NFC base station and passive transmitter device

A payment device for a point-of-sale system that is configured to operate in a reader mode and in a transmitter mode. When in a first (reader) mode of operation as a seller device, the payment device is configured to receive first payment object information from a first payment object, such as a near field communication (NFC) enabled payment object. When in the second (transmitter) mode of operation as a buyer device, the payment device is configured to receive second payment information from a second payment object, such as an integrated circuit (IC) enabled payment object, and to transmit the second payment object information using a NFC protocol. The payment device includes a NFC antenna and a driving circuit configured to drive the NFC antenna to create a magnetic field when in the first mode of operation.

BACKGROUND

Consumers can interact with merchants to conduct various financial payment transactions. For example, a consumer can conduct a transaction with a merchant at a point-of-sale system using cash, a transaction card, or other transaction instrument. Conventional systems can include expensive and bulky financial transaction electronics, as may include a card reader for payment cards (e.g., debit or credit cards), a cash drawer, monitors, keyboards, and various other electronic devices. Some point-of-sale systems require multiple types of card readers and/or complex and bulky card-reading equipment in order to accept multiple types of payment cards. Some systems include a card reader that is inserted into a port, such as the audio jack, of a mobile device to read data off a payment card and provide the information to the mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

System, devices, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media are disclosed in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure overcome one or more of the above-referenced and other deficiencies in conventional approaches to point of sale systems. In particular, in accordance with various embodiments, approaches provide for a payment object reader that is used in performing a payment transaction at a point-of-sale system.

In a point-of-sale transaction, a seller is able to use a merchant application on a merchant device that is in wireless communication, for example via Bluetooth or BLE, to a payment reader that is NFC and EMV enabled to accept both NFC and EMV payments from customers. The seller is also then able to use the payment reader to make payments, and act as a buyer in another point-of-sale transaction, by modulating a signal using the NFC protocol that transmits data, using the NFC protocol, from a payment object. The payment object can be any one of an EMV card inserted into the payment reader, a previously-read EMV card or NFC object, or another type of payment account, for example payment account information entered into the mobile device through a UI or received from the Internet.

A payment object reader/transmitter device used in performing a point-of-sale transaction can operate in both a reader mode and a transmitter mode. When in a first (reader) mode of operation as seller device, the payment device is configured to receive first payment object information from a first payment object, such as a near field communication (NFC) enabled payment object. When in the second (transmitter) mode of operation as a buyer device, the payment device is configured to receive second payment information from a second payment object, such as an integrated circuit (IC) enabled payment object, and to transmit the second payment object information using a NFC protocol.

The payment device includes a NFC antenna and a driving circuit configured to drive the NFC antenna to create a magnetic field when in the first mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the magnetic field can be load modulated by a NFC enabled payment object. A microcontroller of the payment device is configured in the first mode to receive the first payment information received by the NFC antenna and transmit the first payment object information to a merchant device. The merchant device can have a merchant application running thereon used in conducting a point-of-sale transaction.

The payment device also includes an IC payment object reader and a load modulation subsystem connected to the NFC antenna. The microcontroller is configured to, in the second mode, turn off the driving circuit of the antenna and receive second payment information from the IC payment object reader. The microcontroller transmits the second payment object information via the NFC antenna using NFC protocol. The microcontroller instructs the load modulation subsystem to control the NFC antenna to modulate the second magnetic field to transmit the second payment object information.

Other advantages, variations, and functions are described and suggested below as can be provided in accordance with the various embodiments.

As used herein, a financial transaction is a transaction that is conducted between a customer and a merchant at a point-of-sale. When paying for a financial transaction, the customer can provide the merchant with cash, a check, or credit card for the amount that is due. The merchant can interact with a point-of-sale device, e.g., merchant device, to process the financial transaction. During financial transactions, the point-of-sale device can collect data describing the financial transaction, including, for example, the amount of payment received from customers.

FIG. 1illustrates an example architecture of a payment communication system100for enabling point-of-sale (POS) transactions between merchants122and buyers126. In the example ofFIG. 1, a buyer126can use any of a variety of payment objects, such as payment cards130,132or cash134when participating in a POS transaction124with a merchant122. A buyer126can typically have payment cards130,132such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and the like, that the buyer126can use for conducting a POS transaction124. In some embodiments, the payment cards130can include one or more magnetic stripes for providing payment object and buyer information when swiped in a payment object reader120communicatively coupled to a merchant device116. In some embodiments, other types of payment objects can be used, for example smart cards132having a built in integrated circuit including a memory chip (e.g., EMV payment objects), a radio frequency identification tag (e.g., near field communication enabled objects), and the like. In some embodiments, the user126can use the user device128to conduct NFC payment transactions through communication between the user device128and the payment object reader/transmitter device120.

The payment communication system100in the example ofFIG. 1illustrates a merchant device116associated with the merchant122that participates in the payment service provided by the payment processing system102. The merchant device116can be a computing device (e.g., a mobile computing device) able to communicate with the payment processing system102, and with various other computing devices, through suitable communication protocols, interfaces, and networks, including network114. Further, the merchant device106can be any appropriate device operable to send and receive requests, messages, or other types of information over the network114. Additionally, while only a single merchant device116is illustrated in the example ofFIG. 1, in some embodiments there can be additional merchant devices depending on the number of merchants participating in the payment service, or a plurality of components arranged as a POS system.

Each merchant device116can include an instance of a merchant application118executed on the merchant device. The merchant application118can provide POS functionality to enable the merchant122to accept payments at a POS location using the merchant device116. In some types of businesses, the POS location can correspond to a store or other place of business of the merchant, and thus, can be a fixed location that typically does not change on a day-to-day basis. In other types of businesses, however, the POS location can change from time to time, such as in the case that the merchant122operates a food truck, is a street vendor, a cab driver, or has an otherwise mobile business, e.g., in the case of merchants who sell items at buyers' homes, buyers' places of business, etc.

The merchant device116is communicatively coupled to a payment object reader120, either by direct connection, for example through an audio jack of the mobile phone connected to an audio plug of the payment object reader, or through wireless connection, such as WiFi, BlueTooth, BLE (Bluetooth low energy), NFC, or other appropriate short-range communication. Short-range communication as used herein refers to communication protocols having a generally short range of communication (less than 100 meters in some embodiments), such as NFC communication, RFID (radio frequency identification) tags, or Wi-Fi, etc. The payment object reader can read data from a magnetic stripe card or an EMV chip-type card and communicate the data to the merchant device116. The payment object reader can also read data from a NFC device and communicate the data to the merchant device116.

Accordingly, the merchant122and the buyer126can conduct a POS transaction124by which the buyer126acquires an item or service from the merchant122at a POS location. The merchant application118on the merchant device116can send transaction information to the payment processing system102, e.g., as the transaction is being conducted at the POS location. In some embodiments, such as if a particular merchant device116is not connected to the network114and is therefore processing transactions offline, the transaction information can be sent in a batch at a subsequent point in time or using other suitable techniques. In some embodiments, the transaction information can be sent via SMS, MMS, or a voice call.

In some embodiments, the payment processing system is configured to send and receive data to and from the user device and the merchant device. For example, the payment system can be configured to send data describing merchants to the user device using, for example, the information stored in the merchant account information database106. The data describing merchants can include, for example, a merchant name, geographic location, contact information, and an electronic catalogue, e.g., a menu that describes items that are available for purchase from the merchant.

In some embodiments, the payment system can also be configured to communicate with a computer system of a card payment network112, e.g., MasterCard®, VISA®, etc., over the network, or over a different network, for example, to conduct electronic financial transactions. The computer system of the card payment network can communicate with a computer system of a financial institution system110, e.g., a bank. There can be computer systems of other entities, e.g., the card acquirer, between the payment system and the computer system of the card issuer.

The payment system can then communicate with the computer system of a card payment network112to complete an electronic financial transaction for the total amount to be billed to the customer's financial account. Once the electronic financial transaction is complete, the payment system can communicate data describing the card-less payment transaction to the user device, e.g., an electronic receipt, which can, for example, notify the customer of the total amount billed to the user for the card-less payment transaction with the particular merchant.

The transaction information can include information regarding the time, place, and the amount of each respective transaction, information related to the item acquired, payment card information, as well as additional information, such as buyer information. For instance, the transaction information can include data stored in the payment card, e.g., magnetic stripe or integrated circuit data (cardholder name, card number, and other card information). In addition, when completing the transaction a buyer can sometimes provide a receipt email address for receiving a receipt through email. Other examples of transaction information that can be captured include detailed item information, e.g., an itemized listing of the items or services being acquired, the price being paid for each item or service, descriptors of the items or services (e.g., size, flavor, color, etc.), geolocation data indicating a geographic POS location of a particular transaction, online/offline card data, data describing the merchant, e.g., a merchant identifier, a merchant category code (MCC), data describing a buyer, any type of data that is received upon a buyer's authentication into a social network, if any, and various other types of information.

To accept electronic payments using the POS system100, the merchant122typically creates a merchant account with the payment processing system102by providing information describing the merchant including, for example, merchant name, contact information (e.g., telephone numbers, the merchant's address, and one or more financial accounts to which funds collected from buyers will be deposited). This merchant information can be securely stored by the payment processing system, for example, as merchant account information106in a secure database. Further, the merchant information can include a merchant profile created for each merchant. The merchant profile can include information about the merchant122and transaction information associated with transactions conducted by the merchant.

The payment processing system102provides a payment service in which merchants122are able to conduct POS transactions124with a plurality of buyers126, such as for selling services and/or products to the buyers126. The payment processing system102can include one or more servers that are configured to process secure electronic financial transactions, e.g., payment during a POS transaction124, by communicating with the merchant device116, card payment networks112, and bank or other financial institution payment systems110. The payment processing system102includes a payment processing module108that receives transaction information for processing payments made through the merchant application118. For example, the payment processing module108can receive transaction information, such as an amount of the transaction, and can verify that a particular payment card130,132can be used to pay for the transaction, such as by contacting a card clearinghouse of a card payment network112. Furthermore, in some examples, the payment processing module108can redirect payment information for transactions to be made using payment cards130,132to a bank, or other financial institution, payment system110. In other embodiments, the merchant device116can communicate directly with an appropriate card payment network112or bank payment system110for approving or denying a transaction using a particular payment card130,132for a POS transaction124.

As introduced above, the payment processing system102can be configured to communicate with one or more systems of a card payment network112(e.g., MasterCard®, VISA®, etc) over the network114to conduct financial transactions electronically. The payment processing system102can also communicate with one or more bank payment systems110of one or more banks over the network114. For example, the payment processing system102can communicate with an acquiring bank, a payment card issuing bank, and/or a bank maintaining buyer accounts for electronic payments.

A payment card acquiring bank can be a registered member of a card association (e.g., Visa®, MasterCard®, etc), and can be part of a card payment network112. A payment card issuing bank can issue payment cards130,132to buyers126, and can pay acquiring banks for purchases made by cardholders to which the issuing bank has issued a payment card130,132. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the systems of an acquiring bank can be included in the card payment network112and can communicate with systems of a payment card issuing bank to obtain payment. Further, in some embodiments, bank payment systems110can include systems associated with debit card issuing institutions, in which case, the systems of the debit card issuing institution can receive communications regarding a transaction in which the buyer uses a debit card instead of a credit card. Additionally, there can be systems of other financial institutions involved in some types of transactions or in alternative system architectures and thus, the foregoing are merely several examples.

The network114can be a conventional type, wired or wireless, and can have numerous different configurations including a star configuration, token ring configuration, or other configurations. Furthermore, the network114can include an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) (e.g., the Internet), and/or other interconnected data paths across which multiple devices can communicate. In some embodiments, the network114can be a peer-to-peer network. The network114can also be coupled with or include portions of a telecommunications network for sending data using a variety of different communication protocols. In some embodiments, the network114can include Bluetooth (or Bluetooth low energy) communication networks or a cellular communications network for sending and receiving data including via short messaging service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), direct data connection, WAP, email, etc. Although the example ofFIG. 1illustrates one network114coupled to the merchant device, payment processing system, card payment network, and bank, more than one network114can connect these entities. The payment system, the merchant device, and the user device can communicate over the network using wired or wireless connections, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the payment system is configured to accept card-less payment transactions from customers, i.e., the customer126. As used herein, a card-less payment transaction is a transaction conducted between the customer and a merchant at the point-of-sale during which a financial account of the customer is charged without the customer having to physically present a financial payment card to the merchant at the point-of-sale. In some forms of card-less payment transaction, the merchant receives at the point-of-sale details of the financial account via the mobile device128presenting payment information to the merchant122by communicating with the payment object reader120, e.g. NFC transactions. In other forms of card-less payment transactions, the merchant need not receive any details about the financial account at the point-of-sale, e.g., the credit card issuer or credit card number, for the transaction to be processed. Instead, such details can be stored at the payment processing system102and provided to the merchant122. Such card-less payment transactions can be referred to generally as card-on-file transactions. Generally, when a customer and a merchant enter into an electronic financial transaction, the transaction is processed by transferring funds from a financial account associated with the user account to a financial account associated with the merchant account.

Before conducting card-less payment transactions of the type that does not require that the merchant POS receive financial account details from customer126, e.g., card-on-file transactions, the customer typically creates a user account with the payment system. The customer can create the user account, for example, by interacting with a user application that is configured to perform card-less payment transactions and that is running on the user device. When creating a user account with the payment system, the customer will provide information of the customer, data describing a financial account of the customer, e.g., credit card number, expiration date, and a billing address. This user information can be securely stored by the payment system, for example, in a user information database. To accept card-less payment transactions, the merchant typically creates a merchant account with the payment system by providing information describing the merchant including, for example, a merchant name, contact information, e.g., telephone numbers, the merchant's geographic location address, and one or more financial accounts to which funds collected from users will be deposited. This merchant information can be securely stored by the payment system, for example, in a merchant information database.

As used herein, the term “payment card,” “payment object,” or “payment instrument” refers to a payment mechanism which includes a debit card, a conventional credit card, “smartcards” that have embedded circuits, such integrated circuit (IC) cards (e.g., Europay-MasterCard-Visa (EMV) cards), and NFC enabled payment cards, or any wallet-size card which functions as a combination of any of these payment mechanisms. In some embodiments, a payment card, payment object, or payment instrument can also include a virtual payment card stored on a device such as a smart phone or other device and transmittable, for example, via near field communication (NFC) or other suitable means.

FIG. 2illustrates a payment object reader/transmitter device200in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. Payment device200includes microcontroller202configured to manage functions between various components within the device. Coupled to microcontroller202is chip card reader interface204, which in turn is connected to card detect switch206and card contacts208. Card contacts208are configured to provide electrical connectivity between the contact pads of an integrated circuit enabled payment object and chip card interface204. Furthermore, card detect switch206is configured to indicate when an integrated circuit payment object is inserted into payment device200. Card detect switch206may be any suitable switch, electrical, mechanical, or otherwise, and in some embodiments may be integrated with card contacts208. In situations where card detect switch206indicates that an integrated circuit payment object has been inserted into payment device200, chip card reader interface204may be configured to read data from the integrated circuit payment object via card contacts208. The microcontroller202of the payment device is configured to receive the data read from the IC card via the card contacts208and then transmit the data read from the chip-type card using the NFC antenna218under the control of the NFC microcontroller210.

Payment device200may also include a near field communication (NFC) microcontroller210. NFC microcontroller210is configured to manage the transmission and reception of near field communications through control of driving circuit212, NFC modulator214, NFC RX module216, NFC antenna monitoring circuit217, and NFC antenna218. In some embodiments, driving circuit212may include an H-bridge, an amplifier, a filter and/or a matching circuit. A switch213can be coupled on a first pole of the switch to the antenna218and on the second pole to the driving circuit, such that when the device is in the first receiver mode, the switch213is closed and the antenna is driven by the driving circuit. When the switch213is open, the antenna218is not driven by the driving circuit212and operates in a transmission mode. In some embodiments, switch213can be replaced with a switch within the driving circuit212, such as a JFET or MOSFET switch under the control of the microcontroller202or NFC microcontroller210. Furthermore, in some embodiments the NFC RX module216may include an op-amp, a filtering and conditioning circuit and/or a rectifier, such as a full wave bridge rectifier. Additionally, NFC modulator214may be, for example, a type-B modulator. In instances where it is desired to read a NFC enabled payment object, or a NFC enabled payment object is determined to be in proximity to payment device200, NFC microcontroller210may be configured to drive NFC antenna218via driving circuit212to induce a magnetic field capable of being modulated by the NFC enabled payment object. From here, the modulated magnetic field signal may be converted into a digital signal that NFC microcontroller210can interpret via NFC RX module216. On the other hand, when it is desired to transmit data via NFC antenna218, NFC microcontroller210may be configured to disable driving circuit212and transmit data using the NFC protocol by instructing NFC modulator214to modulate the magnetic field to which NFC antenna218is operatively coupled. In some embodiments, there can be a switch within the NFC modulator214to turn on or off the load applied to the antenna. The switch can be under the control of the microcontroller202. In some embodiments the NFC antenna218can drift from a desired frequency (become detuned). This can be the result of a metal object being in the proximity of device200. The NFC antenna monitor can monitor the frequency of the antenna, and determine when the frequency of the antenna has drifted away from the desired frequency. When it is determined that the NFC antenna is out of tune, NFC antenna monitor circuit217can work in concert with the NFC microcontroller to vary one or parameters such as capacitance, voltage, or impedance of the NFC antenna218to tune the NFC antenna218.

The microcontroller202receives payment data read by the chip card reader interface204via the card contacts208, or alternatively from a magnetic stripe reader reading payment data from a magnetic stripe card. The payment data received at the microcontroller is stored, either temporarily or permanently, in memory of the payment device200. The payment data stored in memory can then be transmitted via the NFC antenna218. In some embodiments, the microcontroller202can receive and permanently store payment information so that the payment device200acts as a payment object that does not require a payment card or other payment object to be present. The payment device200is capable of communicating using Bluetooth, and is thus able to pair with a mobile device to obtain payment object information from a phone that has Bluetooth capabilities but does not have NFC payment capabilities.

To supply power to the components within payment device200, power system226is provided. In some embodiments, power system226may include a battery. Coupled to power system226is USB micro interface228configured to receive a USB micro jack, although other types of connectors may be utilized. In certain embodiments, connection of a jack to USB micro interface228can activate a switch within power system226to override power supplied by the battery. This allows for battery power to be conserved for situations where external power cannot be provided. Furthermore, power system226may also include a battery charger to allow the battery to be charged when external power is supplied via USB micro interface228. Payment device200also includes wake-up electronics230configured to wake-up the device from a low-power state to an active state in response to detection of a payment object. In some embodiments, wake-up electronics230can also power down payment device230to a low-power state after a predetermined amount of time or after completion of a communication.

The payment device200illustrated inFIG. 2further contains a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) interface222and a BLE antenna224to enable Bluetooth communications. In addition, payment device200includes anti-tamper module220configured to prevent unauthorized tampering with the device and possible theft or interception of payment information. In certain embodiments, anti-tamper module may include a wire mesh enclosed within payment device200.

Payment device200also includes user interfaces232to enhance the user experience. User interfaces232can include, but are not limited to, LED indicators, buttons and speakers. In some embodiments, speakers and LED indicators can be used to present audio and visual identifiers of transaction and device status. In addition, buttons may be configured to power payment device200on or off, operate the device or reset the device.

In some embodiments, the NFC antenna214can be connected to a tuning circuit. The tuning circuit is shown inFIG. 3, which illustrates a NFC antenna, tuning circuit, and driving circuit. As seen inFIG. 3, circuit300includes inductors304and capacitors308, variable capacitor310and bulk capacitor312to maintain the default resonant frequency of antenna316.

Tuning circuit301includes variable capacitor310. Capacitors306filter the signal and resistors314are bias resistors. Nodes302can operatively coupled to NFC microcontroller210or a system microcontroller202to control the resonant frequency of antenna316. In some embodiments, tuning circuit301can tune antenna316by changing the capacitance of variable capacitor310and compensate for the detuned antenna316. In some embodiments, the variable capacitor310can be a separate circuit configured to add or remove capacitance to the overall tuning circuit. For instance, an example circuit configured to add or remove capacitance to the overall tuning circuit can be a system of FET switches and a bank of discrete capacitors. Therefore, when the monitor circuit217determines that the NFC antenna is detuned, it can trigger controller210to cause the system of FET switches to switch in (or out) a bank of capacitors to add (or remove) capacitance to the NFC antenna system.

For example, monitor circuit217can be configured be an inductance measuring circuit to detect a change in the inductance of antenna218. Monitor circuit217can also be configured to monitor the frequency of antenna218. In some embodiments, monitor circuit217can be configured to be a rectifier operatively coupled to antenna218and a voltage comparator. A rectifier is a component that converts AC voltage to DC voltage, whereas a voltage comparator compares two voltages. The voltage comparator can be configured to determine when the rectified frequency from antenna218is below the DC equivalent of the AC default resonant frequency. In some embodiments, monitor circuit217can be configured to be an analog to digital converter (ADC) connected to antenna218and a microprocessor configured monitor the frequency of antenna218.

Returning toFIG. 2, example sensors useful in informing device200about its current environment, use, or state are also illustrated. Accelerometer236can be used to detect motion of the device236. In some embodiments, detected motion (acceleration), or lack of detected motion can be interpreted by microcontroller202to conclude that device200is stationary; was stationary and is now in motion, which may indicate it is being moved toward a customer; was in motion and now is stationary, which may indicate that the device is now in a new environment, and the tuning of the antenna should be checked; or quick changes in motion might indicate the device is in a merchant's pocket, and the device can go into standby mode.

Similarly, proximity detector234, can be used to determine that a payment object is coming within range of the antenna, which can be used to activate the chip card reader interface204or power up or increase power output to the NFC antenna. In some embodiments, the proximity detector234can be useful in determining that a payment object is too close to the NFC antenna218and is causing the NFC antenna to be detuned.

FIG. 4illustrates an example flow chart of the overall procedure for the payment device operating as both a seller device in a first receiving mode of operation and as a buyer device in a second transmitting mode of operation. In the first mode of operation410, the payment device is configured as a seller device to receive and process payments. At412, the payment device reads data from a first payment object. This can be a magnetic stripe-type card, an IC-enabled card, an IC-enabled device, a NFC-enabled card or another NFC-enabled payment object, such as a NFC-enabled cell phone. At414, the first payment object data is transmitted to a merchant device communicatively coupled to the payment device. The first payment object data can be transmitted via NFC communication, WiFi, Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth low energy), or other short range communication.

In the second mode of operation420, the payment device is configured as a buyer device to transmit payment information. At422, data is read from a second payment object. Then at424, the second payment object data is transmitted to a payment object reader by a load modulated via the NFC antenna. In some embodiments, the second payment object can be the same as the first payment object, or can be data from the first object that is stored by the payment object reader, or a new payment object different from the first payment object, or another form of payment information received from the mobile device.

As a non-limiting example implementation of the operations ofFIG. 4, at412the data can be read from an IC-enabled payment card inserted in the payment device. At414, this data can be transmitted to the merchant device or alternatively this data can be transmitted by the payment device, using the NFC antenna, to a NFC-enabled payment object reader. As another non-limiting example, at412, the data can be read from an IC-enabled payment card inserted in the payment device and stored by the payment device so that the data can be transmitted by the NFC antenna at424without being sent to the merchant device and without reading data from a second payment object. In still another non-limiting example, at412, payment data stored on the merchant device can be received by the payment device and then transmitted to a NFC-enabled payment object reader using the NFC antenna of the payment device.

Reference is now made toFIG. 5showing a more detailed example flow chart of a procedure for the payment device operating in each of the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation, the payment device is able to process NFC and IC type payments. In the second mode of operation, the payment device is able to read IC data from an IC-enabled payment object and transmit the payment data using a NFC protocol.

In the first mode of operation505, the payment device is configured to receive payment information from a payment object device. At510, a magnetic field is created by turning on the driving circuit to the NFC antenna. At512, first payment information is received at the payment device from a NFC-enabled payment object, such as a mobile device having NFC capabilities, such as an iPhone having Apple Pay capabilities. At512, the first payment information is transmitted to a merchant device communicatively coupled to the payment device. The payment information can also or alternatively be stored by the payment device to be transmitted to a NFC-enabled payment object reader.

In the second mode of operation515, the payment device is configured to receive IC-enabled payment object information and transmit the payment object information from the payment device using a NFC protocol. At516, the driving circuit is turned off. At518, second payment information is received from an IC enabled payment object after interrogation of the IC enabled payment object by the NFC microcontroller. The payment standards for a NFC payment object and an EMV payment object are both established by EMV and are compatible. The NFC microcontroller is thus capable of communicating directly with the chip card interface to read payment information from an IC card in contact with card contacts (for example card contacts208inFIG. 2) and then transmit the payment information via the NFC antenna to a NFC enabled payment object reader. In some embodiments the NFC microcontroller can read IC payment data from memory and transmit the payment information via the NFC antenna. In some embodiments, the NFC microcontroller can read data transmitted from the mobile device and transmit the data using the NFC protocol via the NFC antenna of the payment device. At520, the payment device transmits the second payment information using NFC protocol by modulating a second magnetic field. The payment device modulates a second magnetic field by a microcontroller of the payment device instructing a load modulation subsystem to control the NFC antenna to modulate a second magnetic field.

Reference is now made toFIGS. 6 and 7.FIG. 6is an example perspective view600of a wireless payment device602with a smart chip card604being inserted at a slot608of a chip payment object reader interface623.FIG. 7is an example perspective view712of a wireless payment object reader602with a magnetic stripe card710being swiped at a groove606of a magnetic stripe reader interface629that is opposite to the chip payment object reader interface623. In some embodiments, the wireless payment device600may omit groove606and associated magnetic stripe reader interface629, and provide a single slot608for receiving IC payment objects.

The wireless payment device602can have a frame that is configured to receive card insertions or card swipes. The frame can include a top surface620, side surfaces618, and a bottom surface622. In the implementations shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the wireless payment device602has a frame that is shaped as a thin parallelepiped, e.g., the width of the frame (along the top surface620) is at least five or ten times the height (along the side surfaces618). The top surface and bottom surface can be generally shaped as a square or rectangle, e.g., a square or rectangle with rounded edges.

The side surfaces618can include one or more openings that receive cards through, respectively, one or more card interfaces. The one or more card interfaces include circuitry, e.g., chip payment object reader circuitry628or magnetic stripe reader circuitry630, configured to read data stored on the card. In some implementations, the wireless payment object reader has two openings on opposite sides of the frame, and a card interface within each opening. In some implementations, the wireless payment device has a single opening with one of the IC interface, or an MSR interface, or both in a same opening.

The wireless payment object reader602can include circuitry configured to direct signals from the one or more card interfaces, to communicate wirelessly with a computing device, and to efficiently power the wireless payment object reader602. The one or more card interfaces of the wireless payment object reader602can include both a chip payment object reader interface623and a magnetic stripe reader interface629. In some implementations, the interfaces are on opposite sides of the wireless payment object reader602as shown inFIGS. 6-7. In particular, the payment object reader602can include both a groove606on one side surface of the frame and a slot608on an opposite side surface of the frame. The groove606can extend across the entire width of the frame, and can be configured to receive a swipe of a magnetic stripe card. The magnetic stripe reader interface629, including magnetic read heads632positioned to read the magnetic information on the stripe of the card as it is being swiped, are positioned in the groove606. The slot608can extend across part, but not all of the width of the frame, leaving one or more thin side walls624to constrain the lateral position of a chip card as it is inserted into the slot608. The chip payment object reader interface623, including electrical contacts626positioned to electrically engage the contacts on the chip card when it is inserted, are positioned in the slot608.

In alternative implementations, the interfaces are on the same side of the wireless payment object reader602and share an opening for receiving smart chip cards and magnetic stripe cards. In some implementations, a spring-loaded gate is included within the slot808of a chip payment object reader interface623. The spring-loaded gate can be configured to engage the electrical contacts626with the contacts of a chip card when a chip card is inserted. On the other hand, the spring-loaded gate keeps the electrical contacts626recessed so a card being swiped does not engage with the electrical contacts626.

In some implementations, the chip payment object reader interface623is configured to receive an external adapter through the electrical contacts626. The external adapter can provide power to recharge the wireless payment object reader602, e.g., by engaging the electrical contacts626. The external adapter can connect the chip payment object reader interface623to a USB port or power supply. The external adapter can also provide software updates to the wireless payment object reader602.

FIG. 8is a block diagram illustrating select components of an example merchant POS system according to some embodiments. A merchant device810can be the merchant device116shown inFIG. 1, for example. The merchant device810can be any suitable type of computing device, e.g., portable, semi-portable, semi-stationary, or stationary device.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 8, the merchant device810includes at least one processor802, a memory804, one or more communication interfaces806, and one or more input/output (I/O) devices808. Each processor802can itself comprise one or more processors or processing cores. For example, the processor802can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. In some embodiments, the processor802can be one or more hardware processors and/or logic circuits of any suitable type specifically programmed or configured to execute the algorithms and processes described herein by performing various input/output, logical, and/or mathematical operations. The processor802can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable processor-executable instructions stored in the memory804.

Other components included in the merchant device810can include various types of sensors (not shown), which can include a GPS device, an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, proximity sensor, and the like. Additionally, the merchant device810can include various other components that are not shown, examples of which include removable storage, a power source, such as a battery and power control unit, and so forth.

Depending on the configuration of the merchant device810, the memory804can be an example of non-transitory computer storage media (e.g., computer-readable media) and can include volatile and nonvolatile memory and/or removable and non-removable media implemented in any type of technology for storage of information such as computer-readable processor-executable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, solid-state storage, magnetic disk storage, optical storage, and/or other computer-readable media technology. Further, in some cases, the merchant device810can access external storage, such as RAID storage systems, storage arrays, network attached storage, storage area networks, cloud storage, or any other medium that can be used to store information and that can be accessed by the processor802directly or through another computing device or network. Accordingly, the memory804can be computer storage media able to store instructions, modules or components that can be executed by the processor802.

The memory804can be used to store and maintain any number of functional components or modules that are executable by the processor802. In some embodiments, these functional components comprise instructions or programs that are executable by the processor802and that, when executed, implement operational logic for performing the actions and services attributed above to the merchant device810. Functional components of the merchant device810stored in the memory804can include a transaction module811, a dashboard module812, and a security module826, although it can also contain modules or portions of modules assigned herein to the payment processing system102. The transaction module811, dashboard module812and security module826can all be a part of a merchant application, for example merchant application118, running on merchant device116. The transaction module811, for example, presents an interface, such as a payment interface to enable the merchant to conduct transactions, receive payments, and so forth, as well as for communicating with the payment processing system102for processing payments and sending transaction information. The dashboard module812enables the merchant to manage the merchant's account, the merchant profile, merchant preferences, view saved or new pricing information, communicate with the payment processing system102regarding cash advances, offers of incentives, invitations, and the like. The security module826can, as described herein, enable the merchant application to encrypt and decrypt transaction information communicated between the merchant device810and other system components. Additional functional components can include an operating system814for controlling and managing various functions of the merchant device810and for enabling basic user interactions with the merchant device810.

In addition, the memory804can also store data, data structures and the like, that are used by the functional components. For example, data stored by the memory804can include item information816that includes information about the items offered by the merchant, which can include a list of items currently available from the merchant, images of the items, descriptions of the items, prices of the items, and so forth. For instance, when the merchant122is setting up the merchant application118to accept payments for particular items offered by the merchant122, the merchant can enter the item information816for the particular items. Depending on the type of the merchant device810, the memory804can also optionally include other functional components and data, such as other modules and data816, which can include programs, drivers, etc., and the data used or generated by the functional components. Further, the merchant device810can include many other logical, programmatic and physical components, of which those described are merely examples that are related to the discussion herein.

The communication interface(s)806can include one or more interfaces and hardware components for enabling communication with various other devices, such as over the network(s)114or directly. For example, communication interface(s)806can enable communication through one or more of the internet, cable networks, wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi) and wired networks, as well as close-range communications such as Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® low energy, and the like, as additionally enumerated elsewhere herein.

In another embodiment, the communication interface(s)806can include a cellular communications transceiver for sending and receiving data over a cellular communications network such as via voice call, short messaging service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), direct data connection, WAP, e-mail or another suitable type of electronic communication. The communication interface(s)806also provides other conventional connections to the network114for distribution of files and/or media objects using standard network protocols such as TCP/IP, HTTP, HTTPS and SMTP as will be understood.

The merchant device810can further include a display820, which can employ any suitable display technology. For example, the display820can be a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, a light emitting diode display, an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display, an electronic paper display, or any other suitable type of display able to present digital content thereon. In some embodiments, the display820can have a touch sensor associated with the display820to provide a touchscreen display configured to receive touch inputs for enabling interaction with a graphical user interface presented on the display820. Accordingly, embodiments described herein are not limited to any particular display technology. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the merchant device810might not include the display820, and information can be presented by other means, such as aurally.

The merchant device810can further include one or more I/O devices808. The I/O devices808can include speakers, a microphone, a camera, and various user controls (e.g., buttons, a joystick, a keyboard, a keypad, etc.), a haptic output device, and so forth.

In addition, the merchant device810can include or can be connectable to a payment object reader830. In some embodiments, the payment object reader830can plug in to a port in the merchant device, such as a microphone/headphone port, a data port, or other suitable port, or can communicate via wireless connection to the merchant device. The payment object reader830can include a card interface806for reading a magnetic stripe or an integrated circuit of a payment card130,132, and further can include encryption technology for encrypting the information read from the payment card130,132. Alternatively, numerous other types of payment object readers830can be employed with the merchant devices810herein, depending on the type and configuration of the merchant device810.

FIG. 9is a block diagram illustrating select components of an example payment processing system910according to some embodiments. The payment processing system910can comprise the payment processing system102in an example embodiment. The payment processing system910can be any suitable type of computing device capable of sending communications and performing the functions according to the techniques described herein and can be operated by the payment processing service. For instance, in the case of a server, the modules, other functional components, and data can be implemented on a single server, a cluster of servers, a server farm or data center, a cloud-hosted computing service, a cloud-hosted storage service, and so forth, although other computer architectures can additionally or alternatively be used.

Further, while the examples herein illustrate the components and data of the payment processing system910as being present in a single location, these components and data can alternatively be distributed across different computing devices and different locations. Consequently, the functions can be implemented by one or more computing devices, with the various functionality described above distributed in various ways across the different computing devices, to collectively implement the payment processing system910. Multiple payment processing systems910can be located together or separately, and organized, for example, as virtual servers, server banks and/or server farms. The described functionality can be provided by the servers of a single entity or enterprise, or can be provided by the servers and/or services of multiple different buyers or enterprises.

In the example ofFIG. 9, the payment processing system910includes one or more processors912, one or more memory devices914, one or more communication interfaces922, and one or more input/output devices924. These components can be similar to those described above with reference toFIG. 1and elsewhere herein.

The memory914can be used to store and maintain any number of functional components or modules that are executable by the processor912. In some embodiments, these functional components comprise instructions or programs that are executable by the processor912and that, when executed, implement operational logic for performing the actions and services attributed above to the payment processing system910. Functional components of the payment processing system910stored in the memory914can include the payment processing module916, the operating system918, and other modules and data920. These components can be similar to those described with reference toFIG. 1and elsewhere herein. In addition, the memory914can store data used for performing the operations described herein. Thus, the memory914can store merchant information926, including the merchant profiles. Further, the payment processing system910can include many other logical, programmatic and physical components, of which those described above are merely examples that are related to the discussion herein.

FIG. 10illustrates an example perspective view of a wireless payment device1002with single slot1004for receiving IC payment objects. In some embodiments, more than one slot can be provided. The device1002can include a first surface1006, a side surface1010, an opposing side surface1011and a second surface1012. The payment device1002can also include a front face1014and an opposing back face (not shown inFIG. 10). In the implementation shown inFIG. 10, the wireless payment device1002has a frame that is shaped as a thin parallelepiped, e.g., the width of the frame (along the first surface1006) is at least five or ten times the height (along the side surface1010) in some embodiments. The front face1014and bottom face can be generally shaped as a square or rectangle, e.g., a square or rectangle with rounded edges.

The first surface1006can include one or more openings that receive cards through, respectively, one or more card interfaces. In the implementation shown inFIG. 10, the wireless payment device1002has a single slot1004. The single slot1004includes a card interface. The card interface can include integrated circuit (IC) chip payment object reader circuitry. For example the card interface can include a chip payment object reader circuitry for receiving IC payment objects. The wireless payment device can also have components as shown inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2, the chip payment card reader, similar to chip card reader interface204, can be coupled to a microcontroller, similar to microcontroller202.

Furthermore wireless payment device1002may also include NFC related components also shown inFIG. 2. For example, similar toFIG. 2, wireless payment device1002may also include NFC microcontroller210. NFC microcontroller210is configured to manage the transmission and reception of near field communications through control of driving circuit212, NFC modulator214, NFC RX module216, NFC antenna monitoring circuit217, and NFC antenna218. In some embodiments, the antenna217is disposed internally in the payment device1002near the front face1014to facilitate reading NFC enabled payment objects proximate the front face1014.

The wireless payment object reader1002can include circuitry configured to direct signals from the one or more card interfaces, to communicate wirelessly with a computing device, and to efficiently power the wireless payment object reader1002. The slot1004can extend across part, but not all of the width of the frame, leaving one or more thin sidewalls to constrain the lateral position of a chip card as it is inserted into the slot1004and to prevent rotation of the card while in the slot. The chip payment object reader interface, including electrical contacts positioned to electrically engage the contacts on the chip card when it is inserted, are positioned in the slot1004.

In some implementations, the chip payment object reader interface in slot1004is configured to receive an external adapter through electrical contacts in wireless payment object reader1002. The external adapter can provide power to recharge the wireless payment object reader1002, e.g., by engaging the electrical contacts within slot1004of wireless payment object reader. The external adapter can connect the chip payment object reader interface to a USB port or power supply. The external adapter can also provide software updates to the wireless payment object reader1002.