Methods and systems for providing a secure electronic mailbox

• US 20070169176A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cathy Rogerson, Christine Ray, Jon Cook
• Original Assignee: Cathy Rogerson, Christine Ray, Jon Cook
• Inventors: Ray, Christine, Cook, Jon, Rogerson, Cathy
• Granted Patent: US 10,587,557 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 applying security measure for e-commerce data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1408 : by monitoring network traffic monitoring network traffic per se H04L43/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 : User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols

Abstract

A secure electronic mailbox is provided to a customer having an electronic account. The electronic account links the secure electronic mailbox to a physical address of the customer. The customer can send and receive secure and non-secure messages via the secure electronic mailbox. The customer can also access electronic services such as electronic bill presentment and payment using the secure electronic mailbox.

Claims

1. A method for providing secure electronic services to a user on a network, the user having an electronic account linked to a physical address of the user, comprising the steps of:

establishing a secure electronic storage location for the user on the network using an electronic registration system;

permitting the user to access the secure electronic storage location over the network, if the user has an electronic account on the electronic registration system;

receiving authorization from the user to approve access to the secure electronic storage location to a service provider over the network; and

granting access to the secure electronic storage location to the service provider.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an advertisement message from a service provider and storing the advertisement message in the secure electronic storage location.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an e-mail message from a service provider and storing the e-mail message in the secure electronic storage location.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an electronic postmarked message from a service provider and storing the electronic postmarked message in the secure electronic storage location.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a secure electronic message from a service provider and storing the secure electronic message in the secure electronic storage location.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an electronic message from a service provider and storing the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the user can select at least one option to filter the advertisement message.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the e-mail message.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the electronic postmarked message.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the secure electronic message.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the electronic message for delivery to the physical address of the user.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the secure electronic location includes an in box, an out box, and a trash box for the e-mail message.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an electronic message directed to the user;

verifying that the electronic message meets a predetermined criteria; and

storing the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location, after it has been verified that the electronic message meets a predetermined criteria.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined criteria is met if the electronic message does not carry a virus.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined criteria is met if the sender of the electronic message is authenticated.

16. The method of claim 4, wherein the electronic postmarked message is a United States Postal Service electronic postmarked message.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the electronic postmarked message is a United States Postal Service electronic postmarked message.

18. A method for providing secure electronic mail to a user, comprising the steps of:

establishing a secure electronic storage location in an electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address of the user;

receiving an electronic message addressed to the user from a sender;

verifying that the electronic message does not contain a virus;

storing the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location, once it has been verified that the electronic message does not contain a virus; and

allowing the user to view the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

storing time and date information with the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the time and date information indicate when the electronic message was received.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the user is authorized if the user has an electronic certificate linked to the electronic account of the user.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the user is authorized if the user has a private key linked to the electronic account of the user.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the private key can be used to determine whether the electronic message has been tampered with.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

enabling the user to create mail, if the user is authorized.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to select a delivery option for the mail created.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to select a priority for the mail created.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to encrypt the mail created.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

allowing the user to attach a digital signature to the mail created.

29. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

enabling the user to forward the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

30. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:

enabling the user to reply to the sender of the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

31. A method for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

authenticating the payor based on the electronic account; and

transmitting payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of:

notifying a biller when the payor account is established.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an account activation request from the payor at the electronic bill payment server;

submitting the account activation request and the payor information to the biller;

receiving an account activation authorization from the biller;

setting a status of the payor account to active in response to the account activation authorization; and

notifying the payor of the account activation authorization.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the authenticating step further comprises the substep of:

authenticating a digital signature of the payor.

35. A method for establishing electronic bill payment for a biller over a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving biller registration information from a biller;

processing the biller registration to establish a biller account, wherein the biller account enables the biller to submit bills electronically to a payor with an electronic account linked to a physical address of the payor; and

transmitting a registration completion notification to the biller when the biller account has been established.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the processing includes administrative processing.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the processing includes marketing processing.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of:

sending marketing information to the biller when the biller account has been established.

39. A method for presenting an electronic bill to a user with an electronic account, comprising the steps of:

receiving a summary of the electronic bill from a biller at an electronic account server via a network, the electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

storing the summary of the electronic bill in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server;

presenting the summary of the electronic bill to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network;

receiving a request from the user to review the electronic bill; and

establishing a secure connection between the user and the biller based on the request.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a payment authorization and payment method from the user in response to the electronic bill; and

sending a payment to the biller using the payment method.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the payment method includes bank account information for a bank account of the user.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of:

notifying the biller when the summary of the electronic bill has been presented to the user.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein the electronic account server is a United States Postal Service secure electronic mailbox server.

44. A method for notifying a user with an electronic account of an electronic bill, comprising the steps of:

receiving bill information from a registered biller at an electronic bill payment server;

appending an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill; and

transmitting the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the steps of:

receiving, at the electronic bill payment server, a delivery notification from the electronic account; and

transmitting the delivery notification from the electronic bill payment server to the biller.

46. The method of claim of 44, further comprising the steps of:

generating a physical bill using the bill information; and

sending the physical bill to the physical address of the user.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the bill information includes advertising.

48. A method for providing access to an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising the steps of:

storing electronic bill information about the electronic bill in the electronic account of the user at an electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user;

receiving a request from the user for the electronic bill information in the electronic account;

authenticating the user;

retrieving the electronic bill information in the electronic account of the user from the electronic bill payment server; and

transmitting the electronic bill information to the user.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic bill information is a bill summary.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic bill information is the electronic bill.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic bill information is historical bill information.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the retrieving step further comprises the substep of:

obtaining the electronic bill information from a biller.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic bill payment server is a United States Postal Service electronic bill payment server.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic bill payment server is not a United States Postal Service electronic bill payment server.

55. A method for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising the steps of:

allowing communications between an electronic account system and a financial processor, wherein each user in the electronic account system has an electronic account, and wherein each electronic account in the electronic account system is linked to a physical address of each user;

receiving, at the financial processor, payment authorization for an electronic bill from a user with an electronic account;

transmitting the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

transmitting payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

receiving, at the financial processor, transaction confirmation from the payer bank when the payment has been transmitted;

sending the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

sending payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the electronic account system is a United States Postal Service electronic account system.

57. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of:

appending an electronic postmark to the payment authorization.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the electronic postmark is a United States Postal Service electronic postmark.

59. A method for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising the steps of:

allowing communications between an electronic bill payment server and a financial processor;

registering a biller with the electronic bill payment server, thereby permitting the biller to send bills to a user with an electronic account in the electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

receiving bill information from the biller at the electronic bill payment server;

appending an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill;

transmitting the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user;

receiving, at the financial processor, payment authorization for an electronic bill from the user with the electronic account;

transmitting the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

transmitting payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

receiving, at the financial processor, transaction confirmation from the payer bank, when the payment has been transmitted;

sending the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

sending payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

60. A method for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

authenticating the payor based on the electronic account;

transmitting payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully;

receiving an account activation request from the payor at the electronic bill payment server;

submitting the account activation request and the payor information to the biller;

receiving an account activation authorization from the biller;

setting a status of the payor account to active in response to the account activation authorization; and

notifying the payor of the account activation authorization.

61. A system for providing secure electronic services to a user on a network, the user having an electronic account linked to a physical address of the user, comprising:

an establishing component configured to establish a secure electronic storage location for the user on the network using an electronic registration system;

a permitting component configured to permit the user to access the secure electronic storage location over the network, if the user has an electronic account on the electronic registration system;

an authorization receiving component configured to receive authorization from the user to approve access to the secure electronic storage location to a service provider over the network; and

a granting component configured to grant access to the secure electronic storage location to the service provider.

62. The system of claim 61, further comprising:

an advertisement receiving component configured to receive an advertisement message from a service provider and storing the advertisement message in the secure electronic storage location.

63. The system of claim 61, further comprising:

an e-mail receiving component configured to receive an e-mail message from a service provider and storing the e-mail message in the secure electronic storage location.

64. The system of claim 61, further comprising:

an electronic postmark receiving component configured to receive an electronic postmarked message from a service provider and storing the electronic postmarked message in the secure electronic storage location.

65. The system of claim 61, further comprising:

a secure message receiving component configured to receive a secure electronic message from a service provider and storing the secure electronic message in the secure electronic storage location.

66. The system of claim 61, further comprising:

an electronic message receiving component configured to receive an electronic message from a service provider and storing the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location.

67. The system of claim 62, wherein the user can select at least one option to filter the advertisement message.

68. The system of claim 63, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the e-mail message.

69. The system of claim 64, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the electronic postmarked message.

70. The system of claim 65, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the secure electronic message.

71. The system of claim 66, wherein the user can select at least one filter option to filter the electronic message for delivery to the physical address of the user.

72. The system of claim 63, wherein the secure electronic location includes an in box, an out box, and a trash box for the e-mail message.

73. The system of claim 61, further comprising:

a criteria receiving component configured to receive an electronic message directed to the user;

a verifying component configured to verify that the electronic message meets a predetermined criteria; and

a storing component configured to store the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location, after it has been verified that the electronic message meets a predetermined criteria.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the predetermined criteria is met if the electronic message does not carry a virus.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the predetermined criteria is met if the sender of the electronic message is authenticated.

76. The system of claim 64, wherein the electronic postmarked message is a United States Postal Service electronic postmarked message.

77. The system of claim 69, wherein the electronic postmarked message is a United States Postal Service electronic postmarked message.

78. A system for providing secure electronic mail to a user, comprising:

an establishing component configured to establish a secure electronic storage location in an electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address of the user;

a receiving component configured to receive an electronic message addressed to the user from a sender;

a verifying component configured to verify that the electronic message does not contain a virus;

a message storing component configured to store the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location, once it has been verified that the electronic message does not contain a virus; and

an allowing component configured to allow the user to view the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

79. The system of claim 78, further comprising:

a time and date storing component configured to store time and date information with the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location.

80. The system of claim 79, wherein the time and date information indicate when the electronic message was received.

81. The system of claim 78, wherein the user is authorized if the user has an electronic certificate linked to the electronic account of the user.

82. The system of claim 78, wherein the user is authorized if the user has a private key linked to the electronic account of the user.

83. The system of claim 82, wherein the private key can be used to determine whether the electronic message has been tampered with.

84. The system of claim 78, further comprising:

a create mail enabling component configured to enable the user to create mail, if the user is authorized.

85. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

a delivery option allowing component configured to allow the user to select a delivery option for the mail created.

86. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

a priority allowing component configured to allow the user to select a priority for the mail created.

87. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

an encryption allowing component configured to allow the user to encrypt the mail created.

88. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

a digital signature allowing component configured to allow the user to attach a digital signature to the mail created.

89. The system of claim 78, further comprising:

a forward enabling component configured to enable the user to forward the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

90. The system of claim 78, further comprising:

a reply enabling component configured to enable the user to reply to the sender of the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

91. A system for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network, comprising:

an enrollment request receiving component configured to receive an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

an authenticating component configured to authenticate the payor based on the electronic account; and

a transmitting component configured to transmit payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully.

92. The system of claim 91, further comprising:

a notifying component configured to notify a biller when the payor account is established.

93. The system of claim 91, further comprising:

an activation request receiving component configured to receive an account activation request from the payor at the electronic bill payment server;

a submitting component configured to submit the account activation request and the payor information to the biller;

an authorization receiving component configured to receive an account activation authorization from the biller;

a setting component configured to set a status of the payor account to active in response to the account activation authorization; and

a notifying component configured to notify the payor of the account activation authorization.

94. The system of claim 91, wherein the authenticating component further comprises:

a signature authenticating component configured to authenticate a digital signature of the payor.

95. A system for establishing electronic bill payment for a biller over a network, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive biller registration information from a biller;

a processing component configured to process the biller registration to establish a biller account, wherein the biller account enables the biller to submit bills electronically to a payor with an electronic account linked to a physical address of the payor; and

a transmitting component configured to transmit a registration completion notification to the biller when the biller account has been established.

96. The system of claim 95, wherein the processing includes administrative processing.

97. The system of claim 95, wherein the processing includes marketing processing.

98. The system of claim 97, further comprising:

a sending component configured to send marketing information to the biller when the biller account has been established.

99. A system for presenting an electronic bill to a user with an electronic account, comprising:

a summary receiving component configured to receive a summary of the electronic bill from a biller at an electronic account server via a network, the electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

a storing component configured to store the summary of the electronic bill in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server;

a presenting component configured to present the summary of the electronic bill to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network;

a request receiving component configured to receive a request from the user to review the electronic bill; and

an establishing component configured to establish a secure connection between the user and the biller based on the request.

100. The system of claim 99, further comprising:

a payment receiving component configured to receive a payment authorization and payment method from the user in response to the electronic bill; and

a sending component configured to send a payment to the biller using the payment method.

101. The method of claim 100, wherein the payment method includes bank account information for a bank account of the user.

102. The method of claim 99, further comprising:

a notifying component configured to notify the biller when the summary of the electronic bill has been presented to the user.

103. The method of claim 99, wherein the electronic account server is a United States Postal Service secure electronic mailbox server.

104. A system of notifying a user with an electronic account of an electronic bill, comprising:

a receiving component configured to receive bill information from a registered biller at an electronic bill payment server;

an appending component configured to append an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill; and

a bill transmitting component configured to transmit the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user.

105. The system of claim 104, further comprising:

a notification receiving component configured to receive, at the electronic bill payment server, a delivery notification from the electronic account; and

a notification transmitting component configured to transmit the delivery notification from the electronic bill payment server to the biller.

106. The system of claim 104, further comprising:

a generating component configured to generate a physical bill using the bill information; and

a sending component configured to send the physical bill to the physical address of the user.

107. The system of claim 104, wherein the bill information includes advertising.

108. A system for providing access to an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising:

a storing component configured to store electronic bill information about the electronic bill in the electronic account of the user at an electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user;

a receiving component configured to receive a request from the user for the electronic bill information in the electronic account;

an authenticating component configured to authenticate the user;

a retrieving component configured to retrieve the electronic bill information in the electronic account of the user from the electronic bill payment server; and

a transmitting component configured to transmit the electronic bill information to the user.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein the electronic bill information is a bill summary.

110. The system of claim 108, wherein the electronic bill information is the electronic bill.

111. The system of claim 108, wherein the electronic bill information is historical bill information.

112. The system of claim 108, wherein the retrieving component further comprises:

an obtaining component configured to obtain the electronic bill information from a biller.

113. The system of claim 108, wherein the electronic bill payment server is a United States Postal Service electronic bill payment server.

114. The system of claim 108, wherein the electronic bill payment server is not a United States Postal Service electronic bill payment server.

115. A system for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising:

an allowing component configured to allow communications between an electronic account system and a financial processor, wherein each user in the electronic account system has an electronic account, and wherein each electronic account in the electronic account system is linked to a physical address of each user;

an authorization receiving component configured to receive, at the financial processor, payment authorization for an electronic bill from a user with an electronic account;

an authorization transmitting component configured to transmit the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

a payment transmitting component configured to transmit payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

a receiving component configured to receive transaction confirmation from the payer bank when the payment has been transmitted;

a confirmation sending component configured to send the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

a notification sending component configured to send payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

116. The system of claim 115, wherein the electronic account system is a United States Postal Service electronic account system.

117. The system of claim 115, further comprising:

an appending component configured to append an electronic postmark to the payment authorization.

118. The system of claim 117, wherein the electronic postmark is a United States Postal Service electronic postmark.

119. A system for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising:

an allowing component configured to allow communications between an electronic bill payment server and a financial processor;

a registering component configured to register a biller with the electronic bill payment server, thereby permitting the biller to send bills to a user with an electronic account in the electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

a bill information receiving component configured to receive bill information from the biller at the electronic bill payment server;

an appending component configured to append an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill;

a bill transmitting component configured to transmit the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user;

an authorization receiving component configured to receive, at the financial processor, payment authorization for an electronic bill from the user with the electronic account;

an authorization transmitting component configured to transmit the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

a payment transmitting component configured to transmit payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

a confirmation receiving component configured to receive, at the financial processor, transaction confirmation from the payer bank, when the payment has been transmitted;

a confirmation sending component configured to send the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

a notification sending component configured to send payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

120. A system for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network, comprising:

an enrollment request receiving component configured to receive an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

an authenticating component configured to authenticate the payor based on the electronic account;

a transmitting component configured to transmit payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully;

an activation request receiving component configured to receive an account activation request from the payor at the electronic bill payment server;

a submitting component configured to submit the account activation request and the payor information to the biller;

an authorization receiving component configured to receive an account activation authorization from the biller;

a setting component configured to set a status of the payor account to active in response to the account activation authorization; and

a notifying component configured to notify the payor of the account activation authorization.

121. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for providing secure electronic services to a user on a network, the user having an electronic account linked to a physical address of the user, the computer readable code comprising:

an establishing module configured to establish a secure electronic storage location for the user on the network using an electronic registration system;

a permitting module configured to permit the user to access the secure electronic storage location over the network, if the user has an electronic account on the electronic registration system;

a receiving module configured to receive authorization from the user to approve access to the secure electronic storage location to a service provider over the network; and

a granting module configured to grant access to the secure electronic storage location to the service provider.

122. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for providing secure electronic mail to a user, the computer readable code comprising:

an establishing module configured to establish a secure electronic storage location in an electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address of the user;

a receiving module configured to receive an electronic message addressed to the user from a sender;

a verifying module configured to verify that the electronic message does not contain a virus;

a storing module configured to store the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location, once it has been verified that the electronic message does not contain a virus; and

an allowing module configured to allow the user to view the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

123. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

an authenticating module configured to authenticate the payor based on the electronic account; and

a transmitting module configured to transmit payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully.

124. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing electronic bill payment for a biller over a network, the computer readable code comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive biller registration information from a biller;

a processing module configured to process the biller registration to establish a biller account, wherein the biller account enables the biller to submit bills electronically to a payor with an electronic account linked to a physical address of the payor; and

a transmitting module configured to transmit a registration completion notification to the biller when the biller account has been established.

125. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for presenting an electronic bill to a user with an electronic account, the computer readable code comprising:

a summary receiving module configured to receive a summary of the electronic bill from a biller at an electronic account server via a network, the electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

a storing module configured to store the summary of the electronic bill in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server;

a presenting module configured to present the summary of the electronic bill to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network;

a receiving module configured to receive a request from the user to review the electronic bill; and

an establishing module configured to establish a secure connection between the user and the biller based on the request.

126. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein of notifying a user with an electronic account of an electronic bill, the computer readable code comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive bill information from a registered biller at an electronic bill payment server;

an appending module configured to append an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill; and

a transmitting module configured to transmit the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user.

127. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for providing access to an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, the computer readable code comprising:

a storing module configured to store electronic bill information about the electronic bill in the electronic account of the user at an electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user;

a receiving module configured to receive a request from the user for the electronic bill information in the electronic account;

an authenticating module configured to authenticate the user;

a retrieving module configured to retrieve the electronic bill information in the electronic account of the user from the electronic bill payment server; and

a transmitting module configured to transmit the electronic bill information to the user.

128. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account,

the computer readable code comprising:

an allowing module configured to allow communications between an electronic account system and a financial processor, wherein each user in the electronic account system has an electronic account, and wherein each electronic account in the electronic account system is linked to a physical address of each user;

an authorization receiving module configured to receive, at the financial processor, payment authorization for an electronic bill from a user with an electronic account;

an authorization transmitting module configured to transmit the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

a payment transmitting module configured to transmit payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

a confirmation receiving module configured to receive, at the financial processor, transaction confirmation from the payer bank when the payment has been transmitted;

a confirmation sending module configured to send the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

a notification sending module configured to send payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

129. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, the computer readable code comprising:

an allowing module configured to allow communications between an electronic bill payment server and a financial processor;

a registering module configured to register a biller with the electronic bill payment server, thereby permitting the biller to send bills to a user with an electronic account in the electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

a bill information receiving module configured to receive bill information from the biller at the electronic bill payment server;

an appending module configured to append an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill;

a bill transmitting module configured to transmit the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user;

an authorization receiving module configured to receive payment authorization for an electronic bill from the user with the electronic account;

an authorization transmitting module configured to authorize the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

a payment transmitting module configured to transmit payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

a confirmation receiving module configured to receive, at the financial processor, transaction confirmation from the payer bank, when the payment has been transmitted;

a confirmation sending module configured to send the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

a notification sending module configured to send payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

130. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network,

the computer readable code comprising:

an enrollment request receiving module configured to receive an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

an authenticating the module configured to authenticate payor based on the electronic account;

a transmitting module configured to transmit payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully;

an activation request receiving module configured to receive an account activation request from the payor at the electronic bill payment server;

a submitting module configured to submit the account activation request and the payor information to the biller;

an authorization receiving module configured to receive an account activation authorization from the biller;

a setting module configured to set a status of the payor account to active in response to the account activation authorization; and

a notifying module configured to notify the payor of the account activation authorization.

131. A system for providing secure electronic services to a user on a network, the user having an electronic account linked to a physical address of the user, comprising:

means for establishing a secure electronic storage location for the user on the network using an electronic registration system;

means for permitting the user to access the secure electronic storage location over the network, if the user has an electronic account on the electronic registration system;

means for receiving authorization from the user to approve access to the secure electronic storage location to a service provider over the network; and

means for granting access to the secure electronic storage location to the service provider.

132. A system for providing secure electronic mail to a user, comprising:

means for establishing a secure electronic storage location in an electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address of the user;

means for receiving an electronic message addressed to the user from a sender;

means for verifying that the electronic message does not contain a virus;

means for storing the electronic message in the secure electronic storage location, once it has been verified that the electronic message does not contain a virus; and

means for allowing the user to view the electronic message, if the user is authorized.

133. A system for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network, comprising:

means for receiving an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

means for authenticating the payor based on the electronic account; and

means for transmitting payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully.

134. A system for establishing electronic bill payment for a biller over a network, comprising:

means for receiving biller registration information from a biller;

means for processing the biller registration to establish a biller account, wherein the biller account enables the biller to submit bills electronically to a payor with an electronic account linked to a physical address of the payor; and

means for transmitting a registration completion notification to the biller when the biller account has been established.

135. A system for presenting an electronic bill to a user with an electronic account, comprising:

means for receiving a summary of the electronic bill from a biller at an electronic account server via a network, the electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

means for storing the summary of the electronic bill in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server;

means for presenting the summary of the electronic bill to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network;

means for receiving a request from the user to review the electronic bill; and

means for establishing a secure connection between the user and the biller based on the request.

136. A system of notifying a user with an electronic account of an electronic bill, comprising:

means for receiving bill information from a registered biller at an electronic bill payment server;

means for appending an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill; and

means for transmitting the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user.

137. A system for providing access to an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising:

means for storing electronic bill information about the electronic bill in the electronic account of the user at an electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the user;

means for receiving a request from the user for the electronic bill information in the electronic account;

means for authenticating the user;

means for retrieving the electronic bill information in the electronic account of the user from the electronic bill payment server; and

means for transmitting the electronic bill information to the user.

138. A system for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising:

means for allowing communications between an electronic account system and a financial processor, wherein each user in the electronic account system has an electronic account, and wherein each electronic account in the electronic account system is linked to a physical address of each user;

means for receiving, at the financial processor, payment authorization for an electronic bill from a user with an electronic account;

means for transmitting the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

means for transmitting payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

means for receiving, at the financial processor, transaction confirmation from the payer bank when the payment has been transmitted;

means for sending the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

means for sending payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

139. A system for paying an electronic bill of a user with an electronic account, comprising:

means for allowing communications between an electronic bill payment server and a financial processor;

means for registering a biller with the electronic bill payment server, thereby permitting the biller to send bills to a user with an electronic account in the electronic bill payment server, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

means for receiving bill information from the biller at the electronic bill payment server;

means for appending an electronic postmark to the bill information to create a formatted bill;

means for transmitting the formatted bill to the electronic account of the user;

means for receiving, at the financial processor, payment authorization for an electronic bill from the user with the electronic account;

means for transmitting the payment authorization for the electronic bill from the financial processor to a payer bank of the user;

means for transmitting payment for the electronic bill from the payer bank to a biller bank;

means for receiving, at the financial processor, transaction confirmation from the payer bank, when the payment has been transmitted;

means for sending the transaction confirmation from the financial processor to the user with the electronic account; and

means for sending payment notification from the biller bank to the user with the electronic account.

140. A system for establishing electronic bill payment for a payor over a network, comprising:

means for receiving an enrollment request from a payor with an electronic account, wherein the electronic account is linked to a physical address for the payor;

means for authenticating the payor based on the electronic account;

means for transmitting payor information from the electronic account to an electronic bill payment server to establish a payor account for the user, if the user is authenticated successfully;

means for receiving an account activation request from the payor at the electronic bill payment server;

means for submitting the account activation request and the payor information to the biller;

means for receiving an account activation authorization from the biller;

means for setting a status of the payor account to active in response to the account activation authorization; and

means for notifying the payor of the account activation authorization.

141. A method for presenting electronic bill information to a user with an electronic account, comprising the steps of:

from each of a plurality of billers, receiving an electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

consolidating the electronic bills from the plurality of billers into a bill statement for the user;

storing the electronic bills in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server; and

presenting the bill statement to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network.

142. The method of claim 141, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a payment authorization from the user in response to the bill statement; and

sending a payment to the biller corresponding to each bill consolidated into the bill statement.

143. The method of claim 141, wherein the bill statement is presented to the user on a single user interface.

144. A system for presenting electronic bill information to a user with an electronic account, comprising:

a bill receiving component configured to receive, from each of a plurality of billers, an electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

a consolidating component configured to consolidate the electronic bills from the plurality of billers into a bill statement for the user;

a storing component configured to store the electronic bills in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server; and

a presenting component configured to present the bill statement to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network.

145. The method of claim 144, further comprising:

an authorization receiving component configured to receive a payment authorization from the user in response to the bill statement; and

a sending component configured to send a payment to the biller corresponding to each bill consolidated into the bill statement.

146. The method of claim 144, wherein the bill statement is presented to the user on a single user interface.

147. A system for presenting electronic bill information to a user with an electronic account, comprising:

from each of a plurality of billers, means for receiving an electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

means for consolidating the electronic bills from the plurality of billers into a bill statement for the user;

means for storing the electronic bills in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server; and

means for presenting the bill statement to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network.

148. A computer readable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for presenting electronic bill information to a user with an electronic account, the computer readable code comprising:

a bill receiving module configured to receive, from each of a plurality of billers, an electronic bill directed to the user, wherein the electronic account of the user is linked to a physical address of the user;

a consolidating module configured to consolidate the electronic bills from the plurality of billers into a bill statement for the user;

a storing module configured to store the electronic bills in a secure electronic storage location corresponding to the user at the electronic account server; and

a presenting module configured to present the bill statement to the user via the electronic account on the electronic account server via the network.