System and method for providing contactless payment with a near field communications attachment
A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include an attachment with a near field communication antenna, a secure element, a plug capable of connecting the attachment to an audio jack on a mobile device. Further, a system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include receiving a payment initiation instruction from a customer, using a near field communication antenna, sending payment information to a point of sale device, using one or more computer processors, encoding data related to the payment as audio data, and transmitting the data related to the payment through an audio jack.
1. A contactless system, comprising:
a tamperproof housing that protects components of a contactless attachment;
a proximity integrated circuit card within the tamperproof housing that securely stores a payment token upon account provisioning, wherein the payment token is a surrogate value for a primary account number used to identify an account and is used to generate a cryptogram that is unique to a mobile transaction and is transmitted from the contactless attachment when the contactless attachment is used during the mobile transaction involving the account;
a radio frequency interface connected to the proximity integrated circuit card within the tamperproof housing, wherein the radio frequency interface includes a near field communication antenna that establishes a communication link between the contactless attachment and a proximity coupling device and transmits the payment token and cryptogram to the proximity coupling device via a radio frequency carrier frequency when conducting the mobile transaction involving the account;
an input/output interface within the tamperproof housing that enables an audio channel communication link between the contactless attachment and a mobile device, wherein the input/output interface includes an audio encoder/decoder that encodes data to be transmitted to the mobile device via the audio channel communication link as attachment audio data and decodes audio data transmitted from the mobile device via the audio channel communication link, and wherein the input/output interface receives an account provisioning signal that includes the payment token;
an audio channel communication mechanism that is operably connected to the input/output interface, enables contactless attachment to be connected to an audio jack of the mobile device to enable establishment of the audio channel communication link, and enables receiving power supplied by the mobile device;
a host controller interface within the tamperproof housing that controls certain operations of the contactless attachment, including transmission of encoded data to the mobile device via the audio channel communication link and transmission of the payment token to the proximity coupling device via the radio frequency carrier frequency; and
a power source associated with the audio channel communication mechanism supplies power to the proximity integrated circuit card, radio frequency interface, input/output interface, and host controller interface during account provisioning.
2. The contactless system of claim 1 , wherein the contactless attachment is encapsulated into a wearable accessory.
3. The contactless system of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency carrier frequency is 13.56 MHz.
4. The contactless system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device executes a mobile application and the contactless attachment is compatible with the mobile application.
5. The contactless system of claim 1 , wherein the audio channel communication mechanism includes a 3.5 mm 4 pole audio plug.
6. The contactless system of claim 1 , wherein the contactless attachment is MiFare compliant.
7. The contactless system of claim 1 , wherein the contactless attachment is International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 14443 (ISO/IEC 14443) compliant.