Multi-way transaction related data exchange apparatus and methods

A method of processing a transaction, comprising:

• generating an electronic file comprising data relating to said transaction;
• processing said file to create a first indicator of at least the content of said file;
• encrypting said first indicator to produce at least one encrypted indicator;
• combining said encrypted indicator and said file to form a data structure;
• and
• transferring said data structure from a point-of sale device to a user device in communication therewith;
• wherein said act of processing is performed substantially by said point-of-sale device disposed at a seller's premises.

Apparatus adapted to process data selected from the group consisting of:

• (i) billing data, (ii) personal data;
• (iii) health care data, and (iv) equipment performance or diagnostics data, the apparatus comprising:
• an input apparatus adapted to receive said data from at least one source;
• a computer apparatus operatively coupled to said input apparatus and adapted to:
• generate at least one electronic file comprising said data;
• process said at least one file to create a first indicator of at least the content of said at least one file at a first time;
• encrypt said first indicator to produce an encrypted indicator;
• combine said encrypted indicator and said at least one electronic file to form a data structure;
• and
• transmit said data structure from said apparatus to a point of sale device directly or through a data networking hub;
• wherein said data structure is utilized by said point of sale device in the completion of a transaction relating thereto.

A method for processing healthcare data, comprising:

• securely storing said healthcare data in electronic form;
• authenticating a user of a portable data storage device;
• if said user is authenticated, transferring said healthcare data to said portable data storage device at a first location;
• transferring said portable data storage device to a second location;
• transferring said healthcare data from said portable data storage device to a device managed by a healthcare facility, said transfer being performed substantially at a healthcare facility.

A method of conducting logically related transactions between a retail point of sale device and a user portable storage data entity, comprising:

• conducting a sales transaction at a first time;
• storing data relating to said sales transaction at said retail point of sale device;
• processing said stored data to generate a data structure;
• placing said user portable data storage entity in wired or wireless data communication with said point of sale device on which said data structure is resident;
• and
• transferring said data structure to said user portable data storage entity;
• wherein said act of processing is performed substantially by said point of sale device disposed at a seller's premises, and said user portable data storage entity is configured for data communication with said point of sale device.

An apparatus adapted to securely provide transaction information in an electronic format to a point of sales entity, comprising:

• a data transfer element adapted to:
• communicate with said point of sales entity either directly or through a data networking hub;
• store transaction specific data in encrypted form;
• and
• store biometric data relating to a user of said data transfer element;
• wherein said apparatus is configured to allow said user of said data transfer element to authenticate his or her right to use said transaction specific data to complete a transaction with said point of sales entity via said user providing said biometric data to said apparatus.

A method of processing user-specific billing data, comprising:

• generating an encrypted electronic file comprising user-specific billing data;
• placing a universal serial bus (USB) device in removable communication with a device on which said encrypted user-specific billing data is resident, said USB device being adapted to store said encrypted user-specific billing data;
• authenticating a user of said USB device;
• and
• if said user is authenticated, transferring said encrypted user-specific billing to said USB device;
• wherein said act of processing is performed substantially by a point-of-sale device disposed at a seller's premises.

Apparatus adapted to securely provide billing information associated with a customer in an electronic format to a seller, comprising:

• a first element adapted to generate an encrypted file comprising said billing information associated with said customer;
• a second element adapted to store authentication information associated with said customer, said authentication information being utilized to verify the identity of said customer;
• and
• a third element adapted to communicate with an electronic device associated with said seller, said communication comprising at least transmission of said encrypted file to said electronic device upon said verification of said customer for decryption thereof via said authentication information;
• wherein no part of said billing information is disclosed in any human cognizable form.