In a networked environment, providing characterized on-line identities and matching credentials to individuals based on their profession, education, interests or experiences for use by independent third parties to provide tailored products and services
First Claim
1. A method for facilitating on-line transactions, comprising:
- obtaining, from a user, at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user;
ensuring that said on-line pseudo-identity is unique within a special interest group in which said user is a member;
generating an electronic credential for said user, wherein said electronic credential includes said at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user, and wherein said electronic credential further includes an identifier of said special interest group in which said user is a member;
electronically signing said electronic credential such that said electronic credential includes a digital signature;
making said electronic credential available to said user; and
making available to at least one on-line merchant at least one encryption key associated with said digital signature in said electronic credential.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system creates and distributes electronic credentials to members of Special Interest Groups (SIGs). The credentials may be relied upon by independent on-line third party merchants having no prior relationship to the individuals issued the credentials, to identify and characterize those individuals based on membership in the SIG that issued those credentials. Merchants with which the SIG members repeatedly interact can use the credentials to identify and characterize the participating SIG members based on prior interactions as well as group membership. Using cryptography, the merchant party can identify and authenticate the individual presenting the credential as the original owner of the credential, and affirm that the presenting individual is affiliated with the SIG. Based on the individual'"'"'s authenticated affiliation with the SIG, the merchant can accurately and reliably infer characteristics of the individual and tailor products and services accordingly.
26 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for facilitating on-line transactions, comprising:
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obtaining, from a user, at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user;
ensuring that said on-line pseudo-identity is unique within a special interest group in which said user is a member;
generating an electronic credential for said user, wherein said electronic credential includes said at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user, and wherein said electronic credential further includes an identifier of said special interest group in which said user is a member;
electronically signing said electronic credential such that said electronic credential includes a digital signature;
making said electronic credential available to said user; and
making available to at least one on-line merchant at least one encryption key associated with said digital signature in said electronic credential. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for facilitating on-line transactions, comprising:
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at least one processor;
program and data storage for storing computer programs for execution on said at least one processor, and for storing related data;
computer program code stored in said program and data storage, said computer program code operable to obtain, from a user, at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user;
ensure that said on-line pseudo-identity is unique within a special interest group in which said user is a member;
generate an electronic credential for said user, wherein said electronic credential includes said at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user, and wherein said electronic credential further includes an identifier of said special interest group in which said user is a member;
electronically sign said electronic credential such that said electronic credential includes a digital signature;
make said electronic credential available to said user; and
make available to at least one on-line merchant at least one encryption key associated with said digital signature in said electronic credential.
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21. A system for facilitating on-line transactions, comprising:
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means for obtaining, from a user, at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user;
means for ensuring that said on-line pseudo-identity is unique within a special interest group in which said user is a member;
means for generating an electronic credential for said user, wherein said electronic credential includes said at least one on-line pseudo-identity to be associated with said user, and wherein said electronic credential further includes an identifier of said special interest group in which said user is a member;
means for electronically signing said electronic credential such that said electronic credential includes a digital signature;
means for making said electronic credential available to said user; and
means for making available to at least one on-line merchant at least one encryption key associated with said digital signature in said electronic credential.
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Specification