TUITEAA
`
`US 20030074209A1
`
`as United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2003/0074209 A1
`Tobin Apr. 17, 2003 (43) Pub. Date:
`
`
`
`(54) USER DEVICE WITH SERVICE FINDING
`AND PURCHASING FUNCTIONALITY
`
`(52) US. Cd. ieee sseseessstesseeeseesnncseeessecsnesaneeeseens 705/1
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Christopher M. Tobin, McLean, VA
`(US)
`Correspondence Address:
`BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
`12400 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SEVENTH
`FLOOR
`LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`09/981,342
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 15, 2001
`Publication Classification
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A user device couples to a position determining system to
`determine relative positions of the device and a service
`vendor. The position determining system may include an
`information database thal provides the device with informa-
`tion about the service vendor. A display may be coupled to
`the device to display the relative positions and the informa-
`tion about the service vendor on a map. Additionally, the
`device includes a device identifier to authorize a transaction
`
`(SV)
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`without revealing the identity of a user of the device.
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 1 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 2 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 3 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Apr. 17, 2003 Sheet 4 of 12
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`US 2003/0074209 Al
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`Personal
`Transaction
`Device
`(105)
`
`User
`(104)
`
`Position
`Determining Vendor Vendor
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`(101)
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`(116)
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`(226)
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`(124)
`201} Provide
`Vendorinfo©|
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`203) Activate. Sele
`Vendor Locator
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`202) Provide
`Vendor Info Ses fe rem e-
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`204) Select Type of
`Vendor and Type of
`
`205) Request User Location
`
`206) Retum User Location .
`
`207) Request Vendo:
`Location(s)
`
`208) Retum Vendor
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`Search
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`(209) Dispiay Map
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`Vendor Locations
`marked thereon
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`218) Dispia
`Directions
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`FIG. 2
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 5 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 6 of 12
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`FIG. 4
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`MEMORY
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`FIG. 5
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 7 of 12
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`US 2003/0074209 Al
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`602
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`603
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`604
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`605
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`First Communication
`Logic
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`Calculation Logic
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`606
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`Second
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`607 Logic
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`Display Logic
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`Security Logic
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`Transponder Logic
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`608
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`Map Logic
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`601
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`FIG. 6
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`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 8 of 12
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`US 2003/0074209 Al
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`Gras)
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`COUPLEAPERSONALTRANSACTION DEVICE
`
`(PTD) TO AN INFORMATION DATABASE AND TO
`A POSITION DETERMINING SYSTEM
`
`705
`
`RECEIVE ACTIVATE COMMAND FROM
`THE USER SELECTING A VENDOR
`LOCATOR PROGRAM
`
`DISPLAY A LOCATOR PROGRAM INTERFACE
`
`SELECTING A REGIONAL MAP TO DISPLAY
`
`RECEIVE AN ACTIVATE COMMAND FROM THE USER
`
`RECEIVE AN ACTIVATE COMMAND FROM THE USER
`
`SELECTING A TYPE OF VENDOR TO LOCATE 711
`RETRIEVE MAP AND VENDOR INFORMATION
`a3
`ey
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`COMMUNICATE WITH THE INFORMATION DATABASE TO
`
`712
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`FIG. 7a
`
`COMMUNICATIE WITH THE POSITION DETERMINING
`SYSTEM TO OBTAIN PTD POSITION COORDINATES
`
`CALCULATE A VARIABLE DISTANCE AND ESTIMATED
`TRAVEL TIME BETWEEN A VENDOR LOCATION AND A
`VARIABLE POSITION OF THE PTD
`
`714
`2) A
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 2003/0074209 Al
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`715
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`a®
`DISPLAY REGIONAL MAP TOGETHER WITH VENDOR
`
`
`
`LOCATIONS, VARIABLE DISTANCES, AND ESTIMATED
`TRAVEL TIMES
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`DISPLAY OTHER INFORMATION
`
`716
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`RECEIVE ACTIVATE
`RECEIVE ACTIVATE
`COMMAND FROM USER
`COMMANDFROM USEA
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`SELECTING A VENDOR
`SELECTING A COUPON
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`HYPERLINK?
`HYPERLINK?
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`DISPLAY COUPON
`DISPLAY VENDOR
`INFORMATION
`INFORMATION AND/OR
`
`
`DRIVING DIRECTIONS
`
`FIG. 7b
`
`
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 10 of 12)
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`LOWEST PRICE?
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`RECEIVE ACTIVATE
`COMMAND FROM THE
`USER TO FIND THE
`NEAREST VENDOR?
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`INDICATE TO THE
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`RANK THE
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`VENDOR
`CLOSESTTO THE
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`THE VENOOR HAVING
`THE LOWEST PRICE
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 11 of 12
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`US 2003/0074209 Al
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`INDICATE TO THE
`USER, THE VENDOR
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`HAVING THE
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`LOWEST PRICE
`COMMANDTO FIND THE
`RANK THE
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`VENDOR
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`AVING THE LOWEST,
`INFORMATION
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 17,2003 Sheet 12 of 12)
`
`US 2003/0074209 Al
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`0®
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`735
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`INDICATE TO THE
`USER, THE
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`VENDOR(S) THAT
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`ACCEPT
`RECEIVE
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`ELECTRONIC
`RANK THE
`ACTIVATE
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`VENDOR
`COMMERCE
`(COMMANDTOFIND’
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`INFORMATION
`PAYMENTS
`A VENDOR THAT
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`ACCEPTS
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`ELECTONIC
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`PAYMENTS?
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`
`

`

`US 2003/0074209 Al
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`USER DEVICE WITH SERVICE FINDING AND
`PURCHASING FUNCTIONALITY
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`invention is illustrated by way of
`[0007] The present
`example and not limitation in the figures of the accompa-
`nying drawings, in which:
`
`[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi-
`sional Application Serial No. 60/34,379 filed on Dec. 8,
`2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`[0008] FIG. 1A is a diagram of an embodimentof a user
`device coupled with electronic commerce and position
`determining systems.
`
`TIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The invention generally relates to an electronic
`user device, and in particular,
`to a user device that finds
`services and allows purchases by the user of the device.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] When traveling, the consumeris often a captive
`purchaser, tending to buy gasoline and other products and
`services from the first available location. Although current
`positioning technology, such as the Global Positioning Sys-
`tem (GPS), can pinpoint a consumer’s location on a dis-
`played map,
`it
`typically does not
`interface with service
`vendor data to display service vendor locations to a user.
`Internet-based direction finding services exist, and automo-
`biles are being equipped with onboard GPSnavigation and
`map systems. Some of these systems, allow a consumer to
`search for particular service vendors by category (e.g.
`hotels), by name, or byaffiliation. However, conventional
`systems, which tend to have slow search and uploading
`times, provide limited scarch capabilitics designed more for
`stationary than mobile users.
`
`[0004] For example, conventional service maps will not
`allow consumers to search for service vendors by price,
`coupon, electronic payment capabilities. Nor will it search
`for the service vendor closest to the user. Additionally, the
`user is not provided with indications of real-time distances
`and travel times. Instead, direction finding companies only
`provide an alphabetical listing of service vendors within a
`circular area having a center point at the user’s geographic
`location. If more service vendors are desired, the radius of
`the circular area is extended outwards.
`
`{0005] Thus, neither the direction finding companies nor
`the onboard vehicular navigation systems provide a mecha-
`nism for finding a lowest price service vendor, or a closest
`service vendor, in a region radially near a mobile consumer’s
`dynamically changing geographical position. Furthermore,
`in making such purchases, particularly gasoline purchases,
`consumers pay either by cash or by credit card. Many
`gasoline fuel terminals are now automated, but when the
`consumer pays by credit card, no measures are taken to
`ensure the privacy of the user.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] A user device couples to a position determining
`system to determine relative positions of the device and a
`service vendor. The position determining system may
`include an information database that provides the device
`with information about the service vendor. A display may be
`coupled to the device to display the relative positions and the
`information about the service vendor on a map. Additionally,
`the device includes a device identifier to authorize a trans-
`
`action without revealing the identity of a user of the device.
`
`[0009] FIG. 1B is a diagram of an embodimentof a user
`device illustrating one embodiment of a graphical user
`interface usable with the user device of FIG. 1A.
`
`[0010] FIG. 1C is a diagram of another embodimentof a
`graphical user interface for use with the user device of FIG.
`1A.
`
`(0011] FIG. 2 is a process chart depicting one embodi-
`ment of a process to perform a transaction using the user
`device of FIG. 1A.
`
`[0012] FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of one
`embodimentof a secure transaction system.
`
`{0013] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of one
`embodiment of a privacy card for a personal transaction
`device.
`
`{0014] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of one
`embodiment of a digital wallet for a personal transaction
`device.
`
`FIG.6 is a diagram illustrating one embodimentof
`(0015]
`a personal transaction device.
`
`[0016] TIGS. 7A-7E are flow diagrams of one embodi-
`ment of a method usable with the user device of FIG. 1A.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`In the following descriptions for the purposes of
`[0017]
`explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to
`provide a thorough understanding of the invention. How-
`ever, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these
`specific details are not required in order to practice the
`invention. In other instances, well known electrical struc-
`tures or circuits are shown in block diagram form in order
`not to obscure the invention unnecessarily.
`
`In one embodiment, a user device is equipped with
`[0018]
`a service vendor locator program, which determines and
`displays a plurality of service vendor locations on a map,
`together with information specific to cach service vendor,
`such as pricing and coupon information. This allows the
`consumer to make educated decisions about where to buy
`products, such as gasoline, without having to drive around
`making price comparisons. In one embodiment,
`the user
`device receives its current location from a Global Position-
`ing System (GPS) and creates a default map for that loca-
`tion. The map may indicate the user device’s current vari-
`able position in the center of, for example, approximately a
`five mile radius of map data, together with the fixed posi-
`tions of a plurality of service vendors. In one embodiment,
`the map data resides entirely on a server, and the user device
`downloads appropriate map data based upon the user’s
`position.
`In another embodiment,
`the map information
`resides on the user device, which only downloads supple-
`mental information (e.g. service vendor locations, prices,
`etc.) to conserve bandwidth.
`
`

`

`US 2003/0074209 Al
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of the user
`device. The user device 105 is coupled to a position deter-
`mining system (PDS) 101 and may also be coupled to a
`remote server 124 that hosts an information database 118
`
`containing service vendor data 115. The user device 105 is
`activated and operated by a user 104 to conduct informa-
`tional and purchasing transactions without compromising
`the user’s personal identification information and identity.
`The user device 105 includes a display screen 125, such as
`a standard displayor a touch sensilive screen, either color or
`gray-scale. The user device 105 may include a security
`device 106 to authenticate the user upon activation, such as
`a biometric device. The user device 105 mayfurther include
`a voice recognition system, a keypad, a cursor control
`device, and a magnetic strip mechanism 113. Magnetic strip
`mechanism 113 may read and/or encode credit cards, smart
`cards, or privacy cards. Additionally, user device 105 may
`wirelessly couple with a personal digital assistant (PDA), a
`laptop computer, a desktop computer, or other clectronic/
`digital system, when commanded to do so by a user, for as
`long as is needed to complete a user-initiated transaction.
`
`[0020] The user device may couple with the position
`determining system (PDS) 101 in several ways. In one
`embodiment, wireless communication channels 13 and 14
`are used, and user device 105 is equipped with a GPS signal
`processor necessary to determine the current spatial position
`of user device 105. Where processing speeds and power
`consumption are concerns, wireless communication chan-
`nels 6 and 7 may be used to relay the GPS signals received
`by user device 105 to the remote server 124 for processing.
`Tn one embodiment, the position coordinates of user device
`105 are calculated at the remote server 124 and transmitted
`
`to user device 105, where they are integrated visually and/or
`audibly with a map system and display.
`
`In another embodiment, user device 105 couples
`{0021]
`with PDS 101 indirectly using (wireless) communication
`channels 4 and 5, and wireless communication channels 2
`and 3. This embodiment takes advantage of the growing
`number of onboard navigation systems 102 currently being
`installed in vehicles 103, such as automobiles. Because the
`position calculations may be handled by the vehicle’s
`onboard navigation system, user device 105 need not be
`equipped with its own GPS processor. Consequently,
`the
`production costs of user device 105 are lowered and design
`is simplified.
`
`[0022] According to one embodiment, communications
`channels 4 and 5 are not wireless channels, and user device
`105 physically couples to the vehicle’s onboard navigation
`system using a synchronization cradle and/or cables con-
`nected to the vehicle. In a further embodiment, communi-
`cations channels 4 and 5 are wireless channels. In this one
`
`embodiment, making the user device compatible with wire-
`less standards such as Bluetooth allows user device 105 to
`communicate with various navigation and communications
`systems onboard vehicle 103. While Bluctooth is a cable-
`replacement technology created by Ericcson, and a standard
`for a small, cheap radio chip that can be plugged into
`computers, printers, mobile phones, etc. Bluetooth specifi-
`cations and profiles are well knownto personsskilled in the
`art.
`
`[0023] FIG. 1B is a diagram of one embodiment of a
`graphical user interface for use with personal transaction
`
`device 105. In one embodiment, user device 105 displays the
`graphical user interface on display screen 125. A program
`title 133 may appear at the top of the screen, and combina-
`tion of buttons 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, and hyperlinks 139
`are provided to enable a user to request a particular type of
`desired search. A hyperlink is an element in an electronic
`documentthat links to another place in the same document
`or to an entirely different document. Commonly, a hyperlink
`is represented by either an icon (graphical image) or by an
`underlined word. Clicking on the hyperlink displays another
`webpage. Hyperlinksare an essential ingredientofall hyper-
`text systems, including the World Wide Web.
`
`[0024] The user device 105 may be equipped with a
`service vendor locator program, which is executed on the
`personal transaction device to locate all service vendors
`within a pre-determined radius of the current spatial position
`of user device 105. In one embodiment, the phrase “Service
`Vendor Locator”is centered at the top of the display screen
`as a program title 133. Two columns,each having a series of
`ventries, may be positioned beneath the program title 133.
`The entries in the first column may consist of a button 138
`located adjacent hyperlink 139. In one embodiment, hyper-
`links 139 include a “fuel” hyperlink, a “hotel” hyperlink,
`and a “food” hyperlink. Additionally, an “electronic pay-
`ment” hyperlink 140 and a “More” hyperlink 141 may
`appearat the bottom of the list of hyperlinks 139. Activating
`“More” hyperlink 141 may display a list of additional
`hyperlinks, which indicate additional categories of service
`vendors, such as repair shops, movie theaters, etc. In FIG.
`1B, each hyperlink is illustratively represented by an under-
`lined word. It will be appreciated that the hyperlinks 139,
`140, and 141 may take any conceivable form, such as icons
`that represent objects or programs.
`
`In one embodiment, the second columnis located
`[0025]
`to the right of the first, and the entries in the second column
`are buttons (a small outlined area in a dialog box or other
`area of a display screen that can be activated to select an
`option or command). Exemplary types of buttons shown in
`FIG.1B, include: a “Closest Service Vendor” button 134; a
`“Lowest Price” button 135; a “Combination” button 136;
`and a “Go” button 137.
`
`[0026] Auser maysearch for available service vendors by
`activating various combinations of buttons and hyperlinks.
`Tor example, selecting the [uel button 138 and activating
`the Go button 137 maydisplay a list of all Fuel (gasoline)
`service vendors in a particular area. In a further embodi-
`ment, the positions of the scrvice vendors found as a result
`of the search may be graphically represented on an elec-
`tronic map. Similar searches for hotels and restaurants may
`also be performed as described above. These searches may
`be further restricted by activating one or more of buttons
`134-137 and Electronic Payment hyperlink 140. For
`example, selecting Fuel button 138, activating the Closest
`Service vendor button 134, and activating the Go button
`137, displays a list of the service vendors closest to the
`spatial location of the user device, for example, out
`to
`approximately a five (5) mile radial limit as measured from
`the user device. In a further embodiment, the locations of the
`service vendors are displayed on a local area map and/or
`audibly conveyed to the user. In yet another embodiment,
`Electronic Payment button 140 may be used in combination
`with one of buttons 134-136 to display a list of service
`vendors that host electronic commerce payment transac-
`
`

`

`US 2003/0074209 Al
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`tions. Similar restrictive searches for hotels and restaurants
`
`may also be performed as described above.
`
`In one embodiment, a user may searchfor a favor-
`[0027]
`ite service vendor by activating one or service vendor
`hyperlinks 139. For example, activating Fuel hyperlink 139
`may display a list of available Fuel service vendors within
`a predetermined spatial area. Selecting a service vendor
`from the list and activating the Go button 137 may display
`the locations of the selected service vendor(s) on a map.
`Similar searches for favorite hotel or food service vendors
`
`may be performed as described above.
`
`[0028] FIG. 1C is a diagram of another embodimentof a
`graphical user interface for use with user device 105. Illus-
`tratively, display screen 125 is divided into two sections, an
`upper portion 112, and a lower portion 111. Upper portion
`112 displays a local area map, which showsthe positions of
`roads 135, service vendors 137, 127, and 129, and position
`124 of user device 105. Also shown on the mapare real-time
`distance and time information for each service vendor, the
`real-time speed and direction 139 of user device 105, and a
`compassindicator 133. In one embodiment, the distance and
`time information particular to each service vendor is shown
`in a small data box adjacent to the service vendor logo. For
`example, data box 123 displays the real-time time and
`distance information for service vendor 137, which is a
`Texaco™ station. The time information displays the esti-
`mated remaining travel
`time, calculated by dividing the
`approximate distance separating the Texaco™ station from
`user device 105 by the speed of user device 105. The
`distance information displays the approximate distance in
`miles or kilometers separating user device 105 from the
`service vendor 137. Similar data boxes are provided for
`other service vendors 127 and 129. In one embodiment, the
`closest service vendoris highlighted. Similar highlighting
`may be used to indicate the results of a search restricted by
`other criteria, such as the Electronic Payment button, the
`lowest price button,
`and/or
`the
`combination button,
`described above. In one embodiment, the speed and heading
`information 139 of user device 105 are provided by a
`server-based, vehicle-based, or user device-based GPSsig-
`nal processor.
`
`[0029] Lower portion 111 contains a menu bar 131 and a
`table having four columns. Thefirst column 107 contains a
`series of icons identifying particular service vendors. In one
`cmbodiment, the icons are small pictures of scrvice vendor
`logos. The second column 108 contains a series of service
`vendor hyperlinks, as previously described. The third col-
`umn 109 contains hyperlinks to service vendor prices. The
`fourth column 110 contains hyperlinksto the service vendor
`coupons. In one embodiment, where no service vendorsare
`available in a particular area, an appropriate message may be
`visually displayed and/or audibly generated. Clicking on a
`service vendor logo in column 107 (orin upperportion 112)
`or on a service vendor hyperlink in column 108, may display
`other information uniquely associated with that service
`vendor, such as the service vendor’s street address and
`phone number, links to driving directions, etc. Similarly,
`clicking on a Price hyperlink in column 109 may display a
`listing of prices for additional products and services offered
`by that service vendor, such as other grades of fuel, car-
`washes, snacks, etc. Similarly, clicking on a Coupon hyper-
`
`in column 110, displays more
`if one is available,
`link,
`information regarding special sales or discounts offered by
`a particular service vendor.
`[0030]
`In one embodiment, a Sort toolbar 131 is provided
`to allow a uscr to arrange the data displayed in lower portion
`111 in a preferred fashion. Sort toolbar 131 may contain four
`sort icons, which maybeof any size, type, or color, so long
`as their meaning is clear to the average user. For example,
`a “$” symbol may be provided to rank the service vendor
`information by price, in which the service vendors having
`the lowestpricesfirst are listed, followed bya listing of other
`service vendors having higher prices. A commandto rank
`the service vendor information by distance, listing service
`vendors from the closest to the farthest, may be represented
`by a Distance icon. Similarly, a commandto rank the service
`vendor information,
`listing first all
`the service vendors
`having coupons, followed byall those who do not, may be
`represented by a Couponicon, Additionally, a command to
`rank the service vendor information alphabetically by name,
`may be represented by a Nameicon.
`[0031]
`In one embodiment,
`the map data displayed in
`upper portion 112 and the service vendor information dis-
`played in lower portion 111 are retrieved from an informa-
`tion database (of FIG. 1A) while the real-time distance and
`time information displayed in upper portion 112 are
`retrieved froman internal processor or from a remote server.
`To conserve bandwidth, user device 105 may be configured
`to store map data internally, so that accessing an information
`database (of FIG. 1A) would entail only downloading
`service vendor
`locations, pricing, coupon information,
`logos,etc.
`[0032]
`In one embodiment, at least a portion of the service
`vendor data, such as price, is real-time (or semi-real-time)
`information, meaning that the information is updated bythe
`respective service vendors as the data changes.
`In one
`embodiment, a service vendor enters price changes (or other
`data) into its computer system and those changes are auto-
`matically uploaded to the information database (of FIG.
`1A). The user device 105 may be configured to automati-
`cally download data changes from the server when it ini-
`tially accesses the database or when it performs automatic
`refreshment operations (e.g. updates previously downloaded
`data). As used herein,
`the phrase “automatic refreshment
`operations” means that user device 105 may be configured
`to refresh the contents of a displayed map by automatically
`downloading map content data from the data base after a
`predetermined period of time has elapsed. Additionally, the
`phrase “automatic refreshment operations” also includes
`user-initiated or server-initiated refreshment operations.
`Examples of service vendor data that may be stored in the
`information database 118 include, but are not limited to
`service vendor: name, address, phone number, pricing infor-
`mation, driving directions, coupon information, logo infor-
`mation, etc.
`[0033] FIG. 2 is a process chart depicting one embodi-
`ment of a process to perform a transaction using the user
`device 105. In FIG. 2, at least six entities are represented:
`the user 104, the user device 105, the remote server 124, the
`Position Determining System (PDS) 101, and two service
`vendors, Service Vendor N 116, and Service Vendor N+1
`226.
`
`To begin, service vendors N 116 through N+1
`[0034]
`226(N being an integer greater than zero) submit service
`
`

`

`US 2003/0074209 Al
`
`Apr. 17, 2003
`
`vendor information to a information database (operations
`201 and 202). In one embodiment, the information database
`is selectively coupled with user device 105 and hosted by the
`remote server 124 (of FIG. 1A). At operation 203, the user
`104 activates user device 105 and selects a service vendor
`locator program, as previously described and described in
`further detail below. Once the program loads,the user selects
`the type of service vendor to locate, as well as the type of
`search to be performed (operation 204). For illustrative
`purposes, user device 105 is shown and described as selec-
`tively coupling to PDS 101. At this point, however, the user
`device 105 mayselectively couple with either PDS 101 or to
`the information database at
`the remote server 124. At
`operation 205, user device 105 requests its current location
`from PDS 101, and receives a reply (operation 206). At
`operation 207, user device 105 selectively couples with the
`information database and requests a map of the local area,
`together with the grid coordinates, logos, pricing informa-
`tion, ctc., of the service vendors. The requested information
`is returned to the user device 105 at operations 208 and 209.
`
`[0035] Once the requested information has been received,
`the service vendor locator program displays and superim-
`poses on the map’s graphical interface, icons indicating the
`locations of the service vendors and the user deviceitself as
`previously described. In one embodiment, service vendor
`icons matching the results of a particular search query, such
`as “find lowest price,” are highlighted or otherwise brought
`to the user’s attention (operation 210). Real-time informa-
`tion, such an estimated distance separating the user device
`from a service vendor, and estimated travel time or required
`to traverse that Distance may be displayed.
`
`secure database of transaction device information and user
`information. In one embodiment, the TPCH 315 interfaces
`to at least one financial processing system 320 to perform
`associated financial transactions, such as confirming suffi-
`cient funds to perform the transaction, and transfers to the
`vendor 325 the fees required to complete the transaction. In
`addition,
`the TPCH 315 may also provide information
`through a distribution system 330 that, in one embodiment,
`can provide a purchased product to the user 340, again
`without the vendor 325 knowing the identification of the
`user 340. In an alternate embodiment, the financial process-
`ing system 320 need not be a separate entity but may be
`incorporated with other functionality. For example, in one
`embodiment, the financial processing system 320 may be
`combined with the TPCH 315 functionality.
`
`In one embodiment, the financial processing sys-
`[0039]
`tem (IP) 320 performs tasks of transferring funds between
`the user’s account and the vendor’s account for each trans-
`
`action. In one embodiment, the presence of the TPCH 315
`means that no details of the transactions, other than the
`amount of the transactions and other basic information, are
`known to the FP 320. The TPCH 315 issues transaction
`authorizations to the FP 320 function on an anonymousbasis
`on behalf of the user over a highly secure channel. The FP
`320 does not need to have many electronic channels receiv-
`ing requests for fund transfer, as in a traditional financial
`processing system. In one embodiment, a highly secure
`channel is set up between the TPCH 315 and the FP 320.
`Thus, the FP 320 is less vulnerable to spoofing.
`
`In one embodiment, the FP 320 is contacted bythe
`[0040]
`TPCH 315 requesting a generic credit approval of a par-
`ticular account. Thus, the FP 320 receives a minimal amount
`[0036] At operation 211, a user mayselect a highlighted
`of information. In one embodiment, the transaction infor-
`service vendoror a different service vendorby activating the
`mation,
`including the identification of goods being pur-
`service vendor’s logo or service vendor hyperlink as
`chased with the credit need not be passed to the FP 320. ‘The
`described above. In response, the user device 105 retrieves
`TPCH 315 can request the credit using a dummy charge ID
`the requested service vendor-specific information from the
`that can belisted in the monthly credit statement sent to the
`information database (operations 212 and 213), and displays
`user, so that the user can reconcile his credit statement.
`the information for the user (operation 214). Whenadriving
`Further,
`the personal
`transaction device 305 can include
`directions icon or hyperlink is activated, the user device 105
`retrieves the directions from the information database and
`functionality to cause the credit statement to convert the
`dummycharge ID back to the transactional information so
`displays them for the user (operations 215 to 218).
`that
`the credit statement appears to be a conventional
`statement that lists the goods that were purchased and the
`associated amount charged.
`
`[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodimentof a
`secure transaction system, which is suitable for use as the
`remote server 124 (of FIG. 1A) and which also may be used
`in electronic commerce. In this embodiment, a transaction
`privacy clearing house (TPCH) 315 interfaces a user (con-
`sumer) 340 and a vendor325. In this particular embodiment,
`the user device 105 is illustrated as a personal transaction
`device (PTD) 370, ¢.g., a privacy card 305, (or a privacy
`card 305 coupled to a digital wallet 350), which is used to
`maintain the privacy of the user while enabling the user to
`perform transactions. In an alternate embodiment, the PTD
`370 may be any suitable device that allows unrestricted
`access to TPCH 315. The personal transaction device infor-
`mation is provided to the TPCH 315 that then indicates to
`the vendor 325 and the user 340 approval of the transaction
`to be performed.
`
`In order to maintain confidentiality of the identity
`[0038]
`of the user 340, the transaction device information does not
`provide user identification information. Thus,
`the vendor
`325 or other entities do not have user information but rather
`transaction device information. The TPCH 315 maintains a
`
`[0041] A display input device 360 (shown in phantom)
`may be includedto enable the user, or in some embodiments
`the vendor 325, to display status and provide input regarding
`the PTD 305 and the status of the transaction to be per-
`formed.
`
`In yet another embodiment, an entry point 310
`[0042]
`interfaces with the personal transaction device 370 and also
`communicates with the TPCH 315. The entry point 310 may
`be an existing (referred to herein as a legacy POS terminal)
`or a newly configured point of sale (POS) terminal located
`in a retail environment. The user 340 uses the PTD 370 to
`interface to the POS terminal in a manner similar to how
`credit cards and debit cards interface with POS terminals.
`
`The entry point 310 may also be a public kiosk, a personal
`computer, or t