METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR A COMMUNICATIONS CLIENT PROGRAM AND AN ASSOCIATED TRANSFER SERVER FOR ONYMOUS AND SECURE COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20130312065A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ranganath C. Abeyweera
• Original Assignee: Ranganath C. Abeyweera
• Inventors: Abeyweera, Ranganath C.
• Granted Patent: US 9,461,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0464 using hop-by-hop encryption, i.e. wherein an intermediate entity decrypts the information and re-encrypts it before forwarding it
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215

Abstract

The present invention provides a communications client program and an associated transfer server for onymous and secure communications over the interne. The communications client program is used for electronically sending and receiving mail items and for conducting realtime audio and video communications in a secure manner. A mail item is any item of correspondence that bears an addressee'"'"'s street address (i.e. number, street, suburb, state and post code) or an advertising item that does not necessarily bear an addressee, but includes nominations for preferred destinations.

Claims

1. A method of registering a user for secure communications, the method comprising the steps of:

a server receiving application data from a user device, the application data including a name of the user and a corresponding postal address of the user, and a user device identification key generated by the user device based on an identifier of the user device;

the server outputting an activation key based on the user device identification key, for posting to the user in a postal mail item bearing the name of the user and the corresponding postal address of the user received by the server;

the user device receiving an input comprising the activation key;

the user device transmitting the activation key to the server; and

the server registering the user for secure communications, by storing in a database the name of the user and the corresponding postal address of the user in response to receipt of the activation key.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the server transmitting a signed digital certificate to the user device.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

the server receiving a request from the user device, the request including user information for validating the identity of the user;

the server validating the identity of the user using the user information; and

the server storing a result of the server validating the identity of the user in the database.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

the user presenting identity documentation to an attendee at an outlet;

the attendee verifying the authenticity of the identity documentation; and

the server storing a result of the server validating the identity of the user in the database.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

the user presenting identity documentation to a third party identification verification service;

the third party identification service verifying the identity of the user using the identity documentation; and

the server storing a result of the server validating the identity of the user in the database.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein transmission of the activation key from the user device to the server represents a first level of authentication, transmission of the user information from the user device to the server represents a second level of authentication, presenting of identity documentation by the user to the attendee represents a third level of authentication, and presenting of identity documentation by the user to the third party identification service represents a fourth level of authentication.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the postal address of the user is a street address of the user.

32. Computer program code which when executed implements the method of claim 1.

33. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising the computer program code of claim 32.

8. A method of transmitting content of a postal mail item from a first user to a second user, the method comprising the steps of:

a first user device establishing a secure channel of communication with a server in communication with a database storing a plurality of names and postal addresses, each name and postal address associated with an activation key and a postal mail folder, the secure channel of communication established by;

(i) the first user device generating a first user device identification key based on an identifier of the first user device;

(ii) the first user device transmitting to the server an activation key based on the first user device identification key, the activation key corresponding to the activation key associated with one of the names and postal addresses stored in the database; and

(iii) the server receiving the activation key transmitted from the first user device;

the first user device generating an electronic copy of content of a postal mail item bearing the name and postal address of the second user;

the first user device transmitting the electronic copy to the server via the secure channel of communication;

the server locating from the plurality of names and postal addresses stored in the database a name and postal address corresponding to the name and postal address of the second user transmitted from the first user device; and

the server storing the electronic copy in the postal mail folder associated with the located name and postal address, for collection by the second user.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

the first user device encrypting the electronic copy using a private key before transmitting the electronic copy encrypted by the first user device to the server; and

in response to the server receiving the electronic copy transmitted from the first user device,

the server decrypting the electronic copy transmitted from the first user device using a public key corresponding to the private key; and

the server encrypting the electronic copy decrypted by the server using a public key associated with the located second user account before storing the electronic copy encrypted by the server in the second postal mail folder.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a second user device establishing a secure channel of communication with the server; and

the server transmitting the electronic copy stored in the database to the second user device.

11. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the postal address of the user is a street address of the user.

12-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A method of enabling audio or video communication between a first user and a second user, the method comprising the steps of:

a first user device establishing a secure channel of communication with a server in communication with a database storing a plurality of names and postal addresses, each name and postal address associated with an activation key and an Internet Protocol (IP) address, the secure channel of communication established by;

(i) the first user device generating a first user device identification key based on an identifier of the first user device;

(ii) the first user device transmitting to the server an activation key based on the first user device identification key, the activation key corresponding to the activation key associated with one of the names and postal addresses stored in the database; and

(iii) the server receiving the activation key from the first user device;

the first user device transmitting to the server a request for a communication channel with the second user, the request comprising the name and address of the second user;

the server locating from the plurality of names and postal addresses stored in the database a name and postal address corresponding to the name and postal address of the second user transmitted from the first user device; and

the server enabling audio or video communication between the first user and the second user, by transmitting to the first user device the IP address associated with the located name and postal address.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the server determining that the second user is available for communications.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the postal address of the user is a street address of the user.

18. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein a public key is associated with each name and postal address stored in the database, and the public key associated with the located name and postal address is transmitted along with the IP address associated with the located name and postal address to the first user device.

19-31. -31. (canceled)