Method and system for private shipping to anonymous users of a computer network
First Claim
1. A method for providing private shipping of items to users purchasing goods on a computer-based communications network comprising the steps of:
- providing a proxy identity to a user;
receiving a shipping address for the user;
partially encrypting the user'"'"'s shipping address;
transmitting the proxy identity and encrypted shipping address to a merchant; and
providing decryption information to a shipper whereby upon receipt of the encrypted shipping address from the merchant, the shipper can use the decryption information to decrypt the address and generate a package label bearing the true shipping address of the user so that the merchant is prevented from electronically capturing the true identity of the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for private shipping to anonymous users purchasing goods on a computer or communications network linking users with merchant web-sites for electronic commerce. A user is issued a proxy identity and the user'"'"'s mailing address is received and encrypted. The proxy identity and encrypted mailing address are transmitted to a merchant, and decryption information is provided to a shipper. Upon receipt of the encrypted shipping address from the merchant, the shipper can use the decryption information to decrypt the address and generate a package label bearing the true shipping address of the user so that the merchant is prevented from electronically capturing the true identity of the user. The present invention provides for anonymity of a user when browsing and shopping, and integrates easily and simply with existing online infrastructures of banks or credit card issuers, and delivery companies.
142 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for providing private shipping of items to users purchasing goods on a computer-based communications network comprising the steps of:
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providing a proxy identity to a user;
receiving a shipping address for the user;
partially encrypting the user'"'"'s shipping address;
transmitting the proxy identity and encrypted shipping address to a merchant; and
providing decryption information to a shipper whereby upon receipt of the encrypted shipping address from the merchant, the shipper can use the decryption information to decrypt the address and generate a package label bearing the true shipping address of the user so that the merchant is prevented from electronically capturing the true identity of the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for providing private shipping of items to users purchasing goods on a computer-based communications network comprising the steps of:
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providing a proxy identity to a user;
receiving a shipping address for the user;
partially encrypting the user'"'"'s shipping address;
appending a post office box number to the user'"'"'s encrypted shipping address;
transmitting the proxy identity and encrypted shipping address to a merchant;
whereby upon receipt of the encrypted shipping address from the merchant, the shipper can generate a package label bearing the partially encrypted mailing address of the user with the post office box number so that the merchant is prevented from electronically capturing the true identity of the user.
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20. A system for providing private shipping of items to users purchasing goods on a computer-based communications network comprising:
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a secure server computer including a processor configured to generate a proxy identity for a user, receive a shipping address for the user, and partially encrypt the user'"'"'s shipping address;
a database configured to store user identity information and transaction data; and
a communications link for transmitting the proxy identity and partially encrypted shipping address to a merchant;
so that the merchant is prevented from electronically capturing the true identity of the user. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for providing private shipping of items to users purchasing goods on a computer-based communications network comprising the steps of:
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providing a proxy identity to a user;
receiving a shipping address for the user;
partially encrypting the shipping address so that the numerical information required for authorization under the Address Verification System is preserved;
transmitting the proxy identity and encrypted shipping address to a merchant;
and providing decryption information to a shipper whereby upon receipt of the user'"'"'s proxy identity and Address Verification String from the merchant, a credit card issuer can authorize the purchase, and upon receipt of the encrypted shipping address from the merchant, the shipper can use the decryption information to decrypt the address and generate a package label bearing the true shipping address of the user so that the merchant is prevented from electronically capturing the true identity of the user. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification