Method to make transactions secure by means of cards having unique and non-reproducible identifiers

• US 7,647,279 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novatec Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Novatec Incorporated
• Inventors: Bourrieres, Frank, Bourrieres, Francis, Kaiser, Clement
• Primary Examiner(s): Fischer; Andrew J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johns; Christopher C
• Application Number:
  US10/712,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20050075984A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,252 Days
• Field of Search: 705/67, 713/182, 713/185
• US Class Current: 705/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/122 Online card verification

Abstract

A method for making transactions secure based upon a card-type medium (2) comprising a number (4) and a remote database (5) connected to a telecommunications network. A unique and non-reproducible identifier (3) in the form of a bubble code is physically affixed to the card (2) comprising a number (4) contained either on a magnetic strip, of a bar code, or in an electronic label. One representation of this identifier (6) and or (7) is stored in the remote database (5) at the same number (4) as that present on the medium. This identifier (3) constitutes an unforgeable link between the magnetic strip (1) and the database (5). When a call is made to the remote database by means of the number recorded on the card, a link authentication is performed by comparing the representation of the identifier stored in said database and the actual identifier.

Claims

1. Method for making transactions secure based on a card-type medium (2) comprising a number (4) and a remote database (5) connected to a telecommunications network (9), characterized in that

a unique volume based identifier (3) containing bubbles of random size, shape and arrangement which are clearly perceived in form size and relative position is physically integrated in the medium (2) comprising the number (4),

this identifier (3) constitutes an unforgeable link between the number (4) located on the medium and information stored under the same number (4) in the database (5),

said stored information comprises at least one representation of the identifier comprising an image (6) of the unique identifier (3),

the method comprising authenticating the link at the time of a transaction by

making a call to the database,

retransmitting the stored image to a terminal monitor (11) and/or a printer (10) on which the image appears, and

a human operator;

visually comparing the identifier (3) located on the medium and its image displayed on the terminal (11) and/or on the receipt of the printer (10), and

determining if there is agreement between the identifier (3) located on the medium and its image displayed on the terminal (11) and/or on the receipt of the printer (10) and either,

authorizing the transaction if agreement is determined, or

not authorizing the transaction if non-agreement is determined.

2. Method for making transactions secure based on a card-type medium (2) comprising a number (4) and a remote database (5) connected to a telecommunications network (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number is recorded on the medium (2) by means of a magnetic strip or tape (1).

3. Method for making transactions secure based on a card-type medium (2) comprising a number (4) and a remote database (5) connected to a telecommunications network (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number is recorded in the medium (2) by means of a linear bar code or a two-dimensional code (1).

4. Method for making transactions secure based on a card-type medium (2) comprising a number (4) and a remote database (5) connected to a telecommunications network (9) according to claim 1, characterized in that the number is recorded on the medium (2) by means of an electronic chip or radio frequency chip.