Square, Inc.

Dan Post

Jeremy Wade

Jesse Lee Dorogusker

Thomas Templeton

Kartik Lamba

Rodion Steshenko

Mike Lamfalusi

Dave Terra

Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing transactions using financial instruments with encrypted data storage devices, such as integrated circuit cards (ICC). In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can be configured to access the encrypted information in an ICC via an index or table of keys stored on a host device. In operation, upon detecting an ICC, the reader device can obtain application or protocol information for the ICC and concurrently pre-fetch keys from the host device, so that the pre-fetched keys are received prior to or concurrently with the application or protocol information. In the event that the pre-fetch fails to provide the keys needed for the application or protocol of the ICC, the reader device can make a specific request for the exact keys needed for the application or protocol.

Smart card reader with public key index on host device

Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing operation of an automatic gain control (AGC) sub-circuit on a host device computing device. In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can include a controller, a noise generator, noise coupling circuitry, and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the reader device can provide an intentional noise signal to the host device via a signal path where the intentional noise signal is configured to establish a substantially stable gain amount at the AGC sub-circuit.

Automatic gain control sub-circuit management

The subject technology relates to methods for processing a payment using a mobile card reader. Implementations of the subject technology provide include steps for determining, using a first communication module, a first available bandwidth for data transacted between the card reader and a payment processing service, and determining, using the second communication module, a second available bandwidth for data transacted between a local device and the payment processing service. In some implementations, the method can further include steps for selecting a communication path for communicating with the payment processing service based on the first available bandwidth and the second available bandwidth. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.

Mobile reader device

The subject technology relates to methods and systems for processing a payment using a mobile card reader. Implementations of the subject technology provide a method for receiving payment information, wherein the payment information specifies a payment amount, generating an authorization request to process the payment information, encrypting the authorization request using an encryption engine to generate a secure authorization request and transmitting the secure authorization request using the radio transceiver to a payment processor via a messaging service, wherein the messaging service comprises one or more of a SMS, a MMS or an email service. In certain aspects, methods of the subject technology can further include steps for receiving an authorization response from the payment processor via the messaging service. Systems and methods for mobile card reader activation are also provided.

Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for determining whether a newer firmware version is available for the card reader or whether a download of such a firmware needs to be completed, and in response to determining such a download is needed, performing a download of the firmware via the audio plug during periods of inactivity.

Firmware management

Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for tuning communication parameters. That is, upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the devices can engage in an exchange of carrier waves which the devices exchange can used to not only determine and negotiate operational parameters for the devices that support a highest possible connection speed with acceptable connection quality.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Dan Post