Secure money transfer systems and methods using biometric keys associated therewith

• US 7,933,835 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Western Union
• Original Assignee: Western Union
• Inventors: Seifert, Dean, Keane, Tim, Grahmann, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Augustin; Evens J
• Application Number:
  US11/623,968
• Publication Number:
  US 20080172342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,560 Days
• Field of Search: 705/64, 705/57, 705/43, 705/75
• US Class Current: 705/43
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/027 involving a payment switch or gateway
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks

Abstract

A method for transferring funds from a sender to a recipient includes receiving a request to transfer the funds from a sender; creating a transaction record having a transaction identifier; providing the transaction identifier to the sender; receiving the transaction identifier from a recipient; obtaining a first biometric sample from the recipient; using the biometric sample to select a MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) from a pool of predetermined MTCNs; associating the MTCN with the first biometric sample and the transaction record; providing the MTCN to the recipient; thereafter, receiving a request from the recipient to receive the funds; obtaining the MTCN from the recipient; obtaining a second biometric sample from the recipient; using the MTCN and/or the second biometric sample to locate the transaction record; comparing the second biometric sample to the first biometric sample; and determining whether to provide the funds based on the comparison.

Claims

1. A money transfer system, comprising:

an input adapted to receive biometric samples;

a storage arrangement configured to store the biometric samples or derivatives thereof; and

a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions comprising instructions to;

create a hash using a first biometric sample;

use the hash to select an MTCN (money transfer control number) from a pool of predetermined MTCNs; and

link the hash to the MTCN.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the biometric sample comprises a selection from the group consisting of:

a voiceprint, a fingerprint, a retinal scan, and a DNA sample.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises instructions to respond to a request to settle a transaction using the MTCN by receiving a second biometric sample and comparing the second biometric sample to the first biometric sample.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises instructions to determine whether to provide funds to a recipient by determining whether the funds have been paid out.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises instructions to determine whether to provide the funds to the recipient by determining whether an amount of the funds exceeds a threshold amount of funds transferred for which compliance is required.

6. A computerized method of transferring funds from a sender to a recipient, comprising:

receiving, by a computer system, a request to transfer the funds from the sender;

creating, by the computer system, a transaction record having a transaction identifier;

providing, by the computer system, the transaction identifier to the sender;

receiving, by the computer system, the transaction identifier from a recipient;

obtaining, by the computer system, a first biometric sample from the recipient;

creating, by computer system, a first hash using the first biometric sample from the recipient;

using, by the computer system, the first hash to select an MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) from a pool of predetermined MTCNs;

associating, by the computer system, the MTCN with the first hash and the transaction record;

providing, by the computer system, the MTCN to the recipient;

thereafter, receiving, by the computer system, a request from the recipient to receive the funds;

obtaining, by the computer system, the MTCN from the recipient;

obtaining, by the computer system, a second biometric sample from the recipient;

using, by the computer system, the MTCN and/or the second biometric sample to locate the transaction record;

creating, by computer system, a second hash using the second biometric sample from the recipient;

comparing, by the computer system, the second hash to the first hash; and

determining, by the computer system, whether to provide the funds based on the comparison.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether to provide the funds based on the comparison comprises determining whether the funds have been paid out.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether to provide the funds based on the comparison comprises determining whether an amount of the funds exceeds a threshold amount of funds transferred for which compliance is required.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the each biometric sample comprises a selection from the group consisting of:

a voiceprint, a fingerprint, a retinal scan, and a DNA sample.

10. A computerized method of transferring funds from a sender to a recipient, comprising:

receiving, by a computer system, a request from the recipient to stage the transaction;

obtaining, by the computer system, a first biometric sample from the recipient;

creating, by the computer system, a first hash using the first biometric sample;

using, by the computer system, the first hash to select a transaction number from a pool of predetermined transaction numbers;

creating, by the computer system, a transaction record having the transaction number and the first hash associated therewith;

providing, by the computer system, the transaction number to the recipient;

receiving, by the computer system, a request from the sender to deposit the funds;

receiving, by the computer system, the transaction number from the sender;

modifying, by the computer system, the transaction record to indicate that the funds have been deposited;

thereafter, receiving, by the computer system, a request from the recipient to receive the funds; and

using, by the computer system, a second biometric sample, at least in part, to determine whether to provide the funds to the recipient.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein using a second biometric sample, at least in part, to determine whether to provide the funds to the recipient comprises:

receiving the transaction number from the recipient;

obtaining the second biometric sample from the recipient;

using the transaction number and/or the second biometric sample to locate the transaction record;

comparing the first biometric sample to the second biometric sample; and

based on the comparison, determining whether to issue an MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number).

12. The method of claim 11, comprising:

thereafter, receiving the MTCN at a money transfer location; and

providing the funds to the recipient.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether to issue an MTCN comprises determining whether the funds have been paid out.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein determining whether to issue an MTCN comprises determining whether an amount of the funds exceeds a threshold amount of funds transferred for which compliance is required.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein using a second biometric sample, at least in part, to determine whether to provide the funds to the recipient comprises:

at a money transfer location, receiving a request to receive the funds from the recipient;

receiving the transaction number from the recipient;

using the transaction number to locate the transaction record;

obtaining the second biometric sample from the recipient; and

comparing the first biometric sample to the second biometric sample.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein using a second biometric sample, at least in part, to determine whether to provide the funds to the recipient comprises determining whether the funds have been paid out.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein using a second biometric sample, at least in part, to determine whether to provide the funds to the recipient comprises determining whether an amount of the funds exceeds a threshold amount of funds transferred for which compliance is required.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the biometric sample comprises a selection from the group consisting of:

a voiceprint, a fingerprint, a retinal scan, and a DNA sample.