US 6,609,654 B1 · Method for allowing a user to customize use of a payment card that generates a different payment card number for multiple transactions

Abstract

A user can customize use of a payment card, which can be an electronic card, by selecting either a first or a second user key as a selected user key. The selected user key is entered into a card number generator that uses it and a user sequence number to generate a user payment card number that differs for each transaction through use of an algorithm. Multiple payment card transactions can be handled differently depending upon which user key is chosen as the selected user key. Different user keys can be used for different accounts, different types of transactions, or to classify the transactions. A user can receive one bill, or multiple bills. Different levels of privacy can be accorded to transactions that use different user keys. A user may pay the issuer for increased security, or the user may be paid by the issuer to allow transaction data to be distributed to third parties.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A method for allowing a user to customize use of a payment card, comprising the steps of:

providing the user with a card number generator;
allowing the user to choose one of a plurality of user keys as a selected user key;
entering the selected user key into the card number generator;
generating a user payment card number from the card number generator in accordance with an algorithm that uses the selected user key and a user sequence number to generate the user payment card number;
and
changing the user sequence number;
wherein the user payment card number is comprised of a set of fixed variables and a set of variable variables;
wherein the algorithm generates a first set of variable variables for a first user sequence number when the selected user key is a first key of the plurality of user keys and a second set of variable variables for the first user sequence number when the selected user key is a second key of the plurality of user keys;
and
wherein the algorithm will generate a third set of variable variables for a second user sequence number when the selected user key is the first key of the plurality of user keys.

7 more elements

A method for implementing an anonymous face to face payment card transaction between a user and a merchant that allows the user to customize use of a payment card, comprising the steps of:

establishing a user account between a credit source and the user which is associated with a fictitious account name, a user account number, a first user key, a second user key and a user settlement mechanism through which the user can pay the credit source for charges and fees billed to the user account;
providing the user with an electronic card that is comprised of:
a card base;
a storage medium affixed to the card that can be read by a card reader;
a computer affixed to the card;
an input mechanism for providing input to the computer;
and
a power source for supplying power to the computer;
wherein the electronic card has a fictitious account name stored in a memory device accessible by the computer, the computer is capable of causing data to be stored in the storage medium and the electronic card is sized such that a standard magnetic stripe reader can read the magnetic storage medium;
and
completing a face to face credit card transaction between the user and the merchant in which the user is charged a monetary value by the merchant, comprising the following steps:
allowing the user to choose either the first user key or the second user key as the selected user key for the transaction;
entering the selected user key into the input mechanism;
executing an algorithm by the computer that uses the selected user key as an input variable to generate a valid personal charge number;
reading the valid personal charge number and the fictitious account name by the card reader;
sending the monetary value, the valid personal charge number and the fictitious account name to a credit approval center that verifies that the valid personal charge number is valid for the fictitious account name and approves the face to face credit card transaction;
sending an approval of the transaction from the credit approval center to the merchant;
and
billing the user for the transaction through the user settlement mechanism.

16 more elements

A method for implementing an anonymous Mail Order Telephone Order (“MOTO”) credit card transaction between a user and a merchant that allows the user to customize use of a payment card, comprising the steps of:

establishing a user account between a credit source and the user which is associated with a fictitious account name, a user account number, a first user key, a second user key and a user settlement mechanism through which the user can pay the credit source for charges and fees billed to the user account;
providing the user with an electronic card that is comprised of:
a card base;
a storage medium affixed to the card that can be read by a card reader;
a computer affixed to the card;
an input mechanism for providing input to the computer;
a display controlled by the computer;
and
a power source for supplying power to the computer;
wherein the electronic card has a fictitious account name stored in a memory device accessible by the computer, the computer is capable of causing data to be stored in the storage medium and the electronic card is sized such that a standard magnetic stripe reader can read the magnetic storage medium;
completing a MOTO credit card transaction between the user and the merchant in which the user is charged a monetary value by the merchant, comprising the following steps:
allowing the user to selected either the first user key or the second user key as a selected user key;
entering the selected user key into the input mechanism;
executing an algorithm by the computer that uses the selected user key to generate a valid personal charge number;
visually reading the valid personal charge number from the display;
providing the valid personal charge number and the fictitious account name to the merchant;
sending the monetary value, the valid personal charge number and the fictitious account name to a credit approval center that verifies that the valid personal charge number is valid for the fictitious account name and approves the MOTO credit card transaction;
sending an approval of the transaction from the credit approval center to the merchant;
and
billing the user for the transaction through the user settlement mechanism.

17 more elements

A method for providing multiple secure transactions between a first entity and at least one additional entity, comprising the steps of:

(1) generating a customer one-time unique purchase order number (“Coupon”) for the first entity by the following steps:
(a) allowing a user to choose either a first user key or a second user key as a selected user key;
(b) combining the selected user key with a customer permutation variable that is correlated with a customer sequence number to form a customer permutated user key;
(c) using a customer random number generator to generate a customer user insertion key that is correlated with the customer sequence number;
and
(d) generating a Coupon by inserting the permutated user key into a user account number in accordance with an algorithm that uses the customer user insertion key;
(2) transferring the Coupon and a first entity identifier to a second entity;
(3) transferring the Coupon and the first entity identifier from the second entity to a money source;
(4) creating a first sequential set of the money source having a first preselected number of money source Coupons for the first entity by the following steps:
(a) combining the first user key with a first money source permutation variable that is correlated with a first money source sequence number to form a first money source permutated user key;
(b) using a first money source random number generator to generate a first money source user insertion key that is correlated with the first money source sequence number;
(c) generating a first money source Coupon from the user account number by inserting the first money source permutated user key into the user account number in accordance with the algorithm that uses the money source user insertion key, wherein the first money source Coupon is correlated with the first money source sequence number and stored in the first sequential set, said first money source Coupon being identical to the Coupon when the customer permutation variable and the first money source permutation variable are identical and the selected key is the first user key;
(d) changing the first money source sequence number;
and
(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) as needed so that the first sequential set has the first preselected number of money source Coupons;
(5) creating a second sequential set of the money source having a second preselected number of money source Coupons for the first entity by the following steps:
(a) combining the second user key with a second money source permutation variable that is correlated with a second money source sequence number to form a second money source permutated user key;
(b) using a second money source random number generator to generate a second money source user insertion key that is correlated with the second money source sequence number;
(c) generating a second money source Coupon from the user account number by inserting the second money source permutated user key into the user account number in accordance with the algorithm that uses the money source user insertion key, wherein the second money source Coupon is correlated with the second money source sequence number and stored in the second sequential set, said second money source Coupon being identical to the Coupon when the customer permutation variable and the second money source permutation variable are identical and the selected key is the second user key;
(d) changing the second money source sequence number;
and
(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) as needed so that the second sequential set has the second preselected number of money source Coupons;
(6) verifying that the Coupon is valid for the first entity by
(a) either confirming that it is identical to a matching money source Coupon contained within the first or the second sequential set, or
(b) confirming that is identical to a first or a second matching money source Coupon contained in a recent history file that contains one or more first or second money source Coupons deleted from the sequential set;
(7) deleting the matching money source Coupon and, if the matching money source Coupon was contained in the first or the second sequential set, deleting all earlier created money source Coupons from the first and the second sequential sets;
(8) changing the customer sequence number;
and
(9) repeating steps (2) through (8).

26 more elements

A method for conducting payment card transactions in which a user of the payment card can customize use of a payment card, comprising the steps of:

(1) establishing a first and a second handling option between a money source and the user;
(2) providing the user with a card number generator;
(3) completing a plurality of payment card transactions between the user and a second entity within a time period in accordance with the following steps:
(a) allowing the user to choose a first user key or a second user key as a selected user key;
(b) entering the selected user key into the card number generator;
(c) generating a user payment card number from the card number generator in accordance with an algorithm that uses the selected user key and a user sequence number to generate the user payment card number;
(d) transferring the user payment card number and a first entity identifier to the second entity;
and
(e) transferring the user payment card number, the first entity identifier and a monetary value from the second entity to the money source that verifies that the payment card number is valid for the first entity identifier and approves the payment card transaction;
(f) changing the user sequence number;
and
(g) repeating steps (a) through (f) at least once within the time period, each of the plurality of payment card transactions having a new user payment card number;
and
(4) billing the user for the plurality of payment card transactions,
wherein the money source uses the first handling option for any of the plurality of payment card transactions in which the selected user key is the first user key and the second handling option for any of the plurality of payment card transactions in which the selected user key is the second user key.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for allowing a user to customize use of a payment card that generates a different payment card number for multiple transactions

Life of this patent

Method for allowing a user to customize use of a payment card that generates a different payment card number for multiple transactions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36