IEEE imagine the wallets of our future

Imagine boarding the city bus and pressing send on your mobile device.  Your bus pass was approved; instantly you take your seat.  Imagine walking up to the sales counter and purchasing your new television and surround sound system by pressing send on your cell phone.  Your Interac or credit card transaction was approved; instantly you’re enjoying your new home theatre.  Imagine standing in line at the dance club downtown.  Using only your cell phone you send your identification to the door employee; instantly you are inside. This ambitious concept, dubbed SecureCell, was presented by Western Engineering’s IEEE team at this year’s Microsoft Imagine Cup. 

SecureCell, a software application that would reside on a user’s Bluetooth enabled Smart Phone or Pocket PC, digitally stores credit cards, identification, coupon cards, and essentially any other component of one’s wallet.   

“The team's Digital Secure Wallet project represents a truly innovative approach to the growing challenge of maintaining personal privacy and security by helping consumers ensure their personal and valuable information remains safe,” says Daniel Shapiro, Academic Program Manager for Microsoft Canada.  “Projects like the Digital Secure Wallet clearly demonstrate the enthusiasm students across Canada have for delivering real-world benefits through software innovation.” 

Having several layers of security encryption, as well as fingerprint authentication for purchases, IEEE believes this application would greatly reduce the increasing amount of fraud among its users.  The application would also be easy to use due the API (Application Program Interface) format which requires minimal changes to merchant systems and would allow quick and easy installation. 

For more information on the Microsoft Imagine Cup visit: http://imagine.thespoke.net/about/