Secure universal transaction system

Abstract

A secure universal transaction system includes an operations and resource component, at least one communication device for enabling user interaction with the operations and resource component, and a secure token associated with each user of the system. The operations and resource component includes a first biometric security component, a second security component, and a communication component for enabling secure communication between the operations and resource component and at least one network. Each communication device includes a wired or wireless token interface, a biometric reader for enabling a user to input a biometric reading, a wired or wireless communication component for enabling communication between the communication device and the operations and resource component, a user input device, and an output device. Each secure token includes a token security component for generating a security code and a data storage component for storing user data. User access to the operations and resource component is permitted only when the secure token is interfaced with the token interface of the communication device, the biometric reading entered by the user matches a biometric reading associated with the secure token in the biometric security component of the operations and resource component, and the security code generated by the token security component matches a corresponding security code associated with the secure token in the second security component of the operations and resource component.

1 . A secure universal transaction system, comprising:
 an operations and resource component, including
 a first biometric security component, 
 a second security component, 
 a communication component for enabling communication between the operations and resource component and at least one network, 
 a processor, and 
 a data storage component; 
   a communication device for enabling user interaction with the operations and resource component, the communication device including
 a token interface, 
 a biometric reader for enabling a user to input a biometric reading, 
 a communication component for enabling communication between the communication device and the operations and resource component, 
 a user input component for inputting user commands and information into the communication device, 
 an output component for providing information to the user, 
 a processor, and 
 a data storage component; and 
   a secure token adapted to interface with the token interface of the communication device, including
 a token security component for generating a security code, and 
 a data storage component for storing user data, 
   wherein user access to the operations and resource component is permitted only when the secure token is interfaced with the token interface of the communication device, the biometric reading entered by the user matches a biometric reading associated with the secure token in the biometric security component of the operations and resource component, and the security code generated by the token security component matches a corresponding security code associated with the secure token in the second security component of the operations and resource component.   
     
     
         2 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component is implemented as a centralized computer system. 
     
     
         3 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component is implemented as a network of distributed computer systems. 
     
     
         4 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a retinal image and the first biometric security component stores a retinal image associated with the user of the secure token. 
     
     
         5 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a digital fingerprint image and the first biometric security component stores a digital fingerprint image associated with the user of the secure token. 
     
     
         6 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a vein pattern image and the first biometric security component stores a vein pattern image associated with the user of the secure token. 
     
     
         7 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a voice input and the first biometric security component stores voice recognition data associated with the user of the secure token. 
     
     
         8 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein all communications between the operations and resource component, the secure token, and the communication device are encrypted. 
     
     
         9 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second security component of the operations and resource component communicates with the token security component to generate an access code using an evolving encryption or other security algorithm. 
     
     
         10 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein each data element stored in the operations and resource component is protected from access via the at least one network by an electronic tag associated with the data element that restricts access to authorized users. 
     
     
         11 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component enables user access to the Internet, at least one public network, or at least one private network via the communication device. 
     
     
         12 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 11 , wherein the communication device enables wireless access to the Internet, the public network, or the private network. 
     
     
         13 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component communicates with the communication device using wireless communication technology. 
     
     
         14 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component communicates with the communication device using wired communication technology. 
     
     
         15 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data storage component of the operations and resource component stores software, data, access links, personal preferences, financial data, or other user data. 
     
     
         16 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the token interface provides an electrical contact through which the secure token provides and receives data from the communication device. 
     
     
         17 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the token interface provides a wireless data interface through which the secure token provides and receives data from the communication device. 
     
     
         18 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the user input component includes a keypad. 
     
     
         19 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the user input component includes a touch screen. 
     
     
         20 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the user input component includes a microphone. 
     
     
         21 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the output component includes a display screen. 
     
     
         22 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the output component includes a printer. 
     
     
         23 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the output component includes an audio speaker. 
     
     
         24 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the secure token is round in shape and includes at least one contact electrode. 
     
     
         25 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the secure token is polygonal in shape. 
     
     
         26 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of communication devices used by a plurality of users to access the operations and resource component. 
     
     
         27 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the plurality of users is permitted a different level of access to the operations and resource component than the others of the plurality of users. 
     
     
         28 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication device includes a locator for identifying the geographical location of the communication device. 
     
     
         29 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the secure token includes a locator for identifying the geographical location of the secure token. 
     
     
         30 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component provides postal functions for users of the system. 
     
     
         31 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 30 , wherein the each user is assigned a unique postal routing code, each user provides delivery information that is associated with the user's unique postal routing code, and the operations and resource component accesses the delivery information associated with the user's unique postal routing code to direct mail to the user. 
     
     
         32 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 31 , further comprising a document delivery system in which a document to be delivered to a recipient is electronically transmitted to a postal or other outlet servicing the recipient location and printed at the postal or other outlet servicing the recipient location by a secure printing system for delivery to the recipient. 
     
     
         33 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component provides user access to educational software and facilitates user participation in educational courses. 
     
     
         34 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component enables the user to conduct electronic transactions using the communication device. 
     
     
         35 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 34 , wherein the operations and resource component enables the user to perform real-time pricing comparisons and obtain retail outlet location information using the communication device. 
     
     
         36 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 34 , wherein the an item to be purchased via the system has an associated authentication certification created by the communication device of a seller of the item. 
     
     
         37 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 34 , wherein a sale amount associated with sale of an item performed via the system by a seller to a buyer is credited to the seller only upon verification of delivery of the item to the buyer. 
     
     
         38 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component enables the user to participate in voting and other governmental functions. 
     
     
         39 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component enables the user to conduct electronic financial transactions using the communication device. 
     
     
         40 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component enables the user to access entertainment activities and products using the communication device. 
     
     
         41 . A secure universal transaction system according to  claim 1 , wherein the operations and resource component provides user access via the communication device to a global trading system, wherein transactions in the global trading system are conducted using an international value unit that has a geographically variable value index based upon valuation of unequalized goods in geographic regions in which the global trading system operates, wherein the operations and resource component generates the geographically variable value index and calculates a regional value of the international value unit in each geographic region in which the global trading system operates, and wherein the international value unit equalizes a value of goods, services, and resources worldwide. 
     
     
         42 . A communication device for enabling a user to access a secure universal transaction system, comprising:
 a token interface,   a biometric reader for enabling the user to input a biometric reading,   a communication component for enabling communication between the communication device and an operations and resource component,   a user input component to enable the user to input commands and information into the communication device,   an output component for providing information to the user,   a processor, and   a data storage component,   wherein the token interface is adapted to interface with a secure token provided by the user, and wherein user access to the operations and resource component via the communication device is permitted only when the secure token is interfaced with the token interface of the communication device, the biometric reading entered by the user matches a biometric reading associated with the secure token in the operations and resource component, and a security code generated by the secure token matches a corresponding security code associated with the secure token in the operations and resource component.   
     
     
         43 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a retinal image and the biometric reading associated with the secure token is a retinal image. 
     
     
         44 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a digital fingerprint image and the biometric reading associated with the secure token is a digital fingerprint image. 
     
     
         45 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a vein pattern image and the biometric reading associated with the secure token is a vein pattern image. 
     
     
         46 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the biometric reader is a device for obtaining a voice input and the biometric reading associated with the secure token is stored voice recognition data. 
     
     
         47 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the operations and resource component enables user access to the Internet, at least one public network, or at least one private network via the communication device. 
     
     
         48 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables wireless access to the Internet, the public network, or the private network. 
     
     
         49 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the operations and resource component communicates with the communication device using wireless communication technology. 
     
     
         50 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the operations and resource component communicates with the communication device using wired communication technology. 
     
     
         51 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the token interface provides an electrical contact through which the secure token provides and receives data from the communication device. 
     
     
         52 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the token interface provides a wireless data interface through which the secure token provides and receives data from the communication device. 
     
     
         53 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the user input component includes a keypad. 
     
     
         54 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the user input component includes a touch screen. 
     
     
         55 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the user input component includes a microphone. 
     
     
         56 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the output component includes a display screen. 
     
     
         57 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the output component includes a printer. 
     
     
         58 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the output component includes an audio speaker. 
     
     
         59 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables user access to postal functions via the operations and resource component. 
     
     
         60 . A communication device according to  claim 59 , wherein the each user is assigned a unique postal routing code, each user provides delivery information that is associated with the user's unique postal routing code, and the operations and resource component accesses the delivery information associated with the user's unique postal routing code to direct mail to the user. 
     
     
         61 . A communication device according to  claim 60 , wherein the communication device provides access to a document delivery system in which a document to be delivered to a postal or other outlet servicing the recipient is electronically transmitted to a recipient location and printed at the postal or other outlet servicing the recipient location for delivery by a secure printing system to the recipient. 
     
     
         62 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables user access to educational software and facilitates user participation in educational courses via the operations and resource component. 
     
     
         63 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables the user to conduct electronic transactions via the operations and resource component. 
     
     
         64 . A communication device according to  claim 63 , wherein the communication device enables the user to perform real-time pricing comparisons and obtain retail outlet location information via the operations and resource component. 
     
     
         65 . A communication device according to  claim 63 , wherein the an item to be purchased via the secure universal transaction system has an associated authentication certification created by the communication device of a seller of the item. 
     
     
         66 . A communication device according to  claim 63 , wherein a sale amount associated with sale of an item performed via the secure universal transaction system by a seller to a buyer is debited from the buyer and confirmed to the seller immediately upon completion of the sale and credited to the seller only upon verification of delivery of the item to the buyer. 
     
     
         67 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables the user to participate in voting and other governmental functions via the operations and resource component. 
     
     
         68 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables the user to conduct electronic financial transactions via the operations and resource component. 
     
     
         69 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables the user to access entertainment activities and products. 
     
     
         70 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device enables the user to access a global trading system, wherein transactions in the global trading system are conducted using an international value unit that has a geographically variable value index based upon valuation of unequalized goods in geographic regions in which the global trading system operates, and wherein the operations and resource component generates the geographically variable value index and calculates a regional value of the international value unit in each geographic region in which the global trading system operates. 
     
     
         71 . A communication device according to  claim 42 , wherein the communication device includes a locator for identifying the geographical location of the communication device. 
     
     
         72 . A secure token for use in a secure universal transaction system having an operations and resource component accessed by at least one communication device, the secure token comprising:
 a token security component for generating a security code, and   a data storage component for storing user data,   wherein user access to the operations and resource component is permitted only when the secure token is interfaced with a token interface of the communication device, a biometric reading entered by the user matches a biometric reading associated with the secure token in a biometric security component of the operations and resource component, and a security code generated by the token security component matches a corresponding security code associated with the secure token in the operations and resource component.   
     
     
         73 . A secure token according to  claim 72 , wherein the secure token is round in shape and includes at least one contact electrode. 
     
     
         74 . A secure token according to  claim 72 , wherein the secure token provides and receives data from the communication device through a wireless interface. 
     
     
         75 . A secure token according to  claim 72 , wherein the secure token is polygonal in shape. 
     
     
         76 . A secure token according to  claim 72 , wherein the secure token includes a locator for identifying the geographical location of the secure token. 
     
     
         77 . A secure token according to  claim 72 , further including a display for displaying a current user balance or past transaction data. 
     
     
         78 . A token comprising:
 a token security component including a security code,   a data storage component for storing user data, and   a display for displaying a current user balance or past transaction data.   
     
     
         79 . A method for accessing a communication system having an operations and resource component accessed by at least one communication device, the method comprising the steps of:
 interfacing a secure token with a communication device;   entering a biometric reading into the communication device;   transmitting the entered biometric reading from the communication device to the operations and resource component;   comparing the entered biometric reading with a biometric reading associated with the secure token in the operations and resource component;   when a match is detected between the entered biometric reading and the biometric reading in the operations and resource component, transmitting an access code from the secure token to the operations and resource component via the communication device; and   permitting user access to the communication system via the communication device when the access code from the secure token matches a corresponding security code associated with the secure token in the operations and resource component.