On-line anonymous age verification for controlling access to selected websites
First Claim
1. A method of creating a universal age/gender identification (UAID) for controlling access by individual users to subscribed websites, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving, at a UAID service provider, legally-recognized documentation of birthdate/gender of an individual requesting registration;
b) creating a string of selected information from the received documentation;
c) supplementing the created string with a pad string of information known only to the UAID service provider to form a standard string;
d) generating a hash of the standard string created in step c);
e) defining a predetermined subset of digits from the generated hash as the individual'"'"'s UAID;
f) creating an initial password for use in association with the individual'"'"'s UAID;
g) storing the (UAID, password) pair in a database of registered users; and
h) delivering the UAID, password and legally-recognized documentation to the registered subscriber for subsequent use in accessing subscribed-to websites.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A universal age verification service is provided where individuals initially register with the service by submitting their birth certificate or other “legally authentic” documentation of age and gender (such as required to obtain a passport) to obtain a “universal ID” comprising a string of alphanumeric digits selected from a hash function that is performed on a string of information including individual'"'"'s name, gender, birth date and birth location. The string is preferably supplemented by a secret, proprietary pad string known only to the service provider. A selected number of digits from the hash (preferably, at least 9 digits, and possibly, more) is then defined as the individual'"'"'s “universal age/gender verification ID”. The original documentation papers and generated UAID are then conveyed by mail, in person, or otherwise, to the individual, along with a password. Once registered, the individual'"'"'s UAID is used to control entry to various websites that have registered with the universal age/gender verification service.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of creating a universal age/gender identification (UAID) for controlling access by individual users to subscribed websites, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving, at a UAID service provider, legally-recognized documentation of birthdate/gender of an individual requesting registration; b) creating a string of selected information from the received documentation; c) supplementing the created string with a pad string of information known only to the UAID service provider to form a standard string; d) generating a hash of the standard string created in step c); e) defining a predetermined subset of digits from the generated hash as the individual'"'"'s UAID; f) creating an initial password for use in association with the individual'"'"'s UAID; g) storing the (UAID, password) pair in a database of registered users; and h) delivering the UAID, password and legally-recognized documentation to the registered subscriber for subsequent use in accessing subscribed-to websites. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of providing anonymous, third party access control to age/gender restricted websites based upon universal age/gender identifications (UAIDs) associated with registered individuals, each registered individual having a unique UAID, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving an access request from a subscribed website for an individual attempting to accessing the subscribed website, the access request including an individual'"'"'s UAID and information identifying the subscribed website; b) authenticating the received UAID and, if invalid, transmitting an “
access denied”
message to the requesting website, otherwise;c) determining age/gender information associated with the authenticated UAID; d) comparing determined age/gender information to age/gender parameters associated with requesting website; and e) transmitting either an “
access permitted”
or “
access denied”
message to requesting website based on the comparison of step d). - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. An arrangement for providing anonymous, third party access control to registered websites, the arrangement comprising:
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a first database of registered individuals, each record associated with a separate individual and including;
(1) a unique universal age/gender identification (UAID) associated with the individual, (2) a password, and (3) verified birthdate/gender information;a second database of registered website, each record associated with a separate website and including;
(1) information defining the website, (2) permissible age range information; and
(3) gender-based restriction information, if appropriate;a processor for;
generating a hash of stored password information for validating individuals requesting access, determining “
current age”
/gender information based upon the birthdate/gender information stored in the first database;
comparing the determined age/gender information to information stored in the appropriate record in the second database; and
transmitting access control information to the requesting website based upon compared information.
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Specification