Electronic wallet

• US 20010027116A1
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Published: 10/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Baird, James B.
• Application Number:
  US09/815,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027116A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40975 using encryption therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

Abstract

A method of making an electronic currency value available to a user is described. The method comprises the steps of: verifying the identity of the user, via a portable communications device; and identifying a currency value available to the user; said currency value being accessible via said portable communications device. Apparatus for accessing electronic currency is also described. The apparatus comprises: means for verifying the identity of a user; data processing means for responding to user instructions; means for communicating user instructions to the data processing means; and a portable communications facility for sending and receiving data to and from the apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of making an electronic currency value available to a user, the method comprising the steps of:

verifying the identity of the user via a portable communications device;

identifying a currency value which is accessible to the user via the portable communications device.

2. A method according to

claim 1

, wherein the step of identifying a currency value requires prior verification of the user'"'"'s identity.

3. A method according to

claim 1

, further comprising the step of:

storing the currency value in a storage medium provided in the portable communications device.

4. Apparatus for accessing electronic currency, the apparatus comprising:

user verification means for verifying the identity of a user;

data processing means for responding to user instructions;

means for communicating user instructions to the data processing means; and

a portable communications facility for sending and receiving data.

5. Apparatus according to

claim 4

, wherein the user verification means comprises a biometrics recognition device.

6. Apparatus according to

claim 4

, further comprising data storage means for storing certificated electronic currency values.

7. Apparatus according to

claim 4

, wherein the data processing means includes means for encrypting and/or decrypting data.

8. Apparatus according to

claim 4

, wherein the portable communications facility is connectable in data communication with a mobile telephony network.

9. Apparatus according to

claim 4

, further comprising a local data communications facility.

10. A mobile communications device for allowing a user to access electronic currency, the device comprising:

user verification means for verifying the identity of a user;

data processing means for responding to user instructions;

means for communicating user instructions to the data processing means; and

a portable communications facility for sending and receiving data.

11. A mobile communications device according to

claim 10

, wherein the user verification means comprises a biometrics recognition device.

12. A mobile communications device according to

claim 10

, further comprising data storage means for storing certificated electronic currency values.

13. A mobile communications device according to

claim 10

, wherein the data processing means includes means for encrypting and/or decrypting data.

14. A mobile communications device according to

claim 10

, wherein the portable communications facility is connectable in data communication with a mobile telephony network.

15. A method of securely storing electronic currency values, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a biometrics identifier from a user;

generating a request for a certificated currency value;

sending the request to a certified currency issuer;

obtaining a certified currency value from the issuer;

encrypting the certified currency value in a manner dependent at least in part on the biometrics identifier; and

storing the encrypted certified currency value.