Covers having RFID functionality for portable electronic devices

• US 7,635,086 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Cellco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carroll Alexis Spencer, II
• Inventors: Spencer, Carroll Alexis II
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Application Number:
  US11/256,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20060086786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 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 cover for electronic hand-held devices comprising:

a cover for fully encasing an electronic hand-held device portable by a user; and

a radio frequency identifier (RFID) device connected to the cover, wherein the user activates an account for business transactions by using the device in conjunction with the RFID-enabled cover, and wherein the device and RFID-enabled cover is operable for communication with RFID receivers/transmitters when the cover is located within a predetermined proximity of the receiver/transmitter and operable for completing a business transaction at the option of a user of the device, wherein the cover further includes functional, branded keys that are operable for additional electronic transactions by the user of the device.

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

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

4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is integrated with the cover.

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

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

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

8. The cover 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 cover for fully encasing an electronic hand-held device portable by a user; and

a radio frequency identifier (RFID) device connected to the cover, wherein the user activates an account for business transactions by using the device in conjunction with the RFID-enabled cover, and wherein the device and RFID-enabled cover is operable for communication with RFID receivers/transmitters when the cover is located within a predetermined proximity of the receivers/transmitters when the cover is located within a predetermined proximity of the receiver/transmitters when the cover is located within a predetermined proximity of the receiver/transmitter and operable for completing a business transaction at the option of a user of the device, wherein the cover further includes functional, branded keys that are operable for additional electronic transactions by the user of the device.

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

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

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

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 RFID device is operable to identity the user as having authorization to perform a predetermined function.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 9, 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.