Devices, Systems and Methods for Identification Through a Mobile Device

• US 20110111793A1
• Filed: 11/10/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: White, Spencer Neil
• Granted Patent: US 8,290,552 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed which relate to a smart cover for a mobile communications device. The smart cover includes a housing plate, a secure element coupled to the housing plate, a transceiver in communication with the secure element, and an antenna coupled to the transceiver. The transceiver and the antenna are coupled to the housing plate as well. The housing plate couples to the mobile communications device to provide protection for electronics in the mobile communications device, to make the mobile communications device more aesthetically pleasing, etc. A user having a mobile communications device with a smart cover may enter secure areas, pay funds from an account, or anything else requiring positive identification. The user holds the mobile communications device up to a smart cover reader. The smart cover reader communicates with the smart to cover to identify the user. The user may allow others to use the smart cover by decoupling the smart cover from the user'"'"'s mobile communications device and coupling it to the other'"'"'s mobile communications device.

Claims

1. A smart cover device removably coupled to a mobile communications device, the smart cover comprising:

a housing plate for the mobile communications device;

a secure element coupled to the housing plate;

a transceiver coupled to the housing plate, the transceiver being in communication with the secure element; and

an antenna coupled to the housing plate and the transceiver.

2. The device in claim 1, wherein the secure element includes a memory and a processor.

3. The device in claim 1, further comprising a laminate applied over the housing plate and enclosing the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

4. The device in claim 1, wherein the antenna is a loop adjacent to a perimeter of the housing plate.

5. The device in claim 1, wherein the housing plate includes indentations for the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

6. The device in claim 1, wherein the housing plate is a back cover for the mobile communications device.

7. The device in claim 1, wherein the housing plate is a front faceplate for the mobile communications device.

8. A system for secure identification, the system comprising:

a mobile communications device;

a smart cover coupled to the communications device; and

a smart cover reader in communication with the smart cover;

wherein the smart cover reader verifies a unique identifier via the smart cover.

9. The system in claim 8, further comprising a point-of-sale device in communication with the smart cover reader.

10. The system in claim 9, wherein the point-of-sale device is in communication with an account associated with the user.

11. The system in claim 8, further comprising a security server in communication with the smart cover reader.

12. The system in claim 11, wherein the security server deactivates a security feature in communication with the security server.

13. The system in claim 11, wherein the security feature is a barrier.

14. The system in claim 13, wherein the security server grants access through the barrier to the user.

15. A method comprising:

coupling a secure element with a housing plate, the secure element having a unique identifier, a transceiver, and an antenna,

wherein the housing plate is adapted to be removably coupled to a mobile communications device.

16. The method in claim 15, further comprising coupling the smart cover with the mobile communications device.

17. The method in claim 15, further comprising decoupling the smart cover from the mobile communications device.

18. The method in claim 17, further comprising coupling the smart cover to a second mobile communications device.

19. The method in claim 15, further comprising etching a cavity in the housing plate to receive the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

20. The method in claim 15, further comprising pasting a laminate on the housing plate to hide the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.