Abstract:
A system is disclosed that features a transport vehicle in which a responsive object is present, such as a truck in which a cellphone is present, in which the object is equipped to provide location or other state information when queried. The transport vehicle is outfitted with a proxy that represents the responsive object. The proxy is configured such that it is better able than the responsive object to estimate the responsive object&#39;s location or state. The vehicle is also outfitted with i) sensors that detect the responsive object and ii) sensors that detect state information of the vehicle. The object sensors are able to query the object in the same way as the querying device would query that object in the prior art. Using information from the sensors, the proxy then responds to the query on behalf of the responsive object, and an authentication device processes the query.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to of telecommunications in general, and, more particularly, to a proxy-based, transaction authorization system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    Each year, credit card companies lose significant amounts of money due to credit card fraud in cases where thieves use stolen credit cards to enter into fraudulent credit card transactions. The number of such fraudulent transactions can greatly be reduced through the use of authentication methods for ascertaining that the requester of a credit card transaction is, in fact, the owner of the credit card. 
         [0003]    A first approach that is used to enhance the security of credit cards comprises demanding the signature of the requester and comparing it to the signature on the back of the credit card. However, this method is inefficient because it requires the exercise of a high degree of scrutiny by the sales clerks responsible for the signature verification. Such degree of scrutiny is often unattainable due to a variety of factors, such as the large number of signatures the clerks have to compare each day. 
         [0004]    A second approach to enhance the security of credit card transactions is to associate a cell phone or another “responsive object,” which is a portable object that is capable of providing location information about itself when queried, with a credit card owner and then to compare the location of the object-and, therefore, of the collocated credit card owner-with the location of the point-of-sale terminal every time a credit card transaction is requested. 
         [0005]    This approach can be very effective when the responsive object has the necessary signal reception to be able to determine its location, such as when the object is able to detect multiple Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. However, when the responsive object is in a place where it is unable to receive location-related signals, such as inside a motor vehicle, the approach can fail. Similarly, the approach can also fail in situations where the location-tracking service is unavailable due to it being disabled or lacking coverage in the particular area where the point-of-sale terminal is located. 
         [0006]    Therefore, the need exists for an improvement in the ability to monitor and report on the location of a responsive object, as well as on addition state-related information of the object, without some of the disadvantages in the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    Some embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for monitoring the state of responsive objects, including their locations, and for the use of the state information during an authorization of a transaction, without some of the costs and disadvantages of techniques in the prior art. For the purposes of this specification, a “responsive object,” and its inflected forms, is defined as a portable object, such as a cellular phone or a cargo unit, which is capable of responding to an inquiry about itself, such as a location- or authentication-related query, having been outfitted with one or more sensors, a radio, and associated electronics. 
         [0008]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a vehicle in which one or more responsive objects are present is outfitted with a proxy that represents the responsive objects that are present. The proxy is configured such that it is better able than the responsive objects to receive position-determining signals from one or more Global Positioning System satellites, or from another position-determining source. In some embodiments, the proxy is also configured such that it is better able than the responsive objects to receive inquiry signals from a querying device and is therefore able to represent those objects. The vehicle is also outfitted with i) one or more sensors that detect the responsive objects that are present at the vehicle and ii) one or more sensors that detect state information of the vehicle. Both sets of sensors provide information to the proxy. In some embodiments, the responsive-object sensors are able to query each responsive object in the same way that the querying device queries those objects in the prior art. The state of the vehicle can comprise, but is not limited to, one or more of the vehicle&#39;s location, its destination, its weight, and one or more environmental conditions inside and/or outside the vehicle such as temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. 
         [0009]    Also as part of the illustrative embodiment, transaction terminals, such as automatic teller machines (ATM) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals, are outfitted with a similar array of sensors along with hardware and software for transmitting their states as determined by data obtained from the sensors. In some alternative embodiments, those terminals make their states available through other means. Every time a transaction is initiated at the transaction terminals, a request is sent to a transaction validator to authenticate the initiator of the transaction and to authorize the transaction. The transaction validator makes an inquiry to the responsive object and the transaction terminal (if needed) to obtain information about their individual states. When the state information is available from both the object and terminal, the validator authorizes the transaction based on the two sets of state information (i.e., from the proxy or responsive object and from the transaction terminal) comparing favorably. Although the illustrative embodiment features the comparison of proxy/responsive object location to the terminal&#39;s location, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to make and use alternative embodiments in which additional or different aspects of state information (e.g., environmental condition, etc.) are compared for the purposes of authentication. 
         [0010]    When an inquiry is directed to a responsive object in the vehicle by the transaction validator, the proxy detects the inquiry, computes the vehicle&#39;s geo-location, and responds with the vehicle&#39;s location and/or other state information, in contrast to the responsive object determining and providing its own geo-location. Advantageously, this enables the validator to perform authentication when the responsive object is incapable, temporarily or otherwise, of determining its state information or of communicating with the validator, or both. 
         [0011]    The illustrative embodiment comprises: a first responsive object that is capable of determining its geo-location and of responding to a first inquiry by providing a first location datum that represents the geo-location determined; a first sensor for detecting when the first responsive object is within a predetermined vehicle; a second sensor for sensing the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle; and a proxy for responding to the first inquiry when the first responsive object is detected as being within the predetermined vehicle, wherein the proxy responds to the first inquiry by providing the first location datum, and wherein the value of the first location datum is based on the geo-location of the predetermined vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of the salient components of authentication system  100  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts the salient tasks associated with the operation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts the salient tasks associated with the performance of task  202  depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of the salient components of authentication system  100  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Authentication system  100  comprises: vehicle  101 , responsive object  111 , responsive-object sensor  131 , location sensor  141 , humidity sensor  142 , temperature sensor  143 , transaction terminal  151 , and transaction validator  161 , interrelated as shown. 
         [0016]    The illustrative embodiment as disclosed herein comprises certain features, yet many variations of what is disclosed are possible. First, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, proxy  121  is within vehicle  101  (e.g., inside the trailer, etc.). However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which proxy  121  is external to vehicle  101 . For example, proxy  121  can serve multiple vehicles while either being attached to the outside of vehicle  101  or not being attached to vehicle  101  at all. Second, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, vehicle  101  comprises a single responsive object, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that comprise any number of responsive objects. Third, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, vehicle  101  comprises one humidity sensor, one temperature sensor, and one location sensor. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that comprise any number of location sensors, as well as any number and kind of environmental sensors, such as barometric sensors, light sensors, gravimetric sensors, and so forth. 
         [0017]    Vehicle  101  is a truck in which responsive object  111  is present. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, vehicle  101  is a truck, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which vehicle  101  is another type of transportation such as a van, another type of automobile, a ship, an airplane, a train, and so forth. In any case, it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use vehicle  101 . 
         [0018]    Responsive object  111 , as is known in the art, comprises one or more of the following:
       (i) a location sensor (not shown) for determining the location of responsive object  111  such as through the use of GPS-related signals;   (ii) a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the ambient temperature in the proximity of responsive object  111 ;   (iii) a humidity sensor (not shown) for detecting the ambient humidity in the proximity of responsive object  111 ;   (iv) hardware and software (not shown) that is capable of responding to an inquiry about the state of responsive object  111  with information from the location sensor, the humidity sensor, and/or the temperature sensor.       
 
         [0023]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the transaction request is formatted in accordance with a first protocol. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use responsive object  111 . 
         [0024]    As those who are skilled in the art will appreciate, in some alternative embodiments, a second responsive object can be present, either within vehicle  101  or within another vehicle. If this is the case second responsive object is capable of receiving an inquiry as well, which inquiry can be formatted in accordance with a second protocol that is different from the first protocol. However, will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use other alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the first protocol and the second protocol are the same. 
         [0025]    Proxy  121  comprises hardware and software that detects and responds to inquiries directed to responsive object  111 . The proxy is also capable of determining its geo-location, including is situations when responsive object  111  is incapable of determining its own geo-location. For example, electromagnetic signals from one or more GPS satellites might be significantly attenuated or distorted by the time that they reach object  111  inside the vehicle, such that the object is incapable of processing the signals. Proxy  121  also receives input from responsive object sensor  131 , location sensor  141 , humidity sensor  142 , and temperature sensor  143 , which are described below. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, proxy  121  is capable of responding to inquiries directed to responsive object  111  in accordance with the first protocol. In some embodiments, the proxy is also capable of responding to inquiries direct to other responsive objects in accordance with the first protocol or other protocols. 
         [0026]    Responsive object sensor  131  comprises hardware and software for detecting the presence or absence of responsive object  111  within vehicle  101 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object sensor  131  comprises a single housing, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which responsive object sensor  131  comprises multiple housings. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object sensor  131  uses radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) technology in well-known fashion. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which responsive object sensor  131  uses something else such as, but not limited to, an optical bar code system. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, responsive object sensor  131  is located within vehicle  101 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which responsive object sensor  131  is located external to vehicle  101 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use responsive object sensor  131 . 
         [0027]    Location sensor  141  comprises a Global Positioning System receiver for detecting the geographic location of vehicle  101 . Location sensor  141  acts as a substitute for the location sensor within responsive object  111 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment location sensor  141  is capable of detecting the latitude, longitude, and/or altitude of vehicle  101 . Although location sensor  141  is a satellite positioning system receiver, it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which location sensor  141  uses another technology such as, while not being limited to, network-based location systems based on triangulation and trilaterialization. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use location sensor  141 . 
         [0028]    Humidity sensor  142  comprises hardware for measuring the humidity inside and/or external to vehicle  101 . Humidity sensor  142  acts as a substitute for the humidity sensor within responsive object  111 . Although humidity sensor  142  is depicted in  FIG. 1  as comprising a single housing within vehicle  101 , it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which humidity sensor  142  is external to vehicle  101 . Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which humidity sensor  142  comprises a plurality of housings. And still furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which humidity sensor  142  comprises a connection to a weather reporting service such as http://www.weather.gov. 
         [0029]    Temperature sensor  143  comprises hardware for measuring the temperature inside and/or external to vehicle  101 . Temperature sensor  142  acts as a substitute for the temperature sensors within responsive object  111 . Although temperature sensor  143  is depicted in  FIG. 1  as comprising a single housing within vehicle  101 , it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which temperature sensor  143  is external to vehicle  101 . Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which temperature sensor  143  comprises a plurality of housings. And still furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which temperature sensor  143  comprises a connection to a weather reporting service such as http://www.weather.gov. 
         [0030]    Transaction terminal  151  comprises hardware and software for the requesting and completion of transactions, such as purchases and banking transactions. More specifically, transaction terminal  151  comprises:
       i.a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of transaction terminal  151 ;   ii.a humidity sensor (not shown) for detecting the ambient humidity in the proximity of transaction terminal  151 ; and   iii. hardware and software (not shown) that is capable of responding to an inquiry about the state of transaction terminal  151  with information from the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor.       
 
         [0034]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, transaction terminal  151  is a toll booth, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification that transaction terminal  151  can be an automatic teller machine (ATM), point of sale (POS) terminal, and so forth. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment, transaction terminal comprises a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to devise alternative embodiments of the present invention where transaction terminal  151  comprises additional or different sensors, such as and not limited to, location sensors, barometric sensors, light sensors, gravimetric sensors, and so forth. In any case it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use transaction terminal  151 . 
         [0035]    Transaction validator  161  is a querying device that comprises hardware and software for authenticating and authorizing transaction requests. Additionally transaction validator  161  has a means for acquiring the geo-location of terminal  151  from the terminal, from an operator, or from somewhere else. 
         [0036]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment and as depicted in  FIG. 1 , transaction terminal  151  and transaction validator  161  are located in separate housings, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art that transaction terminal  151  and transaction validator  161  can be contained inside the same housing. And still furthermore,  FIG. 1  depicts proxy  121  and transaction validator  161  as located in separate housings, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, that transaction validator  161  and proxy  121  can be contained inside the same housing. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  depicts the salient tasks associated with the operation of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0038]    At task  201 , transaction validator  161  receives a request from transaction terminal  151  to authorize a transaction initiated at transaction terminal  151 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the request originates from transaction terminal  151 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to devise alternative embodiments where the request is made by responsive object  111  or by another device. 
         [0039]    At task  202 , transaction validator  161  determines the state of responsive object  111  by making an inquiry to responsive object  111 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, transaction validator  161  determines the state of responsive object  111 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to define alternative embodiments in which validator  161  determines the state of one or more other responsive objects as well. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the inquiry is directed to responsive object  111 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, how to devise alternative embodiments where the inquiry is directed to one or more other responsive objects. And in accordance with illustrative embodiment, the inquiry is formatted according to the first protocol as recognized by responsive object  111 , but it would be will be clear to those skilled in the art, that the inquiry can be formatted according to a different protocol recognized by another responsive object. The salient tasks associated with detecting the state of responsive object  111  are further described in the discussion with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    As is described below and with respect to  FIG. 3 , it is proxy  121  from which the state information representing object  111  is received in accordance with the illustrative embodiment. However, in some alternative embodiments, the state information is received from something other than proxy  121 . 
         [0041]    At task  203 , transaction validator  161  obtains information about the state of transaction terminal  151 . In accordance, with the illustrative embodiment, the information is received by transaction validator  161  following a request made by transaction validator  161  to transaction terminal  151 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading the specification, that the information of the state of transaction terminal  151  can be transmitted simultaneously or concurrently with the making of the transaction authorization request. 
         [0042]    At task  204 , transaction validator  161  authenticates the responsive object by comparing the state of transaction terminal  151  with the state of responsive object  111  as determined and provided by proxy  121 . If the two states compare favorably (e.g., are identical, are close as specified by a predetermined criterion, etc.), the transaction authorization request is approved. As those who are skilled in the art will appreciate, the transaction authorization request can approved based on something other than comparing the states received from proxy  121  and terminal  151 , such as comparing the state received from proxy  121  against a threshold or another criterion independent of terminal  151 . 
         [0043]    At task  205 , transaction validator  161  transmits its response to the transaction authorization request to transaction terminal  151 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  depicts the salient tasks associated with the performance of task  202  of the illustrative embodiment in which the state of responsive object  111  is determined by transaction validator  161 . While  FIG. 3  depicts the salient tasks associated with the determination of the state of responsive object  111  only, the same method can apply to the determination of the state of another responsive object. 
         [0045]    At task  301 , object sensor  131  detects the presence of responsive object  111  within vehicle  101 . The detection might indicate that responsive object  111  is incapable of responding to inquiries, or the lack of capability might be determined through other means. It will be clear to those skilled in the art how to make and use embodiments of the present invention that accomplish task  301 . 
         [0046]    At task  302 , proxy  121  intercepts an inquiry directed to responsive object  111 , regarding a state of responsive object  111 , and in accordance with a first protocol. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the inquiry is received by proxy  121  via wireless telecommunications. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, proxy  121  intercepts an inquiry directed to responsive object  111 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to devise alternative embodiments where proxy  121  intercepts an inquiry directed to another responsive object as well. 
         [0047]    At task  303 , proxy  121  estimates the state of responsive object  111 , which state is presumably unavailable, from the state of vehicle  101 . For example, if the inquiry to responsive object  111  requests the location of responsive object  111 , proxy  121  uses location sensor  141  to determine the geo-location of the vehicle, and then responds to the inquiry by providing the geo-location as determined by sensor  141 . Similarly, proxy  121  can use humidity sensor  142  and temperature sensor  143  to determine the humidity and temperature at the vehicle, respectively. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to make and use alternative embodiments in which proxy  121  estimates other state information of object  111  by determining the corresponding state information of vehicle  101 . 
         [0048]    At task  304 , proxy  121  responds to the inquiry of responsive object  111  with the state of vehicle  101  and in accordance with the first protocol. For example, if the inquiry to responsive object  111  requests the location of responsive object  111 , proxy  121  responds with the location of vehicle  101 , as measured by location sensor  141 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, proxy  121  responds to an inquiry about the state of responsive object  111 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art how to devise alternative embodiments where the proxy responds to an inquiry about the state of another responsive object (e.g., within vehicle  101 , in another vehicle, etc.). In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the operation of proxy  121  is invisible to transmitter of the inquiry (e.g., validator  161 , etc.), but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the operation of proxy  121  is made known to the transmitter of the inquiry. 
         [0049]    It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example of the illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.