JP2003532175A - Method and system for wireless electronic commerce using a portable wireless communication device with unique identification information - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An electronic commerce (mobile commerce) in which a mobile subscriber / user initiates and controls a transaction at or near a local transaction point (POT) terminal using a portable wireless communication device (WCD). eCommerce) Methods and systems for conducting transactions. An e-commerce support provider (ESP) computer connected to the Internet participates in and facilitates e-commerce transactions. The user can use the WCD to transfer user-owned assets, such as currency, credit, or bonus points, stored in a remote consumer asset account from the POT as payment for goods and / or services at the POT. Electronically transfer to terminal. The WCD is uniquely identified by unique identification information stored in the WCD. The WCD includes a first wireless interface for communicating with a wireless interface on a local POT terminal. First e-commerce transaction data is transmitted between the WCD and the POT terminal using a first wireless interface. The WCD includes a second wireless interface for communicating with an ESP computer. The encrypted second e-commerce transaction data and the first e-commerce transaction data generated as a function of the unique identification information are connected to the WCD and the Internet using the second wireless interface of the WCD. Sent to and from the ESP computer. The exchange of the first and second e-commerce transaction data between the POT terminal, WCD, and the ESP computer results in the transfer of user assets required to conduct an e-commerce transaction between the POT terminal and the WCD. You.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electronic commerce, and more particularly to conducting wireless electronic commerce transactions using wireless communication devices.

[0002]

[Prior art]

Many commercial transactions involve point-of-sale when consumers exchange money or currency substitutes to pay for goods and / or services.
) Or at the point of trade (POT), or near it, requires the consumer to be physically present. Such transactions include, for example, purchasing goods at a cash register in a grocery store or a department store, eating at a restaurant, inserting currency into a parking meter, or cashing between two people at the same location. This includes exchanging (cash). In these transactions, the typical mobile consumer (mo
Bile consumers use cash, credit cards, or checks as a medium for direct exchange or payment at POT. This form of payment has some disadvantages. For example, cash, checks and credit cards are easy to lose. Credit cards are often subject to fraudulent use by unscrupulous persons, even when they are lost or even not lost. Moreover, POS administrative procedures related to credit cards and checks, as well as the attendant identity verification (usually a driver's license) required to complete a check transaction, can be cumbersome.

Today, the Internet offers consumers a rich medium for electronic commerce (referred to herein as e-commerce). A strong internet infrastructure, including many internet service and support providers, provides consumers with many useful services for electronic commerce transactions. For example, a consumer can conveniently "shop" at a consumer's home without being distracted by using a relatively inexpensive personal computer connected to the Internet. In general, consumers also use remote or dist, also connected to the Internet.
ance) Buy goods and / or services from an e-commerce shopper by allowing credit payments. Such e-commerce transactions are disadvantageously limited to the extent to which the e-commerce shopper can reliably access the Internet. In other words, a transaction requires a network connection between the parties to the transaction.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

  Therefore, it is necessary to carry out a commercial transaction in a manner that overcomes the above-mentioned inconvenience.

In addition, there is a need to provide security in commercial transactions, thereby protecting the transactions and the privacy of the consumers making the transactions.

Furthermore, it is also necessary to utilize a network such as the Internet between the first and second parties, where only one party is requesting network access for electronic commerce.

A mobile consumer is at or near a trading point and uses the Internet to make e-commerce transactions using the Internet to pay for or receive goods and / or services on demand. Need to do.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The present invention provides a method and system for conducting an e-commerce transaction, where a mobile subscriber / user initiates and controls transactions using a portable wireless communication device (WCD) at or near a local POT terminal. To do. An e-commerce support provider (ESP) computer connected to the internet participates in and facilitates e-commerce transactions. Using WCD, a user can use a user-owned asset, such as currency, credit, or bonus points, held in a remote consumer asset account as a payment for goods and / or services at a POT in the asset account. To electronically transfer to the POT terminal.

The WCD is uniquely identified by the unique identification information stored in the WCD.
The WCD includes a first wireless interface for communicating with the wireless interface of the local POT terminal. The first e-commerce transaction data is transmitted between the WCD and the POT terminal using the first wireless interface. For WCD,
A second wireless interface is included for communicating with the ESP computer. The second encrypted e-commerce transaction data and the first e-commerce transaction data generated to serve as the unique identifying information were connected to the Internet using the WCD's second wireless interface. Sent between ESP computer and WCD. The exchange of first and second e-commerce transaction data between the POT terminal, the WCD, and the ESP computer is the P
It results in the transfer of user assets between the OT terminal and the WCD.

Features and Benefits The present invention advantageously retains consumer mobility in e-commerce transactions, which allows consumers to participate in e-commerce transactions at or near POT. The present invention enables consumers to initiate and control electronic transfer of consumer-owned assets such as currencies and to pay for goods and services at POT. As a result, the present invention is applicable to cash, credit cards,
Or avoid the need for conventional exchange media and the unintended risks associated with using it, such as checks.

The present invention advantageously provides internet connectivity and support to mobile users in e-commerce transactions while increasing the level of transaction safety and privacy protection. Moreover, the POT terminal according to the present invention need not have internet access to participate in an e-commerce transaction.

The WCD of the present invention is a kind of “CCD” that is convenient to carry, secret and safe to use.
Useful as an "electronic wallet".

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 for conducting an e-commerce transaction according to the present invention. In the system 100, the subscriber / user 105 uses the asset account 11
Own the assets held at 0. The user 105 uses the mobile WCD 120 to initiate and control the electronic transfer of assets between the asset account 110 and the POT terminal 115. The mobile WCD 120 includes an input device 123 and a display device 124 that allow the user 105 to participate in an e-commerce transaction via the WCD. In one example transaction, asset account 110 is a user bank account, and user 105 may transfer currency from user's bank account 110 to POT terminal 115 in order to use system 100 to purchase goods or services at the POT terminal. Move electronically. In an alternative configuration, the user electronically transfers the asset in the opposite direction, ie from the POT terminal 115 to the user's bank account 110. In the e-commerce transaction of the present invention, POT
Terminal 115 and WCD 120 are either relatively close to each other or locally (loca
l), while the asset account 110 is relatively distant or remote from both the POT terminal 115 and the WCD 120.

To facilitate the electronic transfer of assets described above, system 100 includes an ESP computer 125 linked to communication network 130. The ESP computer 125 may reside in an internet support provider facility and preferably provides centralized internet processing support in many of the e-commerce transactions of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the ESP computer 125 communicates with both the WCD 120 and the e-commerce facility 135 that stores the asset account 110, such as a bank, so the asset account is the ESP computer 1.
25 can be accessed electronically.

The WCD 120 is connected to the POT via a short range wireless communication link 137.
A first wireless interface for wirelessly communicating with a compatible wireless interface at terminal 115 is included. WCD 120 transmits POT terminal 115 in the form of digital data packets over a short range wireless communication link 137.
And exchange e-commerce transaction messages with. WCD 120 also includes a second wireless interface for wirelessly communicating with ESP computer 125. WCD
The 120 is uniquely identified by the unique identification information stored in the WCD 120 and is also available to the ESP computer 125. To maintain the required level of security and privacy in e-commerce transactions, WCD120
And the ESP computer 125 exchanges encrypted e-commerce transaction messages. This message is also in the form of digital data packets and is generated to serve as a unique identifying information.

Since WCD 120 wirelessly communicates with both POT terminal 115 and ESP computer 125, system 100 advantageously permits user mobility in any e-commerce transaction of the present invention. Thus, the mobile WCD 120 is
Conveniently functions as a kind of "electronic wallet" or "pocket book". This is because the user 105 takes the WCD 120 to the POT (ie, near the POT terminal 115) and provides a conduit for secure and confidential electronic transfer of currency or other assets to / from the POT terminal 115. This is because the WCD 120 is used as the (conduit). Another advantage of the present invention is that POT terminal 115 may be a stand-alone electronic device. This is because the POT terminal 115 does not need to have network access.

The WCD 120 and the ESP computer 125 communicate via 1) a wireless communication link 140 between the WCD and a communication network access device 145, such as a wireless base station, and 2) a communication network 130. Communication network 130 includes the worldwide packet data communication network, commonly referred to as the Internet, local area networks, and public switched telephone networks. The ESP computer 125 may be connected to the Internet via the Internet service provider 148, for example. ESP computer 125
The Internet address corresponding to is stored in the memory of WCD120,
The internet address corresponding to 120 is stored in the memory of ESP computer 125. As a result, the WCD 120 and the ESP computer 125
Allows mutual internet connections to be established for the exchange of encrypted data packets during commerce transactions.

As mentioned above, the ESP computer 125 is an e-commerce facility 1 such as a bank.
Also communicates with 35. Here, the asset account 110 is generally held. ESP
Computer 125 and e-commerce facility 135 communicate with each other via communication network 130 and / or dedicated communication link 152. In an alternative configuration of system 100, asset account 110 is co-located with ESP computer 125,
This eliminates the need for additional communication between ESP computer 125 and e-commerce facility 135.

In the present invention, the WCD 120 and the ESP computer 125 both have a W
A memory is included for storing unique identifying information associated with the CD 120. Such identifying information includes an electronic serial number (ESN), mobile subscriber number (MSN), and user / subscriber access personal identification number (PIN) or password. The ESN uniquely identifies the WCD 120 and is programmed into the memory device of the WCD 120 at the factory where the WCD 120 is manufactured. MSN also WC
The D120 can be uniquely identified and serve as the network address of the WCD 120. The user selects the PIN and uses the input device 123 to enter the WC
Input PIN into the memory buffer of D120. PIN is WCD12
Serves as the password required to use 0. WCD120 and ES
The P-Computer 125 uses the unique identification information to establish a network connection between each other, uniquely identifies each e-commerce transaction, and generates an encrypted e-commerce transaction data packet.

An exemplary memory buffer 2 of WCD 120 that stores the WCD's unique identification information.
00 is represented in FIG. Memory buffer 200 includes memory locations 202, 204, 206 and 208 for storing Internet addresses for ESN, MSN, PIN and ESP computer 125, respectively. A similar memory buffer exists in ESP computer 125, except that the memory buffer in ESP computer 125 contains the Internet address for WCD 120.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary format diagram of an encrypted e-commerce transaction digital data packet 220 exchanged between WCD 120 and ESP computer 125. The packet 220 includes a message type field 222, a WCD address field 224, and an encrypted data payload 226. The message type field 222 is a message type specifier (sp) that indicates the message type, such as request, response or any other message type.
ecifier) is included. The WCD address field 224 contains the MSN (eg W
Network address, such as the CDN's MSN), which is the WCD of either the source or destination of the message in the data packet 220.
It corresponds to. The data payload 226 contains the content of the encrypted message. The packet 220 also includes any additional fields that are needed to support a particular application or communication protocol, such as Internet Communication Protocol (IP). In the preferred embodiment, the data packet 220 is further formatted according to Internet communication protocols such as Internet Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and TCP / IP.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary format diagram of an e-commerce transaction digital data packet 230 exchanged between WCD 120 and POT terminal 115 via wireless link 137. The data packet 230 includes a header field 235 with any header information needed to support a particular application. The packet 230 also has a data payload 240 that contains the content of the message. The content of the message is such that when a message received by WCD 120 is needed, it may be sent by user 105 by WCD 120 as described below.
Formatted as a simple ASCII string in Hypertext Description Language (HTML), Wireless Description Language (WML) (also known as Hand-held Device Description Language (HDML)), as long as it can be displayed in Or may be formatted according to any other format.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of a logical configuration corresponding to the system 100. POT terminal 1
15, WCD 120 and ESP computer 125 each include memory and a computer with sufficient processing power to host and execute the software programs or applications required to support e-commerce transactions. The WCD 120 hosts an e-commerce client application 300, which includes, for example, known browser applications and e-commerce server applications 325. ESP computer 125 hosts ESP application 330, which includes new trading applications, billing / accounting applications, and communication software applications. In addition, the WCD 120 and ESP computer 125 are shown in FIG.
Complementary for generating the encrypted e-commerce transaction data packets and decrypting these encrypted packets, referred to in connection with
Hosts encryption / decryption functions 335 and 340. The POT terminal 115
The e-commerce application server 345 can be hosted and electronically receive assets, such as currency, as payment for goods and / or services.

The e-commerce client application 300 of the WDC 120 sends a request message to the ESP application 330 and receives a response message from the ESP application 330. The e-commerce client application 300 also includes a user control interface, which is
It displays messages on user display device 124 and user input device 123 of WCD 120, respectively, and receives e-commerce transaction control commands from them. This allows the user 105 to participate in and control e-commerce transactions. The e-commerce client application 300 sends a request message to the e-commerce client application server 345 in the POT terminal 115 and receives a response message from this server 345. The message received by the e-commerce client 300 may be displayed on the user device at any appropriate time. For example, the HTML or HDML command sequence sent by the POT terminal 115 may be displayed by the client 300 as it would be done using a known browser application.

The e-commerce transaction process of the present invention is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 corresponds to an e-commerce transaction in the system of FIG. The process begins at step 402, for example, when user 105 initiates an e-commerce transaction using WCD 120 by pressing a start key or the like on WCD. In step 405, the WCD 120 sets P
POT a request message requesting e-commerce information for the POT terminal from the OT terminal
It is transmitted to the terminal 115. At step 410, the POT terminal 115 sends a response message to the WCD 120 including the unique e-commerce information. In step 415,
WCD 120 receives the response message. The WCD 120 is the POT terminal 115
User 1 with the necessary information regarding and / or received from POT terminal 115.
It is displayed on 05 and prompts the user for input if necessary. WCD120 is WCD120
Accepts information and / or commands entered by the user 105 via the input device 123 of

At step 420, WCD 120 may, based on some or all of the information and / or commands received from POT terminal 115 and user 105.
Alternatively, these functions generate a request message encrypted using the unique identification information associated with the WCD. A message type field 2 is included in a typical encrypted request message according to the format of message 220.
It includes the "request" message type specifier at 22, the MSN of WCD 120 at address field 224, and the encrypted message as payload 226. Encrypted payload 226 is generated using one or more of WCD 120 MSN, ESN and PIN. WCD 120 sends the encrypted request message to ESP computer 125.

At step 425, ESP computer 125 receives the encrypted request message, verifies the address in field 224, and further, at step 420, such as ESN, MSN, and / or PIN.
Decrypt the encrypted message using the same unique identifying information that was used to encrypt the message in. Next, in step 427, ES
The P-Computer 125 establishes communication with the remote e-commerce facility 135 to provide real-time, i.e., immediate, user asset account 1 held at the e-commerce facility 135.
For 10, validate / validate the e-commerce transaction. For example, the ESP computer 125 validates an e-commerce transaction by verifying that the asset account 110 has sufficient assets to allow the WCD 120 to
Satisfy the amount of assets requested in the request message from.

One exemplary verification / validation (vali)
In the dation) process, the ESP computer 125 uses the e-commerce facility 13
5. Send MSN (and PIN if needed). The e-commerce facility 135 then utilizes the MSN (and PIN if necessary) to identify the user asset account 110.
When this is done, ESP computer 125 seeks "approval" from e-commerce facility 135. This approval indicates that there is sufficient funds available in the asset account 110 to meet or "prepare" the amount of the asset requested in the request message from WCD 120. The amount of this asset is needed to complete e-commerce on the POT terminal.

At step 430, the ESP computer 125 generates an encrypted verification / validation response message with the same unique identification information used at step 420 and sends this message to the WCD 120. Send. The response message indicates whether the e-commerce transaction has been approved. If the verification / validation response message received in step 435 indicates a verified or validated e-commerce transaction, WCD.
120 receives the verification / validation response message,
A message including the requested asset is sent to the POT terminal 115. Step 44
At 0, after further communication between the ESP computer 125 and the facility 135, the asset account 110 is debited to complete the e-commerce transaction, ie, the user-owned asset from the asset account 110 to the POT terminal 115. Reflect electronic transfer.

Regarding the user PIN, different levels of security are advantageously provided in the present invention. For example, WCD 120 may provide the user with a menu of security options. If such an option is selected, 1) before every e-commerce transaction, 2) periodically, for example every X hours (where X is 1, 2, etc.) 3) WCD Every time a user powers on, or 4) when an e-commerce transaction requires at least a predetermined amount of assets or currencies, PI
You can request to enter N. Such security features reduce the chances of any unauthorized use of WCD 120 in e-commerce transactions.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the encryption / decryption function 335 of FIG. Encryption / decryption function 3
Since 35 and 340 are identical, one description is sufficient to describe the other. The encryption / decryption function 335 uses the unique identification information 510 for transaction data 5
An encryption sub-function 500 for encrypting 05 is included to generate encrypted e-commerce transaction data 515. As long as the unique identification of WCD 120 can be used to encrypt transaction data 505, encryption subfunction 500 provides any known level of security and privacy for e-commerce transactions. Use the encryption algorithm of. An exemplary encryption / decryption protocol that can be used with the present invention is a data encryption standard (
DES) encryption protocol, and Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), commonly used to encrypt email and Internet files.
Protocols are included, but are not limited to.

Encrypted data 515 generated by the encryption subfunction 500
Represents the payload 226 of the message 220. Transaction data 505 is POT
Based on information received from terminal 115 and user input at WCD 120. The unique identification information 510 includes at least one of MSN, ESN and PIN associated with the WCD 125. The encryption / decryption function 335 includes a decryption subfunction 520 for decrypting the transaction data 525 encrypted with the unique identification information 510 to generate decrypted e-commerce transaction data 530.

In the following exemplary “parking meter” e-commerce transaction, POT terminal 115 is a parking meter that can accept electronic currency deposits sent by WCD 120 to the meter. User 105 initiates a parking meter e-commerce transaction by pressing the start key on WCD 120 when the user (carrying WCD 120) is within range of wireless communication on parking meter 115. In response, WCD 120 requests parking meter specific information from parking meter 115. Parking meter 115, meter 202399898, This meter costs $ 0.25 per hour, do you pay? Respond with an exemplary message.

When this message is received by WCD 120, it is displayed to user 105 by the WCD display device. User 105 responds by pressing the WCD key displaying "YES" and wants to pay for an hour of parking. "YE
In response to the S "key being pressed, WCD 120 ES sends the encrypted request.
Send to P125. This request is sent from the user's bank account 110 to the parking meter.
． Requesting approval for a $ 25 transfer. Assuming the bank account balance of bank account 110 is greater than $ 0.25, bank facility 135 approves the transfer,
The ESP 125 then sends the encrypted acknowledgment message to the WCD 120.
After receiving the authorization message, WCD 120 sends a message containing a $ 0.25 currency transfer to parking meter 115 to complete the transaction and pay for the one hour parking. After the transaction is completed, ESP 125 reestablishes communication with facility 135, which debits bank account 110 for $ 0.25.

In the following exemplary “restaurant-based” e-commerce transaction, POT terminal 115 resides at a restaurant and stores restaurant-specific information such as food and drink menus along with associated prices. Also in this example, the user 105 starts the e-commerce transaction by pressing the start key of the WCD 120 while in the communication range of the POT terminal 115. In response to the request sent by WCD 120, restaurant POT terminal 115 sends a response message to WCD 120. Response messages include food and drink menus,
As well as related prices. This information is displayed to the user 105 on the WCD 120. The user 105 uses the input device 123 of the WCD 120 to select a desired item from the displayed menu. WCD 120 automatically calculates the total cost of the selected item (including the specified chip if the user so desires) and sends the encrypted message to the ESP computer for approval of the price of this total cost. Send to 125. If ESP Computer 125 approves the transaction, WCD
120 sends electronic payment to POT terminal 115 at the restaurant.

Each of the above-mentioned e-commerce transactions is from the WCD 120 to the POT terminal 11 of the POT.
With the electronic transfer of assets such as currencies to the 5. However, it should be understood that the POT terminal 115 may be another WCD, which may electronically transfer assets from WCD 120 to this second WCD. Figure 8 shows WC
Configuration 600 for such electronic asset transfer from D120 to WCD605
It is a block diagram of. Configuration 600 is similar to that described in connection with system 100, except that WCD 605 replaces POT terminal 115. Configuration 60
0 also includes an ESP computer 610 and an e-commerce facility 612 to support e-commerce transactions made using WCD 605. User 6
15 owns assets in an asset account 620 held by the e-commerce facility 612. WCD 605, ESP 610 and e-commerce facility 612 are WCD 12
0, ESP 125, and e-commerce facility 135 communicate with each other in the same manner.

In configuration 600, user 615 uses WCD 605 to create asset account 620.
Electronic transfer of assets from to asset account 110 can be initiated and controlled. Exemplary transfers where asset accounts 620 and 110 are bank accounts include electronic transfer of currency from bank account 620 to bank account 110, as described herein. When user 615 initiates such a transaction with WCD 605, WCD 605
Send the first request to WCD 120. In response, the WCD 120 (see FIG. 5) e-commerce server application 325 generates a response message identifying the WCD 120. Next, at WCD 605, the user 615 uses the account 620.
Enter the amount of dollars to be transferred from to account 110. Then, the transfer of this value is
In the same manner as described above in connection with FIG. 6, ESP 610 and e-commerce facility 6
It will be verified / validated by 12. After such validation,
WCD 605 is a WCD that electronically transfers the amount of dollars entered into WCD 120.
Send the message to 120. Finally, the account balances of asset accounts 620 and 110 are debited and credited by the value of the dollars transferred between the accounts, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another configuration 700 of the present invention for conducting an e-commerce transaction using a WCD 705 capable of scanning a product barcode associated with a product item 710. WCD 705 is interconnected with ESP computers and banking facilities as described above, but is not shown in FIG. WCD70
The first wireless interface of 5, ie, the short range wireless interface, includes a known bar code reader 715. Bar code reader 715 may be any known bar code reader capable of reading or scanning bar code 720, such as a UPC label associated with item 710. When the user of WCD 705 scans UPC label 720 with reader 715, WCD 705 obtains the purchase price and identification code corresponding to item 710 and stores this information in the memory buffer of WCD 705. As the user scans additional merchandise items during shopping, WCD 705 accumulates the total purchase price in the memory buffer and adds an additional identification code to the memory buffer. When the user has finished shopping and wants to pay for the scanned item, the user can transfer the WCD 70 to the POT terminal that can receive the electronic currency transfer from the WCD 705.
Bring 5 The user then initiates the payment process as described in connection with FIG. 6 to make a payment for the scanned item item at the POT terminal.

In the exemplary e-commerce transaction described above, the asset account 110 is a currency holding bank account, and the currency is electronically transferred to / from the bank account. However, the asset account 110 may hold other electronically transferable non-monetary assets.
For example, asset account 110 may cumulatively hold electronic coupons, credit points or bonus points that are earned whenever a user makes a purchase in accordance with the invention, or a purchase not necessarily in accordance with the invention. Such coupons, credit points or bonus points are available for subsequent purchases made in accordance with the present invention, and the non-monetary assets are electronically transferred to the POT terminal instead of currency. Furthermore, these non-currency assets are
In addition to zero, it may be held in a second or third asset account owned by user 105. The asset account 110 may be a credit account, such as a credit card account, for transferring credit to a POT terminal in an e-commerce transaction, which eliminates the need for a credit card in a credit transaction.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of WCD 120. The WCD 120 has compact, handheld form factors, similar to a personal digital assistant or cellular telephone. The functionality of WCD 120 can be integrated with the functionality of a wireless or cellular telephone, which allows WCD 120 to be used as both a cellular telephone and a device for conducting e-commerce transactions. WCD 120 includes bus 802 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and bus 802 for processing information.
A processor 804 coupled to the processor is included. The WCD 120 has a processor 80
Also included is a main memory 806, such as a random access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 802 for storing information and commands executed by memory device 4. Main memory 806 may also be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of commands executed by processor 804. WCD 120 further includes read only memory (ROM) 808, or other static storage, coupled to bus 802 for storing static information and commands for processor 804. A storage device 810, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and coupled to the bus 802 for storing information and commands.

WCD 120 includes a display device 124, such as a flat panel display device, for displaying information to a user. The display device 124 is connected to the bus 802. Input device 123, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 802 for communicating information and command selections to processor 804. Other types of user input devices convey the instructional information and command selections to processor 804 and display device 124.
There are cursor controls 816, such as a mouse, trackball, or cursor pointing keys, for controlling cursor movement up.

Initiation and control of an e-commerce transaction is provided by WCD 120 in response to processor 804 executing a command sequence contained in main memory 806. Such commands may be read into main memory 806 from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device 810. Execution of the command sequences contained in main memory 806 causes processor 804 to perform the processing steps described above in connection with FIG. 6 and the exemplary e-commerce transactions described above. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with computer software commands to implement the invention. As such, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The WCD 120 includes a short range wireless communication interface (I / F) 820 connected to the bus 802. The communication I / F 820 corresponds to the “first interface” referred to in connection with FIGS. 1 and 9. As described above, the communication I / F 820 uses the PO for bidirectional wireless data communication via the wireless communication link 137.
It provides a compatible wireless communication interface for the T-terminal 115. Communication interface 820 includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data over wireless communication link 137, and a microcontroller for controlling the communication interface. The microcontroller can be integrated with the processor 804 to execute program commands and the like to implement the functions of the communication I / F including any required data communication protocol. To support the alternative configuration 700 described in connection with FIG. 9, communication I / F 820 may optionally include a known bar code reader.

In the present invention, the wireless communication interface 820 supports the exchange of digital data packets between the WCD 120 and the POT terminal 115, and thus may be implemented according to exemplary specifications for short range wireless communication. it can. This exemplary specification may include a "Bluetooth" and / or Infrared Data Association (IrDA) specification, or any other suitable specification, as long as the compact communication I / F 820 meets the specification criteria. Can be given.
Bluetooth is a proposed radio frequency (RF) specification for short-range point-to-point data transfer. 2.4 GHz Industrial Scientific Medical (
Bluetooth wireless links operating in the ISM) frequency band have a rated communication range of 10 centimeters to 10 meters. However, this rated area can be extended to 100 meters by increasing the transmission power of the Bluetooth transmitter in the communication I / F 820. The IrDA specification provides wireless data exchange utilizing short range infrared wireless links. Therefore, unless an extended range transmitter is used in each device, e
The typical distance between WCD 120 and POT terminal 115 during a commerce transaction is 1
It is 0 meters or less.

The WCD 120 also includes a wireless network communication interface 822.
The network communication I / F 822 corresponds to the “second interface” referred to in connection with FIG. 1, and as described above, the WCD 120 and the network access device 1
Supports wireless exchange of digital data packets with 45. The wireless network communication I / F 822 incorporates similar types of wireless transceivers and microcontrollers used in cellular telephone devices to communicate between the cellular telephone and distant base stations. In the preferred embodiment, network communication I
/ F822 communicates with network access device 145 using a code division multiple access (CDMA) communication protocol.

It should be understood that the POT terminal 115 includes a wireless interface compatible with the wireless I / F 820 of the WCD 120. POT terminal 115 also includes a processor and memory sufficient to host and execute server application 345.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments and configurations, but only by the following claims and their equivalents. I have to do it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overview of a system for conducting e-commerce transactions according to the present invention.

[Fig. 2]   FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary memory buffer in the WCD of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary format diagram of an encrypted e-commerce transaction digital data packet exchanged between the WCD of FIG. 1 and an ESP computer.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary format diagram of an e-commerce transaction digital data packet exchanged between the WCD of FIG. 1 and a POT terminal.

[Figure 5]   FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a logical configuration corresponding to the system of FIG.

6 is a diagram of an e-commerce transaction process corresponding to an e-commerce transaction in the system of FIG.

[Figure 7]   FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the encryption / decryption function of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a configuration for electronically transferring an asset from a WCD to another WCD.

FIG. 9 shows a WCD capable of scanning a product barcode,
It is a block diagram of the structure which performs an e-commerce transaction.

[Figure 10]   10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the WCD of FIG.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE , DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, I S, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK , LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, P T, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL , TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW [Continued summary] Generated encrypted second e-commerce transaction data And the first e-commerce transaction data is the second Using the wire interface, WCD and Internet Is sent to and from the ESP computer connected to the network. Between POT terminals, WCD, and ESP computers Through the exchange of first and second e-commerce transaction data E-commerce transaction between POT terminal and WCD The user assets required to transfer are made.

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A wireless communication device and a point-of-transaction (POT).
) A method of conducting a wireless electronic commerce (e-commerce) transaction with a terminal, comprising: (a) associating unique identification information with a wireless communication device; Wirelessly transmitting the first e-commerce transaction data in (1), and (c) the second e-commerce transaction data and the first e-commerce transaction data generated so as to function as unique identification information. Wirelessly from the service provider to the service provider. 2. The service provider provides e-commerce support services to a subscriber who has a subscriber asset account electronically accessible to the service provider and remote from both the wireless communication device and the POT terminal, and E-commerce transaction data, second e-commerce transaction data, and wireless communication device to transfer assets between a subscriber asset account and a POT terminal, and to increase and decrease assets in the asset account, The method of claim 1, further comprising reflecting the transfer of assets in e-commerce. 3. The subscriber asset account is a subscriber bank account, wherein the monetary fund amount is electronically transferred from the bank account to the POT terminal, and the subscriber asset account is input via a wireless communication device. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining an amount of monetary assets that functions as one of the e-commerce transaction data and transaction control instructions to control the transaction. 4. The step (b) comprises transmitting a request message from the wireless communication device to the POT terminal requesting transaction information from the POT terminal, and requesting from the POT terminal by the wireless communication device. Receiving a response message that includes the transaction information set. 5. Step (b) comprises a Bluetooth data transmission protocol,
Further comprising transmitting the first e-commerce transaction data over a short-range wireless communication link in accordance with one of the IrDA data transmission protocol and a proprietary data transmission protocol, The method of claim 4. 6. Establishing a wireless network link between the wireless communication device and a service provider in response to receiving the first e-commerce transaction data at the wireless communication device and compatible with Internet packet data protocol. Transmitting the second e-commerce transaction data over the wireless network link using a packet data protocol. 7. The unique identification information includes a subscriber identification number, a mobile subscriber number,
And at least one of an electronic serial number, step (c)
The method of claim 1, comprising: encrypting the e-commerce transaction data at the wireless communication device with the unique identification information to generate second e-commerce transaction data. 8. The method further comprising displaying information regarding the first transaction data on the wireless communication device and entering a command via the wireless communication device to initiate and control the e-commerce transaction. The method described. 9. A wireless communication device having unique identification information, a local wireless interface in the wireless communication device for communicating with a wireless interface at a point of transaction (POT) terminal, and a first interface between the wireless interfaces. means for transmitting the e-commerce transaction data, a second e-commerce transaction data generated to function as unique identifying information,
A system for conducting a wireless electronic commerce (e-commerce) transaction comprising means for transmitting first e-commerce transaction data from the wireless communication device to a service provider. 10. A support computer is electronically accessible,
Further comprising a support computer at the service provider for providing e-commerce support services to a subscriber having a subscriber asset account remote from both the wireless communication device and the POT terminal, wherein the first The e-commerce transaction data, the second e-commerce transaction data, and the wireless communication device transfer the asset between the subscriber asset account and the POT terminal, and the support computer increases and decreases the asset in the asset account. 10. The system of claim 9, including means for reflecting transfer of assets in a commerce transaction. 11. A means for electronically transferring a monetary amount of money from a subscriber bank account to a POT terminal, and a transfer based on first e-commerce transaction data and transaction control commands entered by a wireless communication device. 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising means for determining the amount of monetary assets and controlling transactions. 12. The means in a wireless communication device for transmitting the first e-commerce transaction data, the means for transmitting a request message requesting transaction information from the POT terminal from the wireless communication device to the POT terminal, 10. A means in a wireless communication device for receiving a response message from a POT terminal including requested transaction information. 13. The wireless interface is Bluetooth, IrDA,
13. The system of claim 12, including means for transmitting the first e-commerce transaction data over a short range wireless communication link in accordance with one of: and proprietary data packet transmission protocols. 14. The wireless communication device is responsive to receipt of first e-commerce transaction data at the wireless communication device, means for establishing a wireless network link by a service provider, and a packet protocol compatible with the Internet packet protocol. 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for transmitting the second transaction data over the wireless network link using. 15. The wireless communication device further comprises means for encrypting e-commerce transaction data that functions as a personal identification number to generate second e-commerce transaction data, wherein the unique identification information is: 10. The system of claim 9, comprising at least one of a subscriber identification number, a mobile subscriber number, and a wireless communication device electronic serial number. 16. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for displaying information regarding the first transaction data and means for entering a command to initiate and control an e-commerce transaction. 17. A system for conducting wireless electronic commerce (e-commerce) transactions, wherein an e-commerce support service is provided to at least one subscriber having a subscriber asset account with electronic access to an e-commerce support computer. An e-commerce support computer in a service provider, a trading point (POT) terminal having a wireless interface, and a wireless interface having unique identification information and for communicating with a first wireless interface of the POT terminal. , A means for transmitting first e-commerce transaction data between the wireless interface of the wireless communication device and the POT terminal, and to function as a unique identification information between the wireless communication device and the e-commerce support computer. Generated second e-commerce transaction data and first and a wireless communication device including means for transmitting e-commerce transaction data. 18. The subscriber asset account is remote from both the wireless communication device and the POT terminal, and the asset is subscriber by the first e-commerce transaction data, the second e-commerce transaction data, and the wireless communication device. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the system is transferred between an asset account and a POT terminal, and the e-commerce support computer includes means for increasing and decreasing assets in the asset account to reflect asset transfers in e-commerce transactions. 19. The means for transmitting first e-commerce transaction data in a wireless communication device, the means for requesting transaction information from a POT terminal, the means for transmitting PO data from the wireless communication device.
Means for transmitting to the T terminal, means for receiving a response message including requested transaction information from the POT terminal, wherein the POT terminal receives the request message, and a response 18. The system of claim 17, including means for composing and transmitting a message. 20. The wireless communication device and the e-commerce support computer both include means for encrypting e-commerce transaction data to function as unique identification information to generate a second e-commerce transaction, wherein the unique e-commerce transaction data is generated. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the identification information includes at least one of a subscriber identification number, a mobile subscriber number, and a wireless communication device electronic serial number. 21. Computer-readable program code means for executing an e-commerce transaction by causing an application program to execute on a computer processor in a wireless communication device, a trading point terminal, and a service provider's electronic commerce (e-commerce) support computer. A computer readable medium, the computer readable program code means comprising: first computer readable program code means for causing a processor to associate unique identification information with a wireless communication device; On the other hand, second computer readable program code means for wirelessly transmitting the first e-commerce transaction data between the wireless communication device and the POT terminal, and unique identification information for the processor. Third computer readable program code means for wirelessly transmitting the second e-commerce transaction data and the first e-commerce transaction data generated to function in a wireless communication device to an e-commerce support computer. A computer program product comprising. 22. The second computer-readable program code means causes a processor to encrypt the e-commerce transaction data as a function of an identification number to generate second e-commerce transaction data. Code means, wherein the unique identification information is the subscriber identification number,
The computer program product of claim 21, comprising at least one of a mobile subscriber number and an electronic serial number of a wireless communication device.