Method and apparatus for providing secure identification, verification and authorization

• US 7,314,167 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Pisafe, Inc.
• Inventors: Kiliccote, Han
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien Minh
• Application Number:
  US11/075,493
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/375, 235/379, 235/382, 235/382.5, 705/39, 705/76, 340/10.52, 340/10.3, 340/5.8, 358/1.15, 358/1.1
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3823 combining multiple encryption tools for a transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3825 Use of electronic signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a secure transaction is disclosed. The apparatus includes an image capture device configured to capture an image, the image having information embedded therein, a memory configured to store predetermined information, an input unit configured to receive input information provided by a user, a processor configured to: verify the user based on the input information to ensure that the user is authorized to use the apparatus, and generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information, and an output unit configured to forward the output generated by the processor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a secure transaction, the apparatus comprising:

an image capture device configured to capture an image, the image having information embedded therein including information relating to a transaction;

a memory configured to store predetermined information;

an input unit configured to receive input information provided by a user;

a processor configured to;

verify the user based on the input information to ensure that the user is authorized to use the apparatus; and

generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; and

an output unit configured to forward the output generated by the processor, wherein

the output includes a digital signature to be used to signify authorization by the user with respect to the transaction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to generate the output using the input information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to decode the information embedded in the image for use in generating the output by using a decryption algorithm.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input information includes one of a personal identification number and biometric information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output unit is a display.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output is provided to a verifier, the verifier having access to the information embedded in the image.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image includes a barcode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the barcode includes a multi-dimensional barcode.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the image includes a set of barcodes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the set of barcodes includes a set of multi-dimensional barcodes.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output includes an authentication code to be used to authenticate the user with respect to the transaction.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transaction includes an online transaction.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the predetermined information includes information relating to a payment card account;

and

wherein the output further includes some or all of the information relating to the payment card account to be used for payment with respect to the transaction.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information embedded in the image includes information relating to a password to be used to unlock a secured document;

and

wherein the output includes the password to be used to unlock the secured document.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information embedded in the image includes information relating to a challenge;

and

wherein the output includes a password to be used to satisfy the challenge and unlock a secured document.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the information embedded in the image includes information provided by a vendor relating to a pending transaction;

and

wherein the output includes some or all of the information provided by the vendor to be used to alert the user with respect to the pending transaction.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a cellphone.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a smartcard claim 1.

19. An apparatus for providing a secure transaction, the apparatus comprising:

an image capture device configured to capture an image, the image having information embedded therein;

a memory configured to store predetermined location;

an input unit configured to receive input information provided by a user;

a processor configured to;

verify the user based on the input information to ensure that the user is authorized to use the apparatus; and

generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; and

an output unit configured to forward the output generated by the processor, wherein

the output unit includes control logic configured to forward the output using a message delivery protocol.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the message delivery protocol includes the Short Message Service.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the message delivery protocol includes email.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the message delivery protocol includes the Extended Message Service.

23. A method of providing secure transaction, the method comprising:

configuring a portable device to;

capture an image, the image having information embedded therein, the information embedded in the image including information relating to a transaction;

store predetermined information;

receive input information provided by a user;

verify the user based on the input information to ensure that the user is authorized to use the portable device;

generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; and

forward the generated output to the user,

wherein the output includes a digital signature to be used to signify authorization by the user with respect to the transaction.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

configuring the portable device to generate the output using the input information.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

configuring the portable device to decode the information embedded in the image for use in generating the output by using a decryption algorithm.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the input information includes one of a personal identification number and biometric information.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

configuring the portable device to display the output.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein the output is provided to a verifier, the verifier having access to the information embedded in the image.

29. The method of claim 23 wherein the image includes a barcode.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the barcode includes a multi-dimensional barcode.

31. The method of claim 23 wherein the image includes a set of barcodes.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the set of barcodes includes a set of multi-dimensional barcodes.

33. The method of claim 23 wherein the output represents an authentication code to be used to authenticate the user with respect to the transaction.

34. The method of claim 23 wherein the transaction includes an online transaction.

35. The method of claim 23 wherein the predetermined information includes information relating to a payment card account;

and

wherein the output further includes some or all of the information relating to the payment card account to be used for payment with respect to the transaction.

36. The method of claim 23 wherein the information embedded in the image includes information relating to a password to be used to unlock a secured document;

and wherein the output includes the password to be used to unlock the secured document.

37. The method of claim 23 wherein the information embedded in the image includes information provided by a vendor relating to a pending transaction;

and

wherein the output includes some or all of the information provided by the vendor to be used to alert the user with respect to the pending transaction.

38. The method of claim 23 wherein the information embedded in the image includes information relating to a challenge;

wherein the output includes a password to be used to satisfy the challenge and unlock a secured document.

40. The method of claim 30 wherein the message delivery protocol includes the Short Message Service.

39. A method of providing secure transaction, the method comprising:

configuring a portable device to;

capture an image, the image having information embedded therein;

store predetermined information;

receive input information provided by a user;

verify the user based on the input information to ensure that the user is authorized to use the portable device;

generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; and

forward the generated output to the user using a message delivery protocol.

41. The method of claim 39 wherein the message delivery protocol includes email.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the message delivery protocol includes the 5 Extended Message Service.

43. A method of providing secure transaction, the method comprising:

configuring a portable device to;

capture an image, the image having information embedded therein;

store predetermined information;

receive input information provided by a user;

verify the user based on the input information to ensure that the user is authorized to use the portable device;

generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; and

forward the generated output to the user, wherein

the portable device includes one of a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, and a smartcard.