Abstract:
In a payment processing system, a secure intermediary system associates payment processing devices including a POS device, mobile communication device, and transaction server with unique identifiers. The secure intermediary receives communications of transaction data from the payment processing devices, the communications including identifiers. The secure intermediary uses the unique identifiers to determine network addresses for the recipients of transaction data in support of a transaction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/249,480, filed Sep. 30, 2011, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile wireless communications devices, and, more particularly, to payment processing systems using mobile wireless communications devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Mobile wireless communications devices have become pervasive in today&#39;s society, and are carried daily by a large number of individuals. Part of the reason for their popularity is that such mobile wireless communications devices are now capable of more than simple voice communications. Indeed, some mobile wireless communications devices are now capable of acting as a personal digital assistant, performing functions such as keeping a calendar of daily appointments and maintaining a large address book. In addition, some mobile wireless communications devices have connectivity with the Internet via their cellular connection, and are thus capable of e-mail delivery and web browsing. 
         [0004]    In addition to carrying a mobile wireless communications device, many individuals also carry a wallet containing numerous cards, such as driver&#39;s licenses, credit cards, bank cards, discount cards, rewards cards, and membership cards. This wide variety of cards can lead to a wallet being undesirably thick, taking up more space than desired in a pocket or a purse. One way in which to reduce this burden is to design mobile wireless communications devices that can carry the information contained in such cards (such as account access information), and payment processing systems that can access the information in those mobile wireless communications devices in order to process transactions. 
         [0005]    While such mobile wireless communications devices have been successful at reducing the number of cards an individual carries, some users may be concerned about the security of using their mobile wireless communications devices with such payment processing systems. Consequently, the development of new payment processing systems having increased security is desirable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a payment processing system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a payment processing system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a further embodiment of a payment processing system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a method of operating the mobile wireless communications device of the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a method of operating the secure intermediary of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a method of operating the POS device of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram of the embodiment of the payment processing system of  FIG. 1  showing transmission of data between the components thereof. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the embodiment of the payment processing system of  FIG. 2  showing transmission of data between the components thereof. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of the embodiment of the payment processing system of  FIG. 3  showing transmission of data between the components thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram illustrating example components of a mobile wireless communications device that may be used with the payment processing systems of  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The present description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. However, many different embodiments may be used, and thus the description should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime and multiple prime notation are used to indicate similar elements or steps in alternative embodiments. 
         [0017]    Generally speaking, a payment processor system may include a mobile wireless communications device, a point-of-sale (POS) device, a secure intermediary to facilitate communications between the mobile wireless communications device and the POS device, and a transaction server. 
         [0018]    The wireless communications device is therefore for communication with a point of sale (POS) device via a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith. The wireless communications device may include a receiver module, and a memory configured to store account access information for a payment account. A processor may be coupled to the receiver module and the memory. The processor may be configured to determine the unique POS identifier using the receiver module, and send the account access information to the POS device via the secure intermediary and using the unique POS identifier, so that the POS device in turn causes a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account. 
         [0019]    The receiver module may comprise an image sensor, and the unique POS identifier may be encoded in a coded image. The processor may determine the unique POS identifier by capturing the coded image using the image sensor and decoding the coded image to thereby determine the unique POS identifier. 
         [0020]    In some applications, the processor may be configured to encrypt the account access information before sending the account access information to the POS device, which in turn sends the account access information to a transaction server to thereby cause the transfer of funds. The memory may be configured to store account access information for a plurality of payment accounts, and the processor may be configured to permit selection of the payment account via an input device. 
         [0021]    Additionally, the processor may be configured to receive a payment confirmation from the POS device via the secure intermediary, and may display the payment confirmation on a display. The processor may be configured to receive a payment verification request from the POS device via the secure intermediary, and may also be configured to send a payment verification to the POS device via the secure intermediary using the unique POS address. 
         [0022]    A method aspect is directed to a method of operating the wireless communications device. The method is therefore a method of operating a wireless communications device for communication with a point of sale (POS) device via a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith, the wireless communications device comprising a receiver module, a memory configured to store account access information for a payment account, and a processor coupled to the receiver module and the memory. The method includes determining the unique POS identifier using the receiver module in cooperation with the processor. The method further includes sending the account access information to the POS device via the secure intermediary and using the unique POS identifier, so that the POS device in turn causes a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account, using the processor. 
         [0023]    The POS device therefore comprises a POS device for communication with a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith. The POS device may include a processor configured to receive, via the secure intermediary and based upon the unique POS identifier, account access information for a payment account sent to the secure intermediary by a wireless communications device. The processor may be further configured to send the account access information together with transaction information to a transaction server to thereby cause a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account. 
         [0024]    The POS device may include a display, and the processor may be configured to generate a coded image from the unique POS identifier. The processor may also be configured to display the coded image on the display so that the wireless communications device captures the coded image using an image sensor. 
         [0025]    Alternatively, a housing may carry the processor. A substrate may be carried by the housing and have a coded image thereon representing the unique POS identifier so that the wireless communications device captures the coded image using an image sensor. 
         [0026]    The processor may be configured to send the account access information and the transaction information to the transaction server via the secure intermediary and using a unique transaction server identifier. In addition, the processor may be configured to send the account access information and the transaction information to the transaction server via a virtual private network (VPN). 
         [0027]    A method aspect is therefore directed to a method of operating point of sale (POS) device for communication with a secure intermediary, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device, the POS device having a merchant account associated therewith. The method may include receiving, via the secure intermediary and based upon the unique POS identifier, account access information for a payment account sent to the secure intermediary by a wireless communications device, using a processor. The method may further include sending the account access information together with transaction information to a transaction server to thereby cause a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account, using the processor. 
         [0028]    The secure intermediary is therefore a server configured to operate as a secure intermediary between a point of sale (POS) device and a wireless communications device, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device and a unique wireless communications device identifier with the wireless communications device. The server comprises a network interface, and a processor coupled to the network interface. The processor may be configured to receive the unique POS identifier and account access information from the wireless device, and send the account access information to the POS device using the unique POS identifier, so that the POS device causes a transfer of funds from a payment account associated with the account access information to a merchant account associated with the POS device. 
         [0029]    The processor may be configured to receive a transaction confirmation from the POS device, and send the transaction confirmation to the wireless communications device using the unique wireless communications device identifier. The processor may be configured to receive a transaction verification request from the POS device. In addition, the processor may be further configured to send the transaction verification request to the wireless communications device using the unique wireless communications device identifier, and to receive a transaction verification from the wireless communications device. The processor may also be configured to send the transaction verification to the POS device using the unique POS identifier. 
         [0030]    A method aspect is therefore directed to a method of operating a server to act as a secure intermediary between a point of sale (POS) device and a wireless communications device, the secure intermediary associating a unique POS identifier with the POS device and a unique wireless communications device identifier with the wireless communications device. The method may include receiving the unique POS identifier and account access information from the wireless device, using a processor in cooperation with a network interface. The method may further include sending the account access information to the POS device using the unique POS identifier, so that the POS device causes a transfer of funds from a payment account associated with the account access information to a merchant account associated with the POS device, using the processor in cooperation with the network interface. 
         [0031]    Other aspects are directed to a payment processor system that may comprise a wireless network, a relay network, and a point of sale (POS) device having associated therewith a merchant account and a coded image including a first relay network address of the POS device. The payment processor system may also include a mobile wireless communications device, which may have an image sensor and a processor coupled thereto. The processor may be configured to determine the first relay network address of the POS device based upon the coded image, and send the first relay network address of the POS device and account access information for a payment account to the relay network via the wireless network. 
         [0032]    In addition, the relay network may be configured to send the account access information to the POS device based upon the first relay network address. Further, the POS device may also be configured to cause a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account associated with the POS device, based upon the account access information. This payment processing system advantageously allows payment transactions to be processed in a quick and secure manner. 
         [0033]    In some applications, the POS device may comprise a display, and the POS device may be configured to present the coded image via the display. Additionally or alternatively, a substrate may be carried by the POS device and may have the coded image thereon. Further, the mobile wireless communications device may have an input device, and the processor may be configured to permit selection of the payment account via the input device. 
         [0034]    The mobile wireless communications device may have associated therewith a wireless network address and a second relay network address. The POS device may also be configured to send a transaction confirmation to the relay network after effectuating the transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account, and the relay network may be configured to determine the wireless network address of the mobile wireless communications device based upon the second relay network address, and to send the transaction confirmation to the mobile wireless communications device based upon the wireless network address. 
         [0035]    The POS device may be configured to send payment information to the relay network. The relay network may be configured to determine the wireless network address of the mobile wireless communications device based upon the second relay network address, and to send the payment information to the mobile wireless communications device based upon the wireless network address. 
         [0036]    The processor of the mobile wireless communications device may be further configured to accept a payment authorization and to send the payment authorization to the relay network via the wireless network. In addition, the relay network may be configured to send the payment authorization to the POS device based upon the first relay network address, and the POS device may be configured to cause the transfer of funds also based upon the payment authorization. 
         [0037]    The payment processor system may include a credit server, and the POS device may also be configured to cause a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account by sending the account access information and the payment authorization to the credit server. The POS device may send the account access information and the payment authorization to the credit server via a virtual private network (VPN). Additionally or alternatively, the credit server may have a third relay network address associated therewith, and the POS device may send the account access information and the payment authorization thereto via the relay network and based upon the third relay network address. 
         [0038]    A method aspect is directed to a method of operating a payment processor system comprising a wireless network, a relay network, a point of sale (POS) device having associated therewith a merchant account and a coded image including a first relay network address of the POS device, and a mobile wireless communications device comprising a processor coupled to an image sensor. The method may include determining the first relay network address of the POS device based upon the coded image, using the processor in cooperation with the image sensor, and sending the first relay network address of the POS device and account access information for a payment account to the relay network via the wireless network, using the processor. The method may further include sending the account access information to the POS device based upon the first relay network address, using the relay network, and causing a transfer of funds from the payment account to the merchant account associated with the POS device, based upon the account access information, using the POS device. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a payment processor system  10  is now described. The payment processor system  10  includes a point-of-sale (POS) device  12 , wireless network  72 , secure intermediary (e.g. a relay network)  18 , and mobile wireless communications device  24 . The wireless network  72  may be a cellular network enabling data communications, for example. 
         [0040]    The relay network  18  facilitates secure and encrypted communications between the various components of the payment processor system  10 , as will be appreciate by those of skill in the art. Devices, such as the mobile wireless communications device  24  that communicate on the wireless network  72  each have a wireless network address, which is referred to as an international mobile equipment identifier (IMEI) on some cellular networks. While the mobile wireless communications device  24  may encrypt data before sending the data to a recipient over the wireless network  72 , and recipient devices may decrypt the data upon receipt, the wireless network itself may be inherently unsecure. To add security to the payment processor system  10 , communications between the mobile wireless communications device  24  and POS device  12 , for example, may be routed through the relay network  18 . Each device with which the relay network  18  communicates may have a unique identifier or relay network address, which may be referred to as a personal identification number (PIN). 
         [0041]    When a device on the wireless network  72 , such as the POS device  12 , is to send a message or item of data to another device on the wireless network, such as the mobile wireless communications device  24 , the POS device  12  sends the message to the relay network  18  via the wireless network or via a wired network. Included with the message is the unique identifier of the recipient of the message. The relay network  18  may then determine the wireless network address (or wide area network address) of the recipient based upon the unique identifier of the recipient (for example, by using a lookup table), and send the message to the recipient at that wireless network address. 
         [0042]    The relay network  18  is secure and under the control of a secure entity, and therefore message and data transmission thereover is secure. By having the relay network  18  route messages and data between the mobile wireless communications device  24  and POS device  12 , those devices receive messages and data from a secure source (the relay network  18 ), as opposed to receiving messages and data from another device on the wireless network  72 , which may not be secure. Therefore, the relay network  18  increases the security of the payment processing system  10 . 
         [0043]    The POS device  12  includes a processor  16  coupled to a display  13 , memory  14 , and transceiver  15 . The transceiver  15  may provide the POS device  12  with connectivity to a wide area network, such as the Internet, through which the POS device  12  can communicate with a transaction server for effectuating transactions, as will be explained in detail below. 
         [0044]    The POS device  12  has a relay network address (hereinafter referred to as a unique POS identifier) associated therewith. This unique POS identifier may be static and unchanging in some applications. The processor  16  is configured to display, on the display  13 , a coded image including the unique POS identifier. The coded image may be a barcode, QR code, or any suitable coded image capable of encoding the unique POS identifier. 
         [0045]    Example mobile wireless communications devices  24  may include portable or personal media players (e.g., music or MP3 players, video players, etc.), remote controls (e.g., television or stereo remotes, etc.), portable gaming devices, portable or mobile telephones, smartphones, tablet computers, etc. The mobile wireless communications device  24  includes a housing  25  carrying an image sensor  26 , transceiver  27 , input device  28 , display  29 , memory  30 , and processor  31 . The processor  31  is coupled to the image sensor  26 , transceiver  27 , input device  28 , display  29 , and memory  30 . 
         [0046]    The input device  28  may be a keyboard, touch sensitive pad, trackball, thumbwheel, button, microphone, or other suitable device, for example. It should be appreciated that in some applications, the display  29  may be a touch sensitive display, and may therefore serve as the input device  28 . The image sensor  26  may be a CMOS image sensor, for example. In addition, the transceiver  27  may be a cellular transceiver, and may be configured to perform both voice and data cellular communications. 
         [0047]    The memory  30  may include volatile and non-volatile portions, and is configured to store access information for a purchaser account associated with the mobile wireless communications device  24 . The purchaser account may be a credit card account, bank account, gift card account, or other suitable account. 
         [0048]    With further reference to  FIG. 7 , the operation of the payment processor system  10  is now described. The processor  31  of the mobile wireless communications device  24  is configured to determine the unique POS identifier of the POS device  12  based upon the coded image, using the image sensor  26 . The processor  31  does this by sensing the coded image using the image sensor  26 , and then decoding the coded image to thereby determine the unique POS identifier. 
         [0049]    Once the processor  31  has determined the unique POS identifier, the processor  31  sends the unique POS identifier, together with the account access information to the POS device  12  via the relay network  18 . The processor  31  cooperates with the transceiver  27  to send the unique POS identifier and account access information to the wireless network  72  (Arrow  80 ). The wireless network  72  in turn sends the unique POS identifier and account access information to the relay network  18  (Arrow  81 ). The relay network  18  then sends the account access information to the POS device  12  using the unique POS identifier (Arrow  82 ). The relay network  18  may send the access information to the POS device  12  via a direct connection, or via a network connection, such as the internet or the wireless network  72 , as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. If the relay network  18  is to send the access information to the POS device  12  via a network, the relay network  18  first determines a network address of the POS device based upon the unique POS identifier, and then sends the access information to the POS device  12  using the network address. Determining the network address may be performed through the use of a look-up table, for example. 
         [0050]    Since the POS device  12  now has the account access information, the processor  16  thereof causes a transfer of funds from the payment account to a merchant account associated with the POS device, based upon the account access information. The processor  16  does this by sending the account access information together with transaction information (e.g. the amount of the transaction, etc) to a transaction server (e.g. a credit server)  70  (Arrow  83 ). The transaction server  70  then transfers the appropriate funds from the payment account to a merchant account. The POS device  12  may send the account access information and the transaction information to the transaction server in a secure fashion, utilizing encryption such as SSL, or over a virtual private network (VPN). 
         [0051]    In the embodiment of the payment processor system  10 ′ shown in  FIG. 2 , a substrate  34 ′, such as a sticker, sign, or placard, is associated with the POS device  16 ′. For example, the substrate  34 ′ may be a sticker affixed to the POS device  16 ′. The substrate  34 ′ presents the coded image which encodes the unique POS identifier of the POS device  16 ′. 
         [0052]    In addition, the memory  30 ′ of the mobile wireless communications device  24 ′ is configured to store access information for a plurality of payment accounts. The processor  31 ′ is configured to permit selection of a payment account from the plurality thereof via the input device  28 ′. The processor  31 ′ then determines the unique POS identifier, as described above, using the image sensor. 
         [0053]    With additional reference to  FIG. 8 , the operation of the payment processor system  10 ′ will now be explained. Once the processor  31 ′ determines the unique POS identifier of the POS device  12 ′, the processor  31 ′ sends the unique POS identifier together with the access information for the selected payment account to the wireless network  72 ′ (Arrow  90 ′). The wireless network  72 ′ in turn sends the account access information and the unique POS identifier to the relay network  18 ′ (Arrow  91 ′), as described above. The relay network then sends the account access information to the POS device  12 ′ (Arrow  92 ′), either directly or indirectly. 
         [0054]    The POS device  12 ′ then sends the account access information together with transaction information to the transaction server  70 ′, via the relay network  18 ′. Therefore, the POS device  12 ′ sends the account access information and transaction information to the relay network  18 ′ (Arrow  93 ′), which in turn sends the account access information and transaction information to the transaction server  70 ′ (Arrow  94 ′). Here, the transaction server  70 ″ may have a unique transaction server identifier associated therewith, and the POS device  12 ′ may send the account access information and transaction information thereto, through the relay network  18 ′, using the unique transaction server identifier. The relay network  18 ′ may send the account access information and transaction information to the transaction server  70 ′ either directly, or indirectly through a network. 
         [0055]    In the case that the relay network  18 ′ sends the account access information and transaction information indirectly, the transaction server may have a second network address associated therewith, and the relay network may determine the second network address based upon the unique transaction server identifier, and send the account access information and transaction information to the transaction server  70 ′ using the second network address. 
         [0056]    The transaction server  70 ′ causes the transfer of funds from the purchaser account to the merchant account, generates a transaction confirmation indicating that the transaction was successfully processed, and sends the transaction confirmation to the POS device  12 ′ via the relay network  18 ′. To accomplish this, the transaction server  70 ′ sends the transaction confirmation to the relay network  18 ′ (Arrow  95 ′), and the relay network  18 ′ in turn sends the transaction confirmation to the POS device  12 ′ (Arrow  96 ′). 
         [0057]    The POS device  12 ′ then sends the transaction confirmation to the mobile wireless communications device  24 ′ via the relay network  18 ′ and wireless network  72 ′. Therefore, the POS device  12 ′ sends the transaction confirmation first to the relay network  18 ′ (Arrow  97 ′), which in turn sends the transaction confirmation to the wireless network  72 ′ (Arrow  98 ′). The wireless network  72 ′ thereafter sends the transaction confirmation to the mobile wireless communications device  24 ′ (Arrow  99 ′). The processor  31 ′ of the mobile wireless communications device  24 ′ may then display the transaction confirmation on the display  29 ′. 
         [0058]    Those portions of the POS device  12 ′, relay network  18 ′, and mobile wireless communications device  24 ′ not specifically described are similar to those of the payment processor system  10  described above with reference to  FIG. 1  and need no further description herein. 
         [0059]    A further embodiment of the payment processor system  10 ″ is now described with reference to  FIG. 3 . Here, the POS device  12 ″, relay network  18 ″, mobile wireless communications device  24 ″, and substrate  34 ″ function similar to those described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . Reading and determination of the unique POS identifier of the POS device  12 ″ are discussed above with reference to the payment processor system of  FIG. 2 . Operation of the payment processor system  12 ″ proceeds differently than that of the payment processor system of  FIG. 2 , and is described herein below. 
         [0060]    With additional reference to  FIG. 9 , operation of the payment processor system  10 ″ is now described. The account access information and the unique POS identifier are sent by the mobile wireless communications device  24 ″ to the wireless network  72 ″ (Arrow  100 ″), which in turn sends the account access information and the unique POS identifier to the relay network  18 ″ (Arrow  101 ″). The relay network  18 ″ then sends the account access information to the POS device  12 ″ (Arrow  102 ″) as described above. 
         [0061]    The POS device  12 ″ then sends the transaction information back to the mobile wireless communications device  24 ″ via the relay network  18 ″. Therefore, the POS device  12 ″ sends the transaction information to the relay network  18 ″ (Arrow  103 ″), which in turn sends the transaction information to the wireless network  72 ″ (Block  104 ″). The wireless network then sends the transaction information to the mobile wireless communications device  24 ″ (Arrow  105 ″). As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, this payment information may include a variety of information about the transaction, possibly including a price for each item or service to be purchased, a subtotal for all items or services to be purchased, a sales tax amount for the subtotal, and even a total purchase amount. 
         [0062]    The processor  31 ″ of the mobile wireless communications device  24 ″ may then present the payment information on the display  29 ″. The processor  31 ″ may accept a payment authorization via the input device  28 ″ and send the payment authorization to the relay network  18 ″. This payment authorization represents a user authorization of the transaction. This feature therefore allows a user to see the payment information before deciding whether or not to authorize the transfer of funds. In some applications, the processor  31 ″ may even allow the addition of an additional amount to the transaction (e.g. a tip or gratuity), and this additional amount may be part of the payment authorization sent to the relay network  18 ″. 
         [0063]    The mobile wireless communications device  24 ″ then sends the transaction authorization back to the POS device  12 ″ by sending the transaction authorization to the wireless network  72 ″ (Arrow  106 ″), which in turn sends the transaction authorization to the relay network (Arrow  107 ″), which then sends the transaction authorization to the POS device (Arrow  108 ″). After receiving the transaction authorization, the POS device  12 ″ may update the transaction information (e.g. adding a tip or gratuity), and sends the account access information together with the transaction information to the transaction server  70 ″ (Arrow  109 ″). The transaction server  70 ″ processes the transaction. 
         [0064]    It should be understood that although the different embodiments of the payment processing systems  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ described above may have different features, the present disclosure envisions payment processing systems having these features combined in any fashion. Therefore, the embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting. 
         [0065]    A method of operating the mobile wireless communications devices described above is now described with reference to the flowchart  50  of  FIG. 4 . After the start (Block  51 ), a coded image associated with a POS terminal is sensed using an image sensor (Block  52 ). Next, a unique POS identifier of the POS device is determined based upon the coded image, using a processor (Block  53 ). The unique POS identifier is then sent, together with account access information for a payment account, to the POS via a secure intermediary so that the POS device causes a transfer of funds from the payment account to a merchant account, using the processor (Block  54 ). Block  55  indicates the end of the method. 
         [0066]    A method of operating the secure intermediary described above is now described with reference to flowchart  56  of  FIG. 5 . After the start (Block  57 ), the unique POS identifier is received together with account access information from the wireless device (Block  58 ). The account access information is then sent to the POS device using the unique POS identifier, so that the POS device causes a transfer of funds from a payment account associated with the account access information to a merchant account associated with the POS device (Block  59 ). Block  60  indicates the end of the method. 
         [0067]    A method of operating the POS device discussed above is now described with reference to flowchart  61  of  FIG. 6 . After the start (Block  62 ), account access information for a secure payment account sent to the secure intermediary by a mobile wireless communications device is received based upon the unique POS identifier (Block  63 ). Thereafter, the account access information and transaction information are sent to a transaction server to thereby cause a transfer of funds from the payment account to a merchant account (Block  64 ). Block  65  indicates the end of the method. 
         [0068]    Example components of a mobile wireless communications device  1000  that may be used in accordance with the above-described embodiments are further described below with reference to  FIG. 10 . The device  1000  illustratively includes a housing  1200 , a keyboard or keypad  1400  and an output device  1600 . The output device shown is a display  1600 , which may comprise a full graphic LCD. Other types of output devices may alternatively be utilized. A processing device  1800  is contained within the housing  1200  and is coupled between the keypad  1400  and the display  1600 . The processing device  1800  controls the operation of the display  1600 , as well as the overall operation of the mobile device  1000 , in response to actuation of keys on the keypad  1400 . 
         [0069]    The housing  1200  may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housing structures). The keypad may include a mode selection key, or other hardware or software for switching between text entry and telephony entry. 
         [0070]    In addition to the processing device  1800 , other parts of the mobile device  1000  are shown schematically in  FIG. 10 . These include a communications subsystem  1001 ; a short-range communications subsystem  1020 ; the keypad  1400  and the display  1600 , along with other input/output devices  1060 ,  1080 ,  1100  and  1120 ; as well as memory devices  1160 ,  1180  and various other device subsystems  1201 . The mobile device  1000  may comprise a two-way RF communications device having data and, optionally, voice communications capabilities. In addition, the mobile device  1000  may have the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet. 
         [0071]    Operating system software executed by the processing device  1800  is stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory  1160 , but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as the random access memory (RAM)  1180 . Communications signals received by the mobile device may also be stored in the RAM  1180 . 
         [0072]    The processing device  1800 , in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications  1300 A- 1300 N on the device  1000 . A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, such as data and voice communications  1300 A and  1300 B, may be installed on the device  1000  during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager (PIM) application may be installed during manufacture. The PIM may be capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application may also be capable of sending and receiving data items via a wireless network  1401 . The PIM data items may be seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated via the wireless network  1401  with corresponding data items stored or associated with a host computer system. 
         [0073]    Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the communications subsystem  1001 , and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem. The communications subsystem  1001  includes a receiver  1500 , a transmitter  1520 , and one or more antennas  1540  and  1560 . In addition, the communications subsystem  1001  also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP)  1580 , and local oscillators (LOs)  1601 . The specific design and implementation of the communications subsystem  1001  is dependent upon the communications network in which the mobile device  1000  is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device  1000  may include a communications subsystem  1001  designed to operate with the Mobitex™, Data TAC™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communications networks, and also designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, WCDMA, PCS, GSM, EDGE, etc. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device  1000 . The mobile device  1000  may also be compliant with other communications standards such as 3GSM, 3GPP, UMTS, 4G, etc. 
         [0074]    Network access requirements vary depending upon the type of communication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore typically involves use of a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS network. 
         [0075]    When required network registration or activation procedures have been completed, the mobile device  1000  may send and receive communications signals over the communication network  1401 . Signals received from the communications network  1401  by the antenna  1540  are routed to the receiver  1500 , which provides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP  1580  to perform more complex communications functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network  1401  are processed (e.g. modulated and encoded) by the DSP  1580  and are then provided to the transmitter  1520  for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication network  1401  (or networks) via the antenna  1560 . 
         [0076]    In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP  1580  provides for control of the receiver  1500  and the transmitter  1520 . For example, gains applied to communications signals in the receiver  1500  and transmitter  1520  may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP  1580 . 
         [0077]    In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a text message or web page download, is processed by the communications subsystem  1001  and is input to the processing device  1800 . The received signal is then further processed by the processing device  1800  for an output to the display  1600 , or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device  1060 . A device may also be used to compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using the keypad  1400  and/or some other auxiliary I/O device  1060 , such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The composed data items may then be transmitted over the communications network  1401  via the communications subsystem  1001 . 
         [0078]    In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the device is substantially similar to the data communications mode, except that received signals are output to a speaker  1100 , and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone  1120 . Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the device  1000 . In addition, the display  1600  may also be utilized in voice communications mode, for example to display the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information. 
         [0079]    The short-range communications subsystem enables communication between the mobile device  1000  and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, a Bluetooth™ communications module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices, or a near field communications (NFC) sensor for communicating with a NFC device or NFC tag via NFC communications. 
         [0080]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.