consumer device such as a computing device, communications device, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a PDA, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a purse, a briefcase, or a personal organizer.

Claims

1. A mobile payment system for effecting payment for a financial transaction in a payment processing system, the mobile payment system comprising:

a financial transaction token including;

an onboard energy source;

memory coupled to the onboard energy source and configured to store and retrieve data regarding an account in the payment processing system;

an embedded processor coupled to the onboard energy source and the memory; and

an electrical interface in communication with the embedded processor; and

a mobile subscriber unit including;

an integrated processor in communication with the electrical interface;

storage, coupled to the integrated processor and configured to store and retrieve code executable by the integrated processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the integrated processor and an antenna;

wherein upon the integrated processor, sensing a predetermined condition indicating the initiation of the financial transaction, executes at least some of the code stored in the storage to;

obtain, through the electrical interface, the data regarding the account; and

transmit the data regarding the account through the transceiver.

2. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a power circuit in communication with the onboard energy source, the embedded processor, and the memory.

3. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 2, wherein the power circuit is in communication with the mobile subscriber unit through the electrical interface.

4. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 1, wherein the onboard energy source comprises a capacitor.

5. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 1, wherein the onboard energy source comprises a thin film capacitor.

6. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 1, further comprising locking means for physically securing the financial transaction token within the mobile subscriber unit.

7. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 1, wherein the mobile subscriber unit is a consumer device selected from the group consisting of:

a cellular telephone;

a cordless telephone;

a satellite telephony subscriber device;

a personal digital assistant;

a wireless email processing device; and

a laptop computer.

8. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 3, wherein:

the electrical interface comprises means for receiving a charge status signal from the financial token; and

the executable code further comprises code which, when executed by the integrated processor, derives a charge state of the energy source within the financial token from the received charge status signal.

9. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 3, wherein the electrical interface couples a charging current from the mobile subscriber device to the power circuit to charge the energy source.

10. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 3, wherein the mobile subscriber unit further includes a user interface coupled to the integrated processor.

11. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 10, wherein the user interface further comprises:

means for data input; and

display means, in electrical communication with the integrated processor and the power circuit, for rendering contents of the storage.

12. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 11, wherein the storage includes code executable to perform commands received by the data input means.

13. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 12, wherein the executable code in the storage further comprises code to perform one or more functions selected from the group consisting of:

turning the mobile subscriber unit on;

turning the mobile subscriber unit off;

instructing the financial transaction token to assume an inactive state;

instructing the financial transaction token to assume an active state;

displaying the charge status of the energy storage within the financial transaction token;

selecting a financial account for use in a transaction;

initiating a financial transaction using data provided by the financial transaction token;

configuring the financial transaction token for use with a particular account;

playing a stored music file;

playing a stored video file;

requesting a security indicia;

comparing the security indicia to a predetermined security indicia;

erasing at least part of the memory on the financial transaction token;

securing the financial transaction token from unauthorized use;

reading a financial account indicia from the financial transaction token;

transmitting access information to the financial transaction token; and

combinations thereof.

14. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 12, wherein the storage includes executable code for causing a control signal to be communicated to the financial transaction token through the electrical communication means, whereupon the memory in the financial transaction token is erased upon the mobile subscriber unit communicating the control signal thereto.

15. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 12, wherein the storage includes executable code for causing a control signal to be communicated to the financial transaction token through the electrical communication means, whereupon the embedded processor within the financial transaction token assumes an inactive state upon the mobile subscriber unit communicating the control signal thereto.

16. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 10, wherein the predetermined condition indicating initiation of a transaction is triggered by a condition selected from the group consisting of:

a user entering an indicia through the user interface, the indicia indicating a request to effect payment for a financial transaction;

a user pressing a button in the user interface while the mobile subscriber unit is in an active communication mode;

a user selecting the purchase of a service from a solicitation presented in the user interface;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit within a predetermined distance of a wireless point of sale terminal;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit within an electromagnetic field, the electromagnetic field having a predetermined communications protocol and a minimum magnitude;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit in contact with electrical contacts coupled to a point of sale terminal;

the mobile subscriber unit detecting, through the transceiver, an authenticated signal requesting initiation of a transaction;

the integrated processor of the mobile subscriber unit detecting a request to initiate a transaction provided by the financial token through the electrical interface; and

combinations thereof.

17. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 1, wherein the mobile subscriber unit further includes an exposed region for encoding data coupled to the integrated processor, the exposed region comprising components selected from the group consisting of:

a reprogrammable magnetic region for the encoded data;

a set of contacts for electrically transmitting signals corresponding to the encoded data;

a display for rendering the encoded data; and

combinations thereof.

18. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 1, wherein the electrical interface couples the financial transaction token to the mobile subscriber through a connection selected from the group consisting of:

a physical connection;

a wireless connection; and

a combination thereof.

19. A system for effecting a financial transaction, the system comprising:

a financial transaction token including;

an onboard energy source coupled to a power circuit;

memory, coupled to the power circuit and configured to store and retrieve;

data regarding an account; and

embedded program code;

an embedded processor coupled to a power circuit and the memory, the embedded processor configured to execute at least some of the embedded program code in the memory; and

a coupler in communication with the embedded processor and the power circuit; and

a mobile subscriber unit including;

an integrated processor in communication with the coupler;

storage, coupled to the processor and configured to store and retrieve code executable by the integrated processor;

a user interface coupled to the integrated processor;

a transceiver coupled to the integrated processor and an antenna, wherein upon the integrated processor, sensing a predetermined condition indicating the initiation of the financial transaction, executes at least some code in the storage to;

command the embedded processor in the financial transaction token to assume an active state;

obtain, through the coupler, the data regarding the account; and

transmit the data regarding the account through the transceiver.

20. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein upon being commanded to an active state, the embedded processor:

receives an authenticating indicia;

compares the authenticating indicia to a predetermined authenticating indicia pre-stored in the storage; and

authorizes the transaction if a result of the comparison of the authenticating indicia to the pre-stored indicia is within a predetermined threshold.

21. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 20, wherein the mobile subscriber unit prompts a user to enter the authenticating indicia through the user interface.

22. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 20, wherein the authenticating indicia is transmitted by the mobile subscriber unit to the embedded processor through the coupler.

23. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein the onboard energy source comprises a capacitor.

24. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein the onboard energy source comprises a thin film capacitor.

25. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, further comprising locking means for physically securing the financial transaction token within the mobile subscriber unit.

26. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein the mobile subscriber unit is a consumer device selected from the group consisting of:

a cellular telephone;

a cordless telephone;

a satellite telephony subscriber device;

a personal digital assistant;

a wireless email processing device; and

a laptop computer.

27. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19 wherein:

the coupler comprises means for receiving a charge status signal from the financial token; and

the executable code further comprises code which, when executed by the integrated processor, derives a charge state of the energy source within the financial token from the received charge status signal.

28. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein

a charging current is transmitted through the coupler from the mobile subscriber device to the power circuit to charge the energy source.

29. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein the storage includes executable code for causing a control signal to be communicated to the financial transaction token through the electrical communication means, whereupon the memory in the financial transaction token is erased upon the mobile subscriber unit communicating the control signal thereto.

30. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein the storage includes executable code for causing a control signal to be communicated to the financial transaction token through the electrical communication means, whereupon the embedded processor within the financial transaction token assumes an inactive state upon the mobile subscriber unit communicating the control signal thereto.

31. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 19, wherein the predetermined condition indicating initiation of a transaction is triggered by a condition selected from the group consisting of:

a user entering an indicia through the user interface, the indicia indicating a request to effect payment for a financial transaction;

a user pressing a button in the user interface while the mobile subscriber unit is in an active communication mode;

a user selecting the purchase of a service from a solicitation presented in the user interface;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit within a predetermined distance of a wireless point of sale terminal;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit within an electromagnetic field, the electromagnetic field having a predetermined communications protocol and a minimum magnitude;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit in contact with electrical contacts coupled to a point of sale terminal;

the mobile subscriber unit detecting, through the transceiver, an authenticated signal requesting initiation of a transaction;

the integrated processor of the mobile subscriber unit detecting a request to initiate a transaction provided by the financial token through the electrical interface; and

combinations thereof.

32. A mobile payment system for effecting payment for a financial transaction in a payment processing system, the mobile payment system comprising:

a financial transaction card comprising;

a substantially rigid substrate;

a reprogrammable magnetic stripe assembly, coupled to a power circuit and proximal the substrate, for encoding data including an account for effecting the payment for a transaction;

a thin film capacitor proximal the substrate and coupled to the power circuit, wherein the thin film capacitor is capable of substantially energizing the power circuit as an internal power source;

an embedded processor located within a cavity defined within the substrate and coupled to the power circuit and to a data interface;

an electrical interface coupled to the embedded processor and the power circuit; and

memory, coupled to the power circuit and the embedded processor,

and including code executable to;

accept, using the electrical interface, commands for encoding data for the exposed region; and

perform the commands accepted from the electrical interface; and

a mobile subscriber unit including;

a cavity defined within the mobile subscriber unit for retaining the financial transaction card;

an integrated processor coupled to the electrical interface;

storage, coupled to the processor and configured to store and retrieve code executable by the integrated processor;

a user interface coupled to the integrated processor;

a transceiver coupled to the integrated processor and an antenna, wherein upon the integrated processor, sensing a predetermined condition indicating the initiation of the financial transaction, executes at least some code in the storage to;

command the embedded processor in the financial transaction card to assume an active state;

obtain, through the electrical interface, the data regarding the account; and

transmit the data regarding the account through the transceiver.

33. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, wherein upon being commanded to an active state, the embedded processor:

receives an authenticating indicia;

compares the authenticating indicia to a predetermined authenticating indicia pre-stored in the storage; and

authorizes the transaction if a result of the comparison of the authenticating indicia to the pre-stored indicia is within a predetermined threshold.

34. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 33, wherein the mobile subscriber unit prompts a user to enter the authenticating indicia through the user interface.

35. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 33, wherein the authenticating indicia is transmitted by the mobile subscriber unit to the embedded processor through the electrical interface.

36. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, further comprising locking means for physically securing the financial transaction card within the cavity defined within the mobile subscriber unit.

37. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, wherein the mobile subscriber unit is a consumer device selected from the group consisting of:

a cellular telephone;

a cordless telephone;

a satellite telephony subscriber device;

a personal digital assistant;

a wireless email processing device; and

a laptop computer.

38. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32 wherein:

the electrical interface comprises means for receiving a charge status signal from the financial transaction card; and

the executable code further comprises code which, when executed by the integrated processor, derives a charge state of the energy source within the financial transaction card from the received charge status signal.

39. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, wherein the electrical interface couples a charging current from the mobile subscriber device to the power circuit to charge the thin film capacitor.

40. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, wherein the storage includes executable code for causing a control signal to be communicated to the financial transaction card through the electrical communication means, whereupon the memory in the financial transaction card is erased upon the mobile subscriber unit communicating the control signal thereto.

41. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, wherein the storage includes executable code for causing a control signal to be communicated to the financial transaction card through the electrical communication means, whereupon the embedded processor within the financial transaction card assumes an inactive state upon the mobile subscriber unit communicating the control signal thereto.

42. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, wherein the predetermined condition indicating initiation of a transaction is triggered by a condition selected from the group consisting of:

a user entering an indicia through the user interface, the indicia indicating a request to effect payment for a financial transaction;

a user pressing a button in the user interface while the mobile subscriber unit is in an active communication mode;

a user selecting the purchase of a service from a solicitation presented in the user interface;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit within a predetermined distance of a wireless point of sale terminal;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit within an electromagnetic field, the electromagnetic field having a predetermined communications protocol and a minimum magnitude;

a user placing the mobile subscriber unit in contact with electrical contacts coupled to a point of sale terminal;

the mobile subscriber unit detecting, through the transceiver, an authenticated signal requesting initiation of a transaction;

the integrated processor of the mobile subscriber unit detecting a request to initiate a transaction provided by the financial card through the electrical interface; and

combinations thereof.

43. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 32, wherein upon being commanded to an active state, the embedded processor:

receives, through the electrical interface, a request to authorize the transaction, said request including at least a monetary amount necessary to effect payment for the financial transaction;

compares the monetary amount to a pre-stored value indicia in the memory, wherein;

if the monetary amount is less than or equal to the pre-stored value indicia, the embedded processor;

sends to the integrated processor, through the electrical interface, a signal indicating the transaction is authorized; and

decrements the pre-stored value indicia by an amount corresponding to the monetary amount;

otherwise, if the monetary amount is greater than the pre-stored value indicia, the embedded processor sends to the integrated processor, through the electrical interface, a signal indicating the transaction is not authorized.

44. A mobile payment system for effecting payment for a financial transaction in a payment processing system, the mobile payment system comprising:

a financial transaction token including;

memory configured to store and retrieve data regarding an account in the payment processing system;

an embedded processor coupled to the memory; and

an electrical interface in communication with the embedded processor;

and

a mobile subscriber unit including;

an integrated processor in communication with the electrical interface;

storage, coupled to the integrated processor and configured to store and retrieve code executable by the integrated processor; and

a transceiver coupled to the integrated processor and an antenna;

wherein upon the integrated processor, sensing a predetermined condition indicating the initiation of the financial transaction, executes at least some of the code stored in the storage to;

obtain, through the electrical interface, the data regarding the account; and

transmit the data regarding the account through the transceiver.

45. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 44, further comprising a power circuit in communication with the embedded processor and the memory.

46. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 45, wherein the power circuit is in communication with the mobile subscriber unit through the electrical interface.

47. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 46, wherein:

the electrical interface comprises means for receiving a charge status signal from the financial token; and

the executable code further comprises code which, when executed by the integrated processor, derives a charge state of an onboard energy source coupled to the power circuit within the financial token from the received charge status signal.

48. The mobile payment system as defined in claim 47, wherein the electrical interface couples a charging current from the mobile subscriber device to the power circuit to charge the onboard energy source.