Abstract: Facilitating transactions using non-traditional devices and biometric data to activate a transaction device is disclosed. A transaction request is formed at a non-traditional device, and communicated to a reader, wherein the non-traditional device may be configured with an RFID device. The RFID device is not operable until a biometric voice analysis has been executed to verify that the carrier of the RFID equipped non-traditional device is the true owner of account information stored thereon. The non-traditional device provides a conduit between a user and a verification system to perform biometric voice analysis of the user. When the verification system has determined that the user is the true owner of one or more accounts stored at the verification system, a purchase transaction is facilitated between the verification system. Transactions may further be carried out through a non-RF device such as a cellular telephone in direct communication with an acquirer/issuer or payment processor.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device may be configured to locate a payment system and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to a payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. The invention also includes inserting third party account information into an encrypted portion of the payment request, so the payment request appears as a normal request to the issuing bank, but the third party account information may be used by the third party to bill the customer. The payment system directory is further configured to determine one or more payment processors to direct a payment authorization request, such that a single transaction may me allocated among multiple payment processors for authorization. Moreover, the payment system directory is able to format alternative payment methods into a format that is able to be processed over existing payment networks.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device may be configured to locate a payment system and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to a payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. The invention also includes inserting third party account information into an encrypted portion of the payment request, so the payment request appears as a normal request to the issuing bank, but the third party account information may be used by the third party to bill the customer. The payment system directory is further configured to determine one or more payment processors to direct a payment authorization request, such that a single transaction may me allocated among multiple payment processors for authorization. Moreover, the payment system directory is able to format alternative payment methods into a format that is able to be processed over existing payment networks.

Abstract: Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing and/or facilitating complete on-line payment services while protecting the privacy of the transaction participants. The comprehensive payment service is based upon a consolidated account used to store value acquired through on-line transactions. The invention provides private payment numbers for protecting the identities of the participants and includes processes for authenticating participants, authorizing transactions, and settling payments. Thus, the present invention enables merchants to effectively accept non-standard forms of payment without changing their current payment infrastructures and enables the provision of value for purchases at any network merchant using any source of value.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using an intelligent instrument is disclosed. An authorization server enables users to obtain authorization credentials through the use of the intelligent instrument by issuing a challenge to an intelligent token of the intelligent instrument. The intelligent token generates a challenge response and transmits the challenge response to the authorization server, which assembles credentials including a key for the electronic transaction upon validating the response. The authorization server sends the assembled credentials to the intelligent instrument and the intelligent instrument transmits the assembled credentials to the authorization server during a subsequent transaction. The authorization server validates the assembled credentials and provides authorization for the transaction in response to the validating the assembled credentials.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating risk assessment for point of sale transactions utilizing at least one risk triggering value (RTV) is disclosed. An RTV is a condensed version of a set of complex risk data and strategies usually found in central processing sites. After receiving a request for payment authorization, a risk value is calculated for the request. The distributed processing site compares the risk value to the RTV to determine whether to authorize payment. If the risk value is less than or equal to the RTV, the payment is authorized while a risk value greater than the RTV will not be authorized. The central site calculates a new RTV for the account and distributes the new RTV to the distributed processing site.

Abstract: Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using an intelligent instrument is disclosed. An authorization server enables users to obtain authorization credentials through the use of the intelligent instrument by issuing a challenge to an intelligent token of the intelligent instrument. The intelligent token generates a challenge response and transmits the challenge response to the authorization server, which assembles credentials including a key for the electronic transaction upon validating the response. The authorization server sends the assembled credentials to the intelligent instrument and the intelligent instrument transmits the assembled credentials to the authorization server during a subsequent transaction. The authorization server validates the assembled credentials and provides authorization for the transaction in response to the validating the assembled credentials.

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to manage data sets associated with a transaction device. For example, a method is provided for facilitating the management of distinct data sets on a transaction device that are provided by distinct data set owners, wherein the distinct data sets may include differing formats. The method includes the steps of: adding, by a read/write, a first data set to the financial transaction device, wherein the first data set is owned by a first owner; adding, by the read/write device, a second data set to the financial transaction device, wherein the second data set is owned by a second owner; and storing the first data set and the second data set on the financial transaction device in accordance with an owner defined format. The first and second data sets are associated with first and second owners, respectively, and are configured to be stored independent of each other.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating electronic transactions using an intelligent instrument is disclosed. An authorization server enables users to obtain authorization credentials through the use of the intelligent instrument by issuing a challenge to an intelligent token of the intelligent instrument. The intelligent token generates a challenge response and transmits the challenge response to the authorization server, which assembles credentials including a key for the electronic transaction upon validating the response. The authorization server sends the assembled credentials to the intelligent instrument and the intelligent instrument transmits the assembled credentials to the authorization server during a subsequent transaction. The authorization server validates the assembled credentials and provides authorization for the transaction in response to the validating the assembled credentials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating risk assessment for point of sale transactions utilizing at least one risk triggering value (RTV) is disclosed. An RTV is a condensed version of a set of complex risk data and strategies usually found in central processing sites. After receiving a request for payment authorization, a risk value is calculated for the request. The distributed processing site compares the risk value to the RTV to determine whether to authorize payment. If the risk value is less than or equal to the RTV, the payment is authorized while a risk value greater than the RTV will not be authorized. The central site calculates a new RTV for the account and distributes the new RTV to the distributed processing site.

Abstract: A transactional tax settlement system for use with a personal communication device is provided. The system has particular usefulness in determining a taxing authority and calculating a tax rate imposed by the taxing authority in a communication network environment. The system may be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate for a buyer/seller transaction over a network, e.g., the Internet. The system may also be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate in a mobile telecommunications network, e.g., a cellular phone. The system includes a tax information system for determining the taxing authorities and corresponding tax rates by evaluating factors pertaining to the transaction such as, location, tax status, and transaction description. In addition, the tax information system may validate a payment modality, collect taxes, and account for the transaction.

Abstract: A transactional tax settlement system for use with a personal communication device is provided. The system has particular usefulness in determining a taxing authority and calculating a tax rate imposed by the taxing authority in a communication network environment. The system may be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate for a buyer/seller transaction over a network, e.g., the Internet. The system may also be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate in a mobile telecommunications network, e.g., a cellular phone. The system includes a tax information system for determining the taxing authorities and corresponding tax rates by evaluating factors pertaining to the transaction such as, location, tax status, and transaction description. In addition, the tax information system may validate a payment modality, collect taxes, and account for the transaction.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also enables the allocation of a portion or all of a charge or loyalty points to different transaction accounts issued by different issuers, or to sub-accounts.

Abstract: Dynamically enabling and facilitating businesses or other entities to locate and transact with payment systems for the purpose of processing payments. A customer interacts with a supplier of an item (e.g., goods or services), selects an item for purchase, and provides the supplier with payment criteria. The supplier queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems for the transaction. The supplier then interacts directly with one or more of the payment systems to partially or fully process payment for the transaction. Alternatively, the supplier interacts with a gateway service, which queries a payment system directory to locate candidate payment systems and then interacts with one or more of the payment systems to process payment for the transaction.

Abstract: A financial account issuer facilitating transactions between accounts is disclosed. The invention provides sellers with an irrevocable method of receiving funds from a purchaser and for improving purchaser willingness to transact with an unknown party. The invention also includes the options of interest payments, the use of different account issuers, different financial accounts, budget transfers, spend compartmentalization, cost-splitting, adjusting credit limits, loans, gifting, intermediary facilitating the transaction, transaction tracking, rapid funds availability, confidential transfer of funds, immediate initiation of shipment by a seller, releasing funds to a seller only after approval of the goods, services, or other value, demonstrating proof of payment, and recourse against a remote seller.

Abstract: A transactional tax settlement system for use with a personal communication device is provided. The system has particular usefulness in determining a taxing authority and calculating a tax rate imposed by the taxing authority in a communication network environment. The system may be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate for a buyer/seller transaction over a network, e.g., the Internet. The system may also be used to determine a tax authority and corresponding tax rate in a mobile telecommunications network, e.g., a cellular phone. The system includes a tax information system for determining the taxing authorities and corresponding tax rates by evaluating factors pertaining to the transaction such as, location, tax status, and transaction description. In addition, the tax information system may validate a payment modality, collect taxes, and account for the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an Internet user to create a web page which may simultaneously display public and private data as integrated data on one digital screen or other network interface device. Integrated data may derive from at least one internal content provider, but may also include data from one or more external content providers. The invention also allows an internal content provider to create a personal profile of a user, based on proprietary data stores of the internal content provider and/or on the user's choices of data for viewing on a web page. Finally, the invention allows an internal content provider to use the personal profile to personalize the user's experience on the provider's web site.