Abstract: A method and system for converting a first transaction account device to a second transaction account device wherein a card number associated with, or defined as, a first transaction account (e.g., stored value account) is re-associated with, or re-defined as, a second transaction account (e.g., credit card account).

Abstract: There are provided an electronic payment system using a multifunctional prepaid card which is commonly used in payment for use of services and purchase of goods, and a method of selling the multifunctional prepaid card. The electronic payment system includes a multifunctional prepaid card having a predetermined Personal Identification Number (PIN), shopping/service providing means for providing services and goods to a user of the multifunctional prepaid card and requesting the PIN of the multifunctional prepaid card for payment, and a prepaid card management system for managing state/balance information for PIN for the multifunctional prepaid card on a database, making a settlement by referring to the balance amount of the corresponding PIN if payment for a specific PIN is requested by the shopping/service providing means, and updating the settlement result on the database.

Abstract: A definition tool of the present invention declares columns which are concealed in external tables to a multi-database server. The multi-database server controls a decomposition and an execution of query messages such that the multi-database server does not perform an arithmetic using the concealed columns. The external database server encrypts the data of concealed columns in tables of query result tables. The multi-database server designates a range to be decrypted at the time of acquiring and integrating respective result tables. A client program acquires an integrated result table and decrypts the designated range. Since the data encrypted by the external database server is decrypted by and is referred to the client program, it becomes difficult for the multi-database server to refer to a content of the concealed columns.

Abstract: A method and system for effecting a financial transaction over a public network without the submission of sensitive information. The system comprises a common controller in data communication with at least one public network. The common controller includes a processor for generating digital tokens wherein each digital token represents a particular monetary value and contains a particular digital signature and alterable digital token status data indicating ownership of the digital token. The system includes a plurality of user data communication interfaces in data communication with the public network. The processor of the common controller includes data bases for storing user account information such as user identification and PIN, and account values and for authenticating the user identification and PIN to determine whether access to the common controller is permitted.

Abstract: An e-mailer controller which privately and securely delivers bank notices, advices and monthly statements via the Internet, other e-mail networks or the like. The e-mailer controller allows existing banking systems to deliver either printed bank statements or e-mailed bank statements. Thus, the banking system with the e-mailer controller is capable of multi-mode delivery of bank statements. The e-mailed mandated periodic statements include pictorial images of hardcopy banking instruments in accordance with customer preferences for presentation of such hardcopy banking instruments.

Abstract: A system (10) and method is disclosed for generating and supplying industry-specific statistical information relating to use of computer systems in an industry. The system (10) comprises a data gathering application (12, 14) for gathering non-sensitive computer system data from a plurality of members of the industry, a system database application (24) for storing the gathered data, and a data forwarding application (13, 15) for forwarding the gathered data to the system database application (24). The system database application (24) is arranged to generate and provide each member with statistical information indicative of a comparison of characteristics of the member's computer systems with average characteristics of a plurality of members' computer systems.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (12) is operative to conduct transactions in response to HTML documents and TCP/IP messages exchanged with a local computer system (14) through an intranet (16), as well as in response to messages exchanged with foreign servers (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 96) in a wide area network (18). The banking machine includes a computer (34) having an HTML document handling portion (76, 80, 82). The HTML document handling portion is operative to communicate through a proxy server (88), with a home HTTP server (90) in the intranet or the foreign servers in the wide area network. The computer further includes a device application portion (84) which interfaces with the HTML document handling portion and dispatches messages to operate devices (36) in the automated banking machine. The devices include a sheet dispenser mechanism (42) which dispenses currency as well as other transaction devices.

Abstract: An infrastructure for a real time bank-centric universal payment system (2) in which a central processing system (CPU) defines an electronic commerce trust system (1) formed from a plurality of financial service provider members (4) subscribing to a common standard having applicability throught the infrastructure. The central processing unit is operatively interconnected to the correspondent processing units of financial service provider members (4) that in turn are operatively interconnected through access mechanisms to a network of customers (3) and goods and services providers (5) who are account subscribers with the financial service provider member (4) and subject to the common standard of the system. The CPU provides non-revocable real time debit and credit transactions and effects net settlement between and among members through a central exchange monetary system.

Abstract: “SHIFT”, is a radically different Credit Card Internet Security System that converts the current “Vendor Take From” system, to a “Cardholder Pay To” system, where purchases are made over the Internet, but where payments for the purchase are made with the use of the “SHIFT” Unit by the Cardholder over the Cardholder's home telephone line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are computer-implemented methods and systems for securely carrying out electronic transactions including electronic drafts, wherein payment on at least one of the drafts is contingent upon the removal of an associated contingency. The method may include steps of establishing a secure computer site accessible only by authenticated parties to the transaction and by any authenticated contingency approver. The site includes a representation of the transaction that includes a representation of each of the plurality of drafts and an option to remove any contingencies associated therewith.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting accounting instructions has central and decentralized devices. Accounting instructions input by individual users at the decentralized devices are checked for authenticity and retransmitted to the central devices to be processed. According to the invention, the communication system has at least virtually networked devices, means of an independent second communication system (2) with stationary devices (21, 22/1, 22/2) and portable communication transmitters (23) which communicate therewith in an encrypted manner. The stationary devices (21, 22/1, 22/2) of the second communication system (2) may be at least temporarily connected to the central devices (11) of the first communication system (1). Accounting instructions given by individual users with the portable communication transmitters (23) of the second communication system (2) can be previously authenticated in one of the central devices (11) of the first communication system.

Abstract: A self-authenticating check authorization system and method includes a check that has standard bank and account information printed on the MICR line, as well as a one-way hash value that is computed based on the standard bank and account information as well as a personal identification code of a customer and a key. The scanned MICR line data is provided to a check verifier, which also receives the personal identification code from the customer. The check verifier performs a hashing algorithm on the received data, and compares the computed hash value to a hash value obtained from the scanned MICR line data. If there is a match, the check is verified; if not, the check is not verified.

Abstract: A system and method for updating personal financial information at one or more online financial institutions. The user uses a financial software program on a client computer system to update or edit contact information pertaining to the user. The user is asked whether he wishes to send the updated contact information to one or more financial institutions. If the user wishes to send the information to one or more financial institutions, he selects the financial institutions to which the data will be sent and selects a command button to send the data. The data, which may be encrypted, is sent to the selected financial institutions over a computer network, such as the Internet. The institutions validate the user request using information such as user identifiers and passwords. Validated requests are processed and the client contact information maintained by the financial institutions is updated.

Abstract: A form of paper checks, and the apparatus and method to handle them, allows deposit from home or office. The apparatus can be implemented with a Personal Computer (PC) having a secure cryptography generator (SCG) installed. The process of depositing paper checks begins by the payee endorsing a check having printed thereon encryptions in at least selected locations where information is written by a payer. The act of writing by the payee obscuring some of the encryptions. The payee then scans the endorsed check with a scanner to generate a digitized version of the check. The computer extracts from the digitized version of the check a concatenated branch number, account number and check number and a corresponding digital signature. The payee then transmits the extracted information together with the digitized version of the check for deposit. The checks a specially designed to prevent fraud such alteration of the payee, amount and multiple deposits.

Abstract: An electronic shopping system facilitates purchase transactions via a wireless telephone. A purchase transaction program is downloaded from the seller's server to a purchaser's wireless telephone via a program loader contained within the purchaser's wireless telephone. The purchase transaction program is stored in a program memory of the purchaser's wireless telephone. The purchase transaction program is used by the purchaser to facilitate the selection of items to be purchased, as well as payment therefor. An external bar code reader is attached to the wireless telephone to facilitate the selection of items to be purchased and is controlled via the downloaded purchase transaction program.

Abstract: A method facilitating secure financial transactions using email is presented comprising the steps of receiving bill data at a server implementing the method, and generating an email message to a recipient with information including at least a portion of the received bill data. The amount of bill data included in the email message is based, at least in part, on the email address of the recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for providing services to a remote user through a network is provided. The user is identified through a user personal CD card readable in a CD reading device of a terminal, and a user personal identification number (PIN) entered on this terminal. The PIN and card-identifying elements are transmitted from the terminal to a remote server through the network, and matched to a user profile on the server, thereby identifying the user. The identified user may be provided with access to at least one service application on said server, such as access to a restricted system or financial transactions.

Abstract: A consumer-based bill management and payment system is configured to receive, analyze, manage and pay electronic billing statements received from the biller over the Internet. The system includes a notification manager that detects when the electronic bill arrives and notifies the consumer. The bill is stored in memory with other unpaid electronic bills. According to another aspect of the invention, the system has a cashflow analyzer that enables the consumer to coordinate the unpaid electronic bills according to different payment schedules for a bill payment cycle (e.g., a month). The goal of the manipulation is to permit the consumer to analyze how the different payment schedules affect the consumer's cashflow with an aim toward minimizing overdraft during the bill payment cycle. The cashflow analyzer can automatically compute an optimized payment schedule that minimizes overdraft of the consumer's account, while maximizing the balance to generate the most interest.