A method and system for tokenless authorization of commercial transactions
between a buyer and a seller using a computer system. A transaction is
proposed by a seller, and the buyer signals his acceptance by entering his
personal authentication information comprising a PIN and at least one
biometric sample, forming a commercial transaction message. The commercial
transaction message is forwarded to the computer system, where the
computer system compares the personal authentication information in the
commercial transaction message with previously registered buyer biometric
samples. If the computer system successfully identifies the buyer, a
financial account of the buyer is debited and a financial account of the
seller is credited, and the results of the transaction are presented to
both buyer and seller. As a result of the invention, a buyer can conduct
commercial transactions without having to use any tokens such as portable
man-made memory devices such as smartcards or swipe cards. The invention
allows buyers to quickly select one of a group of different financial
accounts from which to transfer funds. The invention further indicates to
the user that the authentic computer system was accessed by the use of a
private code that is returned to the buyer after the identification is
complete. The invention additionally permits an authorized buyer to alert
authorities in the event of an emergency, such as when a transaction is
coerced.