Portable electronic transaction device and system therefor
First Claim
1. A portable electronic transaction device for use in a system having a terminal, said device being sealed in a container and comprising means for storing information therein, means for transmitting and receiving information to and from said terminal, internal, self-contained, power source means, sensing means for detecting abnormal conditions in said device, said sensing means being powered by said internal power source means and operated at all times, and means for permanently incapacitating said device in response to detection of abnormal conditions in said device by said sensor means, whereupon said device is precluded from use with said terminal.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable electronic transaction device and a terminal therefor. The device comprises a central data processor, a fixed memory, an adaptable memory, optical means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the terminal and self-contained power source means, such as an on-board battery. The device is arranged to operate in either a stand-alone mode during which it monitors itself for abnormal conditions or in an operating mode during which it communicates with said terminal for the transmission of information therebetween. The device also includes cryptographic means for encrypting outgoing information and decrypting incoming information in accordance with cryptographic information stored in its memory. The cryptographic information is modified as a function of time by clock means in the device and/or a function of information transmitted to the device by the terminal or stored in the device. During the standby mode of operation the device monitors itself, whereas in its operational mode it communicates with the terminal. Power for the standy mode is provided, via the on-board battery. Power for the operation of the device in the operational mode is provided via photocells in the device which are arranged to receive light from lamp means in the terminal.
640 Citations
34 Claims
- 1. A portable electronic transaction device for use in a system having a terminal, said device being sealed in a container and comprising means for storing information therein, means for transmitting and receiving information to and from said terminal, internal, self-contained, power source means, sensing means for detecting abnormal conditions in said device, said sensing means being powered by said internal power source means and operated at all times, and means for permanently incapacitating said device in response to detection of abnormal conditions in said device by said sensor means, whereupon said device is precluded from use with said terminal.
- 17. A portable electronic transaction device for use in a system including a terminal, said device comprising data processing means, memory means, means for transmitting and receiving information to and from said terminal, power source means for receiving power from said terminal to enable said device to communicate with said terminal and self-contained, internal power source means to enable operation of said device when said device is not used with said terminal, and interrupt control means powered by said power source and independent of said data processing means for enabling the operation of said device either independently of said terminal or in conjunction with said terminal.
- 21. A portable electronic transaction device for use in a system including a terminal, said device including data processing means, fixed memory means, adaptable memory means, means for transmitting and receiving information to and from said terminal, means for receiving power transmitted optically from said terminal, a self-contained, internal power source means to enable operation of said device independently of outside power sources and to maintain information stored in said adaptable memory, control means and operative independently of said data processing means powered by internal power source for enabling operation of said device in either a stand-alone mode or an operating mode, said operating mode enabling the transmission and receipt of information to and from said terminal, said stand-alone mode consisting of operation independent of said terminal and wherein said device monitors itself for abnormal conditions.
- 28. A terminal for use with a portable electronic transaction device, said terminal comprising means for receiving said device therein, optical means for transmitting and receiving information to and from said device without electrical contact therebetween, means for transmitting power to said device, and means for decrypting encrypted information received from said device and for encrypting information transmitted to said device.
Specification