Apple has filed a patent for connecting wireless devices to POS terminals using more than one interface. The patent describes the use of NFC or RFID for secure communication of payment information at the POS, while Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is used to send extra information.

The patent filing may indicate that Apple plans to add NFC to its new iPhone6 devices, suggested Bobsguide. NFC has thus far been lacking in iPhones.

The use of NFC communication plus one other link, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, is necessary to secure contactless transactions and to facilitate the exchange of extra data such as additional payment information, coupon offers or coupon data, according to the Apple filing published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

"NFC can be used in electronic transactions, e.g. to securely send order and payment information for online purchases from a purchaser's mobile device to a seller's point of sale (POS) device," the filing said. "The second air interface can be used, for example, to send information such as offers by customers or merchants, coupon offers and redemptions, receipts, follow-up information, and so on."

The establishment of a second connection between the phone and POS is more convenient for customers, the filing said. "NFC is less desirable for longer transactions such as those that involve transferring more data than used by the payment information, or use more time than used in the NFC connection establishment process," it said.

The patent includes information on the use of smartphone secure elements and encryption.

Learn more about contactless/NFC.