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Transferring information between transaction networks    
United States Patent5621796   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/5621796.html
Inventor(s)Davis; Terry L. (Scottsdale, AZ); Russell; James F. (Hockessin, DE); Sears; John W. (Peoria, AZ); Trice; Philip H. (Phoenix, AZ)
AbstractA stored value transaction system has a plurality of value storing transfer devices. First and second stored value transaction networks each include at least one local value storing device, at least one consolidation device, and at least one network settlement device. An internetwork value information transfer device coupled to the first and second stored value transaction networks transfers value information between the internetwork value information transfer device and the first and second stored value networks. Cryptographic verifiers in each of the networks and in the internetwork value transfer device make independent secure transaction determinations and permit transfers according to the determinations. The value information transferred from the consolidation device to the settlement device may be a summary of the information received by the consolidation device. The network settlement device performs settlement based upon the information summary. The transfer devices within the first and second networks have common cryptographic keys.
   














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Drawing from US Patent 5621796
Transferring information between transaction networks - US Patent 5621796 Drawing
Transferring information between transaction networks
Inventor     Davis; Terry L. (Scottsdale, AZ); Russell; James F. (Hockessin, DE); Sears; John W. (Peoria, AZ); Trice; Philip H. (Phoenix, AZ)
Owner/Assignee     Electronic Payment Services, Inc. (Wilmington, DE)
Patent assignment
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Publication Date     April 15, 1997
Application Number     08/316,663
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     September 30, 1994
US Classification     705/68 235/379 235/380 380/29 380/30 705/75 705/79
Int'l Classification     H04L 009/00
Examiner     Gregory; Bernarr E.
Assistant Examiner    
Attorney/Law Firm     Panitch Schwarze Jacobs & Nadel, P.C.
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Priority Data    
USPTO Field of Search     380/21 380/23 380/24 380/25 380/49 380/29 380/30 235/379 235/380
Patent Tags     transferring information between transaction networks
   
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 Technical Review Submit all comments and votes
 Claims Submit all comments and votes
 


We claim:

1. A stored value transaction system having a plurality of value storing transfer devices, comprising:

first and second stored value transaction networks, each network including:

a plurality of value transferring devices including a value distributing device for distributing cash-equivalent value to a user and a value collecting device for collecting cash-equivalent value from a user, each value transferring device including a memory for storing value transfer information corresponding to each transfer;

a consolidation device for periodically receiving the stored value transfer information from the memory of at least one of the value transferring devices, the consolidation device including a first memory for storing the received value transfer information, a processor for consolidating the received value transfer information into consolidated information, and a second memory for storing the consolidated information; and

a network settlement device coupled to the consolidation device for receiving the consolidated information from the second memory of the consolidation device, the network settlement device including a first memory for storing the received consolidation information, a processor for performing settlement according to at least a portion of the consolidated information to produce settlement information, and a second memory for storing the settlement information; and

an internetwork network device coupled to the first and second networks for interfacing the first and second networks and for receiving at least a portion of the consolidation information from the first memory of the network settlement device of each of the first and second networks, the internetwork network device including a first memory for storing the received consolidation information and a processor for transmitting at least a portion of the received consolidation information from the first network to the second network and at least a portion of the received consolidation information from the second network to the first network.

2. The stored value transaction system of claim 1, further comprising a first cryptographic verifier in the first network, a second cryptographic verifier in the second network, and a third cryptographic verifier in the internetwork network device for making respective independent first, second and third secure transaction determinations and permitting the transferring of information in accordance with the independent first, second and third secure transaction determinations.

3. The stored value transaction system of claim 2, wherein the first, second and third cryptographic verifiers have a common cryptographic key and the first, second and third secure transaction determinations are made in accordance with the common cryptographic key.

4. The stored value transaction system of claim 2, wherein the independent secure transaction determinations comprise cross-verifications wherein an information-sending device and an information-sending receiving device each independently verify a secure transaction between the information-sending device and the information-receiving device.

5. The stored value transaction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the network settlement devices performs further consolidation upon at least a portion of the consolidation information to provide further-consolidated information.

6. The stored value transaction system of claim 5, wherein the at least one of the network settlement devices comprises means for applying the further-consolidated portion to the internetwork network device.

7. The stored value transaction system of claim 1, wherein each value transferring device includes a verifier for making independent secure transaction determinations.

8. The stored value transaction system of claim 7, wherein the verifiers comprise cryptographic verifiers.

9. The stored value transaction system of claim 1, wherein the value transferring devices within the first stored value transaction network each include a respective first plurality of individual cryptographic verifiers having a first network key in common with each other for providing individual secure transaction determinations in accordance with the first common network key.

10. The stored value transaction system of claim 9, wherein the value transferring devices within the second stored value transaction network each include a respective second plurality of individual cryptographic verifiers having a second network key in common with each other for providing individual secure transaction determinations in accordance with the second common network key.

11. The stored value transaction system of claim 10, wherein the first and second common network keys differ from each other.

12. The stored value transaction system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the stored value transaction networks includes a plurality of consolidation devices each receiving and consolidating the value transfer information and applying a consolidated portion of the value transfer information to the respective network settlement device.
 Description Submit all comments and votes
 


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to automated systems for performing transactions, such as financial transactions, using an integrated circuit device or card and, more particularly, to such transaction systems and methods of utilizing such transaction systems in a convenient and secure manner to permit such an integrated circuit device or card to be used in place of cash for the purchase of goods and/or services.

Goods and/or services are generally purchased by consumers and others utilizing credit cards, debit cards and/or cash or its equivalents, i.e., checks, money orders and bank drafts. Credit and debit cards have been used only relatively recently for this purpose. Cash, both coin and currency, has been the primary medium of exchange for goods and services for centuries. During the entire time, problems such as theft, fraud, counterfeiting and short-changing have always been present.

The present invention comprises a transaction system for integrated circuit devices, more particularly, integrated circuit cards or "smart cards" which are employed in the transaction system as a substitute for cash (i.e., currency or coins). The system of the present invention is superior to the use of cash because the transfer of value from the card for the purchase of goods or services occurs in an automated manner without the need to produce, transport, store or secure currency or coins. With the transaction system of the present invention, the integrated circuit card is as simple and as easy to use as cash and yet all transactions are secure and self-validating.

With the present invention, financial institutions and other entities issue one or more integrated circuit cards to each system user or cardholder. A cardholder, utilizing a specialized automated terminal, loads "value" in the form of a cash or dollar balance onto the integrated circuit card by debiting an existing financial account, such as a checking, savings, or money market account, or by inserting cash into the terminal. Thereafter, the cardholder may use the integrated circuit card to purchase virtually any type of goods and/or services.

When a cardholder wishes to purchase goods and/or services, the integrated circuit card is inserted into a terminal at the point of purchase or sale of the desired goods and/or services. After an automatic verification and validation process takes place, the cardholder may purchase goods and/or services by having the cost of the goods and/or services deducted from the balance stored in the integrated circuit card. The card is then removed from the terminal for subsequent purchases and/or loading of value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A stored value transaction system has a plurality of value storing transfer devices. First and second stored value transaction networks each include at least one local value storing device, at least one consolidation device, and at least one network settlement device. An internetwork value information transfer device coupled to the first and second stored value transaction networks transfers value information between the internetwork value information transfer device and the first and second stored value networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a representation of an integrated circuit stored value card for use within the stored value transaction system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a representation of stored value devices which may operate within the stored value transaction system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a functional schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a point of sale terminal in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representation of a transaction system for collection of stored value in the system of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5D are a partial flow diagram of the preferred value transfer protocol for generating and verifying the collection dialog and unloading the controls dialog in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a continuation of a flow diagram of the preferred value transfer protocol for generating collection dialog of FIGS. 5A-5D;

FIG. 7 is a continuation of the flow diagram of the preferred value transfer protocol for verifying the collection dialog of FIGS. 5A-5D;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a continuation of the flow diagram of the preferred value transfer protocol for unloading the controls dialog of FIGS. 5A-5D;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment of the consolidation dialog of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a table of the digital encryption standard keys used in the cryptography of the system of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a process overview of the collection and control public key in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a process overview of the control public key system for secret data in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 13A-13I are data structures suitable for the information representative of transferred value for the devices of the stored value system of FIG. 4 including representations of the stored value information files collected within various stored value transfer devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to indicate like elements throughout the several figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a stored value card (SVC) 20 for use in a presently preferred embodiment of a financial-based transaction system in accordance with the present invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while