Smart Wallet Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart wallet that is comprised of a plurality of security features such as a voice-activated magnetic lock and a bio-metric fingerprint, wherein each lock may be programmed via a mobile application. The smart wallet is further comprised of a camera that allows a user to view the surroundings of the wallet if lost or a criminal who may have stolen the wallet, and an internal battery that may power the camera and lock and may also serve as a personal and portable power bank that allows a user to charge their personal belongings via a plurality of USB-Ports. The smart wallet also includes an RFID shield, and a user may create virtual versions of any card type within the wallet, wherein the user may then pair the mobile application with the wallet to use the app to pay for goods/services.

Claims

1. A smart wallet comprising: a body portion comprised of a front and a back, wherein the front and the back are attached to, and separated by, a spine; a magnetic lock; a fingerprint scanner; and an RFID shield.

2. The smart wallet of claim 1 further comprising a battery and a battery life indicator.

3. The smart wallet of claim 1 further comprising a camera, at least one LED light and a USB port.

4. The smart wallet of claim 1, wherein the magnetic lock is voice activated.

5. A smart wallet comprising: a body portion comprising a front and a back defining an interior when the body portion is in a closed position; a magnetic lock for locking the body portion in the closed position; a fingerprint scanner; an RFID shield; a camera; an internal battery; and a speaker.

6. The smart wallet of claim 5, wherein the internal battery powers the camera, the speaker, the magnetic lock, and the fingerprint scanner.

7. The smart wallet of claim 5, wherein the fingerprint scanner is in communication with the magnetic lock.

8. The smart wallet of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of pockets positioned on the interior.

9. A smart wallet comprising: a body portion comprising an interior, wherein the body portion is repositionable between an open position and a closed position; a magnetic lock that is programmable via a mobile application; a fingerprint scanner that is in communication with the magnetic lock and also programmable via the mobile application; an RFID shield; a plurality of pockets in the interior; a camera; a location transmitter; a battery; and a speaker.

10. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the body portion further comprises a front and a back separated by a spine.

11. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the speaker emits a sound to aid a user in locating the smart wallet.

12. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the camera is in wireless communication with the mobile application.

13. The smart wallet of claim 9 further comprises a USB port.

14. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the battery can be wirelessly charged.

15. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the battery is in electrical communication with a charging port to charge a personal device.

16. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the battery is positioned in the interior.

17. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the magnetic lock is voice activated.

18. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the interior comprises one or more pockets.

19. The smart wallet of claim 9, wherein the RFID shield is adjacent to the one or more pockets.

20. The smart wallet of claim 13, wherein the USB port is in electric communication with the battery.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of one potential embodiment of an improved smart wallet device of the present invention in a closed position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of one potential embodiment of an improved smart wallet device of the present invention in an open position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of one potential embodiment of an improved smart wallet device of the present invention in an opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0021] FIG. 4A illustrates an enhanced perspective front view of one potential embodiment of the bottom edge of the first interior surface of the improved smart wallet device of the present invention in an opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0022] FIG. 4B illustrates an enhanced perspective front view of another potential embodiment of the bottom edge of the first interior surface improved smart wallet device of the present invention in an opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates an enhanced perspective front view of another embodiment of the bottom edge of the second interior surface of the improved smart wallet device of the present invention in an opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0025] As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved smart wallet that allows a user to more precisely locate his or her wallet beyond a general GPS location (e.g. within a specific area of a certain building) via a camera view of the surrounding area of the wallet, and a device that allows a wallet owner to easily identify a criminal in the event of wallet theft. There is also a long felt need in the art for a wallet device that prevents a criminal's ability to access the contents of the wallet physically or via a process such as RFID skimming, and that allows a user to possess virtual copies of various different card types such as, but not limited to, debit cards, driver's licenses, passports, medical/insurance cards, concealed weapons license cards, hunting licenses, etc. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a smart wallet device that is self-powering and that eliminates the need for a user to carry a separate, bulky portable battery pack to charge his or her personal belongings or the wallet device itself.

[0026] The present invention in one exemplary embodiment comprises a smart wallet device. The device is preferably comprised of a two-piece traditional wallet structure having a front surface and a rear surface that are separated via a flexible spine that forms the device into one continuous body, and allows the device to fold in half. The front surface of the body may be secured to the rear surface (on an opposite end from the spine) via a voice-activated magnetic lock that secures the internal contents of the device when not in use. The smart wallet device is additionally comprised of a bio-metric finger-print scanner for added security, a plurality of visible pockets that may house multiple cards, and various concealed pockets.

[0027] The interior of the device and/or the pockets may be further comprised of a passive or active RFID shield that prevents criminals from RFID skimming any cards contained within the device. The interior (e.g. interlayer) of the device may include an internal battery pack that can be used to charge the personal electronic devices of a user via a USB charging receptacle located along a bottom edge of the device body. The rear surface of the body may contain a battery indicator that allows a user to observe the power level of the battery.

[0028] The rear surface, front surface, and/or interior surface may also be comprised of a camera that is powered by the internal battery. The camera may be in electrical communication with a mobile application via a Bluetooth transmitter that allows a user to view the surroundings of the wallet via the camera in-real time, or view a thief who may have stolen the wallet. In addition, the device may have a Bluetooth/GPS transmitter that further allows the user to determine the precise location of the device. The mobile application also allows a user to upload and create virtual cards of any card type that the user may carry in their physical wallet, and to input card details by scanning the cards using a smartphone camera, wherein a user may then present and pay with the virtual card when needed. Further, the device itself may be used to pay by placing the device onto a tap-to-pay payment reader when the device is in Bluetooth communication with the mobile application. Accordingly, the device offers users a safer, more convenient and more secure wallet than current wallet offerings.

[0029] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of one potential embodiment of an improved smart wallet device 100 of the present invention in a closed position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is preferably comprised of a generally rectangular body 110, though in differing embodiments the body 110 may take on other shapes such as, but not limited to, a square, oval, circle, triangle, trapezoid, octagon, etc. The body 110 is preferably manufactured in full-grain leather material, but differing embodiments of the device 100 may include a plurality of materials such as synthetic leather, vegan material, non-woven textiles, carbon fiber, aluminum, plastic, etc. The body 110 is further comprised of a front surface 120 and rear surface 130 which are attached to and separated by a flexible spine 150 that may be comprised of the same material as the body 110, or a different natural or synthetic material. The interior of the body 110 is further comprised of a first interior surface 160 and a second interior surface 170 that include a plurality of pockets 162/172, respectively, that allow a user to store multiple cards 12 such as credit cards, debit cards, driver's licenses, passports, medical/insurance cards, concealed weapons license cards, hunting licenses, currency 10, or the like.

[0030] As best shown in FIG. 1, the contents of the wallet (e.g. the cards 12, currency 10 or other important items/documents) are further protected via a voice-activated, magnetic lock 140 when the wallet device 100 is in a closed position. The lock 140 is preferably comprised of a magnetic rope or lock/clasp that is fixedly attached to the rear surface 130 of the body 110, and that engages a magnetic base plate 122 that is fixedly attached to the front surface 120. In one embodiment of the device 100, the clasp 140 may include a traditional locking means such as, but not limited to, a padlock, cam lock, rim/mortise lock, euro profile cylinder lock, interchangeable core cylinder lock, furniture latch lock, rim latch lock, RFID key fob lock, mechanical dial lock, numerical combination lock, pedestal lock, draw lock, fixed core lock, and/or a traditional key lock. However, in the preferred embodiment of the device 100, the lock 140 is comprised of a voice-activated magnetic lock 140 that unlocks the device 100 via a demagnetization of the bottom surface of the lock 140 from the magnetic base plate 122. It is further contemplated that the voice-activated lock 140 may only be configured to open to the voice of the user using a mobile application that includes voice recognition software. For example, using the mobile application, the user may configure the lock 140 to open upon the recognition of any number of different voice commands such as, but not limited to, open, unlock, open up, etc. In this manner, the voice-activated lock 140 prevents a thief or any other unauthorized person from gaining access to the contents of the wallet device 100 in the event that the wallet device 100 is lost or stolen.

[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective rear view of one potential embodiment of an improved smart wallet device 100 of the present invention in an open position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, the rear surface 130 of the body 110 may further comprise an additional security means in the form of a bio-metric fingerprint scanner 132 that allows a user to gain access to the interior of the body portion 110 via placing their finger on the scanner. The scanner 132 and/or a related mobile application allows a user to upload and program a plurality of differing fingerprints into the scanner 132 to allow them to unlock the device 100 via any number of authorized fingers. For example, a user may be able to program the finger of other users (e.g. family members) into the scanner 132, wherein the fingerprints of others can be revoked via a permission setting within the mobile application.

[0032] As also best shown in FIG. 2, the rear surface 130 further comprises a battery indicator 138 that is in electrical communication with an internal battery 136. In a preferred embodiment of the device 100, the internal battery 136 is stored within the interlayer of the body 110 material (e.g. between the top surface and bottom surface of the leather or other material) so that it is concealed within the device 100, as will be explained more fully bellow. It should be noted that the battery 136 may be a rechargeable battery in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery, etc. such as any 3-12 Volt DC battery, or other conventional and disposable batteries, such as A, AA, AAA, etc. Throughout this specification, the terms battery and internal battery may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing batteries may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries of cells, or a package of multiple battery cells as is appropriate for any given battery technology that may be used. As such, the battery indicator 138 allows the user to view the battery life of the battery 136 via a visual means, such as a plurality of LEDs 1380 wherein each LED may represent a battery life percentage when illuminated (e.g. one illuminated LED equates to approximately twenty-five percent of remaining battery life, two illuminated LEDs equate to approximately fifty percent of remaining battery life, three illuminated LEDs equates to approximately seventy-five percent or remaining battery life, and four illuminated LEDs equates to a fully charged battery).

[0033] Additionally, the indicator 138 may be comprised of a singular LED 1380 that can illuminate a plurality of colors which correspond to the power level of the battery 136 (e.g. the LED illuminates red when the battery is low, yellow when the battery is at approximately fifty-percent of remaining battery life, and green when fully charged). In differing embodiments of the device 100, it is contemplated that the body 110 may be comprised of an access slot (not shown) that allows a user to access the battery 136 if needed for battery replacement in the event of battery failure. The slot may further be comprised of a zipper, hook and loop, or other mechanical fastener closure means.

[0034] The internal battery 136 may also power a camera 134 that is preferably positioned along the rear surface 130 of the body portion 110, and is further comprised of at least one microphone (not shown). However, in differing embodiments of the device 100 the camera 134 may alternatively be positioned on the front surface 120, or either interior surface 160/170. In yet another embodiment, the device 100 may be comprised of a plurality of cameras 134 on multiple surfaces 120/130/160/170. The camera 134 is in electrical communication with a mobile application via Bluetooth that allows a user to view a live-feed audio/video from the camera 134 to identify the surrounding area where the device 100 may be lost or stolen, in order to more precisely locate the device 100. The camera 134 may also be used to identify a criminal who has stolen the wallet by capturing their image on video, particularly where the camera 134 is positioned on an interior surface 160/170 of the body portion 110 such that a criminal would look at the inner surface 160/170 while attempting to remove any cards 12 or currency 10 from the wallet device 100. This would allow the camera 134 to identify the criminal by his or her face, wherein the mobile application may then allow the user to save the video or capture a still-image from the video to send to the police via text, email, Bluetooth sharing, streaming etc.

[0035] The rear surface 130 may also be comprised of a detachable loan coin 133 that is magnetically attached to the rear surface 130. In differing embodiments of the device 100, the coin 133 may be additionally attached via any number of fastening means including but not limited to: hook and look, snap button, or other mechanical fastener means. The coin 133 is preferably paired via Bluetooth with the device 100 such that all credit card/card information is present on the coin 133. As such, the coin 133 allows a user to retain the full payment functionality of the device 100 without needing to posses the entire device 100 by detaching the coin 133 from the rear surface 130 and using it to pay at a card reader via a Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, tap-to-pay, or other wireless means. Additionally, the loan coin 133 may comprise the creation of a digital payment loan via the device 100 or coin 133 that allows for payment at a card reader that can be repaid in the future to the business, credit card company, etc.

[0036] It is further contemplated that a differing embodiment of the device 100 may be comprised of a means for a card reader to recognize an individual serial number that is created by the device 100, such that the serial number may be remembered by the card reader. As such, if a user has used the device 100 to physically pay (e.g. placing the device 100 on/near a card reader to pay) via a specific card reader at least once in the past, the card reader will automatically recognize the unique serial number of the device 100 each subsequent time the user approaches said specific card reader to make a purchase. This allows a user to pay via the card reader by simply possessing the device 100 on their person and eliminates the need to take the device 100 out of a pocket, purse, etc. to pay so long as the device 100 is in sufficient range of a card reader that has physically processed at least one payment from the device 100 before. As similarly noted above, this embodiment of the device 100 may also be comprised of the creation of a digital payment loan via the device 100 that allows for payment at a card reader that can be repaid in the future to the business, credit card company, etc.

[0037] The device 100 may also be comprised of an internal Bluetooth and/or GPS transmitter (not shown) that allows a user to track the location of the device 100 via the mobile application in real time. Further, and as noted above, the device 100 may also be comprised of a speaker (not shown). The speaker may be powered by the battery 136 and can be controlled via the mobile application to emit a continuous, singular, or intermittent audible tone to aid the user in locating the device 100. The device 100 may also include a proximity sensor (not shown) that is in communication with the mobile application, and that further triggers the speaker to produce a continuous or singular/intermittent tone when the mobile phone/smart device of a user is detected as being near the device 100 to aid a user in locating the same.

[0038] As noted above, the mobile application may also allow a user to create a plurality of virtual cards that can be stored on a smart device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, smart watch, etc.). The application allows a user to use the smart device camera to scan both sides of a card such that the card data is inputted into the mobile application, wherein the user may then present the virtual card(s) as necessary (e.g. to pay). Further, the mobile application may allow the user to wirelessly pay via the smart device. Preferably, the mobile application only allows a user to pay wirelessly via a smart device with a virtual card when the smart device is in close proximity and connected via a Bluetooth connection to the wallet device 100. In this manner, a thief that has stolen the credit card information of a user may not use a virtual card to make fraudulent purchases without the original owner's smart device being paired to the wallet device 100. Alternatively, the user may use the wallet device 100 itself while paired to the mobile application to pay at a tap-to-pay payment reader (even if the wallet device 100 is in the closed position) by simply touching a portion of the wallet device 100 to the reader. Further, the mobile application may allow a user to create virtual representations of other cards such as, but not limited, to debit cards, driver's licenses, government/military/security identification cards, passports, medical/insurance cards, concealed weapons license cards, hunting licenses, gift cards, vehicle registration and other cards/documents of the like.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of one potential embodiment of an improved smart wallet device 100 of the present invention in an opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture, wherein the interior surfaces 160/170 of the device 100 can be observed. It is contemplated that either interior surface 160/170, only one interior surface 160/170, or neither interior surface 160/170 may be comprised of a plurality of different sized pockets 162/172 that allow a user to store cards 12 and paper currency 10 therein. It is further contemplated that the pockets 162/172 may be comprised of the same material as the body 110, or may be comprised of a differing material such as elastic fabric. In addition, each pocket 162/172 may be closed/sealed by a plurality of closure means such as, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, a zipper assembly, a snap fastening means, a button means, or any other mechanical fastening means known in the art. Further, each pocket 162/172 or the entire body 110 may be comprised of an internal RFID shield (not shown) that is preferably sewn in between the lining of the fabric/body material to protect any cards 12 therein from being RFID skimmed by criminals. In differing embodiments of the device 100, the shield(s) may be comprised of a flexible, semi-flexible or rigid material. Further, the RFID shield may be comprised of a passive mechanism that absorbs/deflects any incoming RFID signals (e.g. from an RFID skimmer) or an active mechanism that is comprised of a microchip that produces an interfering signal that disrupts an RFID skimmer or similar device.

[0040] In differing embodiments of the device 100, the body 110 may also include a plurality of different material thicknesses. As such, the top edge 164, bottom edge 166, and side edge 168 of the first surface 160 and/or the top edge 174, bottom edge 176, and side edge 178 of the second surface 170 may be comprised of a plurality of concealed pockets 180 within the face of each edge 164/166/168/174/176/178 of any number or arrangement, which may be best observed in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In alternative embodiments of the wallet device 100, any face 164/166/168/174/176/178 of either surface 160/170 may be comprised of any number of pockets 180, wherein the pockets 180 are comprised of an opening that allows a user to conceal a plurality of cards 12, currency 10, or similar items within the pocket 180 in a concealed manner (e.g. out of immediate view of anyone who opens the device 100). As such, each pocket 180 may further be secured by a zipper, hook and loop, or other mechanical fastener closure means (not shown).

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates an enhanced perspective front view of another embodiment of the bottom edge of the second interior surface of the improved smart wallet device 100 of the present invention in an opened position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, the bottom edge 166 of the first surface 160 may be comprised of a USB port 195 that allows a user to charge the internal battery 136, or allows the user to plug a USB charging cord (not shown) into a USB receptacle 190 to externally charge a personal device, such as a cell phone or other smart device. In an alternative embodiment of the wallet device 100, both ports 190/195 may include a plurality of USB types such as, but not limited to, USB-A, USB-B, Micro-B, Micro-USB, Mini-USB, USB-C, etc. Further, it is contemplated that any edge 164/166/168/174/176/178 of the wallet device 100 may be comprised of a plurality of USB ports 190/195 in alternative embodiments of the device 100. In addition, the battery 136 of the device 100 may incorporate a means to be charged wirelessly, or to wirelessly charge a smart device via placing the smart device on the surface 120/130/160/170 under which the battery 136 is located in differing embodiments of the device 100 (e.g. where the device 100 itself acts as a wireless charger for another device).

[0042] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the smart wallet device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the smart wallet device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the smart wallet device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the smart wallet device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the smart wallet device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0043] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0044] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.