IP Library Granted Patent US 12,561,663
Granted Patent B2
US 12,561,663 · App. 18/901,663 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

Device account activation

Inventor: Alan Clark (Brighton, GB)
Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
G06Q20/3227G06Q20/3821G06Q20/401G06Q20/4016G06F21/44
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,561,663
App. No.
18/901,663
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

In various embodiments, a system, method, and computer readable medium of the present disclosure comprises obtaining credential information of a user of the computing device; authenticating the credential information of the user; releasing, in response to authenticating the credential information, a first secret element to a secure element processor of the computing device, wherein the first secret element is associated with a first transaction account; comparing the first secret element with an issuer element associated with the first transaction account; verifying that the user is an authorized user based on the comparison of the first secret element with the issuer element; initiating a payment transaction using first transaction account information with a point of sale terminal; and/or sending an indication that the user has been confirmed as an authorized user to the point of sale terminal to enable authorization of the payment transaction initiated by the computing device.

Claims (48)

1 . A method comprising:

obtaining, by a processor of a computing device, credential information of a user of the computing device;

authenticating, by the processor of the computing device, the credential information of the user of the computing device;

releasing, by the processor of the computing device and in response to authenticating the credential information, a first secret element to a secure element processor of the computing device, wherein the first secret element is associated with a first transaction account;

comparing, by the secure element processor of the computing device, the first secret element with an issuer element associated with the first transaction account;

verifying, by the secure element processor of the computing device, that the user is an authorized user of the first transaction account based on the comparison of the first secret element with the issuer element associated with the first transaction account;

initiating, by the processor of the computing device, a payment transaction using first transaction account information with a point-of-sale terminal; and

sending, by the processor of the computing device, an indication that the user has been confirmed as an authorized user of the first transaction account to the point-of-sale terminal to advance authorization of the payment transaction initiated by the processor of the computing device.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computing device is a mobile device.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computing device includes a device credential database that stores the first secret element.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first secret element is received, by the processor of the computing device, from an issuer system.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating, by the processor of the computing device, a cryptogram containing the indication that the user has been confirmed as an authorized user of the first transaction account, wherein the cryptogram is sent to the point-of-sale terminal.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first secret element is stored on the computing device outside the secure element processor.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the issuer element is stored in an issuer credential database on the computing device that is in communication with the secure element processor, and wherein an association between the issuer element and the first transaction account is stored as a table in the issuer credential database.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first secret element is stored on the computing device during an initial setup of the first transaction account.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the comparison of the first secret element with the issuer element verifies that the first secret element partially matches with the issuer element.

10 . A device comprising:

a processor;

a secure element processor;

a first tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the processor, the first tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

obtain credential information of a user of the device;

authenticate the credential information of the user of the device;

release a first secret element to the secure element processor of the device, wherein the first secret element is associated with a first transaction account;

receive confirmation, from the secure element processor of the device, that the user is an authorized user of the first transaction account after the secure element processor compares the first secret element with an issuer element associated with the first transaction account;

initiate a payment transaction using first transaction account information with a point-of-sale terminal;

send an indication that the user has been confirmed as an authorized user of the first transaction account to the point-of-sale terminal to advance authorization of the payment transaction initiated by the device; and

a second tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the secure element processor, the second tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by the secure element processor, cause the secure element processor to:

compare the first secret element with the issuer element associated with the first transaction account; and

send, to the processor, the confirmation that the user is the authorized user of the first transaction account.

11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to release a second secret element to the secure element processor, wherein the second secret element is associated with a second transaction account.

12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the issuer element is stored in an issuer credential database that is in communication with the secure element processor, and wherein an association between the issuer element and the first transaction account is stored in the issuer credential database.

13 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the first secret element is stored on the device during an initial setup of the first transaction account.

14 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the issuer element comprises a pin code.

15 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the comparison of the first secret element with the issuer element verifies that the first secret element partially matches with the issuer.

16 . Non-transitory computer-readable media comprising a first non-transitory computer-readable medium and a second non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the first non-transitory computer-readable medium has instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processor of a computing device, causes the computing device to:

obtain credential information of a user of the computing device;

authenticate the credential information of the user of the computing device;

release a first secret element to a secure element processor of the computing device, wherein the first secret element is associated with a first transaction account;

receive confirmation, from the secure element processor of the computing device, that the user is an authorized user of the first transaction account after the secure element processor compares the first secret element with an issuer element associated with the first transaction account;

initiate a payment transaction using first transaction account information with a point-of-sale terminal; and

send an indication that the user has been confirmed as an authorized user of the first transaction account to the point-of-sale terminal to advance authorization of the payment transaction initiated by the device; and

wherein the second non-transitory computer-readable medium further includes instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the secure element processor of the computing device, causes the computing device to:

compare the first secret element with the issuer element associated with the first transaction account; and

send, to the processor, the confirmation that the user is the authorized user of the first transaction account.

17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to release a second secret element to the secure element processor, wherein the second secret element is associated with a second transaction account.

18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the first secret element is stored on the device during an initial setup of the first transaction account.

19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the issuer element comprises a pin code.

20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the comparison of the first secret element with the issuer element verifies that the first secret element partially matches with the issuer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2025
From: CLARK, ALAN
To: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 073345/0294 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 18180679 · Mar 8, 2023
Continuation 16211420 · Dec 6, 2018
Continuation 14639666 · Mar 5, 2015
Related Publication 20250021961A1 · Jan 16, 2025
References Cited (137)
US 7207060B2 · Immonen et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7311249B2 · Smith et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7788151B2 · Pizzi et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 8538863B1 · Saunders · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8905303B1 · Ben · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8914876B2 · Taveau et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8923827B2 · Wentker et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8996423B2 · Johnson et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9009805B1 · Kirkby et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9047601B2 · Xie et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9374370B1 · Bent, II et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9571559B2 · Raleigh et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9785935B2 · Itwaru · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9858556B2 · Miller et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10043186B2 · Hammad et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10362010B2 · Sharp et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10380583B1 · Ellis et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10528944B2 · Khan · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10706380B2 · Sheets · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 10748153B2 · Van Os et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10878422B2 · Sheets · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10959093B2 · Powell et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11080700B2 · Ortiz · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 11514451B2 · Wolfs et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11748736B1 · Kurani et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20030076957A1 · Asokan et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030101136A1 · Wheeler et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20030200216A1 · Hayes et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 20070119923A1 · Garrison et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070245158A1 · Giobbi et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20070250920A1 · Lindsay · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080003977A1 · Chakiris et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080114830A1 · Welingkar et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080319889A1 · Hammad · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090106148A1 · Prada · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090140839A1 · Bishop et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090187980A1 · Tung · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100077468A1 · Pragides et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100106649A1 · Annan · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20100274692A1 · Hammad · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110113237A1 · Hird et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110113245A1 · Varadarajan · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120028609A1 · Hruska · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120031969A1 · Hammad · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20120116967A1 · Klein et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120143706A1 · Crake et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20120317028A1 · Ansari · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130018785A1 · Dolphin et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130018791A1 · Mendicino et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130036000A1 · Giordano et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130060618A1 · Barton et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130124412A1 · Itwaru · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140070001A1 · Sanchez et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140108263A1 · Ortiz · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20140149294A1 · Leevendig et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140189880A1 · Funk · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140250006A1 · Makhotin et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140279477A1 · Sheets et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140310171A1 · Grossman et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140325606A1 · Raj et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140337236A1 · Wong et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140344153A1 · Raj et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140351146A1 · Johnson et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150019443A1 · Sheets et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150032625A1 · Dill · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150032627A1 · Dill et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150046339A1 · Wong et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150081554A1 · Wong et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150127547A1 · Powell et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150134507A1 · Lucas et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160019536A1 · Ortiz · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160036790A1 · Shastry · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160065370A1 · Le Saint · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160086187A1 · Joao · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160092878A1 · Radu · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160104154A1 · Milov et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160232509A1 · Brudnicki et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160247141A1 · Graylin · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160253651A1 · Park · 2016 [cited by examiner]
US 20160277930A1 · Li et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170017957A1 · Radu · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170201850A1 · Raleigh et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170213207A1 · Suberville · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170278097A1 · Haggerty et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170323300A1 · Weiss · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180006821A1 · Kinagi · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20190303915A1 · Hammad · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20190311430A1 · Raleigh · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20210073787A1 · Hammad · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210272079A1 · Specogna et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220020016A1 · Scott · 2022 [cited by examiner]
AU 2010271244B2 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CA 2726787A1 · 2009 [cited by applicant]
CA 2932346C · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CH 707488B1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
CN 1449540A · 2003 [cited by applicant]
CN 1561508A · 2005 [cited by applicant]
CN 100409206C · 2008 [cited by applicant]
CN 103942690A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CN 103984976A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
CN 104380326A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
CN 104933564A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
CN 105359179A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 106031207A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 106104619A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 106506151A · 2017 [cited by applicant]
CN 109118193A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 104660586B · 2020 [cited by applicant]
EP 2836971A4 · 2015 [cited by applicant]
EP 3040922A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
EP 2836971B1 · 2017 [cited by applicant]
FR 2496294A1 · 1982 [cited by applicant]
GB 2514419A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
JP 2012508928A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
JP 6322143B2 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
KR 20090116813A · 2001 [cited by applicant]
KR 20090087924A · 2006 [cited by applicant]
KR 20160132379A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
RU 2663476C2 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
RU 2669081C2 · 2018 [cited by applicant]
WO 0201462A2 · 2002 [cited by applicant]
WO 2011006138A1 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO 2011084990A1 · 2011 [cited by applicant]
WO 2012035306A1 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013155536A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2014044751A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO 2014117095A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO 2014127322A1 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
WO 2014149498A2 · 2014 [cited by applicant]
X. Li, W. Zhu and M. He, “Secure remote mobile payment architecture and application,” 2010 International Symposium on Computer, Communication, Control and Automation (3CA), Tainan, Taiwan, 2010, pp. 487-490, https://iee… [cited by examiner]
S. Abughazalah, K. Markantonakis and K. Mayes, “Secure Mobile Payment on NFC-Enabled Mobile Phones Formally Analysed Using CasperFDR,” 2014 IEEE 13th International Conference on Trust, Security and Privacy in Computing … [cited by examiner]
Secure & Privacy-Preserving elD Systems with Attribute-Based Credentials http://essay.utwente.nl/66593/1/BadarinathHampiholi_Masters_EEMCS_faculty.pdf (Year: 2014). [cited by applicant]
P. Urien, “EMV-TLS, A Secure Payment Protocol for NFC Enabled Mobiles,” 2014 International Conference on Collaboration Technologies and Systems (CTS), 2014, pp. 203-210, doi: 10.1109/CTS.2014.6867565. https://ieeexplore… [cited by applicant]
Jian Mao, Ku Li and Xiandong Xu, “Trusted Module Based Secure Electronic Transaction Scheme” 2010 IEEE International Conference on Information Theory and Information Security, 2010, pp. 612-615, doi: 10.1109/ICITIS.2010… [cited by applicant]
Isaac, Jesús Téllez, and Zeadally Sherali. “Secure mobile payment systems.” It professional 16.3 (2014): 36-43. [cited by applicant]
Tiwari, Ayu, et al. “A multi-factor security protocol for wireless payment-secure web authentication using mobile devices.” arXiv preprint arXiv:1111.3010 (2011). [cited by applicant]
Marforio, Claudio, et al. “Smartphones as Practical and Secure Location Verification Tokens for Payments.” NDSS. vol. 14. 2014. [cited by applicant]