ad info

 
CNN.com  technology > computing
    Editions | myCNN | Video | Audio | Headline News Brief | Feedback  

 

  Search
 
 

 
TECHNOLOGY
TOP STORIES

Consumer group: Online privacy protections fall short

Guide to a wired Super Bowl

Debate opens on making e-commerce law consistent

(MORE)

TOP STORIES

More than 11,000 killed in India quake

Mideast negotiators want to continue talks after Israeli elections

(MORE)

MARKETS
4:30pm ET, 4/16
144.70
8257.60
3.71
1394.72
10.90
879.91
 


WORLD

U.S.

POLITICS

LAW

ENTERTAINMENT

HEALTH

TRAVEL

FOOD

ARTS & STYLE



(MORE HEADLINES)
*
 
CNN Websites
Networks image


Infrared payment could replace credit and debit cards

IDG.net

(IDG) -- Carrying a wallet full of credit and debit cards may soon be unnecessary for those who prefer to carry a handheld computer. The Infrared Data Association (IrDA) Tuesday announced that it has used an infrared messaging system to complete a check authorization transaction successfully.

The project by IrDA's Special Interest Group for Financial Messaging (IrFM), which IrDA said will establish an Infrared Financial Messaging protocol, will use existing equipment and connections to send infrared payment messages, use existing network infrastructure to clear and settle transactions, and allow for the use of credit cards or deposit accounts to make payments.

MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE
IDG.net   IDG.net home page
  Make your PC work better with these tips
  ITWorld.com
  E-BusinessWorld
  TechInformer: The Thinking Internaut's Guide to the Tech Industry
  Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net
  How-to and advice from IDG.net
  Search IDG.net in 12 languages
  News Radio
  * Fusion audio primers
  * Computerworld Minute

IrDA sees digital transactions as being simpler for both the customer and the merchant. Instead of writing out a paper check or using a plastic card, the customer beams the instructions from his or her personal information appliance, which will hasten the transaction process, IrDA said.

Demonstrated by CrossCheck, a check authorization company, and Personal Solutions, the co-leaders of IrFM, the transaction occurred in mid-July at the quarterly IrDA meeting.

The companies used an unspecified infrared-equipped Palm device and a Toshiba Libretto, which beamed requests for check authorizations to a point-of-sale terminal, in this case a VeriFone Tranz 330 that was retrofitted with an infrared device from ACTiSYS and a custom cable from CrossCheck.

The terminal's request was then sent to CrossCheck's main processing center through a dialup server. After verification, a check authorization message was sent back to the terminal in less than 4 seconds, according to IrDA.




RELATED STORIES:
Analysis: Can Compaq's iPaq thrive?
August 21, 2000
Demand on mobile phone displays hampers PDA availability
August 21, 2000
Pentagon scrutinizes handheld security
August 1, 2000
SmartPad for the Palm is short on smarts
July 31, 2000
Lose that bulky photo wallet with Palm IIIc album
July 18, 2000

RELATED IDG.net STORIES:
Beaming from your Palm
(PCWorld.com)
Wireless banking to become available this summer
(Computerworld)
Study: Wireless Web market to grow
(IDG.net)
Will cell phones squash Palm?
(PCWorld.com)
Color browser launched for Palm
(InfoWorld.com)

RELATED SITES:
Infrared Data Association
CrossCheck

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.

 Search   

Back to the top   © 2001 Cable News Network. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines.