Apparatus and method for providing account security

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing account security which includes a receiver for receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of an electronic money account, wherein the one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder, a memory device for storing the one of a limitation and a restriction, and a processor for processing a transaction on the electronic money account in conjunction with the one of a limitation and a restriction. The processor generates a first signal which contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction. An apparatus and method for providing account security which includes a receiver for receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of a brokerage account, wherein the one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder in real-time, a memory device for storing the one of a limitation and a restriction, and a processor for processing a transaction on the brokerage account in conjunction with the one of a limitation and a restriction. The processor generates a first signal which contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of an electronic money account, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder;

a memory device for storing said one of a limitation and a restriction; and

a processor for processing a transaction on the electronic money account in conjunction with said one of a limitation and a restriction,

wherein said processor generates a first signal, and further wherein said first signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from the account holder in real-time.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a notification signal to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein the communication device is one of a device for receiving said notification signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transaction involves at least one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

means for one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction is at least one of a limitation and a restriction involving at least one of a type of transaction, one of an individual, an entity, and an institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, a financial institution authorized to perform a transaction on the account, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a reply signal, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

9. A method for providing account security, comprising:

receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of an electronic money account, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder;

storing said one of a limitation and a restriction;

processing a transaction on the electronic money account in conjunction with said one of a limitation and a restriction; and

generating a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from the account holder in real-time.

11. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

a receiver for receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of a brokerage account, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder in real-time;

a memory device for storing said one of a limitation and a restriction; and

a processor for processing a transaction on the brokerage account in conjunction with said one of a limitation and a restriction,

wherein said processor generates a first signal, and further wherein said first signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a notification signal to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein the communication device is one of a device for receiving said notification signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said transaction involves at least one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

means for one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction is at least one of a limitation and a restriction involving at least one of a type of transaction, one of an individual, an entity, and an institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, a financial institution authorized to one of perform a transaction on the account, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a restriction and a limitation on account usage.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a reply signal, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

18. A method for providing account security, comprising:

receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of a brokerage account, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder in real-time;

storing said one of a limitation and a restriction;

processing a transaction on the brokerage account in conjunction with said one of a limitation and a restriction; and

generating a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

19. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

a processor for processing a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information corresponding to a transaction occurring on an electronic money account, and further wherein said processor one of generates and transmits a second signal, wherein said second signal contains information for providing a notification of the transaction; and

a transmitter for transmitting said second signal one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein said second signal provides notification of the transaction.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving said first signal.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

an input device for inputting said first signal into said apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a communication device for receiving said second signal, wherein said communication device is one of a device for receiving said second signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said transaction involves one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

means for counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

means for one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said processor processes said first signal in conjunction with at least one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, a financial institution authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a restriction and a limitation on account usage.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a reply signal from one of the account holder and an entity authorized to approve the transaction, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

28. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said communication device comprises:

a display device for displaying information corresponding to the transaction.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said communication device one of at least one of generates and transmits a third signal for one of approving and disapproving the transaction, is programmed for automatically at least one of generating and transmitting said third signal in response to said first signal, is programmed to automatically respond to said first signal with one of a preprogrammed and a pre-set response, and is programmed for one of approving and disapproving the transaction according to one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

30. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein at least one of said apparatus and said communication device further comprises:

a memory device for storing one of an account usage limitation and an account usage restriction for one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, and authorized transaction time period.

31. A method for providing account security, comprising:

processing a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information corresponding to a transaction occurring on an electronic money account;

one of generating and transmitting a second signal, wherein said second signal contains information for providing a notification of the transaction; and

transmitting said second signal one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein said second signal provides notification of the transaction.

32. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

a processor for processing a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information corresponding to a transaction occurring on a brokerage account, and further wherein said processor one of generates and transmits a second signal, wherein said second signal contains information for providing a notification of the transaction; and

a transmitter for transmitting said second signal one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein said second signal provides notification of the transaction, and further wherein said second signal is transmitted over a communication network directly one of to the account holder and to the communication device associated with the account holder.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving said first signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

an input device for inputting said first signal into said apparatus.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a communication device for receiving said second signal, wherein said communication device is one of a device for receiving said second signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

36. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said transaction involves one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

38. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

means for counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

means for one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

39. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said processor processes said first signal in conjunction with at least one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, a financial institution authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

40. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a reply signal from one of the account holder and an entity authorized to approve the transaction, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

41. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said communication device comprises:

a display device for displaying information corresponding to the transaction.

42. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said communication device one of at least one of generates and transmits a third signal for one of approving and disapproving the transaction, is programmed for automatically at least one of generating and transmitting said third signal in response to said first signal, is programmed to automatically respond to said first signal with one of a preprogrammed and a pre-set response, and is programmed for one of approving and disapproving the transaction according to one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

43. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein at least one of said apparatus and said communication device further comprises:

a memory device for storing one of an account usage limitation and an account usage restriction for one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, and authorized transaction time period.

44. A method for providing account security, comprising:

processing a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information corresponding to a transaction occurring on a brokerage account;

one of generating and transmitting a second signal, wherein said second signal contains information for providing a notification of the transaction; and

transmitting said second signal one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein said second signal provides notification of the transaction, and further wherein said second signal is transmitted over a communication network directly one of to the account holder and to the communication device associated with the account holder.

45. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

means for receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of an electronic money account, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder;

means for storing said one of a limitation and a restriction; and

means for processing a transaction on the electronic money account in conjunction with said one of a limitation and a restriction,

wherein said processing means generates a first signal, and further wherein said first signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

46. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

means for receiving one of a limitation and a restriction on usage of a brokerage account, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction are received from an account holder in real-time;

means for storing said one of a limitation and a restriction; and

means for processing a transaction on the brokerage account in conjunction with said one of a limitation and a restriction,

wherein said processing means generates a first signal, and further wherein said first signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

47. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

means for processing a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information corresponding to a transaction occurring on an electronic money account, and further wherein said processing means one of generates and transmits a second signal, wherein said second signal contains information for providing a notification of the transaction; and

means for transmitting said second signal one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein said second signal provides notification of the transaction.

48. An apparatus for providing account security, comprising:

means for processing a first signal, wherein said first signal contains information corresponding to a transaction occurring on a brokerage account, and further wherein said processing means one of generates and transmits a second signal, wherein said second signal contains information for providing a notification of the transaction; and

means for transmitting said second signal one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein said second signal provides notification of the transaction, and further wherein said second signal is transmitted over a communication network directly one of to the account holder and to the communication device associated with the account holder.

49. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein transaction one of data and information is stored in said memory device, and further wherein said processor processes said transaction one of data and information and generates a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval, and further wherein said apparatus further comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting said transaction record one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder.

50. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein transaction one of data and information is stored in said memory device, and further wherein said processor processes said transaction one of data and information and generates a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval, and further wherein said apparatus further comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting said transaction record one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder.

51. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a memory device for storing transaction one of data and information,

wherein said processor processes said transaction one of data and information and generates a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval, and further wherein said transmitter transmits said transaction record to one of the account holder and a communication device associated with the account holder.

52. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

a memory device for storing transaction one of data and information,

wherein said processor processes said transaction one of data and information and generates a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval, and further wherein said transmitter transmits said transaction record to one of the account holder and the communication device associated with the account holder.

53. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting a notification signal to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein the communication device is one of a device for receiving said notification signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

54. The method of claim 9, wherein said transaction involves at least one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

55. The method of claim 9, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

56. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

57. The method of claim 9, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction is at least one of a limitation and a restriction involving at least one of a type of transaction, one of an individual, an entity, and an institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, a financial institution authorized to perform a transaction on the account, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

58. The method of claim 53, further comprising:

receiving a reply signal, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

59. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

transmitting a notification signal to a communication device associated with the account holder, wherein the communication device is one of a device for receiving said notification signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

60. The method of claim 18, wherein said transaction involves at least one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

61. The method of claim 18, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

62. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

63. The method of claim 18, wherein said one of a limitation and a restriction is at least one of a limitation and a restriction involving at least one of a type of transaction, one of an individual, an entity, and an institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, a financial institution authorized to one of perform a transaction on the account, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a restriction and a limitation on account usage.

64. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

receiving a reply signal, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

65. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving said second signal with the communication device, wherein the communication device is one of a device for receiving said second signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

66. The method of claim 31, wherein said transaction involves one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

67. The method of claim 31, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

68. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

69. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

processing said first signal in conjunction with at least one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, a financial institution authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a restriction and a limitation on account usage.

70. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

receiving a reply signal from one of the account holder and an entity authorized to approve the transaction, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

71. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

displaying information corresponding to the transaction.

72. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

one of generating and transmitting a third signal for one of approving and disapproving the transaction according to one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

73. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

storing one of an account usage limitation and an account usage restriction for one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, and authorized transaction time period.

74. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

receiving said second signal with the communication device, wherein the communication device is one of a device for receiving said second signal, a telephone, a beeper, a pager, a two-way pager, a reply pager, a home computer, a personal computer, a personal communication device, a personal communication services device, a digital communication device, a television, an interactive television, a digital television, a personal digital assistant, a display telephone, a radio, a car radio, a video telephone, a watch, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a mobile telephone, a display cellular telephone, and a facsimile machine.

75. The method of claim 44, wherein said transaction involves one of a good, a service, cash, a cash instrument, a cash derivative, a security, a stock, a bond, a derivative instrument, a stock derivative, a bond derivative, a commodity, a mutual fund share, a future, an option, an index fund, a future derivative, an option derivative, an index fund derivative, electronic money, electronic cash, electronic currency, digital money, digital cash, digital currency, an electronic money account, a digital money account, an electronic money checking account, an electronic money savings account, an automated teller machine account, a clearing transaction, a check clearing transaction, an account charging transaction, and a charge-back transaction.

76. The method of claim 44, wherein said first signal contains information regarding one of transaction type, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, transaction amount, location of transaction, time of transaction, and one of an individual and an entity involved in the transaction.

77. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

counting a number of unauthorized transactions which occur on the account; and

one of canceling the transaction and de-activating the account.

78. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

processing said first signal in conjunction with at least one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, a financial institution authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

79. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

receiving a reply signal from one of the account holder and an entity authorized to approve the transaction, wherein said reply signal contains information for one of approving and disapproving the transaction.

80. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

displaying information corresponding to the transaction.

81. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising:

one of generating and transmitting a third signal for one of approving and disapproving the transaction according to one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, authorized transaction time, and one of a temporary and a permanent one of a limitation and a restriction on account usage.

82. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

storing one of an account usage limitation and an account usage restriction for one of type of transaction, type of one of good, service, security, stock, bond, and derivative instrument, authorized to be involved in the transaction, one of a goods provider, a service provider, a bank, and a financial institution, authorized to perform a transaction on the account, transaction amount limit, account daily spending limit, authorized geographic location for account transaction, and authorized transaction time period.

83. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

storing transaction one of data and information;

processing said transaction one of data and information;

generating a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval; and

transmitting said transaction record one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder.

84. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

storing transaction one of data and information;

processing said transaction one of data and information;

generating a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval; and

transmitting said transaction record one of to the account holder and to a communication device associated with the account holder.

85. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

storing transaction one of data and information;

processing said transaction one of data and information;

generating a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval; and

transmitting said transaction record one of to the account holder and to the communication device associated with the account holder.

86. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

storing transaction one of data and information;

processing said transaction one of data and information;

generating a transaction record, wherein said transaction record contains information regarding transaction activity occurring on the account during one of a time period and a time interval; and

transmitting said transaction record one of to the account holder and to the communication device associated with the account holder.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a financial transaction and/or wireless communication device authorization, notification and/or security apparatus and method, and, in particular to a financial transaction and/or wireless communication device authorization, notification and/or security apparatus and method for use in providing authorization, notification and/or security in conjunction with credit card, charge card and/or debit card use, financial account, brokerage account, electronic money account, savings and/or checking account activity and/or use and/or wireless or cellular communication device or telephone activity or use.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Millions of individuals enjoy the convenience of utilizing credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards as a convenient way in which to purchase goods and/or services. By utilizing credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, an individual may enter into a transaction without having to have cash or currency in hand or otherwise. In the case of credit cards, charge cards and debit cards, the individual, in effect obtains an instant loan of the funds needed to make a purchase and/or enter into a transaction. In the case of currency or "smart" cards, the individual may "store" an amount of money on the card(s) and, thereafter, utilize the card(s), instead of cash or currency, in order to make purchases and/or enter into transactions.

Millions of individuals also enjoy the benefits of having financial accounts, brokerage accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts and/or automated teller machine accounts which allow then to enjoy the security of saving their money in accounts which are usually insured and which allow them to, in some instances, earn interest on their money. In the case of checking accounts, individuals enjoy the convenience of writing checks and/or other transaction instruments which allow them to draw against their money without having to undergo the inconvenience of going to the bank or financial institution to withdraw their money, in currency form, and traveling to, in some cases, a distant location to either make a purchase, payment and/or to otherwise settle an account. In this regard, the ability to write checks, drafts and/or other instruments against an account is a very convenient manner in which to conduct transactions of any kind.

In the case of automated teller machines, individuals may conveniently withdraw and/or deposit money into a bank of other financial account.

It is envisioned that electronic money, electronic cash and/or digital cash accounts are also becoming a viable vehicle by which to conduct commerce.

Many individuals also enjoy the convenience of owning and/or using wireless or mobile telephones, wireless communication devices, cellular telephones and/or devices as a means by which to facilitate communications and/or to make telephone calls when a conventional line or permanent telephone is not within reach and/or when the individual is "on the go", such as in an automobile, on foot, and/or in any other type of environment, such as away from home, when a conventional line or permanently fixed telephone is not available.

Unfortunately, with the convenience of each of the above credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, electronic money cards, electronic cash cards, and/or digital cash cards, financial accounts, brokerage accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts, automated teller machine (ATM) accounts, electronic money accounts, electronic cash accounts, digital cash accounts and wireless communication devices, wireless telephones, wireless communication devices, cellular telephones or cellular communications devices, comes many disadvantages and the opportunity for theft and/or fraud. In the case of credit cards, charge cards and/or debit cards, hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars a year are lost as a result of the theft of, and/or the fraudulent use of, credit cards, charge cards and/or debit cards, or the account numbers which correspond thereto.

A lost or stolen card may be utilized by an unauthorized individual to spend upwards of thousands of dollars before the unauthorized use is detected and/or before the cardholder can ascertain, and/or be notified, either by the card issuer or servicing institution, or when the cardholder detects the unauthorized transaction on his or her monthly account statement, that the card is lost or stolen. Similarly, even in the absence of the physical card, an unauthorized individual may utilize the account number which corresponds to the card in order to make certain transactions.

While card holders are usually protected by various coverages which shield them from the liabilities associated with the fraudulent use of a card or the corresponding account number, the card issuers, credit, charge and/or debit card issuing companies and/or institutions, and/or their insurance companies, end up paying for the above described thefts and/or fraudulent and/or unauthorized uses. Ultimately, the consumer also shoulders the burden of the costs associated with these thefts and/or fraudulent and/or unauthorized uses in the form of increased prices.

While authorization terminals and/or devices are utilized at a point-of-sale and/or at the vendor's, the seller's, or the service provider's, location, these authorization terminals and/or devices typically are utilized to obtain an authorization from the card issuer or account servicing institution which, usually entails a screening of whether the card has been lost, stolen, cancelled, de-activated and/or whether the cardholder has exceeded and/or will exceed his or her credit limit. This current authorization practice fails to prevent the use of a lost or stolen card, or the unauthorized use of either the card or the account number corresponding thereof, if the card has not been reported, and/or discovered, to be lost, stolen or used without authorization and/or if the account credit limit has not yet been reached.

Current practices do not entail and/or do not include the provision for obtaining an authorization, and/or for providing notice to the cardholder before, during and/or shortly after a transaction, which cardholder authorization and/or notification procedure would be helpful and prove to be essential in preventing the fraudulent use and/or unauthorized use of a card and/or the account number corresponding thereto in an unauthorized transaction and/or shortly thereafter an unauthorized transaction has occurred, thereby minimizing the fraudulent and/or unauthorized use of the card and/or the account number corresponding thereto.

In the case of currency or "smart" cards, which typically may serve as bearer instruments, the monetary credit on these cards may be completely depleted before the card owner even discovers same to be lost or stolen.

In the case of financial accounts, brokerage accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts, and/or automated teller machine accounts, electronic money, electronic cash, and/or digital cash accounts these accounts may be accessed, and funds be withdrawn, without the account owner's notification and/or knowledge. In the case of savings accounts and checking accounts, these accounts may be accessed, and/or funds may be withdrawn therefrom, when checks drawn on insufficient funds are returned, and/or when the account number is inadvertently and/or fraudulently utilized in an endorsement, or otherwise, by an individual attempting to cash or perform a transaction with a fraudulent instrument, a forged instrument and/or an otherwise "bad" check. In these instances, the accounts and/or funds involved are usually accessed, invaded, and/or withdrawn from the account involved without the account owner being notified and/or having a say in the matter. The above also holds true for financial accounts, brokerage accounts, electronic money accounts, electronic cash accounts and/or digital cash accounts especially in cases when an individual's investments are not properly executed or in instances when mistaken transfers, unauthorized transactions and/or unauthorized trading and/or withdrawals occurs.

The account owner is typically notified of the above-described activity involving his or her account days later when he or she either receives a mailed notice and/or when they receive and review their monthly or periodic statement, which notice may be received at a time when it may be too late for the account owner to stop or reverse the transaction and/or, in the case of a check or draft returned for insufficient funds, at a time which is too late for the account owner to attempt to collect the funds. In the case of automated teller machine accounts, these accounts may be accessed, such as with a lost, stolen, or counterfeit card and/or with a card account number(s) and/or associated personal identification number(s), by a thief or by any other unauthorized person who could then make an unauthorized withdrawal(s) therefrom.

Once again, the account owner would not receive notification and/or have knowledge of the unauthorized transaction until they are notified by the bank or financial institution either via a monthly and/or periodic statement, and/or when they attempt a transaction at the automated teller machine and, at that time, discover that funds are missing and/or have been withdrawn. In the case of savings accounts, checking accounts, automated teller machine accounts, electronic money accounts, electronic cash accounts and/or digital cash accounts, there is no present apparatus or method by which to provide notification to an account owner at the time of the unauthorized transaction and/or account activity and/or shortly thereafter same.

In the case of wireless telephones, wireless communication devices and/or cellular telephones, recent practices involving "cloning" wireless telephones, wireless communication devices and/or cellular telephones, which entails intercepting communication and/or telephone transmissions from the respective wireless or cellular communication device or telephone, which transmissions contain the telephone number of the transmitting device or telephone and/or the associated personal identification number (PIN), and utilizing the intercepted information to program a different wireless or cellular communications device or telephone which may then be utilized in conjunction with the account of the "cloned" device or telephone, has also resulted in widespread theft and fraudulent use of wireless telephones, wireless communication devices, cellular telephones and/or cellular communications devices. The "cloned" devices and/or telephones are typically sold on the "black" market. In these instances, the wireless or cellular device or telephone owner has no way of knowing whether, or when, his or her wireless or cellular transmissions are being intercepted and/or if and when a "cloned" wireless or cellular device or telephone is created and/or is utilized on, or over, his or her wireless or cellular device or telephone account.

Typically, the wireless or cellular device and/or telephone owner first becomes aware of the unauthorized usage of his or her wireless or cellular device and/or telephone account when he or she receives their device and/or telephone account statement. Once again, in the time between the "cloning" of the wireless or cellular device or telephone, and the discovery of same, hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars worth of wireless or cellular device or telephone calls may have been made before the unauthorized use is detected. At present, there is no apparatus or method for providing notification to the wireless and/or cellular device or telephone owner as to when his or her device or telephone and/or device number and/or telephone number is, or has been, utilized in an unauthorized manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for providing financial transaction authorization, notification and/or security, and, in particular, provides an apparatus and a method for providing financial transaction authorization, notification and/or security in conjunction with credit card, charge card, debit card, and/or currency or "smart" card use, financial account, brokerage account, electronic money account, electronic cash account and/or digital cash account, savings and/or checking account activity and use and/or wireless or cellular communication device and/or telephone use, which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

The apparatus and method of the present invention, which is utilized in conjunction with a credit card, a charge card, a debit card and/or a currency or "smart" card authorization process comprises a point-of-sale authorization device which devices are found in various establishments and which are utilized in conjunction with the sale of goods and/or services and/or in other types of financial transactions. The point-of-sale device may be utilized at the location of the seller and/or service provider, such as at a retail store or office, and/or the point-of-sale device may be located at the site of the goods or service provider or vendor, such as in cases when the sale is a telephone order, mail order and/or other type of transaction, including transactions made on, or over, the INTERNET and/or other on-line services or communication networks or mediums.

The apparatus also comprises a central processing computer for processing the credit, charge, debit and/or currency or "smart" card, electronic money card, electronic cash card, and/or digital cash card, account and/or other transaction requests, and data and/or information pertaining thereto, and/or the authorization pertaining thereto. The central processing computer may service any predefined group of card holders and/or any pre-defined group(s) and/or type(s) of cards. The central processing computer may also process accounts for any of the various banks and/or financial institutions which issue and/or manage credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and/or currency or "smart" cards, electronic money cards, electronic cash cards, and/or digital cash cards and/or process or manage these accounts.

The point-of-sale device is linked and/or connected to the central processing computer via a communications system, link and/or medium, such as, for example, a communication network and/or a telephone network or line. The communications system which is utilized may be any communications system and may include telecommunication systems, satellite communications systems, radio communication systems, digital satellite communications systems, personal communications services communication systems, cable television systems, broadband communication systems, as well as any other appropriate communications system.

The point-of-sale device transmits signals and/or data to the central processing computer as well as receives signals and/or data from the central processing computer.

The apparatus also comprises a cardholder communication device which may receive signals and/or data from either or both of the point-of-sale device and/or the central processing computer. The communication device may also be equipped with a transmitter for transmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer. In this regard, the central processing computer transmits signals and/or data to the communication device as well as receives signals and/or data from the communication device. The communication device may also transmit signals and/or data directly to the point-of-sale device and receive signals and/or data directly from the point-of-sale device.

The point-of-sale device may transmit signals and/or data to the central processing computer and to the communication device and may receive signals and/or data from the central processing computer and from the communication device.

The communication device may be a wireless device and/or wireless communication device. In this regard, the communication device may be a telephone signal receiving device which may be a beeper or pager or other device which may be carried by the cardholder and/or be kept on and/or close to the cardholder's person so that the central processing computer may transmit signals and/or data to the communication device so as to provide communication with the cardholder at any time and at any location.

The apparatus may also comprise a facsimile (fax) machine, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a telephone answering machine, an alternate telephone, an alternate telephone answering machine, a network computer and/or an alternate beeper or pager. The central processing computer may be linked with the above fax machine, personal computer, personal digital assistant, telephone, associated answering machine, alternate telephone and associated answering machine, network computer, and/or alternate beeper or pager via any suitable communication system. The telecommunications link or telephone line or link, which may or may not be a wireless link depending on the device and/or the circumstances, is utilized in order to link the central processing computer with each of the fax machine, the personal computer, the personal digital assistant, the telephone, the associated answering machine, the alternate telephone, alternate telephone answering machine, the network computer and/or the alternate beeper or pager.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be utilized in order to provide cardholder authorization, notification and/or security measures in financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, electronic money cards, electronic cash cards, and/or digital cash cards, and may be utilized in order to obtain cardholder authorization in a card-related transaction.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may commence operation when the card, which is to be utilized in a credit card, charge card, debit card, and/or currency or "smart" card, electronic money card, electronic cash card, and/or digital cash card, or number corresponding thereto, transaction, is offered at the point-of-sale or other appropriate location whereupon the attendant or point-of-sale device operator will activate the apparatus in any typical manner, such as by obtaining a phone line and entering card information into the point-of-sale device. Data entry may typically be performed by swiping the magnetic strip of the card through a card reader of the point-of-sale device. The information and/or data pertinent to the transaction and the card is then transmitted to the central processing computer.

The central processing computer will then process the information and/or data pertinent to the transaction and to the particular card account and may request, if needed, that the point-of-sale operator enter the transaction amount. The central processing computer will process the information and/or data pertinent to the transaction in conjunction with the card account information in order to determine if the card has been lost, stolen and/or cancelled and/or de-activated. Further, the central processing computer may perform a test in order to determine if the maximum credit, charge or debit account limit has been exceeded and/or if the card has been depleted of its currency value.

Once all of the information and/or data processing has been completed, the central processing computer will determine if the card has been lost, stolen, and/or cancelled and/or de-activated and/or if the credit, charge or debit account limit of the card has been reached and/or exceeded and/or if the currency value of the card has been depleted.

The central processing computer may also perform a test in order to determine if the predetermined maximum number of unauthorized transactions has occurred on the account. If any of the above listed conditions are found to exist (i.e. card is lost, stolen, cancelled and/or de-activated, or credit, charge or debit account limit has been reached or exceeded, currency value depleted, or unauthorized transaction limit reached or exceeded), the central processing computer may transmit a signal to the point-of-sale device indicating that the transaction is not approved and/or is not authorized. The point-of-sale device operator may then cancel the transaction. The point-of-sale device operator may then confiscate the card and/or alert the authorities.

If, however, the central processing computer should determine that the card is not lost, stolen, cancelled or de-activated, or that the credit, charge or debit account limit of the card has not been reached or exceeded, or that the of unauthorized transactions count has not reached a predefined limit, the central processing computer may transmit a signal and/or data to the communication device which is located with the cardholder. The central processing computer may then also transmit respective signals and/or data to any one or more of the cardholder's designated fax machine, personal computer, personal digital assistant, telephone, telephone answering machine, alternate telephone, alternate telephone answering machine, network computer, and/or alternate beeper or pager, either sequentially and/or simultaneously.

The information and/or data transmitted to the communication device includes information and/or data identifying the transaction and may include the name of the store or the service provider and the amount of the transaction. The information and/or data may also provide the time of the transaction, the location (i.e. city, town, village, state, country, etc.) of the transaction, and/or its origin. The information and/or data may also include the phone number of the central processing office and/or computer servicing the account so that the cardholder may telephone same in order to authorize or cancel the transaction. The information and/or data may also be supplemented to include the type of goods and/or services involved in the transaction, if such information can be entered at the point-of-sale device.

The information and/or data which is transmitted from the central processing computer, and received at the communication device, may be displayed to the cardholder on a display device of the communication device. The information displayed on the display device may include the name of the store or the service provider, the amount of the transaction, the time of the transaction and the location of the transaction. The information and/or data may also be supplemented to include the type of goods and/or services involved in the transaction, if such information can be entered at the point-of-sale device.

The apparatus, or the central processing computer, may then wait for the cardholder to respond to the transmission. During this time, the cardholder may either utilize the reply or two-way pager feature on the communication device in order to either approve, or authorize, the transaction or to disapprove, or void the transaction. The apparatus may then determine if the cardholder has made a reply or response within a pre-defined time limit. The cardholder may also transmit a signal via an appropriate key or button suspending use of the card such as when he or she may first be apprised of the fact that the card has been lost or stolen. If the cardholder has replied or responded to the notice, the response may then be transmitted to, and received by, the central processing computer. The cardholder may also simply telephone the central processing office or processing center, servicing the card, so as to personally notify the office or center of his or her response to the central processing computer transmission regarding the transaction.

If the cardholder does not reply to the central processing computer within a pre-specified time, the central processing computer may transmit a signal and/or data to the point-of-sale device indicating that, with the exception of receiving the authorization of the cardholder, the transaction is otherwise approved. The central processing computer may also simply transmit a signal indicating that the transaction is not authorized and, therefore, should be cancelled of voided. The point-of-sale device operator may then either proceed to complete the transaction, try to obtain additional information from the purchaser, or cancel the transaction.

The action taken by the point-of-sale device operator may be dictated by the specific agreement in effect between the sales or service establishment and the bank or financial institution administering the card accounts. Thereafter, the operation of the apparatus will cease. If the cardholder should reply or respond to the transaction notice at a later period, this information may then be utilized in order to approve, or to disapprove, and/or to dispute the transaction.

The central processing computer, after receiving the reply or response from the cardholder, may then identify the cardholder response. The apparatus, or the central processing computer, may then determine if the cardholder has replied or responded so as to authorize the transaction. If the cardholder's response is to cancel, to disapprove or not authorize, the transaction, the central processing computer may transmit a signal and/or data to the point-of-sale device which will notify and/or instruct the point-of-sale device operator that the transaction is not authorized and, therefore, should be cancelled or voided. The point-of-sale device operator may then cancel the transaction. The point-of-sale device operator may then confiscate the card and/or alert the authorities. Thereafter, the apparatus will cease operation.

If, however, the central processing computer identifies the cardholder reply or response as being one to authorize the transaction, the central processing computer may then transmit a signal and/or data to the point-of-sale device which may notify and/or instruct the point-of-sale device operator that the transaction is authorized and/or approved. The point-of-sale device operator may then complete the transaction. Thereafter, operation of the apparatus will cease.

In cases when the cardholder is the party to the transaction, he or she, having the communication device with, or on, his or her person, may authorize the transaction at the point-of-sale location or from his or her remote location. The cardholder may also program and/or set the communication device to automatically authorize or disapprove or disallow transactions.

In this regard, the communication device may be programmable so as to receive and/or to analyze the transaction information and/or data and reply or respond to same automatically and/or with preset or programmed replies and/or responses. The communication device and/or the central processing computer may also be programmable so as to limit and/or restrict the amounts and/or types of transactions, and/or the goods and/or services which may be purchased with the card, the stores or service providers which may be authorized to accept the card, limits on the dollar amounts of transactions pertaining to each authorized vendor, seller and/or service provider, daily spending limits, and/or the geographical area or location to which authorized use may be limited, and/or authorized times for card usage (i.e. specific days, dates, time of day, time of month, year, etc.), and/or any other limitation and/or restriction regarding amount of the transaction, the parties involved, the geographical area limitations, and/or the times of allowed usage. In this regard, the cardholder may provide for temporary transaction and/or purchasing amounts.

The communication device may also be provided with a memory device for storing any number of transactions so that the cardholder may review his account activity and/or transactions which have occurred involving his or her card. In this manner, the cardholder may "scroll" through and/or in other ways review account activity at any time and for any time period and/or interval. The communication device may also be equipped to service more than one card. For example, a plurality of cards may be serviced with or by a single communication device.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the real-time authorization, notification and/or security of financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, electronic money cards, electronic cash cards and/or digital cash cards, which enables a cardholder to monitor, in real-time, all activity involving his or her card(s) and the corresponding account numbers. The apparatus and method of the present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to inform a cardholder that his or her card(s) are lost, stolen and/or are or have been fraudulently used, and/or when his or her card number(s) are or have been fraudulently used, and provides an indication to the cardholder of where his or her card(s) are being or have been utilized in transactions. The cardholder may then report the card lost or stolen and/or cancel and/or de-activate the card.

The present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to monitor the number of transactions which are unauthorized by the cardholder and determine whether or not to authorize transactions and/or to cancel or to de-activate the card(s). In the above manner, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method to prevent and/or to drastically limit fraudulent and/or unauthorized use of credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, electronic money cards, electronic cash cards and/or digital cash cards, and/or the account numbers corresponding thereto.

The present invention, in an alternate embodiment, may be utilized so as to provide authorization, notification and/or security in banking, financial, brokerage and related financial transactions involving checking accounts, savings accounts and/or automated teller machine (ATM) transactions, brokerage accounts and/or transactions, financial accounts and/or transactions, electronic money accounts, electronic cash accounts and/or digital cash accounts, and/or other transactions wherein an account holder can be notified of a transaction and/or attempted transaction. In such an alternate embodiment, the apparatus comprises a respective banking transaction device, a financial transaction device, a brokerage transaction device or, an electronic money, electronic cash and/or digital cash device or terminal which devices or terminals are found in the respective banks, brokerage and financial and/or other suitable institutions, and which may be a teller device or terminal, a processing computer or device and/or an ATM device or terminal, a brokerage account computer or device, a trading computer or device and/or any other appropriate device (hereinafter "transaction device"). The apparatus also comprises a central processing computer and a communication device. The respective transaction device transmits an authorization request which may include the data pertaining to the particular account which is accessed and/or involved in the transaction and the type and the amount of the transaction, over a communications medium, to the central processing computer for processing the transaction request and/or the authorization pertaining thereto.

The central processing computer may transmit signals and/or data pertaining to the transaction to the communication device. The apparatus may then operate and/or be utilized in a manner similar to, or analogous to, the apparatus utilized in conjunction with credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, electronic money cards, electronic cash cards and/or digital cash cards, and/or the account numbers corresponding thereto, as described above.

In this manner, the apparatus and method of the present invention may provide for the real-time notification of banking, financial, brokerage, electronic money, electronic cash and/or digital cash, transactions involving respective bank financial, brokerage and electronic currency accounts and enable an account owner to monitor, in real-time, all activity involving his or her bank, financial, brokerage and/or electronic currency accounts. The apparatus and method of the present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to inform an account owner that his or her account is overdrawn, has been charged against and/or that his or her ATM card(s), and other respective account cards, are lost, stolen, cancelled or de-activated and/or provides an indication to the account owner of when and/or where his or her accounts are being accessed in transactions and/or are being otherwise compromised. The account owner may then report the unauthorized activity, or the discovery of a lost or stolen ATM card, and/or other respective account card, and/or cancel and/or de-activate the respective account(s) and/or card(s).

In another alternate embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention may also be utilized so as to provide authorization, notification and/or security for, and in conjunction with wireless communication devices, wireless telephones, cellular communication devices and/or cellular telephones, wireless and/or mobile telephones and/or communication systems, wherein a wireless, cellular and/or mobile communication devices and/or telephone owner and/or account holder can be notified of a transmission and/or an attempted transmission and/or telephone call made with his or her wireless, cellular, or mobile communication device and/or telephone and/or with the telephone number and/or account information, which information may include, but not be limited to, transmission codes and/or associated signatures and/or data which corresponds to his or her wireless, cellular, or mobile communication device and/or telephone.

The apparatus utilized in conjunction with a wireless communication device or telephone comprises a wireless or cellular communication device or telephone which serves as the transaction device, a central processing computer and a communication device. The wireless or cellular communication device or telephone transmits signals and/or data which are received by the central processing computer. The central processing computer may then transmit signals and/or data which are received by the communication device. The apparatus may then operate and/or be utilized in a manner similar to, or analogous to, the apparatus utilized in conjunction with credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards, electronic money cards, financial accounts, brokerage accounts, electronic cash, electronic money and/or digital cash, accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts and/or automated teller machine accounts, and/or the account numbers corresponding thereto, as described above.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the real-time notification of wireless or cellular communication device and/or telephone usage, including mobile usage which enables a wireless or cellular device and/or telephone owner and/or account holder to monitor, in real-time, all activity involving his or her wireless or cellular device or telephone. The apparatus and method of the present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to inform a wireless or cellular device and/or telephone owner and/or account holder that his or her wireless or cellular device and/or telephone is lost, stolen and/or is being fraudulently used, and/or that the telephone number is being used in an unauthorized manner, and provides an indication to the wireless or cellular device or telephone owner and/or account holder of how, when and where his or her wireless or cellular device or telephone, or the account number which corresponds thereto, is being utilized in wireless or cellular communication transactions. The wireless or cellular device or telephone owner and/or account holder may then report the wireless or cellular device or telephone lost or stolen and/or cancel and/or de-activate the wireless or cellular device or telephone and/or the corresponding account and/or the account number.

The present invention also provides an apparatus and a method by which to monitor the number of wireless or cellular communication device or telephone transactions, including mobile transactions, which are unauthorized by the wireless, cellular or mobile device telephone owner and to determine whether or not a central processing computer should cancel or de-activate the wireless or cellular device or telephone and/or the account. In the above manner, the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for preventing and/or for drastically limiting fraudulent use and/or unauthorized use of wireless, cellular, or mobile devices or telephones and/or wireless, cellular, or mobile telephone numbers. The present invention also provides an apparatus and a method for combating wireless or cellular device or telephone "cloning."

The apparatus and method of the present invention may also be utilized in connection with an on-line service and/or on, or over, the Internet and/or the World Wide Web, so as to provide for a means by which the authorized user or operator may utilize the apparatus in conjunction with a home and/or a personal computer and/or a commercial or industrial computer system (i.e., an internet server computer) and/or any other appropriate device, including a personal communication and/or computing device, in a network environment, and which may be utilized over any suitable and/or appropriate communications network or medium.

The communications system utilized in conjunction with the present invention may operate anywhere in the electromagnetic and/or the radio spectrum. Personal communication service (PCS) systems and devices, including stationary, portable and/or handheld devices, and digital signal communications devices and systems, may also be utilized. The communication system or medium should provide for the transmission and for the reception of a multitude of remote electrical, electronic, electromagnetic, and/or other suitable signals, over long distances and/or in a mobile and/or a wireless communications environment.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may be utilized in conjunction any appropriate communications device which may be utilized with any appropriate communications system and/or medium.

The present invention may also be equipped with, and be utilized with, hardware and software necessary for providing self-monitoring functions, automatic control and/or responses to occurrences, automatic notice of an occurrence and/or a situation, to an owner, user and/or authorized individual. In this regard, any and all of the embodiments described herein may comprise a monitoring device, a triggering device and/or any other suitable device for detecting an occurrence and/or for identifying a situation which may warrant providing notice to a card holder, account owner, wireless or cellular device or telephone owner and/or an authorized individual.

In this regard, the apparatus and method may provide a transmission of any appropriate signal from a transmitter and, if desired, from a voice synthesizer to the card holder, account owner and/or wireless or cellular device or telephone owner. The signal utilized could be in the form of a communication transmission, depending upon the communication medium utilized, a telephone call, a voice message, a beeper and/or a pager message, an electronic mail message, a fax transmission, and/or any other mode of communication which may be utilized with any of the apparatuses, devices and/or components described herein.

In this regard, the apparatus may be designed or programmed to telephone the cardholder, account owner and/or wireless or cellular device or telephone owner, and/or other authorized individual, at a primary phone number, at an alternate or forwarding phone number, and/or at a business phone number, send a beeper or pager message to the individual, and/or send a fax message, an electronic mail (e-mail) message, a voice mail message and/or an answering service message to, or for, the card holder, account owner and/or wireless or cellular device or telephone owner or authorized individual. In this manner, the apparatus may communicate with the desired individual by utilizing multiple notification and/or reporting avenues and/or devices so as to provide and to ensure that best efforts are to be made to communicate with the desired individual as soon as possible.

The apparatus and method of the present invention may also be programmable for programmed and/or automatic activation, self-activation, programmed and/or automatic operation and/or self-operation. The apparatus and method of the present invention may provide for an immediate, as well as for a deferred, authorization, notification and/or security in any of the above-described transactions, financial transactions and/or wireless communication transactions.

The present invention may also be utilized in such a manner that a communication device may receive and/or transmit signals, data and/or information which pertains to multiple accounts and/or multiple types of accounts in order to provide authorization, notification and/or security for a plurality of any of the accounts described herein.

The present invention, in any of the embodiments described herein, may also be designed to be user-friendly. In this regard, the present invention may be menu-driven, and/or its operation may be menu-selected, from audio menus, video or visual menus, or both audio and video menus.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart cards, electronic currency cards, financial accounts, brokerage accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts and/or automated teller machine accounts, electronic money accounts, electronic cash accounts, digital cash accounts, and for providing authorization, notification and/or security in wireless communications transactions involving wireless devices or telephones, wireless communication devices, cellular telephones and/or other wireless or cellular communications devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, ATM cards, electronic currency cards and/or "smart" cards, wherein the cardholder may authorize or disapprove of a transaction, in real time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions involving financial accounts, brokerage accounts, savings accounts, checking accounts, automated teller machine accounts, and/or electronic and/or digital money or currency accounts, wherein the account owner may authorize or disapprove of a transaction, in real time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in wireless communications transactions involving wireless telephones, wireless communication devices, cellular telephones and/or other cellular communications devices, wherein the wireless or cellular device or telephone communication device owner may authorize or disapprove of a transaction, in real-time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions and/or in wireless communication transactions, which may be utilized on, over, or in conjunction with, an on-line service and/or the Internet, the World Wide Web, and/or any other suitable communication network or medium.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions and/or in wireless communications transactions, which is programmable and/or which may provide for pre-programmed and/or pre-specified transaction authorization and/or transaction disapproval.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions and/or in wireless communications transactions, which may be utilized over any suitable communications network or medium.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions and/or in wireless communication transactions, wherein the respective cardholder, account owner or wireless or cellular device or telephone owner may increase or decrease the respective account credit limits, account activity, funds available, calling areas and/or usage limits at any time and/or from any location.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions and/or in wireless communications transactions, which is programmable with respect to authorized times of usage (i.e. specific days, dates, time of day, time of month, year, etc.), and/or any other limitations regarding amount of transaction limitations, parties involved, and/or geographical area and/or location of allowed usage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for providing authorization, notification and/or security in financial transactions, and/or in wireless communication transactions, for a plurality of accounts and types of accounts.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the Description of the Preferred Embodiment taken in conjunction with the Drawings which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with a credit card, a charge card, a debit card, and/or on electronic currency and/or "smart" card authorization process;

FIG. 2 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in flow diagram form;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with a checking account, a savings account and/or an automated teller machine transaction;

FIG. 5 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in flow diagram form;

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with a brokerage account;

FIG. 8 illustrates the various components of-the apparatus of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 7 in flow diagram form;

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with an electronic and/or a digital cash account;

FIG. 11 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C illustrate the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 10 in flow diagram form;

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with a cellular and/or a mobile telephone;

FIG. 14 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C illustrate the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 13 in flow diagram form;

FIG. 16 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with a wireless telephone and/or communication device;

FIG. 17 illustrates the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 16;

FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C illustrate the operation of the apparatus of FIG. 16 in flow diagram form;

FIG. 19 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the apparatus of the present invention is utilized on, or over, an on-line service, the INTERNET and/or the World Wide Web or other suitable communication network or medium; and

FIG. 20 illustrates yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention which is also utilized in conjunction with an on-line service and/or on, or over, the INTERNET and/or the World Wide Web or the suitable communication network or medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, which is utilized in conjunction with a credit card, a charge card a debit card, an electronic currency card and/or a "smart" card authorization process. The apparatus of FIG. 1 is denoted generally by the reference numeral 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the apparatus consists of a point-of-sale authorization device 2 which devices are found in various establishments and utilized in conjunction with the sale of goods and/or services and in other financial transactions.

The point-of-sale authorization device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "point-of-sale device") may be any of the widely used and well known devices, terminals, or computers for providing point-of-sale authorization for transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and/or other currency cards, electronic currency cards and/or "smart" cards. The point-of-sale device 2 may be utilized at the location of the goods and/or service provider, such as the retail store or office, and/or the point-of-sale device 2 may be located at the site of the goods or service provider or vendor, such as in cases when the sale is a telephone order, mail order and/or other type of transaction, including transactions made over the INTERNET and/or other on-line mediums.

Typically, the devices and terminals for providing point-of-sale authorization comprise and utilize a magnetic card reader and/or magnetic strip card reader, for reading data from the magnetic strip located on credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and/or currency cards, electronic currency cards and/or "smart" cards. The present invention can also be utilized in conjunction with telephone calling cards, prepaid or otherwise. The point-of-sale device 2 transmits an authorization request which may include the data pertaining to the particular card utilized in the transaction and the amount of the transaction, over a communications medium, to a central processing computer for processing the credit, charge, debit and/or other transaction card request and/or the authorization request pertaining thereto.

The point-of-sale device 2 also receives the authorization and/or authorization data and/or information from the central processing computer. A printed transaction receipt may also be provided at and/or obtained via the point-of-sale device 2, or peripheral device associated therewith, for printing a transaction receipt which is usually or typically signed by the card holder in completing the transaction. The point-of-sale device 2 may be designed to read other data besides and/or in addition to magnetic card data. The point-of-sale device 2 may also comprise, or have associated therewith, a keypad for the manual entry of transaction information and/or data, such as the amount of the transaction. The point-of-sale device 2 may also be an integral component of a cash register or other transaction device which may provide for the automatic entry of transaction information and/or data.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a central processing computer 3 which services any predefined group of cardholders. For example, the central processing computer 3 may handle all MASTERCARD transactions for a given financial and/or credit institution. The central processing computer 3, for example, may process credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, currency cards, electronic currency cards and/or "smart" cards and/or combinations of same, such as, for example, VISA.RTM., MASTERCARD.RTM., and/or AMERICAN EXPRESS.RTM. cards and process and/or mange account information pertaining thereto. The central processing computer 3 may also process accounts for any of the various banks and/or financial institutions which issue and/or manage credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and/or currency or "smart" cards, and/or other transaction cards (hereinafter referred to as "card" or "cards") and/or process or manage these accounts.

The central processing computer 3 may be a mainframe computer, a mini-computer, a micro-computer, a server computer, such as those utilized in conjunction with on-line services and/or in a network environment, and/or any other suitable computer or computer system.

In the preferred embodiment, the point-of-sale device 2 is linked and/or connected to the central processing computer 3 via a telecommunications system, link and/or medium (hereinafter referred to as "communications system") such as, for example, a telephone network or line. It is important to note that the communications system which is utilized may be any communications system and may include telecommunication systems, satellite communications systems, radio communication systems, digital communications systems, digital satellite communications systems, personal communications services communication systems, cable television systems, broadband communications systems, as well as any other appropriate communications system. The point-of-sale device 2 transmits signals and/or data to the central processing computer 3 as well as receives signals and/or data from the central processing computer 3.

The apparatus 1 also comprises a cardholder communication device 4 which may receive signals and/or data from either or both of the point-of-sale device 2 and/or the central processing computer 3. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the communication device 4 receives signals and data from the central processing computer 3 with said signals being transmitted via a suitable communication system. In the preferred embodiment, the communications system utilized for transmitting signals and/or data to the communication device 4 is a wireless telephone line and the communication device 4 is a telephone signal receiving device such as a telephone beeper or pager. The communication device 4 or pager receives the wireless telephone signals and/or data from the central processing computer 3 during the authorization procedure as will be described in more detail below.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication device 4 is also equipped with a transmitter for transmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer 3. In this regard, the central processing computer 3 transmits signals and/or data to the communication device 4 as well as receives signals and/or data from the communication device 4. The communication device 4 may also transmit signals and/or data directly to the point-of-sale device 2 and receive signals and/or data directly from the point-of-sale device 2. In the preferred embodiment, the point-of-sale device 2 transmits signals and/or data to the central processing computer 3 and receives signals and/or data from the central processing computer 3. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the communication device 4 receives signals and/or data from the central processing computer 3 and transmits signals and/or data to the central processing computer 3.

As noted above, the communication device 4 is a wireless device. In this regard, the communication device 4 or pager may be carried by the cardholder and/or be kept on and/or close to the cardholder's person so that the central processing computer 3 may transmit signals and/or data to the communication device 4 so as to communicate with the cardholder at any time. The communication device 4 may also comprise any one or more of a facsimile (fax) machine, a personal communications device, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a telephone answering machine, an alternate telephone, an alternate telephone answering machine, a network computer, and/or an alternate beeper or pager. The central processing computer 3 may be linked with each of the above devices via any suitable communication system.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 also comprises a facsimile (fax) machine 5, a personal computer or personal digital assistant 6, a telephone 7, a telephone answering machine 8, an alternate telephone 9, an alternate telephone answering machine 10, a network computer 11, an alternate beeper 12 and an alternate pager 13. The central processing computer 3 may be linked with the above fax machine 5, personal computer or personal digital assistant 6, telephone 7, associated answering machine 8, alternate telephone 9, alternate telephone answering machine 10, network computer 11, and/or alternate beeper 12 or pager 13, via any suitable communication system. In the preferred embodiment, a telecommunications link or telephone network, line or link, which may or may not be a wireless link depending on the device and/or the circumstances, is utilized in order to link the central processing computer 3 with each of the fax machine 5, the personal computer or personal digital assistant 6, the telephone 7, the associated answering machine 8, the alternate telephone 9, alternate telephone answering machine 10, the network computer 11, and/or the alternate beeper 12 and the alternate pager 13.

FIG. 2 illustrates the various components of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the point-of-sale device 2, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a central processing unit or CPU 2A, a magnetic card reader 2B, which is connected to the CPU 2A, associated random access memory 2C (RAM) and read only memory 2D (ROM) devices, which are also connected to the CPU 2A, a user input device 2E, which is typically a keypad or other suitable input device for inputting data into the device 2 and which is also connected to the CPU 2A, and a display device 2F for displaying information and/or data to a user.

The point-of-sale device 2 also comprises a transmitter 2G for transmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer 3, and/or to the communication device 4 and/or to any other device associated with the cardholder and/or the apparatus, if desired. The transmitter 2G is also connected to the CPU 2A. The point-of-sale device 2 also comprises a receiver 2H for receiving signals and/or data from the central processing computer 3, and from the communication device 4 and/or any other associated device which may be utilized, if desired. The receiver 2H is also connected to the CPU 2A. The point-of-sale device 2 also comprises a printer 2I or other appropriate output device for outputting data to the user. The printer 2I is also connected to the CPU 2A. In the preferred embodiment, the printer 2I prints receipts corresponding to the transaction.

In FIG. 2, the central processing computer 3, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a central processing unit or CPU 3A, associated random access memory 3B (RAM) and read only memory 3C (ROM) devices, which are connected to the CPU 3A, a user input device 3D, which is a keypad and/or any other suitable input device for inputting data into the central processing computer 3 and which is also connected to the CPU 3A and a display device 3E for displaying information and/or data to a user or operator.

The central processing computer 3 also comprises a transmitter(s) 3F for transmitting signals and/or data to the point-of-sale device 2 and to the communication device 4 and/or to any one or more of the fax machine 5, personal computer or personal digital assistant 6, telephone 7, telephone answering machine 8, alternate telephone 9, alternate telephone answering machine 10, network computer 11 and/or alternate beeper 12 or alternate pager 13. The transmitter(s) 3F is also connected to the CPU 3A. The central processing computer 3 also comprises a receiver(s) 3G for receiving signals and/or data from the point-of-sale device 2 and from the communication device 4 and/or from any other suitable device which may be utilized in conjunction with the apparatus 1. The receiver(s) 3G is also connected to the CPU 3A. The central processing computer 3, in any and/or all of the embodiments described herein, may utilize a fax/modem and/or any other suitable computer communication device.

The central processing computer also comprises a database(s) 3H which contains account information and data pertaining to the cardholders and/or to the cardholder accounts. The database 3H contains information about the cardholder, the cardholders account number, credit and/or account limits, previous purchases, number of unauthorized purchases made to the account and other information and/or data necessary to manage and/or process an account transaction as described herein.

The database 3H may also comprise data and/or information regarding specific limitations and/or restrictions which may be placed on a particular account, which may be pre-selected and/or programmed by the cardholder and which may include limitations and/or restrictions on the usage of the card. The limitations and/or restrictions may include the types of transactions which are allowed and/or authorized, the goods and/or services which may be purchased with the card, the vendors, stores and/or service provider which may be authorized to accept the card, limits on the dollar amounts of transactions pertaining to each authorized vendor, seller and/or service provider, daily spending limits, and/or the geographical area or location wherein authorized card use may be limited, and/or authorized times for card usage (i.e. specific days, dates, time of day, time of month, year, etc.), and/or any other limitation and/or restriction regarding amount of transaction, parties involved, geographical area, and/or times of allowed usage. The database 3H is also connected to the CPU 3A. The central processing computer 3 also comprises a printer 3I or other appropriate output device for outputting information and/or data to a user or operator.

In FIG. 2, the communication device 4, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a central processing unit or CPU 4A, associated random access memory 4B (RAM) and read only memory 4C (ROM) devices, which are connected to the CPU 4A, a user input device 4D, which is a keypad or a plurality of keys and/or switches for inputting data into the communication device 4 and which is also connected to the CPU 4A, and a display device 4E, for displaying information and/or data to the cardholder, and a database 4F, which are also connected to the CPU 4A. The communication device 4 also comprises a receiver 4G for receiving signals and/or data from the central processing computer 3 and which is also connected to the CPU 4A, a transmitter 4H for transmitting signals and/or data to the central processing computer 3 and which is also connected to the CPU 4A.

In the preferred embodiment, the communication device 4 which is utilized is a pager with a reply feature and/or device. A two-way pager and/or pager systems may also be utilized for implementing the respective component system(s) in the communication device 4/central processing computer 3 combination and/or link.

The apparatus 1 of the present invention, in the preferred embodiment, may be utilized in order to facilitate cardholder authorization, notification and/or security measures in financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, currency cards, electronic currency cards, telephone account cards and/or "smart" cards, in the manner described below and with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C. In this manner, the apparatus 1 of the present invention may be utilized to obtain cardholder authorization in a card-related transaction.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate the operation of the apparatus 1 in flow diagram form. With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, the operation of the apparatus 1 commences at step 30 when the card, which is to be utilized in a credit card, charge card, debit card, and/or currency card, electronic currency card and/or "smart" card transaction, is presented in the transaction. At step 31, the sales or service attendant or point-of-sale device operator will activate the apparatus 1 in any typical manner, such as by obtaining a phone line and entering card information into the point-of-sale device 2. This data entry is typically performed by swiping the magnetic strip of the card through the card reader 2B. The information and/or data pertinent to the transaction, and/or the card, is then transmitted, at step 32, to the central processing computer 3.

The central processing computer 3 will, at step 33, process the information and/or data pertinent to the transaction and/or to the particular card account and may request, if needed, that the point-of-sale operator enter the transaction amount. The central processing computer 3 will then process the information and/or data pertinent to the transaction in conjunction with the card account information in order to determine if the card has been lost, stolen and/or cancelled and/or de-activated. Further, the central processing computer 3 will perform a test to determine if the card has reached and/or exceeded the maximum credit, charge or debit limit and/or if the card has been depleted of its currency value.

The central processing computer 3 may utilize any of the widely known data processing and/or software routines, which are known to those skilled in that art, in order to process transaction requests and/or authorizations involving the use of the respective card(s). Once the information and/or data processing has been completed at step 33, the central processing computer 3, at step 34, will determine if the card has been lost, stolen, and/or cancelled and/or de-activated, or if the credit, charge or debit limit of the card has been reached and/or exceeded, or if the currency value of the card has been depleted.

The central processing computer 3 will, at step 34, also perform a test in order to determine if the predetermined maximum number of unauthorized transactions have occurred on the account. The unauthorized transactions count refers to transactions which are not authorized by the cardholder as will be described herein. The authorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) is a variable which is pre-set to zero (0) at the time the card account is issued. Each time an unauthorized transaction occurs, the unauthorized transaction count is incremented by one (1). Once the unauthorized transaction count reaches a pre-defined limit of, for example, three (3), the central processing computer 3 will cancel the transaction and de-activate the card. The central processing computer 3 will then notify the cardholder. In this manner, the apparatus 1 will enable the central processing computer 3 of an issuing and/or card servicing institution to cancel and/or de-activate the card, either permanently and/or temporarily, in cases when the cardholder may have failed to respond or to reply to transaction notices, which may be the case when the cardholder is not aware that the card has been lost or stolen, or when the card or account number has been duplicated, "cloned", or in other ways utilized without the cardholder's authorization, and/or when the cardholder is unable to respond or reply to the transaction notices for some other reason(s). This feature of the present invention serves to put a usage limit on the use of the card(s). The central processing computer 3, at step 34, will also perform a test(s) to determine if any additional limitations and/or restrictions have been met and/or satisfied.

If any of the above listed conditions exist (i.e. card is lost, stolen, cancelled and/or de-activated, or credit, charge or debit limit is reached and/or exceeded, currency value depleted, unauthorized transaction limit reached or exceeded limitations and/or restrictions violated, etc.), the central processing computer 3 will, at step 35, transmit a signal to the point-of-sale device 2 indicating that the transaction is not approved and/or is not authorized. The point-of-sale device operator may then cancel the transaction, at step 36. The point-of-sale device operator may then confiscate the card and/or alert the authorities. Upon the completion of step 36, the apparatus will cease operation at step 55.

If, at step 34, the central processing computer 3 determines that the card is not lost, stolen, cancelled or de-activated, or that the credit, charge or debit limit of the card has not been reached or exceeded, or that the of unauthorized transactions count (UNAUTHCT) has not reached a pre-defined limit, or whether any other pre-defined, pre-selected and/or programmed limitation(s) and/or restriction(s) have been met, have been satisfied and/or have been reconciled, the central processing computer 3 will, at step 37, transmit a signal and/or data to the communication device 4 which is located at the cardholder.

At step 37, the central processing computer 3 will then also transmit respective signals and/or data to any one or more of the cardholder's designated fax machine 5, personal computer or personal digital assistant 6, telephone 7, telephone answering machine 8, alternate telephone 9, alternate telephone answering machine 10, network computer 11, and/or alternate beeper 12 or alternate pager 13.

The information and/or data which is transmitted to the communication device 4 includes information and/or data identifying the transaction and may include the name of the store or the service provider and the amount of the transaction. The information and/or data may also provide the time of the transaction, the location (i.e. city, town, village, state, country etc.) of the transaction. The information and/or data may also include the phone number of the central processing office and/or computer servicing the account so that the cardholder may telephone same in order to authorize or cancel the transaction. The information and/or data may also be supplemented to include the type of goods and/or services involved in the transaction, if such information can be entered at the point-of-sale device 2.

At step 38, the information and/or data which is transmitted from the central processing computer 3 and received at the communication device 4 is displayed to the cardholder on the display device 4E of the communication device 4. The information displayed on the display device 4E includes the name of the store or the service provider, the amount of the transaction, the time of the transaction and the location of the transaction. The information and/or data may also be supplemented to include the type of goods and/or services involved in the transaction, if such information can be entered at the point-of-sale device 2.

The apparatus 1 will then, at step 39, wait for the cardholder to respond to the transmission. During this time, the cardholder may either utilize the reply or two-way pager feature on the communication device 4 in order to either approve or authorize the transaction or disapprove of or void the transaction. At step 39, the central processing computer 3 will also receive the response if one is sent. At step 40, the apparatus 1 will determine if the cardholder has made a reply or response within the pre-defined time limit which is chosen, in the preferred embodiment, to be one (1) minute. The cardholder may also transmit a signal via an appropriate key or button suspending use of the card such as when he or she may first be apprised of the fact that the card has been lost or stolen. In instances when the communication device 4 does not have a reply or two-way pager feature, the cardholder may simply telephone the central processing office or a processing center for the card in order to personally appraise the center or office of his or her response to the central processing computer transmission regarding the transaction.

If the cardholder does not respond or reply to the central processing office within the pre-specified time, chosen, in the preferred embodiment, to be one (1) minute, the central office computer will, at step 41, increment the unauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) by one (1) and will, at step 42, transmit a signal and/or data to the point-of-sale device 2 indicating that, with the exception of receiving the authorization of the cardholder, the transaction is otherwise approved. The point-of-sale device operator may then, at step 43, either proceed to consummate the transaction, try to obtain additional information from the purchaser, or cancel the transaction. The action taken by the point-of-sale device operator may be dictated by the specific agreement in effect between the sales and/or service provider establishment and the bank or financial institution administering the card account. Upon the completion of step 43, the operation of the apparatus 1 will cease at step 44. If the cardholder should reply or respond to the transaction notice at a later period, the response or reply information may then be utilized in order to approve of, or to disapprove and/or to dispute, the transaction.

If, at step 40, the response or reply is determined to be timely, the central processing computer 3 will, at step 45, process and identify the cardholder response. At step 46, the central processing computer 3 will determine if the cardholder has replied or responded so as to authorize the transaction. If the cardholder's response is to cancel, disapprove or, or not to authorize, the transaction, the central processing computer 3 will, at step 47, increment an unauthorized transaction count by 1. At this juncture, it is important to note that the unauthorized count (UNAUTHCT) is set to zero at the time of the issuance of the card. After the unauthorized transaction count has been incremented, the central processing computer 3 will, at step 48, transmit a signal and/or data to the point-of-sale device 2 which will notify and/or instruct the point-of-sale device operator that the transaction is not authorized and should, therefore, be cancelled or voided. The point-of-sale device operator may then cancel the transaction at step 49. The point-of-sale device operator may then confiscate the card and/or alert the authorities. Upon the completion of step 49, the apparatus will cease operation at step 50.

If, at step 46, the central processing computer 3 identifies the cardholder reply or response as being one to authorize the transaction, the central processing computer 3, at step 51, will reset the unauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) to 0. An unauthorized transaction count (UNAUTHCT) of 0 will signify that any string of unauthorized transactions has now been broken by the cardholder, and further, that the present transaction is approved by the cardholder. The central processing computer 3 will then, at step 52, transmit a signal and/or data to the point-of-sale device 2 which will notify and/or instruct the point-of-sale device operator that the transaction is authorized and/or approved.

The point-of-sale device operator may then complete the transaction, at step 53. After the transaction has been completed at step 53, the operation of the apparatus 1 will cease at step 54.

In instances when the cardholder is a party to the transaction, he or she, having the communication device 4 on his or her person, may authorize the transaction at the point-of-sale location. If the transaction is a telephone and/or other remotely made transaction, the cardholder may authorize the transaction from his or her remote location. The cardholder may also program and/or set the communication device 4 to automatically authorize or disapprove or disallow transactions. In this regard, the communication device 4 may be programmable so as to receive and analyze the transaction information and/or data and reply and/or respond to same automatically and/or with preset and/or programmed relies and/or responses. The communication device 4 may also be programmable so as to limit the amounts of transactions. In this regard, the cardholder may provide for temporary transaction and/or purchasing amounts.

The communication device 4, in the preferred embodiment, is provided with a memory device for storing any number of transactions so that the cardholder may review his or her card and/or account activity and/or transactions which have occurred involving his or her card. In this manner, the cardholder may "scroll" through and/or in other ways review card and/or account activity. The communication device 4 may also be equipped to service more than one card. For example, a cardholder's MASTERCARD.RTM., VISA.RTM., and/or AMERICAN EXPRESS.RTM. card or cards and the accounts corresponding thereto may all be serviced with or by a single communication device 4.

The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for the real-time notification of financial transactions involving credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency cards, electronic currency cards, "smart" cards and/or telephone account cards which enables a cardholder to monitor, in real-time, activity involving his or her card(s) and the corresponding accounts. The apparatus and method of the present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to inform a cardholder that his or her card(s) are lost or stolen, and/or that his or her card(s), and/or the account numbers corresponding thereto, are utilized without his or her authorization and also provides an indication to the cardholder of where his or her card(s) or corresponding account number(s) is being utilized in transactions. The cardholder may then report the card lost or stolen and/or cancel and/or de-activate the card and/or the account.

The present invention also provides a means and a mechanism by which to monitor the number of transactions which are unauthorized by the cardholder and to determine whether or not to authorize transactions and/or cancel or de-activate the card(s) and/or the account. In the above manner, the apparatus and method of the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for preventing and/or for drastically limiting fraudulent and/or unauthorized use of credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, and/or currency or "smart" cards and/or the account numbers corresponding thereto.

The present invention, in an alternate embodiment, may be utilized so as to provide authorization, notification and/or security in banking and related financial transactions involving checking accounts, savings accounts and/or automated teller machine (ATM) accounts and transactions and other transactions wherein an account owner may be notified of a transaction and/or an attempted transaction.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with a checking account, savings account and/or ATM account and/or transaction (hereinafter referred to as a "banking transaction") and/or the authorization process involved therewith. The apparatus of FIG. 4 is denoted generally by the reference numeral 100. In FIG. 4, the apparatus 100 consists of a banking transaction device which devices or terminals are found in banks and financial establishments. In the preferred embodiment, the banking transaction device 102 is a teller device, a processing computer device or terminal and/or an ATM terminal. Any other device or similar device may also be utilized as the banking transaction device 102 depending upon the application and/or the transaction.

The banking transaction device 102 (hereinafter referred to as "banking device") may be any of the widely used and well known devices, terminals or computers for providing banking transactions over-the-counter, ATM transactions and/or in any other type of financial transactions, including clearing transactions, check clearing and/or account charging and/or charge-back transactions, which transactions banks and financial institutions perform and/or engage in.

Typically, the banking devices and/or terminals comprise a computer terminal having an input device such as a keyboard and/or various reader and/or scanning device for reading and/or scanning, respectively, information and/or data necessary in order to perform the transaction. The banking device 102 transmits an authorization request which may include the data pertaining to the particular account which is accessed and/or involved in the transaction and the type and the amount of the transaction, over a communications medium, to a central processing computer for processing the transaction, the transaction request and/or the authorization request pertaining thereto. The banking device 102 may transmit the transaction authorization request and/or notice to a central processing computer via a central bank computer (not shown) which may be a central computer at the particular bank or financial institution. The central processing computer may also be a central computer system which is not located at the bank or financial institution, but rather, services the particular bank or financial institution or a group of banks or financial institutions.

The banking device 102 also receives the transaction and/or authorization data and/or information from the central processing computer. If a cen