Universal payment module systems and methods for mobile computing devices
The present disclosure provides universal payment module systems and methods for mobile computing devices that include a universal payment module and an associated adapter device for coupling the universal payment module to any of a plurality of mobile computing devices. The present disclosure utilizes a common payment module which can interface multiple mobile computers with differing form factors via a snap-on sled. Advantageously, the present invention allows the leveraging of one payment module for many mobile computers. The single payment module includes various special payment security mechanisms via mechanical, electrical, and software mechanisms. The present disclosure enables design, standardization, and production of one single common, universal payment module for a plurality of mobile computer devices instead of one specific payment module for each form factor of the plurality of mobile computer devices.
1. A universal payment module system, comprising:
a plurality of adapters; and
a payment module comprising a payment module housing and a first connector on the payment module housing, the payment module housing being of a first specific form factor and the first connector being configured to connect the payment module to the plurality of adapters, each of the plurality of adapters comprising:
a second connector on an adapter housing adjacent to an opening defined in the adapter housing, the second connector configured to interface with the first connector when the payment module housing is received within the opening;
an engagement portion comprising a cavity defined by three sides of the adapter housing, configured to removably engage one of a plurality of computing devices; each one of the plurality of computing devices having a form factor different from the form factor of the others of the plurality of computing devices; the engagement portion having a shape compatible with the form factor of the one of the plurality of computing devices; and
a third connector on the adapter housing adjacent to the engagement portion, the third connector configured to interface with the one of the plurality of computing devices when the one of the plurality of computing devices is engaged with the engagement portion;
the payment module being configured to process mobile payment transactions and to operate with each of the plurality of computing devices via one of the plurality of adapters when tampering of the payment module housing is undetected, and the payment module being deactivated when tampering of the payment module housing is detected by a sensor in the payment module housing.
2. The universal payment module system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of adapters further comprises a fourth connector; and the universal payment module system further comprising:
a card reading device comprising a fifth connector configured to interface with the fourth connector, wherein the card reading device is configured to read any of a credit card, debit card, contactless card, ATM card, or smart card.
3. The universal payment module system of claim 1 , wherein the payment module housing comprises a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion comprises input and output interfaces.
4. The universal payment module system of claim 3 , wherein the rear, side, or front portion comprises a card reading device, wherein the card reading device is configured to read any of a credit card, debit card, contactless card, ATM card, or smart card.
5. The universal payment module system of claim 4 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion are accessible by the user via the opening.
6. The universal payment module system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of adapters provides a power and data interface between the computing device and the payment module.
7. The universal payment module system of claim 1 , wherein the payment module housing comprises tamper resistance mechanisms.
8. The universal payment module system of claim 1 , wherein the payment module comprises a processor, a data store, memory, and input and output interfaces, each of which is communicatively coupled via a local interface within the payment module housing that is communicatively coupled to the first connector.
9. The universal payment module system of claim 8 , wherein the payment module is configured to:
receive payment information from at least one of a magnetic stripe reader disposed on the payment module, a magnetic stripe reader connected to the adapter, the input and output interfaces on the payment module, and a contactless connection;
process the payment information into encrypted data for a payment transaction; and
communicate the payment transaction via an attached one of the plurality of adapters to one of the plurality of computing devices.
10. The universal payment module system of claim 9 , wherein the one of the plurality of computing devices comprises a network connection, and wherein the encrypted data is transmitted over the network connection.
11. The universal payment module system of claim 1 configured to perform payment processing and data encryption such that payment information exchanged over the first connector, the second connector and the third connector is encrypted.
12. The universal payment module system of claim 1 wherein the one of the plurality of computing devices is received via a snap-on connection in the cavity.
13. The universal payment module system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of adapters is configured to receive the payment module housing within the opening via a snap-on connection.