Radio frequency fobs and methods of using the same

• US 20050258245A1
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• 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: Bonalle, David S., Young, Kevin, Malnati, Leigh R., Skilling-Belmond, Lisa E., Francolini, Gail A., Webb, Lisa A., Bates, Peter Kirwan, Nulle, Danielle R., Ing, Samantha S., Kunian, Danielle L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,604,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/451
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/005 Fobs
• 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

Transaction tokens (“fobs”) having wireless functionality and methods of using the same are provided. More specifically, fobs are provided 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. The fobs provided herein may comprise a microchip or other memory means, and/or antenna disposed on or within an insert and encased within an enclosure in an interior compartment. The fobs may be provided with a quick-release mechanism for easily attaching to and detaching from a securing means, such as a keychain or the like. Moreover, the interior compartments of the fobs may be easily accessible for replacing the insert contained therein.

Claims

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

an enclosure comprising an interior compartment for disposing an insert therein wherein the insert comprises a memory for storing information therein; and

a quick-release mechanism for removing a securing means from or attaching the securing means to the fob.

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

3. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1 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 1 further comprising a window for visually obtaining information from the insert.

5. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1 further comprising a securing mechanism for securing the fob to the securing means.

6. The wireless transaction fob of claim 5 wherein the securing means is a keychain.

7. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises a latch.

8. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the interior space of the fob is accessed by moving the top portion with respect to the bottom portion.

9. The wireless transaction fob of claim 8 wherein the top portion is slid on a track with respect to the bottom portion to access the interior compartment.

10. The wireless transaction fob of claim 8 wherein the top portion is rotated with respect to the bottom portion to access the interior compartment.

11. The wireless transaction fob of claim 8 wherein the quick release mechanism is released by moving the top portion with respect to the bottom portion.

12. The wireless transaction fob of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion and further wherein the top portion comprises a first section and a second section wherein the interior compartment is accessed by moving the first section with respect to the second section.

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

providing a wireless transaction fob comprising an enclosure comprising an interior compartment for disposing an insert therein wherein the insert comprises a memory for storing information therein, a securing mechanism for securing the fob to a securing means, and a quick-release mechanism for removing the securing means from or attaching the securing means to the securing mechanism;

opening the securing mechanism by manipulating the quick-release mechanism;

removing a securing means from or attaching the securing means to the securing mechanism; and

closing the securing mechanism by manipulating the quick-release mechanism.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein manipulating the quick-release mechanism comprises depressing a latch thereby providing an opening for removing the securing means from or attaching the securing means to the securing mechanism.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion and manipulating the quick-release release mechanism comprises sliding the top portion on a track with respect to the bottom portion thereby providing an opening for removing the securing means from or attaching the securing means to the securing mechanism.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing a release mechanism for opening the fob to access the interior compartment therein;

manipulating the release mechanism to access the interior compartment;

disposing the insert within or removing the insert from the interior compartment; and

closing the fob.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein the enclosure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion comprises a first section and a second section and further wherein manipulating the release mechanism allows the first section and the second section to open thereby providing access to the interior compartment of the enclosure.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein manipulating the release mechanism comprises sliding the top portion with respect to the bottom portion to access the interior compartment of the enclosure.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein manipulating the release mechanism comprises rotating the top portion with respect to the bottom portion to access the interior compartment of the enclosure.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of conducting a wireless transaction by disposing the wireless transaction fob in proximity to a wireless transaction fob reader.