Universal secure registry

Abstract

A user device is configured to allow a user to select any one of a plurality of accounts associated with the user to employ in a financial transaction. In one embodiment, the user device includes a biometric sensor configured to receive a biometric input provided by the user, a user interface configured to receive a user input identifying information concerning an account selected by the user from the plurality of accounts. In a further embodiment, the user device a processor coupled to the biometric sensor to receive information concerning the biometric input and to the user interface. According to one embodiment, the processor is configured to generate a non-predictable value and to generate encrypted authentication information from the non-predictable value and any of the account identifying information, information concerning the biometric input, and secret information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device configured to provide encrypted information to execute a secure transaction, comprising:
 a biometric sensor configured to receive a biometric provided by the user;   the electronic device configured to receive identifying information concerning a plurality of accounts, and information concerning a secure transaction to be executed from a point of sale device;   a communication interface configured to communicate encrypted information concerning the secure transaction;   a processor coupled to the biometric sensor and the communication interface, the communication interface being programmed to communicate the encrypted information concerning the secure transaction responsive to successful authentication by the electronic ID device of the biometric wherein the processor is configured to generate the encrypted information based on identifying information related to an account selected from a plurality of accounts associated with the user and including a non-predictable value, in responsive to authentication of at least a portion of a biometric input, and wherein the processor is configured to communicate the encrypted information via the communication interface to enable execution of the secure transaction, and wherein the identifying information related to the selected account does not enable a merchant receiving the identifying information to determine an account number being used in the secure transaction.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic ID device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the encrypted information to a POS device to enable execution of the secure transaction. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic ID device of  claim 1 , wherein communication interface is configured to receive an transaction approval responsive to validation of the encrypted information, wherein a merchant receiving the encrypted information is unable to access account information of the user of the electronic device. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic ID device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device further comprises a user interface configured to display options for a purchase. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic ID device of  claim 4 , wherein the user interface is configured to receive a user input including secret information known to the user and the identifying information related to the account selected by the user from the plurality of accounts. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic ID device of  claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to generate information for display associated with the respective one of the plurality of accounts, wherein the information for display does not identify an account number of the respective one of the plurality of accounts used process an exchange of funds. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic ID device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic ID device comprises a discrete code associated with the electronic ID device and a respective one of the plurality of accounts. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic ID device of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores information employed by the electronic ID device to authenticate the biometric received by the biometric sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic ID device of  claim 8 , wherein the electronic ID device does not permit the entry of the user input if the biometric input received by the biometric sensor is determined to not belong to an authorized user of the electronic ID device. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic ID device of  claim 8 , wherein the secret information known to the user includes a PIN, and wherein the authentication of both the secret information and the biometric input enables the secure transaction. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic ID device of  claim 8 , wherein at least some of the data stored in the memory is unavailable to an individual in possession of the electronic ID device. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic ID device of  claim 11 , wherein the data stored in the memory is subject to a mathematical operation that acts to modify the data such that it is unintelligible until the electronic ID device triggered for the secure transaction. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic ID device of  claim 10 , wherein the memory is configured to store an electronic serial number of the electronic ID device, wherein the processor is configured to generate the encrypted information based on at least two members of a group consisting of a discrete code, a PIN, a time value, and receiving validated biometric input. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic ID device of  claim 10 , wherein the memory is configured to store identifying information associated with a respective user account.