Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing transactions using financial instruments with encrypted data storage devices, such as integrated circuit cards (ICC). In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can be configured to access the encrypted information in an ICC via an index or table of keys stored on a host device. In operation, upon detecting an ICC, the reader device can obtain application or protocol information for the ICC and concurrently pre-fetch keys from the host device, so that the pre-fetched keys are received prior to or concurrently with the application or protocol information. In the event that the pre-fetch fails to provide the keys needed for the application or protocol of the ICC, the reader device can make a specific request for the exact keys needed for the application or protocol.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing operation of an automatic gain control (AGC) sub-circuit on a host device computing device. In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can include a controller, a noise generator, noise coupling circuitry, and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the reader device can provide an intentional noise signal to the host device via a signal path where the intentional noise signal is configured to establish a substantially stable gain amount at the AGC sub-circuit.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for reducing battery consumption while performing region monitoring. A mobile device requests, from a web server, N regions to be monitored within a circle having a first radius centered at a current location of the mobile device. The mobile device receives at most N closest regions and a second radius, wherein a personal region comprises an area of a circle having the second radius and centered at the current location of the mobile device. The second radius may be the same or different from the first radius. The mobile device monitors an updated location of the mobile device with respect to the previously defined personal region. The mobile device performs region monitoring of the received regions. When it is determined that the mobile device exits the personal region, requesting, from the web server, an update of the regions to be monitored.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for reducing battery consumption while tracking a location of a mobile device. A location tracking application at the mobile device registers to receive location updates from the mobile device. The application receives a location update from the mobile device and determines whether to transmit location information from the received location update to a remote web server.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing operation of an automatic gain control (AGC) sub-circuit on a host device computing device. In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can include a controller, a noise generator, noise coupling circuitry, and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the reader device can provide an intentional noise signal to the host device via a signal path where the intentional noise signal is configured to establish a substantially stable gain amount at the AGC sub-circuit.

Abstract: The subject technology relates to methods for processing a payment using a mobile card reader. Implementations of the subject technology provide include steps for determining, using a first communication module, a first available bandwidth for data transacted between the card reader and a payment processing service, and determining, using the second communication module, a second available bandwidth for data transacted between a local device and the payment processing service. In some implementations, the method can further include steps for selecting a communication path for communicating with the payment processing service based on the first available bandwidth and the second available bandwidth. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for reducing battery consumption while performing region monitoring. A mobile device requests, from a web server, N regions to be monitored within a circle having a first radius centered at a current location of the mobile device. The mobile device receives at most N closest regions and a second radius, wherein a personal region comprises an area of a circle having the second radius and centered at the current location of the mobile device. The second radius may be the same or different from the first radius. The mobile device monitors an updated location of the mobile device with respect to the previously defined personal region. The mobile device performs region monitoring of the received regions. When it is determined that the mobile device exits the personal region, requesting, from the web server, an update of the regions to be monitored.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for reducing battery consumption while tracking a location of a mobile device. A location tracking application at the mobile device registers to receive location updates from the mobile device. The application receives a location update from the mobile device and determines whether to transmit location information from the received location update to a remote web server.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing operation of an automatic gain control (AGC) sub-circuit on a host device computing device. In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can include a controller, a noise generator, noise coupling circuitry, and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the reader device can provide an intentional noise signal to the host device via a signal path where the intentional noise signal is configured to establish a substantially stable gain amount at the AGC sub-circuit.

Abstract: The subject technology relates to methods for processing a payment using a mobile card reader. Implementations of the subject technology provide include steps for determining, using a first communication module, a first available bandwidth for data transacted between the card reader and a payment processing service, and determining, using the second communication module, a second available bandwidth for data transacted between a local device and the payment processing service. In some implementations, the method can further include steps for selecting a communication path for communicating with the payment processing service based on the first available bandwidth and the second available bandwidth. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: The subject technology relates to methods and systems for processing a payment using a mobile card reader. Implementations of the subject technology provide a method for receiving payment information, wherein the payment information specifies a payment amount, generating an authorization request to process the payment information, encrypting the authorization request using an encryption engine to generate a secure authorization request and transmitting the secure authorization request using the radio transceiver to a payment processor via a messaging service, wherein the messaging service comprises one or more of a SMS, a MMS or an email service. In certain aspects, methods of the subject technology can further include steps for receiving an authorization response from the payment processor via the messaging service. Systems and methods for mobile card reader activation are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing transactions using financial instruments with encrypted data storage devices, such as integrated circuit cards (ICC). In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can be configured to access the encrypted information in an ICC via an index or table of keys stored on a host device. In operation, upon detecting an ICC, the reader device can obtain application or protocol information for the ICC and concurrently pre-fetch keys from the host device, so that the pre-fetched keys are received prior to or concurrently with the application or protocol information. In the event that the pre-fetch fails to provide the keys needed for the application or protocol of the ICC, the reader device can make a specific request for the exact keys needed for the application or protocol.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a reader device for managing operation of an automatic gain control (AGC) sub-circuit on a host device computing device. In some implementations, a reader device of the subject technology can include a controller, a noise generator, noise coupling circuitry, and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the reader device can provide an intentional noise signal to the host device via a signal path where the intentional noise signal is configured to establish a substantially stable gain amount at the AGC sub-circuit.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for determining whether a newer firmware version is available for the card reader or whether a download of such a firmware needs to be completed, and in response to determining such a download is needed, performing a download of the firmware via the audio plug during periods of inactivity.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for tuning communication parameters. That is, upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the devices can engage in an exchange of carrier waves which the devices exchange can used to not only determine and negotiate operational parameters for the devices that support a highest possible connection speed with acceptable connection quality.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for tuning communication parameters. That is, upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the devices can engage in an exchange of carrier waves which the devices exchange can used to not only determine and negotiate operational parameters for the devices that support a highest possible connection speed with acceptable connection quality.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for determining whether a newer firmware version is available for the card reader or whether a download of such a firmware needs to be completed, and in response to determining such a download is needed, performing a download of the firmware via the audio plug during periods of inactivity.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for tuning communication parameters. That is, upon connection of the reader device to the host computing device, the devices can engage in an exchange of carrier waves which the devices exchange can used to not only determine and negotiate operational parameters for the devices that support a highest possible connection speed with acceptable connection quality.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure provide a card reader for receiving payment card information at a mobile point-of-sale terminal. In some implementations, a reader of the subject technology can include a memory, a conditioning module and a 3.5 mm audio plug including an audio bus that is configured for insertion into a headphone port of a host device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Implementations of the subject technology also include a microprocessor configured to perform operations for determining whether a newer firmware version is available for the card reader or whether a download of such a firmware needs to be completed, and in response to determining such a download is needed, performing a download of the firmware via the audio plug during periods of inactivity.