Portable electronic authorization system and method

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a user authenticator and a transponder. The transponder is permitted to emit a wireless signal representing information stored in the apparatus in response to a wireless interrogation signal after the user authenticator has authenticated the identity of the user. In another embodiment, an apparatus comprises, a memory, a user input, and a transponder. The memory stores at least first and second distinct codes. The user input permits a user to select any one of the at least first and second codes for transmission in response to a wireless interrogation signal. The transponder emits a wireless signal representing the selected one of the at least first and second codes in response to an interrogation signal. In yet another embodiment, a token that may be used to engage in a transaction at a point of sale comprises a substrate, a rewritable memory, and a reconfigurable display. The rewriteable memory is supported by the substrate and can be selectively configured to store information on the token that identifies an account that is to be used to engage in the transaction at the point of sale. The substrate and memory are configured and arranged such that the substrate can be selectively interfaced with an apparatus at the point of sale to permit the apparatus to read the contents of the memory. The reconfigurable display is also supported by the substrate and displays at least some of the information that is stored in the rewritable memory.

1 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a user authenticator that authenticates an identity of a user; and    a transponder that is permitted to emit a wireless signal representing information stored in the apparatus in response to a wireless interrogation signal after the user authenticator has authenticated the identity of the user.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless signal representing the information and the wireless interrogation signal are radio frequency signals.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a memory that stores at least first and second distinct codes, and a user input that permits the user to select any one of the at least first and second codes for transmission in response to an interrogation signal; and wherein the transponder is permitted to emit a wireless signal representing the selected one of the at least first and second codes in response to an interrogation signal.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a display that identifies the one of the at least first and second codes the user has selected.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second codes correspond to accounts the user holds with respective first and second unrelated media issuers.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in combination with an interrogator that wirelessly emits the interrogation signal, and receives from the apparatus the wireless signal representing the information.  
     
     
         7 . A method for using an apparatus, comprising steps of: 
 using the apparatus to authenticate an identity of a user of the apparatus; and    after the apparatus has authenticated the identity of the user, enabling a transponder of the apparatus to emit a wireless signal representing information stored in the apparatus in response to a wireless interrogation signal.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the wireless signal representing the information and the wireless interrogation signal are radio frequency signals.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises steps of: 
 manipulating a user input on the apparatus to select one of at least first and second codes stored in memory; and    permitting the transponder to emit a wireless signal representing the selected one of the first and second codes in response to the interrogation signal.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises steps of: 
 manipulating the user input on the apparatus to select the other of the first and second codes stored in memory; and    permitting the transponder to emit a wireless signal representing the other of the first and second codes in response to the interrogation signal.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a step of: 
 in response to the user manipulating the user input, displaying to the user an identification of the one of the first and second codes the user has selected.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second codes correspond to accounts the user holds with respective first and second unrelated media issuers.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising steps of: 
 wirelessly emitting an interrogation signal from an interrogator;    receiving the interrogation signal at the transponder;    in response to receiving the interrogation signal, emitting from the transponder a wireless signal representing the information; and    receiving at the interrogator the wireless signal representing the information.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising a step of authorizing a transaction based upon the information received at the interrogator.