Near Field Communications Handsets and Tags, NFC Pilots and Projects

FreeLinc announces new patent for NFC device detection system

Monday, June 7, 2010

FreeLinc has issued a new patent for a wireless system capable of detecting an NFC-enabled device’s location and orientation relative to another NFC device.

FreeLinc says this technology can be used to enhance the capabilities of next-generation NFC systems by enabling such devices to sense and interact with a user’s response through motion and location detection.


Possible applications for this technology include: wireless video game controllers, secure NFC transactions, home and business security access control and customer behavior monitoring and tracking.

“The capabilities this Patent provides FreeLinc will add significant value to our NFC solutions,” stated Randy Bailey, FreeLinc Chairman and President. “The ability to use NFC for ‘orientation’ has broad applications in developing NFC markets.” [end] 

On Track Innovations has received a U.S. patent for adding contactless capability to existing mobile handsets through contactless SIM technology.

U.S. Patent No. 8,090,407, aka “Contactless Smart SIM,” covers the capabilities necessary to turn existing mobile handsets into NFC-enabled devices through the use of a SIM card and a specifically designed antenna, all while keeping the phone and operating system “fully agnostic,” says OTI.

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The Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) has announced the launch of its new Mobile Payments Report, a market research service that examines the mobile phone as a payments device, financial managing tool, marketing channel and as a method of engaging with consumers.

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Mobile payment solution provider I Love Velvet announced that it has reached the second level of EMV certification (EMV2) which authorizes PIN and integrated chip payments from debit, credit and smart cards around the world.

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Superdrug, one of Britain’s largest beauty and health retailers, has introduced contactless payment for its in-store customers, according to Retail Gazette.

Created by Streamline and Visa Europe, the contactless system will enable customers to make payments of up to £15 (approx. USD $23) by simply waving their contactless bank card at the more than 50 participating Superdrug stores in London and Liverpool.

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A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments.

Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone.

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In a new patent application by Apple, the company appears to be looking to incorporate user face recognition via front-facing cameras on its devices, according to an Apple Insider article.

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