Mobile Payment Reader Base with Physical Connector for Phones
This patent describes a base that physically connects to a mobile computing device, allowing it to read payment information from cards and send it to the phone.
Original patent title: “Base with connector to couple to mobile computing device”
This patent describes a base that physically connects to a mobile computing device, allowing it to read payment information from cards and send it to the phone. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The apparatus includes a base with reader circuitry designed to interact with a payment object, such as a credit card, to read payment information. A connector protrudes from this base, physically coupling to a mobile computing device. This connector serves two purposes: it conveys the read payment information from the base's reader circuitry to the mobile device, and it also holds the mobile device firmly in place relative to the base. For example, a small business owner could attach their smartphone to this base, then swipe a customer's credit card through the base's reader, with the payment data instantly sent to the phone for processing.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover wireless payment readers that communicate with a mobile device without a physical connector, such as Bluetooth or NFC-only devices.
- Does not cover systems where the mobile computing device is not physically retained in a fixed position relative to the base by the connector.
- Does not cover reading non-payment information from objects, as the circuitry is specifically for 'payment information from a payment object'.
- Does not cover payment systems where the mobile computing device itself contains the primary payment reader circuitry.
- Does not cover systems where the connector only provides power or data without conveying payment information from the base's reader circuitry.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in combining the payment reader circuitry within a base that not only connects to a mobile device to transfer payment data but also physically retains the device's position, ensuring a stable and integrated payment station.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Square Reader for contactless and chip (when used with a dock)
Clover Go (certain models that physically connect)
Zettle by PayPal card readers (when used with a physical stand/dock)
Various third-party mobile payment docks for smartphones
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is important for creating integrated mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) systems. By providing a stable, connected base, it allows mobile devices to function as robust payment terminals, which is crucial for small businesses, mobile vendors, and pop-up shops. It simplifies the process of accepting card payments on the go, making transactions more reliable and efficient.
Filed
May 9, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Block (formerly Square), PayPal (with its Zettle brand), and Fiserv (with Clover) are active in the mobile point-of-sale space, offering solutions that often involve mobile devices connected to payment readers. These companies continually develop and refine integrated hardware solutions for small businesses and mobile merchants.
Market impact
This type of technology has significantly lowered the barrier for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs to accept credit and debit card payments. It enabled the widespread adoption of mobile point-of-sale systems, transforming how transactions are conducted outside traditional retail environments. It created a new category of accessories that turn everyday smartphones into powerful business tools, fostering growth in the mobile commerce sector.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The apparatus includes a base with reader circuitry designed to interact with a payment object, such as a credit card, to read payment information. A connector protrudes from this base, physically coupling to a mobile computing device. This connector serves two purposes: it conveys the read payment information from the base's reader circuitry to the mobile device, and it also holds the mobile device firmly in place relative to the base. For example, a small business owner could attach their smartphone to this base, then swipe a customer's credit card through the base's reader, with the payment data instantly sent to the phone for processing.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in combining the payment reader circuitry within a base that not only connects to a mobile device to transfer payment data but also physically retains the device's position, ensuring a stable and integrated payment station.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover wireless payment readers that communicate with a mobile device without a physical connector, such as Bluetooth or NFC-only devices.
- Does not cover systems where the mobile computing device is not physically retained in a fixed position relative to the base by the connector.
- Does not cover reading non-payment information from objects, as the circuitry is specifically for 'payment information from a payment object'.
- Does not cover payment systems where the mobile computing device itself contains the primary payment reader circuitry.
- Does not cover systems where the connector only provides power or data without conveying payment information from the base's reader circuitry.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$19K – $61K
Midpoint $38K · 17.6 yr remaining · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Mobile Payment Reader Base with Physical Connector for Phones (U.S. Patent No. 12,737,569). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12737569/base-with-connector-to-couple-to-mobile-computing-device
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mobile Payment Reader Base with Physical Connector for Phones cover?
This patent describes a base that physically connects to a mobile computing device, allowing it to read payment information from cards and send it to the phone.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology is important for creating integrated mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) systems. By providing a stable, connected base, it allows mobile devices to function as robust payment terminals, which is crucial for small businesses, mobile vendors, and pop-up shops. It simplifies the process of accepting card payments on the go, making transactions more reliable and efficient.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover wireless payment readers that communicate with a mobile device without a physical connector, such as Bluetooth or NFC-only devices.
Patent monitoring