Retail point-of-transaction system, program products, and related methods to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitate a transaction using electronic coupons

• US 7,828,208 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2009
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stripe, Inc.
• Original Assignee: E-Micro Corporation
• Inventors: Gangi, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haupt; Kristy A
• Application Number:
  US12/359,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20090132381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/492, 235/381, 235/383, 235/379, 705 70- 75
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0004 Hybrid readers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• 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 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• 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 20/3574 Multiple applications on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/36 using electronic wallets or electronic money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3829 involving key management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/383 Anonymous user system
• 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: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 : During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• 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 7/0886 : the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0893 : the card reader reading the card in a contactless manner
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 : Card verification

Abstract

Retail point-of-transaction systems, program products, and related computer implemented methods to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitate a retail sales point-of-sale transaction which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons is provided. The retail point-of-sale system can include a computer having memory and configured to facilitate one or more transactions each of which include the use of one or more electronic coupons through a retail point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from, and adapted to be in communication with, the computer. The computer can also include a set of instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to redeem one or more electronic coupons for one or more retail transactions responsive to a customized set of identification data provided by the computer responsive to a data profile derived from a set of personal data of at least one of a plurality of remotely positioned users.

Claims

1. A retail point-of-transaction system to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitate a retail transaction which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons, the retail point-of-transaction system comprising:

a computer having memory and configured to interface with a plurality of remotely positioned users and at least one remotely positioned provider of components of data profiles to facilitate one or more transactions each of which include the use of the one or more electronic coupons through a retail point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from, and adapted to be in communications with, the computer;

a database accessible by the computer to store a plurality of personal control IDs and a plurality of sets of personal data, each set of personal data associated with a corresponding different one or more of the plurality of remotely positioned users and including coupon data; and

a set of instructions stored in the memory of the computer that when executed by the computer causes the computer to perform the operations of;

receiving a set of personal data from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users, the set of personal data including coupon data associated with the one or more electronic coupons adapted to be redeemable by at least one of the plurality of users at a retail point-of-transaction,

receiving a personal control ID from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users to associate with the respective set of personal data and an ID instrument to be associated with the at least one of the plurality of users,

storing the personal control ID and the respective set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotely positioned users in the database,

receiving a request for at least a portion of the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users from the retail point-of-transaction terminal responsive to when the retail point-of-transaction terminal is coupled via a first data communication link to the ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users, the request including both the personal control ID of the respective user and a provider ID, the provider ID being associated with one of, or both, a merchant or service provider or at least one provider of components of data profiles,

providing a customized set of identification data responsive to a data profile derived from the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users to facilitate one or more retail transactions, which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons, through the retail point-of-transaction terminal, and

redeeming, responsive to the customized set of identification data and the coupon data associated therewith, the one or more electronic coupons for the one or more retail transactions.

2. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 1, wherein the customized set of identification data includes user credentials recognized by the retail point-of-transaction terminal, and the retail point-of-transaction system further comprises a data processor remote from and in communication with the computer and a display associated with a merchant or service provider location of the retail point-of-transaction terminal and viewable by either a user or a retail transaction site operator when providing the customized set of identification data.

3. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 1, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of receiving via the Internet one or more coupons to be redeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users at the retail point-of-transaction terminal.

4. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 1, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of receiving via a second data communication link one or more coupons to be redeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users at the retail point-of-transaction terminal, the second data communication link including one or more of:

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link.

5. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 1,

wherein the set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotely positioned users includes user credentials associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least a portion of the coupon data is associated with the at one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles further comprises a plurality of providers of components of data profiles;

wherein the data profile is selectively associated with a separate one of the plurality of provider of components of data profiles.

6. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 1,

wherein the set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotely positioned users includes user credentials associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least a portion of the coupon data is associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles; and

wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operations of;

receiving user credentials from a provider of at least one component of the data profile,

receiving coupon data from one or more providers of components of data profiles,

associating the user credentials and the coupon data with a provider ID and the personal control ID, and

processing changes, updates, and additions to the user credentials and the coupon data to thereby define revised user credentials and revised coupon data in digitized either point-of-sale or point-of-transaction ready form.

7. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 6,

wherein the user is a first user;

wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of distributing electronically the revised user credentials to the first user; and

wherein the retail point-of-transaction system further comprises a first ID instrument associated with the first user and having memory to receive the revised user credentials, a second ID instrument associated with a second user and having memory to receive the revised user credentials, a first ID instrument set of instructions stored in the memory of the first ID instrument that when executed by the first ID instrument causes the first ID instrument to perform the operation of forwarding the revised user credentials from the first ID instrument to the second ID instrument for use by the second user to facilitate therefrom one or more transactions through the retail point-of-transaction terminal, and a second ID instrument set of instructions stored in the memory of the second ID instrument that when executed by the second ID instrument causes the second ID instrument to perform the operation of forwarding the revised user credentials from the second ID instrument to the first ID instrument for use by the first user to facilitate therefrom one or more transactions through the retail point-of-transaction terminal.

8. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 3,

wherein the user is a first user;

wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of distributing electronically the user credentials to the first user; and

wherein the retail point-of-transaction system further comprises a first ID instrument associated with the first user and having memory to receive the user credentials, a second ID instrument associated with a second user and having memory to receive the user credentials, a first ID instrument set of instructions stored in the memory of the first ID instrument that when executed by the first ID instrument causes the first ID instrument to perform the operation of forwarding the user credentials from the first ID instrument to the second ID instrument for use by the second user to facilitate therefrom one or more transactions through the retail point-of-transaction terminal.

9. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 1,

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles provides one or more of:

a personal name, a personal ID to be associated with a set of personal data, a personal pictorial image, personal fingerprint data, personal checking account data, personal driver'"'"'s license data, personal biometric data, a personal social security number, a personal ID password, a personal data password, a pin number, credit card data, debit card data, prepaid card data, frequent purchaser data, medical data, bank account data, investment data, coupon data, processed data points, data based on an existing set of personal data generated in response to a previous transaction, and a membership;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles comprises one or more of;

a credit card issuer, a debit card issuer, an ID issuer, a financial institution, a public authority, a retail establishment management center, or an administrator or maintainer of the computer;

wherein the merchant or service provider comprises one or more of;

a gasoline vendor, a grocery store, a supermarket, or a provider of one or more of;

grocery items, food, medical services, medical supplies, insurance, ticketing, event ticketing, sporting events, money transfers, ATM devices, self-service devices, secure facilities, or identification services; and

wherein the first data communication link includes one or more of;

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link.

10. A retail point-of-transaction system as defined in claim 9,

wherein the merchant or service provider is not a provider of components of data profiles;

and

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles is not a merchant or service provider.

11. A system to provide a customized set of identification data to facilitate a transaction which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons, the system comprising:

a computer having memory and configured to interface with a plurality of remotely positioned users and at least one remotely positioned provider of components of data profiles to facilitate one or more transactions each of which include the use of the one or more electronic coupons through a point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from the computer;

a database accessible by the computer to store a plurality of personal control IDs and a plurality of sets of personal data, each set of personal data associated with a corresponding different one or more of the plurality of remotely positioned users and including coupon data; and

a set of instructions stored in the memory of the computer that when executed by the computer causes the computer to perform the operations of;

receiving a set of personal data from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users, through a first data communication link, the set of personal data including coupon data associated with the one or more electronic coupons redeemable by at least one of the plurality of users at a point-of-transaction,

receiving a personal control ID from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users to associate with the respective set of personal data and an ID instrument to be associated with the at least one of the plurality of users,

storing the personal control ID and the respective set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotely positioned users in the database,

receiving a request for at least a portion of the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users from the point-of-transaction terminal responsive to when the point-of-transaction terminal is coupled via a second data communication link to the ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users, the request including both the personal control ID of the respective user and a provider ID, the provider ID being associated with one of, or both, a merchant or service provider or at least one provider of components of data profiles,

providing a customized set of identification data responsive to a data profile derived from the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users to facilitate one or more transactions, which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons, through the point-of-transaction terminal; and

redeeming, responsive to the customized set of identification data and the coupon data associated therewith, the one or more electronic coupons for the one or more transactions.

12. A system as defined in claim 11,

wherein the first data communication link includes one or more of:

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link; and

wherein the second data communication link includes one or more of;

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link.

13. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein the wide area network link includes the Internet.

14. A system as defined in claim 13, wherein the customized set of identification data includes user credentials recognized by the point-of-transaction terminal, and the point-of-transaction system further comprises a data processor remote from and in communication with the computer and a display associated with a merchant or service provider location of the point-of-transaction terminal and viewable by either a user or a transaction site operator when providing the customized set of identification data.

15. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of receiving via the Internet one or more coupons to be redeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users at the point-of-transaction terminal.

16. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of receiving via a third data communication link one or more coupons to be redeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users at the point-of-transaction terminal, the third data communication link including one or more of:

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link.

17. A system as defined in claim 16,

wherein the set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotely positioned users includes user credentials associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least a portion of the coupon data is associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles further comprises a plurality of providers of components of data profiles;

wherein the data profile is selectively associated with a separate one of the plurality of providers of components of data profiles; and

wherein the first data communication link and the third data communication link are the same data communication link.

18. A system as defined in claim 17, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operations of:

receiving user credentials from a provider of at least one component of the data profile;

receiving coupon data from one or more providers of components of data profiles;

associating the user credentials and the coupon data with a provider ID and the personal control ID; and

processing changes, updates, and additions to the user credentials and the coupon data to thereby define revised user credentials and revised coupon data in digitized either point-of-sale or point-of-transaction ready form.

19. A system as defined in claim 18,

wherein the user is a first user;

wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of distributing electronically the revised user credentials to the first user; and

wherein the point-of-transaction system further comprises a first ID instrument associated with the first user and having memory to receive the revised user credentials, a second ID instrument associated with a second user and having memory to receive the revised user credentials, a first ID instrument set of instructions stored in the memory of the first ID instrument that when executed by the first ID instrument causes the first ID instrument to perform the operation of forwarding the revised user credentials from the first ID instrument to the second ID instrument for use by the second user to facilitate therefrom one or more transactions through the point-of-transaction terminal, and a second ID instrument set of instructions stored in the memory of the second ID instrument that when executed by the second ID instrument causes the second ID instrument to perform the operation of forwarding the revised user credentials from the second ID instrument to the first ID instrument for use by the first user to facilitate therefrom one or more transactions through the point-of-transaction terminal.

20. A system as defined in claim 18,

wherein the user is a first user;

wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the computer, further causes the computer to perform the operation of distributing electronically the user credentials to the first user; and

wherein the point-of-transaction system further comprises a first ID instrument associated with the first user and having memory to receive the user credentials, a second ID instrument associated with a second user and having memory to receive the user credentials, a first ID instrument set of instructions stored in the memory of the first ID instrument that when executed by the first ID instrument causes the first ID instrument to perform the operation of forwarding the user credentials from the first ID instrument to the second ID instrument for use by the second user to facilitate therefrom one or more transactions through the point-of-transaction terminal.

21. A system as defined in claim 18,

wherein the merchant or service provider is not a provider of components of data profiles;

and

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles is not a merchant or service provider.

22. A system as defined in claim 21,

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles provides one or more of:

a personal name, a personal ID to be associated with a set of personal data, a personal pictorial image, personal fingerprint data, personal checking account data, personal driver'"'"'s license data, personal biometric data, a personal social security number, a personal ID password, a personal data password, a pin number, credit card data, debit card data, prepaid card data, frequent purchaser data, medical data, bank account data, investment data, coupon data, processed data points, data based on an existing set of personal data generated in response to a previous transaction, and a membership;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles comprises one or more of;

a credit card issuer, a debit card issuer, an ID issuer, a financial institution, a public authority, a establishment management center, or an administrator or maintainer of the computer; and

wherein the merchant or service provider comprises one or more of;

a gasoline vendor, a grocery store, a supermarket, or a provider of one or more of;

grocery items, food, medical services, medical supplies, insurance, ticketing, event ticketing, sporting events, money transfers, ATM devices, self-service devices, secure facilities, or identification services.

23. A computer implemented method to provide a customized set of identification data to thereby facilitate a retail transaction at a retail point-of-transaction terminal comprising the steps of:

receiving a set of personal data from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users via a first data communication link, the set of personal data including coupon data associated with the one or more electronic coupons redeemable by at least one of the plurality of users at a retail point-of-transaction;

receiving a personal control ID from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users via a second data communication link to associate with the respective set of personal data and an ID instrument to be associated with the at least one of the plurality of users;

deriving, via a computer, a data profile from the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users to be associated with the at least one of the plurality of users for use by at least one provider identified by a provider ID, the provider ID being associated with one of, or both, a merchant or service provider or at least one provider of components of data profiles;

receiving a request for at least a portion of the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users from the retail point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from, and adapted to be in communication with, the computer, responsive to when the point-of-transaction terminal is coupled via a third data communication link to the ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users, the request including both the personal control ID of the respective user and a provider ID;

providing a customized set of identification data based on the data profile associated with the one of the plurality of remotely positioned users to facilitate one or more retail transactions, which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons, through the retail point-of-transaction terminal; and

redeeming, responsive to the customized set of identification data and coupon data associated therewith, the one or more electronic coupons for the one or more retail transactions.

24. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 23,

wherein the first data communication link, the second data communication link, and the third data communication link each includes one or more of:

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link;

wherein the first data communication link and the second data communication link are the same data communication link; and

wherein the personal control ID includes a subscriber identity module ID number associated with the ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users.

25. A system as defined in claim 24, wherein the wide area network link includes the Internet.

26. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 25, wherein the customized set of identification data includes user credentials from one or more providers identified by a provider ID, the user credentials being readable by the retail point-of-transaction terminal and viewable by either a user or a retail transaction site operator via a display associated with the retail point-of-transaction terminal.

27. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 25,

wherein the set of personal data associated with the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users includes user credentials from a plurality of providers identified by a provider ID;

and

wherein the step of deriving, via the computer, a data profile from the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users includes the step of associating the user credentials provided by a plurality of providers of components of data profiles with the user credentials provided by a select one of the plurality of providers of components of data profiles to thereby allow access of components of the data profile of the one of the plurality of users attributable to the plurality of providers of components of data profiles by use of a single ID instrument associated with the select one of the plurality of providers of components of data profiles.

28. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 25 further including the step of receiving via a fourth data communication link one or more coupons to be redeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users at the retail point-of-transaction terminal, the fourth data communication link including one or more of:

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link.

29. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 28, wherein the set of personal data includes a membership ID indicating that the user presenting the ID instrument is a member of the user network associated with the computer and is authorized to access the retail point-of-transaction terminal associated therewith, and wherein the customized set of identification data includes the membership ID.

30. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 29,

wherein the set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotely positioned users includes user credentials associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least a portion of the coupon data is associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles further comprises a plurality of providers of components of data profiles;

wherein the first data communication link, the second data communication link, and the fourth data communication link are the same data communication link; and

wherein the data profile is selectively associated with a separate one of the plurality of providers of components of data profiles.

31. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 30 further including the steps of:

receiving user credentials from a provider of at least one component of the data profile;

receiving coupon data from one or more providers of components of data profiles;

associating the user credentials and the coupon data with a provider ID and the personal control ID;

processing changes, updates, and additions to the user credentials and the coupon data to thereby define revised user credentials and revised coupon data in digitized either point-of-sale or point-of-transaction ready form; and

updating the ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users with at least one of the revised user credentials and the revised coupon data.

32. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 23,

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles provides one or more of:

a personal name, a personal ID to be associated with a set of personal data, a personal pictorial image, personal fingerprint data, personal checking account data, personal driver'"'"'s license data, personal biometric data, a personal social security number, a personal ID password, a personal data password, a pin number, credit card data, debit card data, prepaid card data, frequent purchaser data, medical data, bank account data, investment data, coupon data, processed data points, data based on an existing set of personal data generated in response to a previous transaction, and a membership;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles comprises one or more of;

a credit card issuer, a debit card issuer, an ID issuer, a financial institution, a public authority, a retail establishment management center, or an administrator or maintainer of the computer; and

wherein the merchant or service provider comprises one or more of;

a gasoline vendor, a grocery store, a supermarket, or a provider of one or more of;

grocery items, food, medical services, medical supplies, insurance, ticketing, event ticketing, sporting events, money transfers, ATM devices, self-service devices, secure facilities, or identification services.

33. A computer implemented method as defined in claim 32,

wherein the merchant or service provider is not a provider of components of data profiles;

and

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles is not a merchant or service provider.

34. A computer readable program product stored in a tangible computer medium providing a customized set of identification data to facilitate a retail transaction at a retail point-of-transaction terminal, the computer readable program product including instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the operations of:

receiving a set of personal data from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users, the set of personal data including coupon data associated with the one or more electronic coupons adapted to be redeemable by at least one of the plurality of users at a retail point-of-transaction;

receiving a personal control ID from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users to associate with the respective set of personal data and an ID instrument to be associated with the at least one of the plurality of users;

receiving a request for at least a portion of the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users from the retail point-of-transaction terminal positioned remote from, and adapted to be in communication with, the computer, the request including both the personal control ID of the respective user and a provider ID, the provider ID being associated with one of, or both, a merchant or service provider or at least one provider of components of data profiles;

providing a customized set of identification data responsive to a data profile derived from the set of personal data of the at least one of the plurality of remotely positioned users to facilitate one or more retail transactions, which includes the use of one or more electronic coupons, through the retail point-of-transaction terminal; and

redeeming, responsive to the customized set of identification data and the coupon data associated therewith, the one or more electronic coupons for the one or more retail transactions.

35. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 34,

wherein the personal data from each of the plurality of remotely positioned users is received via a first data communication link, the first data communications link including one or more of:

a wireless link, a wireline link, a wide area network link, an infrared link, a radio-frequency link, an optical link, and a magnetic link;

wherein the wide area network link includes the Internet; and

wherein the personal control ID includes a subscriber identity module ID number associated with the ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users.

36. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 34, wherein the customized set of identification data includes user credentials readable by the retail point-of-transaction terminal and viewable by either a user or a retail transaction site operator via a display associated with the retail point-of-transaction terminal.

37. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 36 further including instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to perform the operation of receiving via a second data communication link one or more coupons to be redeemed by the at least one of the plurality of users at the retail point-of-transaction terminal, the second data communication link including the Internet.

38. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 36, wherein the set of personal data includes a membership ID indicating that the user presenting the ID instrument is a member of the user network associated with the computer and is authorized to access the retail point-of-transaction terminal associated therewith, and wherein the customized set of identification data includes the membership ID.

39. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 36,

wherein the set of personal data of each of the plurality of remotely positioned users includes user credentials associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least a portion of the coupon data is associated with the at least one provider of components of data profiles;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles further comprises a plurality of providers of components of data profiles;

wherein the first data communication link and the second data communication link are the same data communication link; and

wherein the data profile is selectively associated with a separate one of the plurality of providers of components of data profiles.

40. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 39 further including instructions that when executed cause the computer to perform the operations of:

receiving user credentials from a provider of at least one component of the data profile;

receiving coupon data from one or more providers of components of data profiles;

associating the user credentials and the coupon data with a provider ID and the personal control ID;

processing changes, updates, and additions to the user credentials and the coupon data to thereby define revised user credentials and revised coupon data in digitized either point-of-sale or point-of-transaction ready form; and

updating the ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users with at least one of the revised user credentials and the revised coupon data.

41. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 34,

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles provides one or more of:

a personal name, a personal ID to be associated with a set of personal data, a personal pictorial image, personal fingerprint data, personal checking account data, personal driver'"'"'s license data, personal biometric data, a personal social security number, a personal ID password, a personal data password, a pin number, credit card data, debit card data, prepaid card data, frequent purchaser data, medical data, bank account data, investment data, coupon data, processed data points, data based on an existing set of personal data generated in response to a previous transaction, and a membership;

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles comprises one or more of;

a credit card issuer, a debit card issuer, an ID issuer, a financial institution, a public authority, a retail establishment management center, or an administrator or maintainer of the computer; and

wherein the merchant or service provider comprises one or more of;

a gasoline vendor, a grocery store, a supermarket, or a provider of one or more of;

grocery items, food, medical services, medical supplies, insurance, ticketing, event ticketing, sporting events, money transfers, ATM devices, self-service devices, secure facilities, or identification services.

42. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 41,

wherein the merchant or service provider is not a provider of components of data profiles;

and

wherein the at least one provider of components of data profiles is not a merchant or service provider.

43. A computer readable program product as defined in claim 34 further includes instructions, that when executed by the computer, cause the computer to further perform the operation of providing the customized set of identification data for use by the provider identified by a provider ID in performing at least one of the following:

identifying the user, verifying the identity of the user, and supplementing additional retail transactional information beyond that stored on an ID instrument associated with the at least one of the plurality of users.