Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems with multiple NFC front ends and at least one shared controller. One disclosed system includes a first discrete device having a first near field communication (NFC) controller, a second discrete device having a second NFC controller, a communicative connection between the first discrete device and the second discrete device, and a system controller located on the first discrete device. The system controller is communicatively connected to the first NFC controller. The system controller is connected to the second NFC controller via the communicative connection. In specific approaches, the second discrete device can include a display which is also controlled by the system controller, and the system controller is NCI compliant and application aware. In specific approaches, the system controller can control the second NFC controller based on the content concurrently being provided to the display.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems with multiple NFC front ends and at least one shared controller. One disclosed system includes a first discrete device having a first near field communication (NFC) controller, a second discrete device having a second NFC controller, a communicative connection between the first discrete device and the second discrete device, and a system controller located on the first discrete device. The system controller is communicatively connected to the first NFC controller. The system controller is connected to the second NFC controller via the communicative connection. In specific approaches, the second discrete device can include a display which is also controlled by the system controller, and the system controller is NCI compliant and application aware. In specific approaches, the system controller can control the second NFC controller based on the content concurrently being provided to the display.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems with multiple NFC front ends and at least one shared controller. One disclosed system includes a first discrete device having a first near field communication (NFC) controller, a second discrete device having a second NFC controller, a communicative connection between the first discrete device and the second discrete device, and a system controller located on the first discrete device. The system controller is communicatively connected to the first NFC controller. The system controller is connected to the second NFC controller via the communicative connection. In specific approaches, the second discrete device can include a display which is also controlled by the system controller, and the system controller is NCI compliant and application aware. In specific approaches, the system controller can control the second NFC controller based on the content concurrently being provided to the display.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an applications microprocessor programmed to: (i) instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system and (ii) generate a set of data packets. The system also includes a discrete microcontroller communicatively coupled with the applications microprocessor and programmed to: (i) selectively operate in an unsecure mode and a secure mode; and (ii) filter, when operating in the unsecure mode, the set of data packets received from the applications microprocessor using a filter and a whitelist for the filter. The system also includes a near field communication front end communicatively coupled to the discrete microcontroller and an antenna, for transmitting a near field communication signal based on information from the set of data packets via the antenna.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems with multiple NFC front ends and at least one shared controller. One disclosed system includes a first discrete device having a first near field communication (NFC) controller, a second discrete device having a second NFC controller, a communicative connection between the first discrete device and the second discrete device, and a system controller located on the first discrete device. The system controller is communicatively connected to the first NFC controller. The system controller is connected to the second NFC controller via the communicative connection. In specific approaches, the second discrete device can include a display which is also controlled by the system controller, and the system controller is NCI compliant and application aware. In specific approaches, the system controller can control the second NFC controller based on the content concurrently being provided to the display.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an applications microprocessor programmed to: (i) instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system and (ii) generate a set of data packets. The system also includes a discrete microcontroller communicatively coupled with the applications microprocessor and programmed to: (i) selectively operate in an unsecure mode and a secure mode; and (ii) filter, when operating in the unsecure mode, the set of data packets received from the applications microprocessor using a filter and a whitelist for the filter. The system also includes a near field communication front end communicatively coupled to the discrete microcontroller and an antenna, for transmitting a near field communication signal based on information from the set of data packets via the antenna.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems with multiple NFC front ends and at least one shared controller. One disclosed system includes a first discrete device having a first near field communication (NFC) controller, a second discrete device having a second NFC controller, a communicative connection between the first discrete device and the second discrete device, and a system controller located on the first discrete device. The system controller is communicatively connected to the first NFC controller. The system controller is connected to the second NFC controller via the communicative connection. In specific approaches, the second discrete device can include a display which is also controlled by the system controller, and the system controller is NCI compliant and application aware. In specific approaches, the system controller can control the second NFC controller based on the content concurrently being provided to the display.

Abstract: An external biometric reader and verification device for providing access control to a computing device, and associated methods, are disclosed. The external reader can store and verify biometrics under the control of the computing device and send identity verification messages to the computing device. One disclosed device includes a biometric reader communicatively connected to an external secure microcontroller. The external secure microcontroller stores a set of biometric data and a signing key. The signing key can be injected by a device manufacturer in a controlled key injection room in a manufacturing facility and can be used to sign a certificate. An operating system of the computing device can be programmed to send a request for the certificate, receive the certificate, and predicate control of access to the operating system using the verification messages on verification of the certificate.

Abstract: An external biometric reader and verification device for providing access control to a computing device, and associated methods, are disclosed. The external reader can store and verify biometrics under the control of the computing device and send identity verification messages to the computing device. One disclosed device includes a biometric reader communicatively connected to an external secure microcontroller. The external secure microcontroller stores a set of biometric data and a signing key. The signing key can be injected by a device manufacturer in a controlled key injection room in a manufacturing facility and can be used to sign a certificate. An operating system of the computing device can be programmed to send a request for the certificate, receive the certificate, and predicate control of access to the operating system using the verification messages on verification of the certificate.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an applications microprocessor programmed to: (i) instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system and (ii) generate a set of data packets. The system also includes a discrete microcontroller communicatively coupled with the applications microprocessor and programmed to: (i) selectively operate in an unsecure mode and a secure mode; and (ii) filter, when operating in the unsecure mode, the set of data packets received from the applications microprocessor using a filter and a whitelist for the filter. The system also includes a near field communication front end communicatively coupled to the discrete microcontroller and an antenna, for transmitting a near field communication signal based on information from the set of data packets via the antenna.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an applications microprocessor programmed to: (i) instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system and (ii) generate a set of data packets. The system also includes a discrete microcontroller communicatively coupled with the applications microprocessor and programmed to: (i) selectively operate in an unsecure mode and a secure mode; and (ii) filter, when operating in the unsecure mode, the set of data packets received from the applications microprocessor using a filter and a whitelist for the filter. The system also includes a near field communication front end communicatively coupled to the discrete microcontroller and an antenna, for transmitting a near field communication signal based on information from the set of data packets via the antenna.

Abstract: An external biometric reader and verification device for providing access control to a computing device, and associated methods, are disclosed. The external reader can store and verify biometrics under the control of the computing device and send identity verification messages to the computing device. One disclosed device includes a biometric reader communicatively connected to an external secure microcontroller. The external secure microcontroller stores a set of biometric data and a signing key. The signing key can be injected by a device manufacturer in a controlled key injection room in a manufacturing facility and can be used to sign a certificate. An operating system of the computing device can be programmed to send a request for the certificate, receive the certificate, and predicate control of access to the operating system using the verification messages on verification of the certificate.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an applications microprocessor programmed to: (i) instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system and (ii) generate a set of data packets. The system also includes a discrete microcontroller communicatively coupled with the applications microprocessor and programmed to: (i) selectively operate in an unsecure mode and a secure mode; and (ii) filter, when operating in the unsecure mode, the set of data packets received from the applications microprocessor using a filter and a whitelist for the filter. The system also includes a near field communication front end communicatively coupled to the discrete microcontroller and an antenna, for transmitting a near field communication signal based on information from the set of data packets via the antenna.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an NFC front end communicatively coupled to an antenna, a discrete microcontroller (DM) communicatively coupled thereto, and an applications microprocessor (AP) communicatively coupled to the DM. The DM stores a first software stack for a first NFC protocol, a second software stack for a second NFC protocol, and instructions to process a digitized NFC signal from the NFC front end with the first software stack. The AP stores instructions to instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system, instantiate a master NFC service, and transmit a remote procedure call from the master NFC service to the DM to switch between the first software stack and the second software stack.

Abstract: Methods and systems related to near field communication (NFC) front ends for point of sale terminals are disclosed. One point of sale system includes an NFC front end communicatively coupled to an antenna, a discrete microcontroller (DM) communicatively coupled thereto, and an applications microprocessor (AP) communicatively coupled to the DM. The DM stores a first software stack for a first NFC protocol, a second software stack for a second NFC protocol, and instructions to process a digitized NFC signal from the NFC front end with the first software stack. The AP stores instructions to instantiate an operating system for the point of sale system, instantiate a master NFC service, and transmit a remote procedure call from the master NFC service to the DM to switch between the first software stack and the second software stack.