Reader device and method for performing a read on a smart device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a reader device and a method for performing a read on a smart device, and a system for a device comprising a display. The system comprises an antenna, processing and reading circuitry, and a communication module, wherein the antenna, the processing and reading circuitry, the processor, and the communication module are coupled to each other and whereby the antenna encloses the display; wherein when a card is swiped on the display, the antenna receives a signal and transmits the signal to the processing and reading circuitry, the processing and reading circuitry processes the signal to produce data, and the produced data is transmitted by the communication module to a device external to the system.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. 2019800275486, filed on April 23, 2019, with the title of “Reader Device and Method for Performing a Read on a Smart Device”, and having a filing date of April 23, 2019.

[0002] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This application claims the benefit of and / or priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 386,226, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS READER DEVICE” (Attorney Docket No. BBPS60-34538), filed on April 16, 2019. U.S. Application No. 16 / 386,226 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 661,152, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS READER DEVICE” (Attorney Docket No. BBPS60-34091), filed on April 23, 2018. The entire contents of U.S. Application No. 16 / 386,226 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 661,152 are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present application relates to the field of near field communication (NFC) readers for smart devices and mobile devices. BACKGROUND

[0005] Many smart devices, such as smart phones, tablet computers, or other electronic devices, have integrated near field communication (NFC), and / or radio frequency identification (RFID), and / or Europay Mastercard Visa (EMV) capabilities. However, most NFC / RFID / EMV devices have the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna on the back or non-display side of the device. This is desirable for most consumer applications, which typically involve tapping an electronic wallet or “e-wallet” to a merchant’s card reader for mobile payments.

[0006] However, in some cases, it is preferable to position the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna on the front or display side. It is more preferable to position the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna such that a customer can tap a payment card to the screen of the smart device. This is useful in cases where a merchant is using a tablet computer to take e-wallet payments.

[0007] Moreover, in smart device design, the performance requirements of NFC / RFID / EMV functionality are not always a key design objective. Typically, most smart device users use NFC / RFID / EMV technology for card emulation and peer-to-peer communication with other devices, and do not read "passive" cards (i.e. cards that are powered by NFC electromagnetic waves and do not have a battery). Moreover, mobile phone manufacturers typically want devices (e.g. smartphones) to be compact and to look attractive to consumers.

[0008] This is in contradiction with the requirements of merchants to process payments. Typically, merchants need payment devices that are able to read all cards, including for example passive cards, active cards and emulated cards. Therefore, interoperability requirements for merchant devices to process payments through NFC / RFID / EMV are typically more stringent. To ensure interoperability of card accepting devices with financial cards, the EMV organization has defined a specification of an industry standard called EMV Contactless L1.

[0009] Moreover, many older smart devices do not have NFC capabilities. Therefore, there is a need to upgrade the capabilities of these older smart devices.

[0010] There exist dongle devices that connect with a smart device to provide a NFC / RFID / EMV card accepting interface on the front side. However, these dongles are designed so that the user taps the card on the dongle, and not on the smart device screen. This is not always ideal for merchants.

[0011] There are also writings detailing systems and methods to integrate a NFC antenna with a smart device screen to enable reading from the front. These writings include, for example:

[0012] - US patent application publication no. 2013 / 0229362 by Liu et al., filed on April 24, 2012;

[0013] - US patent application publication no. 2013 / 0196596 by Parekh et al., filed on January 27, 2012;

[0014] - US patent application publication no. 2011 / 0273382 by Yoo et al., filed on July 9, 2010;

[0015] - US patent application publication no. 2017 / 0179567 by Zou et al., filed on January 29, 2016;

[0016] - US patent application publication no. 2014 / 0080411 by Konanur et al., filed on December 20, 2012;

[0017] - U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0062853, filed September 29, 2014 by Li et al.; and

[0018] - U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0365620, filed August 26, 2016 by Que et al.

[0019] However, these systems and methods were created without taking into account the needs of merchants, who, as previously explained, are typically more stringent than consumers. Moreover, these solutions focus on integrating NFC antennas with smart device screens during manufacturing. Therefore, these solutions are not applicable to situations where the NFC capabilities of older smart devices need to be upgraded.

[0020] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that enables merchants to receive card payments from consumers by swiping cards on smart device screens; and for a solution that enables the upgrading of older smart devices to improve such capabilities. The solution must comply with payment industry standards, thereby meeting the needs of merchants. SUMMARY

[0021] One embodiment provides a reader device for attachment to a smart device, the smart device comprising a display. The reader device comprises an antenna, processing and reading circuitry, and a communication module, wherein the antenna, the processing and reading circuitry, the processor, and the communication module are coupled to one another, and whereby the antenna encloses the display; wherein, when a card is swiped on the display, the antenna receives a signal and transmits the signal to the processing and reading circuitry, the processing and reading circuitry processes the signal to produce data, and the produced data is transmitted by the communication module to a device external to the reader device.

[0022] Another embodiment provides a method for performing a read on a smart device, the smart device comprising a display. The method comprises providing a reader device, the reader device comprising an antenna, processing and reading circuitry, and a communication module, wherein the antenna, the processing and reading circuitry, and the communication module are coupled to one another, and whereby the antenna encloses the display; receiving a signal by the antenna when a card is swiped on the display; transmitting the signal by the antenna to the processing and reading circuitry; processing the signal by the processing and reading circuitry to produce data; and transmitting the produced data by the communication module to a device external to the reader device.

[0023] Another embodiment provides a method for performing a read of a device, the device comprising a display. The method comprises providing a reader, the reader comprising: an antenna, processing and reading circuitry, and a communication module, wherein the antenna, the processing and reading circuitry, and the communication module are coupled to one another and whereby the antenna encloses the display; enabling the antenna to receive a signal when a card is tapped on the display; enabling the antenna to transmit the signal to the processing and reading circuitry; enabling the processing and reading circuitry to process the signal to produce data; and enabling the communication module to transmit the produced data to a device external to the reader. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] Figure 1 Embodiments of a reader, reader device, near field communication (NFC) reader, or NFC reader device to receive a card payment via a card are shown;

[0026] Figure 2A Detailed embodiments of an NFC reader device are shown;

[0027] Figure 2B Exemplary embodiments of a process for reading a card are shown;

[0028] Figure 3 Another embodiment of an NFC reader device to receive a card payment via a card is shown; and

[0029] Figure 4 Another embodiment of an NFC reader device to receive a card payment via a card is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to represent like elements throughout the several views, various views and embodiments of systems and methods for a reader or NFC reader device are shown and described, and other possible embodiments are described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in some instances, portions of certain figures have been exaggerated for purposes of illustration and / or simplification. Many possible applications and variations of the embodiments described below will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the teachings of the following examples. In the following description, the terms "reader" and "reader device" can be used interchangeably.

[0031] Figure 1 One embodiment of a system and method that enables a merchant to receive a card payment from a consumer by tapping a card on a smart device screen, and which is standard compliant, is shown.

[0032] In Figure 1 NFC reader device 100 includes an NFC-enabled rim overlay 102. Rim overlay 102 is made of, for example, plastic or any other suitable material, and is attached to the rim of smart device 104 using various attachment techniques. Smart device 104 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet computer. In some embodiments, rim overlay 102 is attached to the rim of smart device 104 using adhesive attachment techniques such as touch fasteners or Velcro®, double-sided tape or glue. In other embodiments, rim overlay 102 is attached to the rim of smart device 104 by clicklocking to hold the rim overlay in place around smart device 104. In other embodiments, rim overlay 102 has a shape-fitting bezel for attaching to the bezel of smart device 104. Rim overlay 102 then encloses display 105.

[0033] In some embodiments, NFC reader device 100 is also communicatively coupled to smart device 104. In other embodiments, NFC reader device 100 is electrically coupled to smart device 104 to draw power from smart device 104.

[0034] Figure 2A A detailed embodiment of NFC reader device 100 is shown. NFC reader device 100 includes an antenna 201, such as an NFC / RFID / EMV antenna, integrated into rim overlay 102. In some embodiments, rim overlay 102 is made of plastic, and antenna 201 is in the form of wire wrap, or on a printed circuit board (PCB), or in the form of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) integrated into rim overlay 102. In some embodiments, to minimize unwanted interaction between antenna 201 and smart device 104, a ferrite material is inserted between smart device 104 and antenna 201. In this way, antenna forms a loop antenna that encloses display 105.

[0035] NFC reader device 100 includes processing and reading circuitry, such as NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuitry 203, to:

[0036] - receive signals from NFC / RFID / EMV antenna 201,

[0037] - process signals received from NFC / RFID / EMV antenna 201, and

[0038] - transmit signals to NFC / RFID / EMV antenna 201.

[0039] The NFC reader device 100 also includes a processor 205 to coordinate the overall operation of the NFC reader device 100.

[0040] The NFC reader device 100 also includes a communication module 207. This module is responsible for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to devices and systems external to the NFC reader device 100, such as the smart device 104. In one embodiment, the communication module 207 includes a dedicated processor to implement the operation of various communication protocols. The communication module 207 facilitates communication via, for example, at least one of wired and wireless connection technologies. In some embodiments, the communication module 207 is configured to use communication technologies for close-range communication known to those skilled in the art, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Lightning, Thunderbolt, Firewire, Bluetooth, and WiFi.

[0041] The NFC reader device 100 also includes a power supply unit 209. The power supply unit 209 is coupled to the other components of the NFC reader device 100 to supply power to these components. In some embodiments, the power supply unit 209 includes an alternating current (AC) adapter for connection to a main supply. In some embodiments, the power supply unit 209 includes one or more batteries. In some embodiments, the one or more batteries include rechargeable batteries. In embodiments where the power supply unit 209 is a rechargeable battery, the power supply unit 209 is charged using:

[0042] - wired charging technologies known to those skilled in the art; or

[0043] - wireless charging technologies known to those skilled in the art, such as the Qi protocol.

[0044] In further embodiments, the power unit 209 includes an AC adapter and one or more batteries. In some of these embodiments, if the power unit 209 is not connected to a mains power source, the NFC reader device 100 is powered by the one or more batteries. In some of these embodiments, if the power unit 209 is connected to a mains power source, the NFC reader device 100 is powered by the mains power source. In some of these embodiments, when the power unit 209 is connected to a mains power source, the NFC reader device 100 is powered by the one or more batteries and the one or more batteries are recharged. In other embodiments, some portion of the power is provided by the one or more batteries and the remaining portion of the power is provided by the mains power source. In some embodiments, the portion will depend on the battery charge level. In other embodiments, the NFC reader device 100 is powered by the smart device 104.

[0045] The interconnect 211 electrically couples the components in the NFC reader device 100 together. The interconnect 211 is created using techniques known to those of skill in the art.

[0046] In some embodiments, the NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuit 203, the processor 205, the communication module 207, the power unit 209, and the interconnect 211 are located within the edge cover layer 102.

[0047] Figure 2B An exemplary embodiment of a process for reading a card is shown. In step 2B-01, when the user taps the card on the display 105, in step 2B-02, a signal is generated and read or received using the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna 201. In step 2B-03, the read signal from the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna 201 is sent to the NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuit 203, where the signal is further processed and data is generated. In step 2B-04, the generated data is then transferred to other components of the NFC reader device 100, such as the processor 205 and the communication module 207, as needed. In step 2B-05, these processed data are further transferred through the communication module 207 to devices outside of the NFC reader device 100, such as the smart device 104 or other external devices or external servers.

[0048] Figure 3 Another embodiment of a system and method that complies with standards and enables a merchant to receive a card payment by tapping a card on a smart device screen is shown. In this embodiment, the NFC reader device 100 is connected to the smart device 104, such as a smart phone, and the NFC reader device 100 is powered by the smart device 104. In this embodiment, the NFC reader device 100 is connected to the smart device 104 using a wired connection, such as a USB connection. In other embodiments, the NFC reader device 100 is connected to the smart device 104 using a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection. In this embodiment, the NFC reader device 100 is powered by the smart device 104. In other embodiments, the NFC reader device 100 is powered by the smart device 104 and one or more batteries. Figure 3In some embodiments, the smart device 304 includes a display 305. The NFC reader device 300 includes a protective case 302 that includes a bezel 303. The protective case 302 is attached to the smart device 304 that includes the display 305. In some embodiments, the case 302 is attached to the edges of the smart device 304 with adhesive attachment techniques such as contact fasteners or double-sided tape or glue. In other embodiments, the case 302 is snap-locked to hold the smart device between them. In other embodiments, the bezel 303 is a form-fitting bezel and is pressed to fit or click onto the bezel of the smart device 304.

[0049] Similar to the NFC reader device 100, and as shown in FIG. 3, the NFC reader device 300 includes an NFC / RFID / EMV antenna, NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuitry, a processor, a power unit, and a communication module. The functions of these components have been described previously with respect to Figure 2A Figure 2A

[0050] In some embodiments, the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna is integrated into the bezel 303 of the case 302. This is achieved, for example, by utilizing a plastic housing for the bezel 303 and mounting the antenna in a wire wrap form, or mounting the antenna on a printed circuit board (PCB) or FPCB. The antenna is then a ring antenna that encircles the display 305. In some embodiments, to minimize unwanted interaction between the antenna and the smart device, a ferrite material is inserted between the smart device 304 and the antenna.

[0051] The components other than the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna are interconnected together and are located within the protective case 302. In some embodiments, the protective case 302 is communicatively coupled to the smart device 304. In some embodiments, the protective case 302 is electrically coupled to the smart device 304.

[0052] The resulting device is similar to Figure 2B ​​The process described in the middle for reading a card is similar process. Similar to what is shown in step 2B-01, when the consumer taps his or her card on the screen of the smart device 304, the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna integrated into the bezel 303 reads the signals generated similarly to step 2B-02, and similarly to step 2B-03, these signals are transmitted to the NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuitry where the signals are further processed. Similar to the case of the NFC reader device 100, and as in step 2B-04, the processed data is then transmitted to other components of the NFC reader device 300, such as the processor and the communication module, as needed. Similar to what is shown in step 2B-05, these processed data are further transmitted to devices outside the reader, such as the smart device 304.

[0053] Figure 4 Another embodiment of a system and method to achieve the above-mentioned objectives is shown. In Figure 4 the NFC reader device 400 comprises:

[0054] - a protective cover 402 comprising a bezel 403, and

[0055] - an NFC-enabled edge overlay 405.

[0056] In some embodiments, the NFC-enabled edge overlay 405 is attached to the edges of the smart device 406 to enclose the display 407. In some embodiments, the edge overlay 405 is attached to the edges of the smart device 406 with adhesive attachment techniques such as contact fasteners or double-sided tape or glue. In other embodiments, the edge overlay 405 is snap-locked to hold it in place around the smart device 406. In other embodiments, the edge overlay 405 has a shape-fitting bezel to press-fit or snap onto the bezel of the smart device 406.

[0057] In some embodiments, the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna is integrated into the NFC-enabled edge overlay 405. In some embodiments, the overlay 405 is a plastic shell, and the antenna is in the form of a wire wrap, or printed on a PCB or printed on an FPCB. In this way, the antenna forms a loop antenna that encloses the display 407. In some embodiments, to minimize unwanted interaction between the antenna and the smart device 406, a ferrite material is inserted between the smart device 306 and the antenna.

[0058] In addition to the antenna, the NFC reader device 400 comprises NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuitry, a processor, a power unit, and a communication module. These components are similar to Figure 2AThe components shown in the middle. The components other than the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna are distributed in various possible ways between the edge overlay 405 and the protective sleeve 402. In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 402 houses the components other than the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna necessary for the operation of the NFC reader device 400. Other distributions of the remaining components are possible.

[0059] The interconnect 408 electrically and communicatively couples the protective sleeve 402 to the combination of the NFC-enabled edge overlay 405. The interconnect 408 is, for example, a board-to-board connector, a board-to-FPCB connector, a cable, a flex contact, or any other technology known to those skilled in the art capable of achieving the communicative and electrical coupling necessary for the operation of the NFC reader device 400.

[0060] In some embodiments, the edge overlay 405 is also communicatively coupled to the smart device 406. In some embodiments, the edge overlay 405 is also electrically coupled to the smart device 406 to draw power from the smart device 406.

[0061] In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 402 is communicatively coupled to the smart device 406. In some embodiments, the protective sleeve 402 is electrically coupled to the smart device 406 to draw power from the smart device 406.

[0062] When a user swipes a card over the overlay 405, the NFC / RFID / EMV antenna receives or reads the signals that have been generated and communicates those signals to the NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuitry, where they are processed to produce data. If the NFC / RFID / EMV processing and reading circuitry is located, for example, in the protective sleeve 402, it is accomplished with the interconnect 408. The data that has been produced is then communicated to the other components of the NFC reader device 400, such as to the processor and communication module, as needed, similar to the case of the NFC reader devices 100 and 300. In some embodiments, the data that has been produced is further communicated to the smart device 406.

[0063] In addition to a smart device, those skilled in the art will recognize that the NFC reader devices 100, 300, and 400 can be generalized for use with devices or systems other than a smart device having a display screen or monitor. These devices or systems include, for example, a laptop computer, an interactive kiosk, and a desktop computer.

[0064] In some embodiments, as part of the antenna installation, software is installed on the device prior to deployment. The software includes, for example, an application or "app." In some embodiments, the app is from an application store or market (e.g., Apple® App Store, Google® Play, etc.) or from a website (e.g., the website of the manufacturer of the NFC reader device 400). Store or APPLE APP ) download. In some embodiments, the software or app indicates to the user where to tap the card, e.g., on the displays 105, 305, and 407 of the smart devices 104, 304, and 406, respectively.

[0065] Some of the above embodiments have been described with reference to NFC, RFID, and EMV. It will be known to those skilled in the art that the above methods are not limited to these technologies.

[0066] It is to be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and that such an illustrative sense is not intended to limit to the particular forms and examples disclosed herein. Rather, any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design selections, and embodiments thereon, which are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, are also included. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to be construed to cover all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design selections, and embodiments.

Claims

1. A system for a smart device, the smart device including a display, wherein the system comprises: antenna; processor; processing and reading circuits; as well as Communication module, wherein the antenna, the processing and reading circuit, the processor and the communication module are coupled to each other, wherein, when the system is attached to the smart device, the antenna surrounds the display of the smart device; and Wherein, when tapping a card on the display, The antenna receives the signal and transmits the signal to the processing and reading circuit, The processing and reading circuit processes the signal to generate data, and The generated data is transmitted to a smart device outside the system through the communication module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein: The system is coupled with the smart device external to the system via a wired connection or a wireless connection.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: an edge covering, and wherein: The antenna is integrated into the edge cover; and The edge cover is attached to an edge of the smart device.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: A protective case with a border; as well as Edge covering, Wherein, the protective cover covers the back of the smart device, and The edge cover layer is attached to the edge of the smart device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein: The antenna is integrated into the edge cover layer.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein: The protective sleeve and the edge cover are coupled to each other via an interconnect.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein: The smart device is one of a smart phone or a tablet computer.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: Protective case with border.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein: The antenna is integrated into the bezel.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein: The display is a computer monitor.

11. A method for performing reading on a smart device, the smart device including a display, the method comprising: A reader is provided, the reader comprising: antenna; processor; processing and reading circuitry; and Communication module, wherein, when the reader is attached to the smart device, the antenna surrounds the display of the smart device; configuring the antenna to receive a signal when a card is tapped on the display; configuring the antenna to transmit the signal to the processing and reading circuitry; configuring the processing and reading circuitry to process the signal to generate data; and The communication module is configured to transmit the generated data to a smart device outside the reader.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein: The reader is coupled to the smart device external to the reader via a wired connection or a wireless connection.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein: The reader includes an edge cover; The antenna is integrated into the edge cover; and The edge cover is attached to an edge of the smart device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein: The reader further comprises: a protective case with a frame; and edge covering; The protective case covers a back side of the smart device, and the edge cover is attached to an edge of the smart device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein: The antenna is integrated into the edge cover layer.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: The protective sleeve and the edge cover are coupled to each other via an interconnect.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein: The smart device is one of a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, an interactive self-service kiosk, or a desktop computer.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein: The reader includes a protective case having a frame.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein: The antenna is integrated into the bezel.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein: The display is a computer monitor.

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