System and method for enabling a mobile communication device to operate as a financial presentation device

A provisioning system for enabling a mobile communication device to operate as a financial presentation device (FPD) which is presentable to providers of goods or service is provided. The provisioning system relies on a transaction processing system that normally routes authorization requests from merchants to issuers of FPDs for purposes of authorizing FPD transactions. The transaction processing system already stores security keys of all issuers in order to validate transaction data being sent from the merchants. The provisioning system monitors authorization requests being routed through the transaction processing system and retrieves an authorization request of a financial transaction that was initiated with a particular FPD. The provisioning system then transmits the FPD data contained in the retrieved authorization request and the security key stored in the transaction processing system to a secure memory element of the mobile communication device so as to enable the mobile communication device to operate as a FPD.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to data processing, and more particularly relates to a system and method for enabling a mobile communication device to operate as a financial presentation device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A financial presentation device (FPD) is a payment device that can be presented to sellers of goods or services for payment, and includes, but are not limited to, credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, electronic benefit cards, charge cards, virtual cards, smart cards, key chain devices, personal digital assistants, cell phones, stored value devices and the like. Conventional FPDs such as credit cards and debit cards provide convenience to customers and facilitate financial and commercial transactions. Such conventional “plastic” FPDs require the holder to carry the card and to swipe or insert the card into a card reader at the point of sale. With the widespread use of mobile communication devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants, there has been a proposal to configure or “provision” mobile communication devices with card holder data and to adapt them for use as an FPD in lieu of conventional plastic FPDs. This would eliminate the need to carry a separate FPD, and allow financial transactions at the point of sale to be performed in a wireless (contactless) mode, for example, through near-field communications (NFC).

In the case of conventional FPDs, issuers have control over the manufacture of the FPDs, which may be done in a single batch process. In the case of mobile communication devices, however, issuers have no control over those devices as they belong to the customers themselves. As such, issuers have no convenient way to configure all of the mobile communication devices of their customers (FPD holders) to operate as FPDs since it would be burdensome for the issuers to provision the devices of all holders with required software, data and security features. To deal with this problem, issuers can turn to a third-party (‘OTA (over-the-air) providers’) to provision the mobile communication devices of their FPD holders with the software, data, and security features needed to enable the mobile communication devices as FPDs. Typically, the provisioning process requires the issuer to securely transfer to the OTA provider private FPD holder data and security keys necessary to provision the mobile device. Security keys in the context of this application are those that are used to validate card or account verification data that originates from the card or mobile communication device during a financial transaction. For example, a security key can be used to generate a dynamic card verification value which can be used to validate the card transaction.

The fact that the OTA provider has continued access to this sensitive information increases the opportunity for security breaches and the potential for counterfeit and fraudulent transactions. If it were possible to eliminate the transfer and storage of this sensitive information, the payment infrastructure would be more secure.

Moreover, the OTA provider would need to obtain permission from each mobile communication service provider to transmit data for each issuer. This is because the service providers control access to the secure chip inside the mobile communication devices. Since there are over 10,000 issuers in the U.S. alone and over 50 communication service providers, it would be a logistical challenge to negotiate the permission for each issuer from each communication service provider.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a system and method for enable a mobile communication device to operate as an FPD without releasing sensitive FPD data and security keys to a third-party OTA provider and without having to negotiate the permission for access to the mobile communication devices for all the issuers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a system for enabling a mobile communication device to operate as a financial presentation device (FPD) which is presentable to providers of goods or service, where the mobile communication device and the FPD belong to a holder. The system comprises a memory storing a security key corresponding to an issuer of the FPD, a processor coupled to the memory, and a provisioning module executable by the processor. The provisioning module monitors incoming authorization requests for financial transactions to retrieve an authorization request of a financial transaction that was initiated with the FPD, stores FPD data contained in the retrieved authorization request in the memory and transmits via a wireless communication network the stored security key and the stored FPD data to the mobile communication device for storage into the secure memory element so as to enable the mobile communication device to operate as a FPD.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for enabling a mobile communication device having a secure memory element to operate as a financial presentation device (FPD) which is presentable to providers of goods or services. The method includes monitoring, using a processor, incoming authorization requests for financial transactions being routed by a transaction processing system between merchants and issuers of FPDs for purposes of authorizing FPD transactions wherein the transaction processing system stores security keys of FPD issuers; retrieving an authorization request of a financial transaction that was initiated with a particular FPD; storing FPD data contained in the retrieved authorization request in a memory coupled to the processor; and transmitting via a wireless communication network the stored security key and the stored FPD data to the mobile communication device for storage into the secure memory element so as to enable the mobile communication device to operate as a FPD.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A transaction processing facilitator (transaction processing system) is a network such as VISA® and others that acts as a switch between acquirers and issuers for routing messages therebetween for purposes of authorization, clearing and/or settlement of financial transactions.

In a typical card transaction, a card118is presented to a merchant116to purchase an item from the merchant. The card118is swiped through a merchant's POS116which retrieves cardholder data such as name, card number and CVV in a well known manner. A transaction authorization request containing the retrieved data is then sent to the merchant's acquirer114which is typically a bank. The acquirer114forwards authorization request to the processing facilitator112. From the cardholder data contained in the authorization request message, the processing facilitator112determines the issuer of the card118and routes the message to the corresponding issuer120of the card118. The issuer120determines whether to authorize or decline the transaction and sends a response message to the processing facilitator112. The response message is then forwarded to the merchant116via the acquirer114.

During the transaction authorization process, the transaction processing facilitators, such as Visanet®, store security keys provided by issuers in the regular course of business in order to validate authorization communications pertaining to card transactions. Although the transaction processing facilitators normally do not store cardholder data such as the account number and holder name indefinitely, the cardholder data is held at least long enough to complete authorization of a card transaction. Accordingly, as the transaction processing facilitator is in possession of the security keys and the cardholder data, it can perform the functions of an OTA provider to enable cellular telephones to operate as a payment device, without in any way compromising security since they hold the security keys in any event and are known to implement robust security measures.

The present invention takes advantage of these facts to provision cellular telephones to act as payment devices, e.g., FPD. Briefly, when a cardholder requests to have his cell phone act as a payment device, the transaction processing facilitator receives notice of that request along with the cellular telephone number. The cardholder is advised that the telephone will be provisioned upon the next transaction using the cardholder's traditional card. Subsequently, the processing facilitator monitors transaction authorization requests from the traditional card. When a transaction authorization for that particular card is received, the transaction processing facilitator has all of the information to initiate the provisioning of the cellular telephone. The processing facilitator transmits the respective issuer's security key and the just received cardholder data contained in the authorization request message to the corresponding cellular telephone, enabling the telephone to act as a payment device.

Since the transaction processing facilitator represents all of the issuers, it can negotiate the permissions to access the smart chip on the cellular telephones with all of the cellular service providers as a single entity, which makes negotiation much simpler.

FIG. 1is a functional block diagram of a system100for enabling a mobile communication device as an FPD according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, system100includes a mobile communication device102having wireless communication capabilities. The mobile communication device may be a cell phone, a PDA, laptop computer, pager, etc. In a typical embodiment, mobile communication device102is a cell phone, although, as noted, it is not so limited. Mobile communication device102includes a processor104and unsecured memory105, which together perform telephony, near-field communication and other functions. The mobile communication device102further includes a secure memory element106that is coupled to the processor. Secure memory element106may be in the form of a SIM chip, embedded chip, flash memory or other suitable non-volatile memory device that may be used to store data securely.

Mobile communication device104is capable of communicating wirelessly over mobile communication network110, which may be any wireless network that supports cellular telephone and data communication. A transaction processing facilitator112, which in one embodiment comprises a payment processing network, such as Visanet, is coupled to the mobile communication network through a wired or wireless link. As discussed earlier, the transaction processing facilitator112processes FTD transaction (e.g., card transaction) authorization requests received over the private financial services network from acquirers114. Acquirers114in turn receive FTD authorization requests that are generated at a merchant point of sale116upon presentation of the FTD118by a customer. The authorization requests are passed by transaction processing facilitator112to issuers120of the FTDs which determine FTD authorization. Issuers also create security keys122and provide the security keys122to the transaction processing facilitator112, which is a trusted repository, where the security keys are stored in a memory and are used to validate authorization and used for other communications over the financial services network, possibly with the use of encryption/decryption. As discussed further below, transaction processing facilitator112also implements a provisioning module124for enabling mobile communication device as an FTD according to the present invention.

For purposes of this application, the terms “code”, “program”, “application”, “software code”, “software module”, “module” and “software program” are used interchangeably to mean software instructions that are executable by a processor or. The module can also be a hardware circuit.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a computer system200including program code for a provisioning module124according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the computer system200may be implemented by transaction processing facilitator112. Computer system200includes a communication device202for sending/receiving data communications, a processor204, such as a central processing unit (CPU) and support circuitry206. The processor202, communication device204and support circuitry206are commonly connected to a bus208which also connects to a memory210. In one embodiment, the communication device202is connected to the transaction processing facilitator112computer and is also connected to the mobile communication network110either directly or indirectly through the transaction processing facilitator.

The memory210may include both volatile (RAM) and non-volatile (ROM) memory units and may also include hard disk and backup storage capacity. The memory210stores software programs in a program storage portion212and stores data in a data storage portion214. The program storage portion212includes the provisioning module124, which in some embodiments also includes an installation module216. As will be explained in detail with reference toFIG. 3, the provisioning module124includes software instructions for monitoring for incoming authorization requests for financial transactions performed by a flagged FTD whose holder has requested enablement of his her mobile communication device as an FTD. Upon receipt of such a request, the provisioning module124sends a security key and FTD data to the mobile communication device for enablement. Accordingly, FTD identifiers220, mobile communication device identifiers222, security keys122(shown inFIG. 1) and FTD data224are stored in data storage214in order to carry out the operations of the provisioning module214.

The data structure of the FPD identifier220and mobile communication device identifier222is such that given an FPD identifier, the associated mobile communication device identifier222can be retrieved, and vice versa. Software program modules in the program storage212and data from the data storage portion214are transferred from memory on as-needed basis as directed by the processor204.

It is to be appreciated that the computer200can be any computer such as a personal computer, minicomputer, workstation, mainframe, or a combination thereof. While the computer200is shown, for illustration purposes, as a single computer unit, the system may comprise a group/farm of computers which can be scaled depending on the processing load and database size.

FIG. 3is a flow chart of a method300of enabling a mobile communication device to operate as an FPD according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step302, the method begins. In step304, transaction processing facilitator112receives a request from a holder of an FTD to enable his or her mobile communication device102to operate as the same FTD. For example, if the holder has a Visa credit card having a certain account number, the holder in this case requests that his or her mobile communication device be adapted so as to operate as a Visa credit card having the same account number.

The request is generally received by the issuer120who then redirects it to transaction processing facilitator112in the form of an electronic message by the issuer120computer although it can be sent from the holder directly to transaction processing facilitator112either by telephone or through a website maintained by the issuer or processing facilitator112. The request message includes an identifier of the FTD (e.g., account number)220and also an identifier222of mobile communication device102, preferably a cell phone number. In step306, transaction processing facilitator112stores the FTD identifier220and the mobile communication device identifier222in data storage214and ‘flags’ the FTD of the requesting holder for monitoring. The flagged accounts can be maintained as a list in the data storage214.

In step310, installation module216establishes wireless communication with mobile communication device102over wireless communication network110using mobile communication device identifier222.

Once communication is established, in step312, download of the payment application into either the secured memory element106or unsecured memory element105commences. If the download is to the secure memory element106, permission to access such secure element would have to be pre-approved by the particular service provider of the mobile communication and may involve use of an encryption key provided by the service provider.

The payment application includes software that enables the mobile communication device to perform financial transactions using near-field payment data transfer at a point of sale using ISO 14443, Bluetooth™ or a similar near-field communication protocol. The payment application may also allow financial transactions to take place over the mobile communication network110. In some embodiments, in step312, the FTD holder may acquire the payment application from another source, such as the issuer of the FTD. It is noted that, by itself, the payment application does not complete the enablement of mobile communication device102as an FTD; rather, completion occurs after FPD-specific data has been provided to mobile communication device102as discussed further below.

In some embodiments, in step314, during the download process, a sub-routine of the payment application performs a diagnostic test to determine whether the mobile communication device supports contactless communications such as near-field communications. If it does not, the method ends in step330. If the mobile communication device does support near-field communications (and can thus function as an FPD), control of passes to step316.

After the payment application has been downloaded, the provisioning module124in step316adds the FTD identifier220to the list of flagged identifiers for monitoring. Specifically, the module124begins to monitor authorization requests received over the financial service network for the added FTD identifier. This would occur, for example, if the FTD holder uses a conventional FTD such as a physical credit card to purchase an item at a merchant116. When the card is swiped, the merchant's computer116sends an authorization request containing the card number (FTD identifier), other FTD data and transaction details which is received by the transaction processing facilitator112as part of the normal transaction authorization process. The provisioning module124makes a match between the added FTD identifier and the FTD identifier contained in the authorization request message.

When the match is made, the provisioning module124retrieves FPD data224contained in the authorization request message. The FPD data includes such information as the FPD account number, the holder name, expiration data, a service code, PIN verification data, and card verification values. In step320, provisioning module124establishes a secure communication with mobile communication device102over wireless communication network110(using mobile communication device identifier222) to access the secure memory element106. As discussed above, permission to access such secure element would have to be pre-approved by the particular service provider of the mobile communication and may involve use of an encryption key provided by the service provider.

Once secure communication is established with the secure element106, in step322, provisioning module124retrieves the stored master security key122for the issuer and derives an individualized security key which is specific to the FPD identifier based on some portions of the FPD data. The module124then sends the individualized security key and the retrieved FPD data to mobile communication device102along with certain provisioning commands. The provisioning commands direct the mobile communication device to store the security key and FPD in secure memory element106. By the receipt of the security key and FPD data, mobile communication device is provided with data specific to the FPD, which completes the provisioning process of enabling mobile communication device102to operate as an FPD. The method ends in step330.

The payment application installed on mobile communication device102may utilize the stored security key to encrypt data communications during financial transactions. Alternatively, the security key may be used to derive one or more secondary keys via a secure algorithm known by transaction processing facilitator112, which are then used to encrypt data communications or to derive certain values such as dynamic verification values, providing an added layer of security. In this case, transaction processing facilitator112will be able to decrypt the communications using an inverse of the derivation algorithm.

The foregoing specific embodiments represent just some of the ways of practicing the present invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the foregoing specification, but instead is given by the appended claims along with their full range of equivalents.