U.S. patent application number 13/168807 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-27 for systems and methods for gesture-based interaction with computer systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Dilip Aidasani, Kimberly Alderfer, Kate T. King, Lisa M. Knight, Stuart Rolinson.
Application Number | 20120330832 13/168807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45813258 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120330832 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aidasani; Dilip ; et
al. |
December 27, 2012 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GESTURE-BASED INTERACTION WITH COMPUTER
SYSTEMS
Abstract
The present disclosure facilitates gesture-based interaction
with a computer-system. The method may comprise pairing a
transaction account with a likeness, receiving the likeness and a
transaction request based upon the location of a marker in three
dimensional space, retrieving the transaction account paired with
the likeness, and approving the transaction request at least
partially based upon the transaction account and the likeness.
Inventors: |
Aidasani; Dilip; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Alderfer; Kimberly; (Hoboken, NJ) ;
King; Kate T.; (Seaford, GB) ; Knight; Lisa M.;
(New York, NY) ; Rolinson; Stuart; (Cave Creek,
AZ) |
Assignee: |
American Express Travel Related
Services Company, Inc.
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
45813258 |
Appl. No.: |
13/168807 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13168072 |
Jun 24, 2011 |
8172135 |
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13168807 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/44 ;
235/379 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/3223 20130101;
G06Q 20/4012 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/44 ;
235/379 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/00 20060101
G06Q040/00 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a computer-based system for
authenticating a biometric sample associated with an individual;
and authenticating, by the computer-based system, the individual to
a transaction account based upon a comparison of the biometric
sample to a stored biometric sample associated with the
individual.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the
computer-based system, an image of a marker, wherein a marker
comprises at least one of: a transaction instrument and a mobile
communication device.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the mobile communication device
displays at least one of: an image of a transaction instrument, a
transaction account identifier, a QR code, and a bar code.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating further
comprises: receiving, by the computer-based system, an image of a
marker; retrieving, by the computer-based system and based upon the
image of the marker, a saved image of a likeness; comparing, by the
computer-based system, the image of the likeness associated with
the individual to the saved image of the likeness; and determining,
by the computer-based system, that the image of the likeness
associated with the individual matches the saved image of the
likeness.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the authenticating further
comprises: comparing, by the computer-based system, the biometric
sample associated with the individual to a database of biometric
samples; and determining, by the computer-based system, that the
biometric sample associated with the individual matches a biometric
sample stored in the database of biometric samples.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the
computer-based system, at least one of: a personal identification
number (PIN), a digital signature, and a secret gesture.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the authenticating further
comprises: retrieving, by the computer-based system and based upon
at least one of the PIN, digital signature, and secret gesture, a
saved image of a likeness; comparing, by the computer-based system,
a received image of a likeness associated with the individual to
the saved image of the likeness; and determining, by the
computer-based system, that the saved image of the likeness matches
the received image of the likeness.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising pairing, by the
computer-based system, the stored biometric sample with the
transaction account.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising pairing, by the
computer-based system, at least one of: a personal identification
number (PIN), a digital signature, and a secret gesture with the
transaction account.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising approving, by the
computer-based system, a transaction request based upon the
transaction account.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, by the
computer-based system, an offer to a client based upon the
biometric sample.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the
computer-based system, at least one of a secret gesture, a digital
signature, and a personal identification number (PIN); and
transmitting, by the computer-based system, an offer to a client
based upon the at least one of the secret gesture, the digital
signature, and the PIN.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising pairing, by the
computer-based system, the transaction account with stored
biometric sample by: receiving, by the computer-based system, an
answer to a secret question associated with the transaction
account; comparing, by the computer-based system, the answer to the
secret question to a saved answer to the secret question; and
validating, by the computer-based system, the identity of the
individual based upon the comparing.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising populating, by the
computer-based system, an online form in response to receiving the
biometric sample.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising rendering, by the
computer-based system and on a client display, an icon associated
with a marker in two dimensional space in response to a location of
the marker in three dimensional space.
16. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving, by the
computer-based system, a transaction request based upon a motion of
a marker in three dimensional space.
17. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, by the
computer-based system and to a client, two dimensional coordinates
in response to a location of the marker in three dimensional space
and html code associated with a website.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the biometric sample comprises a
transaction instrument.
19. An article of manufacture including a non-transitory, tangible
computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon
that, in response to execution by a computer-based system for
authenticating, cause the computer-based system to perform
operations comprising: receiving, by the computer-based system, a
biometric sample associated with an individual; and authenticating,
by the computer-based system, the individual to a transaction
account based upon a comparison of the biometric sample to a stored
biometric sample associated with the individual.
20. A system comprising: a tangible, non-transitory memory
communicating with a processor for authenticating, the tangible,
non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in
response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to
perform operations comprising: receiving, by the processor, a
biometric sample associated with an individual; and authenticating,
by the processor, the individual to a transaction account based
upon a comparison of the biometric sample to a stored biometric
sample associated with the individual.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of, claims priority to
and the benefit of, U.S. Ser. No. 13/168,072 filed on Jun. 24, 2011
and entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GESTURE-BASED INTERACTION
WITH COMPUTER SYSTEMS," which is incorporated by reference herein
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to facilitating
gesture-based interaction with computer systems.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Two main techniques for interacting with one's personal
computer currently exist.
[0006] Namely, (1) via one's keyboard, and (2) via one's mouse.
This is the state of the art, despite the availability of a variety
of other potential sources of interaction. For example, most modern
personal computers (not to mention automatic teller machines
(ATMs), kiosks, etc.) are equipped with cameras able to record live
video. Personal computers, for example, are increasingly equipped
with web-cams.
[0007] However, where computers are equipped with such devices,
they are mainly included for the purposes of facilitating secure
login and enabling video conferencing (e.g., via Skype.TM.). Of
course, infrared (e.g., Nintendo Wii.RTM.) and image based (e.g.,
Microsoft Kinect.RTM.) devices exist. However, such devices are, at
present, intended for use with video games. More importantly, such
systems are not intended, and do not, facilitate secure
gesture-based interaction in a virtual environment. Rather,
existing devices merely translate the motions of an object (e.g., a
Wii.RTM. controller or a human body) into the virtual space. These
motions are not translated into the virtual space securely, nor are
such systems helpful in authenticating a user to the virtual
space.
[0008] Therefore, what is needed is a system that permits a more
robust interaction with a personal computing device that is, a
system that broadens human-computer interaction beyond the
constraints imposed by keyboard and mouse. This system should
facilitate a secure connection to the virtual space.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present disclosure includes a system, method, and
article for facilitating gesture-based interaction with a
computer-system. The method may comprise pairing a transaction
account with a likeness, receiving the likeness and a transaction
request based upon the location of a marker in three dimensional
space, retrieving the transaction account paired with the likeness,
and approving the transaction request based upon the transaction
account and the likeness.
[0010] The marker may comprise at least one of: a transaction
instrument and a mobile communication device. The mobile
communication device may display at least one of: an image of a
transaction instrument, a transaction account identifier, a QR
code, and a bar code. The system may also pair a marker with the
transaction account, and/or pair at least one of: a personal
identification number (PIN), a digital signature, and a secret
gesture with the transaction account. The system may approve the
transaction request based upon the transaction account and one of:
a personal identification number (PIN), a digital signature, and a
secret gesture.
[0011] The system may also receive data associated with a digital
scan of a likeness; and transmit an offer to a client based upon
the data. In an embodiment, the system may receive at least one of
a secret gesture, a digital signature, and a personal
identification number (PIN); and transmit an offer to a client
based upon the at least one of the secret gesture, the digital
signature, and the PIN.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The features and advantages of the present disclosure will
become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below
when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like numbers
refer to like elements.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system diagram, in accordance with
an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
pairing in gesture-based systems, in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
interacting with gesture-based systems, in accordance with an
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
making a purchase using gesture-based systems, in accordance with
an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
displaying offers using gesture-based systems, in accordance with
an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for
populating an online form using gesture-based systems, in
accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein
makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the
exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and their best mode.
While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be
realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus,
the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of
illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps
recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be
executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented.
Moreover, any of the functions or steps may be outsourced to or
performed by one or more third parties. Furthermore, any reference
to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more
than one component may include a singular embodiment. As used
herein, terms similar to "match" may include a full or partial
match, or a match based on certain rules or criteria.
[0020] Phrases and terms similar to "financial institution,"
"transaction account issuer," and "payment processor" may include
any person, entity, software and/or hardware that offers
transaction account services. Although often referred to as a
"financial institution," the financial institution may represent
any type of bank, lender or other type of account issuing
institution, such as credit card companies, card sponsoring
companies, or third party issuers under contract with financial
institutions. It is further noted that other participants may be
involved in some phases of the transaction, such as an intermediary
settlement institution.
[0021] Phrases and terms similar to "business", "merchant",
"supplier" or "seller" may be used interchangeably with each other
and shall mean any person, entity, distributor system, software
and/or hardware that is a provider, broker and/or any other entity
in the distribution chain of goods or services and/or that receives
payment or other consideration. For example, a merchant may be a
grocery store, a retail store, a travel agency, a service provider,
an on-line merchant or the like. For example, a supplier may
request payment for goods sold to a buyer who holds an account with
a transaction account issuer.
[0022] The terms "payment vehicle," "financial transaction
instrument," "transaction instrument," "transaction account
product" and/or the plural form of these terms may be used
interchangeably throughout to refer to a financial instrument. As
used herein, an account code may or may not be associated with a
physical financial instrument.
[0023] Phrases and terms similar to a "buyer," "consumer," and
"user" may include any person, entity, software and/or hardware
that receives items in exchange for consideration (e.g. financial
payment). For example, a buyer may purchase, lease, rent, barter or
otherwise obtain items from a supplier and pay the supplier using a
transaction account.
[0024] Phrases and terms similar to an "item" may include any good,
service, information, experience, reward, points, coupons, credits,
monetary equivalent, anything of value, something of minimal or no
value, etc.
[0025] As used herein, a biometric may include a user's voice,
fingerprint, facial, ear, signature, vascular patterns, DNA
sampling, hand geometry, sound, olfactory, keystroke/typing, iris,
retinal or any other biometric relating to recognition based upon
any body part, function, system, attribute and/or other
characteristic, or any portion thereof.
[0026] Phrases or terms similar to a "processor" (such as a payment
processor) may include a company (e.g., a third party) appointed
(e.g., by a merchant) to handle transactions for merchant banks.
Processors may be broken down into two types: front-end and
back-end. Front-end processors have connections to various
transaction accounts and supply authorization and settlement
services to the merchant banks' merchants. Back-end processors
accept settlements from front-end processors and, via The Federal
Reserve Bank, move money from an issuing bank to the merchant bank.
In an operation that will usually take a few seconds, the payment
processor will both check the details received by forwarding the
details to the respective account's issuing bank or card
association for verification, and may carry out a series of
anti-fraud measures against the transaction. Additional parameters,
including the account's country of issue and its previous payment
history, may be used to gauge the probability of the transaction
being approved. In response to the payment processor receiving
confirmation that the transaction account details have been
verified, the information may be relayed back to the merchant, who
will then complete the payment transaction. In response to the
verification being denied, the payment processor relays the
information to the merchant, who may then decline the
transaction.
[0027] Phrases or terms similar to a "payment gateway," "gateway,"
or "mobile gateway" may include an application service provider
that authorizes payments for e-businesses, online retailers, and/or
traditional brick and mortar merchants. A payment gateway may
protect transaction account details by encrypting sensitive
information, such as transaction account numbers, to ensure that
information passes securely between the customer and the merchant
and also between merchant and payment processor.
[0028] As used herein, "transmit" may include sending electronic
data from one system component to another over a network
connection. Additionally, as used herein, "data" may include
encompassing information such as commands, queries, files, data for
storage, and the like in digital or any other form.
[0029] Phrases or terms similar to "transaction account" may
include any account that may be used to facilitate a financial
transaction. A "transaction account" as used herein refers to an
account associated with an open account or a closed account system
(as described herein). The transaction account may exist in a
physical or non-physical embodiment. For example, a transaction
account may be distributed in non-physical embodiments such as an
account number, frequent-flyer account, and telephone calling
account or the like. Furthermore, a physical embodiment of a
transaction account may be distributed as a financial
instrument.
[0030] In general, transaction accounts may be used for
transactions between the user and merchant through any suitable
communication means, such as, for example, a telephone network,
intranet, the global, public Internet, a point of interaction
device (e.g., a point of sale (POS) device, personal digital
assistant (PDA), mobile telephone, kiosk, etc.), online
communications, off-line communications, wireless communications,
and/or the like.
[0031] An "account", "account code", or "account number", as used
herein, may include any device, code, number, letter, symbol,
digital certificate, smart chip, digital signal, analog signal,
biometric or other identifier/indicia suitably configured to allow
the consumer to access, interact with or communicate with the
system (e.g., one or more of an authorization/access code, personal
identification number (PIN), Internet code, other identification
code, and/or the like). The account number may optionally be
located on or associated with a rewards card, charge card, credit
card, debit card, prepaid card, telephone card, embossed card,
smart card, magnetic stripe card, bar code card, transponder, radio
frequency card or an associated account. The system may include or
interface with any of the foregoing cards or devices, or a
transponder and RFID reader in RF communication with the
transponder (which may include a fob). Typical devices may include,
for example, a key ring, tag, card, cell phone, wristwatch or any
such form capable of being presented for interrogation. Moreover,
the system, computing unit or device discussed herein may include a
"pervasive computing device," which may include a traditionally
non-computerized device that is embedded with a computing unit.
Examples can include watches, Internet enabled kitchen appliances,
restaurant tables embedded with RF readers, wallets or purses with
imbedded transponders, etc.
[0032] The account code may be distributed and stored in any form
of plastic, electronic, magnetic, radio frequency, wireless, audio
and/or optical device capable of transmitting or downloading data
from itself to a second device. A customer account code may be, for
example, a sixteen-digit transaction account code, although each
transaction account provider has its own numbering system, such as
the fifteen-digit numbering system used by American Express. Each
company's transaction account codes comply with that company's
standardized format such that the company using a fifteen-digit
format will generally use three-spaced sets of numbers, as
represented by the number "0000 000000 00000". The first five to
seven digits are reserved for processing purposes and identify the
issuing bank, card type, etc. In this example, the last (fifteenth)
digit is used as a sum check for the fifteen digit number. The
intermediary eight-to-eleven digits are used to uniquely identify
the customer. A merchant account code may be, for example, any
number or alpha-numeric characters that identify a particular
merchant for purposes of card acceptance, account reconciliation,
reporting, or the like.
[0033] It should be noted that the transfer of information in
accordance with the present disclosure, may be completed in a
format recognizable by a merchant system or account issuer. In that
regard, by way of example, the information may be transmitted from
an RFID device to an RFID reader or from the RFID reader to the
merchant system in magnetic stripe or multi-track magnetic stripe
format.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 1, system 100 implements a
gesture-based method. System 100 may include a camera 102, a client
104, a server system 106, and a network 108. System 100 may include
a variety of other components, including for example, one or more
mobile gateway servers (not shown) for securely receiving and
transmitting data to and from the client 102, one or more
electronic commerce website servers (not shown), and/or one or more
payment processor authorization gateway servers (not shown).
[0035] Camera 102 may comprise any software and/or hardware
suitably configured for acquiring data (e.g., one or more digital
and/or analog images). Thus, camera 102 may comprise a digital
camera, a digital video camera (e.g., a web-cam), an analog camera,
an analog video camera, an infrared (IR) imaging device, a radar or
sonar imaging device, a laser imaging device, and/or a radio
frequency imaging device.
[0036] Client 104 may comprise any software and/or hardware
suitably configured for sending and/or receiving data. Client 104
may include a personal computer such as a desktop, laptop computer,
an iPad.RTM., iMAC.RTM., MacBook.RTM., and/or any of a wide array
of personal computing products. Client 104 may further comprise a
kiosk, a terminal, a point of sale (POS) device, a television, a
digital sign or banner, or any other device capable of sending
and/or receiving data over a network. In an embodiment, client 104
may run Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google
Chrome, Apple Safari, or any other of the myriad software packages
available for browsing the internet. Client 104 may further
comprise a display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a
plasma screen display. Client 104 may further comprise a digital
sign or kiosk, such as a merchant digital sign or kiosk and/or a
digital sign or kiosk such as one may encounter in a shopping mall
and which is configured or configurable to display offers,
advertisements, mall directories, and the like.
[0037] Server system 106 may comprise software and/or hardware
suitably configured or configurable to receive and/or process data.
Thus, server system 106 may comprise a rack mountable server
appliance running a suitable server operating system (e.g., IIS)
and having database software (e.g., Oracle) installed thereon. In
addition, server system 106 may, in some embodiments, include one
or more mobile gateway servers (not shown) for securely receiving
and transmitting data to and from the client 104.
[0038] Network 108 may comprise software and/or hardware suitably
configured or configurable to facilitate the transmission and
reception of data. Thus, network 108 may comprise any of a variety
of wired and/or wireless network architectures, including, for
example, an RF network architecture such as a network associated
with a wireless provider (e.g., a 3G or 4G network), a Wi-Fi
network architecture (e.g., a home area or local area network),
and/or a wired network architecture reliant upon one or more cables
and/or trunk lines and/or optical fiber lines. Network 108 may
comprise a combination of wired and wireless network types. Network
108 may further comprise any of a variety of network types,
including a public network type, such as a "cloud" computing
environment, like the internet, a proprietary network, and/or a
combination of both public and private network types.
[0039] Mobile device 110 may comprise any software and/or hardware
configured or configurable to display an image. Mobile device 110
may comprise a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a smart phone
(e.g., an iPhone.RTM., a Blackberry.RTM., and the like), a cellular
phone having a display, and/or any other similar device.
[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, the process flows and
screenshots depicted are merely embodiments and are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention as described herein. For example,
the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may
be executed in any order and are not limited to the order
presented. It will be appreciated that the following description
makes appropriate references not only to the steps and user
interface elements depicted in FIGS. 2-6, but also to the various
system components as described above with reference to FIG. 1.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 2, a transaction account activation
process 200 is described. The transaction account activation
process 200 may enable or facilitate certain of the gesture based
methods described below. Accordingly, in an embodiment, an
individual who has been approved for a new transaction account may
visit by way of client 104 a transaction account issuer website
(step 202). Server system 106 may generate, or facilitate the
generation of, such a website, and client 104 may display the
website. Website generation and display is very well known in the
art and will not be described in greater detail here.
[0042] With continuing attention to FIG. 2, the individual, having
gained access to the website, may securely establish, or verify,
his identity (step 204) prior to activation of his account. An
individual may verify his identity using a variety of methods. For
example, an individual may hold a form of identification (ID) (such
as his driver's license, passport, social security card, birth
certificate, and/or any combination of these) such that an image of
the ID is acquired or captured by camera 102.
[0043] An individual may also hold his likeness (e.g., transaction
instrument and/or his mobile device 110) in view of camera 102. An
individual's mobile device 110 and/or transaction instrument may
display a variety of information, including an account code, a
name, an expiration date, a quick response code ("QR code"), a bar
code, and/or any other information that may be used to identify a
transaction account and/or transaction instrument. Where an
individual's mobile device 110 is used, a transaction account
issuer may not be required to issue a plastic or tangible
transaction instrument; this may save a transaction account issuer
the substantial expense associated with issuing new and replacement
tangible transaction instruments. Further, where a QR code, bar
code, and/or other form of encoded data are used, the security of
an individual's transaction account may be improved. That is,
encoded data is much more difficult to memorize and/or copy than,
for example, a simple account code. Thus, in an embodiment, an
individual's transaction account may be protected by an encoded
account identifier.
[0044] An individual's likeness may comprise any feature of the
individual, data associated with the individual, biometric
information, or any other information or device (transaction
device, mobile device, etc) tending to identify the individual. For
example, an individual's likeness may comprise his facial patterns
and/or characteristics. As used herein, a biometric may include a
user's voice, fingerprint, facial, ear, signature, vascular
patterns, DNA sampling, hand geometry, sound, olfactory,
keystroke/typing, iris, retinal or any other biometric relating to
recognition based upon any body part, function, system, attribute
and/or other characteristic, or any portion thereof.
[0045] A biometric security system may include a biometric sensor
that detects biometric samples and a device for verifying biometric
samples. The biometric security system may be configured with one
or more biometric scanners, processors and/or systems. The
biometric system may include one or more technologies, or any
portion thereof, that facilitates recognition of a biometric. For
example, camera 102 (or another biometric reader, not shown) may
scan or capture data and/or an image of the objects/likenesses
presented. The captured image may be communicated to client 104 via
a wired or wireless connection between the devices. Client 104 may
communicate the captured image to server system 106 by way of
network 108.
[0046] In an embodiment, server system 106 may communicate with an
intelligence agency and/or government system (e.g., a police
department system and/or department of motor vehicles (DMV) system)
and/or another third party identity verification system (e.g.,
Experian.RTM., TransUnion.RTM., Equifax.RTM., etc.) to verify that
the captured image of the identification represents a valid
identification. Server system 106 may further verify the
individual's identity based upon a comparison of the individual's
likeness to the image (or another biometric identifier) of the
individual associated with the identification. If the individual's
likeness matches an image or likeness associated with the
identification, the individual's identity may be verified.
[0047] In an embodiment, camera 102 may transmit the captured image
to server system 106, which may verify the individual's identity
based upon one or more responses by the individual to "secret"
questions, the answers to which the individual may have established
during an account application process. In an embodiment, secret
questions may be related to an individual's personal information,
such as, for example, the individual's social security number or
telephone number. Thus, server system 106 may use the captured
image of the individual's transaction instrument, likeness, etc. to
look up the individual's personal information (which the individual
supplied during the account application process), and if the
individual's responses to the secret questions are correct, the
individual's identity may be satisfactorily verified. In an
embodiment, an individual may simply enter an identifier associated
with his transaction instrument by way of a keyboard (not shown)
associated with client 104. If the individual's answers to the
secret questions match the answers entered by the individual during
the application process, the individual's identity may be
satisfactorily verified, and the individual's account
activated.
[0048] An individual may further associate or "pair" his likeness
and/or a personal identification number (PIN), a digital signature,
and/or a "secret" gesture with his transaction instrument and/or
transaction account (step 206). As used herein, an individual's
PIN, digital signature, and/or secret gesture may comprise
"identifying information." Likeness, as used herein, may comprise a
biometric (as described above). An individual's likeness and/or
identifying information may be paired before or after an individual
has verified his identity. An individual may present to camera 102
his likeness. Where an individual's likeness cannot be captured
with camera 102, the individual may present his likeness to any
device capable of capturing and/or recording the likeness, e.g., a
microphone (not shown) (for example, where the individual's
likeness comprises a voiceprint), or any other type of biometric
reader (e.g., a heartbeat sensor, fingerprint reader, or retinal
scanner). An individual may further enter at client 104 a PIN, a
digital signature, and/or a "secret" gesture, and each of these may
be associated, or "paired," by server system 106 with the
individual's transaction account. In an example, a digital
signature may comprise a signature entered at client 104 via an
electronic signature pad or by moving a marker (see below) in the
visual field of camera 102, as described below. A digital signature
may further comprise an individual's name, initials, and/or any
other spelling or shape that an individual wishes to select for
himself. A secret gesture may comprise a gesture, motion, or series
of motions known only to an individual (e.g., a "star" shape). A
secret gesture may be entered by moving a marker in the visual
field of camera 102, again, as described below.
[0049] Accordingly, server system 106 may pair a likeness and/or
identifying information with an individual's transaction instrument
and/or transaction account by storing a record of some or all of
the individual's identifying information in a database (not shown)
in association with an identifier associated with the individual's
transaction instrument and/or an identifier associated with the
individual's transaction account. The identifier associated with an
individual's transaction instrument and/or transaction account may
comprise and account code (see above), a QR code, a bar code, an
image of the transaction instrument, and/or a combination of one or
more of these. Thus, in simpler terms, server system 106 may record
a data set comprising an identifier associated with an individual's
transaction instrument and/or account and an individual's
identifying information and/or likeness. In this way, an individual
may be paired securely through his likeness and/or identifying
information with his transaction instrument and/or account.
[0050] With reference now to FIG. 3, a process 300 whereby an
individual may interact with a gesture-based system 100 via client
104 is described. In an embodiment, an individual may visit or
"surf" to a gesture-based website (step 302) using client 104. In
an embodiment, an individual may interact with a gesture-based
application or program installed (as software or hardware) on
client 104. An individual may interact with a gesture-based system
100 by holding a marker in view of camera 102. A marker may
comprise, but is not limited to, a transaction instrument, and/or a
mobile device 110 displaying a transaction instrument and/or
transaction account information and/or an image. A marker may
further comprise any object (e.g., a pen, pencil, hand, finger, and
the like) that may be imaged by camera 102 (step 304).
[0051] Camera 102 may transmit, in real time or pseudo-real time
(i.e., real time delayed by a processing interval), the image,
and/or coordinates associated with the image, of the marker to
client 106. Client 106 may, in turn, transmit the image and/or
coordinates associated with the image to server system 106. In an
embodiment, client 106 may process the motion of the marker in real
time or pseudo-real time. Based upon the motion of the marker,
client 106 may display an icon (e.g., a cursor), and the icon may
move in real time or pseudo-real time in a motion corresponding or
closely corresponding to the motion of the marker in space (step
306). In an embodiment, server system 106 may process the motion of
the marker, in which case server 102 may instruct client 106 as to
the proper motion of the icon. In both instances, the motion of the
icon on the display of client 106 corresponds or closely
corresponds to the motion of the marker in space (step 306). Thus,
an individual may forgo his mouse (and potentially his keyboard) in
favor of a marker. The individual may navigate a website by moving
his marker in view of camera 102. As the individual's marker
changes position in space, the icon displayed for the individual on
the display of client 106 also moves. Thus, the individual is able
to navigate a gesture-based website. An individual's marker may
move in two dimensions and/or three dimensions, and the motion of
the marker may be translated to two dimensional motion of an icon
displayed by client 106. Similarly, the motion of the marker
(again, in two dimensions or three dimensions) may be translated to
apparent three dimensional motion of an icon displayed by client
106. Apparent three dimensional motion may comprise motion that
appears three dimensional, although it may occur on a two
dimensional display, for example, by rendering the icon such that
it appears to move in three dimensions.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 4, a process 400 for logging into
and/or completing a purchase via a gesture-based system 100 is
described. To log into a gesture based system 100 and/or initiate a
purchase by way of a gesture-based system 100, an individual may
make a transaction request. Thus, a transaction request may
indicate that an individual wishes to conduct a transaction (e.g.,
"checkout" or otherwise make a purchase). A transaction request may
also indicate that an individual wishes to log into a system (e.g.,
gesture based system 100). In an embodiment, an individual may
review the details of his transaction account (e.g., balance,
amount due, date due, remittances, and the like) by way of a
gesture based system 100.
[0053] An individual may accomplish or make a transaction request
by moving his marker such that the icon displayed by client 104
moves "over" a "checkout," "pay now," "log in," "sign in" or
similar option displayed by his client 104. To be more specific, an
individual may position his marker in three dimensional space
(e.g., using his hand) such that one or more of the coordinates
associated with the icon are in a range of coordinates that define
the boundaries of the desired option displayed by client 104. An
individual may select the option by shaking or tapping his marker
in space, but of course, a variety of "double clicking" (i.e.,
twice or double pulsating) or similar motions signifying a desire
to make a selection are within the scope of the present disclosure.
A transaction request may be transmitted to server system 106 from
client 104 as html or other web-based code, and server 106 may
receive a transaction request by way of a secure (e.g., encrypted)
or non-secure (e.g., unencrypted) connection.
[0054] In response to receiving a transaction request, client 104
and/or server 106 may prompt an individual to present his
transaction instrument, his likeness and/or identifying information
(step 402), and/or his mobile device 110 to camera 102 (or other
biometric reader or data input device). For example, in an
embodiment, an individual may be prompted by client 104 or server
system 106 through client 106 to present both his transaction
instrument as well as his likeness (e.g., his face) to camera 102
(and/or other card and/or other biometric reader). Camera 102 may
capture an image of the individual's transaction instrument
(whether it be tangible or displayed by mobile device 110) and
likeness (step 404). Camera 102 may further transmit the captured
image to client 104, which may convey the captured image to server
system 106. Server system 106 may process or facilitate the
processing of the requested transaction (step 406). For example,
server system 106 may compare the captured image to a saved image
of the individual's likeness and/or the individual's transaction
instrument. Specifically, server system 106 may receive an
identifier (e.g., an account code, QR code, and the like, as
described more fully above) associated with the image of the
individual's transaction instrument, where the identifier enables
server system 106 to look up or otherwise retrieve the individual's
paired transaction account. Having retrieved the individual's
transaction account, server system 106 may further look up or
retrieve a paired image of the individual's likeness, saved, for
example, in a secure database coupled to server system 106. Server
system 106 may compare the captured image of the individual's
likeness to the saved/paired likeness, the results of which may be
used to authenticate the individual to his transaction account
and/or approve or deny the requested transaction.
[0055] Thus, for example, where the captured likeness of the
individual matches the paired likeness, the individual may be
authenticated to his transaction account, and the requested
transaction may be approved. On the other hand, where the captured
image does not match, or matches insufficiently, the individual may
not be authenticated to his transaction account, and the requested
transaction may be denied to prevent fraud on the merchant,
transaction account issuer, and/or the individual. Server system
106 may transmit to client 104 an authentication response to client
104. An authentication response may comprise any signal, message,
instruction, set of messages or instructions and the like
indicating that an individual has been authenticated or that an
individual has not been authenticated. Thus, in an embodiment, an
authentication response may indicate that an individual has been
successfully authenticated and/or that a requested authentication
has failed.
[0056] In an embodiment, an individual may not be required to
present his transaction instrument for image capture. Rather, an
individual may simply present his likeness for capture (step 402).
In this regard, an individual may be authenticated based upon a
single-factor (i.e., his likeness). In contrast, foregoing
embodiments may require two-factor authentication, in which an
individual is authenticated based upon a first factor (e.g., his
likeness) as well as a second factor (e.g., an image of his
transaction instrument, etc.) Based upon the individual's likeness,
server system 106 may initiate a facial recognition (or other
biometric authentication) process, whereby a database of saved
valid (and perhaps even invalid) likenesses are compared to the
likeness presented by the individual (steps 404 and 406). If a
valid likeness matching the individual's likeness is returned or
detected by the facial recognition (or other biometric
authentication) process, the individual may be authenticated to his
transaction account and the transaction account that is paired to
the individual's likeness may be used to process the requested
transaction (step 406). Thus, an individual may make a purchase,
log in to his transaction account, and the like using the systems
and methods disclosed herein simply by presenting his likeness to
system 100.
[0057] In an embodiment, an individual may be authenticated to his
transaction account based upon an image of his likeness and at
least one of the data comprising his identifying information (i.e.,
his PIN, digital signature, and/or secret gesture). Thus, in an
embodiment, an individual may not be required to present his
transaction instrument (nor enter an account code) in order to be
authenticated to his transaction account. Rather, an individual may
present his likeness to camera 102 as described above in addition
to at least one of his PIN, digital signature, and secret gesture.
Having acquired each of these two authentication factors, server
106 may authenticate an individual to his transaction account.
[0058] As used herein, the term "enter" may be used interchangeably
with the term "present," although, in general, the term "present"
may be used to refer to image/biometric capture or presentation of
an image/biometric or object to camera 102, while the term "enter"
may be used to refer to other non-biometric input techniques (e.g.,
mice, keyboards, etc.) In an exemplary embodiment, then, an
individual may present his likeness as well as his secret gesture
to camera 102. Server system 106 may retrieve the individual's
saved identifying information based upon the likeness presented by
the individual (i.e., by virtue of the fact that the two are paired
by way of the individual's transaction account). Server system 106
may compare the individual's saved identifying information (e.g., a
saved secret gesture) to the identifying information
presented/entered by the individual (e.g., a presented secret
gesture). If server system 106 determines that the saved
identifying information matches the entered/presented identifying
information, server system 106 may authenticate the individual to
his transaction account.
[0059] In an embodiment, an individual may decline to present his
likeness, or he may discover that his likeness has changed
sufficiently (perhaps the individual has aged) to prevent a match
between the likeness presented for capture by the individual and
the likeness saved by server system 106. In either event, an
individual may be authenticated to his transaction account based
upon an image of his transaction instrument and/or an account code
associated with his transaction instrument and his identifying
information. An individual may enter and/or present some or all of
his identifying information (step 404) through a variety of input
devices (e.g., mice, keyboards, cameras, and the like). Thus, and
as described elsewhere herein, an individual may enter his PIN via
a keyboard and/or mouse, and an individual may enter a digital
signature by way of a stylus and electronic signature pad.
Likewise, in an embodiment, an individual may present any of his
PIN, digital signature, and/or secret gesture using the gesture
based systems and methods described elsewhere herein. For example,
an individual may present his digital signature by moving his
marker in space along a path that corresponds to his signature.
Likewise, an individual may present his PIN by moving his marker in
space such that the icon associated with his marker and displayed
by client 104 overlaps an electronic PIN pad, which the individual
may use to enter or present his PIN, one digit at a time.
[0060] Irrespective of the method by which an individual
enters/presents his identifying information, server system 106 may
retrieve the individual's saved identifying information using the
image of the individual's transaction instrument and/or entered
account code to locate and retrieve the identifying information
that it is paired to. Server system 106 may further compare the
entered and/or presented identifying information to the paired
identifying information. Where the entered/presented identifying
information matches the paired identifying information, server
system 106 may authenticate the individual to his transaction
account and approve the requested transaction (step 406). Server
system 106 may approve (or deny) a transaction itself, or server
system 106 may forward a transaction request to a payment processor
or payment processing system (not shown), which may approve (or
deny) the transaction in accordance with a payment processing
logic. Where an individual's presented/entered identifying
information does not sufficiently match the paired identifying
information, server system 106 (or other payment processing system)
may determine that the individual may be engaged in fraudulent
activity, in which case, server system 106 may (after a number of
attempts by the individual to successfully enter/present his
identifying information) decline to authenticate the individual to
his transaction account and/or deny the requested transaction
and/or report the transaction instrument/account to the transaction
account issuer for further investigation (step 406).
[0061] With reference to FIG. 5, a process 500 through which an
individual may receive special offers is described. In an
embodiment, an individual may enter a merchant location (i.e., a
store) and/or sit or stand in front of a client 104. There, the
individual's likeness may be scanned (step 502) by a camera 102 (or
other biometric reader). An individual's transaction instrument,
PIN, digital signature, and/or secret gesture may also be captured
(but these options require the participation of the individual).
Further, an individual may allow his marker (e.g., his transaction
instrument and/or mobile communication device) to be scanned. In
each instance, server system 106 may look up the individual's
transaction account information (step 504), whereupon server system
106 may determine that a variety of special offers or discounts
exist, or may be generated, with reference to the individual (step
506). In some instances, server system 106 may require
authentication of an individual prior to transmitting an offer to
the individual (e.g., where the offer comprises or is based upon
private and/or personal information of the individual, and/or where
the offer is transmitted to a public client 104, such as a digital
sign or kiosk). Likewise, on other occasions, server system 106 may
transmit an offer to an individual prior to authentication of the
individual (e.g., where the offer is not considered personal or
sensitive, and/or where the offer is transmitted directly to the
individual's mobile device 110 and or private client (e.g., a
personal computer) 104).
[0062] Server system 106 may therefore transmit one or more offers
to the individual by way of client 104 and/or mobile device 110
(step 508). Each offer may be accompanied by a code or identifier
which, in certain embodiments, the individual may use to redeem the
offer (step 510). For example, where an individual possesses a
mobile communication device (e.g., a smart phone), the individual
may scan, photograph, or accept a code (e.g., a QR code or a
barcode) associated with the offer. The individual's mobile
communication device may handle the processing of the transaction
completely apart from any of the merchant's payment processing
systems, and the individual may simply pick up the purchased item
at the merchant's register or service counter. Systems and methods
for processing transactions based upon QR codes are described in
U.S. application Ser. No. 13/023,915, filed Feb. 9, 2011, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0063] With continuing attention to FIG. 5, in certain instances,
an individual may not have in his possession a mobile device 110.
In these instances, the individual may redeem the advertised offer
at a register or POS terminal. For example, an individual, seeing
an offer in which he has interest, may purchase the offered item or
redeem the offered discount at a merchant's payment counter by
presenting his transaction instrument. Server system 106 may
identify the offers that were displayed for the individual, each of
which may be displayed for the individual by way of a payment
display, POS terminal, or the like. The individual may select the
desired offer at the payment counter, and the transaction may be
processed using the individual's transaction instrument (step 508).
In an embodiment, an individual may not be required to select the
offer in which he is interested because, for example, the item the
individual is purchasing is only associated with a single offer. In
this circumstance, server system 106 may automatically process the
individual's transaction in association with the offer (step
508).
[0064] With reference to FIG. 6, a process 600 for automatically
populating a web-based form using the systems and methods described
herein is disclosed. In an embodiment, an individual may encounter
an online or web-based form into which he must enter certain
personal data (e.g., social security number, name and address,
etc.). The individual may, at this point, leverage the systems and
methods described herein such that the form is automatically
populated by server system 106, client 104, and/or mobile device
110. For example, the individual may present his likeness and/or
transaction instrument and/or mobile device 110 to camera 102 (or
other biometric scanner/reader) (step 602). As described above,
camera 102 may capture the individual's likeness and/or transaction
instrument and/or mobile device 110, and transmit this data to
client 104 and/or directly to server system 106 (i.e., where camera
102 is integral to mobile device 110). Client 104 may relay the
captured data to server system 106. Server system 106 may use the
captured data to look up a variety of personal information
associated with the individual (assuming the individual has been
satisfactorily validated to his transaction account, as described
above) (step 604). Server system 106 and/or client 104 may transfer
the individual's personal information into the form, releasing the
individual from the necessity of entering the data himself (step
606). Similarly, where an individual would like to enter
information into a form by way of his mobile device 110, server
system 106 and/or client 104 may transfer the individual's personal
information to mobile device 110, which information mobile device
110 may use to populate the form. Systems and methods for
automatically populating web-based forms are described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/860,645, filed Sep. 25, 2007, which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0065] In the detailed description herein, references to "one
embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc.,
indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not
necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily
referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection
with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge
of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or
characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not
explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be
apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the
disclosure in certain embodiments.
[0066] In various embodiments, the methods described herein are
implemented using the various particular machines described herein.
The methods described herein may be implemented using the
particular machines, and those hereinafter developed, in any
suitable combination, as would be appreciated immediately by one
skilled in the art. Further, as is unambiguous from this
disclosure, the methods described herein may result in various
transformations of certain articles.
[0067] For the sake of brevity, conventional data networking,
application development and other functional aspects of the systems
(and components of the individual operating components of the
systems) may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the
connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are
intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or
physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted
that many alternative or additional functional relationships or
physical connections may be present in a practical system.
[0068] The various system components discussed herein may include
one or more of the following: a host server or other computing
systems including a processor for processing digital data; a memory
coupled to the processor for storing digital data; an input
digitizer coupled to the processor for inputting digital data; an
application program stored in the memory and accessible by the
processor for directing processing of digital data by the
processor; a display device coupled to the processor and memory for
displaying information derived from digital data processed by the
processor; and a plurality of databases. Various databases used
herein may include: client data; merchant data; financial
institution data; and/or like data useful in the operation of the
system. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, user computer
may include an operating system (e.g., Windows NT, 95/98/2000, XP,
Vista, OS2, UNIX, Linux, Solaris, MacOS, etc.) as well as various
conventional support software and drivers typically associated with
computers. A user may include any individual, business, entity,
government organization, software and/or hardware that interact
with a system.
[0069] A web client includes any device (e.g., personal computer)
which communicates via any network, for example such as those
discussed herein. Such browser applications comprise Internet
browsing software installed within a computing unit or a system to
conduct online transactions and/or communications. These computing
units or systems may take the form of a computer or set of
computers, although other types of computing units or systems may
be used, including laptops, notebooks, hand held computers,
personal digital assistants, set-top boxes, workstations,
computer-servers, main frame computers, mini-computers, PC servers,
pervasive computers, network sets of computers, personal computers,
such as iPads, iMACs, and MacBooks, kiosks, terminals, point of
sale (POS) devices and/or terminals, televisions, or any other
device capable of receiving data over a network. A web-client may
run Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome,
Apple Safari, or any other of the myriad software packages
available for browsing the internet.
[0070] Practitioners will appreciate that a web client may or may
not be in direct contact with an application server. For example, a
web client may access the services of an application server through
another server and/or hardware component, which may have a direct
or indirect connection to an Internet server. For example, a web
client may communicate with an application server via a load
balancer. In an exemplary embodiment, access is through a network
or the Internet through a commercially-available web-browser
software package.
[0071] As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a web client
includes an operating system (e.g., Windows NT,
95/98/2000/CE/Mobile, OS2, UNIX, Linux, Solaris, MacOS, PalmOS,
etc.) as well as various conventional support software and drivers
typically associated with computers. A web client may include any
suitable personal computer, network computer, workstation, personal
digital assistant, cellular phone, smart phone, minicomputer,
mainframe or the like. A web client can be in a home or business
environment with access to a network. In an exemplary embodiment,
access is through a network or the Internet through a commercially
available web-browser software package. A web client may implement
security protocols such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport
Layer Security (TLS). A web client may implement several
application layer protocols including http, https, ftp, and
sftp.
[0072] In an embodiment, various components, modules, and/or
engines of system 100 may be implemented as micro-applications or
micro-apps. Micro-apps are typically deployed in the context of a
mobile operating system, including for example, a Palm mobile
operating system, a Windows mobile operating system, an Android
Operating System, Apple iOS, a Blackberry operating system and the
like. The micro-app may be configured to leverage the resources of
the larger operating system and associated hardware via a set of
predetermined rules which govern the operations of various
operating systems and hardware resources. For example, where a
micro-app desires to communicate with a device or network other
than the mobile device or mobile operating system, the micro-app
may leverage the communication protocol of the operating system and
associated device hardware under the predetermined rules of the
mobile operating system. Moreover, where the micro-app desires an
input from a user, the micro-app may be configured to request a
response from the operating system which monitors various hardware
components and then communicates a detected input from the hardware
to the micro-app.
[0073] As used herein, the term "network" includes any electronic
communications system or method which incorporates hardware and/or
software components. Communication among the parties may be
accomplished through any suitable communication channels, such as,
for example, a telephone network, an extranet, an intranet,
Internet, point of interaction device (point of sale device,
personal digital assistant (e.g., iPhone.RTM., Palm Pilot.RTM.,
Blackberry.RTM.), cellular phone, kiosk, etc.), online
communications, satellite communications, off-line communications,
wireless communications, transponder communications, local area
network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network
(VPN), networked or linked devices, keyboard, mouse and/or any
suitable communication or data input modality. Moreover, although
the system is frequently described herein as being implemented with
TCP/IP communications protocols, the system may also be implemented
using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI, any tunneling protocol
(e.g. IPsec, SSH), or any number of existing or future protocols.
If the network is in the nature of a public network, such as the
Internet, it may be advantageous to presume the network to be
insecure and open to eavesdroppers. Specific information related to
the protocols, standards, and application software utilized in
connection with the Internet is generally known to those skilled in
the art and, as such, need not be detailed herein. See, for
example, DILIP NAIK, INTERNET STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS (1998); JAVA
2 COMPLETE, various authors, (Sybex 1999); DEBORAH RAY AND ERIC
RAY, MASTERING HTML 4.0 (1997); and LOSHIN, TCP/IP CLEARLY
EXPLAINED (1997) and DAVID GOURLEY AND BRIAN TOTTY, HTTP, THE
DEFINITIVE GUIDE (2002), the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0074] The various system components may be independently,
separately or collectively suitably coupled to the network via data
links which includes, for example, a connection to an Internet
Service Provider (ISP) over the local loop as is typically used in
connection with standard modem communication, cable modem, Dish
networks, ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or various wireless
communication methods, see, e.g., GILBERT HELD, UNDERSTANDING DATA
COMMUNICATIONS (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference.
It is noted that the network may be implemented as other types of
networks, such as an interactive television (ITV) network.
Moreover, the system contemplates the use, sale or distribution of
any goods, services or information over any network having similar
functionality described herein.
[0075] The system contemplates uses in association with web
services, utility computing, pervasive and individualized
computing, security and identity solutions, autonomic computing,
cloud computing, commodity computing, mobility and wireless
solutions, open source, biometrics, grid computing and/or mesh
computing.
[0076] Any databases discussed herein may include relational,
hierarchical, graphical, or object-oriented structure and/or any
other database configurations. Common database products that may be
used to implement the databases include DB2 by IBM (Armonk, N.Y.),
various database products available from Oracle Corporation
(Redwood Shores, Calif.), Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server
by Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Wash.), MySQL by MySQL AB
(Uppsala, Sweden), or any other suitable database product.
Moreover, the databases may be organized in any suitable manner,
for example, as data tables or lookup tables. Each record may be a
single file, a series of files, a linked series of data fields or
any other data structure. Association of certain data may be
accomplished through any desired data association technique such as
those known or practiced in the art. For example, the association
may be accomplished either manually or automatically. Automatic
association techniques may include, for example, a database search,
a database merge, GREP, AGREP, SQL, using a key field in the tables
to speed searches, sequential searches through all the tables and
files, sorting records in the file according to a known order to
simplify lookup, and/or the like. The association step may be
accomplished by a database merge function, for example, using a
"key field" in pre-selected databases or data sectors. Various
database tuning steps are contemplated to optimize database
performance. For example, frequently used files such as indexes may
be placed on separate file systems to reduce In/Out ("I/O")
bottlenecks.
[0077] More particularly, a "key field" partitions the database
according to the high-level class of objects defined by the key
field. For example, certain types of data may be designated as a
key field in a plurality of related data tables and the data tables
may then be linked on the basis of the type of data in the key
field. The data corresponding to the key field in each of the
linked data tables is preferably the same or of the same type.
However, data tables having similar, though not identical, data in
the key fields may also be linked by using AGREP, for example. In
accordance with one embodiment, any suitable data storage technique
may be utilized to store data without a standard format. Data sets
may be stored using any suitable technique, including, for example,
storing individual files using an ISO/IEC 7816-4 file structure;
implementing a domain whereby a dedicated file is selected that
exposes one or more elementary files containing one or more data
sets; using data sets stored in individual files using a
hierarchical filing system; data sets stored as records in a single
file (including compression, SQL accessible, hashed via one or more
keys, numeric, alphabetical by first tuple, etc.); Binary Large
Object (BLOB); stored as ungrouped data elements encoded using
ISO/IEC 7816-6 data elements; stored as ungrouped data elements
encoded using ISO/IEC Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN.1) as in
ISO/IEC 8824 and 8825; and/or other proprietary techniques that may
include fractal compression methods, image compression methods,
etc.
[0078] In one exemplary embodiment, the ability to store a wide
variety of information in different formats is facilitated by
storing the information as a BLOB. Thus, any binary information can
be stored in a storage space associated with a data set. As
discussed above, the binary information may be stored on the
financial transaction instrument or external to but affiliated with
the financial transaction instrument. The BLOB method may store
data sets as ungrouped data elements formatted as a block of binary
via a fixed memory offset using either fixed storage allocation,
circular queue techniques, or best practices with respect to memory
management (e.g., paged memory, least recently used, etc.). By
using BLOB methods, the ability to store various data sets that
have different formats facilitates the storage of data associated
with the financial transaction instrument by multiple and unrelated
owners of the data sets. For example, a first data set which may be
stored may be provided by a first party, a second data set which
may be stored may be provided by an unrelated second party, and yet
a third data set which may be stored, may be provided by an third
party unrelated to the first and second party. Each of these three
exemplary data sets may contain different information that is
stored using different data storage formats and/or techniques.
Further, each data set may contain subsets of data that also may be
distinct from other subsets.
[0079] As stated above, in various embodiments, the data can be
stored without regard to a common format. However, in one exemplary
embodiment, the data set (e.g., BLOB) may be annotated in a
standard manner when provided for manipulating the data onto the
financial transaction instrument. The annotation may comprise a
short header, trailer, or other appropriate indicator related to
each data set that is configured to convey information useful in
managing the various data sets. For example, the annotation may be
called a "condition header", "header", "trailer", or "status",
herein, and may comprise an indication of the status of the data
set or may include an identifier correlated to a specific issuer or
owner of the data. In one example, the first three bytes of each
data set BLOB may be configured or configurable to indicate the
status of that particular data set; e.g., LOADED, INITIALIZED,
READY, BLOCKED, REMOVABLE, or DELETED. Subsequent bytes of data may
be used to indicate for example, the identity of the issuer, user,
transaction/membership account identifier or the like. Each of
these condition annotations are further discussed herein.
[0080] The data set annotation may also be used for other types of
status information as well as various other purposes. For example,
the data set annotation may include security information
establishing access levels. The access levels may, for example, be
configured to permit only certain individuals, levels of employees,
companies, or other entities to access data sets, or to permit
access to specific data sets based on the transaction, merchant,
issuer, user or the like. Furthermore, the security information may
restrict/permit only certain actions such as accessing, modifying,
and/or deleting data sets. In one example, the data set annotation
indicates that only the data set owner or the user are permitted to
delete a data set, various identified users may be permitted to
access the data set for reading, and others are altogether excluded
from accessing the data set. However, other access restriction
parameters may also be used allowing various entities to access a
data set with various permission levels as appropriate.
[0081] The data, including the header or trailer may be received by
a stand alone interaction device configured to add, delete, modify,
or augment the data in accordance with the header or trailer. As
such, in one embodiment, the header or trailer is not stored on the
transaction device along with the associated issuer-owned data but
instead the appropriate action may be taken by providing to the
transaction instrument user at the stand alone device, the
appropriate option for the action to be taken. The system may
contemplate a data storage arrangement wherein the header or
trailer, or header or trailer history, of the data is stored on the
transaction instrument in relation to the appropriate data.
[0082] One skilled in the art will also appreciate that, for
security reasons, any databases, systems, devices, servers or other
components of the system may consist of any combination thereof at
a single location or at multiple locations, wherein each database
or system includes any of various suitable security features, such
as firewalls, access codes, encryption, decryption, compression,
decompression, and/or the like.
[0083] Encryption may be performed by way of any of the techniques
now available in the art or which may become available--e.g.,
Twofish, RSA, El Gamal, Schorr signature, DSA, PGP, PKI, and
symmetric and asymmetric cryptosystems.
[0084] The computing unit of the web client may be further equipped
with an Internet browser connected to the Internet or an intranet
using standard dial-up, cable, DSL or any other Internet protocol
known in the art. Transactions originating at a web client may pass
through a firewall in order to prevent unauthorized access from
users of other networks. Further, additional firewalls may be
deployed between the varying components of CMS to further enhance
security.
[0085] Firewall may include any hardware and/or software suitably
configured to protect CMS components and/or enterprise computing
resources from users of other networks. Further, a firewall may be
configured to limit or restrict access to various systems and
components behind the firewall for web clients connecting through a
web server. Firewall may reside in varying configurations including
Stateful Inspection, Proxy based, access control lists, and Packet
Filtering among others. Firewall may be integrated within an web
server or any other CMS components or may further reside as a
separate entity. A firewall may implement network address
translation ("NAT") and/or network address port translation
("NAPT"). A firewall may accommodate various tunneling protocols to
facilitate secure communications, such as those used in virtual
private networking. A firewall may implement a demilitarized zone
("DMZ") to facilitate communications with a public network such as
the Internet. A firewall may be integrated as software within an
Internet server, any other application server components or may
reside within another computing device or may take the form of a
standalone hardware component.
[0086] The computers discussed herein may provide a suitable
website or other Internet-based graphical user interface which is
accessible by users. In one embodiment, the Microsoft Internet
Information Server (IIS), Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS), and
Microsoft SQL Server, are used in conjunction with the Microsoft
operating system, Microsoft NT web server software, a Microsoft SQL
Server database system, and a Microsoft Commerce Server.
Additionally, components such as Access or Microsoft SQL Server,
Oracle, Sybase, Informix MySQL, Interbase, etc., may be used to
provide an Active Data Object (ADO) compliant database management
system. In one embodiment, the Apache web server is used in
conjunction with a Linux operating system, a MySQL database, and
the Perl, PHP, and/or Python programming languages.
[0087] Any of the communications, inputs, storage, databases or
displays discussed herein may be facilitated through a website
having web pages. The term "web page" as it is used herein is not
meant to limit the type of documents and applications that might be
used to interact with the user. For example, a typical website
might include, in addition to standard HTML documents, various
forms, Java applets, JavaScript, active server pages (ASP), common
gateway interface scripts (CGI), extensible markup language (XML),
dynamic HTML, cascading style sheets (CSS), AJAX (Asynchronous
Javascript And XML), helper applications, plug-ins, and the like. A
server may include a web service that receives a request from a web
server, the request including a URL
(http://yahoo.com/stockquotes/ge) and an IP address
(123.56.789.234). The web server retrieves the appropriate web
pages and sends the data or applications for the web pages to the
IP address. Web services are applications that are capable of
interacting with other applications over a communications means,
such as the internet. Web services are typically based on standards
or protocols such as XML, SOAP, AJAX, WSDL and UDDI. Web services
methods are well known in the art, and are covered in many standard
texts. See, e.g., ALEX NGHIEM, IT WEB SERVICES: A ROADMAP FOR THE
ENTERPRISE (2003), hereby incorporated by reference.
[0088] Middleware may include any hardware and/or software suitably
configured to facilitate communications and/or process transactions
between disparate computing systems. Middleware components are
commercially available and known in the art. Middleware may be
implemented through commercially available hardware and/or
software, through custom hardware and/or software components, or
through a combination thereof. Middleware may reside in a variety
of configurations and may exist as a standalone system or may be a
software component residing on the Internet server. Middleware may
be configured to process transactions between the various
components of an application server and any number of internal or
external systems for any of the purposes disclosed herein.
WebSphere MQTM (formerly MQSeries) by IBM, Inc. (Armonk, N.Y.) is
an example of a commercially available middleware product. An
Enterprise Service Bus ("ESB") application is another example of
middleware.
[0089] Practitioners will also appreciate that there are a number
of methods for displaying data within a browser-based document.
Data may be represented as standard text or within a fixed list,
scrollable list, drop-down list, editable text field, fixed text
field, pop-up window, and the like. Likewise, there are a number of
methods available for modifying data in a web page such as, for
example, free text entry using a keyboard, selection of menu items,
check boxes, option boxes, and the like.
[0090] The system and method may be described herein in terms of
functional block components, screen shots, optional selections and
various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such
functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or
software components configured to perform the specified functions.
For example, the system may employ various integrated circuit
components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic
elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a
variety of functions under the control of one or more
microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the software
elements of the system may be implemented with any programming or
scripting language such as C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, VBScript,
Macromedia Cold Fusion, COBOL, Microsoft Active Server Pages,
assembly, PERL, PHP, awk, Python, Visual Basic, SQL Stored
Procedures, PL/SQL, any UNIX shell script, and extensible markup
language (XML) with the various algorithms being implemented with
any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or
other programming elements. Further, it should be noted that the
system may employ any number of conventional techniques for data
transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the
like. Still further, the system could be used to detect or prevent
security issues with a client-side scripting language, such as
JavaScript, VBScript or the like. For a basic introduction of
cryptography and network security, see any of the following
references: (1) "Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, And
Source Code In C," by Bruce Schneier, published by John Wiley &
Sons (second edition, 1995); (2) "Java Cryptography" by Jonathan
Knudson, published by O'Reilly & Associates (1998); (3)
"Cryptography & Network Security: Principles & Practice" by
William Stallings, published by Prentice Hall; all of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0091] As used herein, the term "end user", "consumer", "customer",
"cardmember", "business" or "merchant" may be used interchangeably
with each other, and each shall mean any person, entity, machine,
hardware, software or business. A bank may be part of the system,
but the bank may represent other types of card issuing
institutions, such as credit card companies, card sponsoring
companies, or third party issuers under contract with financial
institutions. It is further noted that other participants may be
involved in some phases of the transaction, such as an intermediary
settlement institution, but these participants are not shown.
[0092] Each participant is equipped with a computing device in
order to interact with the system and facilitate online commerce
transactions. The customer has a computing unit in the form of a
personal computer, although other types of computing units may be
used including laptops, notebooks, hand held computers, set-top
boxes, cellular telephones, touch-tone telephones and the like. The
merchant has a computing unit implemented in the form of a
computer-server, although other implementations are contemplated by
the system. The bank has a computing center shown as a main frame
computer. However, the bank computing center may be implemented in
other forms, such as a mini-computer, a PC server, a network of
computers located in the same of different geographic locations, or
the like. Moreover, the system contemplates the use, sale or
distribution of any goods, services or information over any network
having similar functionality described herein.
[0093] The merchant computer and the bank computer may be
interconnected via a second network, referred to as a payment
network. The payment network which may be part of certain
transactions represents existing proprietary networks that
presently accommodate transactions for credit cards, debit cards,
and other types of financial/banking cards. The payment network is
a closed network that is assumed to be secure from eavesdroppers.
Exemplary transaction networks may include the American
Express.RTM., VisaNet.RTM. and the Veriphone.RTM. networks. The
electronic commerce system may be implemented at the customer and
issuing bank. In an exemplary implementation, the electronic
commerce system is implemented as computer software modules loaded
onto the customer computer and the banking computing center. The
merchant computer does not require any additional software to
participate in the online commerce transactions supported by the
online commerce system.
[0094] As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art,
the system may be embodied as a customization of an existing
system, an add-on product, upgraded software, a stand alone system,
a distributed system, a method, a data processing system, a device
for data processing, and/or a computer program product.
Accordingly, the system may take the form of an entirely software
embodiment, an entirely hardware embodiment, or an embodiment
combining aspects of both software and hardware. Furthermore, the
system may take the form of a computer program product on a
computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program
code means embodied in the storage medium. Any suitable
computer-readable storage medium may be utilized, including hard
disks, CD-ROM, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices,
and/or the like.
[0095] The system and method is described herein with reference to
screen shots, block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of
methods, apparatus (e.g., systems), and computer program products
according to various embodiments. It will be understood that each
functional block of the block diagrams and the flowchart
illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block
diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be
implemented by computer program instructions.
[0096] These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a
general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other
programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such
that the instructions that execute on the computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus create means for
implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or
blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other
programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable
memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction
means which implement the function specified in the flowchart block
or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded
onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to
cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer
or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented
process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or
other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the
functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.
[0097] Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and
flowchart illustrations support combinations of means for
performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for
performing the specified functions, and program instruction means
for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood
that each functional block of the block diagrams and flowchart
illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block
diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by either
special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the
specified functions or steps, or suitable combinations of special
purpose hardware and computer instructions. Further, illustrations
of the process flows and the descriptions thereof may make
reference to user windows, webpages, websites, web forms, prompts,
etc. Practitioners will appreciate that the illustrated steps
described herein may comprise in any number of configurations
including the use of windows, webpages, web forms, popup windows,
prompts and the like. It should be further appreciated that the
multiple steps as illustrated and described may be combined into
single webpages and/or windows but have been expanded for the sake
of simplicity. In other cases, steps illustrated and described as
single process steps may be separated into multiple webpages and/or
windows but have been combined for simplicity.
[0098] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have
been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However,
the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical,
required, or essential features or elements of the invention. The
scope of the invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing
other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in
the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless
explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." Moreover, where a
phrase similar to `at least one of A, B, and C` or `at least one of
A, B, or C` is used in the claims or specification, it is intended
that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present
in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone
may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the
elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for
example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Although the
invention has been described as a method, it is contemplated that
it may be embodied as computer program instructions on a tangible
computer-readable carrier, such as a magnetic or optical memory or
a magnetic or optical disk. All structural, chemical, and
functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described
exemplary embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in
the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are
intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is
not necessary for a device or method to address each and every
problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be
encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element,
component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to
be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element,
component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No
claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35
U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly
recited using the phrase "means for." As used herein, the terms
"comprises", "comprising", or any other variation thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements
does not include only those elements but may include other elements
not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
or apparatus.
* * * * *
References