2887 results about "Credit card" patented technology

A novel system and methodology for conducting financial and other transactions using a wireless device. Credentials may be selectively issued by issuers such as credit card companies, banks, and merchants to consumers permitting the specific consumer to conduct a transaction according to the authorization given as reflected by the credential or set of credentials. The preferred mechanism for controlling and distributing credentials according to the present invention is through one or more publicly accessible networks such as the Internet wherein the system design and operating characteristics are in conformance with the standards and other specific requirements of the chosen network or set of networks. Credentials are ultimately supplied to a handheld device such as a mobile telephone via a wireless network. The user holding the credential may then use the handheld device to conduct the authorized transaction or set of transactions via, for example, a short range wireless link with a point-of-sale terminal.

Methods and systems whereby two electronic wallets communicate and exchange information. In one such system, a consumer's personal electronic wallet communicates with the exclusive or preferred wallet of a web merchant. In one such system, an internet consumer registers with a web merchant's exclusive or preferred electronic wallet (“merchant wallet”) and provides consumer information (e.g., credit card number, mailing address, and other information) to the merchant wallet, which is stored by the merchant wallet in a database on the merchant server. Such information may be automatically populated by the consumer's personal electronic wallet. The consumer maintains current consumer information in a consumer electronic wallet on the consumer's personal computer. When the consumer visits the merchant site again, and orders goods or services, the merchant's preferred wallet can be automatically updated by the consumer's electronic wallet if any of the data in the merchant's wallet has changed. For example, the consumer wallet examines the information in the merchant wallet to determine if the information in the merchant wallet conforms to the current information in the consumer wallet. If the information does not conform, the consumer wallet communicates the current consumer information to the merchant wallet.

A method for performing secure transactions, such as credit card purchases, using two or more non-secure networks (such as the Internet and the public telephone system) in such a way that security is insured. A person wishing to initiate a secure transaction sends a message over one of the non-secure networks to a computer. That computer automatically uses the second non-secure network to contact the person back to verify the transaction. The call-back mechanism employs a method to authenticate the identity or authority of the person initiating the transaction. No single wire-tapping or network snooping device sees the entire transaction. No single database contains the entire set of information.

The invention aids an entity to selectively request additional data about a user to serve the needs of the entity without causing the user to have an adverse reaction. The invention helps an entity to determine the condition under which to request additional data so as to reduce the likelihood of causing the user to have an adverse reaction, e.g., terminate the interaction. One embodiment of the invention concerns customers requesting transactions with on-line merchants. More specifically, this embodiment aids merchants by detecting Internet credit card transactions that are likely to be fraudulent, and providing the merchants with mechanisms for managing a suspected transaction as it occurs to obtain additional information that can be useful to reducing the likelihood of fraud.

The Customer Activated Multi-Value (CAM) card provides a customer with a primary use as a transaction card which can be further activated to have a secondary use as a credit card. The CAM card can be activated as a transaction card or as a transaction card with a credit card feature. Activation of the CAM card as a transaction card allows the customer to purchase goods and services from one specific vendor and to establish a relationship with that vendor for the goods or services rendered (for example, telephone calling card or gasoline product purchasing card) while enjoying reward benefits based on those purchases. Activation of the credit feature of the card allows the customer to interact with any merchant that accepts traditional credit cards such as VISA®, MASTERCARD®, AMERICAN EXPRESS®, or DISCOVER®. The combination of features allows a customer to purchase various goods and services from several different merchants. If the customer chooses to activate the CAM card as both a transaction card and a credit card, the customer is given the benefit of using the card in both manners described above.

A system and method for operating a reward points accumulation and redemption program wherein a user earns reward points from a plurality of independent reward points issuing entities, with each tracking the user's earned reward points in a user reward point account stored on a multi-function card (such as a frequent flyer account or a credit card loyalty account). The multi-function card is adapted to aggregate some or all of the user's earned reward points from the reward accounts and credit the aggregated points into a single reward exchange account on the multi-function card. The user may then select an item for purchase with the accumulated reward points from the multi-function card. The item is provided to the user in exchange for a subset or all of the reward points from the multi-function card.

The present invention relates to systems and methods that employ various mechanisms to selectively disable mobile device functionality. In general, mobile devices can be utilized to store personal and/or highly sensitive information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers and the like. If the mobile device is lost or stolen, data stored within the device can be accessed by an unauthorized user; and, thus, any personal and/or highly sensitive information can be obtained. In order to mitigate unauthorized access, the subject invention provides a disabling component that communicates with the lost or stolen device to render data stored thereon inaccessible. Further, the data can be stored in local or remote locations to backup stored information, thereby creating a more robust and reliable method of storing information important to the device owner. These features provide enhancements over conventional mobile device security techniques.

A dynamic credit card is provided in which a secure credit card number (e.g., a secret/hidden credit card number) is encoded based on a timing signal (e.g., an internal counter) to provide a dynamic credit card number. This dynamic number may be displayed to a user via a display (e.g., so that online purchases can be made) or written onto a magnetic stripe such that the number may be processed by traditional credit card merchants (e.g., swiped). At a remote facility, the dynamic number may be decoded based on time (and/or a counter/key number/equation) or the facility may have the secure number and perform the same function as the dynamic credit card (e.g., encode using time data as a parameter to the encoding equation) and compare the resultant dynamic number to the dynamic number received. Thus, a dynamic credit card number may change continually or periodically (e.g., every sixty seconds) such that credit card numbers may not be copied by thieves and used at later times. A dynamic verification code may be utilized in addition to, or in lieu of, a dynamic credit card number.

A surrogate system for the transparent control of electronic commerce transactions is provided through which an individual without a credit card is enabled to shop at online merchant sites. Upon opening an account within the surrogate system, the account can be funded using numerous fund sources, for example credit cards, checking accounts, money orders, gift certificates, incentive codes, online currency, coupons, and stored value cards. A user with a funded account can shop at numerous merchant web sites through the surrogate system. When merchandise is selected for purchase, a purchase transaction is executed in which a credit card belonging to the surrogate system is temporarily or permanently assigned to the user. The credit card, once loaded with funds from the user's corresponding funded account, is used to complete the purchase transaction. The surrogate system provides controls that include monitoring the data streams and, in response, controlling the information flow between the user and the merchant sites.

Systems and methods are described for redeeming rewards at a merchant's point-of-sale. The reward redemption takes place in real time and can be accomplished without the active participation of the merchant. A single credit card with no additional information may be used with a single swipe from the consumer to access both credit and rewards accounts, such that a single authorization request is made to encompass both rewards and credit. Merchants can be fully compensated for transactions by the issuer despite the customer's choice to redeem rewards.

A computer implemented online music distribution system provides for the secure delivery of audio data and related media, including text and images, over a public communications network. The online music distribution system provides security through multiple layers of encryption, and the cryptographic binding of purchased audio data to each specific purchaser. The online music distribution system also provides for previewing of audio data prior to purchase. In one embodiment, the online music distribution system is a client-server system including a content manager, a delivery server, and an HTTP server, communicating with a client system including a Web browser and a media player. The content manager provides for management of media and audio content, and processing of purchase requests. The delivery server provides delivery of the purchased media data. The Web browser and HTTP server provide a communications interface over the public network between the content manager and media players. The media player provides for encryption of user personal information, and for decryption and playback of purchased media data. Security of purchased media data is enhanced in part by the use of a personal, digital passport in each media player. The digital passport contains identifying information that identifies the purchaser, along with confidential information, such as credit card number, and encryption data, such as the media player's public and private keys. The media player encryption data is used to encrypt purchased media data, which is decrypted in real time by the media player. The media player also displays confidential information, such as the purchaser's credit card number, during playback.

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for transforming product code snapshots into real-time, offer-driven electronic purchase transaction notifications that minimize fraud. In one embodiment, a smart phone scans a product identifier from a product package, a server accesses a products database for product purchase offers associated with the product identifier, a user authorizes a credit card from his or her wallet to charge, and then product purchase offers or other credit card offers (for loyalty points or otherwise) are provided to the user mobile device. After a user has purchased an item while in the aisle of the store, the user's smart phone displays a barcoded electronic receipt that can be scanned by the exit so that the consumer can walk out with the produce. In some embodiments, a video chat is requested by a customer service representative and a transaction risk score is lowered based on acceptance of the video chat.

Multiple secure transactions are provided through use of a method that uses customer one-time unique purchase order numbers (“Coupons”) generated by an algorithm that uses a permutated user key and a user insertion key as input variables. A user key (such as a Personal Identification Number, or “PIN”) is combined with a permutation variable that is correlated with a customer sequence number to create the permutated user key. A random number generator is used to generate the user insertion key correlated with the customer sequence number. The algorithm can insert the permutated user key into a user account number through use of the user insertion key. A Coupon is validated by confirming that it is contained in a set of money source Coupons generated by a money source using the user key and a random number generator that is synchronized with the random number used to generate Coupons. Once a Coupon is validated, the matching money source Coupon and all earlier generated money source Coupons are deleted from the set, and a new set is generated. If a preselected number of Coupons are not validated for a chosen entity, an invalid user account number will be set. Coupons can be used for credit card or bank card transactions, and they can be generated without changing fixed digits of traditional twenty digit account numbers.

A method and system include receiving a payment account number from a token, such as a traditional credit card. Either the payment account number or a token is communicated over a communications network to a mobile wallet system and/or a vault. A first authorization code may be generated in response to receiving the payment account number or token. Next, the first authorization code is then transmitted over the communications network for relaying the first authorization code to a portable computing device, such as a mobile phone. The portable computing device receives the authorization code and re-transmits the code (as a second authorization code) over the communications network. Subsequently, the first and second code from the portable computing device are compared to determine if a match exists. If a match exists, then the payment account number is loaded into the mobile wallet system for use as a virtual token.

Methods of creating a secure channel over which credit card personalization data can be transmitted over the air (OTA) are provided. In particular, Generic Authentication Architecture (GAA) may be used to establish a secure communication channel between the user equipment (UE) and a personalization application server or bureau acting as a network application function (NAF) server. An user equipment, personalization application service (e.g., a NAF server), a system embodying a personalization application server and an user equipment, and a computer program product are also provided for creating a secure channel, such as via GAA, over which credit card personalization data can be transmitted OTA.

A method, system, and computer readable code for enabling use of smart cards by consumer devices for Internet commerce. This is achieved by integrating an existing “Integrated Circuit Card Specification for Application Payment Systems” standard (commonly known as the “EMV” standard) with an augmented version of the Four-Party Credit/Debit Payment Protocol which was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,578. The result of the integration allows a consumer to use a smart card from a personal computer system for credit or debit transactions, while preserving the level of security and other features required by the credit card associations and banks. No modifications are required to the existing EMV standard or existing EMV smart cards.

A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. As part of the purchase transaction, the user is awarded reward points from the merchant based on the purchase, which are stored in an account associated with the merchant and the user by the acquiring bank. The reward account is maintained on the acquiring bank server on behalf of the merchant and the user, and the number of reward points in the user's account for that merchant is increased accordingly. The user may redeem the reward points earned from the transaction with the merchant at a later time, or may redeem the points with another merchant in the same marketing cluster, or may aggregate those reward points with those of other merchants into a reward point exchange account, and then redeem the aggregated reward points for goods or services from any approved merchant on the network, depending on the configuration of the system.

A system and method for managing payment in a transaction using a portable computing device (“PCD”) includes a mobile wallet token being received from an account issuing entity. Next, the mobile wallet token is stored in memory within a PCD payment platform (i.e., a cloud payment solution). A PCD token that corresponds with the mobile wallet token is generated by the PCD payment platform. The PCD token is transmitted over a communications network to a PCD. The mobile wallet token corresponds to at least one of: a credit card account, an alternative or non-traditional payment account, a stored value account, an account from a financial institution, and a merchant based card account. A mobile wallet token may be generated in response to receiving input from an on-line portal that future use of a payment account with a PCD is desired or in response to input received from a point-of-sale terminal.