System and method for sharing of data securely between electronic devices

Abstract

A system for securely sharing data and conducting transactions in an electronic environment. The system may include a personal information device having a processor, memory and biometric sensor. Personal data is stored in the memory of the personal information device. The personal information device may be registered with a centralized system. Data stored on the personal information device may be uploaded to an access device upon verification of a user's identity using a biometric recognition technique.

1 . A device for use in securely transferring data in an electronic environment, said device comprising:
 a processor;   a memory accessible to the processor, the memory having personal data and a biometric template of a user stored therein;   the memory further having an application stored therein which, when activated, causes the processor to perform the steps of:   receive a request from an access device to access data stored in the memory,   receive a biometric sample from a user,   compare the biometric sample from the user to the biometric template,   upload the requested data to the access device if the biometric sample and biometric template match.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a biometric sensor in communication with the processor. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a housing for containing the processor and the memory, the housing having a front housing member and a back housing member, the front housing member having a cutout for accommodating a biometric sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the housing is approximately 0.125 inches thick by 2.125 inches wide by 3.375 inches long. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the housing is approximately a shape of a credit card. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes a unique identification number stored therein. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the application further comprises instructions to cause the processor to perform the steps of: uploading the unique identification number to the access device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising a battery contained within the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a biometric sensor, wherein the biometric sensor is one of the following: a fingerprint scanner, a microphone, and an image capturing device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the memory further includes one or more of the following stored therein: a driver's license number, a social security number, an address, a credit card number, and a bank account number. 
     
     
         11 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for use in securely transferring data in an electronic environment, said method comprising:
 receiving a request from an access device to access data stored in a memory of a personal information device;   receiving a biometric sample from a user;   comparing the biometric sample from the user to a biometric template; and   uploading the requested data to the access device if the biometric sample and biometric template match.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the data includes one or more of the following: a driver's license number, a social security number, an address, a credit card number, and a bank account number. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the biometric sample is one of a fingerprint sample, voice sample, or image sample. 
     
     
         21 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A system for use in securely transferring data in an electronic environment, said system comprising:
 a personal information device, said personal information device comprising a processor and a memory accessible to the processor, the memory having personal data and a biometric template stored therein, the personal information device having an input/output port for transferring data;   a centralized system having a server connected to a database, the database having stored therein a unique identification number associated with the personal information device and a status of the personal information device;   an access device having a processor and a memory accessible to the processor, the access device further having an input/output port for communicating with the personal information device;   a network connection between the centralized system and the access device;   a biometric sensor;   a program stored in the memory of the personal information device which, when activated, causes the processor of the personal information device to perform the steps of: (i) receive a request from the access device to access data stored in the memory, (ii) provide a unique identification number to access device, (iii) verify the identity of a user, and (iv) upload the requested data to the access device if the identity of the user is verified, wherein steps ii and iii may be performed in any order;   wherein the memory of the access device has operating instructions stored therein to cause the processor of the access device to perform the steps of: (i) request data from the personal information device, (ii) receive a unique identification number from the personal information device, (iii) transmit the unique identification number to the centralized system, (iv) receive a message from the centralized system regarding the status of the personal information device, and (v) receive the requested data from the personal information device;   wherein the memory of the centralized system has operating instructions stored therein to cause the processor of the centralized system to perform the steps of: (i) receive a unique identification number associated with a personal information device from an access device, and (ii) transmit a message regarding the status of the personal information device to the access device.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the personal information device also has additional functionality. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the personal information device is a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the program stored in the memory of the personal information device is an application. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the identity of the user is verified by prompting the user to enter a numerical pin. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the identity of the user is verified by causing the personal information device to additionally receive a biometric sample from a user and compare the biometric sample from the user to the biometric template. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the operating instructions stored in the memory of the personal information device further cause the processor of the personal information device to perform the step of prompting the user to select the personal data to be provided to the access device. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 47 , wherein the personal data comprises one or more credit cards or debit cards. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the processor of the personal information device prompts the user to split payment among several credit cards or debit cards. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the personal data comprises identification for government purposes. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the personal data comprises identification for medical purposes. 
     
     
         52 . A method for securely transferring data in an electronic environment, the essential elements of said method being performed in any order, said method comprising:
 providing a personal information device, said personal information device comprising a processor and a memory accessible to the processor, the memory having personal data and a biometric template stored therein,   providing an access device having a processor and a memory accessible to the processor, the access device further having means for communicating with the personal information device;   providing a biometric sensor;   providing a program to be stored in the memory of the personal information device, said program causing the personal information device to perform the steps of: (i) verify the identity of the user, and (iii) provide the personal data to the access device if the biometric sample and biometric template match;   wherein the memory of the access device has a program stored in memory which, upon being activated, causes the processor of the access device to perform the steps of: (i) request personal data from the personal information device; (ii) receive personal data from the personal information device;   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the personal information device also has additional functionality. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the personal information device is a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the program stored in the memory of the personal information device is an application. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 52 , wherein the identity of the user is verified by prompting the user to enter a numerical pin. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the identity of the user is verified using biometric data. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the operating instructions stored in the memory of the personal information device further cause the processor of the personal information device to perform the step of prompting the user to select the personal data to be provided to the access device. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the personal data comprises one or more credit cards or debit cards. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the processor of the personal information device prompts the user to split payment among several credit cards or debit cards. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the personal data comprises identification for government purposes. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the personal data comprises identification for medical purposes. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 52  also comprising providing a secure means of verifying the status of the personal information device. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the secure means of verifying the status of the personal information device includes using a centralized system to verify the status of the personal information device. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the secure means of verifying the status of the personal information device includes a using a de-centralized system to verify the status of the personal information device. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the secure means of verifying the status of the personal information device includes using both a centralized system and a de-centralized system in combination to verify the status of the personal information devices. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the secure means of verifying the status of the personal information device comprises:
 providing a centralized system having a server connected to a database, the database having stored therein a unique identification number associated with the personal information device and a status of the personal information device; 
 providing a network connection between the centralized system and the access device; 
 wherein the program stored in the memory of the personal information device additionally provides a unique identification number to the access device; 
 wherein the memory of the access device additionally has operating instructions stored therein to cause the processor to perform the additional steps of (i) receiving a unique identification number from the personal information device, (ii) transmit the unique identification number to the centralized system, and (iii) receive a message from the centralized system regarding the status of the personal information device; 
 wherein the memory of the centralized system has operating instructions stored therein to cause the processor of the centralized system to perform the steps of: (i) receive a unique identification number associated with a personal information device from an access device, and (ii) transmit a message regarding the status of the personal information device to the access device. 
 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 52  also comprising encrypting the information stored in the memory of the personal identification device.