APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A TUNNELING CLIENT ACCESS POINT

• US 20180013864A1
• Filed: 09/22/2017
• Published: 01/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IOENGINE, LLC
• Original Assignee: IOENGINE, LLC
• Inventors: McNulty, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 10,447,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/76 Proxy, i.e. using intermediary entity to perform cryptographic operations network architectures or network communication protocols using hop-by-hop encryption H04L63/0464
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures

Abstract

The disclosure details the implementation of an apparatus, method, and system comprising a portable device configured to communicate with a terminal and a network server, and execute stored program code in response to user interaction with an interactive user interface. The portable device contains stored program code configured to render an interactive user interface on a terminal output component to enable the user the control processing activity on the portable device and access data and programs from the portable device and a network server.

Claims

1. A portable device configured to communicate with a communications network, the communication network comprising (i) a communications network node, and (ii) a terminal, the terminal comprising a processor, an output component, and a memory configured to store executable program code, including first program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component, and second program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to facilitate communications between the terminal and the portable device, the portable device comprising:

(a) at least one communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network;

(b) a processor; and

(c) a memory having executable program code stored thereon, including;

(1) third program code which, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to facilitate communications between the portable device and the communications network;

(2) fourth program code which, when executed by the portable device processor in response to user interaction with the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node; and

(3) fifth program code which, when executed, is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the terminal and the communications network node, and wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

3. The portable device according to claim 2, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

4. The portable device according to claim 3, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to provide the terminal with data stored on the portable device memory to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

5. The portable device according to claim 4, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises user authorization data.

6. The portable device according to claim 5, wherein the user authorization data comprises biometric data.

7. The portable device according to claim 4, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises a digital certificate.

8. The portable device according to claim 4, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises portable device identification information.

9. The portable device according to claim 3, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to affect the execution of sixth program code to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

10. The portable device according to claim 9, wherein the sixth program code is stored on the terminal memory and, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

11. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node, and wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted through the portable device network interface to the communications network node.

12. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fifth program code is configured to be executed by the portable device processor.

13. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the fifth program code is configured to be executed by the portable device processor in response to the execution of the fourth program code.

14. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the fifth program code is configured to be executed by the portable device processor in response to user interaction with the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component.

15. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the fifth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

16. The portable device according to claim 12, wherein the fifth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to cause the terminal processor to execute fifth program code to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

17. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fifth program code is configured to be executed by the terminal processor.

18. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and between the portable device and the communications network node.

19. The portable device according to claim 18, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

20. The portable device according to claim 18, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

21. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a first communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and a second communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node.

22. The portable device according to claim 21, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

23. The portable device according to claim 21, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

24. The portable device according to claim 21, wherein the first communication interface is configured to employ a serial communication protocol.

25. The portable device according to claim 24, wherein the first communication interface comprises a universal serial bus interface.

26. The portable device according to claim 21, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

27. The portable device according to claim 21, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

28. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the communications network node comprises a server.

29. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the communications network node comprises a data storage system.

30. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate verification of the portable device.

31. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the download of data to the portable device.

32. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate access to data stored on a communications network node.

33. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of data to the portable device.

34. The portable device according to claim 33, wherein the data comprises video data content.

35. The portable device according to claim 33, wherein the data comprises audio data content.

36. The portable device according to claim 33, wherein the data comprises a live data feed.

37. The portable device according to claim 34, wherein the terminal output component comprises a video monitor and the portable device is configured to transmit video data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal video monitor.

38. The portable device according to claim 35, wherein the terminal output component comprises a speaker and the portable device is configured to transmit audio data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal speaker.

39. The portable device according to claim 36, wherein the portable device is configured to transmit to the terminal the live data feed received from the communications network node.

40. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the executable program code stored on the portable device memory comprises an operating system configured to be executed by the portable device processor.

41. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of program code to the portable device.

42. The portable device according to claim 41, wherein the program code transmitted to the portable device comprises the fifth program code.

43. The portable device according to claim 42, wherein the fifth program code, when executed, is configured to affect the presentation of advertisement information by the terminal output component.

44. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of encrypted data to a communications network node.

45. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of encrypted data to the portable device.

46. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate synchronizing data stored on the portable device memory with data stored on a communications network node.

47. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate synchronizing program code stored on the portable device with program code stored on a communications network node.

48. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the interactive user interface comprises a graphic user interface.

49. A portable device configured to communicate with a communications network, the communication network comprising (i) a communications network node, and (ii) a terminal, the terminal comprising a processor, an output component, and a memory configured to store executable program code, including first program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component, and second program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to facilitate communications between the terminal and the portable device, the portable device comprising:

(a) at least one communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network;

(b) a processor; and

(c) a memory having executable program code stored thereon, including;

(1) third program code which, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to facilitate communications between the portable device and the communications network;

(2) fourth program code which, when executed by the portable device processor in response to user interaction with the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node and affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

50. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the terminal comprises a network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the terminal and the communications network node, and wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

51. The portable device according to claim 50, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

52. The portable device according to claim 51, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to provide the terminal with data stored on the portable device memory to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

53. The portable device according to claim 52, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises user authorization data.

54. The portable device according to claim 53, wherein the user authorization data comprises biometric data.

55. The portable device according to claim 52, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises a digital certificate.

56. The portable device according to claim 52, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises portable device identification information.

57. The portable device according to claim 51, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to affect the execution of fifth program code to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

58. The portable device according to claim 57, wherein the fifth program code is stored on the terminal memory and, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to cause the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

59. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node, and wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted through the portable device network interface to the communications network node.

60. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

61. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to cause the terminal processor to execute fifth program code to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

62. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and between the portable device and the communications network node.

63. The portable device according to claim 62, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

64. The portable device according to claim 62, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

65. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a first communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and a second communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node.

66. The portable device according to claim 65, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

67. The portable device according to claim 65, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

68. The portable device according to claim 65, wherein the first communication interface is configured to employ a serial communication protocol.

69. The portable device according to claim 68, wherein the first communication interface comprises a universal serial bus interface.

70. The portable device according to claim 65, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

71. The portable device according to claim 65, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

72. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the communications network node comprises a server.

73. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the communications network node comprises a data storage system.

74. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate verification of the portable device.

75. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the download of data to the portable device.

76. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate access to data stored on a communications network node.

77. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of data to the portable device.

78. The portable device according to claim 77, wherein the data comprises video data content.

79. The portable device according to claim 77, wherein the data comprises audio data content.

80. The portable device according to claim 77, wherein the data comprises a live data feed.

81. The portable device according to claim 78, wherein the terminal output component comprises a video monitor and the portable device is configured to transmit video data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal video monitor.

82. The portable device according to claim 79, wherein the terminal output component comprises a speaker and the portable device is configured to transmit audio data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal speaker.

83. The portable device according to claim 80, wherein the portable device is configured to transmit to the terminal the live data feed received from the communications network node.

84. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the executable program code stored on the portable device memory comprises an operating system configured to be executed by the portable device processor.

85. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of program code to the portable device.

86. The portable device according to claim 85, wherein the program code transmitted to the portable device comprises the fourth program code.

87. The portable device according to claim 86, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to affect the presentation of advertisement information by the terminal output component.

88. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of encrypted data to a communications network node.

89. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of encrypted data to the portable device.

90. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate synchronizing data stored on the portable device memory with data stored on a communications network node.

91. The portable device according to claim 49, wherein the fourth program code, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate synchronizing program code stored on the portable device with program code stored on a communications network node.

92. A method implemented on a portable device comprising a processor, a memory having executable program code stored thereon, and at least one communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and a communications network, the communications network comprising (i) a communications network node, (ii) and a terminal, the terminal comprising a processor, an output component, and a memory configured to store executable program code, including first program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component, and second program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to facilitate communications between the terminal and the portable device, the method comprising:

(a) executing third program code stored on the portable device memory to facilitate communications between the portable device and the communications network;

(b) executing, in response to a communication received by the portable device resulting from user interaction with the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, fourth program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node; and

(e) affecting the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

93. The method according to claim 92, wherein the terminal comprises a network interface and the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node comprises causing a communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

94. The method according to claim 93, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node comprises causing a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to facilitate a communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

95. The method according to claim 93, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node comprises providing the terminal with data stored on the portable device memory to facilitate the terminal to transmit a communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

96. The method according to claim 95, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises user authorization data.

97. The method according to claim 96, wherein the user authorization data comprises biometric data.

98. The method according to claim 95, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises a digital certificate.

99. The method according to claim 95, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises portable device identification information.

100. The method according to claim 92, wherein the terminal comprises a network interface and the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communication network node comprises affecting the execution of fifth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

101. The method according to claim 100, wherein the fifth program code is stored on the terminal memory and, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

102. The method according to claim 92, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node and the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node comprises causing a communication to be transmitted through the portable device network interface to the communications network node.

103. The method according to claim 102, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node comprises retrieving data stored on the portable device memory to facilitate a communication to be transmitted through the portable device network interface to the communications network node.

104. The method according to claim 103, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises user authorization data.

105. The method according to claim 104, wherein the user authorization data comprises biometric data.

106. The method according to claim 103, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises a digital certificate.

107. The method according to claim 103, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises portable device identification information.

108. The method according to claim 92, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and between the portable device and the communications network node.

109. The method according to claim 108, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

110. The method according to claim 108, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

111. The method according to claim 92, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a first communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and a second communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node.

112. The method according to claim 111, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

113. The method according to claim 111, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

114. The method according to claim 111, wherein the first communication interface is configured to employ a serial communication protocol.

115. The method according to claim 114, wherein the first communication interface comprises a universal serial bus interface.

116. The method according to claim 111, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

117. The method according to claim 111, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

118. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node facilitates verification of the portable device.

119. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node facilitates access to data stored on a communications network node.

120. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node facilitates the transmission of data to the portable device.

121. The method according to claim 120, wherein the data comprises encrypted data.

122. The method according to claim 120, wherein the data comprises video data content.

123. The method according to claim 120, wherein the data comprises audio data content.

124. The method according to claim 120, wherein the data comprises a live data feed.

125. The method according to claim 122, further comprising transmitting the video data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal output component.

126. The method according to claim 123, further comprising transmitting the audio data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal output component.

127. The method according to claim 124, further comprising transmitting the live data feed to the terminal for presentation by the terminal output component.

128. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node facilitates the transmission of encrypted data to a communications network node.

129. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node facilitates synchronizing data stored on the portable device memory with data stored on a communications network node.

130. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of executing the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node facilitates synchronizing program code stored on the portable device memory with program code stored on a communications network node.

131. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of affecting the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component comprises providing the terminal processor with access to fifth program code stored on the portable device memory which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

132. The method according to claim 131, wherein the step of providing the terminal processor with access to the fifth program code comprises storing the fifth program code on the terminal memory.

133. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of affecting the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component comprises executing fifth program code stored on the portable device memory to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

134. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of affecting the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component comprises transmitting a communication to cause the terminal processor to execute fifth program code stored on the terminal memory to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

135. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of affecting the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component comprises executing sixth program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to cause the terminal processor to execute fifth program code stored on the terminal memory to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

136. The method according to claim 135, wherein the step of affecting the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component comprises executing the sixth program code in response to a communication received by the portable device resulting from user interaction with an interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component.

137. The method according to claim 92, wherein the step of affecting the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component results from executing the fourth program code.

138. A system implementing a communications network, the communications network comprising (i) a communications network node, and (ii) a terminal, the terminal comprising a processor, an output component, and a memory configured to store executable program code, including first program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component, and second program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to facilitate communications to and from the terminal, the system comprising:

(a) a portable device comprising at least one communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network, a processor, and a memory having executable program code stored thereon, the portable device configured to;

(1) execute third program code stored on the portable device memory to facilitate communications between the portable device and the communications network;

(2) execute, in response to a communication received by the portable device resulting from user interaction with the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, fourth program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted to the communications network node; and

(3) affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

139. The system according to claim 138, wherein the terminal comprises a network interface and the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

140. The system according to claim 139, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to facilitate the communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

141. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to provide the terminal with data stored on the portable device memory to facilitate the terminal to transmit the communication through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

142. The system according to claim 141, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises user authorization data.

143. The system according to claim 142, wherein the user authorization data comprises biometric data.

144. The system according to claim 141, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises a digital certificate.

145. The system according to claim 141, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises portable device identification information.

146. The system according to claim 138, wherein the terminal comprises a network interface and the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to affect the execution of fifth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

147. The system according to claim 146, wherein the fifth program code is stored on the terminal memory and, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to cause the communication to be transmitted through the terminal network interface to the communications network node.

148. The system according to claim 138, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node and the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted through the portable device network interface to the communications network node.

149. The system according to claim 148, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to retrieve data stored on the portable device memory to facilitate the communication to be transmitted through the portable device network interface to the communications network node.

150. The system according to claim 149, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises user authorization data.

151. The system according to claim 150, wherein the user authorization data comprises biometric data.

152. The system according to claim 149, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises a digital certificate.

153. The system according to claim 149, wherein the data stored on the portable device memory comprises portable device identification information.

154. The system according to claim 138, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and between the portable device and the communications network node.

155. The system according to claim 154, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

156. The system according to claim 154, wherein the wireless network interface is configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

157. The system according to claim 138, wherein the at least one communication interface comprises a first communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal and a second communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and the communications network node.

158. The system according to claim 157, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

159. The system according to claim 157, wherein the first communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

160. The system according to claim 157, wherein the first communication interface is configured to employ a serial communication protocol.

161. The system according to claim 160, wherein the first communication interface comprises a universal serial bus interface.

162. The system according to claim 157, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface configured to employ a WiFi connectivity protocol.

163. The system according to claim 157, wherein the second communication interface comprises a wireless network interface configured to employ a Bluetooth connectivity protocol.

164. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate verification of the portable device.

165. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate access to data stored on a communications network node.

166. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of data to the portable device.

167. The system according to claim 166, wherein the data comprises encrypted data.

168. The system according to claim 166, wherein the data comprises video data content.

169. The system according to claim 166, wherein the data comprises audio data content.

170. The system according to claim 166, wherein the data comprises a live data feed.

171. The system according to claim 168, wherein the portable device is configured to transmit the video data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal output component.

172. The system according to claim 169, wherein the portable device is configured to transmit the audio data content to the terminal for presentation by the terminal output component.

173. The system according to claim 170, wherein the portable device is configured to transmit the live data feed to the terminal for presentation by the terminal output component.

174. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate the transmission of encrypted data to a communications network node.

175. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate synchronizing data stored on the portable device memory with data stored on a communications network node.

176. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device processor is configured to execute the fourth program code to cause the communication to be transmitted to the communications network node to facilitate synchronizing program code stored on the portable device memory with program code stored on a communications network node.

177. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component by providing the terminal processor with access to fifth program code stored on the portable device memory which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

178. The system according to claim 177, wherein the portable device is configured to provide the terminal processor with access to the fifth program code by storing the fifth program code on the terminal memory.

179. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component by executing fifth program code stored on the portable device memory to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

180. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component by causing a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to cause the terminal processor to execute fifth program code stored on the terminal memory to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

181. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component by executing sixth program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted to the terminal to cause the terminal processor to execute fifth program code stored on the terminal memory to affect the presentation of an interactive user interface by the terminal output component.

182. The system according to claim 181, wherein the portable device is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component by executing the sixth program code in response to a communication received by the portable device resulting from user interaction with an interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component.

183. The system according to claim 138, wherein the portable device is configured to affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component as a result of executing the fourth program code.