Ensuring secure electronic transactions between a wallet service center and a cluster of electronic wallet transaction facilities

Abstract

Ensuring secure electronic transactions between a wallet service center and a cluster of electronic wallet transaction facilities provided at a user device involves registering the cluster of electronic wallet transaction facilities by delivering electronic transaction facility software that provides electronic wallet capabilities to the user device, exchanging a user authentication code between the wallet service center and the user via the electronic transaction facility software, and activating an account of a registered electronic wallet transaction facility.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of establishing security and authentication credentials for secure communication between a wallet service center and a cluster of electronic wallet transaction facilities provided at a user device, for each electronic wallet transaction facility the method comprising:
 receiving at the wallet service center a request for enrolment of an electronic transaction facility for a user device;   transmitting electronic transaction facility software for the electronic transaction facility from the wallet service center to the user device, the electronic transaction facility software providing electronic wallet capabilities and having public security credentials of the wallet service center;   issuing a one-time-activation code to the user, and storing securely the onetime-activation code at the wallet service center for subsequent verification;   receiving, at the wallet service center, at least one of security and authentication keys having been generated by the electronic transaction facility software;   receiving, at the wallet service center, the one-time-activation code, having been encrypted by the electronic transaction facility software using the public security credentials of the wallet service center;   verifying the one-time-activation code, and sending at least one of latest encryption and signing keys to the device for secure communication between the wallet service center and an electronic transaction facility of the cluster;   receiving a certification request from the electronic transaction facility comprising an encryption key-pair and a signing key-pair; and   in response to receiving an acknowledgment of completion of registration from the electronic transaction facility at the user device, the wallet service center activates an account of the electronic wallet transaction facility.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cluster of electronic wallet transaction facilities comprises at least two electronic representations of physical items selected from the list consisting of a credit card, a medical card, a membership card, and a coupon. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the wallet service center receives the encrypted one-time-activation code and an encrypted serviceid, both having been encrypted by the electronic transaction facility software using the public security credentials of the wallet service center. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to any of the  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises establishing security and authentication credentials for communication between the cluster of electronic transaction facilities and servers of service providers, the method further comprising;
 installing a security certificate of a service provider as a trusted SSL/HTTPS credential at the wallet service center; and   updating the appropriate electronic transaction facility with a respective service provider's security and authentication credentials when a user opts to avail a service from that service provider, so as to enable secure communication between the electronic wallet transaction facility and the service provider.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to any of the  claim 1 , wherein the cluster of electronic wallet transaction facilities permits a user to manage, view and use electronic representations of physical wallet items. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one electronic transaction facility of the cluster permits financial transactions. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to any of the  claim 1 , wherein the user device is a one of a cellular phone, handheld device, personal mobile device, and an appliance equipped with a processor. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to any of the  claim 1 , wherein the user device is a kiosk, point-of-sale terminal, automatic-teller machine, or processor-equipped transportation system. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic wallet transaction facility provides a data security feature. 
     
     
         10 . A service facility configured to establish security and authentication credentials for secure communication between the service facility and a cluster of electronic transaction facilities provided at a user device, for each electronic transaction facility the main service facility configured to:
 receive a request for enrolment of an electronic transaction facility for a user device;   
       transmit electronic transaction facility software for that electronic transaction facility to a user device, the electronic transaction facility software having public security credentials of the main service facility;
 issue a one-time-activation code to a user, and store securely the one-time activation code for subsequent verification; 
 receive at least one of security and authentication keys having been generated by electronic transaction facility software; 
 receive a one-time-activation code having been encrypted by electronic transaction facility software using the public security credentials of the main service facility; and 
 verify a one-time-activation code, and send at least one of the latest encryption and signing keys to a device configured with the electronic transaction facility software for secure communication between the main service facility and electronic transaction facility of a cluster. 
 
     
     
         11 . The main service facility according to  claim 10 , wherein the service facility is further configured to establish security and authentication credentials for communication between a cluster of electronic transaction facilities and servers of service providers, the main service facility configured to:
 install a security certificate of a service provider as a trusted SSL/HTTPS credential at the main service facility; and   update any appropriate electronic transaction facility with that respective service provider's security and authentication credentials when a user opts to avail a service from that service provider, so as to enable secure communication between an electronic transaction facility and a service provider.   
     
     
         12 . A secure transaction platform comprising:
 at least one main service facility configured to establish security and authentication credentials for secure communication between the service facility and a cluster of electronic transaction facilities provided at a user device, for each electronic transaction facility the main service facility configured to:
 receive a request for enrolment of an electronic transaction facility for a user device; 
 transmit electronic transaction facility software for that electronic transaction facility to a user device, the electronic transaction facility software having public security credentials of the main service facility; 
 issue a one-time-activation code to a user, and store securely the one-time activation code for subsequent verification; 
 receive at least one of security and authentication keys having been generated by electronic transaction facility software; 
 receive a one-time-activation code having been encrypted by electronic transaction facility software using the public security credentials of the main service facility; and 
 verify a one-time-activation code, and send at least one of the latest encryption and signing keys to a device configured with the electronic transaction facility software for secure communication between the main service facility and electronic transaction facility of a cluster; and 
   at least one cluster of electronic transaction facilities provided at a user device, enrolled with the main service facility to activate an account of one of the electronic transaction facilities.   
     
     
         13 . The secure transaction platform according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least one server of a service provider, configured for communication with the main service facility, and the cluster of electronic transaction facilities. 
     
     
         14 . The secure transaction platform of  claim 13 , wherein the platform comprises a cluster of service facilities servers including at least one server for a card-issuer service and at least one server for a transaction-acquirer service. 
     
     
         15 . The secure transaction platform according to  claim 12 , wherein the cluster of electronic transaction facilities provide a user with electronic wallet capabilities, permitting a user to review, view and use electronic representations of physical wallet items, and optionally wherein at least one electronic transaction facility of the cluster permits financial transactions.