System and method of selecting a virtual card application

Abstract

A novel system and methodology for conducting financial and other transactions using a wireless device. Credentials may be selectively issued by issuers such as credit card companies, banks, and merchants to consumers permitting the specific consumer to conduct a transaction according to the authorization given as reflected by the credential or set of credentials. The preferred mechanism for controlling and distributing credentials according to the present invention is through one or more publicly accessible networks such as the Internet wherein the system design and operating characteristics are in conformance with the standards and other specific requirements of the chosen network or set of networks. Credentials are ultimately supplied to a handheld device such as a mobile telephone via a wireless network. The user holding the credential may then use the handheld device to conduct the authorized transaction or set of transactions via, for example, a short range wireless link with a point-of-sale terminal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to select an application, comprising:
 a Radio Frequency (RF) reader; and   an apparatus to select at least one application, wherein the apparatus includes:
 a receiver to receive a message including an identification key from the Radio Frequency (RF) reader; 
 a processor to receive the identification key from the receiver, to select for communication with the RF reader an application having a matching identification key, and to establish communication between the RF reader and the application having the matching identification key; and 
 a transmitter to transmit a response of the selected application to the RF reader. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mobile communication device that includes the apparatus to select the at least one application.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , where the apparatus comprises:
 a memory to store at least one of credentials, identification keys, and applications;   a RF interface including the receiver and the transmitter to communicate at least with the RF reader;   a transceiver to communicatively connect the apparatus to a communications network; and   a processor to control the operation of the apparatus, including the operation of the memory, the RF interface, and the transceiver, and to execute the one or more applications stored in the memory.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the credential is retrieved by the application via the communications network from a server. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the RF reader transmits a message that includes an identification key to the RF interface of the apparatus when the apparatus is placed within a predetermined distance from the RF reader. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processor resolves the identification key to an application. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor routes the message with the identification key to the application, the application retrieves a credential associated with the identification key via the communications network from a server, and the retrieved credential is transmitted from the apparatus to the RF reader via the RF interface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the RF reader is communicatively connected to an authorization system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the authorization system is a point-of-sale system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the transaction includes at least one of a payment transaction, a loyalty program transaction, an identification transaction, a ticket transaction, and a coupon transaction. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor routes the message with the identification key to the application, and the application executed by the processor generates a representation of the credential associated with the identification key for transmission via the RF interface of the apparatus to the RF reader. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the RF reader is communicatively connected to an authorization system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the authorization system is a point-of-sale system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the transaction includes at least one of a payment transaction, a loyalty program transaction, an identification transaction, a ticket transaction, and a coupon transaction. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the RF reader stores and transmits a plurality of identification keys in one or more messages between the RF reader and the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus receives and processes a plurality of identification keys, and transmits a plurality of credentials to the RF reader in response to the received identification keys. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a display device to display a message or a speaker to output a tone when one or more of the plurality of credentials are successfully transmitted to the RF reader device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the same identification key is associated with a plurality of issuers' credentials and associated with the respective applications. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a memory to store credentials for which there are one or more identification keys, and   wherein the stored credentials are at least one of payment cards, loyalty cards, membership cards, access cards, tickets, passes, coupons, certificates, identification cards, and personal information.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a display device including a user interface to display applications and associated credentials that are organized into one or more categories. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the user interface receives a selection of a default credential for the one or more categories. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus and the RF reader communicate via at least one of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) communication, near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth, or other wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the RF reader and apparatus are configured to communicate according to ISO 14443. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receipt of the identification key by the processor automatically launches an associated application when it is determined that the associated application is not running. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus to select an application, comprising:
 a receiver to receive a message including an identification key from a Radio Frequency (RF) reader;   a processor to receive the identification key from the receiver, to select for communication with the RF reader an application having a matching identification key, and to establish communication between the RF reader and the application having the matching identification key; and   a transmitter to transmit a response of the selected application to the RF reader.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus is included in a mobile communication device to select the at least one application. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a memory to store at least one of credentials, the identification key, and one or more applications;   a RF interface including the receiver and the transmitter to communicate at least with the RF reader;   a transceiver to communicatively connect the apparatus to a communications network; and   a processor to control the operation of the apparatus, including the operation of the memory, the RF interface, and the transceiver, and to execute the one or more applications stored in the memory.   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the credential is retrieved by the application via the communications network from a server. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the RF interface receives a message that includes an identification key when the apparatus is placed within a predetermined distance from the RF reader. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the processor resolves the identification key to an application. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the processor routes the message with the identification key to the application, the application retrieves a credential associated with the identification key via the communications network from a server, and the retrieved credential is transmitted from the apparatus to the RF reader via the RF interface. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the apparatus is communicatively connected to an authorization system which uses the credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the authorization system is a point-of-sale system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the transaction includes at least one of a payment transaction, a loyalty program transaction, an identification transaction, a ticket transaction, and a coupon transaction. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the processor routes the message with the identification key to the application, and the application executed by the processor generates a representation of the credential associated with the identification key for transmission via the RF interface. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the apparatus is communicatively connected to an authorization system which uses the credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the authorization system is a point-of-sale system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the transaction includes at least one of a payment transaction, a loyalty program transaction, an identification transaction, a ticket transaction, and a coupon transaction. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus receives and processes a plurality of identification keys, and transmits a plurality of credentials in response to received identification keys. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a display device to display a message or a speaker to output a tone when one or more of the plurality of credentials are successfully transmitted to the RF reader.   
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the same identification key is associated with a plurality of issuers' credentials and associated with the respective applications. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a memory to store credentials for which there are one or more identification keys, and   wherein the stored credentials are at least one of payment cards, loyalty cards, membership cards, access cards, tickets, passes, coupons, certificates, identification cards, and personal information.   
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a user interface that is output to a display device, where applications and associated credentials are organized into one or more categories.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the user interface receives a selection of a default credential for the one or more categories. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the apparatus communicates via at least one of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) communication, near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth, or another wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the RF reader and the apparatus are configured to communicate according to ISO 14443. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the receipt of the identification key by the processor automatically launches an associated application when it is determined that the associated application is not running. 
     
     
         48 . A method of selecting an application, the method comprising:
 receiving a message including an identification key from a Radio Frequency (RF) reader that communicates with an apparatus;   according to the received identification key, selecting for communication with the RF reader an application having a matching identification key, and establishing communication between the RF reader and the application having the matching identification key; and   transmitting a response of the selected application to the RF reader.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 storing at least one of the credentials, the identification key, and one or more applications in a memory of the apparatus;   controlling the operation of the apparatus, including executing the one or more applications stored in the memory.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 transmitting a message that includes an identification key from the RF reader to the apparatus when the apparatus is placed within a predetermined distance from the RF reader.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 resolving the identification key to an application.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 routing the message with the identification key to the application;   retrieving a credential associated with the identification key with the application via the communications network from a server; and   transmitting the retrieved credential from the apparatus to the RF reader.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 communicatively connecting the RF reader to an authorization system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the transaction includes at least one of a payment transaction, a loyalty program transaction, an identification transaction, a ticket transaction, and a coupon transaction. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising:
 routing the message with the identification key to the application;   generating a representation of the credential associated with the identification key for transmission from the apparatus to the RF reader; and   transmitting the generated representation of the credential from the application to the RF reader.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising:
 communicatively connecting the RF reader to an authorization system which uses the received credential to authorize a transaction.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the transaction includes at least one of a payment transaction, a loyalty program transaction, an identification transaction, a ticket transaction, and a coupon transaction. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 transmitting a plurality of identification keys in one or more messages between the RF reader and the mobile communication device.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 receiving and processing a plurality of identification keys with the apparatus, and transmitting a plurality of credentials back to the RF reader in response to the received identification keys.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 displaying a message on a display device of the apparatus or outputting a tone via a speaker with the apparatus when one or more of the plurality of credentials from the apparatus are successfully transmitted to the RF reader.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 associating the same identification key with a plurality of issuers' credentials that are associated with the respective applications.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 storing credentials for which there are one or more identification keys in a memory of the apparatus; and   associating the stored credentials with at least one of payment cards, loyalty cards, membership cards, access cards, tickets, passes, coupons, certificates, identification cards, and personal information.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 organizing and displaying applications and associated credentials into one or more categories in a user interface of the apparatus that is output to a display device.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection of a default credential for the one or more categories with the user interface of the apparatus.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the apparatus and the RF reader communicate via at least one of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) communication, a-near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth, or another wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the RF reader and the apparatus are configured to communicate according to ISO 14443. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 when the identification key is received, automatically launching an associated application when it is determined that the associated application is not running.