Patent Publication Number: US-11663579-B2

Title: Payment apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/141,766, filed Jan. 5, 2021, which is a continuation U.S. application Ser. No. 16/596,005, filed Oct. 8, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,915,885, issued Jan. 20, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/256,686, filed Jan. 24, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,482,452, issued Nov. 19, 2019. These referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a payment apparatus and a method of operating the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently, there are various means in which consumers may transact with third party vendors. Credit card products are one instrument that are offered and provided to consumers by credit card issuers (e.g., banks and other financial institutions). With a credit card, an authorized consumer is capable of purchasing services and/or merchandise without an immediate, direct exchange of cash. Rather, the consumer incurs debt with each purchase. Debit cards are another type of instrument offered and provided by banks (or other financial institutions) that are associated with the consumer&#39;s bank account (e.g., checking account). Transactions made using a debit card are cleared directly from the cardholder&#39;s bank account. Contactless payment chips may be implemented with both credit cards and debit cards. Contactless payment chips allow users to make secure payment implementing wireless technology without any insertion or swiping of the payment card. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a payment device and a method of operating the same. The apparatus includes a first liner, a second liner, one or more fastening components, and one or more prongs. The one or more fastening components couples the first liner to the second liner, defining an opening between. The one or more prongs are positionable between a closed position within the opening and an open position exterior to the opening. The one or more prongs include a payment prong. The payment prong includes a body free, a payment chip receptacle, and a payment chip. The body is free from any personal identification information. The payment chip receptacle is attached to the body. The payment chip is positioned in the payment chip receptacle. The payment chip is removable therefrom. 
     In some embodiments, the body includes a shaft. The shaft extends between the payment chip receptacle and the opening. The shaft includes one or more openings formed therethrough. Each of the one or more openings is configured to receive each of the one or more fastening components. 
     In some embodiments, the shaft includes one or more printed circuits contained therein. The one or more printed circuits contact the payment chip at one or more contact points. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a power source positioned within the opening. The power source is coupled to each of the one or more printed circuits. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more printed circuits enable the payment chip to communicate with external device via a wireless connection. 
     In some embodiments, the wireless connection is one of radio frequency identification (RFID), near field communication (NFC), or Bluetooth. 
     In some embodiments, the shaft is formed from a non-metal material. 
     In some embodiments, the payment chip receptacle fully surrounds the payment chip. 
     In some embodiments, the payment chip receptacle includes two or more arms configured to hold the payment chip in position. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more prongs further include one or more tools. 
     In another embodiment, a payment device is disclosed herein. The payment device includes a multi-tool apparatus, a payment chip receptacle, and a payment chip. The multi-tool apparatus includes a body free from any personal identification information. The payment chip receptacle is coupled with the body. The payment chip receptacle includes two or more arms movable between an open position and a closed position. The payment chip is positioned in the payment chip receptacle. The payment chip is secured by the two or more arms. The payment chip is removable from the payment chip receptacle when the two or more arms are in the open position. 
     In some embodiments, the payment chip is secured to the payment chip receptacle when the two or more arms are in the closed position. 
     In some embodiments, the payment chip receptacle is coupled to a tool of the multi-tool apparatus. 
     In some embodiments, the payment device further includes a printed antenna integrated with the tool of the multi-tool apparatus, the printed antenna coupled with the payment chip. 
     In some embodiments, the multi-tool apparatus further includes a power source disposed therein. 
     In some embodiments, the tool of the multi-tool apparatus is formed from a non-metal material. 
     In some embodiments, the tool of the multi-tool apparatus is movable between a closed position within the body of the multi-tool apparatus and an open position exterior to the body of the multi-tool apparatus. 
     In some embodiments, the payment chip receptacle fully surrounds the payment chip. 
     In some embodiments, the payment chip receptacle is formed from a non-metal material. 
     In another embodiment, a method of activating a payment device is disclosed herein. The method includes removing, from a body free from personal identification information, a compromised payment device housed in the body. The method further includes positioning, in the body, a new payment device. The new payment device is positioned in a payment device receptacle of the body. The method further includes activating the new payment device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrated only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a block diagram illustrating a payment device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a block diagram illustrating payment device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a block diagram illustrating a payment device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  2 B  is a block diagram illustrating payment device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram illustrating payment device tool in greater detail, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a flow diagram illustrating a method of activating a payment device, according to one exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. 
     DESCRIPTION 
     One or more techniques disclosed herein generally relate to an improved payment device, and one or more methods of operating the same. Conventional payment devices such as credit card products and debit card products typically include at least a magnetic stripe or a payment chip positioned thereon. The magnetic stripe may store data, which is read at a point-of-sale terminal, upon swiping by a user or third party individual. The payment chip may be implemented with a “smart card” device. The payment chip may take the form of an integrated circuit exposed on a surface of the payment device. The payment chip may store information, similar to that of the magnetic stripe, which is read upon insertion of the payment card (and payment chip) into a point-of-sale terminal. 
     As technology has improved, such payment devices may further implement a contactless payment chip. The contactless payment chip eliminates the need for a physical swipe or insertion of the payment device at the point-of-sale terminal. Instead, the contactless payment chip leverages wireless communication channels to communicate with the point-of-sale terminal. For example, the payment chip may emit one or more radio waves that are read (or processed) by the point-of-sale terminal. 
     There remains, however, a constant battle between fraudulent individuals and financial institutions in protecting against fraudulent transactions. Typically, when a financial institution identifies fraudulent activity on a user&#39;s account, the financial institution may place a transaction freeze on the user&#39;s payment device connected to that account. Financial institution may then issue an entirely new payment device. During the time between the transaction freeze and upon receipt of the new payment device, the user is simply unable to use the compromised payment device. 
     The one or more techniques disclosed herein provide a novel approach to providing users with an updated payment device upon determining that the prior payment device was compromised. For example, rather than replacing the entire compromised payment device (substrate and all), the one or more techniques disclosed herein provide a new contactless payment chip which may replace the compromised payment chip in the compromised payment device. Such capability allows the payment device to take on non-traditional forms. For example, some embodiments discussed below illustrate a payment device taking the form of a tool prong on a pocketknife or multi-tool apparatus. Because the one or more techniques disclosed herein allow end users to only replace the contactless payment chip itself, end users only need to substitute out a payment chip from a tool prong of the pocketknife, rather than the entire tool prong or the entire pocketknife. Those skilled in the art may readily understand that such approach may be applied to several form-factors that include, but are not limited to, clothing (e.g., cufflinks, bracelets, glasses, etc.) or clothing (e.g., shirt sleeve). 
       FIG.  1 A  is a block diagram illustrating a payment device  100 , according to one embodiment. Payment device  100  may include a substrate  102 . Substrate  102  may be representative of any body that is capable of supporting a payment chip thereon. In some embodiments, substrate  102  may be representative of a credit card, a debit card, a gift card, and the like. In some embodiments, substrate  102  may be representative of a Swiss-army knife, a keychain dongle, or the like. Substrate  102  may be formed of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, plastic-material, metal-material, synthetic-material, and the like. Generally, substrate  102  may be free from any personal identification information. In other words, unlike traditional payment devices (e.g., credit card, debit card, gift card, etc.), substrate  102  may not include any information that may be used to identify user (or owner) of payment device  102 . 
     Payment device  100  may further include a payment chip receptacle  104  and a payment chip  108 . Payment chip receptacle  104  may be positioned on substrate  102 . Payment chip receptacle  104  may define a payment chip receiving area  106 . Payment chip receiving area  106  may be configured to receive a payment chip thereon. In some embodiments, such as that shown in  FIG.  1 A , payment chip receptacle  104  may substantially surround payment chip  108 . For example, payment chip receptacle  104  may envelop payment chip  108 . 
     Generally, payment chip  108  may be moved into and out of payment chip receptacle  104 . For example, if payment chip  108  becomes compromised, rather than destroying the entire payment device  100 , user of payment device  100  may request a new payment chip  108  that may replace the existing payment chip  108 . 
       FIG.  1 B  is a block diagram illustrating payment device  150 , according to one embodiment. Payment device  150  may be substantially similar to payment device  100 . For example, payment device  150  may include substrate  102  and payment chip  108 . Payment device  150  may further include payment chip receptacle  151 . Payment chip receptacle  151  may be positioned on substrate  102 . Payment chip receptacle  151  may define a payment chip receiving area  112 . Payment chip receiving area  112  may be configured to receive payment chip  108  thereon. 
     As shown, payment chip receptacle  151  may include two or more movable arms  152   a  and  152   b . Each removable arm  152   a ,  152   b  may be movable between an open position and a closed positioned. When removable arms  152   a ,  152   b  are in the open position, payment chip  108  may be removed therefrom or positioned therein payment chip receptacle  151 . When removable arms  152   a ,  152   b  are in the closed position, payment chip  108  may be locked, or positioned, into place. 
       FIG.  2 A  is a block diagram illustrating a payment device  200 , according to one embodiment. As illustrated, payment device  200  may take the form of a pocketknife (e.g., Swiss Army knife) or a multi-tool apparatus. 
     Payment device  200  may include a body  202 . Although not shown, body  202  may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may be coupled to the second portion via one or more connectors (e.g., screws). As illustrated, body  202  may include one or more fasteners  206  and  208  positioned therein. One or more fasteners  206  and  208  may be configured to couple the first portion and the second portion. One or more fasteners  206  and  208  may further be configured to support one or more tools  204 . For example, each tool  204  may be movable about an axis, through which either fastener  206  or fastener  208  passes. As shown in  FIG.  2 A , each tool  204  is in a closed position. 
     One or more tools  204  may include a payment device tool, which is illustrated in  FIG.  2 B  and discussed below. In some embodiments, payment device  200  may further include a power source  210 . Power source  210  may be configured to supply power to payment device tool. 
       FIG.  2 B  is a block diagram illustrating payment device  200 , according to one embodiment. As illustrated, payment device  200  includes payment device tool  214 . Payment device tool  214  is illustrated in an extended (or open) position. Payment device tool  214  may include a shaft  216  coupled to a payment device receptacle  220 . In some embodiments, shaft  216  and payment device receptacle  220  are formed from a continuous body. Shaft  216  and payment device receptacle  220  may be formed from a non-metallic material. Such materials may include polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA), plastic, PVC, rubber, wood, Styrofoam, fiberglass, resin, and the like. Payment device receptacle  220  may be configured to receive payment chip  218 . For example, payment chip  218  may be removable from payment device receptacle  220 . 
     As shown, payment device  200  may include one or more other tools  212 . Each of the one or more other tools  212  may be positioned in a closed position (e.g., within body  202 ). 
       FIG.  3    is a block diagram illustrating payment device tool  214  in greater detail, according to one embodiment. As illustrated, payment device tool  214  may further include a communication apparatus  302 . Communication apparatus  302  may be configured to allow payment chip  218  to communicate with one or more external devices (e.g., point-of-sale terminal, smartphone, computing devices, and the like). 
     Communication apparatus  302  may include circuit  304  and circuit  306 . Circuit  304  may be coupled to payment chip  218  at contact point  314   a . Circuit  306  may be coupled to payment chip  218  at contact point  314   b . Circuit  304  and circuit  306  may be formed of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, copper, foil, tin, and any other suitable material. In some embodiments, circuit  304  and circuit  306  may be printed thereon. In some embodiments, each of circuit  304  and circuit  306  may be antennae. Circuit  304  and circuit  306  may enable the payment chip  218  to communicate with external device via a wireless connection. Such wireless connections may include, but are not limited to, radio frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC). Generally, in operation, payment chip  218  may communicate with a point-of-sale terminal via, for example, a short range wireless communication channel. Point-of-sale terminal may constantly (or sometimes, periodically) emit a signal. When payment chip  218  is proximate the point-of-sale terminal, payment chip  218  may receive power via the point-of-sale terminal by entering a field created by the signals emitted by the point-of-sale terminal. As such payment chip  218  may be provided with the necessary power to transmit information to the point-of-sale terminal to conduct the transaction. 
     Further, in some embodiments, each circuit  304 ,  306  may be coupled to power source  210 . Power source  210  may enable payment chip  218  to wirelessly communicate with a point-of-sale terminal via longer range wireless communication channel. For example, such longer range wireless communication channels may include, but are not limited to Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, 4G/LTE, and the like. 
     Payment device tool  214  may further include a base  310 . Base  310  may remain positioned within body  202  during operation. Base  310  may include opening  312 . Opening  312  may be configured to receive a fastener  206 ,  208  from payment device  200 . For example, as illustrated, opening  312  may be configured to receive fastener  206 , such that payment device tool  214  can pivot about an axis passing through opening  312 . 
     As illustrated, all components of payment device  200  are free from personal identification information. As such, third parties are unable to snoop or steal personal identification information form payment device  200  to be used in possible fraudulent transactions. 
       FIG.  4    is a flow diagram illustrating a method  400  of activating a payment device (e.g., payment device  100 , payment device  150 , or payment device  200 ), according to one exemplary embodiment. Method  400  may begin at step  402 . 
     At step  402 , a user may receive a new contactless payment chip (e.g., payment chip  108 , payment chip  218 ). User may receive a new contactless payment chip in response to an existing contactless payment chip becoming compromised. In other words, a third party individual used information in payment chip to make an unauthorized, fraudulent purchase. User may also receive a new contactless payment card if the existing contactless payment chip is lost or damaged. 
     At step  404 , a user may remove the existing contactless payment chip from the payment device. For example, the user may remove the existing contactless payment chip from payment chip receptacle housing the existing payment chip. In some embodiments, the user may slide the payment chip from a slit in the payment chip receptacle. In some embodiments, the user may move the arms of the payment chip receptacle from a closed position to an open position, and remove the payment chip. 
     At step  406 , a user may position the new contactless payment chip on the payment device. For example, the user may position the new contactless payment chip in the payment chip receptacle. In some embodiments, the user may slide payment chip in the slit in the payment chip receptacle. In some embodiments, the user may position the payment chip in the payment chip receptacle, and secure the payment chip using the one or more arms of the payment chip receptacle. The new contactless payment chip may be positioned in the payment chip receptacle such that the new contactless payment chip contacts one or more circuits at one or more contact points. In some embodiments, the user may secure the new contactless payment chip in the payment chip receptacle via a hatch that holds the new contactless payment chip in place from above. In some embodiments, the user may secure the new contactless payment chip in the payment chip receptacle through a snap-fit joint. In some embodiments, the user may secure the new contactless payment chip in the payment chip receptacle via an adhesive. 
     As such, the user may replace a compromised contactless payment chip, without replacing the entire device housing the contactless payment chip. 
     It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the preceding examples are exemplary and not limiting. It is intended that all permutations, enhancements, equivalents, and improvements thereto are apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings are included within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include all such modifications, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of these teachings.