Granted Patent B2

US 7,500,602 · App. 11/061,616 · Granted Mar 10, 2009

Abstract

Claims (43)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a card;

a first number visibly disposed on the card and associated with a financial account of a consumer with a financial institution, the first number configured to enable a merchant to track a transaction with the consumer using the first number, but not for seeking authorization to fund the transaction with the financial account; and

a storage medium embodied by the card, to store a second number associated with the financial account, the second number distinct from the first number, and for use in authorizing funding the transaction with the financial account, wherein the second number is configured to be unknown to the merchant;

wherein the first number is restrictively associated with the second number to enable deposit of funds into the financial account, but not withdrawal of funds from the financial account.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second number is further configured to be unknown to the consumer.

3. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage medium; and

an electronic wallet stored in the storage medium and configured to store a first number and a second number distinct from the first number, the first number associated with a financial account of a consumer with a financial institution,

wherein the first number is selected to enable a merchant to track a transaction with the consumer using the first number without use of the first number to obtain authorization to fund the transaction with the financial account, and

wherein the second number is selected for use in authorizing funding of the transaction from the financial account of the consumer, and the second number is unknown to the merchant;

wherein the first number is restrictively associated with the second number to enable deposit of funds into the financial account, but not withdrawal of funds from the financial account.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first and second stored numbers are provided to the electronic wallet electronically.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the second number is not disclosed to the consumer.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the apparatus is a smart card.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the apparatus is a computer, personal digital assistant, or a cell phone.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the electronic wallet is further configured to store additional consumer information including at least one of the consumer's name, mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, or email address.

9. A method, comprising:

receiving by a merchant from a consumer a second number as a result of the consumer attempting to enter into a transaction with the merchant, the second number associated with a financial account of the consumer, and the second number received by the merchant in an encrypted form;

the merchant requesting authorization for the transaction, based at least in part on the second number;

the merchant receiving authorization for the transaction;

the merchant receiving a first number associated with the financial account, the first number different from the second number, and not used for authorizing funding of the transaction with the financial account; and

the merchant tracking the transaction based at least in part on the first number;

wherein the first number is restrictively associated with the second number to enable deposit of funds into the financial account, but not withdrawal of funds from the financial account.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving the second number comprises reading the second number off a card using a point of sale machine, and receiving the first number comprises manually reading the first number off the card.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving the first and second numbers comprises receiving the first and second numbers electronically from an electronic wallet disposed on an electronic device of the consumer.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein requesting authorization comprises requesting authorization from a transaction authorizer, other than a financial institution providing the first and second numbers and the financial account.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving authorization comprises receiving authorization from a transaction authorizer, other than a financial institution providing the first and second numbers and the financial account.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein requesting authorization comprises requesting authorization from a financial institution providing the first and second numbers and the financial account.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein receiving authorization comprises receiving from a financial institution providing the first and second numbers and the financial account.

16. A method, comprising:

receiving from a merchant a request to authorize a transaction with a consumer, the request including a second number associated with a financial account of the consumer, the second number unknown to the consumer and the merchant, and the financial account having an associated first number;

wherein the first number is restrictively associated with the second number to enable deposit of funds into the financial account, but not withdrawal of funds from the financial account;

authorizing or denying the transaction, based at least in part on the received second number, but not the first number; and

debiting or crediting the financial account if the transaction is authorized.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising tracking the debiting or crediting of the financial account using the first number.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising providing the first number to the merchant if the transaction is authorized.

19. A method, comprising:

generating by an account issuer a first number for identifying a financial account of a consumer;

providing the first number to the consumer for use by a merchant engaged in a transaction with the consumer to track the transaction using the first number, but not for obtaining authorization to fund the transaction with the financial account;

generating by an account issuer a second number associated with the financial account, distinct from the first number, for use in authorizing funding of the transaction with the financial account;

providing an encrypted form of the second number to the consumer; and relating by the account issuer the first number and the second number;

wherein the account issuer allowing deposit into the financial account by restrictively reference to the first number, but not funding of the transaction from the financial account by restrictively reference to the first number.

Assignments (10)