Devices, systems and methods for identification through a mobile device

• US 9,002,418 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2012
• Issued: 04/07/2015
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Magloire, Vladimir
• Assistant Examiner(s): DONADO, FRANK E
• Application Number:
  US13/653,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20130040709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• 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. 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 by holding the mobile communications device up to a smart cover reader. The smart cover reader communicates with the smart 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 cover for a mobile device, the cover comprising:

a housing plate;

a laminate disposed over the housing plate, the laminate sealing a secure element, a transceiver, and an antenna on the housing plate;

a plurality of cutouts corresponding to a plurality of elements of the mobile device, the plurality of cutouts extending through the housing plate and the laminate;

the secure element disposed in between the plurality of cutouts and between the housing plate and the laminate, the secure element comprising a processor and a memory storing authentication information;

the transceiver coupled to the secure element and disposed in between the plurality of cutouts and between the housing plate and the laminate; and

the antenna coupled to the transceiver and disposed between the housing plate and the laminate, the antenna looped around a perimeter of the plurality of cutouts, wherein the secure element communicates the authentication information through the transceiver subsequent to being powered, and wherein the secure element is powered through induction generated in the antenna looped around the perimeter of the plurality of cutouts when the cover is introduced to a magnetic field such that the secure element is powered independently of a power source of the mobile device.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements of the mobile device comprises at least one key and at least one display.

3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the laminate insulates the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the laminate conceals the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the housing plate comprises a plurality of indentations that receives the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover is a front faceplate for the mobile device.

7. A cover for a mobile device, the cover comprising:

a housing plate;

a laminate disposed over the housing plate, the laminate sealing a secure element, a transceiver, and an antenna on the housing plate;

a plurality of cutouts corresponding to a plurality of elements of the mobile device, the plurality of cutouts extending through the housing plate and the laminate;

the secure element disposed in between the plurality of cutouts and between the housing plate and the laminate, the secure element comprising a processor and a memory storing authentication information;

the transceiver coupled to the secure element and disposed in between the plurality of cutouts and between the housing plate and the laminate;

the antenna coupled to the transceiver and disposed between the housing plate and the laminate, the antenna looped around a perimeter of the plurality of cutouts, wherein the secure element communicates the authentication information through the transceiver subsequent to being powered, and wherein the secure element is powered through induction generated in the antenna looped around the perimeter of the plurality of cutouts when the cover is introduced to a magnetic field such that the secure element is powered independently of a power source of the mobile device; and

a clip for removably coupling the cover to the mobile device, wherein the cover couples to the mobile device only via the clip.

8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the authentication information stored in the memory of the secure element is verified, via the antenna, by a reader.

9. The cover of claim 8, wherein the reader is coupled to a point-of-sale device and wherein the point-of-sale device is in communication with an account associated with the mobile device.

10. The cover of claim 8, wherein the reader is coupled to a security server.

11. The cover of claim 10, wherein the security server deactivates a security feature in communication with the security server.

12. The cover of claim 7, wherein the housing plate comprises a plurality of indentations that receives the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

13. The cover of claim 7, wherein the plurality of elements of the mobile device comprises at least one key and at least one display.

14. A mobile device, comprising:

a plurality of elements; and

a cover comprising

a housing plate,

a laminate disposed over the housing plate, the laminate sealing a secure element, a transceiver, and an antenna on the housing plate,

a plurality of cutouts corresponding to the plurality of elements, the plurality of cutouts extending through the housing plate and the laminate,

the secure element disposed in between the plurality of cutouts and disposed between the housing plate and the laminate, the secure element comprising a processor and a memory storing authentication information,

the transceiver coupled to the secure element and disposed in between the plurality of cutouts and between the housing plate and the laminate, and

the antenna coupled to the transceiver and disposed between the housing plate and the laminate, the antenna looped around a perimeter of the plurality of cutouts, wherein the secure element communicates the authentication information through the transceiver subsequent to being powered, and wherein the secure element is powered through induction generated in the antenna looped around the perimeter of the plurality of cutouts when the cover is introduced to a magnetic field such that the secure element is powered independently of a power source of the mobile device.

15. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein a reader verifies, via the antenna, the authentication information stored in the memory.

16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the reader is coupled to a point-of-sale device.

17. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the housing plate comprises a plurality of indentations that receives the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

18. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of elements comprises at least one key and at least one display.

19. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the laminate conceals the secure element, the transceiver, and the antenna.

20. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the cover is a front faceplate for the mobile device.