WO2017149425A1

WO2017149425A1 - An integrated circuit device suitable for use in a financial transaction processing system

Info

Publication number: WO2017149425A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/051108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Renato VALENCIA; Jonathan BORJA; Apolinar CUEVA; Hilary DE LEON; Leah MARQUEZ; Francisco RONDILLA
Original assignee: Valencia Renato
Priority date: 2016-03-02
Filing date: 2017-02-25
Publication date: 2017-09-08
Also published as: PH22016000120U1

Abstract

An electronic circuit device preferably having a form factor of a SIM (subscriber's identification module) card and which is embedded with application software programs for use in a financial transaction processing system designed to utilize near-field communication (NFC) is disclosed. The application software programs contain processing procedures executable for performing an NFC-based outgoing transaction using any of an electronic passbook account, an electronic wallet account, and an electronic checkbook account of an account holder. The SIM card also includes an NFC reader arranged to read an NFC-based incoming transaction request. The integrated circuit device is configured to communicate, via a single wire protocol connection, with an NFC controller of an NFC-enabled electronic device in which the integrated circuit device can be made operable.

Description

AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE SUITABLE FOR USE IN A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROCESSING SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to an integrated circuit device and, more particularly, to such a device embedded with application software programs which can be used in a financial transaction processing system designed to utilize near-field communication.

Background Art

Alternative payment methods nowadays utilize electronic devices such as smart- phones. Purchase transactions can now be initiated and completed using application software programs running on smart-phones, effectively replacing cash, checks, debit cards or credit cards. These programs commonly provide contactless mobile payment services through proximate radio communication and signal processing systems such as near- field communication (NFC).

A technical problem associated with the use of electronic devices such as smart- phones in hosting payment applications is that the access control to these payment applications is generally dependent on the underlying operating systems of such electronic devices. If a smart-phone is damaged or has an empty battery state, or if the operating system of a smart-phone breaks down, then none of the payment applications would execute.

It is also worth noting that utilizing the operating systems of electronic devices for executing payment applications is generally unsecure due to in part to the inherent bidirectional communication capabilities of the same electronic devices, and that activation of other applications (e.g., a caller application) in these devices generally interrupts any concurrently executing processing procedures or tasks associated with the payment applications.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an integrated circuit device that can run contactless mobile payment service applications through NFC wherein access control to the same applications is not dependent on the underlying operating system of any single electronic device such as a smart-phone.

Summary of the Utility Model

An integrated circuit device, which preferably has a form factor of a SIM (subscriber's identification module) card and is suitable for use in a financial transaction processing system, is disclosed.

The SIM card has a memory region and a plurality of application software programs allocated to the memory region. The programs contain processing procedures executable for performing a near-field communication (NFC)-based outgoing transaction using any of an electronic passbook account, an electronic wallet account, and an electronic checkbook account of an account holder. Preferably, the SIM card includes an electronic passbook account information area of the memory region for storing information about the electronic passbook account incident to the processing procedures.

Preferably, the SIM card includes an electronic wallet account area of the memory region for storing information about the electronic wallet account incident to the processing procedures.

Preferably, the SIM card includes an electronic checkbook account area of the memory region for storing information about the electronic checkbook account incident to the processing procedures.

Preferably, the SIM card also includes an NFC reader area of the memory region for reading an NFC-based incoming transaction request from another electronic device.

It is preferable that the integrated circuit device is configured to communicate, via a single wire protocol connection, with an NFC controller of an NFC-enabled electronic device in which the integrated circuit device can be made operable.

Through the use of the SIM card in which the application software programs suitable for use in a financial transaction system are embedded, access control to such payment-related software programs is not dependent on the underlying operating system (e.g., Android, iOS) of the NFC-enabled electronic device into which the SIM card can be inserted and made operable.

The provision of embedding the application software programs in the SIM card and arranging these programs to be executable between the SIM card and the host controller via the single wireless protocol connection ensures that the programs can be accessed and used by a subscriber or user using any NFC-enabled electronic device in a secure manner, with greater processing speed, and without coming in conflict with other applications (e.g., caller application) which may be concurrently running on the electronic device.

For a better understanding of the utility model and to show how the same may be performed, preferred implementations thereof will now be described, by way of non- limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the components of an electronic circuit device in accordance with one or more preferred implementations of the utility model.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device with an NFC-enabled integrated circuit device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device with an NFC-enabled integrated circuit device of Figure 1 having a plurality of application software programs.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for operating application programs containing processing procedures executable for performing an NFC-based outgoing transaction using an electronic wallet account in relation to an electronic passbook account.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for operating an application program containing processing procedures executable for performing an NFC-based outgoing transaction using an electronic checkbook account.

Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for issuing the integrated circuit device of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for linking the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 to a subscriber's issuer accounts.

Figure 8A is a flow diagram illustrating a process for loading an electronic wallet account associated with the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 via OTA (over- the- air).

Figure 8B is a flow diagram illustrating a process for loading an electronic wallet associated with the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 via OTC (over-the-counter).

Figure 8C is a flow diagram illustrating a process for loading an electronic wallet associated with the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 account via phone-to-phone.

Figure 9A is a flow diagram illustrating a process for executing a payment transaction with an electronic wallet account associated with the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 via phone to POS (point of sale) reader.

Figure 9B is a flow diagram illustrating a process for executing a payment transaction with an electronic wallet account associated with the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 via phone-to-phone.

Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of the integrated circuit device of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Implementations

All the ensuing disclosures and illustrations of the preferred implementations of the integrated circuit device of the present utility model are merely representative for the purpose of sufficiently describing the manner by which the present utility model may be carried out into practice in various ways other than the ones outlined in the ensuing description.

It is to be understood and appreciated by a person skilled in the art or having ordinary skills in the art, however, that the exemplary implementations used to describe how to make and use the present utility model may be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims in any manner, absent express recitation of those features in the appended claims. All the diagrams accompanying the ensuing description should also not be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims in any manner.

Unless the context clearly and explicitly indicates otherwise, it is to be understood that like numbers refer to like elements throughout the ensuing description of the figures, that the linking term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, that the singular terms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms, and that some varying terms of the same meaning and objective may be interchangeably used throughout the ensuing description of the preferred implementations of the present utility model.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a block diagram illustrating components of an electronic circuit device in accordance with one or more preferred implementations of the present utility model. The integrated circuit device, which is generally designated by reference numeral 100, is suitable for use in an electronic and computer-implemented financial transaction processing system.

The integrated circuit device 100 includes a memory region 102 and a plurality of application software programs 104 allocated to the memory region 102.

Each of the application software programs 104 preferably contains processing procedures 106 which are executable for performing a near-field communication (NFC)- based outgoing transaction. The processing procedures 106 may be interchangeably referred to herein as the "application software programs" 104 containing the processing procedures 106 or simply "applications."

The NFC-based outgoing transaction may use any of an electronic passbook (e- passbook) account, an electronic wallet (e-wallet) account, and an electronic checkbook (e- checkbook) account of an account holder. The account holder may be a human user and/or owner of the e-passbook, e-wallet, and e-checkbook accounts.

The integrated circuit device 100 preferably includes an e-passbook account information area 108 of the memory region 102 for storing information about the e- passbook account incident to or based on any one or more of the processing procedures 106.

The integrated circuit device 100 preferably includes an e-wallet account area 110 of the memory region 102 for storing information about the e-wallet account incident to or based on any one or more of the processing procedures 106.

The integrated circuit device 100 preferably includes an e-checkbook account area 112 of the memory region 102 for storing information about the e-checkbook account incident to or based on any one or more of the processing procedures 106.

The integrated circuit device 100 preferably includes an NFC reader area 114 of the memory region 102 for reading an NFC-based incoming transaction request. The incoming transaction request may originate from a third-party electronic device. The third-party electronic device may also be NFC-enabled.

The integrated circuit device 100 is preferably configured to communicate, via a single wire protocol connection 116, with an NFC controller 118 of an NFC-enabled electronic device 120 in which the integrated circuit device 100 can be inserted and made operable.

The single wire protocol 116 connection may be based on ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) specifications. Preferably, gates, pipes, registries, commands, responses and events characterizing the connection of the SIM card characterizing the integrated circuit device 100 to a CLF (contactless frontend) interface may be defined by ETSI HCL (Host Controller Interface) specifications.

Preferably, the integrated circuit device 100 includes a processor 122 in communication with the memory region 102, and the processing procedures 106 are executable by the processor 122 of the integrated circuit device 100.

Preferably, the integrated circuit device 100 includes a host controller 124, and the processing procedures 106 are executable by the host controller 124 of the NFC-enabled electronic device 120 in which the integrated circuit device 100 can be made operable.

The NFC-enabled electronic device 120 may include a machine-readable memory system 126 that is in operative communication with the host controller 124.

Any of the information about the e-passbook account, the e-wallet account, and the e-checkbook account can be stored, by the host controller 124, in the machine-readable memory system 126 of the NFC-enabled electronic device 120.

In one or more preferred implementations of the present utility model, the integrated circuit device 100 has a form factor which may be selected from a group consisting of a SIM (subscriber's identification module) card, UICC (universal integrated circuit card), embedded SE (secure element) card, smart SD (secure digital) card, and smart micro SD (secure digital) card.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there are shown, respectively, a block diagram illustrating an electronic device with an NFC-enabled integrated circuit device of Figure 1, and a block diagram illustrating an electronic device with an NFC-enabled integrated circuit device of Figure 1 having a plurality of application software programs.

It is to be understood and appreciated that all interactions by and between parties and/or entities in the financial transaction processing system that will be illustrated in the ensuing description of the preferred implementations of the present utility model are computer-based, computer-assisted and/or computer-implemented.

It is also to be understood and appreciated that any segment of or the entire processing procedures associated with the application software programs may be designed using any suitable programming language, such as Java, and based on the computer- implemented interactions between parties and/or entities in the financial transaction system that will be described in the ensuing description of preferred implementations of the present utility model.

As such, the financial transaction system may include computer systems or network of computers associated with a merchant, a SIM card issuer such as a telecommunication company (Telco), and a financial institution such as a bank.

The electronic circuit device 100 may be a machine substrate characterized by an NFC-enabled machine substrate. Preferably, the NFC-enabled machine substrate is in the form of the aforementioned SIM card 100. The application software programs illustrated in Figure 1 are preferably embedded into the SIM card 100.

The SIM card 100, which may also be in the form of micro-SIM, may include an integrated circuit embedded in a removable plastic card that can be inserted into the NFC- enabled electronic device 120. The electronic device 120 may be a phone, a smart-phone, a tablet, a phablet, or any other similar computing and/or communication device.

The SIM card 100 may securely store the following information: unique serial number (ICCID) information; international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) information; security authentication and ciphering information; information related to the local network; information associated with list of services the user has access to; and two password information: PIN (personal identification number) information and PUK (personal unblocking code) information.

The SIM card 100 may also serve as storage for special application programs and data (e.g., telephone directories).

As illustrated, the SIM card 100 is attached as a secure element to the NFC controller 118 with an antenna 200 of the electronic device 120. The NFC controller 118 with the antenna 200 is attached to the host controller 124 of the electronic device 120. The electronic device 120 preferably has access to a secured data communication network.

The programs 104 for the e-passbook, e-wallet, and e-checkbook and as well as the NFC Reader may be embedded in the SIM card 100 or any of its derivative device that is embedded and made operable on the electronic device 120 having the NFC controller 118 attached to the antenna 200.

The NFC controller 118 is attached to the host controller 124 that allows the transaction to be connected on the data communication network. The data communication network may be linked to a plurality of remote server computers.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a flow diagram illustrating a process for operating application programs containing processing procedures executable for performing an NFC-based outgoing transaction using an e-wallet account in relation to an e-passbook account. The e-passbook application embedded in the SIM card corresponds to a bank's statement of account for the subscriber's financial transactions in his e-wallet account.

The statement of account preferably contains the following features and/or information: (i) transaction date and time; (ii) unique transaction number; (iii) transaction code which describes the banking or financial transaction; (iv) debit column for payments or withdrawals; (v) credit column for deposits or loads ("deposits"); (vi) balance or outstanding balance of the subscriber's deposit; and (vii) remarks for additional description or instruction.

After the subscriber has conducted a transaction, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 400, the SIM card downloads the older transaction to the electronic device such as a mobile phone, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 402. The downloaded older transaction in the mobile phone is subsequently uploaded to a computer system of an issuer, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 404. This process may be used to ensure completeness of transactions, prevent overloading, and enable reliable auditing.

Finally, the computer system of the issuer archives or saves in its data storage system the uploaded transaction, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 406.

The e-wallet application embedded in the SIM card preferably enables the subscriber to: (i) accept deposits or money in his e-wallet; (ii) pay for goods and/or services he purchased from a merchant; and/or (ii) transfer funds from his e-wallet account to and from another e-wallet account.

The e-wallet account can take multi-currencies (e.g. Dollar, Pesos, Yen) and multi- tokens (e.g., stored values, chits, loyalty points). The e-wallet account may also be used for performing cross-border transactions. For example, the SIM card may be issued in one country (e.g., Philippines) but it can also be used to purchase goods and avail services in another country (e.g., Japan).

Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a flow diagram illustrating a process for operating an application program containing processing procedures executable for performing an NFC-based outgoing transaction using an e-checkbook account.

The e-checkbook application, which is embedded in the SIM card that can be made operable on any suitable electronic device, preferably enables the subscriber (acting as a "payor") to order payment of money from his deposit account with the SIM card issuer (acting as a "drawee") to another party (acting as a "payee").

The payor and the payee may be natural person or juridical or legal entity. The SIM card issuer may have a computer system and may be a bank or telecommunication company with which the subscriber has a credit, debit and/or pre-paid account.

The e-checkbook, upon issuance, is configured to reflect the balance of the credit, debit, or pre-paid account that the subscriber may want to use to pay for goods and/or services he wants to purchase from a merchant or an individual.

By tapping his SIM card on an NFC reader, the subscriber in effect accepts the charges by the seller (acting as the "merchant" or the "individual") for goods and/or services purchased by the subscriber from the seller, as depicted by the flow of the arrows 500 and 502.

By tapping the subscriber's SIM card on the NFC reader, the subscriber also allows the transfer of money from his issuer account to a payee's acquirer, as depicted by the flow of the arrows 504, 506 and 508. By tapping the subscriber's SIM card on the NFC reader, the subscriber in effect instructs the computer system of his issuer to pay for the goods and/or services he purchased or to transfer the money from his account to the account of the merchant.

As it becomes apparent that the e-checkbook is the replacement of a regular checkbook, all the rules and regulations pertaining to the regular checks may apply to all payment orders coming from the e-checkbook account.

Using the e-checkbook account, all variants of checks or payment orders currently used in the banking system can be issued. From time to time, the computer system of the issuer updates the balance on the e-checkbook account, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 510.

The NFC reader is an application program for reading NFC transactions or messages and is also preferably embedded in the SIM card. With the NFC reader in the SIM card, phone-to-phone banking and financial transactions can be performed.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a flow diagram illustrating a process for issuing the integrated circuit device of Figure 1. The issuer issues the SIM card that comprises the application software programs for e-passbook, e-wallet and NFC Reader to a subscriber, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 600.

Upon insertion of the SIM card on any suitable electronic device, it automatically registers to the issuer, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 602.

The issuer may be a telephone company ("Telco") or a bank. The Telco may also act as co-issuer. The issuer may generally keep the "float" of the e-wallet account or the unutilized funds that are deposited in the e-wallet accounts of all subscribers, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 604.

One subscriber may use that "float" to settle all payment instructions of the subscribers for goods and services they purchased.

The issuer may also enjoy the interest it earns on the "float." The co-issuer may share part of the income of the issuer, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 606.

Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a flow diagram illustrating a process for linking the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 to a subscriber's issuer accounts. When the issuer issues the SIM card to the subscriber, the issuer may give the subscriber the option to link his SIM card to his issuer or bank accounts ("issuer accounts"), as depicted by the flow of the arrow 700. The bank accounts may be a credit, a debit, or a pre-paid account.

To link the subscriber's SIM card to his issuer accounts, the subscriber may register his e-passbook and e-wallet accounts via encrypted SMS (short messaging service) or secured TCP/IP connection using his mobile phone or any suitable electronic device.

Upon validation, the issuer may link the subscriber's SIM card with his issuer accounts, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 702. By linking his SIM card to his issuer accounts, the subscriber may be able to access his issuer accounts, as well as transfer funds from his issuer accounts to his e-wallet application, as depicted by the flow of the arrows 704, 706, respectively.

Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are flow diagrams illustrating processes for loading the electronic wallet account via OTA (over- the- air), via OTC (over-the-counter), and via phone-to-phone, respectively. In sum, the subscriber can load his electronic wallet account in three (3) ways: either (i) via the OTA; or (ii) via the OTC; or (iii) via the phone-to- phone communication channels.

To use the OTA transfer as particularly illustrated in FIG. 8A alone, the subscriber may instruct his issuer to transfer some deposits from his issuer accounts (e.g., credit, debit or pre-paid account) to his e-wallet account via encrypted SMS or secured TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) connection using any suitable electronic device, as depicted by the flow of the arrows 802, 804, and 806.

For bigger amounts, the bank or Telco accounts may ask for the subscriber's PIN (personal identification number). For security, loading the e-wallet account via the OTA transfer may be conducted online or through any secure communication channel.

To use the OTC transfer as particularly illustrated in FIG. 8B alone, the subscriber goes to a POS reader that sells money or tokens. Such POS reader may be located conveniently in the merchant's premises.

The subscriber may give cash to the POS operator who may encode the amount, then taps his SIM card on the POS reader, as depicted by steps in blocks 808, 810 and 812. Consequently, the subscriber's electronic wallet account is loaded with the amount he paid less any service fees.

Loading the POS reader with money or tokens may be done online. For as long as the POS reader has a balance of money or tokens, it may be arranged to dispense such balance in an online or offline mode.

The phone-to-phone loading, as particularly illustrated in FIG. 8C alone, may be done when both SIM cards are connected on-line to the subscribers' issuers.

For example, subscriber "A" may send money to subscriber "B" using the secured network of electronic devices and/or computers and then the amount which corresponds to the money may be sent to the issuer, as depicted by the flow of the arrows 814, 816. The issuer, using the same or another secured network, may send the same amount to subscriber "B."

Conversely, subscriber "B" may also send money using the same or another secured network to subscriber "A" passing through the issuer. Likewise, the issuer sends the amount to subscriber "A" using the same or another secured network, as depicted by the flow of the arrows 818, 820.

Referring now to Figures 9 A and 9B, there are shown, respectively, a flow diagram illustrating a process for executing a payment transaction with an electronic wallet account associated with the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 via phone to POS (point of sale) reader, and a flow diagram illustrating a process for executing a payment transaction with an electronic wallet account associated with the integrated circuit device of Figure 1 via phone-to-phone.

In the process for paying with the e-wallet account via phone to POS reader as particularly illustrated in Figure 9A alone, the subscriber may pay for goods and services he purchased from the merchant by tapping his SIM card on the POS reader conveniently located at the merchant's cashier station that may accept payments through credit, debit, and pre-paid cards, including NFC-enabled phones and SIM cards, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 900.

By tapping the subscriber's SIM card on the POS reader, the amount due to the merchant may be deducted from his e-wallet account, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 902. The acquirer may acquire all electronic transactions that go through the POS readers at the merchant's cashier and teller stations. The acquirer may subsequently instruct its payments processor to process the transactions for clearing and settlement, as depicted by the flow of the arrows 904, 906, 908.

Payment through the e-wallet account may be done in an online or offline mode. Online means the e-wallet application can be used to pay the merchant while the POS reader is connected to the back-end processing server. Offline means the e-wallet application can be used to pay the merchant even if the POS reader is not connected to the back-end processing server.

In the process for paying with the e-wallet via phone to POS reader as particularly illustrated in Figure 98B alone, the acquirer who acquires all transactions from its designated POS readers can also acquire all transactions from NFC-enabled phones and SIM cards that act as NFC Reader.

The acquirer authorizes the phone or SIM card subscriber to use his phone or SIM card to accept banking and financial transactions involving money and tokens, as depicted by the flow of the arrow 910.

As such, the SIM card subscriber may transfer money or tokens via SIM card to phone (assuming the phone may act as NFC Reader, or SIM card to SIM card (assuming the latter can also act as NFC Reader), as depicted by the flow of the arrows 912, 914, 916, 918, 920.

Although not illustrated, a process for processing POS (i.e., via NFC phone) transactions will now be described. The payments processor will check the transactions of the acquirer by: (i) forwarding them to the SIM card issuer for verification; (ii) carrying out anti-fraud measures against the transaction; and (iii) checking previous payment history.

Once the payments processor receives verification from the issuer, it relays the information back to the acquirer who then completes the payment transaction. If the issuer denies the verification of the transaction, the payments processor relays the information to the acquirer, who then declines the transaction. Processing for the acquirer also includes monitoring, reporting and other services.

Although not illustrated, a process for clearing the banking and financial transactions will now be described. In banking and finance, clearing (usually done by third parties) denotes all activities from the time a commitment is made for a transaction until it is settled.

Clearing of payments is necessary to turn the promise of payment (for example, in the form of a check, electronic payment request, or stored value) into actual movement of money from one bank account to another or one bank to another bank.

During the clearing process, the acquirer provides the appropriate issuer with information on the sale or exchange of values. No money may be subject to exchange during clearing. Clearing involves the exchange of data only.

The acquirer provides data required to identify the subscriber's account with the issuer and to provide the dollar amount of the sales. When the issuer obtains these data, the issuer posts the amount of the sale as a draw against the subscriber's available credit or deposit and prepares to send payment to the acquirer.

Although not illustrated, a process for settling the banking and financial transactions is also described herein. Settlement involves the actual exchange of funds. The issuer sends a record of money or token being transferred from its account to that of the acquirer.

From this account, the acquirer pays the merchant for his goods and/or services purchased by the subscriber. The acquirer also distributes the merchant discount given by the merchant to the participants of the payment system.

Referring to Figure 10, there is shown a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of the integrated circuit device of Figure 1. The integrated circuit device may exist in the form of the aforementioned SIM card that can be inserted into any electronic device or, particularly, any mobile communication device.

The SIM card may include a SIM (subscriber identity module or subscriber identification module) that identifies the mobile communication device into which it may be inserted. The SIM card may also include its own CPU (central processing unit) 1002, a RAM (random access memory) 1004, a ROM (read-only memory) 1006, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) 1008, and an input/output interface 1010.

Like the usual design of SIM cards known in the relevant art, the SIM card of the present utility model may also include a power conditioning element 1012, a security logic 1014, and a Vpp (peak-to-peak voltage) generator 1016. These exemplary components of the SIM card may interact or communicate with one another through a bus and power distribution system 1018.

The SIM card may also include its own cellular transceiver 1020, Bluetooth™ transceiver 1022, Wi-Fi transceiver 1024, and NFC transceiver 1026 with antenna 1026a. In this respect, the SIM card may also facilitate NFC -based communications dependently or independently of the mobile communication device and may receive incoming electronic transactions from other mobile communication devices or computer systems.

While the present utility model has been described with respect to a limited number of implementations, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other implementations can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present utility model as disclosed herein.

Claims

An integrated circuit device suitable for use in a financial transaction processing system, the integrated circuit device comprising:

a memory region;

a plurality of application software programs allocated to the memory region and containing processing procedures executable for performing a near-field communication (NFC)-based outgoing transaction using any of an electronic passbook account, an electronic wallet account, and an electronic checkbook account of an account holder;

an electronic passbook account information area of the memory region for storing information about the electronic passbook account incident to any one or more of the processing procedures;

an electronic wallet account area of the memory region for storing information about the electronic wallet account incident to the any one or more of the processing procedures;

an electronic checkbook account area of the memory region for storing information about the electronic checkbook account incident to the any one or more of the processing procedures; and

an NFC reader area of the memory region for reading an NFC -based incoming transaction request,

the integrated circuit device being configured to communicate, via a single wire protocol connection, with an NFC controller of an NFC-enabled electronic device in which the integrated circuit device can be made operable.

The integrated circuit device according to claim 1, further comprising a processor in operative communication with the memory region, wherein the processing procedures are executable by the processor.

The integrated circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the NFC-enabled electronic device includes a host controller, and wherein the processing procedures are executable by the host controller.

The integrated circuit device according to claim 3, wherein the NFC-enabled electronic device includes a machine -readable memory system, and wherein any of the information about the passbook account, the wallet account, and the checkbook account can be stored, by the host controller, on the machine-readable memory system.

The integrated circuit device according to claim 1, having a form factor selected from a group consisting of a SIM (subscriber's identification module) card, a UICC (universal integrated circuit card), an embedded SE (secure element) card, a smart SD (secure digital) card, and a smart micro SD (secure digital) card.