Wireless Communications Device with Concealed Value

• US 20200134412A1
• Filed: 03/29/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: UIPCO, LLC
• Inventors: Lyle, Ruthie D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,872,283 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0614 the marking being selective to wavelength, e.g. color barcode or barcodes only visible under UV or IR methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers using a selected wavelength, see G06K7/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/70 specially adapted for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device has a near field communications transmitter system. The device has an outer chassis that can be sized, dimensioned and decorated to resemble common household items that lack any apparent value. The wireless communication device can also include an indicia that is invisible to an unaided human eye.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising:

a contactless communications system configured to conduct contactless transactions;

the contactless communications system including a memory configured to store information, including information related to an account, a balance, or a value;

an outer chassis including an interior cavity sized and dimensioned to retain the contactless communications system;

the outer chassis having an exterior surface defining an exterior shape; and

wherein the exterior shape of the outer chassis is generally cylindrical.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the outer chassis is formed of a first material and a second material, wherein the first material is different than the second material.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein the first material includes a metal and wherein the second material includes a non-metallic material.

4. The wireless communication device according claim 1, wherein exterior shape of the outer chassis is sized and configured to resemble a bottle cap.

5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the exterior shape of the outer chassis has a generally elongated cylindrical shape.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 5, wherein the contactless communications system includes a near field communications transmitter and a near field communications antenna.

7. The wireless communication device according to claim 5, wherein the exterior shape of the outer chassis is sized and configured to resemble a writing instrument.

8. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the outer chassis is more flexible than the contactless communications system.

9. A wireless communication device comprising:

an outer chassis including an interior cavity sized and dimensioned to retain a near field communications transmitter system;

the near field communications transmitter system including a near field communication device and a near field communication antenna;

the outer chassis having an exterior surface defining an exterior shape; and

wherein the exterior shape of the outer chassis includes an indicia that is invisible to an unaided human eye.

10. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein the indicia reflects a wavelength of light greater than 750 nanometers.

11. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein the indicia reflects a wavelength of light in the infrared spectrum.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein the indicia is disposed on an outer surface of the outer chassis.

13. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein the indicia is disposed on an outer surface of the outer chassis.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein the outer chassis consists essentially of the near field communications transmitter system and no other electronic components.

18. The enclosure according to claim 14, wherein the outer chassis is more flexible than the near field communications transmitter system.

19. The enclosure according to claim 18, wherein the outer chassis includes an indicia that is invisible to an unaided human eye.

20. The enclosure according to claim 19, wherein the indicia reflects a wavelength of light in the infrared spectrum.

15. A wireless communication device comprising:

an outer chassis having an exterior surface defining an exterior shape;

the outer chassis further including an interior cavity sized and dimensioned to retain a near field communications transmitter system;

wherein the near field communications transmitter system is disposed within the exterior surface of the outer chassis so that the near field communications transmitter system is not exposed;

the near field communications transmitter system including a near field communication device and a near field communication antenna;

wherein the outer chassis consists essentially of the near field communications transmitter system and no other communications components.

16. The enclosure according to claim 15, wherein the exterior shape of the outer chassis has a generally flattened cylindrical shape.

17. The enclosure according to claim 15, wherein the exterior shape of the outer chassis has a generally elongated cylindrical shape.