IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,312,949
Granted Patent B1
US 9,312,949 · App. 13/786,373 · Granted Apr 12, 2016

Pairing techniques for a wireless card reader

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,312,949
App. No.
13/786,373
Granted
Apr 12, 2016
Kind
B1
Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, for pairing a wireless card reader and a computing device, including: receiving first user input setting the wireless card reader in a pairing mode; sending an indication from the wireless card reader to the computing device that a pairing mode of the wireless card reader is enabled; receiving an indication from the computing device that a pairing mode of the computing device is enabled; receiving, in the wireless card reader, a second user input of a sequence of actuations of a sensor on the wireless card reader; determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the sequence of actuations matches a stored sequence; and in response to determining that the sequence of actuations matches a stored sequence, pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device.

Claims (62)

1. A method of pairing a wireless card reader and a computing device, comprising:

configuring the wireless card reader for pairing mode, wherein the wireless card reader is configured for pairing mode based on an interaction with a pairing button on the wireless card reader;

configuring the computing device for pairing mode;

accessing, on the computing device, a user interface for pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device, the user interface presenting one or more visual cues for pairing the wireless card reader;

in response to the user interface presenting the one or more visual cues for pairing the wireless card reader, engaging a pairing button on the wireless card reader for one or more instances, each respective engagement of the pairing button being synchronized with a respective visual cue being presented on the user interface;

determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the pairing button was successfully engaged for the one or more instances; and

in response to determining that the pairing button was successfully engaged, pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring a wireless card reader for pairing mode comprises:

accessing, on a computing device, a user interface for pairing the wireless card reader, the user interface presenting instructions for enabling a pairing mode the wireless card reader; and

configuring the wireless card reader for pairing mode based on the presented instructions.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring a wireless card reader for pairing mode comprises opening a battery door located on the wireless card reader.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, on the computing device and from the wireless card reader, data describing a pairing technique for pairing the wireless card reader; and

identifying one or more visual cues based on a pairing technique identified by the data describing the pairing technique.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein engaging the pairing button comprises a combination of pressing and holding the pairing button for one or more instances, each instance being for a specified time duration.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the pairing button was successfully engaged for the one or more instances comprises:

determining, on the wireless card reader, whether an actual timing of each instance the pairing button on the wireless card reader is engaged satisfies a desired timing for the pairing button to be engaged, the desired timing describing a time that corresponds with an occurrence of a visual cue.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated analog clock.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated traffic stoplight.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated game.

10. A system comprising:

a processor; and

computer-readable medium coupled to the processor and having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

configuring the wireless card reader for pairing mode, wherein the wireless card reader is configured for pairing mode based on an interaction with a pairing button on the wireless card reader;

configuring the computing device for pairing mode;

accessing, on the computing device, a user interface for pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device, the user interface presenting one or more visual cues for pairing the wireless card reader;

in response to the user interface presenting the one or more visual cues for pairing the wireless card reader, engaging a pairing button on the wireless card reader for one or more instances, each respective engagement of the pairing button being synchronized with a respective visual cue being presented on the user interface;

determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the pairing button was successfully engaged for the one or more instances; and

in response to determining that the pairing button was successfully engaged, pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein configuring a wireless card reader for pairing mode comprises:

accessing, on a computing device, a user interface for pairing the wireless card reader, the user interface presenting instructions for enabling a pairing mode the wireless card reader; and

configuring the wireless card reader for pairing mode based on the presented instructions.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein configuring a wireless card reader for pairing mode comprises opening a battery door located on the wireless card reader.

13. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:

receiving, on the computing device and from the wireless card reader, data describing a pairing technique for pairing the wireless card reader; and

identifying one or more visual cues based on a pairing technique identified by the data describing the pairing technique.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein engaging the pairing button comprises a combination of pressing and holding the pairing button for one or more instances, each instance being for a specified time duration.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the pairing button was successfully engaged for the one or more instances comprises:

determining, on the wireless card reader, whether an actual timing of each instance the pairing button on the wireless card reader is engaged satisfies a desired timing for the pairing button to be engaged, the desired timing describing a time that corresponds with an occurrence of a visual cue.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated analog clock.

17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated traffic stoplight.

18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated game.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

configuring the wireless card reader for pairing mode, wherein the wireless card reader is configured for pairing mode based on an interaction with a pairing button on the wireless card reader;

configuring the computing device for pairing mode;

accessing, on the computing device, a user interface for pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device, the user interface presenting one or more visual cues for pairing the wireless card reader;

in response to the user interface presenting the one or more visual cues for pairing the wireless card reader, engaging a pairing button on the wireless card reader for one or more instances, each respective engagement of the pairing button being synchronized with a respective visual cue being presented on the user interface;

determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the pairing button was successfully engaged for the one or more instances; and

in response to determining that the pairing button was successfully engaged, pairing the wireless card reader with the computing device.

20. The medium of claim 19 , wherein configuring a wireless card reader for pairing mode comprises:

accessing, on a computing device, a user interface for pairing the wireless card reader, the user interface presenting instructions for enabling a pairing mode the wireless card reader; and

configuring the wireless card reader for pairing mode based on the presented instructions.

21. The medium of claim 19 , wherein configuring a wireless card reader for pairing mode comprises opening a battery door located on the wireless card reader.

22. The medium of claim 19 , further comprising:

receiving, on the computing device and from the wireless card reader, data describing a pairing technique for pairing the wireless card reader; and

identifying one or more visual cues based on a pairing technique identified by the data describing the pairing technique.

23. The medium of claim 19 , wherein engaging the pairing button comprises a combination of pressing and holding the pairing button for one or more instances, each instance being for a specified time duration.

24. The medium of claim 19 , wherein determining, on the wireless card reader, whether the pairing button was successfully engaged for the one or more instances comprises:

determining, on the wireless card reader, whether an actual timing of each instance the pairing button on the wireless card reader is engaged satisfies a desired timing for the pairing button to be engaged, the desired timing describing a time that corresponds with an occurrence of a visual cue.

25. The medium of claim 19 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated analog clock.

26. The medium of claim 19 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated traffic stoplight.

27. The medium of claim 19 , wherein the one or more visual cues comprise an animated game.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 10, 2022
From: SQUARE, INC.
To: BLOCK, INC.
Reel/Frame 058668/0326 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2013
From: TEMPLETON, THOMAS; SATHER, ELLIOT
To: SQUARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 030195/0464 →