WIRELESS TRANSLATION DEVICE

• US 20090215394A1
• Filed: 02/26/2008
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: First Data Corporation (Fiserv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dewan, Sunil
• Granted Patent: US 8,107,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.200
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• 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 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3265 characterised by personalisation for use
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/352 Contactless payments by cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/353 Payments by cards read by M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A translator for translating wireless communications. The translator includes a first antenna configured to carry signals between the wireless translator and a contactless payment reader, and a second antenna configured to carry signals between the wireless translator and a Bluetooth-enabled device. Circuitry operably coupled to both antennas establishes wireless communication with the contactless payment reader via the first antenna and receives from the contactless payment reader a signal comprising a request for information. The circuitry establishes wireless communication with the Bluetooth-enabled device via the second antenna, and requests the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device. The circuitry receives the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device, and relays the information to the contactless payment reader.

Claims

1. A wireless translator for translating wireless communications, the translator comprising:

a first antenna configured to carry signals between the wireless translator and a contactless reader;

a second antenna configured to carry signals between the wireless translator and a Bluetooth-enabled device; and

circuitry operably coupled to both antennas, the circuitry configured to

establish wireless communication with the contactless reader via the first antenna;

receive from the contactless reader a signal comprising a request for information;

establish wireless communication with the Bluetooth-enabled device via the second antenna;

request the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device;

receive the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device; and

relay the information to the contactless reader.

2. The wireless translator of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is powered by energy derived from the signal from the contactless reader.

3. The wireless translator of claim 1, further comprising a battery, and wherein the circuitry is powered by the battery.

4. The wireless translator of claim 3, further comprising a switch having first and second positions such that the circuitry does not draw power from the battery when the switch is in the first position, and the circuitry draws power from the battery when the switch is in the second position.

5. The wireless translator of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to authenticate the translator to the Bluetooth-enabled device.

6. The wireless translator of claim 5, wherein authenticating the translator comprises validating a digital certificate stored on the translator with a digital certificate stored on the Bluetooth-enabled device.

7. The wireless translator of claim 5, wherein authenticating the translator comprises comparing an identification string supplied to the Bluetooth-enabled device with an identification string stored in the wireless translator.

8. The wireless translator of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to communicate with the contactless reader using an ISO 14443 protocol or an ISO 15693 protocol.

9. The wireless translator of claim 1, wherein the contactless reader is a contactless payment reader, and the relayed information is payment information used in a contactless payment transaction.

10. The wireless translator of claim 1, further comprising:

a generally flat carrier that holds the first and second antennas and the circuitry; and

an adhesive on one side of the generally flat carrier.

11. The wireless translator of claim 10, wherein the carrier, antennas, and circuitry are comprised in a sticker configured to adhere to the Bluetooth-enabled device.

12. The wireless translator of claim 1, wherein the Bluetooth-enabled device is a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, or a portable music player.

13. A method of translating a signal, comprising:

receiving a radio signal from a contactless reader, the signal comprising a request for information;

establishing contact with a Bluetooth-enabled device via a Bluetooth interface;

requesting from the Bluetooth-enabled device via the Bluetooth interface the information requested by the contactless reader;

receiving the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device via the Bluetooth interface; and

relaying the information to the contactless reader.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the information is payment information requested at a point of sale.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the information is identification information requested by an access control system.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising requiring and receiving authorization from a user of the Bluetooth-enabled device before divulging the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device.

17. A system for providing information to a contactless reader, comprising:

a Bluetooth-enabled device; and

a wireless translator, the wireless translator configured to receive a radio signal from a contactless reader wherein the radio signal comprises a request for information, to request the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device via a Bluetooth interface, to receive the information from the Bluetooth-enabled device, and to relay the information to the contactless reader.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless translator is affixed to the Bluetooth-enabled device.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless translator is inside of the Bluetooth-enabled device.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless translator comprises circuitry for performing radio communication, and a battery electrically connected to the circuitry and supplying power to the circuitry.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless translator comprises circuitry for performing radio communication, a battery, and a switch having two positions, and wherein when the switch is in the first position the circuitry does not draw power from the battery and when the switch is in the second position the circuitry draws power from the battery.

22. A system, comprising:

a contactless reader;

a Bluetooth-enabled device; and

a wireless translator, the wireless translator comprising a first antenna configured for communication with the contactless reader, a second antenna configured for communication with the Bluetooth-enabled device via a Bluetooth interface, and circuitry operably coupled to both antennas, the circuitry configured to translate an information request from the contactless payment reader to the Bluetooth-enabled device, to receive the requested information from the Bluetooth-enabled device via the Bluetooth interface, and to relay the information to the contactless reader.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the contactless reader is comprised in an access control system, and the requested information is identification information enabling access.

24. A method of making a contactless payment at a point of sale, the method comprising:

obtaining a Bluetooth-enabled device;

provisioning the Bluetooth-enabled device with purchasing credentials;

obtaining a wireless translator, the wireless translator comprising a first antenna configured for communication with a contactless payment reader, a second antenna configured for communication with the Bluetooth-enabled device via a Bluetooth interface, and circuitry operably coupled to both antennas, the circuitry configured to translate information requests from the contactless payment reader to the Bluetooth-enabled device;

bringing the wireless translator within Bluetooth communication range of the Bluetooth-enabled device; and

bringing the wireless translator within operating range of the contactless payment reader.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the Bluetooth-enabled device comprises a mobile wallet holding purchasing credentials for more than one account, the method further comprising selecting, using a user interface on the Bluetooth-enabled device, an account from which to make the payment.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising authorizing the payment.