Covers having RFID functionality for portable electronic devices

• US 8,251,284 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2009
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Cellco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smart CellCover, Inc.
• Inventors: Spencer, Carroll Alexis II
• Primary Examiner(s): HESS, DANIEL A
• Application Number:
  US12/619,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20100065630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/381, 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• 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 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A cover for electronic hand-held devices providing RFID-operability and/or other functional keypad overlay to extend or expand the operation of the device to permit the user to perform additional actions or transactions facilitated by the RFID-operable cover. Method of using the cover for conducting business transactions are also included.

Claims

1. A housing for electronic hand-held devices comprising:

a housing for at least partially encasing an electronic mobile communications device; and

a radio frequency identifier (RFID) device connected to the housing, wherein the housing and RFID device cooperate to electronically initiate a business transaction when the housing detects inputs by activation of predetermined portions of the housing surface, and wherein the device and RFID-enabled housing is operable for communication with RFID receivers/transmitters when the device is located within a predetermined proximity of the receiver/transmitter, and wherein the housing further includes functional, branded input positions on the housing that function like keys and that are operable for additional electronic transactions when the functional branded input positions on the housing are activated.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is embedded in the housing.

3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is removably attached to the housing.

4. The housing of claim 1, wherein the electronic mobile communications device is operable for completing a business transaction when inputs are detected by it to confirm the business transaction.

5. The housing of claim 1, wherein the transactions include business transactions including payments for services and/or products.

6. The housing of claim 1, wherein the transactions include gaming.

7. The housing of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is operable to identify the user as having authorization to perform a predetermined function.

8. The housing of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is operable to identify the user as having authorization to pass through a security checkpoint and/or to identify the location of the user via a tracking system in communication with the RFID-enabled cover.

9. A portable electronic device for business transactions comprising:

a hand-held electronic device having a housing for fully encasing a portable electronic hand-held device; and

a radio frequency identifier (RFID) device connected to the housing, wherein the user activates an account for business transactions by using the device in conjunction with the RFID-enabled housing, and wherein the device and RFID-enabled housing is operable for communication with RFID receivers/transmitters when the device is located within a predetermined proximity of the receivers/transmitters for completing a business transaction when inputs are detected in the housing to activate the transaction, and wherein the housing further includes functional, branded positions on the surface of the housing that are operable for receiving inputs for initiating additional electronic transactions.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the RFID device is embedded in the housing.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the RFID device is removably attached to the housing.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the RFID device is integrated with the housing.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the transactions include business transactions including payments for services and/or products.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the transactions include gaming.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the housing is constructed and configured to receive inputs by touch activation by a user.