DESCRIPTION TITLE: DIGITAL SELF INDENTIFICATION AND DIGITAL VERSATILE SAFE CARD, E-COMMERCE SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to Business Methods, in particular to the use of secure personal, anonymous digitally enabled identification numbers, in conjunction with secure, anonymous, digitally enabled pre-paid account numbers, to facilitate a wide variety of electronic- commerce and/or internet commerce transactions.

BACKGROUND ART References An article entitled 4'Visa, MasterCard work together on m-commerce standards" Published on January 9,2002 in the Trinidad Express newspaper, page 19.

An internet bulletin entitled"Smartcreds-About", accessed on May 7, 2002, published By Smartcreds Limited, 161 Hammersmith Road, London W6 8BS.

For"Digital Self Tdentification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System" An internet bulletin entitled"Yahoo! Mobile", accessed on May 7,2002, published By Yahoo Inc.

An internet bulletin entitled"Yahoo! PayDirect", accessed on May 7,2002, Published by Yahoo! Inc.

An internet bulletin entitle"Pay Pal", accessed on May 7, 2002, published By Pay Pal.

An internet bulletin entitled"Internet Dollar is the money of the Internet", Accessed on May 7,2002, published by Internet Dollar Ltd of Tel Aviv, Israel.

An internet bulletin entitled"internet CASH", accessed on May 7,2002, Published by Internet Cash.

An internet bulletin entitled"E-money mini FAQ", accessed on May 7,2002, Published by Jim Miller and Roy Davies at ; http"\\www. ex. ac. uk/ RDavies/arian/emoneyfaq. html An internet bulletin entitled"Electronic Commerce FAQ (CREC),"accessed On May 7,2002, published by Center for Research in Electronic Commerce, The University of Texas at Austin.

An internet bulletin entitled"Products & Services-Consumer Products," Accessed on August 6,2002, published by Visa International Service Association.

An internet bulletin entitled"More About Your Card Benefits,"accessed On August 1,2002, published by American Express Company.

An internet bulletin entitled"Prepaid Card, "accessed on August 1, 2002, Published by Master Card International Incorporated.

An article entitled"Plastic... big money business,"by Joel Nanton, Published on pages 3&4 of the Trinidad Express newspaper of August 28, 2002.

For"Digital Self Ideritification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System An article entitled"Plastic... big money business,"by Joel Nanton, Published on pages 3&4 of the Trinidad Express newspaper of August 28, 2002.

An article entitled"SMART CARDS Safety at a Cost, "by Mark Fishetti, Published on pages 86&87 of the August 2002 Scientific American magazine.

Prior Art Cashless buy-an-sell transactions have long been a feature of our society, led by cheques, traveler's cheques, credit cards, debit cards, etc. The rapid expansion of the Internet has introduced the vehicle, the opportunity and the need for a distinctly new and innovative instrument which would enable the broader potential of the growing conduits of e-commerce (electronic) and i-commerce (internet). Among the principal requirements of this new instrument are:- Security Anonymity Simple Access Universal Access Simplicity in Use Mobility Acknowledgement of these needs as well as acknowledgement that these needs have not yet been satisfied, may be noted from the referenced Article:"Visa, MasterCard work together on m-commerce standards. "Of major concern to the parties with vested interest, is that e- commerce, i-commerce, m-commerce (mobile) digital cash and cyber-cash have been growing much more slowly than had been forecast and anticipated.

For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System Among the instruments available up to this time, the referenced"Smartcreds"is limited to internet transactions only and limited to participating internet merchants ; it is not anonymous, it requires a specific card-reader and/or internet access; the entire system is limited to the UK only; credits may be forfeited after a set expiry date.

The referenced"Yahoo! Mobile"works only in conjunction with the referenced"Yahoo ! Pay Direct"and requires the purchase and activation of a MiniBrowser onto your mobile phone; it is limited to e-mail (internet) transactions and only to the USA.

The referenced"Pay Pal"has the very fundamental limitations of being credit card/bank account based and is further limited to e-mail (online) transactions.

The referenced"Tnternet Dollar"is useable only on the internet and only with specific participating internet merchants.

The referenced"internet CASH"is useable only on the internet.

The referenced"Products & Services-Consumer Products"offers a prepaid travel card which is useable internationally but only at"Visa"enabled"bricks-and-mortar merchants"or automatic teller machines (ATM's). It also offers"Visa Buxx"which is a pre-paid debit card, specifically for teenagers and similarly as the prepaid travel card, is useable only at "Visa"enabled points.

The referenced"More About Your Card Benefits"describes a pre-paid dining card that is not anonymous and is limited to restaurants in the USA, which offer"American Express" service.

The referenced"Prepaid Card"offers"ecount", a pre-paid debit card which is useable only at bricks-and-mortar"merchants or automatic teller machines (ATM's), or for e-mail (on-line) transactions, all of which must be members ofthe"MasterCard"network.

For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Objects and Advantages The system disclosed herein, overcomes those limitations mentioned above and at the same time offers an expanded range of objects and advantages. Among those objects and advantages may be listed:- (a) Security: Since both the Personal Identity Number and the Transaction Number are anonymous, and all transaction data is limited to numbers only and is in any case encrypted, and since the cards themselves may be destroyed on receipt by the Consumer; then the security risk is substantially minimized.

(b) Simplicity of Access: No supporting bank account or credit reference is required.

(c) Universal Access: Except for specific limitations that might be imposed by a specific government, this system would be accessible by any legal adult, worldwide.

(d) Simplicity of Use-Consumer : The Consumer would need only to enter two groups of numbers.

(e) Simplicity of Use-Vendor: Similarly as the Consumer, the Vendor would need only to enter two groups of numbers.

) Simplicity of Administration-Principal: The communication, electronic transaction and security systems are already substantially established and functional. Specific, enabling sub-systems are well within the capacity of the technology.

(g) Anonymity: No name, address, bank account information, credit card information or any personal data would be required for any transaction.

(h) Mobility: Transactions may be consummated via any regular telephone, mobile-phone or any internet enabled computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.

For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System (i) Versatility: Not restricted to on-line transactions. May be used for over-the-counter, or for person-to-person transactions.

(j) Convenience: would advantageously overcome the limitations of cash, regular credit cards and regular debit cards. Would also enable small-value transactions.

(k) Availability: This system would be within easy reach of persons who do not have access to regular credit or debit cards.

(1) Extendibility: The"dself TD"component, as a stand-alone mechanism would enable several additional applications independent of the system here disclosed.

(m) Around-the-clock accessibility: 24 hours/day x 7 days/week.

(n) Prepaid : The"dvsafecard"is a pre-paid card and so any loss to the Consumer would be limited to the currency credit remaining on the card. In any case, that "dvsafecard"number would already have been registered to the System in conjunction with the"dselflD"number of the Consumer and any attempt at other conjunctions would be rejected by the System.

(o) Seamless introduction: No new hardware is anticipated for implementation of the system and the adaptations in software are well within the capability of current technology.

(p) No Expiry: Similarly as for hard cash, there would be no expiry date for the instruments of the system.

(q) System Security: The security features inherent in the system are further enhanced by :- (a) The Serial Numbers on all cards which would permit prompt deactivation of any cards lost and/or stolen in-transit (b) No numbers embossed to cards would prevent"print-through" access to the Numbers of cards in transit.

Further objects, benefits and advantages of the system here disclosed will become apparent from a consideration of the Flow Diagrams and ensuing description.

For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System SUMMARY The invention described herein proposes a new system for e-commerce and i-commerce that is card/number facilitated and that is at one and the same time secure, anonymous, simple, universal, accessible, mobile, convenient and versatile. It relies on the use of a personal Identification Number used in conjunction with an anonymous Transaction Number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Fig. 1 shows a Flow Diagram for the'dself ID'card/number between its issuance by a Principal and its receipt by a Consumer.

Fig. 2 shows a Flow Diagram for the'dv safecard'card/number between its issuance by a Principal and its receipt by a Consumer.

Fig. 3 shows a Flow Diagram for the'dself TD'card/number and the'dv safecard' card/number used in conjunction with each other for a transaction between a Vendor and a Consumer.

FIGURES-Reference Numerals Reference Numerals have been included at each discrete step in the Flow Diagrams. Since these Flow Diagrams are in the form of descriptive text, it must be considered that the short- title assigned to each step (and Reference Numeral) may not in every case be precisely reproduced in the text of the DETATLED DESCRIPTION following.

20 a Principal establishes the'dself ID'system.

22 a Consumer submits application to the'dselfID'system For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System 24 the Principal screens the application 26 the Principal refuses the application 28 the Principal approves the application 30 the Consumer receives the card/number 32 the Principal established the'dv safecard'system 34 a Country Agent purchases and distributes'dv safecard'cards to local Dealers 36 a local Dealer sells a card to a consumer 38 the Consumer registers the'dv safecard'at the local Dealers card-reader terminal.

39 the Consumer registers the'dv safecard'in total privacy 40 the Principal activates the 2 cards in conjunction within the system.

42 the Consumer privately records the'dv safecard'card number.

44 the Country Agent maintains on-line link with the Principal.

46 a Vendor accesses the system.

48 the Consumer aflims the transaction 50 the Principal declines the transaction 52 the Principal validates the transaction BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the system is presented in the Flow Diagrams detailed in Fig 1, Fig 2 and Fig 3. Since the elements of the Flow Diagrams and the method of operation cannot in practical terms be separated, they are presented in concert in this section.

For"Digital Self Identification and Digital VersaIe Sale Card e-commerce System A Principal would establish a digitally administered data-base 20 for the'dself ID' card/number system. The cards would bear secure, confidential Personal Identification Numbers which might typically be of 7 digits more or less. This sequence of digits would be printed on paper/plastic cards and would be concealed under a'scratch & view'filin. The card Serial Number would be visible on the card as well as on/through the wrapper in which the card is sent.

A consumer would make application 22 on-line or by mail, to the Principal for the issue of a 'dselfI13'card, presenting in that application, basic personal information required by the Principal. That personal information might include, but not necessarily be limited to : - - Name - Residence Address - Local Poste Restante Address -Warranty of Legal Age -Warranty of local Legal Compliance - The registered number of a local age and photoqualified ID (e. g. National ID or Drivers License-NOT Passport) - A small Fee - First choice and Second choice of 7 digit"dself TD"number.

(Repetition of digits within the number being freely permitted).

The Principal would evaluate/authenticate 24 the information submitted in the application. In its own discretion, the Principal may refuse the application 26 or alternatively approve the application 28 and issue this"dself ID"card with the appropriate"dself ID"number assigned to that applicant. The card would be mailed only to the local Poste Restante addressed to the name and local ID number of the applicant.

For"Dital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System On receipt 30 of the"dselfID"card, the applicant would, in total privacy, scratch off the 'screatch & view' film to expose the assigned"dseif TD"number. The applicant may elect to record this number discreetly elsewhere and to destroy the actual card.

That"dself ID"number would subsequently be used to enable c-commerce or i- commerce transactions in conjunction with a"dv safecard"It mus$ be noted as well, that, as a stand-alone mechanism, the"dselfID"component would facilitate several additional applications independent of the combined system disclosed herein.

In the complementary"dv safecard"system, the Principal would issue"dv safecards"32 in a range of common denominations of one or more major currencies traded and/or accepted internationally. These cards would be of paper/plastic and might be of approximately the size of a standard credit-card. The currency Face Value of the"dv safecard"would be prominent on the card as well as on/through the wrapper in which the card is sold.

A serial number for each card would also be visible on the card as well as on/through the wrapper in which the card is sold.

The Card Number (for transactions) would typically comprise, but not necessarily be limited to, 4 groups of 4 digits each and would be concealed under scratch & view" film.

The card might also incorporate a magnetic"read only"strip which would hold encrypted the following- - The card currency Face Value - The card Serial Number - The 16 digit Card Number (for transactions).

For"Digital Self identification and Digita3 Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System The Principal would establish a Regional or Country Agent 34 who would purchase a supply of"dv safecards"from the Principal and undertake the sale/distribution of those cards to local retail Dealers within the assigned region or country.

A local Dealer would sell these cards at retail 36 over-the-countertp Consumers.

A consumer at the time of purchase of a"dv safecard", would remove the wrapper but not the'scratch & view"film-and would register 38 the card by swiping it through the Dealer's card-leader terminal. The Consumer would at that time enter his/her"dself ID"number confidentially to the card-reader terminal.

The Principal would authenticate the"dv safecard"number and the"dself ID"number and would immediately activate 40 these two numbers for use in conjunction with each other, for transactions within the system.

The Consumer would later in privacy, scratch off the scratch & view film from the"dv safecard"to expose the 16 digit (more or less) Card Number for transactions. He/she may elect to record 42 that Card Number discreetly elsewhere and to destroy the actual card.

The Country Agent would maintain a multi-line telephone/on-line service 44 with permanent link to the Principal for the purpose of real-time validation/authentication of transactions by Consumers.

For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card C-commerce System In the process of a buy: sell transaction, the Vendor would access the system 46 by telephone or on-line or via a card-reader terminal. Using a prompted sequence, the Vendor would enter his/her"dself ID"number. (which could be a"dself ID"number assigned to the business rather than to an individual). The Vendor would then enter his/her"dvsafe card"number and then the currency value of the transaction.

The Consumer would then affirm the transaction 48 by entering his/her"dself ID" number, then his/her dvsafe card"number and then confirming the currency value of the transaction. When applicable, the Consumer would supply a"ship-to"address, directly to the Vendor.

The Principal may decline the transaction 50 for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to:- - Exceeds the currency credit remaining to the Consumer's"dvsafe card"account.

- Exceeds the throughput limit of either the Vendor's or the Consumer's"dself TD" card.

- Incorrect entry of any card number.

- Entry of an invalid card number.

- Entry of an invalid conjunction of"dselffD"and"dvsafecard"Numbers.

Alternatively, the Principal would authenticate all of the numbers entered and would validate the transaction 52.

For"Digital SelfMentiScation and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System ADDITIONAL MODE In the preferred embodiment described above, the"dvsafe card"incorporates a"read-only" magnetic strip which would hold in encrypted form : - - The card currency Face Value - The card Serial Number - The 16 digit Card Number (for transactions) Since it is anticipated that this magnetic strip would be used only once-at the time of purchase of the card and registering it for use within the system-that magnetic strip might be omitted from the card and the card then registered 39 to the system by the Consumer scratching off the "scratch & view" film to expose the card Number for transactions and then entering that Card Number manually and in privacy by telephone or on-line or via a Dealer's card-reader terminal. The sequence of entry for this first registration of a"dvsafe card" number to the system might be as follows, :- "dself number -"dvsafe card"Card Number for transaction - "dvsafe card" Serial Number For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY From the description above a number of advantages of this system become evident: (a) Security: Since both the Personal Identitification Number and the Transaction Number are anonymous, and all transaction data is limited to numbers only and is in any case encrypted, and since the cards themselves may be destroyed on receipt by the Consumer; then the security risk is substantially minimized.

(b) Simplicity of Access: No supporting bank account or credit reference is required.

(c) Universal Access: Except for specific limitations that might be imposed by a specific government, this system would be accessible by any legal adult, worldwide.

(d) Simplicity of Use-Consumer: The Consumer would need only to enter two groups of numbers.

(e) Simplicity of Use-Vendor: Similarly as the Consumer, the Vendor would need only to enter two groups of numbers.

(f) Simplicity of Administration-Principal: The communication, electronic transaction and security systems are already substantially established and functional. Specific, enabling sub-systems are well within the capacity of the technology.

(g) Anonymity: No name, address, bank account information, credit card information or any personal data would be required for any transaction.

For "digital Self Indentification and digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System (h) Mobility: Transactions may be consummated via any regular telephone, mible-phone or any internet enabled computer, lap-top computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.

(i) Versatility : Not restricted to on-line transactions. May be used for over-the-counter, or for person-to-person transactions.

(j) Convenience : would advantageously overcome the limitations of cash, regular credit cards and regular debit cards. Would also enable small-value transactions.

(k) Availability: This system would be within easy reach of persons who do not have access to regular credit or debit cards.

(1) Extendibility: The"dself ID"component, as a stand-alone mechanism would enable several additional applications independent of the system here disclosed.

(m) Around-the-clock accessibility: 24 hours/day x 7 days/week.

(n) Prepaid : The"dvsafecard"is a pre-paid card and so any loss to the Consumer would be limited to the currency credit remaining on the card. In any case, that "dvsafecard"would already have been registered to the System in conjunction with the"dselffD"number of the Consumer and any attempt at other conjunctions would be rejected by the System.

(o) Seamless introduction: No new hardware is anticipated for implementation of the system and the adaptations in software are well within the capability of current technology.

(p) No Expiry: Similarly as for hard cash, there would be no expiry date for the instruments of the system.

(q) System Security : The security features inherent in the system are further enhanced by:- (a) The Serial Numbers on all cards which would permit prompt deactivation of any cards lost and/or stolen in-transit (b) No numbers embossed to cards would prevent"print-through" access to the Numbers of cards in transit.

For "Digital Self Identification and digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope Thus the reader will see that the electronic-commerce/internet comierce system of this invention provides a facility that all at the same time affords the important advantages of Security ; Simplicity of Access; Unviersal Access ; Simplicity of Use by a Consumer ; Simplicity of Use by a Vendor ; Simplicity of Administration ; Anonymity ; Mobility ; Versatility ; Convenience ; Availability ; Extendibility ; Ease of Implementation ; No Expiry Limitation ; and Security in transit.

While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof as well as one alternative embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible, 63r example : a) The cards since they have a short anticipated life-cycle, may be fabricated of a biodegradable plastic. b) The "dself ID" number on that card, and the"dvsafe card"Card Number for the transactions, may either or both be. printed onto adhesive-backed strips and so be attached to the respective cards before being covered by a "scratch & view film. This feature would allow the Consumer, having scratched off the"scratch & view"film to expose the number, then to peel off the adhesive-backed strip from the card, and to affix that strip in an alternative, more discreet location. t) As an alternative to the magnetic strip described above in the preferred embodiment, the relevant data might be incorporated in the electronic memory of the "smart cards" which are already in use.

For"Digital Self Identification and Digital Versatile Safe Card e-commerce System d) As an alternative to the universal use of the"dvsafe card"Transaction Number by both the Consumer and the Vendor, as described in the preferred embodiment above; appropriately registered, commercially established Vendors might be assigned Registered Commercial Vendor (RCV) transaction numbers. These RCV transaction numbers would equally enable transactions within the system but would be subject to terms and conditions more suited to commercial establishments, including different conditions of throughput limit. e) The Identification Number of the"dselfID"card, as well as the Transaction Number ofthe"dvsafe card"card, might both be adapted to comprise any combination of numerals and letters as an alternative to the numerals only embodiment described in the preferred embodiment above. f) The System may be designed to permit the use of one or more"dvsafecard" Transaction Numbers in conjunction with one or more"dselfLD"Numbers by the submission of more tha. n one"dsel Number"at the activation of one or more newly purchased"dvsafecards". This option would facilitate shared use of "dvsafecard (s)" by members of a family or business; or the separation of personal and business transactions.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not limited by the embodiments described and illustrated, but by the claims appended and to be appended, and their legal equivalents.