Patent Publication Number: US-9904919-B2

Title: Verification of portable consumer devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/780,657 filed May 14, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/712,148, filed Feb. 24, 2010, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/178,636, entitled “Dynamic Data Authentication,” filed May 15, 2009, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     As methods and devices for engaging in financial transactions have increased, old problems such as fraud and counterfeiting persist. 
     One of the primary sources of fraud, which is prevalent in the credit card industry, is skimming. Skimming refers to the electronic copying of a card&#39;s magnetic stripe data to create counterfeit cards. 
     Skimming is predominantly a phenomenon afflicting static magnetic stripe based transactions. This is because the magnetic stripe, which is placed on the back of a transaction card and stores a variety of data on three separate tracks, is a passive medium. In other words, the digital content of the magnetic stripe can be perfectly copied, without any difference between the copy and the original. 
     One of the primary means by which skimming can be prevented is for the consumer to closely monitor the whereabouts of his transaction card. This may allow the consumer to prevent the card from being swiped through inappropriate devices. However, as contactless cards evolve, the classic skimming problem comes along with it when using static data. In fact, in a wireless environment the opportunity to skim magnetic stripe data is more prevalent. In a wireless environment, a potential skimmer need not physically possess the card to be skimmed nor have access to any of the physical equipment (e.g., POS terminal, communication lines, etc.) which is required for skimming in a wire based environment. A skimmer can, without the knowledge of the consumer or merchant, intercept the wireless transaction and copy the data being transmitted from the card to POS terminal. 
     To address the above problems, a dCVV or a dynamic card verification value can be used. For example, various systems and methods for generating dCVV&#39;s are discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/642,878 entitled “Method and System for Generating a Dynamic Verification Value” filed on Aug. 18, 2003, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/764,376 entitled “On-Line Payment Transactions” filed on Jan. 29, 2008. Both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirely for all purposes. 
     In addition to generating a dCVV, a dCVV can be more effective for preventing fraud when it is securely received by a consumer. However, securely receiving and using a dCVV cannot overly interfere with a consumer&#39;s experience conducting a transaction. A consumer might not use the dCVV or a consumer might conduct fewer transactions if the inconvenience of receiving and using a dCVV is too great. 
     Embodiments of the invention are directed to addressing the above problems, and other problems, individually and collectively. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses, methods, and systems pertaining to the verification of portable consumer devices are disclosed. 
     One exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a verification token for obtaining a device verification value for a portable consumer device. The exemplary verification token comprises a peripheral interface adapted to couple to a peripheral interface of a computer, a reader adapted to read identification information from portable consumer devices, a computer-readable medium, a data processor electrically coupled to the peripheral interface of the verification token, the reader, and the computer-readable medium, and code embodied on the computer-readable medium that directs the data processor to perform various actions. In an exemplary implementation, the verification token comprises code that directs the data processor to communicate with a computer by way of the verification token&#39;s peripheral interface and to gain access to a networking facility of the computer, code that directs the data processor to receive identification information read from a portable consumer device by the reader, code that directs the data processor to transmit at least a portion of the received identification information to an entity that can provide a device verification value (e.g., validation entity or gateway) by way of the networking facility of the computer, and code that directs the data processor to receive, after transmitting said identification information, a device verification value from the entity by way of the networking facility of the computer. The verification token may send the identification information to the computer in a number of forms, including: (1) unaltered form (“clear form”), (2) encrypted form, (3) hashed formed (e.g., encoded), (4) signed form, (5) or any combination of these forms. These forms may be generated by the portable consumer device, the verification token, the computer, or any combination thereof. In addition, the verification token and the entity (e.g., validation entity or gateway) may perform a mutual authentication process before the verification token sends the identification information. As used in the claims, the term “entity that can provide a device verification value” encompasses a validation entity, a gateway, or any combination thereof. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a verification token for obtaining a device verification value for a portable consumer device. The exemplary verification token comprises a peripheral interface adapted to couple to a peripheral interface of a computer, a reader adapted to read identification information from portable consumer devices, a computer-readable medium, a data processor electrically coupled to the peripheral interface of the verification token, the reader, and the computer-readable medium, and code embodied on the computer-readable medium that directs the data processor to perform various actions. In an exemplary implementation, the verification token comprises code that directs the data processor to communicate with a computer by way of the verification token&#39;s peripheral interface and to access to a networking facility of the computer, code that directs the data processor to establish communications, using the networking facility of the computer, with an entity that can provide a device verification value (e.g., a validation entity, or a gateway in communication a validation entity), code that directs the data processor to receive identification information read from a portable consumer device by the reader, code that directs the data processor to transmit at least a portion of the received identification information to the entity (e.g., validation entity or gateway) by way of the networking facility of the computer, and code that directs the data processor to receive, after transmitting said identification information, a device verification value from the entity by way of the networking facility of the computer. The verification token may send the identification information to the computer in the forms indicated above. 
     In some implementations of these exemplary embodiments, the above codes and identification information are stored independently of the computer and are secure from programs (including spyware and other malicious programs) running on the computer. In this implementation, the identification information is put in secure form (e.g., encrypted, hashed, signed, or combination thereof) by the verification token before the information is provided to the computer. Accordingly, securing the information is not dependent upon the security of the computer. Symmetric or asymmetric keys may be used for encryption and signing. The keys for a verification token may be unique with respect to other verification tokens. Keys, and particularly symmetric keys, may be based upon a uniquely assigned serial number for the verification token, which the token communicates to the validation entity and/or gateway. Both the verification token and the validation entity and/or gateway may have a shared secret on how to derive a key from the serial number, such as by manipulating and/or replacing selected digits of the serial number. A number of keys may be derived from the unique serial number using respective shared secrets. Thus, the challenge and response messages used in a mutual authentication process may be signed using respective keys derived from the serial number. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of obtaining a device verification value for a portable consumer device. The exemplary method comprises establishing a communications link between a verification token and a computer, the computer having a networking facility; reading identification information from a portable consumer device into the verification token; transmitting the read identification information from the verification token to an entity that can provide a device verification value (e.g., a validation entity and/or gateway) through the networking facility of the computer; and after transmitting the identification information, receiving, at the verification token, a device verification value from the entity (e.g., validation entity and/or gateway) by way of the networking facility of the computer. The identification information may be transmitted from the token to the computer in a number of forms, including: (1) unaltered form (“clear form”), (2) encrypted form, (3) hashed formed (e.g., encoded), (4) signed form, (5) or any combination of these forms. These forms may be generated by the portable consumer device, the verification token, the computer, or any combination thereof. In addition, the method may include causing the verification token to authenticate the validation entity and/or gateway, such as through a mutual authentication process, before transmitting the identification information to the validation entity and/or gateway. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of obtaining a device verification value for a portable consumer device. The exemplary method comprises establishing a communications link between a verification token and a computer, the computer having a networking facility; establishing a communications session between the verification token and an entity that can provide a device verification value (e.g., a validation entity and/or gateway) using a networking facility of the computer; reading identification information from a portable consumer device into the verification token; transmitting the read identification information from the verification token to the entity (e.g., validation entity and/or gateway) through the communications session; and after transmitting the identification information, receiving, at the verification token, a device verification value from the entity (e.g., validation entity and/or gateway) by way of the communications session. The identification information may be transmitted from the token to the computer in any of the above indicated forms. In addition, the method may include causing the verification token to authenticate the validation entity and/or gateway, such as through a mutual authentication process, before transmitting the identification information to the validation entity and/or gateway. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of using a verification token. The exemplary method comprises coupling a verification token to a computer using a peripheral interface of the computer, the computer having a networking facility, the verification token comprising a peripheral interface adapted to couple to a peripheral interface of a computer, a reader adapted to read identification information from portable consumer devices, a computer-readable medium, and a data processor, the token being configured to read identification information of a portable consumer device using the reader and to obtain a device verification value therefor from a first entity (e.g., a validation entity and/or gateway) using the networking facility of the computer. The method further comprises presenting a portable consumer device to the reader of the verification token to obtain a device verification value for the portable consumer device, and providing the obtained device verification value to a second entity. The second entity may be involved with a transaction between itself and a user of the verification token. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a validation entity that provides device verification values to verification tokens. The exemplary validation entity comprises a computer-readable medium, a data processor electrically coupled to the computer-readable medium, and code embodied on the computer-readable medium that directs the data processor to perform various actions. The exemplary validation entity further comprises: code that directs a data processor to receive a request for a device verification value for a portable consumer device associated with a user, the request comprising identification information pertaining to the portable consumer device; code that directs the data processor to apply at least one validation test pertaining to the received request; and code that directs the data processor to send, if the at least one validation test is passed, a device verification value to a verification token associated with the user or to an entity configured to forward the device verification value to the token. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a computer program product that provides device verification values. The exemplary product comprises: code that directs a data processor to receive a request for a device verification value for a portable consumer device associated with a user, the request comprising identification information pertaining to the portable consumer device; code that directs the data processor to apply at least one validation test pertaining to the received request; and code that directs the data processor to send, if the at least one validation test is passed, a device verification value to a verification token associated with the user or to an entity configured to forward the device verification value to the token. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a validation entity that provides device verification values to verification tokens. The exemplary validation entity comprises a computer-readable medium, a data processor electrically coupled to the computer-readable medium, and code embodied on the computer-readable medium that directs the data processor to perform various actions. The exemplary validation entity further comprises code that directs the data processor to communicate with a verification token over a communications network with a computer disposed between the verification token and the communications network, the verification token being coupled to the computer by way of a peripheral interface of the computer and configured to access a networking facility of the computer, the verification token being configured to read a portable consumer device for identification information, and to cause at least a portion of the identification information to be sent in encrypted form to the validation entity using the networking facility of the computer. The exemplary validation entity further comprises code that directs the data processor to receive encrypted identification information sent by the verification token, code that directs the data processor to decrypt the encrypted identification information, code that directs the data processor the data processor to apply at least one validation test to the decrypted identification information, and code that directs the data processor to transmit, if the at least one validation test is passed, a device verification value to the verification token. Further embodiments may include transmitting the device verification value to a payment processing network. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a validation entity that provides device verification values to verification tokens. The exemplary validation entity comprises a computer-readable medium, a data processor electrically coupled to the computer-readable medium, and code embodied on the computer-readable medium that directs the data processor to perform various actions. The exemplary validation entity further comprises code that directs the data processor to communicate with a verification token over a communications network with a computer disposed between the verification token and the communications network, the verification token being coupled to the computer by way of a peripheral interface of the computer and configured to access a networking facility of the computer, the verification token being configured to read a portable consumer device for identification information, and to cause at least a portion of the identification information to be sent to the validation entity using the networking facility of the computer. The verification token also being configured to cause a serial number and an encrypted message to be sent to the validation entity using the networking facility of the computer. The message is encrypted by an encryption key, with the serial number and encryption key being uniquely assigned to the verification token. The exemplary validation entity further comprises code that directs the data processor to receive encrypted the serial number, the encrypted message, and identification information sent by the verification token, code that directs the data processor to apply at least one validation test to the serial number and encrypted message, and code that directs the data processor to transmit, if a selected number of the one or more validation tests are passed, a device verification value to the verification token. Further embodiments may include transmitting the device verification value to a payment processing network. 
     In each of the embodiments described above, and in each of the embodiments described below, the communications between the computer and the validation entity may be facilitated by, and/or conveyed through, a gateway (e.g., a proxy server, server entity, etc.) that is disposed between the computer and the validation entity. The gateway may act as an intermediary between a plurality of verification tokens and their associated computers on the one side, and a plurality of validation entities on the other side. The gateway may receive one or more initial communications from a verification token (via a computer in communication with the token), and may determine from information in the one or more initial communications an appropriate one of the validation entities to use to fulfill the token&#39;s request for a device verification value. For example, each verification token may be configured to operate with portable consumer devices issued by many different issuing banks or other such entities, and one or more of the validation entities may be configured to process requests from portable consumer devices issued by respective issuing banks or other such entities. The gateway may determine an appropriate one of validation entities to use based upon the identification information that the token read from a portable consumer device and sent to the gateway in an initial communication. In one implementation, the gateway redirects the token to the determined appropriate validation entity, with further communications occurring directly between the verification token and the appropriate validation entity. In another implementation, the communications between the verification token and the appropriate validation entity may be conveyed through the gateway (after the gateway has initially determined the identity of the appropriate validation entity based upon one or more initial communications with the token). This latter implementation may comprise relatively simple passing through of communications between the token and the appropriate validation entity with minimal processing by the gateway, or may comprise having the gateway virtually present itself as the appropriate validation entity to the verification token. Such virtual presentation may involve the gateway decrypting each message from the verification token, communicating with the appropriate validation entity to formulate a response to the token&#39;s message, and encrypting and sending a response message to the verification token. The gateway may also conduct one or more validation tests on behalf of the appropriate validation entity, particularly those related to validating the verification token. In this case, the gateway does not need to send to the appropriate validation entity those communications it receives from the token that pertain to validation tests that the gateway is handling. The gateway may be associated with, or operated by, a payment processing network. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of providing a device verification value. The exemplary method comprises: receiving, at a server, a request for a device verification value for a portable consumer device associated with a user, the request and comprising identification information pertaining to the portable consumer device; applying at least one validation test pertaining to the received request; and sending, if the at least one validation test is passed, a device verification value to a verification token associated with the user or to an entity configured to forward the device verification value to the token. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of validating a portable consumer device presented to a verification token. The exemplary method comprises communicating with a verification token over a communications network with a computer disposed between the verification token and the communications network, the verification token being coupled to the computer by way of a peripheral interface of the computer and configured to access a networking facility of the computer. The verification token is configured to read a portable consumer device for identification information, and to send the identification information in encrypted form to the validation entity using the networking facility of the computer. The method further comprises decrypting identification information received from the verification token, and applying one or more validation tests to the decrypted identification information. The method further comprises transmitting, if a selected number of the one or more validation tests are passed, a device verification value to the token. Further embodiments may include transmitting the device verification value to a payment processing network. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of validating a portable consumer device presented to a verification token. The exemplary method comprises communicating with a verification token over a communications network with a computer disposed between the verification token and the communications network, the verification token being coupled to the computer by way of a peripheral interface of the computer and configured to access a networking facility of the computer. The verification token is configured to read a portable consumer device for identification information, and to send the identification information to the validation entity using the networking facility of the computer. The verification token is also configured to send a serial number and a message encrypted by an encryption key to the validation entity, with the serial number and encryption key being uniquely assigned to the verification token. The method further comprises receiving the serial number, encrypted message, and identification information from the verification token, and applying one or more validation tests to the serial number and encrypted message. The method further comprises transmitting, if a selected number of the one or more validation tests are passed, a device verification value to the token. Further embodiments may include transmitting the device verification value to a payment processing network. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising reading identification information from a portable consumer device into a verification token temporarily coupled to a computer through a peripheral interface; establishing communications between a verification token and the computer, the computer having a networking facility; and establishing communications between the verification token and a validation entity using the networking facility of the computer. The verification token may be detachable coupled to the computer. The communications between the verification token and the validation entity may comprise a communications session. 
     To reiterate, the communications between the computer and the validation entity in each of the above embodiment may be conveyed through a server disposed between the computer and the validation entity, as described above. 
     Further details regarding embodiments of the invention are provided below in the Detailed Description with reference to the Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates some exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary method embodiment that can be used by a verification token. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary method embodiment that can be used by a user of a verification token. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary method embodiment that can be used by a validation entity. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary implementation of a computer-readable memory that can be used by a verification token. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an verification token and computer using USB connectors in the peripheral interfaces. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary identification information that can be send by a verification token and used by a validation entity. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates additional exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein pertain to the verification of portable consumer devices. A portable consumer device comprises a device that holds identification information pertaining to an account held by a user with another entity, which is typically an entity that holds, extends, or credits items of value to the user (e.g., monetary funds, credits, debts, etc.). Portable consumer devices encompass credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, bank cards, prepaid cards, access cards, security cards, and other cards that identify an account held by a user with another entity. The cards are capable of existing in both passive forms (e.g., card with a magnetic stripe) and active forms (e.g., integrated circuit cards, smartcards), and further encompass portable electronic devices that, in whole or in part, function as such cards. Such portable electronic devices can include memory cards, account tokens, fobs, stickers, cellular telephones (including near-field communications phone), keychain devices (such as the Speedpass™ commercially available from Exxon-Mobil Corp.), personal digital assistants, other mobile electronic devices, transponders, smart media, and pagers. 
     The identification information held by (e.g., embodied on) a consumer portable device comprises at least an account number, and preferably at least one of the following: a digital fingerprint of a magnetic stripe of the portable consumer device, or a variable datum that varies each time the portable consumer device is read for its identification information, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The magnetic stripe carries at least the account number of the device. The account number identifies the consumer account within at least one payment processing network, and may comprise a primary account number (PAN); it may also comprise alphanumeric characters. The digital fingerprint of the magnetic stripe is representative of the distribution of magnetic particles that form the magnetic stripe, and is generated by a specialized card reader that samples the distribution of magnetic particles when the card is swiped. The variable datum typically comprises number characters, but may comprise alphanumeric characters. The values of the variable datum vary in a way that is known to both the portable consumer device and an authorization entity, the latter of which may be an issuing bank or a payment processing network. The variable datum encompasses the dynamic CVV (“dCVV”) and CVC3 card verification values generated by smartcards (both the contact and contactless forms), as well as cryptograms generated by many smartcards (e.g., cryptogram  17 ). The datum values may be pre-stored in a computer-readable medium of the device and in a computer-readable medium of the authorization entity, or may be generated by each of the device and the entity as needed (e.g., “generated on the fly”) using a confidential algorithm known to the device and the entity or by a known algorithm that uses confidential keys or confidential information. The variable datum may comprise, or may be accompanied by, a counter value that indicates the number of times the portable consumer device has generated the variable datum; the counter value may assist the authorization entity in retrieving the variable datum from the entity&#39;s computer-readable medium, or in generating the variable datum from the algorithm. However, a counter value is not necessary, and the authorization entity may deduce the number of times the device has generated the variable datum from the history of authorization requests made for the device, or an algorithm that does not require a counter may be used. 
     The identification information may further comprise the name of the account holder (e.g., the user), the expiration date of the card, service codes, and discretionary data. As an example, the identification information may include the conventional “payment data” stored on the tracks of the magnetic stripe of a conventional credit card (e.g., Track 1, Track 2, and/or Track 3). 
     The identification information of a portable consumer device is read by a reader, which is an electrical component that can read the identification information from a portable consumer device and provide the identification information to another electrical component. A reader may comprise one or more of the following: a magnetic stripe reader (which may include fingerprint sampling circuitry), a card contact reader, and a contactless reader, the latter of which is commonly known as an RFID reader (RFID being an acronym for radio-frequency identification). A reader for reading fingerprints of magnetic stripes may include a security module that comprises a proprietary algorithm that generates a digital fingerprint from the sampled fingerprint data and that encrypts the digital fingerprint with a nonce word using an encryption key. Readers are predominantly found at point-of-sales locations of merchants. 
     A typical credit card transaction flow using a portable consumer device at a point-of-sales location is described next. The user&#39;s portable consumer device is provided to the user by or on behalf of an issuing bank. The issuing bank extends credit to the user, represents the user in credit card transactions, and pays merchants for the purchases made by the user. A user presents his or her portable consumer device to a merchant at a point-of-sales location to pay for an item or service. The merchant uses a reader to read the user&#39;s portable consumer device, and sends the identification information read from the device along with merchant&#39;s information and the transaction amount to an acquiring bank. The merchant may also read the portable consumer device for the printed card verification value (e.g., the CVV value printed on the backs of many credit cards), and may send this along as part of the transaction information sent to the acquiring bank. The acquiring bank represents, and vouches for, the merchant in credit card transactions. The acquiring bank forwards the transaction information to a payment processing network, such as VisaNet™, for authorization. A payment processing network generally encompasses a collection of one or more data processing server computers, subsystems, networks, and operations used to support and deliver one or more of the following: authorization services, exception file services, and clearing and settlement services. Payment processing networks encompass bank processing networks, credit-card payment processing network, etc. An exemplary payment processing network may include VisaNet™. Exemplary payment processing networks are able to process one or more of the following: credit-card transactions, debit-card transactions, and other types of commercial transactions. A payment processing network may use any suitable wired or wireless network, including the Internet, to communicate with acquiring banks and issuing banks. 
     Prior to the occurrence of a credit-card transaction, the payment processing network has established a protocol with each issuing bank on how the bank&#39;s transactions are to be authorized. In some cases, such as when the transaction amount is below a threshold value, the payment processing network will authorize the transaction based on information that it has about the user&#39;s account without consulting the issuing bank, and will accept the liability if the transaction turns out to be fraudulent. In other cases, such as when the transaction amount is above a threshold value, the payment processing network will forward the transaction information on to the issuing bank for verification and authorization. As part of the authorization process, the payment network or the issuing bank may verify the digital fingerprint or the varying datum provided by the portable consumer device. The digital fingerprint is stored at the issuing bank, and may be securely provided to the payment processing network by the issuing bank for storage and subsequent use. The algorithm for generating the varying datum is stored at the issuing bank, and may be securely provided to the payment processing network for storage and subsequent use. As also part of the authorization process, the payment network or the issuing bank may verify the printed card verification value (e.g., CVV), which is stored at the issuing bank, and may be securely provided by the issuing bank to the payment processing network for storage and subsequent use. The degree to which the payment processing network is involved in the verification of the consumer portable device and the authorization of the transaction is typically configured according to the wishes of the issuing bank. Once the transaction is authorized, the payment processing network sends an authorization indication to the acquiring bank, which sends the authorization indication on to the merchant. In order to reduce fraud, merchants are not allowed to store digital fingerprints, variable datum, and printed card verification values (CVVs) for more than 24 hours. 
     When a user wishes to make an online purchase with a merchant over the Internet, the user types in the credit card account number, cardholder name, expiration date, and the printed card verification value into respective fields on the merchant&#39;s checkout page. In this case, the card&#39;s magnetic fingerprint or the card&#39;s variable datum is not used in the transaction, and they are not available to the payment processing network or the issuing bank to aid in verifying that the card was actually present during the transaction. Accordingly, there is a greater risk of fraud with such online purchases. For example, a store clerk can copy down the account information and printed verification value during a transaction at a point-of-sales location, and can later use the copied information to make an online purchase. As another example, a hacker can install spyware on the user&#39;s computer to intercept the account information and printed verification value, and use it to make fraudulent purchases at other online merchants. Other avenues of potential fraud exist. Embodiments of the invention are directed to mitigating these types of fraudulent activity. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates some exemplary embodiments of the invention in the context of an online purchase. A general overview description of the embodiments and components shown in the figure will be given, followed by more detailed descriptions of the components. Shown in the figure are icons for a user  1 , the user&#39;s portable consumer device  5 , the user&#39;s communication device  7  (such as a cell phone), the user&#39;s computer  10 , the merchant&#39;s website  20 , and a first communications network  31  that enables the user&#39;s computer and the merchant&#39;s website to communicate with one another. The first communications network  31  may include the Internet, a telecommunications network (e.g., a wireless network, cell phone network, a telephone network, a cable network, or any combination thereof), a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a home router or gateway coupled to one of the above networks, or any combination of the above. Also shown in  FIG. 1  is an acquiring bank  50  for the merchant, an issuing bank  60  for the portable consumer device  5 , a payment processing network  70 , and a second communications network  32  that enables the payment processing network  70  to communicate with each of the banks  50  and  60 . The second communications network  32  may comprise the Internet (and therefore may overlap and share facilities with the first communications network  31 ), or may comprise one or more private networks, or combination of one or more private networks with the Internet. A private network may comprise a telecommunications network, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), or any combination thereof. In some instances, the first and second communications networks  31  and  32  may be the same (such as a network using the Internet as the backbone). A communications network generally comprises a network of one or more communications links and two or more nodes that pass messages from one part of the network to another part. Each node comprises one or more pieces of electrical machinery, and each link may comprise one or more of the following: optical fibers, optical links, radio links, electrical wires. The components described so far are, for the most part, conventional and arranged in a conventional manner. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a verification token  40  according to one embodiment of the invention, and a validation entity  80  according to another embodiment of the invention. These components, and the interactions between them and between other components shown in  FIG. 1  are novel, and do not form part of the prior art. Verification token  40  has a reader  44  to read portable consumer device  5 , and a peripheral interface  46  adapted to couple to a peripheral interface  16  of computer  10 . Reader  46  may comprise one or more of the following: a magnetic stripe reader (which may include fingerprint sampling circuitry and security module), a card contact reader, and a contactless reader, the latter of which is commonly known as an RFID reader. Verification token  40  is configured to communicate to validation entity  80  by way of a networking facility  14  of computer  10 . After user  1  fills a purchase cart on merchant website  20 , the user may bring up the merchant&#39;s checkout page to provide the user&#39;s payment information and commit to the purchase. At this point, user  1  may present his or her portable consumer device  5  to a card reader  44  of verification token  40  to provide the device&#39;s identification information (an example of which is illustrate in  FIG. 7 ). The verification token  40  reads the identification information from the user&#39;s portable consumer device  5 , and sends at least a portion of the identification information in a secure manner (e.g., in an encrypted form) to validation entity  80  to request a device verification value for the portable consumer device  5 . For the sake of clarity, and without loss of generality, we can refer to the device verification value provided by validation entity  80  as a “dCVV2” value, so as to distinguish it from the dynamic “CVC3” or “dCVV” values generated by smartcards, which were described above, and from the CVV field found on the merchant&#39;s checkout page. Validation entity  80  applies one or more validation tests to verification token  40  and/or the identification information to obtain a level of confidence that the portable consumer device  5  was actually presented to verification token  40  to request the dCVV2 value. When the one or more validation tests are passed, and preferably with no tests being failed, validation entity  80  sends a dCVV2 value to verification token  40 . 
     In cases where the user&#39;s portable consumer device  5  generates a cryptogram (e.g., cryptogram  17 ), card reader  44  provides the user&#39;s device  5  with “dummy” transaction information that is known to both token  40  and validation entity  80 . The dummy transaction information may include a static transaction amount and a static merchant name, depending upon the type of cryptogram to be generated. The dummy transaction information may be different for each token  40 . The user&#39;s device  5  uses the transaction information to generate the cryptogram. The user&#39;s device typically has a counter value, often called the Application Transaction Counter (ATC), which is included in the cryptogram computation, and which is incremented with each transaction. The counter reduces the chances of a fraudster guessing the cryptogram value. In some cases, user&#39;s device  5  may need a PIN to activate the computation of the cryptogram. For this, token  40  may display a pop-up window on the user&#39;s computer  10  that requests the entry of a PIN by the user, and token  40  may provide the pin to the user&#39;s device  5  along with the request for the cryptogram. 
     A first validation test that validation entity  80  may apply pertains to verifying that verification token  40  is authentic. For this, verification token  40  may send its serial number to validation entity  80 , along with a message encrypted by an encryption key, with the message and encryption key being known to token  40  and entity  80  (but not the general public), and with the encryption key further being uniquely assigned to the token&#39;s serial number (uniquely assigned to the token). Validation entity  80  has a database of serial numbers and corresponding uniquely assigned encryption keys, and can validate that verification token  40  has sent the correct message for the serial number. Validation of the correct message serves to authenticate verification token  40 . If the first validation test is failed, validation entity  80  may record the serial number of the failed token  40  and the source IP address from which the failed token  40  made the request in a database (such as a database  86  described below). A second validation test that validation entity  80  may apply pertains to verifying that verification token  40  has not been involved in fraudulent transactions. For this, validation entity  80  may also have a database that tracks the serial numbers of verification tokens that have been used in fraudulent activities, and may check the serial number of verification token  40  against this database. The second validation test may further comprise checking the token serial number and/or the IP address from which an incoming dCVV2 request was originated (the source IP address of the message) against the previously-described database that stores token serial numbers and IP addresses associated with requests that have failed the first validation test. If a token serial number or IP address is found in this database, the second validation test may be deemed to have been failed. Checking the token serial numbers and/or the IP addresses in this way prevents replay attacks by fraudsters. It may be appreciated that the database of serial numbers of tokens that failed the first validation test may be combined with the database of serial numbers of tokens involved in fraudulent activities. This combined database, as well as the two other databases, may be generically termed as a database of serial numbers of suspicious tokens. If the first and second validation tests are passed (e.g., encrypted serial number matches value in database, and no fraudulent use and/or suspicious activity by the token), validation entity  80  may send a dCVV2 value to verification token  40 , or may apply additional validation tests before sending a dCVV2 value. Such an additional validation test pertains to checking the digital fingerprint or variable datum of portable consumer device  5 . Validation entity  80  may have a stored record of the digital fingerprint of portable consumer device  5  or the algorithm for generating the variable datum of device  5 , and can validate the received identification information by comparing the fingerprint or variable datum provided in the received information with the fingerprint or variable datum that it obtains from its stored record for device  5 . If the additional validation test is passed, validation entity  80  may send a dCVV2 value to verification token  40 . The additional validation test may be performed in addition to, or instead of, the previously described validation tests. 
     The dCVV2 value provided by validation entity  80  comprises a variable datum (e.g., a multi-digit number), and is used by the user to complete the purchase transaction. Verification token  40  may display the dCVV2 value to the user so that the user may enter the dCVV2 value into CVV field of the checkout page of the merchant&#39;s website, or verification token  40  may enter the dCVV2 value directly into the CCV field of the merchant&#39;s checkout page. After the dCVV2 value has been entered into the CVV field, the user may complete the purchase. This form of the dCVV2 value enables it to work within existing payment processing systems and flows. The merchant&#39;s website  20  then uses the dCVV2 value for the CVV in its authorization request for the purchase. The authorization request is sent to acquiring bank  50 , which then forwards it to payment processing network  70  for authorization. Through a separate channel, validation entity  80  may send the dCVV2 value to payment processing network  70  and/or issuing bank  60 , along with the account information (e.g., account number), so that the merchant&#39;s authorization request can be processed. This serves to notify payment processing network  70  and/or issuing bank  60  that a dCVV2 value for portable consumer device  5  was requested and provided to a merchant, and to expect the merchant to provide the dCVV2 value in an authorization request for the account. 
     Payment processing network  70  can compare incoming authorization requests from merchants (such as forwarded by acquiring banks) against the information it receives from validation entity  80  (such as by looking at account numbers), and can match (e.g., correlate) incoming authorization requests with validation information sent by validation entity  80 . If a match is found, payment processing network  70  has a high degree of assurance that consumer portable device  5  was in the possession of user  1  at the time the purchase transaction was made. This provides a greater degree of assurance in comparison to the reliance on CCV values printed on the backs of credit cards. Payment processing network  70  and issuing bank  60  can then undertake the other actions that they perform to authorize the transaction, such as checking whether the merchant  20  is in good standing, and checking the account limit of user  1  to ensure that there are sufficient funds to cover the purchase amount of the transaction. In this case, payment processing network  70  does not need to validate the digital fingerprint and/or the variable datum of the portable consumer device  5 , if those actions have been done by validation entity  80 . (Payment processing network  70  may, however, perform those validation actions for merchant point-of-sales transactions.) 
     As a further feature, which is useful when multiple devices  5  have been allocated under one account number (e.g., multiple cards under one PAN for a household), the identification information that token  40  collects and provides to validation entity  80  may include a device identifier alone with the account number. This device identifier uniquely identifies one of the devices allocated under the account number. Provision entity  80  may further use the device identifier to obtain different dCVV2 values for the different devices allocated under the account number. As a further feature, validation entity  80  may send to token  40  shipping address information and/or billing address information of the user that has been previously associated to the device, and token  40  may fill this information into corresponding fields on the merchant checkout page. 
     Embodiments and components shown in  FIG. 1  are now described in greater detail. The user&#39;s computer  10  may comprise a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or any portable electronic device that has a networking facility and a peripheral interface for communicating with one or more peripheral devices. Computer  10  has one or more processors  11 , a tangible computer-readable medium  12  coupled to processor(s)  11  that stores instruction codes (software) that direct processor(s)  11  and that stores data used by processor(s)  11 , and a user interface  13  coupled to processor(s)  11 . Networking facility  14  and peripheral interface  16 , which were previously described above, are also coupled to processor(s)  11 , with networking facility  14  also being coupled to first communications network  31 . User interface  13  comprises one or more video output devices (e.g., displays, screens) and one or more input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, trackball, etc.) for user  1  to receive information from computer  10  and to provide input to computer  10 . Computer-readable medium  12  may comprise a combination of semiconductor memory and non-volatile storage, such as one or more disk drives and/or non-volatile memory. Computer-readable medium  12  stores an operating system for computer  10 , which enables processes and applications to be run by processor(s)  11 . The operating system provides services to these processes and applications, and enables these processes and applications to access components of user interface  13 , portions of computer-readable medium  12 , networking facility  14 , peripheral interface  16 , and other components of computer  10 . The operating system may be complex and full featured, such as found on desk-top computers, or simplified, such as found on cell phones, PDAs, and many other types of portable electronic devices. 
     Networking facility  14  of computer  10  may comprise software and hardware that enable a process running on computer  10  to communicate with a communications network, such as network  31 , to send and receive messages, data, and the like to one or more entities coupled to the communications network. The hardware of facility  14  may comprise dedicated hardware separate from processor(s)  11 , or the shared use of processor(s)  11 , or a combination thereof. The software of facility  14  may comprise firmware, software stored in computer-readable medium  12  or another computer-readable medium, portions of the operating system, or a combination of any of the preceding items. Networking facility  14  is preferably a non-exclusive resource, allowing access to the communications network by other processes and applications being run by computer  10 . Peripheral interface  16  of computer  10  comprises a wired or wireless connection that enables a peripheral device (separate from computer  10 ) to communicate with the computer. Conventional wired connections include universal serial bus (USB) connectors (“USB ports”), serial ports, parallel ports, and PCMCIA ports. Conventional wireless connections include infra-red (IR) base stations and Bluetooth™ base stations that are built into computer  10  or that are coupled to a peripheral interface of computer  10 . 
     In addition to reader  44  and peripheral interface  46  (described above), verification token  40  further comprises a processor  41 , a tangible computer-readable medium  42  coupled to processor  41  holding data and codes that direct the operation of processor  41 , a security module  43  coupled to processor  41  and adapted to securely store one or more encryption keys and to encrypt and decrypt data for token  40 , a reader  44  coupled to processor  41  and adapted to read portable consumer devices  5 , and a peripheral interface  46  coupled to processor  41  and adapted to communicate to computer  10  by way of peripheral interface  16 . Processor  41  may comprise a conventional microprocessor, and computer-readable medium  42  may comprise a combination of semiconductor memory and non-volatile storage, such non-volatile memory.  FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary implementation of computer-readable medium  42 , which include the storage of several datum elements (described in greater detail below), processor codes that direct the operation of processor  41 , and processor memory which processor  41  may use in carrying out its tasks. Referring back to  FIG. 1 , security module  43  may comprise encryption and decryption circuitry (which may include one or more processors), and may comprise one or more encryption keys stored in a secured memory. Security module  43  may also include firewall security circuitry that protects verification token  40  from attacks from hackers conducted through peripheral interface  16 . Reader  44  may comprise a convention reader, as described above. Peripheral interface  46  may comprise a wired or wireless connection adapted to communicate with peripheral interface  16  of computer  10 . As indicated above, conventional wired connections include universal serial bus connectors (“USB ports”), serial ports, parallel ports, and PCMCIA ports. Conventional wireless connections may include infra-red and Bluetooth™ remote stations. When using a conventional wired connection with peripheral interface  46 , verification token  40  may be detachably coupled to computer  10  at peripheral interface  16 , such as at a USB port connector.  FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary verification token  40 - 1  with a USB port connector (male type) as part of its peripheral interface  46 - 1 . Also illustrate in  FIG. 6  is computer  10 , its peripheral interface  16 - 1  having a USB port connector (female type) to which USB connector  46 - 1  is plugged into, the user interface  13  of computer (e.g., screen and keyboard), the user&#39;s portable consumer device  5  (RFID-type card), user  1 , and the presentation of a dCVV2 value on user interface  13 . Token  40  may further include a visual indicator, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), that it lights when it is ready to read a user&#39;s device  5 , and may further include an audible indicator, such as a piezoelectric buzzer, that sounds when token  40  is finished with reading a user&#39;s device  5 . The visual and audible indicators may be operated by the circuitry of reader  44 . In other implementations, one or more of these indicators may be operated by processor  41  through I/O commands. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , verification token  40  further comprises various codes embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that direct data processor  41  to perform respective actions (e.g. processor codes shown in  FIG. 5 ). A first code directs data processor  41  to communicate with computer  10  by way of peripheral interface  46  so as to gain access networking facility  14  of computer  10 . The first code may comprise code that directs data processor  41  to send a device driver to computer  10  and an instruction to install the device driver in the computer&#39;s operating system, wherein the device driver is a collection of instructions to be run by computer  10  that enables computer  10  to recognize the verification token and communicate with the verification token  40 , and enables the token&#39;s data processor  41  to make function calls to various application program interfaces (API&#39;s) of the computer&#39;s operating system, such as those related to networking and accessing networking facility  14 . So called “self-installing” drivers are known to the art, and can be used here. They comprise one or more function calls to an application programming interface (API) of the computer&#39;s operating system, such as the device manager&#39;s API. The first code may be configured to work with a selected operating system, such as Windows or Symbian OS, or may be configured to work with several operating systems. In the latter case, the first code may include several device drivers for the various operating systems, and instructions that query computer  10  for its operating system type and select (and install) the driver most appropriate for the computer&#39;s operating system. The device drivers may be stored in a section of computer-readable medium  42 , as illustrated in the example of  FIG. 5 . The first code may further include, as an option, instructions that direct processor  41  to generate an I/O signal that causes the above-described visual indicator to be lit in response to processor  41  gaining access to networking facility  14  of computer  10 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , a second code of verification token  40  directs data processor  41  to receive identification information read from portable consumer device  5  by the reader  44 . The second code may include code that directs the data processor  41  to receive a universal resource identifier (URID) of a validation entity  80 , as read from portable consumer device  5  by the reader  44 . The second code may comprise instructions that direct processor  41  to contact reader  44  at periodic intervals through an I/O command to determine if the reader has any data for the processor, and to read the data when data is indicated as being present. The second code may further direct processor  41  to contact reader  44  through an I/O command to clear the data after processor  41  has read it, or reader  44  may be configured to clear the data after it has sensed that processor  41  has read it, or after a period of time greater than the periodic contact interval used by processor  41 . In another implementation, reader  44  may be configured to generate an interrupt signal to processor  41  when data is present, and the second code may include instructions that direct processor  41  to respond to the interrupt signal by reading the data from reader  44  and clearing the interrupt. The second code may further include, as an option, instructions that direct processor  41  to generate an I/O signal that causes the above-described audible indicator to sound in response to processor  41  receiving data from reader  44 . The above instructions may include conventional I/O instructions that direct the communications with reader  44  and the indicators. Different portable consumer device  5  may store and provide different URID&#39;s to different validation entities  80 . A uniform resource identifier (URID) may comprise a uniform resource locator (URL), an Internet-protocol address (IP-address), or any other type of identifier that can identify an entity on a communications network. If a portable consumer device  5  does not provide a URID to validation entity  80 , verification token  40  may store a URID to a default validation entity  80 . In some configurations, some verification tokens  40  may be co-branded with respective issuing banks and only work for portable consumer devices that are co-branded with the same issuing banks, and each issuing bank may have its own validation entity  80  with its own URID. In such a configuration, these verification tokens  40  may store the URIDs to their respective co-branded validation entities  80 . Instead of, or in addition to, this configuration, some verification tokens  40  may be associated with respective payment processing networks  70 , and each such network may have its own validation entity  80 . In such a configuration, these verification tokens  40  may store the URIDs to their respective associated validation entities  80 . Accordingly, the second code of verification token  40  may be further configured to direct data processor  41  to only use a default URID stored by token  40 , or to use a default URID if consumer portable device  5  does not provide token  40  with a URID to entity  80 . As yet another implementation, verification token  40  may include code that directs processor  41  to select one of a number of URIDs stored in token  40  based on a bank number provided in the identification information or embedded in the account number. The above further direction and codes may be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, memory access instructions, and CPU logical and control instructions. One or more URIDs to validation entities may be stored in computer-readable memory  42 , as illustrated in the example shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , A third code of verification token  40  directs data processor  41  to establish communications with validation entity  80  using networking facility  14  of computer  10 . The operating system of computer  10  comprises one or more software modules and application programs, generically called “network services modules” herein, that can access networking facility  14  and set up communications sessions to entities on communications network  31 . Such network services modules include Microsoft&#39;s Windows Communications Foundation (e.g., .NET 3.0, .NET 4.0, etc.), Apple&#39;s CFNetwork Framework, the networking section of the Unix and Linux operating system kernels, the OS Services Layer and the Base Services Layer of the Symbian operating system, Internet browsers, and the like. Each of these network services modules is non-exclusive (e.g., capable of serving more than one processor and more than one process/application) and provides an application programming interface (API) to a collection of functions that a processor can access using respective function calls. With these API facilities, a collection of function calls can be readily constructed for a processor to execute that enables the processor to establish a communications channel with an entity on a communications network coupled to networking facility  14 , and to exchange messages and data with the entity. The third code of verification token  40  comprises such a collection of function calls to the API of a network services module of computer  10 , including one or more function calls that provide the universal resource identifier (URID) for validation entity  80  and an instruction to establish a session with the validation entity. The session may be a secure socket layer (or secure transport layer) session (e.g., SSL session) with mutual authentication. As part of establishing the session in some implementations, the third code of verification token  40  may include directing data processor  41  to provide, or to cause to be provided, a network address for the token to the computer&#39;s network services module and to validation entity  80 . The network address may be static or dynamic, the latter of which may be obtained through API function calls to the computer&#39;s network services module. The network address may an IP address. 
     If token  40  wishes to use an Internet browser for a network services module, it may further comprise API function calls to the computer&#39;s operating system to initiate an instance of the browser and provide it with access to the browser instance. In some implementations, such as when verification entity  40  stores the URID of validation entity  80 , the third code may direct the data processor  41  to establish communications with validation entity  80  well before user  1  presents consumer portable device  5  to reader  44 , and before processor  41  reads device data from reader  44 . Verification token  40  and validation entity  80  may keep the communications session active until device  5  is presented to reader  44 , and between times that device  5  is presented to reader  44 , by intermittently exchanging “heartbeat” messages. For example, verification token  40  may periodically, aperiodically, or randomly send messages to validation entity  80  confirming its presence in the session, and validation entity  80  may send a reply message confirming its presence in the session. 
     The third code may be executed in response to data being received by processor  41  from reader  44 , or may be executed prior to receiving data from reader  44 . In the latter case, the third code may include, as an option, instructions that direct processor  41  to send an I/O command to reader  44  to enable its reading capability after processor  41  has established communications with validation entity  80 . 
     A fourth code of verification token  40  directs the data processor  41  to transmit at least a portion of identification information to validation entity  80  by way of networking facility  14  of computer  10 , wherein the identification information is transmitted in encrypted form. If an SSL session has been established, the fourth code may direct data processor  41  to pass the identification information to the computer&#39;s network services module using appropriate function calls to the API for the network services module, and the identification information may be transmitted in the SSL session, where the transmitted and received data are encrypted by a session key. For an additional layer of security, the fourth code may further comprise code that directs processor  41  to encrypt the identification information with the help of security module  43  using an encryption key stored in token  40  before providing it to networking facility  14 . These instructions may include conventional I/O instructions that direct the communications with security module  43  to pass the identification information to module  43  and to receive back the encrypted information. An encryption key for this may be stored in computer-readable medium  42  or in security module  43 . 
     A fifth code of verification token  40  directs data processor  41  to receive, after transmitting said identification information, a device verification value (e.g., dCVV2 value) from validation entity  80  by way of networking facility  14  of computer  10 . This code may comprise function calls to the API of the computer&#39;s network services module to retrieve data sent by entity  80  in the session. The dCVV2 value may be encrypted by validation entity  80 , in which case the fifth code of verification token may further direct data processor  41  to decrypt the encrypted value, such as by using security module  43  (with input-output instruction calls to module  43 ). The fifth code may include code that directs data processor  41  to display the received dCVV2 value to user  1 , such as by way of the user interface  13  of computer  10  or a miniature LCD screen, or the like, integrated with verification token  40 . In the former case, this code may comprise API function calls to the graphical user interface of the operating system of computer  10  to open a display box on user interface  13  to display the dCVV2 value in alphanumeric and/or graphical form. In the latter case, this code may comprise I/O instructions to the miniature LCD screen, or the like. In another implementation, verification token  40  may insert the received dCVV2 value in the CVV field of the merchant purchase page. In this case, the fifth code may further include code that directs data processor  41  to locate a browser session on the computer that has a form field for a device verification value, and to fill the field with the device verification value received from the validation entity. This can include function calls to the API of the Internet browser to search the active web page or all open web pages for an input field marked as CVV, and to input the dCVV2 value into the CVV field. 
     In some implementations, the CVV field on the merchant&#39;s page may be configured as a hidden field that is not visible to the user. This may be done to ease the difficulty for the user in conducting the transaction, and to lessen the chances of the transaction falling through because of user confusion, technical difficulties, or the apparent demand for too much information. In this case, and as an option, the fifth code may comprise instructions that direct data processor  41  to locate a browser session on the computer that has a hidden field for a device verification value (e.g., the merchant&#39;s check out page), and to fill the field with the device verification value received from the validation entity. In this case, the device verification value need not be presented in visual form to the user. The hidden field can, in many web programming languages, be readily indicated by a tag identifier or browser variable that is known to both the merchant and token  40 . If processor  41  cannot locate the hidden field, then the fifth code may further direct processor  41  to present the received device verification value to the user. These instructions can include function calls to the API of the Internet browser to search the active web page or all open web pages for the hidden field (as marked by the identifier or variable name), to input the dCVV2 value into the hidden field, and I/O instructions to an LCD screen or to computer  10  to visually present the dCVV2 value if the hidden field cannot be located, or function calls to the API of the Internet browser to visually present the dCVV2 value in a temporary browser window if the hidden field cannot be located. 
     In some configurations, validation entity  80  may provide a dynamic account number (often called a “dPAN” in the art) along with the dCVV2 value. For these configurations, the fifth code may be augmented to receive the dPAN along with the dCVV2 value, and to display the dPAN value to user  1  or to fill the value into an account field of the merchant purchase page, and include instructions similar to those described above for processing the dCVV2 value. Specifically, the fifth code may further include code that directs data processor  41  to display the received dPAN value to user  1 , such as by way of the user interface  13  of computer  10  or a miniature LCD screen, or the like, integrated with verification token  40 . In the former case, this code may comprise API function calls to the graphical user interface of the operating system of computer  10  to open a display box on user interface  13  to display the dPAN value in alphanumeric and/or graphical form. In the latter case, this code may comprise I/O instructions to the miniature LCD screen, or the like. In another implementation, verification token  40  may insert the received dPAN value in the account field of the merchant purchase page. In this case, the fifth code may further include code that that directs data processor  41  to locate a browser session on the computer that has form fields for an account number and device verification value (e.g., CVV field), and to fill the account field with the dPAN value and the device verification value field with the dCVV2 value received from the validation entity. This can include function calls to the API of the Internet browser to search the active web page or all open web pages for an input fields marked as “account number” (or “credit card number”) and CVV, and to enter the dPAN value into the “account number” field and the dCVV2 value into the CVV field. 
     In some configurations, validation entity  80  may provide a billing address and/or shipping address (e.g., the user&#39;s residence address and/or business address) associated with the portable consumer device  5  along with the dCVV2 value. The address information may have been previously associated with the device  5  by the issuing bank or the user through the user&#39;s online management account for the device or token. For these configurations, the fifth code may be augmented to receive the billing address and/or shipping address along with the dCVV2 value, and to fill the address into a corresponding fields of the merchant purchase page, using instructions similar to those described above for processing the dCVV2 value. Specifically, the fifth code may further include code that directs data processor  41  to receive the billing and/or shipping address information from validation entity  80  (which may be provided in a specific format with field indicators), to locate a browser session on the computer that has form fields for billing and/or shipping address(es) (e.g., street address, city, state, postal code, country), and to fill these fields with the address information received from the validation entity. These instructions can include function calls to the API of the Internet browser to search the active web page or all open web pages for input fields marked with indicators of billing address and/or shipping address, and function calls to fill these fields. 
     The use of function calls to various application programming interfaces (APIs) of the operating system of computer  10  its support modules, facilities, and its applications is well known to the software art, and one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to construct instructions and API function calls to implement the above-described codes and tasks in view of this disclosure without undue experimentation. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment  140  of a method that can be used by verification token  40 . Exemplary method  140  comprises a plurality of actions  141 - 145 . Action  141  comprises establishing a communications link between the verification token and the computer, with the computer having a networking facility, as described above. Action  142  comprises establishing a communications session between the verification token and a validation entity using the computer&#39;s networking facility and a network services module therefor. Action  143  comprises reading identification information from a portable consumer device  5  into the verification token using a reader, such as reader  44 . In some implementations, action  143  may precede either or both of actions  141  and  142 . Action  144  comprises transmitting the read identification information from the verification token to the validation entity through the communications session, the identification information being transmitted to the validation entity in an encrypted form. Action  144  may comprise directing the communications session to encrypt the identification information, and/or encrypting the identification information using an encryption key stored in the token. A triple DES based algorithm may be used for both encryptions. Action  145  comprises, after transmitting the identification information, receiving, at the verification token, a device verification value from the validation entity by way of the communications session. Action  145  may also include receiving a dPAN and/or address information, as described above. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary embodiment  150  of a method for a user to use verification token  40  and the like. Exemplary method  150  comprises a plurality of actions  151 - 153 . Action  151  comprises coupling a verification token, such as token  40 , to a computer, such as computer  10 , using a peripheral interface of the computer. Action  152  comprises presenting a portable consumer device  5  to the reader of the verification token to obtain a device verification value for the device. If device  5  has a magnetic stripe, action  152  may comprise swiping the magnetic stripe through a magnetic stripe reader of the verification token. If device  5  comprises a wireless communications interface, action  152  may comprise waving device  5  near the reader of verification token. Action  153  comprises providing the obtained device verification value to an entity involved with a transaction between the user and the entity. Action  153  may comprise entering the device verification value onto a webpage of entity, or conveying the value over the phone to a representative of the entity. 
     As indicated above, validation entity  80  may use a first validation test to validate verification token  40 . For this, verification token  40  may send its serial number to validation entity  80 , along with a message encrypted by an encryption key, with the message and encryption key being known to token  40  and entity  80  (but not the general public), and with the encryption key further being uniquely assigned to the token&#39;s serial number. Validation entity  80  has a database of serial numbers and the corresponding uniquely-assigned encryption keys (or stored algorithms for generating said keys), and can validate that verification token  40  has sent the correct message for the serial number. For this, verification token  40  may comprise a serial number and unique encryption key embodied in a computer-readable medium, the unique encryption key being unique to verification token  40  (see  FIG. 5  for an exemplary implementation, “Serial Number” and “Datum for Encrypted message”), and code that directs data processor  41  to send the serial number and a message encrypted by the unique encryption key to validation entity  80 . The message may be pre-stored on the computer-readable medium (e.g., stored in “Datum for Encrypted message” in  FIG. 5 ), or derivable from information known to both verification token  40  and validation entity  80 , such as a message derived from an algorithm applied to the current date, serial number of token  40 , and/or session key of the communications session between token  40  and entity  80 . In this manner, the message sent by token  40  to validation entity  80  is verifiable by validation entity  80  using information stored at the validation entity. The computer-readable medium for the above tasks may be located in computer-readable medium  42  and/or security module  43 . The above codes may include I/O instructions to security module  43 , and function calls to the API of the computer&#39;s network services module. 
     As an option, verification token  40  may send, from time to time, one or more pieces of machine-unique information of computer  10  to validation entity  80 , which may check this information against a database of computer information associated with known fraudsters. Such machine-unique information may include the serial numbers of processors, disk drives, and operating systems of computer  10 . Verification token  40  may comprise code that directs data processor  41  to obtain one or more pieces of machine-unique information from computer  10 , and to send the machine-specific information to validation entity  80 . This code may include function calls to the API of the computer&#39;s operating system to obtain the information, and function calls to the API of the computer&#39;s network services module to send the information to validation entity  80 . 
     As another option, verification token  40  may be configured to prompt user  1  for a password to activate one or more features of token  40 . The password may be stored on a computer-readable medium located in security module  43  or in computer-readable medium  42  (see  FIG. 5  for an exemplary implementation of the latter). The password may be provided to user  1  on a piece of paper by the provider or seller of token  40 . Token  40  may be sent to user  1  through the mail by or on behalf of an issuing bank, or may be purchased by user  1  in a store. Token  40  may be configured to require that the password be entered each time the user wishes to present a consumer portable device  5 , and/or each time token  40  is coupled to a computer  10 . For this, verification token  40  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to prompt the user to enter a password on a keyboard of computer  10 , to read a password entered by the user, and to compare the entered password against a stored password embodied on the computer-readable medium. This code may comprise API function calls to the graphical user interface of the operating system of computer  10  to open a display box on user interface  13  to request and receive a password from user  1 , I/O instructions, memory access instructions, and CPU logical and control instructions. Verification token  40  may further comprise one or more of the following:
         (1) code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to initiate and/or allow the above-described communications with computer  10  in response to an entered password matching the stored password;   (2) code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to initiate and/or allow the above-described communications with validation entity  80  in response to an entered password matching the stored password;   (3) code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to activate reader  44  and/or to accept identification information from reader  44  in response to an entered password matching the stored password; and   (4) code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to initiate and/or allow the above-described transmission of identification information to validation entity  80  in response to entered password matching the stored password.       

     These codes may be done with I/O instructions, memory access instructions, and CPU logical and control instructions. They, alone or in combination, prevent the transmission of identification information to entity  80  when the entered password is not the same as the stored password, and thereby comprise code embodied on the computer-readable medium that directs the data processor for doing so. One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to construct the instructions and API function calls to implement the above-described codes in view of this disclosure without undue experimentation. As further protection, validation token  40  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to establish a user name for the token by presenting user  1  with a dialog box to receive input designating a username, and by storing the username in computer-readable medium  42  (example shown in  FIG. 5 ). The above codes for processing the password may be further augmented to include requesting a username for the token and comparing the received username with the stored username for a match, and including a match as a condition that must be met in each of the four above codes that initiate or allow various actions to be done. These codes may be done with I/O instructions, memory access instructions, and CPU logical and control instructions. 
     In further implementations, as further protection, validation token  40  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to establish one or more shipping addresses and/or billing addresses in the token that token  40  can use to fill into form fill locations of a merchant page. Each shipping address and/or billing address may be associated with a portable consumer device. The code may direct processor  41  to present a series of dialog boxes to the user by way of the computer&#39;s user interface  13  to receive the address information and the account number (or last four digits thereof) of the portable consumer device  5  that is to be associated to the address information, and to store the address information in a computer-readable medium, such as medium  42  (as illustrated by the example shown in  FIG. 5 ). Token  40  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  42  that directs data processor  41  to access the address information in response to a request being sent to validation entity  80  (the address information may be selected among many stored addresses based on the account number sent in the request), and to fill the address information into appropriate locations of a merchant checkout page, such as when a dCVV2 value is received back from validation entity  80 . The code may be configured to direct processor  41  to only fill in the address information when the locations for the information on the merchant checkout page are blank, and when validation entity  80  has not provided address information, as described above. The filling code may be further configured to direct data processor  41  to use shipping and/or billing information stored on portable consumer device  5  when shipping and/or billing information is not store in token  40  for the account number of device  5 , and further if the locations for the shipping information on the merchant checkout page are blank and validation entity  80  has not provided address information, as described above. The filling code may include code that directs data processor  41  to locate a browser session on the computer that has a form fields for address information and/or a device verification value, and to fill the address fields with the selected address information. This can include function calls to the API of the Internet browser to search the active web page or all open web pages for an input field marked as name, address, city, postal code, country, and CVV, and to input the datum of the selected address information into the appropriate fields. The above codes may be implemented with API function calls, I/O instructions, memory access instructions, and CPU logical and control instructions. 
     In each of the embodiments described herein pertaining to verification token  40 , token  40  may send the identification information pertaining to portable consumer device  5  to computer  10  in a number of forms, including: (1) unaltered form (“clear form”), (2) encrypted form, (3) hashed formed (e.g., encoded), (4) signed form, (5) or any combination of these forms. These forms may be generated by portable consumer device  5 , verification token  40 , computer  10 , or any combination thereof. In addition, verification token  40  and validation entity  80  may perform a mutual authentication process before verification token  40  sends the identification information. 
     In each of the embodiments described herein pertaining to verification token  40 , the above codes of token  40  and the identification information read from device  5  by token  40  may be stored independently of computer  10  and may be secure from programs (including spyware and other malicious programs) running on computer  10 . In such implementations, the identification information is put in secure form (e.g., encrypted, hashed, signed, or combination thereof) by verification token  40  before the information is provided to computer  10 . Accordingly, securing the information is not dependent upon the security of computer  10 . Symmetric or asymmetric keys may be used for encryption and signing. The keys for a verification token  40  may be unique with respect to other verification tokens (that is, the keys for a token may be unique to that token). Keys for a token, and particularly symmetric keys, may be based upon a uniquely assigned serial number for the verification token, which the token can communicate to validation entity  80  in an initial communication. Both the verification token and the validation entity may have a shared secret on how to derive a key from the token&#39;s serial number, such as by manipulating and/or replacing selected digits of the serial number. A number of keys may be derived from the unique serial number using respective shared secrets. Thus, the challenge and response messages used in a mutual authentication process between a verification token and a validation entity may be signed using respective keys derived from the serial number of the verification token. 
     Having described various embodiments and implementations of verification token  40 , various embodiments and implementations of validation entity are now described. Validation entity  80  comprises a system having one or more servers coupled to a communications network that can receive a request from a verification token  40  to process (e.g., to validate) the identification information that the token has read from a portable consumer device  5 , and to provide a device verification value (dCVV2) to the token and to payment processing network  70  if the identification information passes one or more validation tests. One of the servers of entity  80  is shown in  FIG. 1 ; the server comprises one or more processors  81  electrically coupled to each of a tangible computer-readable medium  82 , a user interface  83 , one or more databases  86 , and a networking facility  84 , the latter of which is coupled to first and second communications networks  31  and  32 . User interface  83  comprises one or more video output devices (e.g., displays, screens) and one or more input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, trackball, etc.), which enable an administrator of entity  80  to receive information from the server and to provide input to the server. Computer-readable medium  82  may comprise a combination of semiconductor memory and non-volatile storage, such as one or more disk drives and/or non-volatile memory. 
     Computer-readable medium  82  stores an operating system for the server, which enables processes and applications to be run by processor(s)  81 , and enables codes for directing the operation of processor(s)  81  to be run. The operating system provides services to these processes and applications, and enables these processes and applications to access components of user interface  83 , portions of computer-readable medium  82 , networking facility  84 , and other components of entity  80 . The operating system may be full featured. Specifically, the operating system provides one or more I/O communications modules that enable processor(s)  81  to communicate with user interface  83  and databases  86 . Each I/O communications module has an application programming interface (API) with a collection of functions that a processor  81  can call in order to access the components. The operating system of entity  80  also comprises one or more network services modules that can access networking facility  84  and set up communications sessions to entities on communications networks  31  and  32 , and with SMS relay server  35 . Such network services modules include Microsoft&#39;s Windows Communications Foundation (e.g., .NET 3.0, .NET 4.0, etc.), Apple&#39;s CFNetwork Framework, the networking section of the Unix and Linux operating system kernels, and the OS Services Layer and the Base Services Layer of the Symbian operating system, and the like. Each of these network services modules can be non-exclusive (e.g., capable of serving more than one processor and more than one process/application) and each provides an application programming interface (API), which has a collection of functions that a processor  81  can call in order to manage communications with another entity. With these API facilities, a collection of API function calls can be readily constructed for a processor to execute that enables the processor to establish a communications channel with an entity on a communications network coupled to networking facility  84 , and to exchange messages and data with the entity. The above operating system, modules, and APIs all include instructions that direct the operation of processor(s)  81 . 
     One or more databases  86  may be configured as database servers, which processor(s)  81  can access via networking facility  84  over a private communications network  87 , which is illustrated by the dashed line in  FIG. 1 . Validation entity  80  conventionally has a clock  88  for tracking time and dates for various applications. Clock  88  may be a simple counter of seconds, or fractions thereof, that can be read by processor  81  by an I/O operation, or may comprise a more complex arrangement of hardware or firmware that can provide the various components of the current date and time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) in various registers that can be read by processor  81  through the execution of one or more I/O operations. 
     Validation entity  80  can process identification information transmitted from a plurality of different verification tokens  40  (e.g., millions of tokens), and can process any number of transmissions by a particular token  40 . Validation entity  80  applies one or more validation tests to verification token  40  and/or the identification information to obtain a level of confidence that the portable consumer device  5  was actually presented to verification token  40  to request the dCVV2 value. When the one or more validation tests are passed, and preferably when none of the tests are failed, validation entity  80  sends a dCVV2 value to verification token  40 , and optionally to payment processing network  70  along with the account number present in the identification. For these tasks, validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to communicate with computer  10  and verification token  40  using networking facility  84  over communications network  31 . This code may include instructions that establish a communications session with computer  10 , including the option of establishing an SSL session with mutual authentication and encryption based on a triple DES algorithm, and instructions for sending and receiving messages to verification token  40  through the communications session. Validation entity  80  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to receive encrypted identification information sent by verification token  40 , and code that directs data processor  81  to decrypt the encrypted identification information. The identification information may be encrypted by a session key of an SSL session or by an encryption key stored in verification token  40  and known to validation entity  80 , or may be doubly encrypted by both keys. The latter key may be uniquely assigned to the token. Validation entity  80  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to apply one or more validation tests as previously described above, and to send the dCVV2 value to token  40  and to optionally send the dCVV2 value and account number to payment processing network  70 , if a selected number of validation tests are passed. Data processor  81  may access databases  86  in performing the one or more validation tests. The validation tests and codes therefor are described below in greater detail. These codes and codes described below for validation entity  80  may be implemented in any number of programming languages. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art will be readily able to construct instructions to implement these codes in view of this disclosure without undue experimentation. 
     As described above, a first validation test that validation entity  80  may apply pertains to verifying that verification token  40  is authentic. For this, verification token  40  may send its serial number to validation entity  80 , along with a test message encrypted by an encryption key, with the test message and encryption key (or corresponding decryption key) being known to token  40  and entity  80  (but not the general public), and with the encryption key further being uniquely assigned to the token&#39;s serial number. Validation entity  80  may access a database of token serial numbers and corresponding uniquely-assigned encryption keys (or corresponding decryption keys) in one of databases  86 , and may determine whether verification token  40  has sent a correct test message for the serial number that the token provided. The test message may be fixed or variable; in the latter case it may be generated based on information known to both token  40  and entity  80 . The test message may be encrypted and decrypted by a triple DES algorithm, which can be implemented by a number of well known sets of computer instructions using a single symmetric encryption key. The test message may also be encrypted by a first key of an asymmetric encryption key set at the verification token  40  and decrypted by the second key (the decryption key) of the asymmetric encryption key set at validation entity  80 , which can be implemented by a number of well known sets of computer instructions. To validate the encrypted test message sent by token  40 , entity  80  can decrypt the test message using the key that it has, and can compare the decrypted test message to a set of acceptable messages for a match. Entity  80  may also validate the encrypted test message in the reverse way by encrypting the set of acceptable messages and comparing the encrypted test message sent by token  40  to its set of encrypted acceptable messages. If the sent test message is correct, the first validation test can be deemed to have been passed, otherwise the first validation test is deems to have failed. 
     To implement the above validation test, validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to receive one or more messages from verification token  40  via networking facility  84  that has the token&#39;s serial number and encrypted test message, code that directs data processor  81  to obtain from one of databases  86  a key that has been assigned to the received serial number of the token and one or more acceptable messages that can be accepted as the correct test message, and code that directs the data processor to validate the encrypted test message from the token using the encrypted test message, the obtained key, and the obtained one or more acceptable messages. The latter validation code may comprise code that directs data processor  81  to decrypt the encrypted test message using the obtained key, and code that directs data processor  81  to compare the decrypted test message to the one or more acceptable messages to determine if the first validation test has been passed (in the case of a match between the decrypted test message and an acceptable message), or has been failed (in the case of no such match). In addition, or as another approach, the above validation code may comprise code that directs data processor  81  to encrypt the obtained acceptable messages with the encryption key for token  40  (as found in the database according to the token&#39;s serial number), to compare the encrypted test message from token  40  to the one or more encrypted acceptable messages to determine if the first validation test has been passed (in the case of a match between the encrypted test message and an encrypted acceptable message), or has been failed (in the case of no such match). An acceptable message may be obtained by accessing it directly from one of databases  86 , or by generating it from information stored in one or more of databases  86 . As an option, if the first validation test is failed, validation entity  80  may record the serial number of the failed token  40  and the source IP address from which the failed token  40  made the request in one of databases  86 . For this, validation entity  80  may further comprise code that directs data processor  81  to obtain the source IP address from the request message and to store the source IP address and the token&#39;s serial number as one record or two separate records in one of databases  86 , which may be called the failed validation database  86 . This information may be accessed as port of the second validation test described below. The above codes can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, API function calls to databases, memory access instructions, CPU arithmetic and logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     As a second validation test, validation entity  80  may have a database in databases  86  that tracks the serial numbers of verification tokens that have been used in fraudulent activities (e.g., suspicious tokens), and validation entity  80  may check the serial number of verification token  40  against this database. If a check of this database indicates that verification token  40  has not been involved in fraudulent activity or is not otherwise suspicious, the second validation test can be deemed to have been passed. To assist in tracking fraudulent activity back to a verification token, validation entity  80  may send the serial number of token  40  along with the dCVV2 value and account number that it sends to payment processing network  70 . If network  70  later finds out that the transaction processed with the account number provided by token  40  was fraudulent, it can send a message to that effect to validation entity  80 , and entity  80  may then enter the serial number of the token into the database of tokens used in fraudulent activities. To implement the second validation test, validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to receive a message from verification token  40  via networking facility  84  that has the token&#39;s serial number, code that directs data processor  81  to have the received serial number compared with serial numbers stored in a database of databases  86  that stores serial numbers of suspicious tokens used in fraudulent transactions to determine if the second validation test has been passed (no fraudulent activity), or has been failed (fraudulent activity). This code may further include instructions that direct processor  81  to obtain the source IP address of the message from token  40 , and to compare the source IP address and the serial number of token  40  to IP addresses and serial numbers in the failed validation database  86  for a match. If a match is found, the second validation test may be deemed to have been failed. Checking the token serial numbers and IP addresses in this way prevents retry attacks by fraudsters. The above codes can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, API function calls to databases, memory access instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     As a third validation test, validation entity  80  may send a message to verification token  40  requesting that token  40  send it one or more pieces of computer-specific information about computer  10 , such as the serial numbers of one or more of the following: the computer&#39;s processor, one or more of the computer&#39;s disk drives, the computer&#39;s operating system. Validation entity  80  may receive this information and check it against a database storing computer-specific information of suspicious computers known to have been involved in fraudulent activity. If a check of this database indicates that the computer  10  used by verification token  40  has not been involved in fraudulent activity, the third validation test can be deemed to have been passed. To assist in tracking fraudulent activity back to computer  10 , validation entity  80  may send the serial number of token  40  and the computer-specific information along with the dCVV2 value and account number that it sends to payment processing network  70 . If network  70  later finds out that the transaction processed with the account number provided by token  40  was fraudulent, it can send a message to that effect to validation entity  80 , and entity  80  may then enter the serial number of the token into the database of suspicious tokens used in fraudulent activities, and the computer-specific information into the database of suspicious computers known to have been involved in fraudulent activity. To implement the third validation test, validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to send a message to verification token  40  requesting computer-specific information (if verification token  40  has not sent such information beforehand without prompting), code that directs data processor  81  to receive one or more data messages from verification token  40  via networking facility  84  that have the token&#39;s serial number and the computer-specific information, and code that directs data processor  81  to have the received computer-specific information compared with computer-specific information stored in a database (of databases  86 ) that stores computer-specific information of suspicious computers used in fraudulent transactions to determine if the third validation test has been passed (no fraudulent activity), or has been failed (fraudulent activity). The above codes can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, API function calls to databases, memory access instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     By conducting one or more of the above three validation tests, validation entity  80  can obtain some degree of confidence that the identification information sent by token  40  is valid, and can, in some implementations, provide the dCCV2 value to token  40  and payment processing network  70 . In this case, verification token  40  does not need to send the digital fingerprint or the variable datum of the portable consumer device  5  in the identification information, and does not need to obtain these datum from device  5 . 
     To increase the degree of confidence, validation entity  80  may perform a fourth validation test that compares a digital fingerprint received in the identification information, if present, with the stored copy of the valid digital fingerprint that entity  80  has for the account number specified by the identification information. If the digital fingerprints match to an acceptable degree (e.g., the degree of similarity, or correlation, of the two fingerprints being above a selected level of similarity), validation entity  80  can deem the fourth validation test as being passed. The degree of similarity between the two fingerprints may be assessed by applying a correlation function to the two fingerprints. Such correlation functions are well known to the art. Before receiving identification information for a portable consumer device  5  from a token, the issuing bank for the device may provide validation entity  80  with the valid digital magnetic fingerprint of the device, which entity  80  may store in one of databases  86 . When validation entity  80  receives identification information from a verification token  40  for a specific portable consumer device  5 , it accesses databases  86  for its record of the valid digital fingerprint, and compares the received fingerprint against the valid digital fingerprint to assess a degree of similarity, and to determine if the fourth validation test has been passed (e.g., the degree of similarity between the two fingerprints is above a selected level), or has been failed (e.g., the degree of similarity between the two fingerprints is below the selected level). To implement the fourth validation test, validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to obtain the stored valid digital fingerprint for the account from one of databases  86 , and code that directs data processor  81  to compare the received digital fingerprint and the stored valid digital fingerprint for similarity to determine if the forth test is passed (sufficient similarity) or failed (not sufficient similarity). The latter code may comprise code that directs data processor  81  to generating a value representative of the similarity between the two fingerprints by applying one or more correlation functions to the fingerprints, and comparing the value against a selected level. Such correlation functions, also known as probabilistic models, are known to the credit card art. The above codes can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, API function calls to databases, memory access instructions, CPU arithmetic instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     To also increase the degree of confidence over that provided by the first three validation tests described above, validation entity  80  may perform a fifth validation test that compares a variable datum (e.g., CVC3, dCVV, cryptogram) received as part of the identification information, if present, with a set of one or more acceptable values for the variable datum that validation entity  80  has for the account number provided as part of the identification information. If the values match, validation entity  80  can deem the fifth validation test as being passed. There are number of ways that the variable datum can be configured to vary with time. As some examples, the variable datum can be configured to have its value vary with each use of portable consumer device  5 , and device  5  can provide a counter value in the datum or along with the datum. Validation entity  80  or a payment processing network can use the counter value to determine what value the variable datum should have for the given counter value. This determination may be done based on an algorithm that is a function of the counter value (and/or other possible variables), or a look-up table whose entries are correlated to the counter value (the table may be cyclically repeated). The algorithm may comprise one or more random number generators, each of which accepts a starting “seed” value, whose value can be selected to customize the algorithm to a particular portable consumer device  5 . The values of the look-up table may be based on the output of the algorithm. The variable datum may also be based on time, date, or other information known to both verification token  40  and entity  80 , which may or may not use a counter value. Additional ways of generating the values of a variable datum are discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/642,878 entitled “Method and System for Generating a Dynamic Verification Value” filed on Aug. 18, 2003, and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/764,376 entitled “On-Line Payment Transactions” filed on Jan. 29, 2008. Both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirely for all purposes. In some implementations, there may be slight differences in the starting information that device  5  and entity  80  use in generating their respective datum values, such as differences in the times of their clocks, and entity  80  may generate a set of acceptable datum values based on possible slight differences in the starting information, and may compare the datum value received from device  5  with each member of the set to determine if a match exists. 
     A cryptogram, which typically has more characters than a CVC3 value or a dCVV value, may be generated by an algorithm in a similar way as described above, except that a piece of transaction information is usually included as an input to the algorithm. As previously described below, if token  40  seeks a cryptogram from a cryptogram-enabled device  5 , it provides device  5  with dummy transaction information which is known to both token  40  and validation entity  80 , but not known to the general public. When the variable datum received by entity  80  from token  40  comprises a cryptogram (which may be deduced from the character length of the variable datum or the account number of the device  5 ), validation  80  may look up the dummy transaction information in one of its databases  86  based upon the serial number of token  40 . Validation entity  80  may determine the identity of the issuing bank  60  for the device  5  based on the device&#39;s account number, and may request the current value of the card&#39;s Application Transaction Counter (ATC) from the issuing bank  60 . Entity  80  may then generate the cryptogram based on the dummy transaction information, the ATC, and other information used in the algorithm, and compare the generated cryptogram with the cryptogram received from token  40 . If the cryptograms match, validation entity  80  can deem the fifth validation test as being passed. In some implementations, there may be slight differences in the ATC values that device  5  and entity  80  use in generating their respective cryptograms, and entity  80  may generate a set of acceptable cryptograms based on small incremental differences in the ATC value, and may compare the cryptogram received from device  5  with each member of the set to determine if a match exists. If a match cannot be found, the fifth validation test is deemed to have been failed. As another approach, validation entity  80  may forward a request for the cryptogram&#39;s value to the issuing bank  60  along with a copy of the dummy transaction information. Validation entity  80  may then compare the cryptogram received back from the issuing back to that received from token  40  to determine whether there is a match. As yet another approach, validation entity  80  may forward the dummy transaction information and the cryptogram received from token  40  to the issuing bank  60  with a request that the bank determine whether the cryptogram is valid or not, and to send its determination to validation entity  80 . Validation entity  80  may then determine that the fifth validation test is passed if the bank sends an indication that the cryptogram received from token  40  is valid, and failed otherwise. 
     Before receiving identification information for a portable consumer device  5  from a token, the issuing bank for the device may provide validation entity  80  with the look-up table, algorithm (including any seed values), or other data elements that the device uses to generate the device&#39;s variable datum (e.g., CVC3, dCVV, or cryptogram), which entity  80  may store in one of its databases  86 . When validation entity  80  receives identification information from a verification token  40  for a specific portable consumer device  5 , it accesses its record of the look-up table, algorithm, or other data elements for the specific device  5  to determine its value or set of values for the device&#39;s variable datum, and compares the received value for a variable datum (e.g., CVC3, dCVV, or cryptogram) against its value or set of acceptable values for the variable datum to determine if the fifth validation test has been passed (e.g., a match in values is found), or has been failed (e.g., a match has not been found). To implement the fifth validation test, validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to access the one or more stored data elements used to obtain the variable datum for the account from one of databases  86 , code that directs data processor  81  to obtain one or more acceptable values for the variable datum from the one or more stored data elements, and code that directs data processor  81  to compare the received variable datum and the one or more acceptable values for a match to determine if the fifth test is passed (a match is found) or failed (a match is not found). The code that directs data processor  81  to obtain one or more acceptable values may be based upon the look-up table method described above, or any of the algorithm based methods described above. The codes may include instructions that direct data processor  81  to determine if a received variable datum comprises a cryptogram, and if so, to obtain the dummy transaction information from a database  86  based upon the serial number of the token. Depending upon the implementation for processing cryptograms, the code may further include instructions that direct data processor  81  to determine the identity of the issuing bank and to obtain an ATC value for the device  5  from the bank, and to generate one or more acceptable values of the cryptogram using the dummy transaction information, the ATC value, and other inputs used in the algorithm. Also, the code may further include instructions that direct data processor  81  to send the account information and the dummy transaction information to the identified issuing bank with a request for one or more acceptable cryptogram values. Also, instead of directing processor  81  to obtain one or more acceptable cryptogram values and to compare the cryptogram received from token  40  to the acceptable cryptogram values, the code may include instructions that direct data processor  81  to obtain the dummy transaction information as described above, to identify the issuing bank as described above, to send the account information, dummy transaction information, and the cryptogram received from token  40  to the identified bank with a request that the bank send back an indication of whether or not the cryptogram is valid, and to pass or fail the fifth validation test based on the indication sent back by the issuing bank. The above codes can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, API function calls to databases, memory access instructions, CPU arithmetic instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     Validation entity  80  may be configured to perform one or more of the above validation tests, and may be configured to send a dCCV2 value to verification token and payment processing network  70  if one or more of the tests are passes. Validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to execute a selected one or more of the validation tests and track the pass/fail results, and code that directs data processor  81  to generate and send the dCVV2 value if a selected number of tests have been passed. Since the dCVV2 value is being sent to both the merchant (relayed through verification token  40 ) and the payment processing network  70  (which may forward it to the issuing bank), validation entity  80  may use any method to generate the dCCV2 value, and need not use the method used by portable consumer device  5  to generate the variable datum (e.g., the CVC3 or dCVV). Validation entity  80  may generate the dCVV2 values using a pseudo-random number generator or a look-up table, or a sequential counter (such as when distributing the values from that counter over different accounts). The dCVV2 generation process can be done on a per transaction basis (fully dynamic), or for a group of transactions (semi-dynamic), the latter being for a particular device  5  or a group of devices  5 . If two or more devices  5  are assigned under a common account number, the identification information sent by token  40  may comprises a device identifier as well as an account number, and validation entity  80  may use the device identifier to distinguish between the devices and to generate different dCVV2 values for the devices that are under a common account number. Validation entity  80  may use a particular dCVV2 value for a particular device  5  over a selected time period (such as three days), and then select another dCVV2 value for the particular device for the next selected time period, and so on. Moreover, validation entity  80  may receive the dCVV2 values to use during the selected time periods from the issuing bank of the device  5  in advance of the selected time periods, and store them for later use, as determined by entity  80 &#39;s clock. This permits validation entity  80  to omit the action of sending the dCVV2 values to payment processing network  70 . The device verification value provided by validation entity  80  may have the same format as the CVC3s and dynamic CVVs (“dCVVs”) output by existing smartcard credit cards (e.g., a string of 3 or 4 numbers). As another approach, validation entity  80  may send a message to the issuing bank  60  for portable consumer device  5  to request a value to provide as the dCVV2 value; this request may include the account number and any device identifier. The above codes and actions can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, memory access instructions, CPU arithmetic instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     As described above, validation entity  80  may send to token  40  the user&#39;s shipping address information and/or billing address information that has been previously associated to device  5 . The association may be stored in a database  86  of validation entity  80  or at the issuing bank  60  for device  5 . Validation entity  80  may further comprise code that directs data processor  81  to obtain address information for the consumer account indicated by the account number in the received identification information, either from a database  86  or from an issuing bank  60 , and to send the address information to token  40  along with the device verification value if a selected number of validation tests have been passed, as described above. The above codes and actions can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, database function calls, network function calls, memory access instructions, CPU arithmetic instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     As indicated above, validation entity  80  may be configured to send a dynamic account number (dPAN) to verification token  40  and the payment processing network  70  along with the dCVV2 value. Validation entity  80  may contact the issuing bank  60  for device  5  to obtain the dPAN, or may read it from a list of dPANs previously sent to entity  80  by bank  60  or created by entity  80  or network  70 , or may generate it from an algorithm previously provided to entity  80  by bank  60 . Validation entity  80  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to execute these actions, as desired by the issuing bank. When payment processing network received the dCCV2 value, dPAN value, and the account number for device  5 , it may forward all three datum to the issuing bank  60  so that the issuing bank can correlate the dPAN to the account number of device  5 . The above codes and actions can be implemented with conventional I/O instructions, memory access instructions, CPU arithmetic instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     Verification entity  80  may further comprise code that directs processor  81  to send an alert text message to the personal communication device  7  of user  1  or send an alert e-mail message to an e-mail account of user  1  when one or more of the following events occurs: (1) when verification token  40  initiates communications with entity  80 , (2) when verification token  40  reads a portable consumer device  5  of user  1 , (3) when verification entity  80  receives identification information from a portable consumer device  5  or a verification token  40  associated with user  1 , (4) when verification entity  80  validates said identification information, (5) when verification entity  80  sends a dCVV2 value to verification token  40 , and (6) when verification entity  80  denies a request for a dCVV2 value. The alerts sent by entity  80  may include information related to the events that triggered the alerts, such as a portion of the account number involved. The alert text messages may be sent from networking facility  84  to an SMS relay server  35  that is coupled to one of communications networks  31  and  32 , along with the phone number or network address of the user&#39;s communication device  7 . The SMS relay server has an interface to one or more mobile communication networks, and can relay the text message to the phone number or network address provided by processor  81 . Validation entity  80  may comprise the relay server. Email alerts may be sent directly to the user&#39;s e-mail account from networking facility  84 . For this, networking facility  84  may comprise a conventional mail agent, which is well known to the art. 
     Validation entity  80  may comprise a website accessible to the user  1  that enables the user: (1) to create a password-protected management account associated with the serial number of the token, the latter of which may be provided on a slip of paper originally sent with the token; (2) to associate an e-mail address to be used for one or more of the above-described alerts; (3) to associate a mobile number and/or URID (e.g., network address) of the user&#39;s communications device  5  to be used for one or more of the above-described alerts; and (4) to select one or more of the above-described alert conditions The website may also enable the user to provide and associate the account numbers for one or more of the user&#39;s devices  5  with the password-protected account, and may further enable the user to associate the e-mails and mobile numbers for the alerts to particular devices  5  according to their account numbers. The website may also enable the user to associate a shipping address and/or billing address to one or more specific device account numbers, which validation entity  80  may provide to token  40  for each dCCV2 request made for such a specified device account number. This association may include an option that the user can select for a specified device account that directs entity  80  to obtain the address information from the issuing bank  60  for the specified device account. The website may also enable the user to associate a shipping address and/or billing address to the token itself, which validation entity  80  may provide to token  40  for each dCCV2 request in which a shipping address and/or billing address has not been associated to the device account number contained in the dCVV2 request. 
     One of databases  86  may be assigned to hold the above-described password-protected accounts of the users. When validation entity  80  receives a validation request from verification token  40 , code in entity  80  can direct processor  81  to query this database  86  to find the user&#39;s password-protected account (e.g., identify the user from the token&#39;s serial number and/or the account number sent in the identification information), to determine what text message alerts and emails are to be generated and sent based on the parameters stored in the password-protected account, to identify the mobile phone number or universal resource identifier (e.g., network address) of the personal communication device to which to sent the messages, and/or to identify the email address to which to send the messages, and to send the determined messages to the identified destinations. One or more alerts pertaining to a particular dCVV2 request may be combined together into a single text message or email to the user. Entity  80  can also have code that directs data processor  81  to determine from the account record if any shipping address information or billing address information is to be sent with the dCVV2 fulfillment message by looking up the settings that the user may have provided for the device account number indicated in the dCVV2 request message, and to send the address information to token  40  according to the found settings. The above codes and actions can be implemented with HTML page codes, XML page codes, and the like (e.g., web pages), conventional I/O instructions, memory access instructions, database API function calls, CPU arithmetic instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
     In cases where validation entity  80  sends a dPAN to a verification token, it may send an e-mail alert and/or text alert to the user providing the user with a transaction number that has been associated with the dPAN. The transaction number can enable the user to more easily return goods purchased in the transaction. The transaction number is different from the dPAN and the account number, but enables the transaction conducted with the dPAN to be traced back to the merchant and the issuing bank. For this, entity  80  may comprise code that directs data processor  81  to access the user&#39;s management account based on the account number obtained from the identification information received from token  40  to obtain a mobile phone number or universal resource identifier (e.g., network address) of a personal communication device associated with the account number, or an email address associated with the account number, and to which the transaction number is to be sent. Entity  80  may further comprise code that directs data processor  81  to send the transaction number along with the dPAN, date, time, and dCVV2 value to the obtained phone number or universal resource identifier of the personal communication device, or the obtained email address. The code also directs data processor  81  to send this information to payment processing network  70  and/or issuing bank  60 , along with the account number for correlation purposes. The code may also direct data processor  81  to send the transaction number to token  40 , and token  40  may have code that directs its processor  41  to enter this information in a visible or hidden field of the merchant&#39;s checkout page. Token  40 &#39;s code for this may be implemented in the same way as the code for entering the dCVV2 value. The above codes and actions can be implemented with database function calls, conventional I/O instructions, memory access instructions, database API function calls, CPU arithmetic instructions, CPU logic instructions, and CPU control instructions. In view of this disclosure, the codes may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment  180  of a method that can be used by validation entity  80 . Exemplary method  180  comprises a plurality of actions  181 - 186 . Action  181  comprises establishing a communication link between validation entity  80  and a verification token  40  using a networking facility of validation entity  80 . Action  182  comprises receiving encrypted identification information pertaining to device  5  and/or token information (e.g., serial number and encrypted message) sent by verification token  40 . Action  183  comprises decrypting the encrypted information (e.g., encrypted identification information and/or encrypted message from the token). Action  184  comprises applying at least one validation test to the decrypted information. Action  185  comprises transmitting, if a selected number of validation tests are passed, a device verification value to verification token  40  and optionally to payment processing network  70 . In some implementations, a dPAN may be transmitted as well, as described above. In some implementations, shipping address information and/or billing address information may be transmitted as well, as described above. Action  186  comprises identifying the user from the identification information, and sending text and/or email alerts to the user as specified in the user&#39;s password-protected account. 
     Yet further embodiments and implementations are described. 
     It may be appreciated that some implementations of verification token  40  may be configured to work with selected consumer payment devices  5 , such as those issued by a selected bank, or configured to work with a selected merchant website  20 . 
     In yet further implementations, verification token  40  may contain the URID of validation entity  80 , which handles validation requests for several different co-branded portable consumer devices  5 . In addition, each of these co-branded devices  5  may hold a URID to a co-branding merchant. The merchant URID is read by verification token  40  and provided to a validation entity along with the device&#39;s identification information. Validation entity  80  can send the validated identification information to the merchant URID. 
     Embodiments of the invention are not limited to authentication systems involving transactions. The same approach could be applied for other authentication systems. For example, embodiments could be used to authenticate a user using an online banking application. A cardholder may enter his user ID into a banking website. The cardholder can then present his or her portable consumer device to a verification token. The banking website can validate the User ID and the token credentials by communicating with a validation entity. 
     Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, although separate functional blocks are shown for an issuer, payment processing system, and acquirer, some entities perform all of these functions and may be included in embodiments of invention. 
     In each of the embodiments described herein, the communications between computer  10  and validation entity  80  may be facilitated by, and/or conveyed through, a gateway (e.g., a proxy server, server entity, etc.) that is disposed between computer  10  and validation entity  80 . Such a gateway is shown at  90  in  FIG. 8 . Gateway  90  may act as an intermediary between a plurality of verification tokens  40 -A,  40 -B, . . . and their associated computers  10 -A,  10 -B, . . . on the one side, and a plurality of validation entities  80 -A,  80 -B, . . . on the other side. Tokens  40 -A,  40 -B, . . . may be constructed and configured the same as token  40  shown in  FIG. 1 , and may interact with respective computers  10 -A,  10 B, . . . , respective users  1 -A,  1 -B, . . . , and respective portable consumer devices  5 -A,  5 -B, . . . Computers  10 -A,  10 B, . . . may be the same as computer  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , and may be coupled to the first communications networks  31 , as described above. First communications network  31 , second communications network  32 , merchant websites  20 , acquiring banks  50 , issuing banks  60 , and payment processing network  70  are coupled to one another as described above. First and second communications networks  31 ,  32  are also coupled to a plurality of validation entities  80 -A,  80 -B,  80 -C, . . . , each of which may be constructed and configured the same as validation entity  80  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the below discussion of the embodiments and implementations shown in  FIG. 8 , a reference number without a suffix-A, -B, or -C generically refers to each of the suffixed items (e.g., entity  80  refers to each of  80 -A,  80 -B,  80 -C). 
     Gateway  90  may receive one or more initial communications from one of verification tokens  40 -A,  40 -B, . . . (via one of computer  10 -A,  10 B, . . . in communication with the token), and may determine from information in the initial communication(s) an appropriate one of a plurality of validation entities  80 -A,  80 -B,  80 -C, . . . to use to fulfill the token&#39;s request for a dCVV2 value. For example, each verification token  40 -A,  40 -B, . . . may be configured to operate with portable consumer devices  5  issued by many different issuing banks  60  or other such entities, and one or more of the validation entities  80  may be configured to process requests from portable consumer devices  5  issued by respective issuing banks  60  or other such entities. Gateway  90  may determine an appropriate one of validation entities  80 -A,  80 -B,  80 -C, . . . based upon the identification information that the token read from a portable consumer device and sent to the gateway in an initial communication. For example, a portion of the account number in the identification information may comprises an unique identifier assigned to the bank  60  that issued the portable consumer devices  5  from which the identification information was read. 
     In one implementation, after gateway  90  has determined an appropriate validation entity for the token&#39;s request, the gateway may redirect the token to conduct further communications with the determined appropriate validation entity, or may direct the determined validation entity to contact the token to conduct further communications. In another implementation, all communications between the verification token and the determined appropriate validation entity may be conveyed through gateway  90  (after the gateway has initially determined the identity of the appropriate validation entity based upon one or more initial communications with the token). This latter implementation may comprise relatively simple passing through of communications between the token and the appropriate validation entity with minimal processing by gateway  90 , or may comprise having the gateway virtually presenting itself as the appropriate validation entity to the verification token. Such virtual presentation may involve gateway  90  decrypting each message from the verification token, communicating with the appropriate validation entity to formulate a response to the token&#39;s message, and encrypting and sending a response message to the verification token. In each of the above implementations, and in other implementations, gateway  90  may also conduct one or more validation tests on behalf of the appropriate validation entity, particularly those related to validating the verification token. In this case, the gateway does not need to send to the determined appropriate validation entity those communications it receives from the token that pertain to validation tests that the gateway is handling. Gateway  90  may be associated with, or operated by, payment processing network  70  or the owner thereof. It may be appreciated that, in each of these implementations, Gateway  90  acts as an entity that can provide a device verification value (dCVV2 value) to token  40 , just as in the case that validation entity  80  can provide a device verification value to token  40  when entity  80  is directly contacted by token  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , gateway  90  comprises a system having one or more servers coupled to a communications network that can receive a request from a verification token  40  to process, as described above. One of the servers of gateway  90  is shown in  FIG. 8 ; the server comprises one or more processors  91  electrically coupled to each of a tangible computer-readable medium  92 , a user interface  93 , one or more databases  96 , and a networking facility  94 , the latter of which is coupled to first and second communications networks  31  and  32 . User interface  93  comprises one or more video output devices (e.g., displays, screens) and one or more input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, trackball, etc.), which enable an administrator of gateway  90  to receive information from the server and to provide input to the server. Computer-readable medium  92  may comprise a combination of semiconductor memory and non-volatile storage, such as one or more disk drives and/or non-volatile memory. 
     Computer-readable medium  92  stores an operating system for the server, which enables processes and applications to be run by processor(s)  91 , and enables codes for directing the operation of processor(s)  91  to be run. The operating system provides services to these processes and applications, and enables these processes and applications to access components of user interface  93 , portions of computer-readable medium  92 , networking facility  94 , and other components of entity  90 . The operating system may be full featured. Specifically, the operating system provides one or more I/O communications modules that enable processor(s)  91  to communicate with user interface  93  and databases  96 . Each I/O communications module has an application programming interface (API) with a collection of functions that a processor  91  can call in order to access the components. The operating system of entity  90  also comprises one or more network services modules that can access networking facility  94  and set up communications sessions to entities on communications networks  31  and  32 , and with SMS relay server  35 . Such network services modules include Microsoft&#39;s Windows Communications Foundation (e.g., .NET 3.0, .NET 4.0, etc.), Apple&#39;s CFNetwork Framework, the networking section of the Unix and Linux operating system kernels, and the OS Services Layer and the Base Services Layer of the Symbian operating system, and the like. Each of these network services modules can be non-exclusive (e.g., capable of serving more than one processor and more than one process/application) and each provides an application programming interface (API), which has a collection of functions that a processor  91  can call in order to manage communications with another entity. With these API facilities, a collection of API function calls can be readily constructed for a processor to execute that enables the processor to establish a communications channel with an entity on a communications network coupled to networking facility  94 , and to exchange messages and data with the entity. The above operating system, modules, and APIs all include instructions that direct the operation of processor(s)  91 . 
     One or more databases  96  may be configured as database servers, which processor(s)  91  can access via networking facility  94  over a private communications network  97 , which is illustrated by the dashed line in  FIG. 8 . Gateway  90  conventionally has a clock  98  for tracking time and dates for various applications. Clock  98  may be a simple counter of seconds, or fractions thereof, that can be read by processor  91  by an I/O operation, or may comprise a more complex arrangement of hardware or firmware that can provide the various components of the current date and time (year, month, day, hour, minute, and second) in various registers that can be read by processor  91  through the execution of one or more I/O operations. 
     Gateway  90  may comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to communicate with a computer  10  and an associated verification token  40  using networking facility  94  over communications network  31 . This code may include instructions that establish a communications session with computer  10 , including the option of establishing an SSL session with mutual authentication and encryption based on a triple DES algorithm, and instructions for sending and receiving messages to verification token  40  through the communications session. Gateway  90  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to receive encrypted identification information sent by verification token  40 , and code that directs data processor  91  to decrypt the encrypted identification information. The identification information may be encrypted by a session key of an SSL session or by an encryption key stored in verification token  40  and known to gateway  90 , or may be doubly encrypted by both keys. The latter key may be uniquely assigned to the token, as described above. Gateway  90  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to determine, from the received identification information and/or the token&#39;s identity (e.g., the token&#39;s serial number), the appropriate one of the validation entities  80 -A,  80 -B,  80 -C, . . . to be used for further processing of the request from verification token  40 . For this, data processor  91  may access one of databases  96  for a correlation list that relates identification information (or portions thereof) to validation entities  80 , and/or for a correlation list that relates token identifiers to validation entities  80 , and may then compare the information received from the token  40  with the correlation list(s) to determine the appropriate one of the validation entities  80 . Gateway  90  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to apply one or more validation tests as previously described above, and to continue processing the request from token  40  if a selected number of validation tests are passed. Various ways of continuing the processing are described below in various possible implementations of gateway  90 . The above codes for gateway  90 , and codes for gateway  90  described below, may be implemented in any number of programming languages. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art will be readily able to construct instructions to implement these codes in view of this disclosure without undue experimentation. 
     In one implementation, gateway  90  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to send a communication to token  40  (by way of its associated computer  10 ) informing the token to contact the determined appropriate validation entity  80  to obtain a dCVV2 value. This communication may include a URID for the determined appropriate validation entity. Token  40  may then communicate with the determined appropriate entity  80  as described above, and no changes to entity  80  are needed. In this implementation of gateway  90 , the code may further direct data processor  91  to send a communication to the determined appropriate validation entity  80  that informs the entity of the request from the token  40  (along with an indication of the identification information sent by token  40 ), and informs the entity that the token  40  will be contacting it for a dCVV2 value for the identification information (as sent to gateway  90  by the token  40 ). This communication by gateway  90  can serve as an additional security measure that assures the appropriate validation entity  80  that the subsequent contact by token  40  is legitimate. 
     In another implementation, gateway  90  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to send a communication to the determined appropriate validation entity  80  with an indication of the identification information received from the verification token  40 , and with a request for the validation entity to generate a dCVV2 value for the identification information and to send the dCVV2 value to the verification token  40  (by way of its associated computer  10 ). This communication may include a URID for the verification token  40 . The codes of the validation entity  80  previously described above may be augmented to direct the entity&#39;s processor  81  to receive above-described communication from gateway  90 , and to initiate communications with the requesting token  40 . The codes of validation entity  80  need not need to direct the entity&#39;s processor  81  to receive the identification information from the requesting token (as that may have been provided to the entity by gateway  90 ); however, as an added security measure, the requesting token  40  may provide the identification information to entity  80 , and the entity may include the code to receive the identification information from the token. In this implementation of gateway  90 , the code for gateway  90  may further direct data processor  91  to send a communication to the verification token  40  (via the associate computer  10 ) informing the token that the determined appropriate validation entity  80  will be communication with it to potentially send a dCVV2 value. 
     In yet another implementation of gateway  90 , the gateway may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to: (1) send the initial communication from the requesting token  40  and/or an indication of the identification information sent by the requesting token  40  to the determined appropriate validation entity  80  to obtain a dCVV2 value; (2) to receive back a dCVV2 value from the appropriate validation entity  80 ; and (3) to send the dCV2 value to the verification token  40 . This implementation of gateway  90  enables a validation entity  80  to omit the code for establishing communications with the computer  10  used by the requesting verification token  40  (that task may be handled by gateway  90 ). Those codes of entity  80  described above that direct communications with token  40  may be modified to direct the communications to gateway  90  instead. This implementation of gateway  90  enables the requests from many tokens  40  to be grouped together for more efficient handling by entity  80 . In addition, since gateway  90  is virtually presenting itself to the verification token  40  as a validation entity, gateway  90  can serve as an Internet firewall and protect the validation entities  80 -A.  80 -B., . . . from malicious Internet attacks. 
     In yet another implementation, gateway  90  handles the initial communications with token  40  to determine the appropriate validation entity  80 , and then hands over the communication channel to the determined validation entity  80  to complete the fulfillment of the token&#39;s request. All communications between the requesting token  40  and the determined entity  80  may be conveyed through gateway  90 . If gateway  90  has previously established an SSL session with the requesting token  40 , gateway  90  may send the session key(s) and protocols to the determined entity  80  so that the entity can take over the session (e.g., take over encrypting the communications to the token with the session keys and protocols). For this implementation, gateway  90  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  92  that directs data processor  91  to (1) send a communication to the determined appropriate validation entity  80  with an indication that it is to handle further communications with the requesting token (as routed through gateway  90 ) and, optionally, session information (which may include SSL session keys and protocols), (2) to forward further communications that gateway  90  receives from the requesting token  40  to the determined entity  80 , and (3) to forward communications that gateway  90  receives from the determined entity  80  to the requesting token  40 . For this, gateway  90  may maintain a table in memory or one of its databases  96  that tracks channels that are currently being passed through gateway  90 , with each record in the table having the identity of the requesting token, the determined validation entity, and session information. To carry out the above second action, the code may direct processor  91  to access the channel table to locate the determined entity  80  for the requesting token  40 , an to then forward the communication packets from the requesting token to the entity that was located in the table. Gateway  90  may encapsulate these forwarded communication packets to preserve their header information, and may include an indication of the identity of the requesting token  40  for the benefit of the determined entity  80 . To facilitate the above third action, the determined validation entity  80  may send its communication packets for the requesting token  40  to gateway  90  in encapsulated form, optionally along with an identifier that identifies the requesting token in the capsule. Gateway  90  can then include code that directs its data processor  91  to extract, from the encapsulated packet, the token identifier and the packet that is to be sent to the requesting token  40 . If the extracted packet already has the destination address for the computer  10  coupled to the requesting token  40 , then the encapsulated packet does not need to include the identity of the requesting token. If the extracted packet does not include the destination address, the code of gateway  90  may direct data processor  91  to determine the destination address from the extracted token identifier and the above-described table of channel information, and to insert the determined destination address into the extracted packet before sending it to computer  10 . This action can provide an additional layer of security. In addition, since gateway  90  is virtually presenting itself to the verification token  40  as a validation entity, gateway  90  can serve as an Internet firewall and protect the validation entities  80 -A.  80 -B., . . . from malicious Internet attacks. 
     The above implementation of gateway  90  enables a validation entity  80  to omit the code for establishing communications with the computer  10  used by the requesting verification token  40  (that task is handled by gateway  90 ), and to include code that directs processor  81  to receive the indication from gateway  90  that it is to handle further communications with the requesting token  40  (as routed through gateway  90 ) and, optionally, to receive the session information for the further communications (which may include SSL session keys and protocols). Those codes of entity  80  described above that direct communications with token  40  may be modified to direct the communications through gateway  90 . For this, validation entity  80  may further comprise code embodied on computer-readable medium  82  that directs data processor  81  to create and maintain a table in memory or one of its databases  86  that tracks channels that are have been handed over from gateway  90 ; each record in the table may have the identity of the requesting token, the identification information of gateway  90 , and the session information. The communication codes of entity  80  may be modified to receive encapsulated communication packets from gateway  90 , to extract from these packets the communication packets from token  40 , and to consult the above table to find the identity of token  40  and session information if such cannot be determined from source address of the extracted communication packets or any token identity sent by gateway  90  in the capsulated packets. The communication codes of entity  80  may also be modified to encapsulate the communication packets for token  40  in packets to be sent to gateway  90 , optionally along with an identifier that identifies the requesting token in the capsule, and to send the encapsulated communication packets to gateway  90 . 
     From the above description, it may be appreciated that validation entities  80  and gateway  90  are separate entities from computers  10 , and are separate entities from verification tokens  40 . It may also be appreciated that in several embodiments and implementations thereof that computers  10 , validation entities  80 , and gateway  90  are addressed as separate network nodes on communications network  31  (e.g., have different network addresses in the communication packets), and that tokens  40  communicate through the network nodes of computers  10  to entities  80  and/or gateway  90  (e.g., computers  10  construct and decode network communication packets for tokens  40 ). it may be also appreciated that, in several embodiments and implementations of token  40 , token  40  may unconditionally send the read identification information to validation entity  80  and/or gateway  90  without requiring a validation between the token and the user, such as may be provided by the entry of a PIN or the provision of a biometric sample (e.g., fingerprint); and that token  40  may send the read identification information in a relatively short amount of time (such as within one minute of being read, and typically within ten seconds). 
     It may be appreciated that Embodiments of the invention enable a user to obtain a dynamic device verification value for a portable consumer device  5 , such as a credit card, which the user can provide to a merchant site as payment data for completing a purchase transaction. The dynamic device verification value reduces the potential for fraud by third parties that may fraudulently obtain the account number of the portable consumer device (e.g., through skimming). In addition, the interaction of the portable consumer device with the verification token  40  enables the token to effectively inform the validation entity  80  that the portable consumer device  5  was physically in the presence of the token at the time the request for the device verification value was made, thereby providing a “card present” status for online purchases made with the portable consumer device. Embodiments of the invention also have utility in providing device verification values to the user in a highly secure manner, thereby enhancing security and reducing fraudulent use of credit cards. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention provide these services and benefits to the user with a very high “ease of use” factor. 
     It should be understood that various embodiments of the present invention as described above can be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement embodiments of the present invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software. 
     Any of the software components or functions described in this application, may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, C, C++, C#, Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer-readable medium may reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network. 
     The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Many variations of the invention and embodiments thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claims along with their full scope or equivalents. 
     One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary. 
     All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptions mentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.