Portable computerized wireless payment apparatus and methods

• US 8,640,944 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2013
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Original Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Inventors: Gazdzinski, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US13/756,984
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/381, 235/383, 705/14.64, 705/14.65
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/06 using voice
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• 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 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00193 : Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00314 : Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00225 : Vending machine or POS (Point Of Sale) apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00322 : Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 : for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 : for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 : the containers being a postal pick-up locker
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 : the arrangements being full-front touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 : the reader being an RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A mobile user apparatus and associated methods useful for conducting and enabling payment transactions wirelessly, such as at point-of-sale locations. In one embodiment, the mobile user apparatus is a cellular-enabled mobile device that includes a short-range radio frequency device that communicates with a point of sale apparatus, including information relating to an account of the user of the mobile apparatus that is to be charged for the payment. In one variant, the information stored on the mobile device is further configured to receive transaction data wirelessly in return. In another variant, user biometric data is used to authenticate the transaction.

Claims

1. A mobile device enabled for wireless payment transaction for goods or services, comprising:

a cellular wireless interface;

a global positioning system (GPS)-based wireless receiver;

a processor;

at least one commerce transaction-related application computer program configured to run on the processor;

a short range radio frequency device disposed in the mobile device and configured to communicate with a radio frequency interrogation apparatus or reader, the short range radio frequency device being disposed within the mobile device at the time of manufacture of the mobile device;

wherein the mobile device is encoded with information specific to a user of the mobile device, the information associated with a specific pre-existing financial account, and enabling the user to use the mobile device to pay for the goods or services and obviate the user from having to carry other forms or sources of payment on their person; and

wherein the mobile device is further configured to utilize at least one biometric data as part of a payment transaction in order to authenticate the user before the payment transaction can be completed.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s fingerprint.

3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s retina.

4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s face.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s voice or speech.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the payment transaction comprises use of the authentication at least to allow access to user-specific data maintained in a secure data facility in data communication with the interrogation apparatus or reader via a network.

7. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the short range radio frequency device comprises a passive radio frequency identification device configured to utilize radio frequency energy incident thereon and generated from the interrogation apparatus or reader to generate a reply, the reply including at least a portion of the information specific to the user.

8. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s fingerprint.

9. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s retina.

10. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s face.

11. The mobile device of claim 7, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s voice or speech.

12. The mobile device of claim 6, wherein the encoding with information comprises encoding with payment source information by a third party after manufacture of the mobile device.

13. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein:

the short range radio frequency device comprises a passive radio frequency identification device configured to utilize radio frequency energy incident thereon and generated from the interrogation apparatus or reader to generate a reply, the reply including at least a portion of the information specific to the user; and

the at least a portion of the information in the reply comprises information related to a credit card account of the user, the device configured to store the information in a secure data repository that restricts access to only one or more authorized persons, the access subject to receiving the at least one biometric data from the user.

14. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the at least one commerce transaction related application computer program has been downloaded to the mobile user device via a network after the device'"'"'s manufacture.

15. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the payment source information in the reply comprises information related to a prepaid card account of the user, the device configured to store the information in a secure data repository that restricts access to only one or more authorized persons, the access subject to receiving user-specific authentication information comprising the at least one biometric data.

16. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device further comprises a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 2.0 client process.

17. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a smart-phone, and the payment source information is associated with a billing account associated with a cellular service provider for the smart-phone.

18. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a smart-phone, and the smart-phone is configured such that the payment transaction is processed at least in part by a cellular service provider for the smart-phone.

19. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile user device comprises a smartphone, and the user-specific information comprises information relating to a pre-existing debit or credit card or prepaid account, the account which is accessible to the interrogation apparatus or reader via a secure network and one or more encryption protocols.

20. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the information specific to a user comprises account information configured to enable access of a remote server with associated database with user credit or debit card account-related information for verification and charging of the credit or debit card account for the goods or services.

21. The mobile device of claim 20, wherein the at least one application computer program comprises an applet or window that can be instantiated to permit the user to enter user-specific authentication information.

22. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the at least one application computer program comprises a Java-based application.

23. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s fingerprint.

24. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s retina.

25. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s face.

26. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the at least one biometric data comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s voice or speech.

27. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising both a Bluetooth wireless interface and a Wi-Fi wireless interface.

28. The device of claim 27, further comprising a client application program configured for communication with a server program, communication between the client application and the server program being useful for communication of data to the mobile user device for storage thereon, the data for communication comprising data relating to the payment for the goods or services.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the server program is configured to require authentication of the user before any of said communication of said data is allowed.

30. The device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is further configured to receive data for storage thereon, the data comprising data relating to the payment for the goods or services, the data including at least two of (i) a date/time;

(ii) at least one of a) a user identification and/or b) a location of the transaction, and/or (iii) a payment method.

31. The device of claim 1, wherein said GPS receiver enables provision of location data associated with a particular location relating to the goods or services or the point of sale.

32. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one application program is configured to enable reception of data at the mobile device for storage thereon, the received data comprising data relating to the payment for the goods or services.

33. A mobile user device enabled for wireless payment, comprising:

a cellular wireless interface;

a global positioning system (GPS)-based wireless receiver;

a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface;

a Bluetooth interface; and

a short range radio frequency device disposed on or in the mobile user device;

wherein the mobile user device is configured to be encoded with payment information specific to the user and allowing the user to use the mobile user device to wirelessly pay for at least one of goods or services by placing the mobile user device in proximity to an interrogation or reader apparatus at a point of sale of said goods or services;

wherein the short range radio frequency device and payment information obviates the user from having to carry at least one other currency or payment source on their person;

wherein the radio frequency device comprises a passive radio frequency identification device configured to utilize radio frequency energy incident thereon and generated from the interrogation apparatus or reader to generate a reply, the reply including at least a portion of the payment information;

wherein the encoding with information specific to a user of the device, the information including payment information, comprises encoding of the mobile user device after its manufacture; and

wherein the mobile device is further configured to utilize at least one biometric data as part of a payment transaction in order to authenticate the user before the payment transaction can be completed.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the at least a portion of the payment source information in the reply comprises information associated with a credit card account, the device configured to store the information in a data repository that restricts access to only one or more authorized persons.

35. The device of claim 33, wherein the device is further configured to elicit user-specific authentication information from the user, the authentication information being useful to authorize the wireless payment for the at least one of the goods or services.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the elicitation of user-specific authentication information from the user comprises use of an applet or window instantiated on the mobile user device by which the user is prompted to enter a password.

37. The device of claim 33, wherein:

the mobile user device comprises at least one commerce transaction related application computer program configured to run thereon; and

the payment source information comprises a pre-existing financial account, the account which is accessible to the interrogation apparatus or reader via an internetwork.

38. The device of claim 33, further comprising a commerce-related client application configured to run on the mobile device, wherein said GPS receiver and said application cooperate to enable provision and use of location data associated with a particular location relating to the goods or services or the point of sale.

39. A method of causing enabling of a cellular-enabled smart-phone for wireless payment for at least one of goods or services, the method comprising:

providing a cellular-enabled smart-phone, the smart-phone comprising a global positioning system (GPS)-based receiver and a short range passive radio frequency device disposed thereon or therein at time of manufacture of the smart-phone, the smart-phone configured to be encoded with information relating to at least one of an existing credit or debit or prepaid account associated with a user of the smart-phone; and

enabling encoding of the smart-phone by the user with said information;

wherein the encoded smart-phone with radio frequency device is configured to, when placed in proximity to an interrogation or reader apparatus disposed at a point of sale of goods or services, allow;

the user to use the smart-phone to conduct a wireless payment transaction for at least one of the goods or services from the at least one existing account by way of at least one data transmission from the passive radio frequency device, the transmission instigated at least in part by electromagnetic energy radiated by the interrogation or reader apparatus, the at least one data transmission comprising at least a portion of the information relating to the at least one existing account associated with the user; and

the smart-phone to receive data related to the wireless payment transaction for storage thereon;

wherein the conduct of the wireless payment transaction further causes data related to the transaction to be transmitted to a network entity for inclusion on a monthly account statement of the user; and

wherein the smart-phone is further configured to utilize at least one biometric data as part of a payment transaction in order to authenticate the user before the payment transaction for the goods or services can be completed.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the data related to the transaction includes at least one of (i) a date/time;

(ii) at least one of a) a user identification and/or b) a location of the transaction, and/or (iii) a payment method.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein transfer of the data to the smart-phone is fully automated.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the encoded smart-phone with radio frequency device is further configured to, when placed in proximity to an interrogation or reader apparatus disposed at a point of sale of goods or services, allow instantiation of an applet or window on the smart-phone to prompt a user for entry of at least a password associated with the account.

43. A method of causing enabling of a cellular-enabled smart-phone for wireless payment for at least one of goods or services, the cellular-enabled smart-phone comprising a short range passive radio frequency device disposed thereon or therein at time of manufacture of the smart-phone, the smart phone configured to be encoded with information relating to at least one of a credit or debit or prepaid account associated with a user of the smart-phone, the method comprising:

identifying the credit or debit or prepaid account for the user; and

enabling encoding of the smart-phone by the user with said information;

wherein the encoded smart-phone with radio frequency device is configured to, when placed in proximity to an interrogation or reader apparatus disposed at a point of sale of goods or services, allow;

the user to use the smart-phone to conduct a wireless payment transaction for at least one of the goods or services from the at least one existing account by way of at least one data transmission from the passive radio frequency device, the transmission instigated at least in part by electromagnetic energy radiated by the interrogation or reader apparatus, the at least one data transmission comprising at least a portion of the information relating to the at least one existing account associated with the user, the smart-phone further configured to utilize at least one biometric data as part of the payment transaction in order to authenticate the user before the payment transaction can be completed, and the smart-phone to receive data related to the wireless payment transaction for storage thereon;

wherein the method further comprises, upon conduct of the wireless payment transaction, transmitting data related to the transaction to a network entity for inclusion on a monthly account statement of the user.

44. A method of causing enabling of a cellular-enabled smart-phone for wireless payment for at least one of goods or services, the cellular-enabled smart-phone comprising a global positioning system (GPS)-based receiver and short range passive radio frequency device disposed thereon or therein at time of manufacture of the smart-phone, the smart-phone configured to be encoded with information relating to an existing credit or debit or prepaid account of a user of the device, the method comprising:

enabling encoding of the smart-phone with said information;

wherein the encoded smart-phone with radio frequency device is configured to, when placed in proximity to an interrogation or reader apparatus disposed at a point of sale of goods or services, allow;

the user to use the smart-phone to conduct a wireless payment transaction for at least one of the goods or services from the at least one existing account by way of at least one data transmission from the radio frequency device, the transmission instigated at least in part by electromagnetic energy radiated by the interrogation or reader apparatus, the at least one data transmission comprising at least a portion of the information relating to the existing payment account associated with the user; and

the smart-phone to receive data related to the wireless payment transaction for storage thereon, the data related to the transaction including at least one of (i) a date/time;

(ii) at least one of a) a user identification and/or b) a location of the transaction, and/or (iii) a payment method, and transfer of the data to the smart-phone being fully automated and requiring no further user action or intervention, the smart-phone further configured to utilize at least one biometric data as part of the transaction in order to authenticate the user before the transaction can be completed.

45. A mobile device enabled for wireless payment, comprising:

a cellular wireless interface;

a global positioning system (GPS)-based wireless receiver;

a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface;

a Bluetooth interface; and

a short range radio frequency device disposed on or in the mobile user device;

wherein the mobile user device is configured to be encoded with payment information specific to the user and allowing the user to use the mobile user device to wirelessly pay for at least one of goods or services by placing the mobile user device in proximity to an interrogation or reader apparatus at a point of sale of said goods or services;

wherein the short range radio frequency device and payment information obviates the user from having to carry at least one other currency or payment source on their person;

wherein the radio frequency device comprises a passive radio frequency identification device configured to utilize radio frequency energy incident thereon and generated from the interrogation apparatus or reader to generate a reply, the reply including at least a portion of the payment information;

wherein the encoding with information specific to a user of the device, the information including payment information, comprises encoding of the mobile user device after its manufacture;

wherein the mobile device is further configured to utilize at least one biometric data as part of a payment transaction in order to authenticate the user before the payment transaction can be completed; and

wherein said mobile device is further configured to use the GPS receiver for provision of location data associated with a particular location relating to the transaction for the goods or services.

46. A method of conducting a wireless payment transaction for at least one of goods or services using a cellular-enabled mobile device, comprising:

providing an interrogation apparatus at a point of sale, the interrogation apparatus configured to interrogate a short range passive-enabled radio frequency device disposed on or within the cellular-enabled mobile device at time of manufacture of the mobile device, the radio frequency device encoded with information specific to a user of the device, the information including information relating to at least one of an existing credit or debit or prepaid account associated with the user;

interrogating the radio frequency device when the mobile device is placed in proximity to the interrogation apparatus, the interrogating transmitting radio frequency energy to the radio frequency device to cause the radio frequency device to subsequently respond thereto with at least a portion of the information relating to at least one of an existing credit or debit or prepaid account associated with the user;

causing the user to enter user-specific biometric authentication or security information necessary to further process the payment transaction;

after the user has entered the user-specific biometric authentication or security information, utilizing at least the at least portion of the information relating to at least one of an existing credit or debit or prepaid account associated with the user to complete processing of the payment transaction; and

transmitting data related to the payment transaction to an entity associated with an account associated with the user of the mobile device.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising transmitting data related to the transaction to the mobile device.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the data transmission to the mobile device comprises transmitting data including at least one of (i) a date/time;

(ii) at least one of a) a user identification and/or b) a location of the transaction, and/or (iii) a payment method.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the transmitting of the data to the mobile device is fully automated and requires no further user action or intervention.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the user-specific biometric authentication or security information comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s fingerprint.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the user-specific biometric authentication or security information comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s retina.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the user-specific biometric authentication or security information comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s face.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein the user-specific biometric authentication or security information comprises a representation of a user'"'"'s voice or speech.

54. A mobile device enabled for wireless payment, comprising:

a cellular wireless interface;

a global positioning system (GPS)-based wireless receiver;

a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface;

a Bluetooth interface; and

a short range radio frequency device disposed on or in the mobile user device;

wherein the mobile user device is configured to be encoded with payment information specific to the user and allowing the user to use the mobile user device to wirelessly pay for at least one of goods or services by placing the mobile user device in proximity to an interrogation or reader apparatus at a point of sale of said goods or services;

wherein the short range radio frequency device and payment information obviates the user from having to carry at least one other currency or payment source on their person;

wherein the radio frequency device comprises a passive radio frequency identification device configured to utilize radio frequency energy incident thereon and generated from the interrogation apparatus or reader to generate a reply, the reply including at least a portion of the payment information;

wherein the encoding with information specific to a user of the device, the information including payment information, comprises encoding of the mobile user device after its manufacture;

wherein the mobile device is further configured to such that the payment is processed at least in part by a cellular service provider for the smart-phone; and

wherein said mobile device is further configured to use the GPS-based receiver for provision of location data associated with a particular location relating to the transaction for the goods or services.