Methods and apparatus for providing user anonymity in online transactions
First Claim
1. A method of providing user anonymity in conjunction with transactions conducted over a network, the method comprising the steps of:
- establishing an association in an intermediary machine between real identity information for a particular user and corresponding alias identity information for the user;
supplying at least a portion of the alias identity information from the intermediary machine to a machine associated with a web site operator in conjunction with an action by the user; and
providing intermediary payment authorization information to the web site operator machine in conjunction with an online transaction involving the user, such that the user is able to enter into the transaction without the real identity information being disclosed to the web site operator;
wherein the intermediary machine comprises a processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a plurality of intermediary payment card numbers of differing expirations, the intermediary payment card numbers being payment card numbers of the intermediary machine and not of the particular user, and the processor being configured to select a particular one of the plurality of intermediary payment card numbers for use as the intermediary payment authorization information based at least in part on the expiration relative to the time of the online transaction;
the intermediary machine thereby implementing a rotation of intermediary payment card numbers, based on said expirations, that reduces exposure of the intermediary machine to fraudulent use of payment card numbers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
End-to-end user anonymity is provided in electronic commerce or other types of online transactions through the use of an intermediary. An intermediary machine, which may be implemented in the form of a set of servers or other type of computer system, receives communications from a consumer or other user, and generates and maintains an alias for that user. Connections between the user machine and any online vendor or other web site are implemented through the intermediary using the alias. When the user desires to make a purchase from a given online vendor, the intermediary may present the user with a number of options. For example, the user may be permitted to select a particular payment card number and real destination address as previously provided to the intermediary. The intermediary then communicates with the online vendor and supplies intermediary payment information, e.g., a payment card number associated with the intermediary rather than the user, along with appropriate authorizing information and an alias destination address, e.g., a third party physical shipping address for deliverable goods, an alias electronic address for downloadable material, etc. The online vendor charges the purchase to the intermediary, and redirects the delivery of the goods or services to the destination address provided by the intermediary. The intermediary charges the payment card number of the user, and arranges for the redirection of the delivery to the real user address. In this manner, the invention provides complete end-to-end anonymity for the user, even when the user desires to enter transactions involving purchase and receipt of deliverable goods and services.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing user anonymity in conjunction with transactions conducted over a network, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing an association in an intermediary machine between real identity information for a particular user and corresponding alias identity information for the user; supplying at least a portion of the alias identity information from the intermediary machine to a machine associated with a web site operator in conjunction with an action by the user; and providing intermediary payment authorization information to the web site operator machine in conjunction with an online transaction involving the user, such that the user is able to enter into the transaction without the real identity information being disclosed to the web site operator; wherein the intermediary machine comprises a processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a plurality of intermediary payment card numbers of differing expirations, the intermediary payment card numbers being payment card numbers of the intermediary machine and not of the particular user, and the processor being configured to select a particular one of the plurality of intermediary payment card numbers for use as the intermediary payment authorization information based at least in part on the expiration relative to the time of the online transaction; the intermediary machine thereby implementing a rotation of intermediary payment card numbers, based on said expirations, that reduces exposure of the intermediary machine to fraudulent use of payment card numbers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for use in providing user anonymity in conjunction with transactions conducted over a network, the apparatus comprising:
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an intermediary machine coupled to the network and arranged such that communications between a user machine and a web site operator machine pass through the intermediary machine, the intermediary machine being operative to establish an association between real identity information and corresponding alias identity information for a particular user;
to supply at least a portion of the alias identity information from the intermediary machine to the web site operator machine in conjunction with an action by the user; and
to provide intermediary payment authorization information to the web site operator machine in conjunction with an online transaction involving the user, such that the user is able to enter into the transaction without the real identity information being disclosed to the web site operator;wherein the intermediary machine comprises a processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a plurality of intermediary payment card numbers of differing expirations, the intermediary payment card numbers being payment card numbers of the intermediary machine and not the particular user, and the processor being configured to select a particular one of the plurality of intermediary payment card numbers for use as the intermediary payment authorization information based at least in part on the expiration relative to the time of the online transaction; the intermediary machine thereby implementing a rotation of intermediary payment card numbers, based on said expirations, that reduces exposure of the intermediary machine to fraudulent use of payment card numbers.
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21. An article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium storing one or more programs for use in providing user anonymity in conjunction with transactions conducted over a network, wherein the one or more programs when executed by a processor implement the steps of:
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establishing an association in an intermediary machine between real identity information for a particular user and corresponding alias identity information for the user; supplying at least a portion of the alias identity information from the intermediary machine to a machine associated with a web site operator in conjunction with an action by the user; and providing intermediary payment authorization information to the web site operator machine in conjunction with an online transaction involving the user, such that the user is able to enter into the transaction without the real identity information being disclosed to the web site operator; wherein the intermediary machine comprises a processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store a plurality of intermediary payment card numbers of differing expirations, the intermediary payment card numbers being payment card numbers of the intermediary machine and not of the particular user, and the processor being configured to select a particular one of the plurality of intermediary payment card numbers for use as the intermediary payment authorization information based at least in part on the expiration relative to the time of the online transaction; the intermediary machine thereby implementing a rotation of intermediary payment card numbers, based on said expirations, that reduces exposure of the intermediary machine to fraudulent use of payment card numbers.
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Specification