Claims
- 1. A method of authenticating a transaction, comprising the steps of:
connecting a card reader unit to a device having a keypad and display; initiating a transaction request using the device; communicating the transaction request to a third party through the device; and receiving a signal at the device to authenticate the transaction.
- 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable card reader unit is capable of reading a smartcard.
- 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable card reader unit is capable of reading an optical card.
- 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a telephone.
- 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the telephone is a cellular telephone.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal used to authenticate the transaction is a high-contrast optical signal.
- 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of communicating the transaction request to a device or third party involves the use of a dual-tone audio signal.
- 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the signal is a dual-tone, multi-format (DTMF) signal.
- 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the signal is an audio frequency shift keying (AFSK) signal.
- 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the signal is a private line (PL) signal.
- 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a transaction request at the card reader unit includes the entry of a personal identification number (PIN) through the keyboard of the device.
- 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the operation of the portable card reader unit is terminated if a PIN entry is attempted more than a predetermined number of times.
- 14. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the card reader unit further includes a biometric input; and the step of initiating a transaction request at the card reader unit includes the receipt of biometric data through the biometric input.
- 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the biometric input is a fingerprint.
- 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction request, authentication signal, or both are encrypted.
- 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the encryption is based on public-key cryptography.
- 18. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the card reader or device includes a memory; the transaction request and authentication signal constitute a session; and information regarding the session is stored in the memory.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/215,888, filed Aug. 9, 2002, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10215888 |
Aug 2002 |
US |
Child |
10747972 |
Dec 2003 |
US |