Patents Assigned to BLOCK, INC.
  • Publication number: 20240161072
    Abstract: A decentralized node may generate a network of decentralized nodes individually configured to store, receive, and transmit data based on rules associated with the decentralized nodes. A decentralized node may associate a decentralized identity of an entity with a select decentralized node of the decentralized nodes. A decentralized node may present a user interface including one or more access controls at a edge device, the access controls configuring rules to be applied to third-party access and modification of decentralized identity data associated within the decentralized identity of the entity and stored at the selected decentralized node. A decentralized node may identify the decentralized identity data accessible to the select decentralized node based on the rules. A decentralized node may store the decentralized identity data within the decentralized identity associated with the entity at the select decentralized node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Chiu, Daniel Buchner
  • Publication number: 20240160883
    Abstract: Technology is described for providing and using a thermo-sensitive payment card. An example payment card comprises a card substrate and a personalization layer overlaying the card substrate. The personalization layer includes a first region and a second region surrounding the first region. The first region includes an account number associated with an account of a user, and the account of the user is maintained by a payment service system that issues the payment card. At least one of the first region or the second region comprises a thermochromic ink such that application of heat to the first region or the second region having the thermochromic ink causes a change in color of the personalization layer so as to reveal the account number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Fletcher, Ashutosh Dhodapkar
  • Patent number: 11983763
    Abstract: Generation of dynamic electronic representations using modeling is described. Interaction data comprising attributes of one or more interactions between a user and the service provider or one or more third-party services integrated with the service provider is received. A model is executed to dynamically generate an electronic representation for a user profile based upon the interaction data, wherein the model is trained using attributes associated with a set of existing user profiles associated with the service provider and corresponding interaction data indicative of interaction data of the set of existing user profiles, and wherein the electronic representation is generated without input from the user. The electronic representation can be presented on an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Ragavan Thurairatnam, Marc Tyndel, Louay Hazami, Per Engstrom, Jeremy Mawson, Thomas Collier, Rocky Medure
  • Patent number: 11983697
    Abstract: Techniques described herein are directed to application(s), or parts thereof, that are embedded into a buyer application. In an example, engagement with a buyer application on a computing device of a buyer can be detected. A particular, discrete functionality of a merchant application of the merchant can be triggered to be initialized in response to the engagement and the particular, discrete functionality associated with the merchant application can be accessed. In an example, an indication of a transaction between the merchant and the buyer can be received and the indication of the transaction can be associated with stored activity data of one or more transactions of the buyer, wherein the one or more transactions are associated with the buyer application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Goolkasian, Brandon Labbe, Vitaly Odemchuk, Shaun Forouzandeh
  • Patent number: 11983701
    Abstract: Temporarily provisioning card on file payment functionality to proximate merchants is described herein. A point-of-sale (POS) application executable by a POS device associated with a merchant can store an identifier associated with payment data corresponding to a payment instrument of a customer for use in future transactions with the customer. A payment processing service can determine other merchant(s) that subscribe to services of the payment processing service are participating in an event with the merchant and can receive a request to provision the payment data to the other merchant(s) to enable the other merchant(s) to use the identifier to complete transaction(s) with the customer without requiring the customer to present the payment instrument in association with the transaction(s). The payment processing service can provision the identifier to other POS device(s) of the other merchant(s) for temporarily storing the identifier on individual POS devices of the other POS device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Blackie, Prashan Dharmasena, Justin McKibben
  • Patent number: 11983675
    Abstract: Techniques are described for generating user interface components corresponding to services performed by merchants and periods of time for performing the services. The techniques may include a payment processing service determining service information associated with services performed for merchants for whom the payment processing service has processed payments. In examples, a duration-identification model may be trained using at least one of employee-management data, appointment data, or catalog data. The duration-identification model may be applied to stored transaction data to determine duration information associated with the service(s) performed by the merchants. Based on the service information and duration information, user interface components may be generated without user input from a user. The user interface components may correspond to the service and periods of time for performing the services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Cunliffe, Edmond Chan
  • Patent number: 11983688
    Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device includes an output device such as a speaker, a display screen, or a network interface. The POS device also includes a secure enclosure housing a secure processor and tamper detection circuitry for detecting attempts to tamper with the secure enclosure. Use of the output device is shared between the secure processor and a main processor via a switch that is controlled by the secure processor. The secure processor can switch control of the output device from the main processor to itself and can output an output dataset via the output device in a number of scenarios. These scenarios include the secure processor detecting an attempt to tamper with the secure enclosure, the secure processor recognizing that the main processor is behaving suspiciously, or the secure processor wanting to output sensitive information. The output dataset may include visual data, audio data, or network data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Cory Douthat, Jason Binder, Matthew Maibach, Thomas Byrne
  • Patent number: 11983686
    Abstract: Systems and methods comprising determining a first user in proximity to a point of sale (POS) device of a second user, the POS device having detected an identity of the first user and a number of devices associated with the POS device. The number of devices is compared to a baseline number of devices in proximity to the POS device, which is based on a time of day and calculated from a time period prior to the time of day. Based on a determination that the number differs from the baseline number by more than a threshold amount, data is generated that includes an indication configured to be displayed utilizing a client application executing on a device of the first user, wherein user interaction with the indication enables the user to at least one of initiate or modify a transaction with the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Holmes, Logan Johnson, Raymond John Ryan, Jotham Taylor, III
  • Publication number: 20240144272
    Abstract: A cryptocurrency management device (CMD) may be used to perform various cryptocurrency management functions, such as storage of cryptocurrency, user authentication, and initiation or processing of a transaction for transferring cryptocurrency. To conserve the power resources of the CMD, components of the CMD may be transitioned to a sleep state for extended periods of time. Such components may be automatically activated by a user touching the CMD or bringing a wireless communication device within range of the CMD. The circuitry of the CMD that triggers the activation are capable of continuously monitoring for such inputs over extended periods of time without consuming significant amounts of power, thereby conserving the power resources of the CMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew H. Maibach
  • Publication number: 20240142543
    Abstract: A method for predicting time-to-failure and remaining-life of an electrical power system asset includes analyzing characteristics of the power system asset over a specified time interval; based on the analysis, associating the power system asset with a pool of similar power system assets having similar historical performance characteristics; and based on the association, calculating time-to-failure and remaining-life probability factors for the power system asset. A computer program product is also provided for carrying out the method, and the method may further include a mechanism whereby the computer program learns ways to modify and enhance the analysis of the performance characteristics to provide for higher confidence levels in time-to-failure and remaining-life probability calculations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Fischer Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Wolfe, Margaret Paietta
  • Publication number: 20240144260
    Abstract: A payment device such as electronic transaction card or an near field communication device can use a temporary token for payment transactions. When processing a payment transaction, a payment reader can obtain the temporary token from the payment device and provide the temporary token to a server of the issuer of the payment device. The payment reader can receive a new temporary token and an issuer script from the server and provide the new temporary token and the issuer script to the payment device. When the payment device receives the issuer script, the payment device can execute the issuer script, while the payment device is interfaced with the payment reader, to store the new temporary token on the payment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Afshin Rezayee, Murat Cat
  • Publication number: 20240144233
    Abstract: A cryptocurrency management device (CMD) may be used to perform various cryptocurrency management functions, such as storage of cryptocurrency, user authentication, and initiation or processing of a transaction for transferring cryptocurrency. To conserve the power resources of the CMD, components of the CMD may be transitioned to a sleep state for extended periods of time. Such components may be automatically activated by a user touching the CMD or bringing a wireless communication device within range of the CMD. The circuitry of the CMD that triggers the activation are capable of continuously monitoring for such inputs over extended periods of time without consuming significant amounts of power, thereby conserving the power resources of the CMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew H. Maibach
  • Patent number: 11972407
    Abstract: Embedding applications, or parts thereof, into other applications, or parts thereof, is described. In an example, an engagement with a first application, or a part thereof, can be detected, which can trigger a second application, or a part thereof, to be initialized in response to the engagement. In at least one example, the first application, or a part thereof, can provisionally transfer to the second application, or a part thereof. Based at least in part on detecting a user interaction with the second application, or a part thereof, a portion of the user interaction can be embedded in the first application, or a part thereof, and the embedded portion of the user interaction can be presented via a user interface associated with the first application, or part thereof, via a user computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Goolkasian, Brandon Labbe, Vitaly Odemchuk, Shaun Forouzandeh
  • Patent number: 11966961
    Abstract: A service provider may receive item price information and/or point of sale (POS) transaction information from a plurality of merchant devices associated with a plurality of merchants. The service provider may categorize the plurality of merchants according to the types of items offered by the respective merchants, and may further categorize the merchants according to the locations at which they conduct business. The service provider may subsequently determine a price recommendation or other pricing information for a particular item offered by a particular merchant. A merchant device of the particular merchant may present the pricing information in a user interface that enables the merchant to view projected sales at various different price points. Further, the merchant may be able to specify one or more factors used for determining the recommend price, such as a desired business model, a desired clientele, a desired profit margin, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhay Raj Kumar, Rong Yan, Mason Ng, Gian Perrone, Mai Leduc
  • Patent number: 11966805
    Abstract: A point-of-sale system is a dual-screen stand assembly that includes a merchant terminal and a consumer terminal. The merchant terminal and the consumer terminal can be mated together in a fixed position to form a single unitary stand, or can be separated from each other in a separated position with each terminal serving as its own separate stand. The merchant terminal supports a merchant computing device and is oriented in a merchant-facing direction. The consumer terminal is detachably mated to the merchant terminal and supports a consumer computing device that is oriented in a consumer-facing direction. The point-of-sale system also includes a card reader as part of the customer terminal to perform a payment. The card reader is configured to accepting swipe cards, chip cards or contactless (EMV or NFC) payments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Yenliang Chen, Isreal Blagdan, Michael C. Lamfalusi, Kartik Lamba, Jeremy Wade
  • Patent number: 11961055
    Abstract: Disclose herein are systems and methods for enabling a payer with an account at a financial institution (e.g., a bank) to send a payment to a payee by submitting, via a financial application of the financial institution, the payee's identifier, where the funds associated with the payment are transferred from a financial account associated with a third-party, remote computer system of a payment service (“PSS”), directly to the payee substantially instantaneously upon the payer's request. The payment request is processed based on communications between a computer system of the financial institution (“financial institution system”), a mobile financial application installed on the payer's mobile device, and the PSS. The PSS identifies the payee's financial account and executes, or triggers execution of, the transfer of funds. The PSS further requests a reimbursement of the payment from the payer's financial account to the financial account associated with the PSS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Anish Bhatt, Charles Kimble
  • Publication number: 20240121299
    Abstract: A method for designing and constructing a thin programmable dynamic credential card is disclosed. The thin programmable dynamic credential card may comprise multiple layers, including a top surface layer containing an opening through which a graphical display system below the top surface layer can be viewed. The graphical display system is configured to present at least one coded image. The at least one coded image is determined based at least in part on context data associated with a context of the programmable credential card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuldeep Amarnath, Ashutosh Dhodapkar
  • Patent number: 11954549
    Abstract: A point-of-sale system is a dual-screen stand assembly that includes a merchant terminal and a consumer terminal. The merchant terminal and the consumer terminal can be mated together in a fixed position to form a single unitary stand, or can be separated from each other in a separated position with each terminal serving as its own separate stand. The merchant terminal supports a merchant computing device and is oriented in a merchant-facing direction. The consumer terminal is detachably mated to the merchant terminal and supports a consumer computing device that is oriented in a consumer-facing direction. The point-of-sale system also includes a card reader as part of the customer terminal to perform a payment. The card reader is configured to accepting swipe cards, chip cards or contactless (EMV or NFC) payments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Yenliang Chen, Isreal Blagdan, Michael C. Lamfalusi, Kartik Lamba, Jeremy Wade
  • Patent number: 11948140
    Abstract: In some examples, a payment processing system may receive an indication of a transaction between a customer and a merchant. The payment processing system may generate a notification indicating completion of the transaction between the customer and the merchant. Further, the payment processing system may transmit the notification to a device associated with the customer. For instance, the notification may include an offer for the customer to receive financing from the payment processing system for the transaction or a future transaction. The payment processing system may receive an acceptance of the offer to receive financing, and may transmit an instruction to cause a financed amount to be provided according to the acceptance of the offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: BLOCK, INC.
    Inventor: Garrett Spitzer
  • Patent number: D1021943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Arjun Mahanti, Matthew T. Kursmark, Brian Stegall