Financial transaction and/or wireless communication device authorization, notification and/or security apparatus and method.

Abstract

A transaction authorization, notification and/or security apparatus, which comprises a device for issuing an authorization request for a transaction, a device for processing the authorization request and for transmitting a first one of a signal, data and information in response to the authorization request and a communication device for receiving said first one of a signal, data and information transmitted by said processing device.

1 . A transaction authorization, notification and/or security apparatus, which comprises: 
 a device for issuing an authorization request for a transaction;    a device for processing the authorization request and for transmitting a first one of a signal, data and information in response to the authorization request; and    a communication device for receiving said first one of a signal, data and information transmitted by said processing device.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said authorization request issuing device is at least one of a point-of-sale authorization device, a credit card authorization device, a charge card authorization device, a debit card authorization device, a currency card or “smart” card authorization device, a banking transaction terminal, a financial transaction computer, an automated teller machine authorization device, a cellular telephone, a cellular communication device and a cellular communication processing computer.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said communication device is one of a telephone signal receiving device, a beeper, a pager, a telephone, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communications device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a video telephone, an electronically equipped watch, a cellular telephone, a display cellular telephone and a facsimile machine.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said processing device further comprises: 
 a device for transmitting a second one of a signal, data and information to said authorization request issuing device.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said authorization issuing device further comprises: 
 a device for receiving said second one of a signal, data and information.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said communication device further comprises: 
 a device for transmitting one of a response signal, response data and response information in response to said first one of a signal, data and information.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said processing device further comprises: 
 a device for receiving said one of a response signal, response data and response information.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said processing device transmits said first one of a signal, data and information to at least one of a facsimile machine, a personal computer, a telephone, a telephone answering machine, an alternate telephone, an alternate telephone answering machine and a network computer, at least one of simultaneously and sequentially.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said authorization request issuing device, said processing device and said communication device is programmable.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus provides transaction authorization for at least one of a credit card transaction, a charge card transaction, a debit card transaction, a currency or “smart” card transaction, a savings account transaction, a checking account transaction, an automated teller machine account transaction, a cellular telephone transaction and an cellular communication device transaction.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus operates one of in real-time and with a time delay.  
     
     
         12 . A transaction authorization, notification and/or security apparatus, which comprises: 
 a device for issuing an authorization request for a transaction;    a device for processing the authorization request in conjunction with one of pre-defined criteria and pre-specified criteria and for transmitting a first one of a signal, data and information in response to the authorization request; and    a communication device for receiving said first one of a signal, data and information transmitted by said processing device,    wherein said processing device transmits an authorization request reply one of signal, data and information to said authorization request issuing device.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said authorization request issuing device is at one of a point-of-sale authorization device, a credit card authorization device, a charge card authorization device, a debit card authorization device, a currency card or “smart” card authorization device, a banking transaction terminal, a financial transaction computer, an automated teller machine authorization device, a cellular telephone, a cellular communication device and a cellular communication processing computer.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said communication device is one of a telephone signal receiving device, a beeper, a pager, a telephone, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communications device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a video telephone, an electronically equipped watch, a cellular telephone, a display cellular telephone and a facsimile machine.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said processing device further comprises: 
 a device for transmitting a second one of a signal, data and information to said authorization request issuing device.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said one of pre-defined criteria and pre-specified criteria comprises at least one of credit limits, one of lost, stolen and unauthorized use status of one of a credit, charge, debit, currency or “smart” card and account number corresponding thereto, authorized transaction type, authorized transaction limit, authorized one of vendor, seller and service provider, authorized geographic one of area and location, authorized one of goods and services, daily spending limits, financial transaction limit, authorized individual(s), authorized banks and/or financial institutions, authorized transaction times, limits of one of charge-back, returned item amount withdrawal, maintenance charge withdrawal and fee withdrawal, authorized access code, authorized phone numbers which may be called, authorized phone numbers from which calls may be received, authorized one of geographical area and location which may be called and/or accessed or from which calls may be received and authorized times of usage and authorized time limits of usage.  
     
     
         17 . A method for transaction authorization, notification and/or security, which comprises the steps of: 
 issuing an authorization request for a transaction;    processing the authorization request; and    notifying an authorized individual of the authorization request.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , which further comprises the step of: 
 processing one of a reply and a response of the authorized individual.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of: 
 issuing a response to the authorization request.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said processing step further comprises the step of: 
 processing the authorization request in conjunction with at least one of pre-defined criteria and pre-specified criteria.