Abstract: A system and method for effecting a transaction between a person and a provider of goods or services over a network are provided. The method includes establishing, from a communication device, a communication link over the network with the provider, entering into the communication device information pertinent to effecting the transaction and activating in conjunction with effecting the transaction a biometric device to generate a unique identification trait (UIT) associated with the person. The method further includes, in response this activating, automatically transmitting from the communication device over the network to the provider both the information and a signal corresponding to the UIT. This signal may be a coded or uncoded signal verifying the person's identity. A communication device for performing this method also is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating real time transactions between a user and multiple entities are described. In the system, an exchange of information related to a transaction involving a user and multiple entities is facilitated.

Abstract: A method of conducting a transaction between a user of a remote communications device and a second party includes: creating a transaction data structure based on input from the user that defines the transaction; creating a deferred transaction data structure, corresponding to the transaction data structure that defines a deferred transaction, when establishing communication between the remote communications device and the second party is delayed; storing the deferred transaction data structure in a memory; establishing communication between the remote communications device and the second party; and transmitting the deferred transaction data structure to the second party when the communication between the remote communications device and the second party is established.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which a secure link between a transaction device and a kiosk is automatically created. Access to functions of the kiosk is facilitated automatically for the transaction device. Furthermore, the kiosk can facilitate the exchange of information for the transaction device. By accessing functions of the kiosk for the transaction device, the extended functions of the kiosk such as its input mechanism (e.g., keyboard) and output mechanism (e.g., display) can be used for the transaction device.

Abstract: An Internet-based method and system for enabling merchant-to-merchant referrals and item brokering on behalf of the user. The method may enable the consumer to begin a research and/or a purchase session from a specific primary merchant using a unique and minimal amount of data and direct participation from the consumer. The method may also enable the automatic creation of a secure link between the primary merchant and any ancillary merchants in order to broker and exchange reference information with minimal to zero manual intervention required from the merchant or consumer. In addition, the method may enable a secure merchant-to-merchant, auto-exchange of consumer financial information and consumer-specific information necessary to facilitate the purchase.

Abstract: An apparatus including a secure kiosk capable of containing products and a consumer access device to unlock and retrieve a product from the kiosk is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a context-aware switching model enabled between different access points such as web sites are described. The invention allows a user to be automatically transferred securely to another site from the current site without requiring intervention from the user, such as redundant entry of information. In another embodiment, the invention can also be utilized to switch from one application to another application. The invention also is capable of gathering context sensitive information and passing this context-sensitive information to another location. In one embodiment, the invention operates in conjunction with a secured transaction exchange, automatic population of fields, digital rights management, controlled content access, and the like. In one embodiment, context data is captured on a transaction device; the context data is stored on a storage device; and the context data is distributed from the storage device to a remote location.

Abstract: A system and method to transmit embedded content for use by a transaction device are described in detail below. In addition, authorization for use of the embedded content can be confirmed locally within the transaction device. Further, registration and payment for use of the embedded content can be performed locally within the transaction device. In one embodiment, access is requested from a secure entity. The access to the secure entity is granted if authentication information identifying a user requesting the access is provided to the secure entity. In one embodiment, embedded content is received within a transaction device; the transaction device locally verifies an authorization to use the embedded content; and the transaction device utilizes the embedded content in response to the authorization.

Abstract: Information-based digital currency and bartering shares a pre-defined level of information about a consumer to a party offering an item to the consumer. A value for the item is based on the level of information shared with the party. In a barter situation with another consumer, a barter valuation for the level of information shared is calculated. The item may be a physical or non-physical product or a service.

Abstract: Transaction information from more than one supplier on a network-enabled portal is consolidated by a consolidation payment service and a user provides payment information to the consolidation payment service a single time to pay the suppliers. A consolidation payment service receives a first transaction data from a first supplier located on a network-enabled portal. The consolidation payment service receives a second transaction data from a second supplier located on the network-enabled portal. The consolidation payment service consolidates the first transaction data and the second transaction data. The consolidation payment service receives payment information a single time from a user to pay the first supplier and the second supplier. The user is presented with a single transaction history that includes the first transaction data and the second transaction data.

Abstract: A system and method for effecting a transaction between a person and a provider of goods or services over a network are provided. The method includes establishing, from a communication device, a communication link over the network with the provider, entering into the communication device information pertinent to effecting the transaction and activating in conjunction with effecting the transaction a biometric device to generate a unique identification trait (UIT) associated with the person. The method further includes, in response this activating, automatically transmitting from the communication device over the network to the provider both the information and a signal corresponding to the UIT. This signal may be a coded or uncoded signal verifying the person's identity. A communication device for performing this method also is provided.

Abstract: A method of conducting a transaction between a user of a remote communications device and a second party includes: creating a transaction data structure based on input from the user that defines the transaction; creating a deferred transaction data structure, corresponding to the transaction data structure that defines a deferred transaction, when establishing communication between the remote communications device and the second party is delayed; storing the deferred transaction data structure in a memory; establishing communication between the remote communications device and the second party; and transmitting the deferred transaction data structure to the second party when the communication between the remote communications device and the second party is established.

Abstract: A system and method for performing financial transaction clearing, settlement, and fraud prevention in real time over a network. The invention uses intelligent agents and component based objects in an interactive network to allow secure financial transactions to be conducted.

Abstract: A system and method to manage and control access to content and transactions for use by a transaction device are described in detail below. In addition, authorization for an account to request content or conduct transactions may be confirmed locally within the transaction device. Further, setting levels of access and account management for each account can be performed locally within the transaction device. In one embodiment, access is requested from a secure entity. The access to the secure entity is granted if authentication information identifying a user requesting the access is provided to the secure entity. In one embodiment, a control parameter is stored on a local device; content is requested from the local device; and the content is locally compared with the control parameter on the local device to determine whether requesting the content is allowed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system in which a limited function access device interacts with a multifunctional portable base station are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system that prevents an unscrupulous person from stealing the identity of another party and using the stolen identity to obtain a transaction device such as a biometric device that is configured to access, for example, a line of credit. In one aspect, a first biometric data of a party is registered (or stored) in a suitable manner with a trusted entity. The first biometric data may be fingerprint data, iris data, retinal data, voice data, or other suitable biometric information associated with a party. The trusted entity, for example, may be the party's bank. A second biometric data (e.g., fingerprint data) is obtained from a person seeking financial credit. The person is prevented from registering a second biometric data (e.g., fingerprint data of the unscrupulous person) that does not match the first biometric data (e.g., fingerprint data of the originally registered individual). This prevents the unscrupulous person from stealing the identity of another party.

Abstract: An intelligent agent is configured to determine whether a product or a service satisfies preferences established by a party. The intelligent agent is also configured to use personal data associated with the party such as a historical purchase activity, a potential future purchase activity, or information related to a group to which the party is a member in order to customize a price for the product or the service. The intelligent agent, dispatched from a client to a server, customizes the price for the product or the service based upon the personal data associated with the party or a pricing policy of the supplier. The product or the service is purchased without disclosing the identity of the party.

Abstract: An agent based electronic commerce system and method for automatically populating a device such as a digital wallet with bank, credit or other consumer information. The system includes a data-transaction device that is capable of directly or indirectly connecting with a transaction and information processing clearing house. The transaction and information processing clearing house serves as an information repository as well as facilitating information gathering for selected user accounts. The user can automatically populate numerous devices in various locations with updated information without intervention. In one embodiment the user can conduct electronic commerce transactions automatically or singly with a financial processing mechanism associated with the transaction and information processing clearing house.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting electronic commerce transactions in which the electronic receipt and use of incentives is facilitated. By way of example, and not of limitation, the transactions are executed through a transaction clearing house mechanism and at least a portion of the exchange units associated with said transaction may be transacted to or from an escrow account that is associated with the transaction clearing house mechanism. An exchange rate mechanism automatically provides for the conversion of units of exchange that differ between the user and vendor. The system provides for the automatic, no-click, payment of invoices and bills, in addition to automatic purchases according to user preferences. Incentive programs are facilitated within the system between the user and vendor communities while preferably maintaining user anonymity.