Transaction verification
OwnerDavid William Howellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and a method for verifying a credit card transaction has a server with a list stored therein, for each card holder, of transaction numbers and unique codes associated therewith. The card holder is supplied with a data carrier having a selection of those transaction numbers and unique codes. On making a purchase, the card holder supplies the transaction number and associated unique code to the vendor, who has that information checked against the server. Purchase authorisation is refused if the unique codes, for that transaction number, do not match.
Claims19
Apparatus for the verification of a transaction to be effected by a card holder having a transaction authorisation card, which apparatus comprises:
- a server having stored therein a list, for each card holder intending to use a verification process running on the apparatus, of transaction numbers and for each such transaction number a respective unique code, the server running a programme for comparing the stored codes with a code to be supplied by a card holder on effecting a transaction;
- a local machine whereat a transaction is to be effected which local machine is able to communicate with the server over a data-link;
- a data carrier for use by a card holder and separate from the transaction authorisation card, which data carrier has a list of transaction numbers and the corresponding unique codes for those numbers;
- whereby a card holder may effect a transaction at the local machine by using his authorisation card, the card holder also supplying to the local machine a transaction number and the unique code associated therewith for transmission to the server, the server comparing the supplied code with that stored in the server and allows or refuses the transaction dependent upon the result of that comparison.
A method of verifying a transaction to be undertaken by a card holder having a transaction authorisation card, comprising the steps of:
- programming a server with a list, for each card holder who intends to use the method, of transaction numbers and for each such transaction number a respective unique code;
- providing a card holder with a data carrier having a list of transaction numbers for that card holder and the corresponding unique codes for those numbers which codes are non-sequential on any given carrier;
- and then in either order:—
- the card holder effecting a transaction with the card;
- and
- the card holder being asked to specify a transaction number which number is transmitted to the server, the card holder also being asked for the unique code associated with that transaction number as read from the data carrier, which unique code is transmitted to the server;
- whereafter the server allows or refuses the transaction dependent upon the result of a comparison of the transmitted code with that code programmed into the server.
A data carrier for use in a verification procedure for a transaction by a card holder having a transaction authorisation card, which data carrier has a first data area and a second data area, the first data area having a plurality of transaction numbers marked thereon which numbers change incrementally, and the second data area having a plurality of unique codes marked thereon, one such code being associated with each transaction number respectively, whereby for a given transaction number a corresponding unique code may be read off the second data area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.