Centralized identity authentication for electronic communication networks
First Claim
1. A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network comprising:
- (a) registering users of the communications network with a centralized agent, each registered user being associated with authentication data from which that user can be authenticated;
(b) registering with the centralized agent a plurality of different types of entities having a presence on the communications network, said plurality of different types of entities selectively engaging in a plurality of different types of transactions with registered users, said different types of entities and said different types of transactions including at least one of;
(i) a first type of entity selectively engaging in a first type of transaction, wherein the first type of entity is a merchant and the first type of transaction includes selling at least one of goods and services to a registered user; and
,(ii) a second type of entity selectively engaging in a second type of transaction, wherein the second type of entity is one that maintains personal records for registered users and the second type of transaction includes granting a registered user access to their personal records; and
,(c) authenticating each user'"'"'s identity over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered entities and registered users, wherein the registered users employ the same authentication data for both the first and second types of transactions.
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Abstract
A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network includes registering users of the communications network such that each registered user'"'"'s identity is uniquely defined and determinable, and registering a plurality of vendors having a presence on the communications network. The registered vendors selectively transact with registered users, wherein the transactions include: (i) the registered vendor selling goods and/or services to the registered user; (ii) the registered vendor granting the registered user access to personal records maintained by the registered vendor; and/or (iii) the registered vendor communicating to the registered user personal information maintained by the registered vendor. The method also includes each user'"'"'s identity being authenticated over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered vendors and registered users.
165 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network comprising:
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(a) registering users of the communications network with a centralized agent, each registered user being associated with authentication data from which that user can be authenticated; (b) registering with the centralized agent a plurality of different types of entities having a presence on the communications network, said plurality of different types of entities selectively engaging in a plurality of different types of transactions with registered users, said different types of entities and said different types of transactions including at least one of; (i) a first type of entity selectively engaging in a first type of transaction, wherein the first type of entity is a merchant and the first type of transaction includes selling at least one of goods and services to a registered user; and
,(ii) a second type of entity selectively engaging in a second type of transaction, wherein the second type of entity is one that maintains personal records for registered users and the second type of transaction includes granting a registered user access to their personal records; and
,(c) authenticating each user'"'"'s identity over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered entities and registered users, wherein the registered users employ the same authentication data for both the first and second types of transactions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A centralized identity authentication system comprising:
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a computer connected to a communications network; means for registering user of the communications network, each registered user being associated with authentication data from which that user can be authenticated; means for registering a plurality of different types of entities having a presence on the communications network, said different types of entities including at least; a first type of entity selectively engaging in a first type of transaction, wherein the first type of entity is a merchant and the first type of transaction includes selling at least one of goods and services to a registered user; and
,a second type of entity selectively engaging in a second type of transaction, wherein the second type of entity is one that maintains personal records for registered users and the second type of transaction includes granting a registered user access to their personal records; a central database accessible by the computer, said central database containing accounts created by the registering means for each registered user and each registered vendor, said accounts including records of data collected by the registering means; and
,means for authenticating registered users'"'"' identities, said authentication means collecting authentication data from users over the communication network and comparing it to corresponding data from account records in the central database such that when there is a match the user providing the authentication data is deemed to be the registered user which holds the account, wherein the registered users employ the same authentication data for both the first and second types of transactions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification