IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,355,398
Granted Patent B2
US 9,355,398 · App. 14/459,299 · Granted May 31, 2016

Systems and methods for managing an account

Inventors: Francisco Martinez de Velasco Cortina (La Jolla, CA); Joe Mullis (San Diego, CA); Manfred Rietzler (San Diego, CA); Sheshi Nyalamadugu (San Diego, CA); Rodolfo Monsalvo (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: NEOLOGY, INC.
G06Q20/28G06K19/0724G06K19/07794G06Q20/3227G06Q20/3278G06Q20/342G06Q20/349G06Q20/352G06Q20/363G06Q50/30G07B15/063
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,355,398
App. No.
14/459,299
Filed
Aug 13, 2014
Granted
May 31, 2016
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2887
USPC
235/379
Abstract

An account is managed using information read from a dual frequency transponder. Information stored on the dual frequency transponder can be read by a NFC-enabled device and by a UHF RFID reader. The information links, corresponds, or otherwise provides access to account information stored at a remote server. For example, a NFC-enabled device can read the information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to enable instant and on-the-spot recharging of a toll account. In addition, a UHF RFID toll reader can scan information from the dual frequency transponder and use that information to debit toll charges from the correct toll account. The dual frequency transponder can be embedded in a license plate and read using a reader placed in the road. Additionally, the transponder can be configured to function at the correct frequency only when a valid vehicle registration sticker is applied to the license plate.

Claims (40)

1. A system for managing an account, comprising:

a multi-frequency radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to operate using a first frequency band and a second frequency band;

a first device comprising a first RFID reader operating at the first frequency band and configured to:

read, using the first RFID reader, at least a portion of information stored on the multi-frequency RFID tag;

access the account based at least in part on the information read from the multi-frequency RFID tag; and

modify a balance associated with the account; and

a second device comprising a second RFID reader operating at the second frequency band and configured to:

read, using the second RFID reader, at least a portion of the information stored on the multi-frequency RFID tag; and

perform an action related to the account based on the information read using the second RFID reader.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first device is configured to access the account at a remote server based at least in part on the information read from the multi-frequency RFID tag using the first device.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein modifying the balance associated with the account includes causing an update to corresponding account information stored at the remote server.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein modifying the balance associated with the account includes retrieving and displaying at least a portion of the account information.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein modifying the balance associated with the account includes making a payment to recharge the balance associated with the account.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the first device is configured to make the payment to recharge the balance associated with the account using a virtual wallet.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the account comprises a prepaid toll account.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first devices and the second device are associated with an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the action associated with the account performed by the second device comprises debiting from the balance associated with the account comprises applying a charge to the account.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first frequency band comprises a high frequency (HF) band, and the second frequency band comprises an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the multi-frequency RFID tag is embedded in a license plate.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein one of the first RFID reader and the second RFID reader is configured to read the information stored on the multi-frequency RFID tag using near field communication (NFC).

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first devices and the second device are configured to retrieve and display information associated with the account.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the information associated with the account includes one or more of a current balance associated with the account and a current status associated with the account.

15. A method of managing an account, comprising:

reading, using a first RFID reader operating at a first frequency, at least a portion of information stored on a multi-frequency RFID tag configured to operate using the first frequency band and a second frequency band;

accessing, by a first device comprising the first RFID reader, the account based at least in part on the information read from the multi-frequency RFID tag;

reading, using a second RFID reader operating at the second frequency, at least a portion of the information stored on the multi-frequency RFID tag; an

performing, by the second device, an action with respect to the account based on the information read by the second device.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first device is configured to access the account at a remote server based at least in part on the information read from the multi-frequency RFID tag.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the action includes debiting from the balance associated with the account.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein debiting from the balance associated with the account comprises applying a charge to the account.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein modifying the balance associated with the account includes making a payment to recharge the balance associated with the account.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the first device is configured to make the payment to recharge the balance associated with the account using a virtual wallet.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein modifying the balance associated with the account includes causing an update to corresponding account information stored at the remote server.

22. The method of claim 15 , wherein the account comprises a prepaid toll account.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein at least one of the first devices and the second device are associated with an Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system.

24. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first frequency band comprises a high frequency (HF) band, and the second frequency band comprises an ultra-high frequency (UHF) band.

25. The method of claim 15 , wherein the multi-frequency RFID tag is embedded in a license plate.

26. The method of claim 15 , wherein one of the first RFID reader and the second reader is configured to read the information stored on the multi-frequency RFID tag using near field communication (NFC).

27. The method of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first devices and the second device are configured to retrieve and display information associated with the account.

28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the information associated with the account includes one or more of a current balance associated with the account and a current status associated with the account.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNOR NAMES PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 033875 FRAME: 0714. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 25, 2016
From: MARTINEZ DE VELASCO CORTINA, FRANCISCO; MULLIS, JOE; RIETZLER, MANFRED; NYALAMADUGU, SHESHI; MONSALVO, RODOLFO
To: NEOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 038363/0114 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2014
From: MARTINEZ DE VELASCO CORTINA, FRANCISCO; MULLIS, JOE; REITSLER, MANFRED; NYALAMADUGU, SESHI; MONSALVO, RODOLFO
To: NEOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 033875/0714 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61865600 · Aug 13, 2013
Related Publication 20150048159A1 · Feb 19, 2015