Patents Assigned to BLOCK, INC.
  • Publication number: 20240037542
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods, systems, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer readable media for managing cryptocurrency. A cryptocurrency management system has a cryptocurrency management device (CMD), a mobile communication device (MCD), and a cryptocurrency management server (CMS) that are each configured to store a respective private key for use in generating a respective authenticating signature for a multi-signature address of a cryptocurrency network. Any two of the three authenticating signatures capable of being generated by the CMD, MCD, and CMS may be combined to generate a fully authenticated request for transferring cryptocurrency associated with the multi-signature address. The system provides the user with a flexible self-custody solution that permits him or her to transfer cryptocurrency without having to access the private key stored at the CMS. However, the CMS enables for recovery in the event of loss or unavailability of one or both of the CMD and/or the MCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Lanman, Alexander Schoof, Arvin Aminpour, Clayton Garrett
  • Patent number: 11887022
    Abstract: A provisioning system is provided for terminals such as point of sale terminals. An interface device interfaces with a smart card and a provisioning server, providing initialization keys and security codes that are stored on the smart card. At a terminal, an initialization key from the smart card may be provided to the terminal if a correct security code is entered at the terminal. The terminal may then provide a terminal authorization package to the smart card. The terminal authorization package is stored on the smart card. At the interface device, the terminal authorization package is provided to the provisioning server. The terminal may then securely communicate transactions with an issuer server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc
    Inventors: Malcolm Smith, Kshitiz Vadera, Afshin Rezayee
  • Patent number: 11887102
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes, by one or more computing devices associated with a payment service (PS), assigning a first payment card number of a first plurality of payment card numbers to an account of a user, wherein the first plurality of payment card numbers is issued from a first issuer processor. The PS detecting an event affecting the use of the first payment card in a transaction. The PS, in response to detecting the event, accessing a second plurality of payment card numbers issued from a second issuer processor and assigning a second payment card number of the second plurality of payment card numbers to the account of the user. The PS receiving an indication that a status of the event has changed. The PS, in response to receiving the indication, automatically enabling, the first payment card number for use in transactions for the account of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Conor Walsh, Michael Bain, Alexander Szlavik
  • Patent number: 11887147
    Abstract: In some examples, a graphical user interface (GUI) presented via a mobile application includes a first user interface element representative of a payment instrument of a user, and one or more second user interface elements. Each second user interface element is representative of a respective reward offer associated with a respective merchant, and the respective reward offer is selectable via interaction with the corresponding second user interface element. The second user interface elements are presented in a scrollable carousel that is presented separately from, and proximate to, the first user interface element. Based at least on receiving, via the GUI, a selection of one of the second user interface elements, a corresponding respective reward offer from a respective merchant is associated with the payment instrument of the user, and the corresponding respective reward offer is redeemable in association with a transaction involving the payment instrument and the respective merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BLOCK, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon Jacoby, Owen Jennings, Ali Hussain
  • Patent number: 11887074
    Abstract: In some examples, a payment service system receives a request to associate a proxy identifier with a user account of a charity. The proxy identifier is individually distinguishable from other proxy identifiers associated with user accounts of other users, and has a syntax including a symbol and a string of one or more characters. The symbol and the string are concatenated such that the symbol appears immediately before the string. The payment service system receives, via an application on a user device of a user, an input associated with the proxy identifier, and performs a database lookup to identify the user account associated with the proxy identifier. Information associated with the user account of the charity is presented via a user interface presented by the application. The user interface enables the user to donate funds from a financial account of the user to the user account of the charity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BLOCK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Grassadonia, Jesse Wilson
  • Patent number: 11888730
    Abstract: Dynamically optimizing routing within a decentralized network is described. In accordance with the described techniques, a node operator accesses historical state data associated with a decentralized network layered on top of a blockchain network. Using machine learning, the node operator trains one or more models based on the historical state data. For example, the node operator trains the one or more models to optimize routing within the decentralized network. In near-real time and using the one or more models, the node operator monitors state data (e.g., current state data) associated with the decentralized network. Based at least in part on the monitoring, the node operator performs one or more actions to optimize the routing within the decentralized network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Palermo, Marc Tyndel, Hashiam Kadhim
  • Patent number: 11880818
    Abstract: Techniques and arrangements of a point-of-sale (POS) system including a transaction interface control mechanism configured to prevent simultaneous input by a merchant and a customer during a transaction. The POS system can include a merchant user interface (UI) presented on a merchant-facing display and a customer UI presented on a customer-facing display. In some instances, the merchant UI can be on a display of a merchant device, while the customer UI can be on a display of a customer device. In such instances, the merchant device and the customer device can be operably connected via a wired or wireless connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bell, Alexey Kalinichenko, Logan Johnson, Nicholas Dower, Raymond Ryan
  • Patent number: 11880813
    Abstract: In some examples, a payment system generates, for a first user, a proxy identifier having a syntax including a symbol and a string of one or more characters that are concatenated such that the symbol appears immediately before the string. The proxy identifier is associated with a financial account of the first user. The payment system receives an indication of an intent to transfer funds from a second user to the first user. The indication includes the proxy identifier in lieu of financial account information of the first user, and to identify the financial account of the first user for receiving the funds. Based at least on identifying the proxy identifier, the payment system accesses the financial account information of the first user and initiates the transfer of funds from the financial account of the second user to the financial account of the first user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: BLOCK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Grassadonia, Jesse Wilson
  • Patent number: 11880788
    Abstract: Geo-fences may be dynamically reconfigured to identify employees that may be of particular interest to users. In some instances, a geo-fence may be defined for a particular user based on a variety of information, in order to identify employees that may be of interest to the user and that are located within proximity to the user. The system may identify employees based on a confidence score that a particular employee or set of employees may have assisted the user during the shopping process. Information regarding the identified employees may be displayed or otherwise output to notify the user of nearby employees that may be of interest, for example in the form of an interactive digital receipt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Veronica Ho, Matthew Haehl, Saqi Mehta, Stephanie Snyder
  • Publication number: 20240018940
    Abstract: A technique for performing condition monitoring of a plurality of components of a plurality of wind turbines is disclosed. The technique includes, for each of the plurality of wind turbines, measuring at least one time-series electrical output signal of the wind turbine generator, each time-series electrical output signal representing an aggregate of a plurality of subset signals. Such condition monitoring further includes mathematically extracting one or more such subset signals from the at least one time-series electrical output signal of the generator, and associating one or more such subset signals with one or more wind turbine components. A fault threshold value for each such one or more subset signals may be determined, and the one or more such subset signals are compared to such fault threshold value. Based on such association and comparison, the condition of such a wind turbine component of the plurality of wind turbines is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Fischer Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret Paietta, Gregory Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20240013172
    Abstract: Blockchain supported resource transfer communication protocol techniques are described. In an implementation, a semantic message is received encoding parameters to be implemented as part of a resource transfer involving a digital wallet. A quote is generated specifying attributes as part of implementing communication connections to perform the resource transfer in compliance with the parameters specified by the semantic message. An acceptance message is received indicating acceptance of the quote, the acceptance message including credentials of the digital wallet. Generation is initiated of an application executable as part of a blockchain as complying with the parameters and the attributes. Data describing the application as executable as part of the blockchain is transmitted for distribution to the digital wallet. The resource transfer is initiated through execution of the application as part of the blockchain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca Corcillo, Emily Chiu, Moiz Jangda, Megan Coleman, Tianlong Yun
  • Patent number: 11869096
    Abstract: Various embodiments are related to receiving, by a system and from a user interface associated with an application, provided by the system and executing on a computing device of a user, an input for configuring early payment of at least a percentage of earned pay of the user; and initiating, by the system, an electronic transfer of a payment for at least the percentage of the earned pay of the user to an account of the user, wherein the electronic transfer occurs prior to a scheduled paycheck for the earned pay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Aaron, Cody Rose
  • Patent number: 11871237
    Abstract: In some examples, a system and method for pairing a payment object reader with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal is described herein. The method includes determining, by a wireless transceiver, a first value of signal strength corresponding to a current position of the payment object reader and a second value of signal strength corresponding to a new position of the payment object reader. The POS terminal then identifies the first wireless device as an intended candidate for pairing with the second wireless device based on variation in signal strength from the first value of signal strength to the second value of signal strength. Accordingly, the POS terminal establishes a wireless communication channel between the POS terminal and the payment object reader device for exchange of information. Once paired, the payment object reader allows the POS terminal to accept payments from a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Koun Han, Michael Wells White, Robert Harrison Gilliam
  • Patent number: 11867770
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fischer Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Wolfe, Margaret Paietta
  • Patent number: 11861438
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Fletcher, Ashutosh Dhodapkar
  • Patent number: 11861579
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an intelligent inventory system are disclosed. The systems and methods described herein may receive data from a point-of-sale (POS) device of a merchant indicating an item to add to an inventory catalog of the merchant. A rate may be determined that is associated with how many times the item may be returned or exchanged with a similarly-situated merchant. Additionally, or alternatively, the rate may comprise a fluctuation in price for the item and/or an amount of times the item may be re-stocked and/or re-ordered by the similarly-situated merchant. If the determined rate exceeds a threshold rate, a suggestion may be sent to the POS device of the merchant. The suggestion may comprise a suggested second item rather than the item requested, a suggested price to charge for the item suggested, and/or a suggested quantity to order of the item requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Capers, Brian Stegall, Katherine Brennan, Marsal Gavalda, Matthew O'Connor
  • Patent number: 11861623
    Abstract: Examples, methods and systems described herein may include determining, by a payment processing system, whether a second payment mechanism may be used to perform a payment transaction when a first payment mechanism is preferred and/or when the first payment mechanism has failed. Determining to use the second payment mechanism can be based on (i) an analysis of a communication status indicator received from a point-of-sale (POS) terminal that indicates which payment mechanisms are capable of communicating with the POS terminal, (ii) data received from the POS terminal that is associated with a read of a payment object, and/or (iii) an allowance criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Charles Nicholson, David Terra, Jason Holmes, Martin Mroz
  • Patent number: 11861581
    Abstract: Described is a technology that enables a customer, who uses a payment card in a point-of-sale (POS) transaction and provides a biometric identifier to the merchant, to use the biometric identifier as a payment mechanism in future transactions. In some embodiments, the technology involves communication between a customer's user device, a payment service system (PSS), and one or more merchant POS systems. A merchant POS system collects information around the time or after the time of the POS transaction between the merchant POS system and the customer, including, among others, a biometric identifier of the customer and forwards this information to the PSS. The PSS stores the biometric identifier in association with the payment card used in the transaction. In a second transaction, the customer may provide the biometric and the PSS may process the transaction based at least in part on the identifier without the customer needing to provide a payment card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Grassadonia, Ajit Kalidindi Varma, Mark Jen
  • Patent number: 11861590
    Abstract: Identity verification using payment instrument(s) is described. In an example, an identifier associated with a user can be associated with a secure storage component of a payment instrument associated with the user. A verifying entity—which can be a computing resource and/or a service provider—can receive a request to access a computing resource availed via a computing device operable by the user. The verifying entity can determine whether to grant the user access to the computing resource based at least in part on an interaction between the payment instrument and a reader device associated with the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver S. C. Quigley
  • Patent number: 11861699
    Abstract: In some examples, a system receives first transaction data for first transactions processed by a payment service, and uses a first model to determine, based on the first transaction data, that a probability of default for a user of the payment service satisfies a threshold. The system generates, based on a first financing factor, a first offer of credit for the user, and sends the first offer to the user. The system determines, based on third party information, that the user has additional income, and receives, from one or more of the third-party systems, second transaction data indicating the additional income. The system uses a machine learning model included in the first model to determine a second financing factor based on the second transaction data, and generates, based on the first financing factor and the second financing factor, a second offer of credit to send to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BLOCK, INC.
    Inventors: Juan Ignacio Santa Cruz Masoni, Philip Spanoudes, Melissa Doerken, Jerome Weiss