Wallet or money clip with payment and / or positioning function chip

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wallet or a money clip (1) comprising an outer side (2) made of a flexible material and having a wall thickness and an inner space (3) for accommodating cards and / or cash, a chip (4) being integrated in the wall of the outer side (2) in such a way that it can be used as a contactless wireless payment and / or as a positioning chip.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a wallet or purse with a payment chip according to claim 1.

[0002] It is known in the prior art to use purses or wallets to carry cash, credit cards, or other identification documents required for daily use.

[0003] These types of wallets are also known as bi-fold or tri-fold wallets, meaning they can be opened in one or two folds. As for wallets, the development trend is increasingly towards designs that house cards internally, and for example, include a hard case made of plastic or aluminum that can hold multiple cards, which can then be ejected sequentially via a dispensing mechanism.

[0004] Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, electronic payment transactions have become increasingly popular across continents. The convenience of electronic payments lies in the fact that credit cards or payment cards can be contactlessly brought close to the corresponding card reader without needing to insert them. However, this also provides an opportunity for fraudsters to illegally read card information. To address this, a technology called RFID protection has emerged. Credit cards or payment cards are protected inside wallets or purses with shielding films or meshes to prevent unauthorized access.

[0005] In view of the above, the purpose of this invention is to provide a payment method that, compared with the prior art, offers consumers higher security and greater convenience; alternatively or supplementarily, it provides a positioning function for the corresponding wallet or purse.

[0006] The solution of the present invention to achieve the above objective is a wallet or purse having the features described in claim 1.

[0007] Advantageous designs of the present invention are described in the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] A wallet or purse has an outer side. This outer side is made of a flexible material, especially leather. This leather material can be animal leather, synthetic leather, or microfiber. The wallet or purse has an interior space for holding cards and / or cash, and this interior space can have various card slots. The purse may have a hard case inside to hold credit cards.

[0009] According to the present invention, a chip is integrated into the outer wall, enabling the chip to be used for contactless wireless payment, for example, as a payment chip. Alternatively or supplementarily, the chip can also be a positioning chip, also known as a tag or tracker. This allows the use of two chips: a positioning chip and a payment chip. However, both payment and positioning functions can be integrated into a single chip, which is correspondingly integrated into the outer wall. In this case, the chip is an electronic component, also known as a circuit board. In the context of this invention, the chip is a programmable chip. Hereinafter, the chip may also be referred to as a positioning chip or a payment chip. A single chip can also perform both positioning and payment functions simultaneously.

[0010] The chip is especially embedded in leather or artificial leather or other flexible materials on the outside, so that the chip is covered or covered by the leather relative to the surrounding environment.

[0011] The chip is preferably constructed based on NFC or RFID technology, especially a passive chip. The chip typically consists of a microchip and an antenna. The chip can also be referred to as a substrate or module. Furthermore, a battery may be present to power the chip and / or its antenna.

[0012] Users can top up a certain amount of currency into the payment chip individually, or they can map a credit card to the chip. Then, if a user wants to pay for goods on-site, such as at a restaurant, bakery, or store, they simply take out their wallet or purse and hold the payment chip near the payment terminal (usually a card reader). The payment chip is programmed to deduct a predetermined amount of currency from it, similar to the function of a debit or credit card.

[0013] The main advantage of this invention is that it eliminates the need to remove individual cards or cash from inside the wallet; instead, one simply needs to bring the wallet close to a card reader or payment terminal, and there's no need to even open the wallet. This is especially convenient for multiple individual payments, particularly small ones. For example, when buying bread rolls at a bakery daily, one can purchase several rolls for just a few euros without having to remove a credit card from the wallet.

[0014] Another security feature is that payment chips can be pre-set with recharge limits. Even if the payment chip is read illegally, at most only the limit will be deducted, not the entire balance of a debit card or the maximum limit of a credit card.

[0015] Another significant advantage is that if a wallet, purse, or coin holder has RFID protection to prevent unauthorized reading of its internal cards, the chip is positioned outside the RFID protection relative to its surroundings. Using this wallet or purse, payments can be made via the payment chip without opening the wallet, while the cards inside are protected against further access. RFID protection refers to a large-area RFID mesh or RFID film embedded in or beneath the outer casing. This RFID mesh or film surrounds the interior of the wallet or purse. In the case of a purse, RFID protection can also be a casing for holding credit cards, such as a casing made of lightweight metal. The chip is positioned outside the casing.

[0016] If the chip is a positioning chip, it is also placed outside or beyond RFID protection, and the positioning function is not limited or interfered with by RFID protection. The advantage of a positioning chip is that it is already inside the wallet, thus eliminating the need for a separate positioning mechanism, i.e., an additional tag or tracker, or an additional positioning card, i.e., a positioning chip in the form of a check card.

[0017] While chips can be topped up with currency, location chips can also be charged, for example, through inductive charging. Although current battery technology can provide location chips with lifespans of, for example, two to three years, inductive charging can further extend their lifespan.

[0018] The outer sheath has a wall thickness greater than 1 mm, particularly 1.5 mm to 5 mm, and especially 2 mm to 3 mm. The height of the payment chip itself is less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 1 mm, allowing for seamless and almost invisible integration without increasing the thickness of the outer sheath. For this purpose, the outer portion or outer sheath is a single-layer structure, and then incisions can be made at least partially along its plane. The resulting two parts of the outer sheath (also called flaps) are unfolded, the payment chip is inserted, and then the two parts of the outer sheath are glued and / or sutured together. In the case of double or multiple outer layers, the payment chip can be arranged between the layers. Particularly preferably, there is also a notch for placing the chip, so that there is no need to increase the wall thickness of the outer portion. The payment chip is then arranged almost invisiblely below the outer portion, at least not visible to the naked eye. Furthermore, when the wallet's internal space is full and bulges outward, the payment chip will not be unnecessarily stretched or damaged by the resulting tension. For this reason, the payment chip is also arranged, particularly in the corner area of ​​the wallet, and not in the center of the outer portion.

[0019] To maximize the success rate of the payment chip when placed close to the payment terminal, a sign, badge, or pattern can be placed on the outside of the wallet or purse. The payment chip is then positioned on the wall directly below this sign. This provides directional assistance, allowing the user to immediately bring their wallet or purse close to the corresponding position on the payment terminal. This significantly increases the probability of a successful payment on the first attempt, thereby improving user satisfaction.

[0020] In another preferred design, the chip is positioned relatively centrally. If the chip and / or the corresponding antenna have dimensions greater than 1 cm × 1 cm, they are centrally and snugly arranged in the pocket, allowing credit cards to be inserted, particularly on the inside. The credit card provides inherent stability to the pocket in this area, reliably preventing accidental bending and thus damage to the chip or the antenna around it.

[0021] The following describes further advantages, features, characteristics, and aspects of the subject matter of this invention. The accompanying drawings depict preferred embodiments. These drawings are provided for a clear understanding of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 A wallet or purse with a payment chip on the outside is shown; Figure 2 It shows something similar to Figure 1 However, implementation schemes with markings; Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 1 The cross section cut by the mid-section line AA; Figure 4 An alternative design scheme is shown; Figure 5 Another alternative design scheme is shown; Figure 6 Designs for wallets, purses, or coin purses are shown; and Figure 7 The layered structure is shown as cut along section line BB.

[0022] The same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are used for the same or similar parts, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated.

[0023] Figure 1 A wallet or purse 1 with an outer side 2 is shown, which is a typical wallet with an internal space 3. The wallet 1 consists of two foldable sections. Credit cards or cash (not shown) are stored in the internal space 3. A payment chip 4 (indicated by dashed lines) is integrated into the outer side 2. The payment chip 4 is integrated into the outer side 2 and is located below the surface 5 of the outer side. The payment chip 4 is located in the upper right corner of the paper, that is, in the corner area of ​​the wallet.

[0024] Reference Figure 2The payment chip 4 is positioned below the sign or badge (i.e., mark 6). Mark 6 is positioned within or on surface 5, allowing the user to easily locate the payment chip 4, thus providing user-friendliness.

[0025] Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 1 The cross-section is shown by section line AA. Chip 4 is arranged below the surface 5 of the outer part of the purse. In this figure, the outer part 2 has a multi-layer structure, including an outer layer 7. Furthermore, an RFID film or RFID grid 8 is embedded in a large area below the outer layer 7 relative to the surrounding environment U. In addition, a liner 9 or inner layer is embedded in the inner region. Chip 4 is arranged below the surface 5, especially in the intermediate space between the outer layer 7 and the liner 9. For this purpose, a notch 10 is particularly preferably provided, in which chip 4 is located. As shown, the outer layer 7 does not bulge outwards, so that chip 4 is not squeezed and is necessarily invisible from the outside.

[0026] Figure 4 An alternative design is shown. In this figure, the outer portion 2 is constructed as a single layer of outer layer 7. Outer layer 7 itself has a cutout 11 on its longitudinal plane, cut from one side, to allow the chip 4 to be positioned in the intermediate space or recess 10. After the chip 4 is positioned, the cutout 11 is then glued. Optionally, an RFID film 8 may also be arranged relative to the inner space 3. For example, a wax layer 12 or a similar outer layer 2 may be optionally applied outwards. Furthermore, a liner 9 may be arranged on the inner side.

[0027] Figure 5 Another alternative design is shown. An outer layer 7 is also arranged in this figure. The notch can be constructed, for example, as a specific milled groove, thereby enabling optimal positioning of the chip 4. A stabilizing layer 13, such as the hard shell of a credit card (not shown), can also be arranged below the inner side of the liner 9.

[0028] Figure 6 The design of a wallet, purse, or wallet 1 is shown, which is a typical bi-fold wallet design. Here, in the folded state of the wallet 1, the chip 4 is centrally located in the outer part 2. From the inner side 14, that is, on the back of the chip 4 (not shown in detail in this figure), a credit card 15 can be directly inserted. The credit card 15 is located on the back of the chip 4, giving the chip 4 inherent stability, thereby minimizing the risk of damage or breakage to the chip 4 due to bending or folding of the purse.

[0029] Figure 7The layered structure is shown along section line BB. The outer portion 2 has an outer layer 7 with surface 5. An RFID film or RFID grid 8 is embedded extensively beneath the outer layer 7 relative to the surrounding environment U. The chip 4 is disposed beneath surface 5, particularly in the recess 10 between the RFID film 8 and the outer layer 7, so that the chip 4 does not significantly increase or thicken the overall wall thickness, but only slightly increases it to an acceptable degree. An inner liner or lining 9 is disposed beneath the RFID film 8. The layers can optionally be bonded to each other. A card slot 16 for a credit card 15 is directly shown on the inner side 14. The credit card 15 is disposed on the inner side 14 or the back of the chip 4, giving the outer portion 2 containing the chip 4 inherent stability, thereby reliably preventing accidental damage to the chip 4.

[0030] List of reference numerals 1- Wallet or wallet 2-Outer side 3- The interior space of a wallet or purse 4- Payment chip or chip 5-Surface of the outer part 6-mark 7-Outer layer 8-RFID layer 9- Lining 10-Notch 11-Incision 12-Wax layer 13-Stable Layer 14-Inner side of the outer part 15-Credit Card 16-Card slot U-surrounding environment

Claims

1. A wallet or purse (1), comprising an outer portion (2) made of a flexible material and having a wall thickness, and an internal space (3) for accommodating cards and / or cash, characterized in that, A chip (4) is integrated into the wall of the outer part (2), enabling the chip to be used as a contactless wireless payment and / or as a positioning chip.

2. The wallet or purse (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer portion (2) is made of artificial leather or animal leather material, wherein the outer portion (2) covers or covers the chip (4) from the outside relative to the surrounding environment (U).

3. The wallet or purse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The wall thickness of the outer portion (2) is at least 1 mm, preferably 1.5 mm to 5 mm, and particularly preferably 2 mm to 3 mm.

4. The wallet or purse (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in, It has an RFID protective film (8) built in, wherein the chip (4) is arranged outside the RFID protective film (8) relative to the surrounding environment.

5. The wallet or purse (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The outer portion (2) has a mark (6), especially a brand mark or location mark, wherein the chip (4) is arranged below the mark (6).

6. The wallet or purse (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The chip (4) is arranged in the corner area, or the chip (4) is arranged in the center when the wallet (1) is closed.

7. The wallet or purse (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The outer part (2) has a double-layer structure, wherein the chip (4) is arranged in a groove, especially in a notch (10).

8. The wallet or purse (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The outer part (2) has a single-layer structure, wherein the outer part (2) is cut from the corner so that the chip (4) is placed in the wall.

9. The wallet or purse (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one credit card (15) is disposed on the inner side (14) of the area where the chip (4) is disposed.

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