Nfc capability for smartphones and other devices
AssigneeMastercard International Incorporated
InventorDan O'Sullivan
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides an apparatus for converting a non-NFC capable device, such as a smart telephone or smartphone to a NFC capable device by electrically coupling the NFC capable device to NFC hardware. The NFC hardware can be a semiconductor chip. In one embodiment, a dongle is used that receives a portion of the NFC capable device. In another embodiment, the NFC capable device has a case that is used. The present disclosure also provides a method for converting a non-NFC device to a device having NFC capability.
Claims20
An apparatus for converting a non-NFC device to an NCF capable device comprising:
- a member for enclosing at least a part of the device, the member having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- an electrical conductor system for connection to a connector on the inner surface of the member, the connector on the inner surface being for connection to the NFC capable device;
- and
- a NFC component associated with the member, the NFC component being coupled to the NFC capable device so that the NFC component is used for NFC by the NFC capable device.
An apparatus for converting a non-NFC device to a NCF capable device comprising:
- a case having an opening for receiving the device;
- an electrical conductor system extending from the case for connection to a connector on or in the NFC capable device;
- and
- an NFC component associated with the case, the NFC component being coupled to the NFC capable device by the electrical conductor system so that the NFC component is used for NFC by the NFC capable device.
A method for converting a non-NFC capable device to a NFC capable device comprising:
- electrically coupling the device to a member containing NFC hardware, the member surrounding at least a portion of the device, and
- using the NFC capable device to configure the NFC hardware for NFC use.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.