Wireless transaction fobs and methods of using the same

• US 7,798,415 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Young, Kevin, Webb, Lisa A., Skilling-Belmond, Lisa E., Nulle, Danielle R., Malnati, Leigh R., Kunian, Danielle L., Ing, Samantha S., Francolini, Gail A., Bonalle, David S., Bates, Peter Kirwan
• Primary Examiner(s): FRANKLIN, JAMARA ALZAIDA
• Application Number:
  US11/229,901
• Time in Patent Office: 1,828 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/486
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/005 Fobs
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/18 Ticket-holders or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/188 Media card holders, e.g. memory cards, SIM cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/005 the record carrier comprising an arrangement to facilitate insertion into a holding device, e.g. an arrangement that makes the record carrier fit into an etui or a casing ticket holders A45C11/18

Abstract

The invention relates to transaction tokens (“fobs”) having wireless functionality and methods of using the same. More specifically, fobs having radio frequency functionality such that information, such as payment information, identification information, or other like information, may be wirelessly transmitted from a memory within the fob to a receiver are disclosed. The fobs of this invention may comprise a microchip or other memory component, and/or antenna disposed on or within an insert and encased within an enclosure in an interior compartment. The fobs may have a quick-release mechanism for easily attaching to and detaching from a securing device, such as a keychain or the like. Moreover, the interior compartments of the fobs may be easily accessible for replacing the enclosed insert.

Claims

1. A wireless transaction fob for wirelessly providing information to a reader comprising:

a base comprising an interior tray;

an insert for disposing within the interior tray, wherein the insert comprises a memory for storing transaction information and radio frequency equipment for wirelessly conducting transactions; and

a cover for enclosing the insert within the interior tray when in a closed state, said cover comprising a portion that translationally slides over the interior tray and over the insert when in the closed state,

wherein the insert is electrically unconnected to the base and the cover;

wherein an entire surface of the insert overlaps a surface of the interior tray.

2. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1 further comprising a release mechanism for accessing the interior tray of the fob.

3. The wireless transaction fob of claim 2 further comprising a transponder for transferring information from the memory to a reader in proximity to the transponder.

4. The wireless transaction fob of claim 3 further comprising a window for visually obtaining information from the insert.

5. The wireless transaction fob of claim 4 wherein the base comprises a receptacle and further wherein the cover comprises a tab for engaging the receptacle to hold the cover and the base piece together.

6. The wireless transaction fob of claim 5 wherein the base further comprises an aperture for accessing the tab when disposed within the receptacle.

7. The wireless transaction fob of claim 6 wherein the cover is removable from the base when the tab is pressed via the aperture.

8. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1 wherein the cover further comprises an integrally-formed ring portion for attaching a securing means to the ring portion.

9. The wireless transaction fob of claim 8 wherein the securing means is a keychain.

10. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1, wherein the interior tray is formed to fully cradle the insert within the interior tray.

11. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1, wherein the insert is frictionally engaged with the cover.

12. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1, wherein the cover fully encases the interior tray.

13. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1, wherein the insert is configured to be removed from the interior tray without translational movement.

14. A method of using a wireless transaction fob comprising the steps of:

accessing an interior tray by translationally removing a cover from a base in a first direction;

disposing an insert within the interior tray; and

closing the insert within the fob by translationally sliding in a second direction the cover over the interior tray;

wherein the fob comprises the interior tray for disposing the insert therein wherein the insert comprises a memory for storing transaction information and radio frequency equipment for wirelessly conducting transactions, and the cover for enclosing the insert that is disposed within the interior tray, the cover comprising a portion that slides within the base and over the insert, wherein the insert is retained within the interior tray by a recess portion, wherein the insert is electrically unconnected to the base and the cover, and wherein an entire surface of the insert overlaps a surface of the interior tray.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the cover comprises a tab and the base comprises a receptacle for the tab, wherein the method further comprises the step of engaging the tab with the receptacle when closing the insert within the fob by closing the cover over the interior tray.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein accessing the interior tray comprises the step of engaging the tab to release from the receptacle, thereby releasing the cover from the base.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the cover further comprises an aperture for accessing the tab when engaged with the receptacle, wherein the method further comprises the

step of engaging the tab and releasing the tab from the receptacle when removing the cover from the base.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein closing the insert within the fob comprises the step of sliding the cover over the interior tray thereby enclosing the insert within the fob.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of disposing a window in the cover for viewing the insert within the fob.