Patent ID: 7868733

Claim:
A system for identifying an individual in an electronic transaction, said system comprising: a terminal comprising a body coupler and a radiofrequency transceiver; an independent portable device comprising an over skin communication receiver, a radiofrequency transceiver, and a biometric sensor; and wherein the terminal is configured to: transmit through the body coupler a connection code to the independent portable device when a body of an individual makes physical contact with both the terminal and the independent portable device, wherein the connection code comprises a terminal identification class, and wherein the independent portable device is configured to: remain in a low-powered stand-by mode until a data signal is received by the over skin receiver; receive a data signal comprising the connection code by the over skin communication receiver; transition to an active mode when the data signal is received; determine the terminal identification class from the connection code; obtain, using the biometric sensor, biometric data for a user of the independent portable device; determine whether the user of the independent portable device is an authorized user; and when the user of the independent portable device is the authorized user: establish communication with the terminal using the radiofrequency transceiver based on the terminal identification class.