Abstract: A system for allocating a resource used in payment transactions is disclosed. The system includes an allocation module that allows a user of a payment device to specify a class of good or service and an allowable resource amount that can be charged to a user account for the selected class of good or service and a control module that authorizes a charge to the user account based on the selected class of good or service and the allowable resource amount.

Abstract: A method for detecting a communication relay attack involves the steps of counting a number of clock cycles occurring in a clock signal between transmission of two predetermined elements of data with a data transmission device, counting a number of clock cycles occurring in the clock signal between receipt of the two predefined elements of data and comparing the number of clock cycles counted by the data transmission device with the number of clock cycles counted by the data receiving device.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting multiple payment transactions is disclosed. The system and method allow a consumer to make contributions to selected groups based upon the consumer's financial activity. The invention could be used by a consumer to identify beneficiaries and can be used by merchants and payment network providers to provide donations.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling the functionality of a transaction device, the method includes providing a computing device for accessing an account corresponding to the transaction device. The computing device generates a list of a plurality of transaction functions associated with the transaction device. The method includes providing an option to disable and enable one or more of the transaction functions in response to a user input. In response to the user input disabling one of the transaction functions, an instruction is generated preventing the transaction device from being used for the disabled transaction function.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the subject invention, a secure payment card is provided, including: a flat body, the flat body having a patterned channel in proximity to a first face of the flat body; an elongated magnetic stripe disposed on the first face of the flat body, the magnetic stripe extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein at least a portion of the channel being located under the longitudinal axis; and a magnetic fluid disposed in the channel, the magnetic fluid configured to define a readable magnetic pattern.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to enabling a merchant to specify whether other entities or employees thereof should benefit from a usage scheme, such as discounts, incentives, promotions, rewards, or the like, implemented by the merchant. A transaction device holds information associating the transaction device with an entity. The information associating the transaction device with the entity is verified against stored merchant identification code to determine whether the holder of the transaction device should receive the benefit of the usage scheme.

Abstract: A low-power device is adapted to authenticate a user desiring to conduct a financial transaction includes an input device, a computing device, and a power source. The input device is adapted to input user information. The computing device is operatively coupled to the input device, adapted to compare the input user information to stored user information, and authenticate the user based on the comparison. The power source provides power to at least the input device. The power source is adapted to obtain power from thermal energy, light energy, and/or electromagnetic energy, which is derived from the user and/or an ambient environment. A method of authenticating a user desiring to conduct a financial transaction includes inputting input user information, comparing the input user information to stored user information, authenticating the user based on the comparison, and performing the inputting using power obtained from thermal energy, light energy, and/or electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A method and system for securely accessing an account using a security device that includes: (1) receiving a request via a payment device for access to an account having account information, wherein the request includes an account number; (2) generating randomly a numeric value; (3) displaying the numeric value; (4) prompting data entry of a combined PIN via the payment device, wherein the combined PIN is a combination of the numeric value and the PIN; (5) uncombining the numeric value from the entered combined PIN to provide an uncombined PIN; (6) comparing the uncombined PIN to the PIN; and (7) permitting access to the account information based on the comparison.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to consummating a financial transaction using payments vouchers. A merchant code associated with a merchant is received by a financial institution terminal, which verifies the merchant code against a stored code. A payment voucher is generated in response to the verification. The voucher includes an encoded message that indicates the voucher is authentic.

Abstract: A system for processing financial transactions based on consumer preferences is disclosed. The system allows a user to specify on a payment device a consumer preference which is communicable to a payment terminal and is determinative in pricing goods and services.

Abstract: A swipe card and a method and system of monitoring usage of a swipe card. The swipe card includes a substrate forming a body of the card, a magnetic strip for storing accessible account information and a swipe counter. The swipe counter detecting and accessibly storing a count of the number of times the magnetic strip is swiped. The swipe counter can include a piezo-electric element. The swipe counter can include a capacitive element for storing pulses of energy generated when the magnetic strip is swiped. The swipe counter can include a micro-electromechanical system for recording select physical movement of the card. The swipe card can further include a swipe analyzer for detecting and accessibly storing descriptive information associated with at least one transaction associated with each swipe, wherein the swipe analyzer is operatively coupled to the magnetic strip.

Abstract: A statement generator allows financial institutions to present transaction information as a graphical representation to an account holder in, for example, a statement of purchases. The statement generator obtains transaction information associated with an account holder and maps the transaction information to correlate the transaction information with at least one parameter. The transaction information can include at least one of a purchase amount, a purchase location, a purchase time, or a purchase category. The at least one parameter includes at least one of a purchase location, a purchase time, a purchase amount, or a purchase category. The statement generator depicts the mapping to the account holder to identify a correlation between transactions. The depiction can be a print out of the mapping or the mapping can be rendered on a display.

Abstract: A system for conducting financial transactions which includes a message exchange service is disclosed. The message exchange can occur via a payment terminal and can be 1) payment device-to-payment device, 2) payment device-to-merchant, 3) merchant-to-payment device(s), 4) merchant-to-merchant, 5) anyone to/from financial institutions. The invention can enhance the paying experience, provide merchant feedback, as well as promote branding.

Abstract: A system for enhancing interpersonal communication is disclosed. The system includes one or more personal computer devices capable of broadcasting and receiving select messages based on overlapping user interests. The device shares identity credentials with other devices to ensure credibility of the information being broadcast and maintains user interests in a portable secure database on the device.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means and computer program products for establishing, monitoring and maintaining spending controls in a payment system are provided.

Abstract: A telescoping bicycle fender for use on the rear wheel of a bicycle can be easily and quickly mounted and removed. The fender has three sliding sections which can be telescoped between a compact position in which the sections are nested together and an extended position in which the sections are telescoped out to extend around a substantial part of the wheel.

Abstract: A telescoping bicycle fender for use on the rear wheel of a bicycle can be easily and quickly mounted and removed. The fender has three sliding sections which can be telescoped between a compact position in which the sections are nested together and an extended position in which the sections are telescoped out to extend around a substantial part of the wheel.

Abstract: The structure of a multilayered integrated circuit is determined by removing successive layers of the circuit. Following removal of each layer, the revealed surface is scanned by an electron beam. The intensity of backscattered or secondary electrons is detected by a first or second detector respectively. From the detected electron intensities, image processing circuitry derives a representation of the integrated circuit surface scanned. Where the surface of the integrated circuit is a flat layer of semiconductor substrate material having implanted doped areas, the surface is covered with a metallisation layer providing a Schottky barrier junction with the doped areas. Electron beam scanning of the metallisation layer induces a current at this junction which is monitored and processed to derive a representation of the outline of the doped implanted areas.