Network arrangement for smart card applications

• US 7,010,701 B1
• Filed: 10/19/1999
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: Bossemeyer, Robert Wesley Jr., Heinmiller, Wayne Robert, Ekstrom, Gayle Roberta, Light, Jordan Howard, Israelski, Edmond W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Kim
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong, Thanhnga B.
• Application Number:
  US09/420,877
• Time in Patent Office: 2,331 Days
• Field of Search: 713200-202, 705/2, 711/115, 711/173, 711/209, 707/1, 725/6, 725/4, 709/229, 709/217, 455/558
• US Class Current: 711/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities

Abstract

A network for smart card applications using a smart card in combination with a smart card terminal. The network arrangement includes a communications network connected to at least one smart card terminal, and a central database server in operative communication with the network central office. The network central office is part of the public switched telephone network and transmits smart card data between the smart card terminal and central database server. The central database server includes many partitioned memory locations each containing information associated with a smart card application. The information contained in the partitioned memory locations is accessible by data pointers stored on the individual smart cards. In this manner, the amount of data stored on the smart cards using the system is reduced and all of the information relating to a smart card user is centralized in one location. The central database server includes means for distinguishing between public information and proprietary information stored in the partitioned memory locations.

Claims

1. A method of providing access to information relating to an authorized user of a smart card for executing a smart card transaction, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one smart card terminal for receiving said smart card and communicatively interacting with the on-card memory of said smart card;

verifying authorization for a desired application that is selected at said smart card terminal for said smart card transaction;

transmitting at least an authorization code contained within said on-card memory of said smart card both through a communications network and to a network smart card server that includes a plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations;

utilizing at least one memory-economizing data pointer provided by said authorization code to point to information relating to said authorized user that is contained in at least one of said application-specific partitioned memory locations in said network smart card server; and

transmitting said information through said communications network to said smart card terminal so as to provide access to said information and also economize the information storage capacity within said on-card memory of said smart card.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

modifying said information as accessed at said smart card terminal;

transmitting said information as modified to said network smart card server; and

storing said information as modified in at least one of said application-specific partitioned memory locations.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a central time/date value that is associated with said information as transmitted.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

modifying information relating to said authorized user; and

storing said information as modified on said smart card.

5. A network smart card server for use in smart card transactions, said network smart card server comprising:

a first plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations containing information relating to an authorized user of a smart card;

a second plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations containing further information relating to said authorized user; and

a microprocessor programmed to receive an authorization code contained within the on-card memory of said smart card, said authorization code representing at least one memory-economizing data pointer for pointing to authorized user related information contained within at least one memory location within said first plurality or said second plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations so as to provide access to said authorized user related information and also economize the information storage capacity within said on-card memory of said smart card.

6. The network smart card server of claim 5 wherein said information contained in said first plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations is access-designated public data for said smart card transactions.

7. The network smart card server of claim 6 wherein said information contained in said second plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations is access-designated restricted data for said smart card transactions.

8. The network smart card server of claim 5 wherein each of said first plurality and said second plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations contains information designated for at least one smart card application.

9. The network smart card server of claim 5 wherein at least one of said first plurality of application-specific partitioned memory locations is located on a separate database server accessible through a communications network.

10. The network smart card server of claim 9 wherein said communications network includes the Internet.

11. The network smart card server of claim 9 wherein said communications network includes a public-switched telephone network.