Mobile Device Case with Integrated Card Reader via Modified Audio Jack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile device cases do not provide hardware enhancements or expanded communication functionality, limiting their ability to function as a mobile point of sale terminal for facilitating financial transactions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device case with an integrated card reader that communicatively couples with the device via a modified audio jack, allowing for the reading of payment cards and enabling financial transactions, featuring a reduced form factor achieved by limiting electrical connections in the TRRS connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cases are used without hardware enhancements, then the case structure remains simple, but the communication functionality and ability to function as a mobile point of sale terminal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective case structure with an integrated card reader hardware component, merging two separate functions (protection and payment processing) into a single integrated unit. This allows the case to provide both mechanical protection and expanded communication functionality for mobile point of sale operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The case is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides physical protection for the mobile device, houses an integrated card reader for reading payment cards, and enables the mobile device to function as a mobile point of sale terminal. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enhancing adaptability while managing complexity through integrated design.
2Ease of operation
If a full TRRS connector base is used for the audio jack, then all electrical connections are available, but the case size and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary electrical connections from the full TRRS connector base, removing unnecessary components while retaining the essential connectivity needed for the card reader function. This reduction in electrical connections allows for a more compact case design with reduced thickness while maintaining adequate electrical connectivity for the integrated hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the case includes integrated card reader hardware, then mobile point of sale functionality is enabled, but the case thickness and form factor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The card reader hardware is nested within the case structure, with the reader component integrated into the case body rather than adding external bulk. The modified audio jack connector is nested within the case thickness, allowing the hardware to be housed without proportionally increasing the overall case dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the audio jack connector base to have reduced dimensions, changing the physical parameters of the connector to accommodate the integrated card reader within a thinner case profile. This parameter change allows the case to maintain a low-profile design while still housing the necessary hardware for mobile point of sale functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the technology provide a case for a mobile device, wherein the case includes a body, and a base configured to be mechanically coupled to the body. In certain aspects, the base includes a reader configured for reading financial information from a payment card for facilitating a financial transaction between a buyer and a merchant, a card slot disposed within the base, the card slot configured to receive the payment card, and wherein the card reader comprises a tip-ring-ring-sleeve (TRRS) connector having a protruding portion and a modified base portion, and wherein the modified base portion provides not more than two electrical connections between the TRRS connector and the reader.