Methods and apparatus for data encryption and transmission
First Claim
1. A method of encrypting, transmitting, and decrypting an account number based on the use of a reversible mathematical algorithm, the algorithm being a function of time and date, and the algorithm having said account number as argument, the method comprising the steps of:
- storing said account number in the memory of a hand-held special tone dialing (STD) device;
storing a first mathematical algorithm in the memory of said STD device;
storing a second algorithm, which second algorithm is the mathematical inverse of said first algorithm, in a central computer;
entering a personal identification number (PIN) onto a keypad of said STD device to thereby retrieve said account number and said first algorithm;
executing said first algorithm using the date and time of encryption to thereby encrypt said account number and the time and date of encryption as a function of said first algorithm;
applying, by said central computer, said second algorithm to said encrypted account number to thereby compute said account number as the result of said second algorithm being applied to said encrypted account number;
looking up at least a portion of said account number in an account data base maintained by said central computer to facilitate the authorization of a financial transaction involving the account to which said account number is associated; and
transmitting a response message from said central computer to said STD device relating to the authorization of said financial transaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the transmission of encrypted data along conventional telephone lines using various data transmission techniques, including known dual tone multi-frequency(DMTF) techniques. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an exemplary apparatus for transmitting confidential information(data) comprises a portable hand-held module having the confidential data(e.g., credit card account numbers) and a predetermined encryption algorithm embedded therein. The apparatus which receives the encrypted transmission is equipped with an interface computer having decryption circuitry in which the inverse of the forgoing encryption algorithm is embedded.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of encrypting, transmitting, and decrypting an account number based on the use of a reversible mathematical algorithm, the algorithm being a function of time and date, and the algorithm having said account number as argument, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing said account number in the memory of a hand-held special tone dialing (STD) device; storing a first mathematical algorithm in the memory of said STD device; storing a second algorithm, which second algorithm is the mathematical inverse of said first algorithm, in a central computer; entering a personal identification number (PIN) onto a keypad of said STD device to thereby retrieve said account number and said first algorithm; executing said first algorithm using the date and time of encryption to thereby encrypt said account number and the time and date of encryption as a function of said first algorithm; applying, by said central computer, said second algorithm to said encrypted account number to thereby compute said account number as the result of said second algorithm being applied to said encrypted account number; looking up at least a portion of said account number in an account data base maintained by said central computer to facilitate the authorization of a financial transaction involving the account to which said account number is associated; and transmitting a response message from said central computer to said STD device relating to the authorization of said financial transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An encryption and decryption system comprising a transmitting device and a receiving device wherein the transmitting device comprises:
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a keypad for entering a PIN; means for entering confidential information to be transmitted to said receiving device; means for storing an authentication number which is unique for each transmitting device; means for determining date and time; means for computing a first reversible mathematical function in response to the entry of the personal identification number, said first function including the year, month, day, hour, and minute of encryption; means for encrypting said consolidated information into a message based upon said first function; means for transmitting said message and said authentication number to the receiving device; a card writer circuit configured to write said message in a digital format onto a configurable magnetic strip associated with a dynamically reconfigurable transaction card; and
the receiving device comprises;means for receiving said message and said authentication number from the transmitting device; means for determining date and time; means for computing a second mathematical function which is the mathematical inverse of said first function; means for applying said second function to said message to thereby decrypt said message and reveal said confidential information; means for storing a data base of authentication numbers; and means for comparing said received authentication number to the data base of authentication numbers to thereby confirm the authenticity of said transmitting device; and means for applying said confidential information to a data base of account numbers to facilitate the approval of a financial transaction. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification