Patent Publication Number: US-2023138569-A1

Title: Universal card reader and mobile device holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various card readers have been developed to enable mobile devices such as smart phones to be used as a mobile point-of-sale system (mPOS). These card readers may be configured to connect to a mobile device via a wired interface (e.g., via a smart phone&#39;s audio jack, USB port, etc.) or via a wireless interface (e.g., via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention extends to a universal card reader and mobile device holder (or “universal holder”). A universal holder may be configured to house a card reader and to selectively secure a mobile device such as a smart phone adjacent to the card reader. Accordingly, the universal holder can enable a user to easily interact with the card reader and the mobile device as part of a mobile point-of-sale system. 
     In first example embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a universal card reader and mobile device holder that includes a card reader holding component that is configured to hold a card reader, a mobile device holding component that is configured to move relative to the card reader holding component to accommodate a variety of mobile devices, and an actuator mechanism that is configured to move the mobile device holding component relative to the card reader holding component and lock a position of the mobile device holding component relative to the card reader holding component. 
     In the first example embodiments, the card reader holding component may include a card reader compartment and a lower compartment, and the mobile device holding component may move within the lower compartment. 
     In the first example embodiments, the mobile device holding component may include a support and an extension, and the extension may insert into the lower compartment. 
     In the first example embodiments, the extension may include a channel, and the actuator mechanism may insert into the channel. 
     In the first example embodiments, the channel may form a rack and the actuator mechanism may form a pinion. 
     In the first example embodiments, the actuator mechanism may comprise an upper wheel that forms the pinion and a lower wheel. 
     In the first example embodiments, the lower wheel may interface with the upper wheel to lock the position of the mobile device holding component relative to the card reader holding component. 
     In the first example embodiments, the upper wheel and lower wheel may include radial ridges that interlock. 
     In the first example embodiments, the lower wheel may tighten against the upper wheel to lock the position of the mobile device holding component relative to the card reader holding component. 
     In the first example embodiments, the card reader holding component may include one or more tabs that extend over one end of a mobile device and the card reader holding component may include one or more tabs that extend over an opposite end of the mobile device. 
     In the first example embodiments, the card reader holding component may include a lower compartment into which the mobile device holding component inserts, and the one or more tabs of the card reader holding component may be positioned above the lower compartment. 
     In the first example embodiments, the mobile device holding component may comprise a rack and the actuator mechanism may comprise a pinion. 
     In second example embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a universal card reader and mobile device holder that includes a card reader holding component having a card reader compartment and a lower compartment, a mobile device holding component having a support and an extension that inserts into the lower compartment, and an actuator mechanism that inserts into the lower compartment and interfaces with the extension to cause the mobile device holding component to slide relative to the card reader holding component. 
     In the second example embodiments, the extension may form a channel and the actuator mechanism may insert into the channel. 
     In the second example embodiments, the channel may form a rack and the actuator mechanism may form a pinion. 
     In the second example embodiments, the actuator mechanism may comprise an upper wheel that forms the pinion, and the actuator mechanism may further comprise a lower wheel that interlocks with the upper wheel to retain a position of the mobile device holding component. 
     In third example embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a universal card reader and mobile device holder that includes a card reader holding component having a card reader compartment and a lower compartment. The universal card reader and mobile device holder may also include a mobile device holding component having a support and an extension. The extension includes a channel forming a first gear. The extension also inserts into the lower compartment. The universal card reader and mobile device holder may further include an actuator mechanism having an upper wheel that forms a second gear that inserts into the lower compartment and through the channel. The first and second gears interface to cause the mobile device holding component to move relative to the card reader holding component. 
     In the third example embodiments, the actuator mechanism may comprise a lower wheel that interlocks with the upper wheel to retain a position of the mobile device holding component to move relative to the card reader holding component. 
     In the third example embodiments, the lower wheel may tighten against the upper wheel to interlock with the upper wheel. 
     In the third example embodiments, the mobile device holding component may include one or more tabs for securing one end of a mobile device, and the card reader holding component may include one or more tabs for securing an opposite end of the mobile device. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are assembled and exploded views respectively of a universal card reader and mobile device holder that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the universal card reader and mobile device holder of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  showing how a card reader and a mobile device may be held adjacent one another; 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  are front, side and bottom views respectively of a mobile device holding component of the universal card reader and mobile device holder of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ; 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are views of an actuator mechanism of the universal card reader and mobile device holder of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 D  are bottom perspective, top perspective, side and top views respectively of a card reader holding component of the universal card reader and mobile device holder of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ; and 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  are bottom perspective, top perspective, side and top views respectively of another card reader holding component that may be used with the universal card reader and mobile device holder of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A universal card reader and mobile device holder configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention may be used to create a mobile point-of-sale system from a variety of card readers and mobile devices.  FIGS.  1 A- 5 D  provide an example where a universal card reader and mobile device holder  10  (or “universal holder  10 ”) is configured for use with a BBPOS Chipper 2X BT card reader. As described below, universal reader  10  can be easily adapted for use with other types of card readers. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are assembled and exploded views of universal reader  10 , and  FIG.  2    provides an example of how a mobile device  400  and a card reader  500  can be held within universal reader  10 . Universal reader  10  generally includes a mobile device holding component  100 , an actuator mechanism  200 , and a card reader holding component  300 .  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C  are views of mobile device holding component  100  in isolation.  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  are views of portions of actuator mechanism  200  in isolation.  FIGS.  5 A- 5 D  are views of card reader holding component  300  in isolation.  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  are views of another card reader holding component  300  which is configured for the Ingenico Moby 5500 card reader. 
     As an overview, mobile device holding component  100  can be configured to insert into and slide within a lower compartment  320  of card reader holding component  300  to thereby accommodate a variety of mobile devices. Actuator mechanism  200  can be coupled to card reader holding component  300  and configured to adjust and lock the position of mobile device holding component  100  relative to card reader holding component  300 . Card reader holding component  300  can include a card reader compartment  310  that is configured to house a particular card reader. 
     As is best shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C , mobile device holding component  100  can include a support  110  that may have an elongated shape with a length that general corresponds to the height of mobile devices with which universal holder  10  may be used. For example, the length of support  110  may be  136  mm in embodiments where universal holder  10  is intended to be used with iPhones or other common smart phones. However, support  110  could have any other suitable length such as a greater length for embodiments in which universal holder  10  may be used with tablets. In some embodiments, support  110  may include a recessed area  111  to accommodate one or more rear cameras on a mobile device. 
     Mobile device holding component  100  can also include an extension  120  that extends from one end of support  110 . Extension may include a channel  121  within which linear gear  122  is formed. As described in detail below, linear gear  122  can function as the rack of a rack and pinion. In some embodiments, extension  120  may include ribs  123  to reinforce extension  120 . Extension  120  can be configured to insert into lower compartment  320  to couple mobile device holding component  100  to card reader holding component  300 . 
     Mobile device holding component  100  may further include a wall  112  that extends upwardly from support  110  on the opposite end from extension  120 . A tab  113  may extend from wall  112  towards extension  120 . Wall  112  and tab  113  may be configured to receive a bottom end of a mobile device. In some embodiments, wall  112  may have a thinned region  112  which allows wall  112  to flex to accommodate a thicker mobile device including mobile devices that may have a case. In some embodiments, wall  112  may include an opening  124  to provide access to the mobile device&#39;s charging port while the mobile device is held in mobile device holding component  100 . 
     Actuator mechanism  200  can be configured to interface with linear gear  122  to cause mobile device holding component  100  to slide relative to card reader holding component  300 . For example, in the depicted embodiment, actuator mechanism  200  includes an upper wheel  230  that includes a circular gear  234  that extends from its upper surface and functions as the pinion in the rack and pinion. In particular, circular gear  234  can extend into lower compartment  320  and be positioned within channel  121  so that, as upper wheel  230  is turned, mobile device holding component  100  will be slid into or out from lower compartment  320 . 
     Actuator mechanism  200  can also include a lower wheel  220  that interfaces with upper wheel  230  to lock the position of mobile device holding component  100  relative to card reader holding component  300 . For example, lower wheel  220  may include a protruding region  222  that inserts into a recessed region  232  of upper wheel  230 . Lower wheel  220  and upper wheel  230  may also include radial ridges  221  and  231  respectively that interlock when lower wheel  220  is tightened against upper wheel  230 . Accordingly, when lower wheel  220  is not sufficiently tightened against upper wheel  230 , a user can freely rotate upper wheel  230  to slide mobile device holding component  100  to a desired position. Then, when mobile device holding component  100  is in the desired position (e.g., when a mobile device is held snuggly between wall  112  and card reader holding component  300 ), the user can tighten lower wheel  220  against upper wheel  230  to prevent upper wheel  230  from rotating, thereby locking the position of mobile device holding component  100 . 
     To enable this tightening, lower wheel  220  and upper wheel  230  can be coupled to card reader holding component  300  via a bolt  240  and a nut  210 . In particular, bolt  240  may extend down through and be held within an opening  323  in a wall that separates lower compartment  320  from card reader compartment  310 . Bolt  240  can also extend through upper wheel  230  and lower wheel  220 , and nut  210  can be threaded onto bolt  240  and held within an opening  224  in a lower surface of lower wheel  220 . Therefore, when lower wheel  220  is turned in a tightening direction (e.g., clockwise), nut  210  will also be tightened onto bolt  240  thereby tightening lower wheel  220  against upper wheel  230 . This tightening will cause ridges  221  and  231  to interlock to thereby hold upper wheel  230  in place. Accordingly, a mobile device can be held securely within mobile device holding component  100  until the user intentionally turns actuator mechanism  200 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 D  and  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D , card reader holding component  300  can form a card reader compartment  310  and a lower compartment  320 . Card reader compartment  310  may be configured for a particular type of card reader and may therefore have different openings that correspond to the configuration of the particular type of card reader. Lower compartment  320  can be configured to receive extension  120  and actuator mechanism  200  as described above. For example, a slot  322  may be formed in the wall of lower compartment  320  that is oriented towards mobile device holding component  100 . Slot  322  can be configured to receive extension  120  including having channels  322 a for receiving ribs  123 . An opening  231  may be formed in the bottom wall of lower compartment  320  and may be sized and shaped to receive circular gear  234 . Card reader holding component  300  may also include tabs  331  that are positioned above slot  322  and extend outwardly overtop mobile device holding component  100 . Tabs  331 , like tabs  113 , extend overtop a mobile device to secure the mobile device within mobile device holding component  100 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 D , card reader holding component  300  can include a lip  311  that assists in securing card reader  500  within card reader compartment  310 . Card reader compartment  310  can also include an opening  312  that aligns with an opening of card reader  500  for swiping a card, an opening  313  that aligns with an opening of card reader  500  for inserting a card, an opening  314  that aligns with a charging port of card reader  500 , and an opening  315  that aligns with a power button of card reader  500 . In contrast, with reference to  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D , card reader compartment  310  could include lip  311  and opening  314  that correspond with a different type of card reader. 
     In summary, a universal card reader and mobile device holder configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enables a variety of mobile devices to be combined with a variety of card readers to create a mobile point-of-sale system. By simply selecting the appropriate card reader holding component for use in the universal card reader and mobile device holder, the user can secure virtually any smart phone or other mobile device to a card reader in a quick and easy manner. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.