Patents by Inventor Michael Wells White

Michael Wells White has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • 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: 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: 11836695
    Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction in which one or more devices operate in an offline mode. The payment handling system may allow for merchant devices to make modifications to local versions of an open ticket while in an off-line mode. When a merchant device subsequently enters an online mode, the systems and techniques may operate to reconcile differences between the local versions of the open ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
  • Publication number: 20230105132
    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 payment object reader includes one or more light indicators configured to display information in an optical pattern of one or more colors, brightness, lightness, and intensities, wherein the light indicators display a first optical pattern representative of an operational status of the payment object reader in a first mode, and a second optical pattern representative of a pairing code in a second mode. A display control component, executed by a processor, is configured to control the light indicators in accordance with the pairing code to generate the second optical pattern, the second optical pattern when shared with the POS terminal enables pairing between the payment object reader and the POS terminal. When paired, the payment object reader allows the POS terminal to accept payments from a customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Andrew John Leiserson, Afshin Rezayee, Bruce Bell, Malcolm Smith, Sergei Mosends
  • Patent number: 11481750
    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 payment object reader includes one or more light indicators configured to display information in an optical pattern of one or more colors, brightness, lightness, and intensities, wherein the light indicators display a first optical pattern representative of an operational status of the payment object reader in a first mode, and a second optical pattern representative of a pairing code in a second mode. A display control component, executed by a processor, is configured to control the light indicators in accordance with the pairing code to generate the second optical pattern, the second optical pattern when shared with the POS terminal enables pairing between the payment object reader and the POS terminal. When paired, the payment object reader allows the POS terminal to accept payments from a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Afshin Rezayee, Bruce Bell, Malcolm Smith, Sergei Mosends, Andrew John Leiserson
  • Publication number: 20210319423
    Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction in which one or more devices operate in an offline mode. The payment handling system may allow for merchant devices to make modifications to local versions of an open ticket while in an off-line mode. When a merchant device subsequently enters an online mode, the systems and techniques may operate to reconcile differences between the local versions of the open ticket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
  • Patent number: 11087315
    Abstract: A wireless communication device such as a payment reader has a wireless communication interface and is able to establish wireless pairing with an interactive electronic device such as a merchant device running a point of sale application. In order to establish pairing, the wireless communication device accesses a passkey and encrypts the passkey. The encrypted passkey is transmitted to the interactive electronic device via the wireless communication interface, and the interactive electronic device sends the encrypted passkey to a pairing server. The pairing server decrypts the encrypted passkey and sends the decrypted passkey back to the interactive electronic device via a secure connection. The wireless communication device and the interactive electronic device establish wireless pairing based on the passkey and the decrypted passkey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Afshin Rezayee, Malcolm Smith, Sergei Mosends, Michael Wells White, Ovidiu I Bota, Max Guise, Andrew John Leiserson
  • Patent number: 11080666
    Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of an open ticket transaction in which incremental authorization operations are performed. The payment handling system may receive items to add to the open ticket, payment instruments for paying the cost of the open ticket or adjustments to any bill splitting arrangement throughout the life of the open ticket. As items are added, payment instruments are received, and/or adjustments are input, the amount allocated to the one or more payments instruments may be updated. Incremental authorization values may be determined for some or all of the payment instruments. When the amount allocated to a payment instrument exceeds the incremental authorization value, an authorization of the instrument is attempted and a new authorization value is determined. At the end of the interaction, the open ticket is closed and payment is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
  • Patent number: 11010765
    Abstract: A payment terminal may run a point-of-sale application that is operated by a user such as a merchant. At a certain point in the transaction, but prior to the completion of the transaction, pre-charge requests may be sent to a chip card. The responses from the chip card may be stored such that the transaction may be completed immediately after the merchant and customer complete the transaction steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White
  • Patent number: 10990946
    Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction in which one or more devices operate in an offline mode. The payment handling system may allow for merchant devices to make modifications to local versions of an open ticket while in an off-line mode. When a merchant device subsequently enters an online mode, the systems and techniques may operate to reconcile differences between the local versions of the open ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
  • Publication number: 20210117975
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Charles Nicholson, David Terra, Jason Holmes, Martin Mroz
  • Patent number: 10949858
    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 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Charles Nicholson, David Terra, Jason Holmes, Martin Mroz
  • Publication number: 20200410477
    Abstract: A payment terminal includes multiple chips that perform different processing functions within the payment terminal. A terminal chip performs general functionality of the payment terminal while a transaction chip communicates with payment devices such as chip cards and NFC payment devices and processes payment information. The transaction chip may operate in a low power during which communications and processing are limited, and a transaction processing mode in which transactions may be processed. The transaction chip may transfer between these modes based on wake-up messages provided by other devices or circuitry of the payment terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White, Michael Dahn
  • Patent number: 10817869
    Abstract: A payment terminal includes multiple chips that perform different processing functions within the payment terminal. A terminal chip performs general functionality of the payment terminal while a transaction chip communicates with payment devices such as chip cards and NFC payment devices and processes payment information. The transaction chip may operate in a low power during which communications and processing are limited, and a transaction processing mode in which transactions may be processed. The transaction chip may transfer between these modes based on wake-up messages provided by other devices or circuitry of the payment terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White, Michael Dahn
  • Patent number: 10733588
    Abstract: In some examples, a merchant device at a point of sale (POS) location may present information to a merchant in a first language preferred by the merchant, and may present information to a buyer in a second language preferred by the buyer. The merchant device may switch between the different languages in response to detecting a change in the physical orientation of a display. For instance, in a first orientation in which the display is viewable from a merchant direction, the merchant device may present information in the language preferred by the merchant. When the orientation of the display is changed to a second orientation in which the display is viewable from a buyer direction, the merchant device may present information in the language indicated to be preferred by the buyer. Various techniques may be used for determining the preferred language of a particular buyer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lang Mocko, Koun Han, Hsuan-Yu (Jerry) Lin, Michael Wells White
  • Patent number: 10528945
    Abstract: A payment handling system operates to handle payments for the cost of an open ticket transaction in which incremental authorization operations are performed. The payment handling system receives items to add to the open ticket, payment instruments for paying the cost of the open ticket or adjustments to any bill splitting arrangement throughout the life of the open ticket. As items are added, payment instruments are received, and/or adjustments are input, the amount allocated to the one or more payments instruments may be updated. Incremental authorization values are determined for some or all of the payment instruments. When the amount allocated to a payment instrument exceeds the incremental authorization value, an authorization of the instrument is attempted and a new authorization value is determined. At the end of the interaction, the open ticket is closed and payment is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
  • Patent number: 10482440
    Abstract: A mobile point-of-sale (POS) terminal for processing a financial transaction between a buyer and a merchant includes a first mobile computing device running a register application configured to receive payment information from the buyer for facilitating a transfer of funds from the buyer to the merchant, and a payment object reader coupled with the first mobile computing device. The payment object reader includes a wireless communication interface, a processor configured to determine the proximity of the second mobile computing device using signal strength of a signal received via the wireless communication interface. In response to the proximity of the second mobile computing device crossing a threshold, the payment object reader transmits a request to the second mobile computing device to connect with the first mobile computing device. The first mobile computing device and the second mobile computing device may then communicate payment and/or transaction information to complete a POS transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Mathew Wilson
  • Publication number: 20190287108
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Charles Nicholson, David Terra, Jason Holmes, Martin Mroz
  • Patent number: 10417628
    Abstract: A payment terminal may receive a request to process electronic payment information from a payment card in a swipe mode. The payment terminal may provide an opt-in request. If a user accepts, the payment terminal may receive a payment transaction request and electronic payment information of a swipe payment type from the payment card at a swipe interface. The payment terminal may determine whether the payment card is a chip card and generate a swipe mode processing indicator. The swipe mode indicator may allow processing of electronic payment information using procedures for the swipe payment type. The payment terminal may transmit the swipe mode processing indicator and electronic payment information to a payment server from a communication interface of the payment terminal, and may receive a payment approval response based on the swipe mode processing indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: David Terra, Koun Han, Michael Wells White
  • Patent number: 10366378
    Abstract: In some examples, methods and systems may process one or more payment transactions between a merchant and a buyer by detecting buyer's communication device as an instrument to approve or reject a payment transaction in offline mode. The method includes detecting at least one transaction activity associated with a payment system, establishing a communication channel between the POS terminal an RF communication device in proximity to the POS terminal to obtain at least one device characteristic of the communication device, related to the operational or physical features of the communication device; generating a digital fingerprint based in part on the obtained device characteristic and the information related to received payment object; determining whether the digital fingerprint substantially compares to an existing fingerprint in a database and if the existing fingerprint is substantially similar to the digital fingerprint, rejecting the payment transaction through presence of the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Square, Inc.
    Inventors: Koun Han, Michael Wells White, Paul Abraham Botros