System and Method for Data Card Emulation

Abstract

An improved system and method for data card emulation involves a portable electronic device that can emulate any one of multiple data cards corresponding to multiple entities. The portable electronic device includes a memory for storing data card information corresponding to data cards of the multiple entities, a radio frequency interface for identifying an entity and conveying information supporting a transaction between the entity and a user of the portable electronic device, a processor for retrieving from the memory a data card information of a data card of the identified entity used by the processor to support the transaction, and a touch screen display that displays information about the transaction.

1 . A portable electronic device for data card emulation, comprising:
 a memory configured to store a plurality of data card information corresponding to a plurality of data cards corresponding to a plurality of entities;   a radio frequency interface configured to identify an entity of said plurality of entities and to convey information relating to a transaction between said identified entity and a user of said portable electronic device;   a processor configured to retrieve a data card information of said plurality of data card information corresponding to a data card of said selected entity, said data card information being used to support said transaction; and   a touch screen display configured to display information about said transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said memory is also configured to store a plurality of icons corresponding to said plurality of entities. 
     
     
         3 . The portable electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein said touch screen display is configured to display said plurality of icons and to allow said user to use a finger of said user to select an icon of said plurality of icons. 
     
     
         4 . The portable electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein said finger touches the touch screen display to select said icon. 
     
     
         5 . The portable electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein a swipe motion of said finger changes the icons of said plurality of icons displayed by said touch screen display. 
     
     
         6 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said portable electronic device is a phone. 
     
     
         7 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said portable electronic device is a watch. 
     
     
         8 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said data card is one of a credit card or a debit card. 
     
     
         9 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said data card information comprises a barcode. 
     
     
         10 . The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said portable electronic device resembles one of a credit card or a debit card. 
     
     
         11 . A method for data card emulation, comprising:
 reading into a memory of a portable electronic device a plurality of data card information corresponding to a plurality of data cards corresponding to a plurality of entities;   identifying using a radio frequency interface of said portable electronic device an entity of said plurality of entities;   conveying using said radio frequency interface information supporting a transaction between said entity and a user of said portable electronic device;   retrieving from said memory a data card information of said plurality of data card information corresponding to a data card of said identified entity, said data card information being used by a processor of said portable electronic device to support said transaction; and   displaying information about said transaction on a touch screen display of said portable electronic device.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 reading into said memory a plurality of icons corresponding to said plurality of entities, said plurality of icons being displayed by a touch screen display of said portable electronic device, said plurality of icons being selectable using a finger of a user of said portable electronic device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said finger touches the touch screen display to select said icon. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said user uses a swipe motion of said finger to vary the icons of said plurality of icons displayed by said touch screen display. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said portable electronic device is a phone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said portable electronic device is a watch. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said data card is a credit card. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said data card is a debit card. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said data card information comprises a barcode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said touch screen displays said barcode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said portable electronic device resembles one of a credit card or a debit card.