# Central Bank Digital Currency for Phones and Watches > This patent describes a system for using a central bank-issued digital currency on mobile devices, generating a special 3D code for payments that can be scanned or read via near field communication. - **Patent:** US 10147076 - **Original title:** Digital currency (virtual payment cards) issued by central bank for mobile and wearable devices - **Owner:** Individual - **Granted:** 2018 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 35 - **Field:** consumer_electronics, telecommunications, finance, software ## What it does This patent outlines a system for managing and transferring a digital currency, called ZCU, issued by a central authority. A user on a mobile or wearable device can request to issue digital currency. The system prompts the user for authentication, then accesses their account, which holds payment data. When a merchant requests payment, the system matches merchant IDs, authorizes the transaction by transferring the digital currency from the user's account to the merchant's. This transfer can happen by displaying a special 3D optical code (a 'zcode') on the device's screen for scanning, or via near field communication (NFC). Once the payment is complete, the digital currency is deactivated. The zcode itself is described as a 3D machine-readable code with specific visual elements like a 'round global circle' and 'squares arranged in a round circle grid'. ## What it does NOT cover - Digital currency systems not controlled by a central issuer (e.g., decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin). - Payment methods that do not involve generating and displaying an optical code or using NFC. - Transactions where the merchant ID does not match the user's requested merchant. - Digital currency that is not a 'Z currency' (ZCU) as defined in the patent. - Systems that do not involve a mobile or wearable device for the transaction. ## The clever bit The innovation lies in the specific method of generating and using a '3D zcode' for secure, single-use or multiple-use digital currency transactions, designed to be readable by standard devices and incorporating features to prevent double-spending and manage transaction fees. ## Real-world examples 1. Hypothetical central bank digital currency systems. 2. Mobile payment applications. 3. Wearable payment devices. ## Why it matters This patent touches on the emerging field of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and how they might be implemented for everyday transactions. While still largely theoretical, CBDCs aim to provide a digital form of a country's fiat currency, potentially offering greater efficiency and control compared to existing payment systems. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Central Bank Digital Currency for Phones and Watches cover? This patent describes a system for using a central bank-issued digital currency on mobile devices, generating a special 3D code for payments that can be scanned or read via near field communication. ### Who owns patent US 10147076? Individual owns this patent, granted in 2018. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on December 4, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 10147076 cited by? This patent has been cited by 35 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This patent touches on the emerging field of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and how they might be implemented for everyday transactions. While still largely theoretical, CBDCs aim to provide a digital form of a country's fiat currency, potentially offering greater efficiency and control compared to existing payment systems. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Digital currency systems not controlled by a central issuer (e.g., decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10147076/airbnb-experiences **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10147076 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Wearable Devices Act as Secure Bridges for Transactions](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9699159/microsoft-teams) — A system where a wearable device acts as a secure middleman between your phone and a payment terminal or electronic lock to verify your identity and complete transactions. - [How Mobile Phones Can Securely Authorize Payments Using Random ID Codes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7577616/method-and-apparatus-of-secure-authentication-and-electronic-payment-through-mobile-communication-tool) — A 2006 system that uses a mobile phone to receive and relay a unique, temporary ID code to a store terminal to verify and authorize a payment transaction. - [How a Single Card Can Pay for Transit Using Loyalty Points](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10176475/square-point-of-sale) — A system that lets one payment card handle both retail shopping and transit fares, automatically converting loyalty points between different geographic regions to cover travel costs. - [How Digital Wallets Pull Data From Multiple Sources for Payments](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12100000/starship-mars-edl) — A system that lets a digital wallet gather and combine account information from different companies to help a user complete a payment transaction. - [How Apple Devices Securely Display Digital Passes and Tickets](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11853535/vision-pro-hand-gesture-recognition) — A system for securely displaying digital tickets or account codes on a screen only after verifying the user's identity, and automatically hiding them once used or if time runs out.