SYSTEM AND METHOD INCLUDING DYNAMIC VERIFICATION VALUE

Abstract

System and methods for generating a dynamic verification value for electronic payment transactions are disclosed. An account identifier and an account attribute associated with an account of a user are received at a server computer. A dynamic account attribute is created and concatenated with the account identifier. The concatenated account identifier and the dynamic account attribute are then used to generate a dynamic verification value. The dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute are then sent to a user communication device and used for authentication in a payment transaction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/312,196, filed on Mar. 9, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

There is a need for more secure data transfer when paying for goods and services using payment cards such as debit and credit cards.

In a typical payment transaction, a user may use a credit card to purchase an item at a merchant or enter his account information into a payment page of a merchant's website. The merchant then generates an authorization request message using a POS (point of sale) terminal when the user is present at the merchant location. Alternatively, for an online transaction, the merchant website may generate an authorization request message for card-not-present (CNP) transactions. In either instance, the authorization request message is passed to the issuer of the credit card, and the issuer may approve or deny the request to authorize the transaction.

There are a variety of methods by which fraudsters attempt to obtain account information of users for conducting fraudulent transactions. Such transactions are susceptible to “man in the middle” attacks whereby an unauthorized person intercepts information between the merchant and the issuer.

Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems, individually and collectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include systems and methods for generating dynamic verification values for use in the electronic payment transactions.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving an account identifier (e.g., an account number) and an account attribute (e.g., an expiration date) associated with an account such as a credit card account. The method also includes generating a dynamic account attribute (e.g., a dynamic expiration date) from the account attribute associated with the account, and generating a dynamic verification value (e.g., a dCVV or dynamic card verification value) using the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute. In some embodiments, the generation of the dynamic verification value may include concatenating the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute. The dynamic verification value and, optionally, the dynamic account attribute, can then be used to authenticate the account or a portable consumer device associated with the account.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising using the concatenated account identifier and the dynamic account attribute as an input into an algorithm that encrypts the concatenated account identifier and the dynamic account attribute using a Master Derivation Key (MDK). The algorithm then generates a Unique Derived Key (UDK).

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising sending an account identifier and an account attribute associated with an account to a server computer, receiving a dynamic verification value and a dynamic account attribute, and sending the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute to a second server computer. The second server computer uses the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute for authentication.

Another embodiment if the invention is directed to a method including using the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute in an authorization request message.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a user communication device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart that shows the steps involved in generating a dynamic verification value, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart that shows the steps involved in concatenating an account identifier with a dynamic expiration date, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows the process of generating a dynamic verification value, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram that shows an example of a portable consumer device and a payment page of a merchant website, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a computer apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to provide more security for electronic transactions, additional security data may be used during the processing of electronic payment transactions. Such data can be generated by an external source and introduced into the transaction process at any point, and then verified by a processing entity or the issuer of the debit or credit card to make sure that the transaction has originated from an authorized source.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising receiving, by a server computer associated with a payment processing network and from a user computer, an account number and an account attribute such as an expiration date associated with an account such as a credit card account. The expiration date and the account number may further be associated with a credit card or other portable consumer device. The method also includes generating, by the server computer, a dynamic account attribute such as a dynamic expiration date from the account attribute associated with the account. In the method, the server computer may also generate a dynamic verification value such as a dCVV or dynamic card verification value using the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute.

The dynamic verification value and, optionally, the dynamic account attribute, can then be used to authenticate the account or a portable consumer device associated with the account. For example, in some embodiments, the dCVV value and the dynamic expiration date can be entered onto a web page on a merchant's Web site. This data can then be transmitted in an authorization request message from the merchant's website to a payment processing network that is located between many issuers and acquirers. The server computer associated with the payment processing network may then receive the dCVV value and the dynamic expiration date. It may then independently generate the dCVV and the dynamic expiration date and compare it to the dCVV and the dynamic expiration date received from the merchant's website. If they match, then the transaction may then be considered to be authentic.

An indication of the authenticity of the transaction (e.g., in the form of an authentication score) may then be passed in the authorization request message to the issuer of the account. The issuer of the account may then decide whether or not to authorize the transaction, and may then send an authorization response message back to the merchant website. It may indicate whether or not the issuer approved of the transaction. Then, at the end of the day, a clearing and settlement process can take place.

Prior to discussing specific embodiments of the invention, a number of terms may be discussed in further detail.

As used herein, “account identifier” can refer to an identifier for an account. It may comprise any suitable number of characters (e.g., numbers and/or letters) suitable for identifying an account. For example, an account identifier may be a Primary Account Number (PAN) of a credit or debit card. The Primary Account Number (PAN) may include numbers and/or letters and may be in any length. Other examples of account identifiers may include a name of the account holder, an address associated with the account, a phone number associated with an account, a password associated with the account, etc.

As used herein, “account attribute” can refer to any data that does not change frequently and is relatively static. It may be associated with a portable consumer device such as a payment card. If they change at all, account attributes typically do not change more than once per year. Examples of account attributes may include, without limitation, an expiration date for payment card, an account holder's name, a service code, and a CVV2 or CVV value. In some embodiments, the account attribute includes data that is stored or present on a payment card (e.g., an expiration date or CVV value).

As used herein, an “authorization request message” may be a message that includes an issuer account identifier. The issuer account identifier may be a payment card account identifier associated with a payment card. The authorization request message may request that an issuer of the payment card authorize a transaction. An authorization request message according to an embodiment of the invention may comply with ISO 8583, which is a standard for systems that exchange electronic transactions made by cardholders using payment cards. In embodiments of the invention, an authorization request message may include, among other data, an account identifier, one or more account attributes, an amount of the transaction (which may be any type and form of a medium of exchange such a money or points), and identification of a merchant (e.g., a merchant verification value or a merchant ID). Typically, an authorization request message is generated by a server computer (if the transaction is an e-commerce transaction) or a Point of Sale (POS) device (if the transaction is a brick and mortar type transaction) and is sent to an issuer via a payment processing network and an acquirer.

As used herein, “user communication device” can refer to an electronic device capable of communication with other electronic devices. For example, user communication device may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, netbook computer, tablet computer (e.g. iPad), mobile phone, verification token (described in detail later) and any other electronic device that can be coupled to another electronic device either wirelessly or via a direct connection.

As used herein “dynamic verification value” (e.g., a dynamic device verification value, a dynamic card verification value, and a dCVV2 value) can refer to a value that can be used to verify that a transaction (and in some cases a portable consumer device used to conduct a transaction) is authentic. It may be a numeric or alpha-numeric value that is generated by an algorithm (e.g. encryption algorithm) that uses account data such as account identifier and account attribute as inputs.

As used herein, a “server computer” is typically a powerful computer or cluster of computers. For example, the server computer can be a large mainframe, a minicomputer cluster, or a group of servers functioning as a unit. In one example, the server computer may be a database server coupled to a web server.

Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein include systems and methods for dynamically generating a verification value and for utilizing it to verify that a transaction originates from an authorized source and that a portable consumer device (e.g., debit or credit card) or other means used to conduct the transaction is authentic.

Embodiments of the present invention are able to maintain or improve existing user experiences, minimize the adverse impacts on merchant processes/systems, leverage existing network data transport mechanisms, utilize existing issuer validation infrastructure, support multiple forms of implementation, and maintain consistency with broader authentication strategies.

Further details regarding dynamic verification values can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/712,148, filed on Feb. 24, 2010, U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/939,963 filed on Nov. 4, 2010, and U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/878,947, filed on Sep. 9, 2010 which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

I. Systems

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating the components of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a user 110 and a portable consumer device 112 that the user 110 may use to conduct a payment or other type of transaction. The user 110 may also operate a mobile device 118, a user computer 120, and a verification token 122. When purchasing a good or service from the Internet, the user 120 may contact a merchant website 130 run on a server computer 131.

Further elements of the system may include an acquirer 140, a payment processing network 150, an IP Gateway 152, and an issuer 160. The IP Gateway may include an IP Gateway server computer 153 while the payment processing network 150 may include a payment processing network server computer 155. The IP gateway server computer 153 may include a computer readable medium 154, a processor 155, and a generation module 151. The payment processing network server computer 155 may include a data processor 156, and a comparison module 158. A database 159 may be operatively coupled to the server computer 155.

As noted above, the user 110 can use the portable consumer device 112, the mobile device 118, and the user computer 120. The user 110 interacts with the merchant website 130 using the user computer 120 and/or mobile device 118. The mobile device 118, the verification token 122 and the user computer 120 are capable of communicating with the IP Gateway 152 for requesting and receiving a dynamic verification value (this process will be described in detail later). The merchant website 130 is in communication with the acquirer 140. The acquirer 140 is in communication with the issuer 160 through the payment processing network 150. The payment processing network 150 is in communication with the IP Gateway 152. The IP Gateway 152 has access to the payment processing network server computer 155.

The user 110 can be an individual or organization such as a business that is capable of purchasing goods or services or making any suitable payment transaction with the merchant website 130.

The portable consumer device 112 can be any suitable device that can be used to conduct a payment transaction, and may be in any suitable form. For example, suitable portable consumer devices 112 can be hand-held and compact so that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). They may include smart cards, magnetic stripe cards, keychain devices (such as the Speedpass™ commercially available from Exxon-Mobil Corp.), etc. Other examples of portable consumer devices 112 include cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, payment cards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and the like. In some cases, the portable consumer device 112 may be associated with an account of user 110 such as a bank account.

Portable consumer device 112 may include a contactless element 114 that includes a processor (not shown), an antenna (not shown), computer readable media (not shown), and one or more applications stored on the computer readable media that operate in concert to allow the portable consumer device 112 to wirelessly send its stored card data to a wireless reader. The contactless element 114 provides Near Field Communication (NFC) capability for the portable consumer device 112 such that when the portable consumer device 112 is in close proximity of a wireless reader, the wireless reader powers the contactless element 114 and collects the card data.

The mobile device 118 may be in any suitable form. For example, suitable mobile device 118 can be hand-held and compact so that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). Some examples of the mobile device 118 include desktop or laptop computers, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, and the like. In some embodiments, the mobile device 118 and the portable consumer device 112 can be embodied in the same device.

The user computer 120 may be a personal computer, phone, or a laptop computer. The user computer 120 may run an operating system such as Microsoft Windows™ and may have a suitable browser such as Internet Explorer™.

The verification token 122 can be an electronic device configured to be coupled to, or can be present within, the user computer 120 and can be capable of wirelessly receiving card data from the portable consumer device 112. Elements of the verification token 122 and their operation will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

The merchant website 130 may be in the form of a website hosted by one or more server computers (e.g. server computer 131). The user 110 is capable of communicating with the merchant website 130 using the user computer 120 and/or mobile device 118.

The acquirer 140 can be any suitable entity that has an account with a merchant associated with the merchant website 130. In some embodiments, the issuer 160 may also be the acquirer 140.

The payment processing network 150 can be a network of suitable entities that have information related to an account associated with the portable consumer device 112. This information includes data associated with the account on the portable consumer device 112 such as profile information, data, and other suitable information. Such data may be stored in one or more databases such as the database 159 and may be accessible by one or more server computers such as the server computer 155.

The payment processing network 150 may have or operate a server computer and may include a database (e.g. the server computer 155 and the database 159). The database may include any hardware, software, firmware, or combination of the preceding for storing and facilitating retrieval of information. Also, the database may use any of a variety of data structures, arrangements, and compilations to store and facilitate retrieval of information. The server computer may be coupled to the database and may include any hardware, software, other logic, or combination of the preceding for servicing the requests from one or more client computers. Server computer may comprises one or more computational apparatuses and may use any of a variety of computing structures, arrangements, and compilations for servicing the requests from one or more client computers.

The payment processing network 150 may include data processing subsystems, networks, and operations used to support and deliver authorization services, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services. An exemplary payment processing network 150 may include VisaNet™. Networks that include VisaNet™ are able to process credit card transactions, debit card transactions, and other types of commercial transactions. VisaNet™, in particular, includes an integrated payments system (Integrated Payments system) which processes authorization requests and a Base II system which performs clearing and settlement services. The payment processing network 150 may use any suitable wired or wireless network, including the Internet.

The IP Gateway 152 can refer to an entity that includes one or more servers such as IP Gateway server computer 153. The IP Gateway 152 may also include one or more databases (not shown), and have access to issuer data, transaction data and user data. This data may be used to authenticate portable consumer devices. The IP Gateway 152 also generates and delivers notifications and alert messages to various delivery channels. The IP Gateway 152 may be part of the payment processing network 150 or may be a separate entity in communication with payment processing network 150.

The databases 159 may be server computers that are capable of storing data and responding to queries from client computers. The database 159 may also be in the form of stand-alone hard drives connected to one or more server computers that retrieve the data from the database 159 as result of queries from client computers.

As used herein a “computer readable medium” or “computer readable storage medium” is typically a storage medium such a hard disk or any suitable type of data storage medium capable of storing data such as program codes.

The comparison module 158 can be a software program stored on the computer readable medium, and run by the processor 156, that monitors the stream of data in an electronic payment transaction and compare various types of data in the electronic payment transaction such as the dynamic verification value with the same type of data supplied by the IP Gateway 152 or any other entity to make sure the data that are part of the electronic payment transactions are accurate and are originated from an authorized source.

The generation module 151 can be software program stored on the computer readable medium 154 and run by the processor 155 that generates a dynamic verification value. The generation module 151 may also be embodied as a Hardware Security Module (HSM) that generates a dynamic verification value.

The issuer 160 can be any suitable entity that may open and maintain an account associated with the portable consumer device 112 for the user 110. Some examples of issuers may be a bank, a business entity such as a retail store, or a governmental entity. In many cases, the issuer 160 may also issue the portable consumer device 112 associated with the account to the user 110.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating various components of the verification token 122 according to one embodiment.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 is a USB device that includes a USB connectivity module 230, a secure element 220 (e.g., a smart card chip), a wireless/contactless reader 210 capable of reading card data (payment data) from a portable consumer device, a built in memory 240, a self-installing driver 250, a form fill application 260, a terminal application 270, and a heartbeat application 280. The verification token 122 may also have other features such as a keyboard buffer capability and a unique serial number associated with the verification token. The verification token 122 has no footprint on the user computer 120 with internet connectivity when it is plugged in. The various components and modules on the verification token 122 can be used to implement methods according to embodiments of the invention.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates a verification token 122 as something similar to a USB stick, the verification token 122 may come in other forms. For example, it may be piece of hardware or other module installed in a computer, consumer device, or other device. For example, in other embodiments, the verification token may be housed in a computer and need not be a device that is physically separated from the computer.

II. Methods

In a typical transaction process, the user 110 may take his portable consumer device 112 and may interact with the verification token 122. For example, the portable consumer device 112 may be a contactless payment card, and the contactless payment card can be placed near the verification token. Information such as the Primary Account Number (PAN) as well as the expiration date may then pass from the portable consumer device 112, to the verification token 122, to the user computer 120, and to the IP Gateway 152. The IP Gateway 152 may then receive this information, and this may cause the IP Gateway 152 to generate a dynamic verification value.

In the embodiments of the invention, a dynamic verification value may be generated by the generation module 151 in the server computer 153 of the IP Gateway 152 and delivered to a user communication device such as the user computer 120/verification token 122 combination, and the mobile device 118. In some embodiments, the user communication device that receives the dynamic verification value may be utilized in the process of performing an electronic payment transaction (this process will be described in detail below). In some embodiments, a dynamic verification value may be received by a user communication device (e.g., the mobile device 118) and the user 110 may manually enter the dynamic verification value in a payment page of a website.

Before or after sending the dynamic verification value to a user communication device, the IP Gateway server computer 153 may also send the dynamic verification value to the payment processing network server computer 155 in the payment processing network 150. In one embodiment, the payment processing network 150 may also contact the IP Gateway 152 to receive the dynamic verification value at any time. A program in the payment processing network server computer 155 associates the dynamic verification value with a corresponding account number associated with the user 110. The account number of the user 110 may be issued by the issuer 160. In some embodiments, which will be described in detail later, the payment processing network 150 may independently generate the dynamic verification value based on the data received in an authorization request message and may then compare the generated dynamic verification value the one that was accompanied by the authorization request message.

When the user 110 purchases goods or services from the merchant website 130 using the user computer 120, the dynamic verification value is entered in the payment page of the merchant website 130 either automatically via the verification token 122 or manually by the user 110. After the merchant website 130 receives transaction details including name and address of the user 110, the account identifier and account attributes, and the payment amount, it then generates an authorization request message which is sent to the acquirer 140. The acquirer 140 forwards the authorization request message to the payment processing network 150.

Upon receipt of the authorization request message, the payment processing network 150 compares the dynamic verification value included in the authorization request message, with the dynamic verification value that was received from the IP Gateway 152 (more specifically, the IP Gateway server computer 153) or the dynamic verification value that the payment processing network 150 independently generates. This is done via the comparison module 158 which runs on the payment processing network server computer 155.

The server computer 155 in the payment processing network 150 then determines whether the dynamic verification value that was included in the authorization request message matches with the copy that was provided by the IP Gateway 152 or that was generated independently from data that are provided in the authorization request message. In one embodiment, the payment processing network 150 then forwards the authorization request message to the issuer 160 along with an indicator that specifies whether there was a match between the dynamic verification values. In one embodiment, if the dynamic verification values do not match, payment processing network 150 may decline the transaction on behalf of the issuer 160. The issuer 160 or the payment processing network 150 can then generate an authorization response message which indicates whether the transaction is approved or declined. The authorization response message is forwarded to the acquirer 140 and then to the merchant 130.

Two specific embodiments in which the user 110 may use a user communication device to request and receive a dynamic verification value will now be described. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other ways may be used to request, receive and use the dynamic verification value to conduct an electronic payment transaction.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an embodiment of the invention, the user 110 may receive a verification token 122 such as the one illustrated in FIG. 2 from his or her financial institution (issuer 160, for example). Alternatively, a user may receive a verification token 122 from another entity on behalf of a financial institution.

The user 110 can then connect the verification token 122 to the USB port of his user computer (user computer 120, for example). The verification token 122 is then powered by the user computer, and it is recognized as a valid device. The verification token 122 can also self-install via the self-installing driver 250 (shown in FIG. 2), and then ping the user computer 120 to check for internet connectivity.

If Internet connectivity is available, the verification token 122 can then automatically attempt to establish a background SSL session to the IP Gateway 152 through a predefined IP address, using the user computer 120, so that it can be used as a part of an authentication process. A terminal application 270 and heartbeat application 280 may be used to establish and maintain this connection. If the session connection is successfully established, the verification token 122 identifies itself to the IP Gateway 152 by providing its unique serial number and/or IP address.

When the user 110 is ready to submit his/her payment information to the merchant website 130, he/she holds the portable consumer device 112 in close proximity of the verification token 122. Card data (i.e. account data) associated with the portable consumer device 112 are received by the verification token 122 from the contactless element 114 of the portable consumer device 112. The verification token 122 encrypts the card data and sends them to the IP Gateway 152 via the previously established SSL session described above. When the IP Gateway 152 receives the encrypted data, the authenticity of the information is validated by validating the account number associated with the portable consumer device 112. The IP Gateway 152 generates a dynamic verification value based on a predetermined algorithm, and sends the dynamic verification value to the verification token 122. The dynamic verification value is automatically form-filled in the payment page of the merchant website 130 by the form-fill application 260 shown in FIG. 2.

When the dynamic verification value is submitted to the merchant website 130, the merchant website 130 then generates an authorization request message which is sent to the acquirer 140. Acquirer 140 passes the authorization request to the payment processing network 150. Payment processing network 150 compares the dynamic verification value that is in the authorization request message from the acquirer 140 (which is received from the merchant website 130) to the dynamic verification value that is received from the IP Gateway 152 or the dynamic verification value that was independently generated by the payment processing network 150. This is performed by the comparison module 158. If they match, the payment processing network 150 sends the authorization request message to the issuer 160. The issuer 160 generates an authorization response message which indicates whether the transaction is approved or declined. The authorization response message is sent to the payment processing network 150 which then sends it to the acquirer 140. The acquirer 140 informs the merchant associated with the merchant website 130 about the result.

In another embodiment, the user 110 requests and receives the dynamic verification value using the mobile device 118. The user 110 then initiates a request by sending an SMS from the mobile device 118 to the IP Gateway 152. When the IP Gateway 152 receives the request, the phone number and the Primary Account Number (PAN) associated with the mobile device 118 are identified. The IP Gateway 152 then validates the account number associated with the portable consumer device 112 and phone number of the mobile device 118. The IP Gateway 152 generates a dynamic verification value, based on a predetermined algorithm, which is sent to the mobile device 118. The mobile device may receive the dynamic verification value via SMS or through application that communicates with the IP Gateway server computer 153. The generated dynamic verification value is also sent to the payment processing network 150. Then, user 110 enters the dynamic verification value at the payment page of the merchant website 130 along with the payment information to purchase goods or services. The mobile device 118 may also have a form-fill application that automatically form-fills the dynamic verification value into a payment page of a web site accessed via the mobile device 118.

Generation of a Dynamic Verification Value

A method of the generating a dynamic verification value will now be described with reference to the Figures. In the embodiments of the invention, the dynamic verification value may be generated from the account identifier (e.g. a Primary Account Number (PAN)), and one or more account attributes (e.g. an expiration date). FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the process of generating the dynamic verification value according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, in step S301 the IP Gateway 152 receives an account identifier (e.g. the Primary Account Number (PAN)) and an account attribute (e.g. the expiration date) associated with the portable consumer device 112 of the user 110 from the verification token 122 or the mobile device 118.

Optionally, the IP Gateway 152 verifies that the account identifier and the account attributes such as the expiration date are valid. This step which is not shown in the flowchart of the FIG. 3, may be performed by the payment processing network 150 at the time of receiving an authorization request message.

In step S302, the IP Gateway 152 generates a dynamic expiration date from the expiration date associated with the portable consumer device 112. In step S303, the account identifier (e.g. the Primary Account Number (PAN)) is concatenated with an account attribute (e.g. the expiration date).

This process is further illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, an example of an account identifier in the form of a 16-digit Primary Account Number (PAN) and an account attribute in the form of the expiration date are shown. In step S401 the Primary Account Number (PAN) and an expiration date associated with a portable consumer device are obtained. At step S402 a dynamic expiration date is generated from the expiration date, and at step S403 the dynamic expiration date is concatenated with the Primary Account Number (PAN). In some embodiments, the dynamic expiration date may be generated via an algorithm that accepts the expiration date as an input and uses a predetermined formula to generate a dynamic expiration date.

Referring back to FIG. 3, at step S304 the concatenated account identifier (e.g. Primary Account Number (PAN)) and the dynamic account attribute (e.g. dynamic expiration date) are inputted into a key derivation algorithm. In step S305, a Unique Derived Key (UDK) that is obtained from the key derivation algorithm is inputted into another algorithm that generates a dynamic verification value. The dynamic verification value is then provided to the verification token 122 or the mobile device 118.

The process described in steps S304 and S305 in FIG. 3 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the data string 501 which may be formed by concatenation of the account identifier (e.g. the Primary Account Number (PAN)) and the dynamic account attribute (e.g. dynamic expiration date) can be altered (i.e. encrypted) to form a Unique Derived Key (UDK) 504. In this process, which is referred to as the key derivation process, the data string 501 is inputted into a data encryption algorithm 503 (also referred to as the key derivation algorithm) such as DES or triple-DES, for example. The Master Derivation Key (MDK) 502 is then used to encrypt the data string 501. The value resulting from the encryption algorithm 503 is the Unique Derived Key (UDK) 504.

In some embodiments, the data string 501 may be formed from concatenation of more than two types of account data. For example, data string 501 may be formed by concatenating the Primary Account Number (PAN), a sequence number which changes with each transaction and the dynamic expiration date. Utilization of more account data to form the data string 501 results in a more complex and secure Unique Derived Key (UDK) 504. Although concatenation of an account identifier and an account attribute are described in detail, embodiments of the invention are not limited to concatenation and such data elements can merely be used as inputs to form a dynamic verification value.

In some embodiments, the data encryption algorithm 503 may not be able to accepts an input that is larger than a pre-determined number of bits/bytes. In such embodiments, the data string 501 may be truncated as needed. In some other embodiments, the data encryption algorithm may expect an input that is larger than a pre-determined bits/bytes. In such embodiments, the data string 501 may be padded with zeros at either end.

The Unique Derived Key (UDK) 504 and a data encryption algorithm 506 can be used to alter (i.e. encrypt) a second data string (e.g. data string 505 “input X”). The data encryption algorithm 506 may be the same type of algorithm as the data encryption algorithm 503 or may be any other suitable encryption algorithm. Data string 505 may be the same as data string 501 or may be any other suitable data string. In one example, data string 505 may be the account identifier (i.e. Primary Account Number (PAN)) of the portable consumer device of the user. The data string 505 is then encrypted via Unique Derived Key (UDK) 504 to form the data string 507 (i.e., output X′). The resulting data string 507 is then altered via the algorithm 508 to form a dynamic verification value 509.

The algorithm 508 may be any suitable algorithm and may perform a suitable alteration process on the resulting data string 509. For example, the algorithm 508 may take the last 32 bits of data (i.e. 4 digits) from the data string 507 as the dynamic verification value.

Performing a Payment Transaction

The method of performing a payment transaction will now be described with reference to the figures. FIG. 6 shows the portable consumer device 600 and the payment page 601.

The payment page 601 is a payment page of a website from which the user 110 whishes to purchase goods or services. The payment page 601 may be accessed by using user computer 120. After choosing the goods or services, the user 110 is directed to the payment page 601 to provide the information needed to perform a payment transaction. In a typical payment transaction, the information in fields 602-610 are automatically form-filled via verification token 122. As shown in FIG. 6, these information include: first name 602, last name 603, street address 604, city 605, state 606, zip code 607, account number 608, expiration date 609 and card verification value (CVV2) 610. FIG. 6 also shows two additional fields 611 and 612 which will be described in detail later.

The portable consumer device 600 may be embodied as data stored on a user communication device such as a mobile device. For example, a mobile device may contain an application that stores the account number, expiration date, security code and any other data needed to perform a payment transaction. Furthermore, the mobile device may be capable of Near Field Communication (NFC) with the verification token 122. Therefore, the example of the portable consumer device 600 shown in FIG. 6 as a credit/debit card is not intended to be limiting.

As described before, the user 110 can bring his portable consumer device (e.g. portable consumer device 600) in close proximity of the verification token 122 and the verification token 122 receives the account data including an account identifier (e.g. Primary Account Number (PAN)) and an account attribute (e.g. expiration date) from the portable consumer device of the user 110 and sends the account identifier and the account attribute, among other account data, to the IP Gateway server computer 153 and requests a dynamic verification value.

As described above, the generation module 151 of the IP Gateway server computer 153 then generates a dynamic verification value and a dynamic expiration date which are sent from the IP Gateway server computer 153 to the verification token 122.

At this point, the dynamic verification value and the dynamic expiration date can be form-filled and/or included in the payment information in payment page 601 in several ways which will now be described in detail.

In some embodiments, In addition to the expiration date field 609 and the CVV2 field 610, the payment page 601 may include a dynamic expiration date field 611 and the dynamic verification value (dCVV2) field 612 which will be form-filled with the dynamic expiration date and the dynamic verification value respectively. In such embodiments, the user 110 will be able to see that fields 611 and 612 are form-filled.

In some embodiments, the user 110 may not see the fields 611 and 612 shown inside the dotted square in payment page 601. In such embodiments, the fields 611 and 612 are hidden fields which will be form-filled in the background. This is advantageous because fraudsters cannot determine that these fields exist and such data are used in the payment transaction.

In some embodiments, the CVV2 field 610 and/or expiration date field 609 may be form-filled with fake values (i.e. values different from what is displayed on the portable consumer device 600). In such embodiments, the fields 611 and 612 may or may not be hidden fields. Using fake values is advantageous, because the fraudsters cannot determine whether the fake values shown in the fields 610 or 609 are really used or not.

In one example, the dynamic expiration date field 611 and the dynamic verification value (dCVV2) field 612 may be visible, and in addition the CVV2 field 610 may be form-filled with a fake number. However, when the data are sent to the merchant website 130, the correct CVV2 value may be used instead of the fake value.

In this example, even if a fraudster can determine the data that are form-filled in the payment page 601, he is not aware that in the background, other values may be actually sent to the merchant website 130. Therefore, the fraudster will not be able to perform an unauthorized payment transaction.

When the user 110 clicks on the submit or “Make Payment” button on the payment page 601, the data that are form-filled in the payment page 601 including the fields that may not be visible, are sent to the merchant website 130.

Merchant website 130 receives the data from the payment page 601 and generates an authorization request message. The authorization request message will include the dynamic expiration date and the dynamic verification value. As discussed before, the authorization request message may also include the actual expiration date and CVV2 or fake expiration date and/or CVV2.

The authorization request message will be sent to the payment processing network 150 through acquirer 140. The payment processing network 150 may regenerate the dynamic verification value and the dynamic expiration date via the same method used by the IP Gateway 152 and using the comparison module 158 compare the regenerated values with the ones included in the authorization request message.

In some embodiments, the payment processing network 150 may receive the dynamic verification value and the dynamic expiration date from the IP Gateway 152. In such embodiments, the comparison module 158 of the payment processing network 150 may compare the values that received from the IP Gateway 152 with the ones that are accompanied with the authorization request message.

Upon verification of the dynamic verification value and the dynamic expiration date, the payment processing network 150 sends the authorization request message to the issuer 160.

It can be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention have many advantageous. Inclusion of the dynamic verification value and the dynamic expiration date in the payment data used to generate an authorization request message is advantageous in that it is hard for fraudsters gain access to such data or to be able to generate the same values. Moreover, making the dynamic verification value and the dynamic expiration date invisible in a payment page is advantageous because fraudsters will not know that such data are used in a payment transaction. Furthermore, replacing the CVV2 field and/or the expiration date with fake values makes it harder for the fraudsters to accurately determine how such fake values are obtained and if they are actually used in a payment transaction.

The various participants and elements of the system shown in FIG. 1 may operate one or more computer apparatuses to facilitate the functions described herein. Any of the elements in FIG. 1 may use any suitable number of subsystems to facilitate the functions described herein. Examples of such subsystems or components are shown in FIG. 7. The subsystems shown in FIG. 7 are interconnected via a system bus 775. Additional subsystems such as a printer 774, keyboard 778, fixed disk 779 (or other memory comprising computer readable media), monitor 776, which is coupled to display adapter 782, and others are shown. Peripherals and input/output (I/O) devices, which couple to I/O controller 771, can be connected to the computer system by any number of means known in the art, such as serial port 777. For example, serial port 777 or external interface 781 can be used to connect the computer apparatus to a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, or a scanner. The interconnection via system bus allows the central processor 773 to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution of instructions from system memory 772 or the fixed disk 779, as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. The system memory 772 and/or the fixed disk 779 may embody a computer readable medium.

The software components or functions described in this application may be implemented as software code to be executed by one or more processors using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer-readable medium may also reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network.

The present invention can be implemented in the form of control logic in software or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic may be stored in an information storage medium as a plurality of instructions adapted to direct an information processing device to perform a set of steps disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention.

In embodiments, any of the entities described herein may be embodied by a computer that performs any or all of the functions and steps disclosed.

Any recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or equivalents.

Claims

1. A computer apparatus comprising:

a computer readable medium;

a processor coupled to the computer readable medium; wherein the processor is configured to execute program code stored on the computer readable medium to implement a method comprising:

receiving an account identifier and an account attribute associated with an account;

generating a dynamic account attribute from the account attribute associated with the account;

generating a dynamic verification value using the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute; and

providing the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute to a verification token, wherein the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute are used for authentication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the account identifier is a Primary Account Number (PAN) associated with the account, and wherein generating the dynamic verification value comprises concatenating the account identifier and the account attribute.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the Primary Account Number (PAN) is associated with a portable consumer device.

4. The system of claim 1, where in the account attribute is an expiration date associated with a portable consumer device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the account attribute is selected from any one of a birthday and personal identification number of a user associated with the account.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute are used as input for an algorithm that encrypts the concatenated account identifier and the dynamic account attribute using a Master Derivation Key (MDK).

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute are used as an input for an algorithm that generates a Unique Derived Key (UDK).

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the Unique Derived Key (UDK) is used for generating a dynamic verification value.

9. A method comprising:

receiving an account identifier and an account attribute associated with an account;

generating a dynamic account attribute from the account attribute associated with the account;

generating a dynamic verification value using the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute; and

providing the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute to a verification token, wherein the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute are used for authentication.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the account identifier is a Primary Account Number (PAN) associated with the account, and wherein generating the dynamic verification value comprises concatenating the account identifier and the account attribute.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the Primary Account Number (PAN) is associated with a portable consumer device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the account attribute is an expiration date associated with a portable consumer device.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute are used as input for an algorithm that encrypts the concatenated account identifier and the dynamic account attribute using a Master Derivation Key (MDK).

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the account identifier and the dynamic account attribute are used as an input for an algorithm that generates a Unique Derived Key (UDK).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the Unique Derived Key (UDK) is used for generating a dynamic verification value.

16. A method comprising:

sending an account identifier and an account attribute associated with an account to a first server computer.

receiving a dynamic verification value and a dynamic account attribute; and

sending the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute to a second server computer, wherein the second server computer uses the dynamic verification value an the dynamic account attribute for authentication.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute are automatically form-filled into a payment page of a website automatically.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the dynamic verification value and the dynamic account attribute are used to generate an authorization request message.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the account identifier is a Primary Account Number (PAN) associated with the account.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the account attribute is an expiration date associated with a portable consumer device.