Secure user certification for electronic commerce employing value metering system
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- register means for storing funds;
first cryptographic key means for processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment;
second cryptographic key means for processing a cryptographic certificate;
means, operatively connected to said register means and to said means for processing a digital tokens and to said means for processing a certificate, for debiting funds stored in said register means when said digital token is processed and when said cryptographic certificate is processed;
communications means coupled to said means for processing a digital token and said means for processing a cryptographic certificate for providing a communications path for communicating cryptographic key information for storage in said first cryptographic key means and in said second cryptographic key means; and
an input means coupled to said communications means for inputting data into said system.
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Abstract
A system and method include means for processing a cryptographic certificate adapted to provide security functionality. A register means is provided and means for adjusting the register means to account for services when the cryptographic certificate is processed. In accordance with anther aspect, a system and method include a register means for storing funds. Means are provided for processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment and means are also provided for processing a cryptographic certificate adapted to provide security functionality. Means debit funds stored in the register means when the digital token is processed and when the cryptographic certificate is processed. Processing the cryptographic certificate may involve many functions such as providing security services and/or certificate management functions (including generating and verifying cryptographic certificates) and/or key management functions and/or access to any needed private keys to perform security services. Processing the digital token may include generating the digital token or issuing the digital token.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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register means for storing funds; first cryptographic key means for processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment; second cryptographic key means for processing a cryptographic certificate; means, operatively connected to said register means and to said means for processing a digital tokens and to said means for processing a certificate, for debiting funds stored in said register means when said digital token is processed and when said cryptographic certificate is processed; communications means coupled to said means for processing a digital token and said means for processing a cryptographic certificate for providing a communications path for communicating cryptographic key information for storage in said first cryptographic key means and in said second cryptographic key means; and an input means coupled to said communications means for inputting data into said system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for generating crytographic certificates, comprising the steps of:
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providing a register having funds stored therein; generating a first cryptographic key pair; sending a first private key of the first cryptographic key pair to a receiver; assembling a certificate data; determining if sufficient funds are present in the register for signing the certificate data; deducting funds from the register for signing the certificate data; and signing the certificate data with a second private key of a second cryptographic key pair to form a certificate.
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Specification