Secure identification, verification and authorization using a secure portable device

Abstract

A system for providing authorization is disclosed. The system includes a server configured to: allow a user to conduct a transaction using a computer, and present an image to the user in connection with the transaction, the image having information embedded therein, and a portable device configured to: allow the user to capture the image, store predetermined information, capture input information from the user, the input information to be used to ensure that the user is authorized to use the portable device, and generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information. The server is further configured to receive the output from the portable device and evaluate the output to determine if the user has authorized the transaction.

1 . A system for providing authorization, the system comprising:
 a server configured to:
 allow a user to conduct a transaction using a computer; and 
 present an image to the user in connection with the transaction, the image having information embedded therein; and 
   a portable device comprising a camera and configured to:
 allow the user to capture the image using the camera; 
 store predetermined information, the predetermined information including information related to the user; 
 capture input information from the user, including input information to be used to ensure that the user is authorized to use the portable device; and 
 generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; 
   wherein the server is further configured to receive the output from the portable device and evaluate the output to determine if the user has authorized the transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the portable device is further configured to generate the output using the input information captured from the user. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the portable device is further configured to decode the information embedded in the image for use in generating the output by using a cryptographic algorithm. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the input information includes one of a personal identification number and biometric information. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the image includes a barcode. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the barcode includes a multi-dimensional barcode. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the image includes a set of barcodes. 
     
     
         8 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the portable device is further configured to transmit the output to the server via a message delivery protocol comprising the Short Message Service. 
     
     
         12 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the output includes a digital signature associated with the user. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing authorization, the method comprising:
 configuring a server to:
 allow a user to conduct a transaction using a computer; 
 present an image to the user in connection with the transaction, the image having information embedded therein; 
   configuring a portable device to:
 allow the user to capture the image, wherein the portable device comprises a camera and the image is captured by the camera; 
 store predetermined information; 
 capture input information from the user, the input information to be used to ensure that the user is authorized to use the portable device; and 
 generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; and 
   configuring the server to receive the output from the portable device and evaluate the output to determine if the user has authorized the transaction.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 configuring the portable device to generate the output using the input information captured from the user. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 configuring the portable device to decode the information embedded in the image for use in generating the output by using a cryptographic algorithm. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the input information includes one of a personal identification number and biometric information, 
     
     
         20 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 configuring the portable device to display the output to the user; and 
 configuring the server to receive the output, or a portion thereof, from the user via the computer. 
 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 configuring the portable device to transmit the output to the server via a message delivery protocol. 
 
     
     
         27 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the output includes a digital signature associated with the user. 
     
     
         31 . A method of providing authorization, the method comprising:
 presenting an image to a user in connection with a transaction, the image having information embedded therein;   configuring a portable device to:
 allow the user to capture the image, wherein the portable device comprises a camera and the image is captured by the camera; 
 store predetermined information related to the user; 
 capture input information from the user, the input information to be used to ensure that the user is authorized to use the portable device; and 
 generate an output based on the information embedded in the image and the predetermined information; 
   receiving the output generated by the portable device; and   evaluating the output to determine if the user has authorized the transaction.   
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising:
 configuring the portable device to generate the output using the input information captured from the user; and 
 configuring the portable device to decode the information embedded in the image for use in generating the output by using a cryptographic algorithm. 
 
     
     
         34 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising:
 configuring the portable device to display the output to the user, wherein the output displayed to the user includes information relating to the transaction. 
 
     
     
         40 - 42 . (canceled)