5,930,767
`[11] Patent Number:
`[19]
`Unlted States Patent
`
`Reber et al.
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`US005930767A
`
`[54] TRANSACTION METHODS SYSTEMS AND
`DEVICES
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`Inventors: William Louis Reber, Schaulnburg,
`.
`ITlévaszirriy 1122:]: Pemunen’ Shelby
`1”
`‘
`
`.
`ASSTgHCCZ Momma: Inc” SChaumburg> HT
`
`5,287,181
`2/1994 Holman ................................... 348/473
`5,319,454
`6/1994 Schutte ..................................... 348/55
`5,357,276
`..... 348/7
`10/1994 Banker et al.
`
`
`39:23:33?)
`3133: 319116: ~t~1~~~~~~ 3:3;
`,
`,
`...............................
`a u e a.
`5,450,491
`9/1995 McNair ..................................... 380/25
`5,483,052
`1/1996 Smith, III et al.
`235/462.49
`
`5,515,270
`5/1996 Weinblatt ................ 705/14
`5,570,412 10/1996 LeBlanc .................................. 455/456
`5,640,193
`6/1997 Wellner ....................................... 348/7
`5,715,314
`2/1998 Payne et al.
`380/24
`
`5,729,594
`3/1998 Klingman .....
`379/9312
`.............................. 380/25
`5,748,740
`5/1998 Curry etal.
`9/1998 Clark ......................................... 380/52
`5,815,577
`
`5,826,241
`10/1998 Stein et a1.
`705/26
`5,832,119
`11/1998 Rhoads .................................... 382/232
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`USA Today, Friday Jan. 24, 1997, p. 3A, and several pages
`of Internet content.
`
`[22]
`
`5
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/858,184
`.
`Flledi
`
`May 28, 1997
`
`Int. Cl.
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`
`
`
`...................................................... G06F 17/00
`................................. 705/26; 380/24; 380/25;
`380/23
`[58] Field of Search .................................. 705/26, 44, 39,
`380/24> 25> 4’ 52> 49> 23; 39500033’ 200'47>
`20049
`
`[56]
`
`References CTtEd
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—James P. Trarnrnell
`Asszstant Examiner—Demetra R. Srnlth
`
`6/1972 Yamamoto et al.
`...................... 348/17
`3,668,312
`2/1975 Israelsson ...........
`250/566
`3,868,514
`
`.. 235/47203
`6/1977 Thorniley
`4,031,358
`........................ 235/462.49
`8/1984 Apitz et al.
`4,465,926
`7/1986 Cargile ........................................ 380/4
`4,599,489
`11/1986 Schepers et al.
`345/180
`4,621,259
`
`1/1988 Weiss ...................... 380/23
`4,720,860
`........................ 348/13
`3/1989 McKenna et al.
`4,816,904
`6/1989 Kajitani et al.
`.................... 235/462.46
`4,841,132
`
`5/1990 V011 KOhom -~
`~~~~~ 348/13
`479267255
`
`233633;)
`29%;??? 13/1333 ‘(iIOTOg ““““
`elss ........................................
`,
`,
`/
`/
`................................... 283/101
`5,180,192
`1/1993 Herbert
`
`5,247,347
`9/1993 Litteral et al.
`.
`348/7
`5,249,044
`9/1993 Von Kohorn ............................. 348/12
`
`_
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`-
`-
`-
`fAtransacmn ”Stem Ingllédes a Winpmer (20%Wh18hper
`(”ms a transacno.“ HT“ .0 COHTPHSTng Steps 0 Tecewmg. a
`Tim data element 1nd1catmg an {ten} 1“ fl transacnom recelV'
`lng a second data element
`lndlcatlng a party of the
`transaction, approving the transaction based upon the second
`data, and creating a record of the transaction. The first data
`element and the second data element are received via an
`electronic network (22). The second data element is read
`from a device (40) by an optical data reader (30) in com-
`rnunication With the electronic network (22).
`
`23 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`26
`ND USER \\
`[I
`62
`
`50 ,//52 \\,\
`
`
`
`
`MACHINE—
`SECOND
`FIRST
`SECOND
`FIRST
`
`
`
`HUMAN—
`HUMAN—
`READABLE
`HUMAN—
`HUMAN—
`READABLE
`READABLE
`READABLE
`READABLE
`
`
`DATA
`
`
`
`IMAGE
` IMAGE
`IMAGE
`IMAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MACHINE—
`READABLE
`
`DATA
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`FIRST
`ACCESS
`HUMAN—
`
`
`
`
`APPARATUS
`READABLE
`
`
`
`IMAGE
`
`
`
`
`COMPUTER
`
`l
`‘
`DATABASE
`
`,9 _
`
`/
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`22
`
`A
`
`1 of 13
`
`10fl3
`
`APPLE 1131
`
`APPLE 1131
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f5
`
`5,930,767
`
`I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
`
`4
`
`1
`
`26
`
`60
`
`/// END USER \\\
`
`\\
`5O /52\\\
`/
`
`
`
`FIRST
`SECOND
`MACHINE—
`SECOND
`HUMAN-
`HUMAN-
`READABLE
`HUMAN—
`HUMAN—
`
`READABLE
`READABLE
`DATA
`READABLE
`READABLE
`
`IMAGE
`IMAGE
`IMAGE
`IMAGE
`
`DISPLAY DEVICE
`
`MACHINE-
`READABLE
`DATA
`
`
`
`FIRST
`NETWORK
`HUMAN—
`ACCESS
`
`
`READABLE
`APPARATUS
`
`IMAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`DATABASE
`
`66
`
`FIG. 1
`
`2 of 13
`
`20f13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f5
`
`5,930,767
`
`70
`
`42
`
`
`
`WW |||||||||||||||||||| _
`PIN ||||||||||||||||||||l||||| g| 36
`
`1234 5678 9012 3456
`75
`74 72
`
`JOHN o. DOE
`
`LOGO
`
`1234 5678 9012 3456
`
`JOHN Q. DOE
`
`LOGO
`
`GIFT CERTIFICATE
`
`102
`
`44
`
`WWW |l|||l|||||||||||||l|lll
`ID
`lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`40
`
`FIG. 4
`
`3 of 13
`
`30f13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f 5
`
`5,930,767
`
`
`
`
`$199.99
`
`
`||||||Illlllllllllllllllllllll
`
`124
`
`120
`
`122
`
`Y
`BILL-XYZ Company
`
`To: John Q. Doe
`123 Main Street
`
`Anytown, USA
`
`Total Due: $22.59
`
`
`
`W llllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`REF
`
`|||||||||||||lllllllll||||||||||||||||||l||||l|
`
`52
`
`134
`
`4 of 13
`
`133
`
`50
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f5
`
`5,930,767
`
`
`
`
`TO
`ELECTRONIC
`NETWORK
`
`180
`
`RECEIVE DATA ASSOCIATED WITH
`A TIME-VARYING BAR CODE
`
`182
`
`
`
`
`
`
`APROVE THE TRANSACTION
`BASED UPON THE DATA
`
`FIG. I]
`
`5 of 13
`
`50f13
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 27, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f5
`
`5,930,767
`
`160
`
`RECEIVE FIRST DATA INDICATING AN ITEM IN
`A TRANSACTION VIA AN ELECTRONIC NETWORK ”Go 9
`
`RECEIVE SECOND DATA READ BY AN OPTICAL
`READER VIA THE ELECTRONIC NETWORK, THE
`SECOND DATA INDICATING A PARTY
`OF THE TRANSACTION
`
`
`
`162
`
`APPROVE THE TRANSACTION BASED
`UPON THE SECOND DATA
`
`154
`
`CREATE A RECORD OF THE TRANSACTION
`
`166
`
`
`
`
`
` 170
`
`RECEIVE FIRST DATA INDICATING A FIRST IN
`A TRANSACTION VIA AN ELECTRONIC NETWORK
`
`FIG. 10
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE SECOND DATA READ BY AN OPTICAL
`READER VIA THE ELECTRONIC NETWORK, THE
`SECOND DATA INDICATING A SECOND
`PARTY OF THE TRANSACTION
`
`172
`
`
`
`APPROVE THE TRANSACTION BASED
`UPON THE SECOND DATA
`
`174
`
`SEND A MESSAGE INDICATING THE
`TRANSACTION TO THE FIRST PARITY
`
`176
`
`6 of 13
`
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`
`

`

`5,930,767
`
`1
`TRANSACTION METHODS SYSTEMS AND
`DEVICES
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is related to the following appli-
`cations:
`
`“Electronic Network Navigation Device and Method for
`Linking to an Electronic Address Therewith”, having
`Ser. No. 08/710,810, filed Sep. 23, 1996;
`“Methods and Systems for Providing a Resource in an
`Electronic Network”, having Ser. No. 08/726,004, filed
`Oct. 4, 1996;
`“An Apparatus for Reading an Electronic Network Navi-
`gation Device and a Peripheral for Use Therewith”,
`having Serial No. 08/732,956, filed Oct. 17, 1996;
`“Method, System, and Article of Manufacture for Pro-
`ducing a Network Navigation Device”, having Ser. No.
`08/744,338, filed Nov. 7, 1996; and
`“Bar Code Display Apparatus”, having Docket No.
`MNE00510, filed May 28, 1997.
`The subject matter of the above-identified related appli-
`cations is hereby incorporated by reference into the disclo-
`sure of this application.
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to methods, systems, and
`devices for performing transactions via an electronic net-
`work such as the Internet.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Many companies have proposed services for selling prod-
`ucts on the Internet. One such service involves offering
`software tools to create, host, and manage a Web site and a
`Web-based store to perform transactions over the Internet.
`Included in the service is support for credit card purchases
`over the Internet. When an end user registers for the service,
`he/she is assigned a personal identification number as a
`proxy for his/her credit card number. To make a purchase
`over the Internet, the end user enters the personal identifi-
`cation number into his/her personal computer. The personal
`computer, in turn, communicates the personal identification
`number to a Web-based merchant via the Internet. The
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`purchase is made based on the personal identification num-
`ber rather than a credit card number.
`
`45
`
`identification
`the use of the personal
`Advantageously,
`number prevents an interception of the end user’s credit card
`number by unauthorized parties. A drawback of using a
`personal
`identification number is that many individuals
`currently have other personal identification numbers and
`passwords to remember. Additionally, the interception of the
`end user’s personal
`identification number can result
`in
`transactions by unauthorized parties. Accordingly, there is a
`need for improved methods, systems, and devices for Inter-
`net transactions.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention is pointed out with particularity in the
`appended claims. However, other features of the invention
`will become more apparent by referring to the following
`detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
`transaction system in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a view of a first example of the device 40
`described with reference to FIG. 1;
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`FIG. 3 is a view of a second example of the device 40
`described with reference to FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a view of a third example of the device 40
`described with reference to FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a view of a first example of the device 52
`described with reference to FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6 is a view of a second example of the device 52
`described with reference to FIG. 1;
`FIG. 7 is a view of a third example of the device 52
`described with reference to FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example of the data reader
`and the network access apparatus at the user location;
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart summarizing steps performed in an
`embodiment of a transaction method;
`FIG. 10 is a flow chart summarizing steps performed in
`another embodiment of a transaction method; and
`FIG. 11 is a flow chart summarizing steps performed in an
`embodiment of an authentication method in accordance with
`
`the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Using embodiments of the present invention, an end user
`is authenticated in a transaction based upon machine-
`readable data read by a data reader at the end user’s location.
`Preferably, the machine-readable data includes a bar code
`that may be read by an optical data reader such as a bar code
`reader. To reduce the likelihood of unauthorized interception
`of a personal identification code, a time-varying bar code is
`used to authenticate the end user.
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
`transaction system in accordance with the present invention.
`The transaction system includes a computer 20 in commu-
`nication with an electronic network 22. The computer 20
`includes a server or like processing apparatus which serves
`as a node in the electronic network 22.
`
`Preferably, the electronic network 22 includes a wide area
`network such as the Internet, the World Wide Web, or an
`online service to provide accessibility to the computer 20 for
`a wide geographical area. Other examples of the electronic
`network 22 include but are not limited to: an intranet, a local
`area network, a telephone network such as a public switched
`telephone network, a cellular telephone network, a personal
`communication system (PCS) network, a television network
`such as a cable television system, a paging network such as
`a local paging network, a regional paging network, a
`national paging network, or a global paging network, and a
`wireless data network such as a satellite data network or a
`local wireless data network.
`
`The computer 20 receives transaction data generated at a
`user location 24 via the electronic network 22. Typically, the
`user location 24 is remotely located from the computer 20.
`For example, the user location 24 can be located in another
`city, another state, or another country with respect to the
`location of the computer 20.
`In a first embodiment, the transaction data includes a first
`data element indicating an item in a transaction and second
`data element indicating a party of the transaction. The item
`in the transaction can include: (i) merchandise such as a
`product, goods, or commodities; (ii) a statement of charges
`such an invoice or a bill; (iii) a financial instrument such as
`a bond, shares of a stock, or shares of a mutual fund; (iv)
`derivatives such as options or futures; or (v) a service. The
`party of the transaction can include an end user 26 present
`at the user location 24, an organization associated with the
`
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`5,930,767
`
`3
`end user 26, an organization associated with the user loca-
`tion 24, or an account associated with any of the above-listed
`entities.
`
`The transaction data is generated at the user location 24 by
`a data reader 30 and/or a network access apparatus 32.
`Preferably, the data reader 30 includes an optical data reader
`to read printed data or human-viewable data (which may or
`may not be human-readable data) associated with the trans-
`action data. Examples of the optical data reader include, but
`are not limited to, an optical scanner, a page scanner, a
`handheld scanner, a photograph reader, a business card
`reader, a bar code reader, a scanning wand, a linear CCD
`(charge coupled device) reader, a two-dimensional CCD
`reader, and a fax machine.
`Alternatively, the data reader 30 can include a magnetic
`data reader to read magnetically-stored transaction data, or
`an electronic data reader to read electronically-stored trans-
`action data. Embodiments of alternative data readers are
`described in the above-listed applications incorporated by
`reference into this application.
`The network access apparatus 32 facilitates communica-
`tion between the data reader 30 and the electronic network
`22. The network access apparatus 32 can also serve to
`generate at least a portion of the transaction data, and/or to
`receive user-initiated events to generate at least a portion of
`the transaction data. The network access apparatus 32 can
`have a variety of forms,
`including but not limited to, a
`general purpose computer, a network computer, a network
`television, an Internet television, a portable wireless device,
`a television receiver, a game player, and a video recorder.
`Regardless of its form, the network access apparatus 32
`typically includes a processor in communication with at
`least one input device, a memory, and at least one storage
`device. The processor can include a microprocessor, an
`application specific integrated circuit, or other suitable inte-
`grated circuit. The memory can include a read-only memory
`and/or a random access memory in communication with the
`processor. The at
`least one input device can include a
`keyboard and/or a pointing device for
`receiving user-
`initiated events from the end user 26. The at least one storage
`device can include a floppy disk drive, a PC card storage
`device, an optical drive, a DVD drive, or a hard drive to store
`computer-readable data.
`Adisplay device 34, such as a monitor or a television, is
`responsive to the network access apparatus 32 to display
`visual information generated by the network access appara-
`tus 32 and/or information communicated via the electronic
`network 22 (e.g. information from the computer 20). The
`display device 34 can include a liquid crystal display (LCD)
`or a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, for example, having an
`array of display elements or pixels for displaying textual
`information and graphical
`information. Preferably,
`the
`visual
`information displayed by the display device 34
`includes a first human-readable image 35 associated with a
`service which facilitates the transaction. The first human-
`
`readable image 35 can include a logo which identifies the
`service to the end user 26.
`
`the data reader 30 reads machine-readable
`Preferably,
`data 36 from a device 40 to generate the second data element
`indicating the party of the transaction. The device 40
`includes a member 42 which supports the machine-readable
`data 36, and optionally, a first human-readable image 44.
`The first human-readable image 44 is associated with a
`service which facilitates the transaction. Preferably,
`the
`first-human readable image 44 includes the logo which
`identifies the service to the end user 26. Examples of the
`device 40 are subsequently described with reference to
`FIGS. 2 to 4.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`the machine-readable data 36 includes a
`Preferably,
`printed code or a human-viewable code, such as a bar code,
`which encodes the second data element to identify the party
`in the transaction. The bar code can include a one-
`dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional bar code.
`
`Examples of one-dimensional bar codes include, but are not
`limited to, 3 of 9, UPC-A, UPC-E, Code 128, Codabar, MSI,
`Extended 3 of 9, Code 93, Extended Code 93, Industrial 2
`of 5, Standard 2 of 5, Code 11, and UCC/EAN—128.
`Examples of two-dimensional bar codes include, but are not
`limited to, DataMatrix and PDF417. Although bar codes are
`human-viewable, they are practically unreadable by many
`humans.
`
`Regardless of how the second data element is encoded by
`the machine-readable data 36, it is preferred that the second
`data element include a personal identification code such as
`a personal identification number to identify the end user 26,
`an organization, or an account.
`In an exemplary
`embodiment,
`the personal
`identification code is time-
`varying and nonpredictable by unauthorized parties.
`Alternatively, the second data element is generated within
`the network access apparatus 32. In this case, the second
`data element can be prestored in the network access appa-
`ratus 32 or can be generated by a code generator associated
`with the network access apparatus 32. Preferably, the code
`generator generates the second data element which is time-
`varying and nonpredictable by unauthorized parties.
`Optionally,
`the data reader 30 reads machine-readable
`data 50 from a device 52 to generate the first data element
`is associated with the item subject to the transaction. The
`device 52 includes a support member 54 which supports the
`machine-readable data 50, and optionally, a first human-
`readable image 56 and a second human-readable image 60.
`As with the first human-readable images 35 and 44, the
`first human-readable image 56 is associated with the service
`which facilitates the transaction. Preferably, the first human-
`readable image 56 includes the logo which identifies the
`service to the end user 26. The first human-readable image
`56 is similar to, and preferably equivalent
`to,
`the first
`human-readable image 35.
`The second human-readable image 60 includes an image
`associated with a transaction item. The second human-
`
`readable image 60 can include a graphical image of the item
`itself, textual information describing the item, a price asso-
`ciated with the item, and/or a logo for the item or for an
`organization associated with the item. Examples of the
`device 52 are subsequently described with reference to
`FIGS. 5 to 7.
`
`is generated in
`the first data element
`Alternatively,
`response to a user-initiated event received by an input device
`of the network access apparatus 32. In this case, the end user
`26 can select the item and initiate a transaction based upon
`a second human-viewable image 62 displayed by the display
`device 34. As with the second human-readable image 60, the
`second human-readable image 62 can include a graphical
`image of the item itself, textual information describing the
`item, a price associated with the item, and/or a logo for the
`item or for an organization associated with the item. The
`item can be selected by a point and click operation using a
`pointed device or by depressing one or more keys of the
`network access apparatus 32, for example.
`Regardless of how the transaction data is produced, the
`network access apparatus 32 communicates the transaction
`data to the computer 20 via the electronic network 22.
`Preferably, the transaction data is encrypted by the network
`access apparatus 32 prior to its transmission via the elec-
`
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`

`5,930,767
`
`5
`tronic network 22. In this case, the computer 20 decrypts
`data received from the electronic network 22 to recover the
`transaction data.
`
`The computer 20 selectively approves or disapproves the
`transaction based upon the second data element. The
`approval or disapproval of the transaction is based upon a
`step of authenticating the second data element. The second
`data element can be authenticated locally by the computer
`20 or remotely by a computer 64.
`If done locally, the computer 20 approves the transaction
`by comparing the second data element and other associated
`data to entries in a database within or in communication with
`the computer 20. Based upon the comparison, the computer
`20 determines the authenticity of the transaction party. If
`authentic, the transaction is approved. If not authentic, the
`transaction is disapproved.
`If authenticated remotely, the computer 20 approves the
`transaction by sending a first message based upon the second
`data element to the computer 64. The computer 64 compares
`the second data element and other associated data to entries
`
`in a database associated with the computer 64, and either
`accepts or rejects the authenticity of the transaction party
`based upon the comparison. The computer 64 sends a second
`message indicating either an acceptance or a rejection of the
`authenticity of the transaction party to the computer 20. The
`computer 20 receives the second message and either
`approves or disapproves the transaction based thereupon.
`Preferably, the computer 64 serves to authenticate trans-
`action parties for a plurality of computers associated with
`the electronic network 22. The computer 64 preferably
`maintains the database of personal identification codes for a
`plurality of accounts of end users and/or organizations.
`After approving the transaction, the computer 20 creates
`a record of the transaction. The record of the transaction
`
`includes data representative of the date of the transaction,
`the time of the transaction,
`the party initiating the
`transaction, the item, a party associated with the item, and a
`charge amount for the transaction.
`Additionally, the computer 20 can initiate an action to be
`performed based upon the transaction. Examples of actions
`include, but are not limited to, sending an item to the party,
`preparing an item for pick-up by the party, providing a
`service for the party, accounting that a bill has been paid by
`the party, or sending a receipt to the party.
`Additionally, the herein-described transaction system can
`be used to perform a second preferred transaction method. In
`this case, the computer 64 receives transaction data via the
`electronic network 22. The transaction data includes a first
`
`data element indicating a first party of a transaction and a
`second data element indicating a second party of the trans-
`action. The first party includes a creditor, a seller, a
`merchant, a manufacturer, a payee, or other like entity which
`is to receive money in the transaction. The second party
`includes a debtor, a purchaser, a buyer, or other like entity
`which is to spend money in the transaction. The second party
`of the transaction can include an end user 26 present at the
`user location 24, an organization associated with the end
`user 26, an organization associated with the user location 24,
`or an account associated with any of the above-listed enti-
`ties.
`
`The transfer of money from the second party to the first
`party can be based upon, or in return for, any of the
`herein-described examples of transaction items. For
`example, the second party may wish to purchase an item
`from the first party or to pay a bill from the first party.
`The first data element can be generated at the user location
`24 by reading the machine-readable data 50 from the device
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`the machine-
`52 using the data reader 30. In this case,
`readable data 50 encodes data which identifies the first party.
`Alternatively, the first data element may be generated in
`response to a user-initiated event received by an input device
`of the network access apparatus 32. In this case, the end user
`26 can select the first party based upon the second human-
`viewable image 62 displayed by the display device 34. The
`second human-readable image 62 can include a graphical
`image such as a logo associated with the first party, or textual
`information such as a name associated with the first party.
`The first party can be selected by a point and click operation
`using a pointed device or by depressing one or more keys of
`the network access apparatus 32, for example.
`The second data element is generated at the user location
`24 using the data reader 30 and/or the network access
`apparatus 32 in a manner described earlier.
`The computer 64 authenticates the second data element to
`allow or disallow the transaction. If the second data element
`
`is authentic, the computer 64 sends a message indicating the
`transaction to the first party. The message can include data
`representative of a date of the transaction, a time of the
`transaction, a name associated with the second party, an
`address associated with the second party, an electronic
`address associated with the second party, the item, and a
`transaction amount. Optionally, the computer 64 directs that
`an account for the first party be credited by the transaction
`amount, and an account for the second party be debited by
`the transaction amount.
`
`In response to receiving the message, the first party can
`perform an action based upon the transaction. For example,
`the first party can send an item to the second party, prepare
`an item for pick-up by the second party, provide a service to
`the second party, account that a bill has been paid, or send
`a receipt to the second party.
`If the second data element is not authentic, the transaction
`is disallowed. In this case,
`the computer 64 can send a
`message via the electronic network 22 to the network access
`apparatus 32 to indicate to the end user 26 that the transac-
`tion was disallowed.
`
`FIG. 2 is a view of a first example of the device 40
`described with reference to FIG. 1. The member 42 of the
`
`device 40 includes a substantially flat substrate formed of a
`dielectric or nonmagnetic material such as paper, cardboard,
`or plastic. The member 42 is sized for carrying within a
`wallet, a purse, or a pocket of the end user 26. Preferably, the
`member 42 is shaped and sized as a credit card or a debit
`card for this purpose. Alternatively, the member 42 can have
`shapes and sizes of other cards, including but not limited to,
`a business card, a smart card, an index card, a trading card,
`or a playing card.
`The machine-readable data 36 includes a bar code sup-
`ported by the member 42. The bar code encodes a personal
`identification code for the end user 26 for performing
`transactions over the electronic network 22. The first human-
`
`readable image 44 includes a logo for the transaction service
`provided by either the computer 20 or the computer 64.
`Optionally,
`the member 42 further supports machine-
`readable data 70 for linking the network access apparatus 32
`to a resource provided by the computer 64. Preferably, the
`machine-readable data 70 includes a bar code encoding an
`electronic address such as a URL (uniform resource locator)
`or an IP (Internet Protocol) address. The electronic address
`can be for a resource or a destination (such as a Web page)
`associated with the service provided by the computer 64.
`The machine-readable data 70 can generally include any
`of the machine-readable data for network navigation devices
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`5,930,767
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`7
`described in the above-listed patent application references
`which are incorporated by reference into the present appli-
`cation.
`
`Optionally, the device 40 further serves as a credit card,
`a debit card, a charge card, or an automatic teller machine
`(ATM) card. In this case, the member 42 can further support:
`(i) a name 72 of a party such as the end user 26; (ii) a card
`number 74 such as a credit card number, a debit card
`number, a charge card number, or an ATM card number
`associated with the party; (iii) a hologram 76 for authenti-
`cating the device 40 at a point of sale; (iv) a magnetic stripe
`(not illustrated) on an opposite side of the member 42; and
`(V) a picture of the end user 26. Preferably, the name 72 and
`the card number 74 are printed with raised letters and
`numerals in accordance with a standard credit card.
`
`Additionally, the support member 42 can support any other
`information to be disposed on a credit card or other financial
`card, such as a photo ID (not shown) of the end user 26.
`FIG. 3 is a view of a second example of the device 40
`described with reference to FIG. 1. The device 40 includes
`
`an embodiment of an apparatus described in the reference
`entitled “Bar Code Display Apparatus” which is incorpo-
`rated by reference into this disclosure. In this example, the
`member 42 of the device 40 includes a card-shaped housing
`having at least one dimension, and preferably two or more
`dimensions, sized as a credit card or the like. The member
`42 houses or supports a time-varying nonpredictable code
`generator (not
`illustrated) and a display device 80. The
`time-varying nonpredictable code generator and the display
`device 80 are powered by either a solar battery 82, an
`internal battery (not illustrated), or a plastic battery inte-
`grated with the housing.
`The display device 80 is responsive to the time-varying
`nonpredictable code generator
`to display the machine-
`readable data 36 as a time-varying nonpredictable bar code.
`The time-varying nonpredictable bar code can be displayed
`using a one-dimensional bar code or a two-dimensional bar
`code such as those previously described. The bar code
`encodes a time-varying nonpredictable personal identifica-
`tion code for the end user 26 for performing transactions
`over the electronic network 22.
`
`Preferably, the time-varying nonpredictable code genera-
`tor includes any of the code generators described in US. Pat.
`Nos. 4,599,489, 4,720,860, and 5,168,520 which are hereby
`incorporated by reference into this disclosure. Optionally,
`the time-varying nonpredictable code generator is synchro-
`nized to a second code generator associated with the com-
`puter 20 and/or the computer 64. In general,
`the time-
`varying nonpredictable code generator can generate a
`nonpredictable code using either a random process or a
`pseudorandom process as described in the application
`entitled “Bar Code Display Apparatus”.
`Optionally, the display device 80 can further display a
`prestored bar code image for linking the network access
`apparatus 32 to a resource provided by the computer 64.
`Preferably, the prestored bar code image includes an elec-
`tronic address such as a URL (uniform resource locator) or
`an IP (Internet Protocol) address for a resource (such as a
`Web page) associated with the service provided by the
`computer 64. In general, the prestored bar code image can
`include any of the machine-readable data for network navi-
`gation devices described in the above-listed patent applica-
`tion references which are incorporated by reference into this
`disclosure. To identify the transaction service,
`the first
`human-readable image 44 includes a logo.
`As with the example of FIG. 2, the device 40 optionally
`serves as a credit card, a debit card, a charge card, or an ATM
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`card. In this case, the member 42 can further support: (i) a
`name 84 of a party such as the end user 26; (ii) a card
`number 86 such as a credit card number, a debit card
`number, a charge card number, or an ATM card number
`associated with the party; (iii) a hologram 90 for authenti-
`cating the device 40 at a point of sale; (iv) a magnetic stripe
`(not illustrated) on an opposite side of the member 42; and
`(v) a picture of the end user 26. Preferably, the name 84 and
`the card number 86 are printed with raised letters and
`numerals as a standard credit card. If desired, the device 40
`can have a common account for electronic network trans-
`
`actions and credit card, debit card, charge card, or automatic
`teller machine (ATM) card transactions.
`FIG. 4 is a view of a third example of the device 40
`described with reference to FIG. 1. In this example, the
`device 40 is amenable for use in prepaid transactions. For
`example, the device 40 can be purchased as a gift certificate
`or the like to facilitate one or more prepaid transactions at a
`later time. The transactions can be performed by the pur-
`chaser of the device 40, or by a recipient of the device 40.
`Optionally, the device 40 can be designated only for a single
`use.
`
`The support member 42 of the device 40 includes a
`substantially flat substrate formed of a dielectric material
`such as paper, cardboard, or plastic. Printed onto the support
`member 42 are the machine-readable data 36,
`the first
`human-readable image 44, and an indication 100 of a
`prepaid amount. The machine-readable data 36 includes a
`bar code which identifies the device 40. The first human-
`
`readable image