Device and method for authorized funds transfer

• US 6,393,411 B1
• Filed: 07/21/1998
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amdahl Corporation (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Amdahl Corporation (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Freeman, Robert Peter, Bishop, Richard Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Irshadullah, M.
• Application Number:
  US09/119,805
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 705/39, 705/41, 705/44, 235/380, 380/24
• US Class Current: 705/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/454 Removable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/465 Pivoted

Abstract

A secure funds device for use with a computer system, such as a personal computer, for transferring funds, in response to a funds transfer request for amounts of funds from the computer system, to a funds receiver. One or more electronic cash devices store electronic funds and transfer funds in response to funds transfer request when authorized by an authorization signal. A processor is used for connecting the funds transfer request from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds from the electronic cash device to the computer system when the authorization signal is present. User control means, including for example a pushbutton switch and an LCD display, that is not accessible by the computer system is used for providing the authorization signal. The secure funds device has a secure interface that prevents the computer system from generating the authorization signal. The present invention prevents a computer from making unauthorized transfers from a electronic cash device such as a smart card.

Claims

1. A secure funds device for use with a computer system for transferring funds from an electronic cash device to a funds receiver comprising:

a processor isolated from the computer system for connecting a funds transfer request in a requested amount originating from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds in a transfer amount not exceeding said requested amount from the electronic cash device to the computer system in response to an authorization signal,

user control means, under physical control and security of a user, including an indicator for providing an indication of the requested amount and including an actuator, on user momentary actuation, producing said authorization signal, secure from unauthorized intervention by the computer system, transmitting the authorization signal via said processor to the funds receiver.

2. The secure funds device of claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a user display for display of said requested amount.

3. The secure funds device of claim 1 wherein said indicator includes a user speaker for audio indication of said requested amount.

4. The secure funds device of claim 1 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that does not exceed said requested amount.

5. The secure funds device of claim 1 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that equals said requested amount.

6. The secure funds device of claim 1 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said requested amount.

7. The secure funds device of claim 1 wherein said processor includes means for storing an authorized amount as an accumulated result of multiple authorization transfers and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer request amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said authorized amount.

8. The secure funds device of claim 1 wherein said processor operates in a session having a plurality of phases including,

a preparation phase, an authorization phase and a funds transfer phase.

9. The secure funds device of claim 8 wherein said session allows multiple transfers in said funds transfer phase subsequent to said authorization phase.

10. The secure funds device of claim 8 wherein for a session,

said preparation phase determines if the electronic cash device is ready and determines if a request is pending in the requested amount,

said authorization phase displays said requested amount and generates the authorization signal,

said funds transfer phase, cooperating with the computing system, performs the electronic signaling required for the transfer of electronic funds between the electronic cash device and the funds receiver.

11. The secure funds device of claim 10 wherein said funds transfer phase returns to the preparation phase or the authorization phase in response to return conditions so that further funds transfers cannot occur without a new authorization.

12. The secure funds device of claim 11 wherein said return conditions include an electronic cash device not OK condition.

13. The secure funds device of claim 11 wherein said return conditions include a clear request condition.

14. The secure funds device of claim 11 wherein said return conditions include a funds exhausted condition.

15. A secure funds device for use with a computer system for transferring funds from an electronic cash device to a funds receiver comprising:

a housing physically detached from said computer system and electronically connected for communication with the computer system, said housing containing,

a processor for connecting a funds transfer request, in a preparation phase, in a requested amount originating from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds, in a funds transfer phase, in a transfer amount not exceeding said requested amount from the electronic cash device to the computer system in response to an authorization signal, said processor having means to inhibit responses to funds transfer requests from the computer system until an authorization signal is generated,

user control means including an indicator for producing an indication of the requested amount and including an actuator for producing, in an authorization phase, said authorization signal secure from unauthorized intervention by the computer system.

16. The secure funds device of claim 15 wherein said indicator includes a user display for display of said requested amount.

17. The secure funds device of claim 15 wherein said indicator includes a user speaker for audio indication of said requested amount.

18. The secure funds device of claim 15 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that does not exceed said requested amount.

19. The secure funds device of claim 15 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that equals said requested amount.

20. The secure funds device of claim 15 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said requested amount.

21. The secure funds device of claim 15 wherein said processor includes means for storing an authorized amount as an accumulated result of multiple authorization transfers and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer request amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said authorized amount.

22. The secure funds device of claim 15 wherein a session includes in sequence said preparation phase, said funds transfer phase and said authorization phase and said session allows multiple transfers in said funds transfer phase subsequent to said authorization phase.

23. The secure funds device of claim 22 wherein for a session,

said preparation phase determines if the electronic cash device is ready and determines if a request is pending in the requested amount,

said authorization phase displays said requested amount and generates the authorization signal,

said funds transfer phase, cooperating with the computing system, performs the electronic signaling required for the transfer of electronic funds between the electronic cash device and the funds receiver.

24. The secure funds device of claim 23 wherein said funds transfer phase returns to the preparation phase or the authorization phase in response to return conditions so that further funds transfers cannot occur without a new authorization.

25. The secure funds device of claim 24 wherein said return conditions include an electronic cash device not OK condition.

26. The secure funds device of claim 24 wherein said return conditions include a clear request condition.

27. The secure funds device of claim 24 wherein said return conditions include a funds exhausted condition.

28. A secure funds device for use with a computer system for transferring electronic funds between an electronic cash device and an electronic funds receiver comprising:

a housing physically detached and securely isolated from said computer system and electronically connected for communication with the computer system, said housing containing,

a secure processor for connecting a funds transfer request from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds in a requested amount between the electronic cash device and the computer system in response to an authorization signal, said processor including means for storing an authorized amount and operating for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer request amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said authorized amount, said processor operating in a session having a plurality of distinct phases including a preparation phase, an authorization phase and a funds transfer phase wherein,

said preparation phase determines if the electronic cash device is ready and determines if a request from the computer system is pending in the requested amount,

said authorization phase displays said requested amount and generates the authorization signal,

said funds transfer phase, cooperating with the computing system, performs the electronic signaling required for the transfer of electronic funds between the electronic cash device and the funds receiver,

said session allows multiple transfers in said funds transfer phase subsequent to said authorization phase,

user control means under physical control and security of a user for producing said authorization signal secure from unauthorized intervention by the computer system, said user control means including a user indicator for indication of the amount of the funds transfer request and a manual actuator for actuation by a user for generation of said authorization signal, transmitting the funds and said authorization to the electronic funds receiver.

29. A secure funds method for use in a computer system for transferring funds from an electronic cash device to a funds receiver comprising:

connecting, with a processor, a funds transfer request in a requested amount originating from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds in a transfer amount not exceeding said requested amount from the electronic cash device to the computer system in response to an authorization signal,

transmitting with user control means, under physical control and security of a user and secure from unauthorized intervention by the computer system, having an indicator for indicating the amount and having an actuator producing the authorization signal on user momentary actuation, an indication of the requested amount and said authorization signal to the funds receiver.

30. The secure funds method of claim 29 wherein said indicator includes a user display for display of said requested amount.

31. The secure funds method of claim 29 wherein said indicator includes a user speaker for audio indication of said requested amount.

32. The secure funds method of claim 29 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that does not exceed said requested amount.

33. The secure funds method of claim 29 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that equals said requested amount.

34. The secure funds method of claim 29 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said requested amount.

35. The secure funds method of claim 29 wherein said processor includes means for storing an authorized amount as an accumulated result of multiple authorization transfers and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer request amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said authorized amount.

36. The secure funds method of claim 29 wherein said processor operates in a session having a plurality of phases including,

a preparation phase, an authorization phase and a funds transfer phase.

37. The secure funds method of claim 36 wherein said session allows multiple transfers in said funds transfer phase subsequent to said authorization phase.

38. The secure funds method of claim 36 wherein for a session,

said preparation phase determines if the electronic cash device is ready and determines if a request is pending in the requested amount,

said authorization phase displays said requested amount and generates the authorization signal,

said funds transfer phase, cooperating with the computing system, performs the electronic signaling required for the transfer of electronic funds between the electronic cash device and the funds receiver.

39. The secure funds method of claim 38 wherein said funds transfer phase returns to the preparation phase or the authorization phase in response to return conditions so that further funds transfers cannot occur without a new authorization.

40. The secure funds method of claim 39 wherein said return conditions include an electronic cash device not OK condition.

41. The secure funds method of claim 39 wherein said return conditions include a clear request condition.

42. The secure funds method of claim 39 wherein said return conditions include a funds exhausted condition.

43. A secure funds method for use in a computer system for transferring funds from an electronic cash device to a funds receiver comprising:

electronically connecting and communicating with the computer system, using a housing physically detached from said computer system, including,

connecting, with a processor, a funds transfer request, in a preparation phase, in a requested amount originating from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds, in a funds transfer phase, in a transfer amount not exceeding said requested amount from the electronic cash device to the computer system in response to an authorization signal, said processor having means to inhibit responses to funds transfer requests from the computer system until an authorization signal is generated,

sending with user control means, under physical control and security of a user, having an indicator for an indication of the requested amount and having an actuator for producing said authorization signal when momentarily actuated by the user, in an authorization phase, said indication of the requested amount and the authorization signal, secure from unauthorized intervention by the computer system, to the funds receiver.

44. The secure funds method of claim 43 wherein said indicator includes a user display for display of said requested amount.

45. The secure funds method of claim 43 wherein said indicator includes a user speaker for audio indication of said requested amount.

46. The secure funds method of claim 43 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that does not exceed said requested amount.

47. The secure funds method of claim 43 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing transfer of a transfer amount that equals said requested amount.

48. The secure funds method of claim 43 wherein said processor includes means for storing said requested amount and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said requested amount.

49. The secure funds method of claim 43 wherein said processor includes means for storing an authorized amount as an accumulated result of multiple authorization transfers and means for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer request amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said authorized amount.

50. The secure funds method of claim 43 wherein a session includes in sequence said preparation phase, said funds transfer phase and said authorization phase and said session allows multiple transfers in said funds transfer phase subsequent to said authorization phase.

51. The secure funds method of claim 50 wherein for a session,

said preparation phase determines if the electronic cash device is ready and determines if a request is pending in the requested amount,

said authorization phase displays said requested amount and generates the authorization signal,

said funds transfer phase, cooperating with the computing system, performs the electronic signaling required for the transfer of electronic funds between the electronic cash device and the funds receiver.

52. The secure funds method of claim 51 wherein said funds transfer phase returns to the preparation phase or the authorization phase in response to return conditions so that further funds transfers cannot occur without a new authorization.

53. The secure funds method of claim 52 wherein said return conditions include an electronic cash device not OK condition.

54. The secure funds method of claim 52 wherein said return conditions include a clear request condition.

55. The secure funds method of claim 52 wherein said return conditions include a funds exhausted condition.

56. A secure funds method for use in a computer system for transferring electronic funds between an electronic cash device and an electronic funds receiver comprising:

electronically connecting and communicating with the computer system, using a housing physically detached and securely isolated from said computer system, including,

connecting, with a secure processor, a funds transfer request from the computer system to the electronic cash device and transferring electronic funds in a requested amount between the electronic cash device and the computer system in response to an authorization signal, said processor including means for storing an authorized amount and operating for allowing one or more transfers of one or more transfer request amounts that cumulatively do not exceed said authorized amount, said processor operating in a session having a plurality of distinct phases including a preparation phase, an authorization phase and a funds transfer phase wherein,

said preparation phase determines if the electronic cash device is ready and determines if a request from the computer system is pending in the requested amount,

said authorization phase displays said requested amount and generates the authorization signal,

said funds transfer phase, cooperating with the computing system, performs the electronic signaling required for the transfer of electronic funds between the electronic cash device and the funds receiver,

said session allows multiple transfers in said funds transfer phase subsequent to said authorization phase,

producing, with a user control means transportable by a user and under physical control and security of a user, said authorization signal secure from unauthorized intervention by the computer system, including indicating, with a user indicator, the amount of the funds transfer request and generating, with a manual actuator actuated by a user, said authorization signal, transmitting the funds and said authorization to the electronic funds receiver.

57. A secure funds device for use with a computer system for transferring funds from a secure funds device to a funds receiver comprising:

a housing physically detached from said computer system and electronically connected for communication with the computer system, said housing containing,

an electronic cash device for storing electronic funds,

a processor for connecting a funds transfer request, in a preparation phase, in a requested amount originating from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds, in a funds transfer phase, in a transfer amount not exceeding said requested amount from the electronic cash device through a connection interface to the computer system in response to an authorization signal, said processor having means to inhibit responses to funds transfer requests from the computer system until an authorization signal is generated,

user control means including an indicator for providing an indication of the requested amount and including an actuator for producing, in an authorization phase, said authorization signal secure from unauthorized intervention by the computer system, sending the amount and said authorization signal to the funds receiver.

58. The secure funds device of claim 57 wherein said electronic cash device is embedded in a smart card and said secure funds device includes a card reader for communicating with said smart card.

59. The secure funds device of claim 57 wherein said electronic cash device and said processor are embedded in a smart card and said secure funds device includes a card reader for communicating with said smart card.

60. The secure funds device of claim 57 wherein said electronic cash device, said user control means and said processor are embedded in a smart card and said secure funds device includes a card reader for communicating with said smart card.