Method and apparatus for controlling communications

• US 7,302,683 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cardsoft Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CardSoft International Pty Limited
• Inventors: Ogilvy, Ian Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUOC H
• Application Number:
  US11/207,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20060015646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 718/1, 719/310, 719/313, 719/315, 719/316, 703/23, 703/26, 703/27, 709/200, 709/201, 709/208, 709/219
• US Class Current: 718/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/206 Software aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Disclosed is a device arranged to process messages for communications, comprising a virtual machine means including a message processor means which is arranged to process messages communicated to and/or to be communicated from the device, and message processor instruction means, arranged to provide directions for operation of the message processor means. Also disclosed is a method for operating a device arranged to process messages for communications and a method of programming a device arranged to process messages for communications.

Claims

1. A communications device which is arranged to process messages for communications, comprising a virtual machine means which includes:

a virtual function processor and function processor instructions for controlling operation of the device, and

message instruction means including a set of descriptions of message data;

a virtual message processor, which is arranged to be called by the function processor and which is arranged to carry out the message handling tasks of assembling the messages, disassembling messages and comparing the messages under the direction of the message instruction means that is arranged to provide directions for operation of the virtual message processor, whereby when a message is required to be handled by the communications device the message processor is called to carry out the message handling task,

wherein the virtual machine means is emulatable in different computers having incompatible hardwares or operating systems,

wherein said device is a payment terminal device and wherein said virtual message processor is used to communicate with peripheral units associated with said device.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said device is a payment terminal device and wherein said virtual message processor is used to communication with an application associate with said device.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wherein said virtual message processor is used to communicate means associated with the device for implementing cryptographic series.

4. A new device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said device is a personal mobile device.

5. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said virtual message processor implements secure communication services.