Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Particular communication authentication technique
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-06
2001-05-22
Swann, Tod R. (Department: 2167)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Particular communication authentication technique
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237095
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for transferring money or its equivalent electronically. In particular, in an electronic module based system, the module can be configured to provide at least secure data transfers or to authorize monetary transactions.
2. Description of Related Art
Presently, credit cards that have a magnetic strip associated with them, are a preferred monetary transaction medium in the market place. A card user can take the card to an automatic cash machine, a local store or a bank and make monetary transactions. In many instances the card is used via a telephone interface to make monetary exchanges. The magnetic strip card is used to help identify the card and user of the card. The card provides a relatively low level of security for the transfer. Regardless, the card enables a card holder to buy products, pay debts and make monetary exchanges between separate bank accounts.
Improvements have been made to the magnetic strip card. There have been cards created with microcircuits instead of magnetic strips. In general the microcircuit, like a magnetic strip, is used to enable a card-reader to perform a transaction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus, system and method for communicating encrypted information between a preferably portable module and a service provider's equipment. The invention comprises a module, that has a unique identification, that is capable of creating a random number, for example, a SALT, and passing the random number, along with, for example, a request to exchange money, to a service provider's equipment. The service provider's equipment may in return encrypt the random number with a private or public key (depending on the type of transaction), along with other information and pass the encrypted information back to the module as a signed certificate. The module, upon receiving the signed certificate, will decrypt the certificate with a public or private key (depending on the type of transaction) and compare the decrypted number with the original random number. Furthermore, if the numbers are the same then the transaction that was requested may be deemed secure and thereby proceeds. The module is capable of time stamping and storing in memory information about the transaction for later review.
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Curry Stephen M.
Fox Christopher W.
Loomis Donald W.
Dallas Semiconductor Corporation
Jenkens & Gilchrist a Professional Corporation
Smithers Matthew
Swann Tod R.
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