Methods and apparatus for dynamic smartcard synchronization and personalization

• US 6,199,762 B1
• Filed: 05/06/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Hohle, William
• Primary Examiner(s): TREMBLAY, MARK STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US09/073,618
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/492, 705/41, 705/42, 705/66
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• 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 20/355 Personalisation of cards for use
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3672 initialising or reloading thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4093 Monitoring of device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A system generally for personalizing and synchronizing smartcard data in the context of a distributed transaction system is disclosed. A dynamic smartcard synchronization system comprises access points configured to initiate a transaction in conjunction with a smartcard, an enterprise data collection unit, and a card object database update system. An exemplary dynamic synchronization system (DSS) preferably comprises various smartcard access points, a secure support client server, a card object database update system (CODUS), one or more enterprise data synchronization interfaces (EDSI), an update logic system, one or more enterprise data collection units (EDCUs), and one or more smartcard access points configured to interoperably accept and interface with smartcards. In an exemplary embodiment, DSS comprises a personalization system and an account maintenance system configured to communicate with CODUS. Personalization of multi-function smartcards is accomplished using a security server configured to generate and/or retrieve cryptographic key information from multiple enterprise key systems during the final phase of the smartcard issuance process.

Claims

1. A system for dynamically synchronizing smartcard information associated with a smartcard, said system comprising:

a first enterprise data collection unit associated with a first enterprise, said enterprise data collection unit configured to store update transactions and pending transactions associated with said smartcard and said first enterprise;

a second enterprise data collection unit associated with a second enterprise, said second enterprise data collection unit configured to store update transactions and pending transactions associated with said smartcard and said second enterprise;

at least one access point configured to interface with said smartcard and said first and second enterprise data collection units;

a card object database system coupled to said first and second enterprise data collection units and configured to store said smartcard information in accordance with said update transactions and said pending transactions, wherein said smartcard information includes a card object having at least one application; and

an update logic system configured to route said smartcard information from said first and second enterprise data collection units to said at least one access point in order to effect synchronization of said smartcard information associated with said smartcard and said card object database system.

2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising an update logic system coupled to at least one enterprise data synchronization interface, said update logic system configured to securely route card information between said enterprise data synchronization interface and said enterprise data collection units, said enterprise data synchronization interface coupled to an enterprise network configured to communicate with said access point.

3. A system according to claim 2, further comprising a secure support client server configured to communicate with said access point, said secure support client server further configured to adaptively provide communication functionality in accordance with the communication functionality available at said access point.

4. The system of claim 1, further including a personalization system comprising:

a security server;

at least one key system associated with said at least one application, said key system configured to communicate with said security server and to supply a key in response to a request from said security server;

a personalization utility configured to receive said card object and to communicate with said security server;

said personalization utility further configured to add said key to said card object, a card management system, said card management system configured to accept a card request and communicate said card request to said personalization utility; and

a gather application module configured to communicate with said card management system and gather application information from a first database and a second database in accordance with said card request, wherein said first database is associated with said first enterprise, and said second database is associated with said second enterprise.