Multi-way transaction related data exchange apparatus and methods

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactions such as commerce transactions or purchases and exchanging related information. In one aspect, a robust and integrated apparatus and associated method is provided whereby a purchaser can securely provide transaction data and/or information in an electronic format to another party such as a vendor. In one exemplary embodiment, the purchaser can authenticate his or her right to use the billing information contained therein to complete a purchase without actually having to disclose the billing information in a human readable format, thereby enabling the vendor to obtain and authenticate the purchaser's identity and billing information while still protecting the purchaser's privacy, and without requiring disclosure of the purchaser's billing information to the vendor's employees or any other parties. In another aspect, the vendor can provide information about the transaction in an electronic form that can be authenticated and verified for accuracy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A method of processing a transaction, comprising:
 generating an electronic file, said electronic file comprising data relating to said transaction;   processing said electronic file to create a first indicator of at least a contents of said file;   encrypting said first indicator to produce an encrypted indicator;   combining said encrypted indicator and said electronic file to form a data structure; and   transferring said data structure from a point-of sale device to a user device in communication therewith;   wherein said act of processing is performed substantially by said point-of-sale device disposed at a seller's premises.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising:
 providing billing information from said data transfer device to said point of sale device; and   utilizing said billing information to process a transaction at said point of sale device;   wherein said act of utilizing said billing information to process said transaction comprises authenticating a user of said data transfer device as having a right to access said transaction information to complete a transaction.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said act of authenticating occurs without disclosing any data used in authentication in human-cognizable form. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein said act of encrypting comprises encrypting said first indicator such that it may only be decrypted with a decryption key designated by an entity performing said act of encrypting. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising generating at least one additional file comprising second data. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said second data comprises electronically readable notations to said data, said notations comprising at least one of: (i) instructions relating to decryption of said at least one file; and (ii) information relating to a contents of said at least one file. 
     
     
         48 . Apparatus configured to process, said apparatus comprising:
 an input apparatus configured to receive said data from at least one source; and   a computer apparatus operatively coupled to said input apparatus and configured to execute a computer program, said computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, cause said apparatus to:
 generate at least one electronic file comprising said data; 
 process said at least one electronic file to create a first indicator of at least a contents of said at least one electronic file at a first time; 
 encrypt said first indicator to produce an encrypted indicator; 
 combine said encrypted indicator and said at least one electronic file to form a data structure; and 
 transmit said data structure from said apparatus to a point of sale device directly or through a data networking hub; 
   wherein said data structure is utilized by said point of sale device to complete a transaction relating thereto.   
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said data comprises at least one of: (i) billing data, (ii) personal data; (iii) health care data, and (iv) equipment performance or diagnostics data. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said computer apparatus is configured to support (i) authentication using at least dual key encryption; and (ii) validation of at least a portion of said data using at least a one way hash algorithm, by a recipient of said data structure. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said computer apparatus is configured to support authentication of said data structure without disclosing said data in a human-cognizable form. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein said transmission of said data structure occurs via at least one of an Internet, a local area network, or a wide area network. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein plurality of instructions are further configured to store said data structure in a data file that is part of one or more independent distributed databases. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 53 , wherein at least a portion of said data file is periodically synchronized with a second data file that is also part of said one or more independent distributed databases. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein said second data file is located on a data transfer device, and after said synchronization, information in said data file and said second data file are substantially identical. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein conflicts in said synchronization are identified and resolved according to at least one predefined criterion. 
     
     
         57 . A method for processing healthcare data, comprising:
 securely storing said healthcare data in electronic form;   authenticating a user of a portable data storage device;   when said user is authenticated, transferring said healthcare data to said portable data storage device at a first location;   transferring said portable data storage device to a second location;   transferring said healthcare data from said portable data storage device to a device managed by a healthcare facility, said transfer being performed substantially at a healthcare facility.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein said act of storing said data comprises storing said data in a first data file that is part of one or more independent distributed databases. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising periodically synchronizing said first data file with another data file residing on said data transfer device that is also part of said distributed database. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , further comprising subsequently synchronizing said another data file with at least one other data file that is also part of an independent distributed database. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising periodically synchronizing said first data file with a second data file residing on a remote computer device accessible via a local or wide area connection established between a first device hosting said first data file and said remote computer device.