Method and system for securing user identities and creating virtual users to enhance privacy on a communication network

• US 7,412,422 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dekel Shiloh
• Original Assignee: Dekel Shiloh
• Inventors: Shiloh, Dekel
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca; Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US09/814,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20010037316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,700 Days
• Field of Search: 705/64, 705/67, 705/71, 705/76, 705/74, 705/75, 705/34, 705/40
• US Class Current: 705/74
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6254 by anonymising data, e.g. decorrelating personal data from the owner's identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/383 Anonymous user system
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0421 Anonymous communication, i.e. the party's identifiers are hidden from the other party or parties, e.g. using an anonymizer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources

Abstract

A method of enabling a real entity to access a service on a communication network using a virtual entity, the method including the steps of establishing a user account including at least first data corresponding to the identity of the real entity and second data corresponding to the virtual entity and not identifying the real entity, storing the first and second data in a first database, linking between the first and second data in the first database, storing the second data at a second database, associating the second database with a communication network site, connecting the communication network site to the communication network, receiving the second data from an unidentified user on the communication network site, identifying the unidentified user as the virtual entity based on receiving the second data, and allowing the virtual entity to access the service.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating access to a service on a communication network using a virtual entity, the method comprising:

establishing for a real entity a user account including billing data of said real entity;

storing virtual identification data defining the virtual entity in a memory accessible via one or more sites of the communication network;

assigning to said virtual entity a virtual transaction account associated with said virtual identification data;

allowing said real entity access to control said virtual entity using at least one of said sites; and

facilitating authorization of a transaction of monetary value with one or more other entities on said communication network using said virtual transaction account without revealing said billing data of the real entity,

wherein said virtual identification data does not identify the real entity to said one or more other entities over said communication network.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising updating said virtual transaction account to reflect said transaction.

3. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving from said real entity information corresponding to an attribute of said virtual entity; and

updating said virtual identification data based on the information corresponding to said attribute.

4. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving funds from said real entity;

updating said user account to reflect said funds;

allocating at least a portion of said funds to said virtual transaction account; and

updating the virtual transaction account to reflect said portion of said funds.

5. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving from said real entity credible billing information and credit authorization for said virtual entity;

updating the billing data of said user account based on said credible billing information; and

updating the virtual transaction account to reflect said credit authorization.

6. A system of facilitating access to a service on a communication network using a virtual entity, the system comprising:

a first database to store data corresponding to a user account of a real entity, wherein the user account includes billing data of the real entity; and

a second database, associated with one or more sites of said communication network, to store virtual identification data defining said virtual entity and data corresponding to a virtual transaction account assigned to the virtual entity,

wherein said virtual entity is accessible via one or more sites of the communication network and is controllable by the real entity using at least one of said sites,

wherein the data corresponding to the virtual transaction account includes authorization to perform a transaction of monetary value with one or more other entities over said communication network using said virtual transaction account without revealing said billing data of the real entity,

and wherein said virtual identification data does not identify the real entity to said one or more other entities over said communication network.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said billing data comprises at least one of an amount of money prepaid by said real entity, real banking account details of said real entity, real credit data of said real entity, and data relating to funds from a credible source associated with said real entity.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the virtual transaction account in said second database is updatable via said communication network.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein said virtual identification data comprises information corresponding to an attribute of said virtual entity.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein said attribute is unique to said virtual entity.

11. A system according to claim 6, comprising a virtual transaction processor to process transactions of said virtual entity on said communication network using said virtual transaction account.

12. A system according to claim 6, wherein said billing data comprises data relating to funds received from a substantially untraceable source.

13. A system according to claim 6, wherein the virtual identification data comprises at least one of a pseudo first name, a pseudo family name, a password, a pseudo address, and a pseudo date of birth.

14. A system according to claim 6, wherein said virtual transaction account is associated with a valid virtual credit account not linked to the billing data of the real entity.