Transaction system and method

• US 6,085,983 A
• Filed: 02/11/1998
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Curry, Stephen M., Bolan, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Application Number:
  US09/022,290
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/437, 235/441, 235/382, 235/385, 235/487, 235/486, 235/375, 235/380
• US Class Current: 235/492
• 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 20/357 Cards having a plurality of specified features
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4097 using mutual authentication between devices and transaction partners
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 1/06 Coins specially adapted to operate coin-freed mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A secure monetary system comprises an electronic module and equipment to access the electronic module. The electronic module comprising a substantially token-shaped module and secure memory circuitry to store monetary information. The secure memory positioned in the substantially token-shaped module. The equipment accesses and manipulates the monetary information stored in the memory in the electronic module. The equipment comprises memory to store control and encryption programs and the memory is coupled to a microprocessor, which is also coupled to the electronic module and a control panel. The microprocessor is secure.

Claims

1. A transaction system, comprising:

(a) means for storing value information;

(b) means for encrypting said value information to generate encrypted value information;

(c) means for manipulating said encrypted value information; and

(c) means for interfacing said value information storing means with said manipulating means.

2. The transaction system as recited in claim 1, wherein said value information comprises postage unit information.

3. The transaction system as recited in claim 1, wherein said interfacing means comprises a probe electrically connected to said manipulating means.

4. The transaction system as recited in claim 3, wherein said probe comprises a first and a second conductive contact.