Apparatus, method and system for a tunneling client access point

A method implemented on a portable device comprising a processor, a memory having executable program code stored thereon, a first communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and a terminal, the terminal comprising a processor, an output component configured to present an interactive user interface comprising at least one user interface element configured to be manipulated by a user, and a memory configured to store executable program code, including first program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to receive a command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element of the interactive user interface, affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component in response to the command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element, and cause a communication to be transmitted from the terminal to the portable device in response to the command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element, and a second communications interface configured to enable transmission of communications between the portable device and a communications network node, the method comprising:

• (a) executing second program code stored on the portable device memory to facilitate communications through the second communication interface between the portable device and the communications network node;
• and
• (b) executing, in response to a communication received by the portable device from the terminal resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element of the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, third program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted through the second communication interface to the communications network node.

A system implementing (i) a communications network comprising a plurality of communications network nodes, and (ii) a terminal, the terminal comprising a processor, an output component configured to present an interactive user interface comprising at least one user interface element configured to be manipulated by a user, and a memory configured to store executable program code, including first program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to receive a command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element of the interactive user interface, affect the presentation of the interactive user interface by the terminal output component in response to the command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element, and cause a communication to be transmitted from the terminal to the portable device in response to the command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element, the system comprising:

• (a) a portable device comprising a first communication interface configured to enable transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal, at a second communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and a communications network node, a processor, and a memory having executable program code stored thereon, the portable device configured to:
• (1) execute second program code stored on the portable device memory to facilitate communications through the second communication interface between the portable device and the a communications network node;
• and
• (2) execute, in response to a communication received by the portable device from the terminal resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element of the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, third program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted through the second communication interface to the communications network node.

A portable device configured to communicate with (i) a terminal comprising a processor, an output component, and a memory having executable program code stored thereon, including program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to facilitate secure communications between the portable device and the terminal, and (ii) a communications network comprising a plurality of communications network nodes, the portable device comprising:

• (a) a first communication interface configured to enable transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal;
• (b) a second communication interface configured to enable transmission of communications between the portable device and a communications network node;
• (c) a processor;
• and
• (d) a memory having executable program code stored thereon, including
• (1) first program code which, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to coordinate with program code executed by the terminal processor to facilitate secure communications between the portable device and the terminal;
• (2) second program code which, when executed, is configured to cause an interactive user interface comprising at least one user interface element configured to be manipulated by a user to be presented by the terminal output component;
• (3) third program code which, when executed by the portable device processor in response to a command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element of the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, is configured to cause a communication to be transmitted through the second communication interface to a communications network node;
• and
• (4) fourth program code which, when executed by the portable device processor, is configured to cause a secure communication to be transmitted through the first communication interface to the terminal.

A method implemented on a portable device comprising a processor, a memory having executable program code stored thereon, a first communication interface configured to enable the transmission of communications between the portable device and a terminal, the terminal comprising a processor, an output component, and a memory having executable program code stored thereon, including program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to facilitate secure communications between the portable device and the terminal, and a second communications interface configured to enable transmission of communications between the portable device and a communications network node, the method comprising:

• (a) executing first program code stored on the portable device memory to coordinate with program code executed by the terminal processor to facilitate secure communications between the portable device and the terminal;
• (b) executing second program code stored on the portable device memory to cause an interactive user interface to be presented by the terminal output component, wherein the interactive user interface comprises at least one user interface element configured to be manipulated by a user;
• (c) executing, in response to a command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element of the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, third program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted through the second communication interface to a communications network node;
• and
• (d) executing fourth program code stored on the portable device to cause a secure communication to be transmitted through the first communication interface to the terminal.

A system implementing a terminal comprising a processor, an output component, and a memory having executable program code stored thereon, including program code which, when executed by the terminal processor, is configured to facilitate secure communications between a portable device and the terminal, the system comprising:

• (a) a communications network comprising a plurality of communications network nodes;
• and
• (b) a portable device comprising a first communication interface configured to enable transmission of communications between the portable device and the terminal, a second communication interface configured to enable transmission of communications between the portable device and a communications network node, a processor, and a memory having executable program code stored thereon, the portable device configured to:
• (1) execute first program code stored on the portable device memory to coordinate with program code executed by the terminal processor to facilitate secure communications between the portable device and the terminal;
• (2) execute second program code stored on the portable device memory to cause an interactive user interface to be presented by the terminal output component, wherein the interactive user interface comprises at least one user interface element configured to be manipulated by a user;
• (3) execute, in response to a command resulting from user manipulation of a user interface element of the interactive user interface presented by the terminal output component, third program code stored on the portable device memory to cause a communication to be transmitted through the second communication interface to a communications network node;
• and
• (4) execute fourth program code stored on the portable device to cause a secure communication to be transmitted through the first communication interface to the terminal.