Secure reset of personal and service provider information on mobile devices

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for supporting end users of a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, to reset a secure element associated with the communication device. The reset process may include clearing the secure element, associated memories, and storage devices of any user specific or personalized information associated with the user. The reset process may also include removing or resetting keys or other identifiers within the secure element that associate the mobile device with a particular secure service provider. According to various embodiments, a computer-implemented method for resetting a secure element within a network device may include receiving an encrypted reset request message at the secure element, decrypting the encrypted reset request message using a communication key, verifying authorization for the reset request message, and atomically clearing parameters associated with the secure element.

1 . A computer-implemented method to reset secure memories within computing devices configured to conduct financial transactions, comprising:
 receiving an encrypted reset request message for a secure memory of a computing device configured to conduct financial transactions, the encrypted reset request message being associated with a request to remove financial account information from the secure memory;   providing a communication key within the secure memory;   decrypting the encrypted reset request message within the secure memory using the communication key;   verifying authorization for the reset request message; and   clearing parameters associated with the financial account information from the secure memory base instructions provided in the verified reset request message.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving a certificate request and providing a certificate associated with the communication key in response to receiving the certificate request. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein clearing parameters associated with the secure memory comprises resetting one or more card keys associated the account information within the secure memory. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein verifying authorization for the reset request message comprises verifying a signature of the reset request message from a trusted authority. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein verifying authorization for the reset request message comprises receiving an authorization code over a wireless interface. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication key comprises a private public key pair. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a signing key within the secure memory. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the secure memory is associated with a Near Field Communication interface. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein clearing parameters associated with the secure memory comprises an atomic operation. 
     
     
         11 . A computer program product, comprising:
 a non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable program instructions embodied therein that when executed by a computer cause the computer to reset secure memories within computing devices configured to conduct financial transactions, the computer-readable program instructions comprising:   computer-readable program instructions to receive an encrypted reset request message for a secure element of a computing device configured to engage in financial transactions, the encrypted reset request message being associated with a request to remove financial account information from the secure element;   computer-readable program instructions to store supporting a communication key within a secure certificate associated with the secure element of the computing device;   computer-readable program instructions to decrypt the encrypted reset request message within the secure element using the communication key;   computer-readable program instruction to verify authorization for the reset request message; and   computer-readable program instructions to clear parameters associated with the financial account information from the secure element.   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein clearing parameters associated with the secure element comprises resetting card keys associated with the secure element. 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the secure element is associated with a Near Field Communication interface. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein verifying authorization for the reset request message comprises verifying a signature of the reset request message from a trusted authority. 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein verifying authorization for the reset request message comprises receiving an authorization code over a wireless interface. 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein verifying authorization for the reset request message comprises receiving an authorization code over a Near Field Communications interface. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein clearing parameters associated with the secure element comprises an atomic operation. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 11 , wherein the secure certificate comprises a public key for signing a message associated with the secure element. 
     
     
         21 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the secure memory is comprised in a secure element. 
     
     
         28 . A system to reset secure memories within computing devices, comprising:
 a storage device;   a processor communicatively coupled to the storage device, wherein the processor executes application code instructions that are stored in the storage device to cause the system to:
 receive an encrypted reset request message for a secure memory of a computing device configured to engage in financial transactions, the encrypted reset request message being associated with a request to remove financial account information from the secure memory; 
 store a communication key within a secure certificate associated with the secure memory of the computing device; 
 decrypt the encrypted reset request message within the secure memory using the communication key; 
 verify authorization for the reset request message; and 
 clear parameters associated with the financial account information from the secure memory. 
   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the secure memory is associated with a Near Field Communication interface. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein clearing parameters associated with the secure memory comprises resetting card keys associated with the secure memory. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the secure memory is comprised in a secure element.