VIRTUAL WALLET SYSTEM

• US 20020004783A1
• Filed: 11/12/1998
• Published: 01/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Citicorp Development Center Incorporated (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Citicorp Development Center Incorporated (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: PALTENGHE, CRIS T., MAMDANI, ALNOOR B., TAKATA, MELVIN M., PAN, JACK, GOLVIN, CHARLES, LICHSTEIN, HENRY, SOLO, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US09/190,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20020004783A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6245 Protecting personal data, e.g. for financial or medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6263 during internet communication, e.g. revealing personal data from cookies
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/64 Protecting data integrity, e.g. using checksums, certificates or signatures
• 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 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0655 e-cash managed centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus, methods and systems for information and financial banking. Apparatus of the present invention include virtual wallets which allow for information and financial banking including payment mechanisms; identity authentication mechanisms; personal information; and electronic artifacts. Methods and systems of the present invention include information and financial banking methods utilizing virtual wallets. A preferred virtual wallet comprises a locally residing portion and a server residing portion. An interface is provided for communication between the two portions of the wallet.

Claims

1. A virtual wallet system comprising a locally residing wallet portion, an external server residing wallet portion and an interface between the locally residing wallet portion and the external server residing portion.

2. The virtual wallet system of claim 1 wherein the wallet includes at least one of the following:

payment mechanisms;

identity authentication mechanisms;

personal information; and

electronic artifacts.

3. The virtual wallet system of claim 2 wherein the payment mechanisms comprise one or more of the following:

bank account information;

credit account information;

electronic currency;

electronic checks and debit cards.

4. The virtual wallet system of claim 2 wherein the identity authentication mechanisms comprise personal identification information and authentication information.

5. The virtual wallet system of claim 2 wherein personal information comprises one or more of the following:

name, home address, work address, home phone, work phone, emergency contact information, personal phone numbers and addresses, appointments and reminders, personal preferences and interests, and biometric information.

6. The virtual wallet system of claim 5 wherein personal identification information comprises one or more of the following:

name, home address, work address, home phone, work phone, emergency contact information, and biometric information.

7. The virtual wallet system of claim 5 wherein authentication information comprises one or more of the following:

certificates, access keys and biometric information.

8. The virtual wallet system of claim 2 wherein the electronic artifacts comprise one or more of the following:

loyalty credits, coupons, pictures, tokens and tickets.

9. A system for electronic commerce utilizing a virtual wallet of claim 1.

10. The virtual wallet system of claim 1 wherein the interface permits transfer of data between the locally residing wallet portion and the external server residing portion.

11. The virtual wallet system of claim 1 wherein the external server residing portion includes a mirror of information contained on the locally residing wallet portion.

12. The virtual wallet system of claim 1 wherein the external server residing portion includes applications and the locally residing wallet portion comprises connectors to the applications that reside on the external server residing portion.

13. The virtual wallet system of claim 12 wherein the connectors comprise proxies for keys that identify an authorized user of the application.