System for performing financial transactions using a smartcard

• US 6,012,049 A
• Filed: 02/04/1998
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Citicorp Credit Services Incorporated (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Citicorp Development Center Incorporated (Citigroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kawan, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nga B.
• Application Number:
  US09/018,791
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 705/41, 379/93, 235/379, 235/380, 704/257
• US Class Current: 705/41
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3572 Multiple accounts on card
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4037 Remote solvency checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/211 Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02

Abstract

A financial information and transaction system comprising a host financial computer system, which host system maintains records of user account information; at least one terminal providing a user interface for accessing the host financial computer system, the at least one terminal including a means for transmitting and receiving data corresponding to the user account information, and a smart card interface device; wherein access to the records of user account information are organized in a hierarchy of three or more levels, which hierarchy comprises an initial level, a final level, and one or more intervening levels; wherein the records of user account information are accessed by passing through the hierarchy of three or more levels; and wherein means are provided for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task without passing through the one or more intervening levels is described. Further, a financial information and transaction system comprising a host financial computer system, said host system maintaining records of user account information; at least one terminal providing a user interface for accessing said host financial computer system, said at least one terminal including a means for conducting a transaction based on the user account information, a smart card interface device; and a smart card; wherein conducting said transaction based on said records of user account information is organized in a hierarchy of three or more levels, said hierarchy of three or more levels comprising an initial level, a final level, and one or more intervening levels; wherein said transaction is conducted by passing through said hierarchy of three or more levels; and wherein means are provided for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task without passing through said one or more intervening levels is described. These transactions include a deposit of funds; a withdrawal of funds; an exchange of currency; a transfer of funds between said user'"'"'s checking account and said user'"'"'s savings account; a purchase of stock; and a sale of stock.

Claims

1. A financial information and transaction system comprising:

a host financial computer system, said host system maintaining records of user account information;

at least one terminal providing a user interface for accessing said host financial computer system, said at least one terminal including a transmitter and a receiver for transmitting and receiving data, respectively, corresponding to the user account information,

a smart card interface device;

and a smart card;

wherein access to said records of user account information are organized in a hierarchy of three or more levels, said hierarchy of three or more levels comprising an initial level, a final level, and one or more intervening levels;

wherein said records of user account information are accessed by passing through said hierarchy of three or more levels; and

wherein an access allowance path is provided for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task without passing through said one or more intervening levels.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access allowance path for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task is provided on the smart card.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access allowance path for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task is provided in the smart card interface device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said access allowance path for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task is provided on the host financial computer system.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said records of user account information comprises checking account balance.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said records of user account information comprises savings account balance.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein prior to occurrence of the automated task, the smart said is digitally authenticated.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein subsequent to occurrence of the automated task, the smart said is digitally authenticated.

9. A financial information and transaction system comprising:

a host financial computer system, said host system maintaining records of user account information;

at least one terminal providing a user interface for accessing said host financial computer system, said at least one terminal permitting a transaction to be conducted based on the user account information, a smart card interface device;

and a smart card;

wherein conducting said transaction based on said records of user account information is organized in a hierarchy of three or more levels, said hierarchy of three or more levels comprising an initial level, a final level, and one or more intervening levels;

wherein said transaction is conducted by passing through said hierarchy of three or more levels; and

wherein an access allowance path is provided for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task without passing through said one or more intervening levels.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said access allowance path for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task is provided on the smart card.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein said access allowance path for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task is provided in the smart card interface device.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein said access allowance path for allowing access to the final level in the hierarchy by an automated task is provided on the host financial computer system.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein said transaction comprises a deposit of funds.

14. The system according to claim 9, wherein said transaction comprises a withdrawal of funds.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein said transaction comprises an exchange of currency.

16. The system according to claim 9, wherein said transaction comprises a transfer of funds between said user'"'"'s checking account and said user'"'"'s savings account.

17. The system according to claim 9, wherein said transaction comprises a purchase of stock.

18. The system according to claim 9, wherein said transaction comprises a sale of stock.

19. The system according to claim 9, wherein prior to occurrence of the automated task, the smart said is digitally authenticated.

20. The system according to claim 9, wherein subsequent to the transaction being conducted, the transaction is digitally authenticated.