DISTRIBUTED NETWORK BASED ELECTRONIC WALLET

• US 20010011250A1
• Filed: 11/12/1998
• Published: 08/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Citicorp Credit Services Incorporated (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Citicorp Development Center Incorporated (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: HUDDLESTON, GREGORY LEE, PALTENGHE, CRIS T., MAMDANI, ALNOOR B., TAKATA, MELVIN M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,200,578 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6263 during internet communication, e.g. revealing personal data from cookies
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0655 e-cash managed centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0658 e-cash managed locally
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3574 Multiple applications on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/383 Anonymous user system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/122 Online card verification

Abstract

A system, in which information is the primary asset and in which investments may be made in information, includes multiple data stores for storing different types of a user'"'"'s information. The safe, secure and properly authorized transfer of information while preserving individual privacy is provided. The system also provides for secure backup and storage, as well as for ubiquitous and nomadic access to information while maintaining the privacy of such information. A first data store includes static identification data about a user. A second data store includes moderately dynamic personal data about the user. A third data store includes dynamic demographic information data about the user. An electronic wallet can be used with the system to download selected portions of the data for use by the user. A method of use of the data includes using the data for billing out forms, providing services to the user and allowing merchants to selectively target users for sales while maintaining user anonymity.

Claims

1. A system for selective organization, access to and use of personal data, comprising:

a server, having data storage means for storing personal data in three separate and distinct data stores;

a first data store stored on said data storage means comprising static identification data which is personal to a user having access means for connecting to the server accessing and using;

a second data store stored on said data storage means company moderately dynamic personal data about the user; and

a third data store stored on said data storage means comprising dynamic demographic information data about the user.

2. A system according to

claim 1

further comprising access means for connecting to said server to access said first, second and third data stores.

3. A system according to

claim 2

wherein said access means comprises a computer terminal connectable to said server via a network.

4. A system according to

claim 2

wherein said access means comprises an electronic wallet having said first data store duplicatively stored therein, portions of said second data store and portions of said third data store stored therein.

5. A system according to

claim 1

further comprising authorizing means for allowing selected users access to and use of dynamic personal information data in said third data store.

6. A system according to

claim 5

further comprising matching means for matching selective dynamic personal information data in said third data store which is specific to a consumer with selected information provided by said selected users.

7. A system according to

claim 1

further comprising means for authenticating and signing documents for a user from data obtained from said second data store in communication with a user.

8. A system according to

claim 1

further comprising means for matching a user profile obtained from said third data store, with a merchant profile, upon user request, for transmitting information about the merchant'"'"'s products to the user.

9. A system according to

claim 1

wherein said data in said third data store is stored in a configuration ensuring user anonymity.

10. A system according to

claim 1

wherein said second data store includes credited value data for use by a user in commercial transaction.

12. A method as in

claim 1

further comprising providing access by a user to said first data store for using the data therein for filling out forms.

13. A method as in

claim 1

further comprising duplicating the data in the first data store, and portions of the data in the second and third data stores, on an electronic wallet.

14. A method as in

claim 1

further comprising making data about selected users in the third data store available on an anonymous basis to merchants to allow merchants to provide information to the users about merchant products or services that match the data provided.

15. A method as in

claim 1

further comprising downloading purchasing credits from said second data store into an electronic wallet to allow a user to engage in commercial transactions with such credits.

16. A method as in

claim 1

further comprising monitoring certain groups of data in said second data store for the occurrence of certain events, and notifying a user corresponding to said data of the event.

17. A method as in

claim 16

further comprising accessing outside data sources to update data in said second and third data stores on a periodic basis.

18. A method as in

claim 1

further comprising authorization by a user to allow selected third parties to access data in said second data store.

19. A method as in

claim 18

wherein said third parties are doctors.

20. A method as in

claim 18

wherein said third parties are financial service providers.

21. A method as in

claim 18

wherein said third parties are one of the group consisting of telephone service vendors, power service vendors, and cable television vendors, insurance vendors, and credit card providers.

11. A method of selectively organizing, accessing and using personal data comprising:

storing a first data store made up of data comprising static identification data which is personal to a user having access to the first data store;

storing a second data store made up of data comprising moderately dynamic personal data about the user having access to the second data store; and

storing a second data store made up of data comprising dynamic demographic information data about the user having access to the third data store.