Electronic Card

Abstract

An electronic card has a power source, a user selection mechanism operable to allow a user to select a customization variable for a single transaction, a processor for generating a transaction specific data packet that includes a card number and a customized number and an electronic communication device operable to cause the data packet to be read by a read head of a magnetic strip reader. The electronic communication device is operable to dynamically convey the transaction specific data packet to a read head of a magnetic card reader so that the transaction specific data packet is read by the read head. The transaction specific data packet is dynamically generated for use by the card for the single transaction of the card and the customized number is determined based upon the customization variable selected by the user selection mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device powered by a power source which is capable of communicating with a read head of a magnetic strip reader, comprising:
 a user selection mechanism operable to allow a user to select a customization variable for a single transaction of the electronic device;   a processor for generating a transaction specific data packet that includes an account number and a customized number; and   an electronic communication device operable to cause the data packet to be read by the read head when the electronic device is positioned within a preselected distance of the read head;   wherein the electronic communication device is operable to dynamically convey the transaction specific data packet to the read head so that the transaction specific data packet is read by the read head when the electronic device is positioned within a preselected distance of the read head;   wherein the transaction specific data packet is dynamically generated for use by the electronic device for the single transaction of the electronic device and the customized number is determined based upon the customization variable selected by the user selection mechanism; and   wherein the account number is a fixed number that can be used by the electronic device for a plurality of consecutive transactions of the electronic device without changing and the customization variable may or may not change for any given transaction of said plurality of consecutive transactions depending upon a user selection for said any given transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the transaction specific data packet includes a piece of data that is generated by a cryptographic algorithm in response to an input from the user selection mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the device number and a cryptographic key are stored in the device and accessible by the processor. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the user selection mechanism is a plurality of buttons that allow the user to select between a plurality of transaction device functions. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 4  further comprising a visual display for indicating a selection of a particular transaction device function. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a display for displaying at least a portion of the transaction specific data packet to the user. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a display for visually displaying the device number. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7  wherein the device number is visually displayed in the display in response to an input from the user selection mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic communication device is comprised of an electronic encoder. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the device does not contain a magnetic stripe. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the user selection mechanism is operable to allow the user to specify whether the single transaction of the device is for business or non-business use. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the user selection mechanism is operable to allow the user to select one of at least two different handling options by which the user is billed for the single transaction of the device. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising a diagnostic function accessible by the processor which generates information that is stored the transaction specific data packet. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the diagnostic function measures at least one parameter and generates a warning signal that is stored in the transaction specific data packet when a preselected threshold is exceeded. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the transaction specific data packet includes a block of data formed by using a Triple Data Encryption Standard algorithm to encrypt a personal identification number. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the electronic device is comprised of a telephone.