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

• US 8,112,405 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• 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): Corrielus, Jean M
• Application Number:
  US12/178,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20090024636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 705/43, 705/40, 705/74, 705/75, 707/999.01, 707/705, 726/28
• US Class Current: 707/705
• 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 virtual entity comprising:

a memory having stored therein virtual identification data defining the virtual entity,

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

wherein said virtual entity is assigned a virtual transaction account associated with said virtual identification data,

wherein said virtual transaction account has authorization to perform a transaction of monetary value with one or more other entities over said communication network,

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

2. The virtual entity of claim 1, wherein said virtual identification data includes at least a name uniquely identifying said virtual entity, a password, and a history of activities of said virtual entity on a communication network site.

3. The virtual entity of claim 1, wherein said virtual identification data includes virtual-entity data for interaction of the virtual entity, as a real entity, with at least one service, without revealing to said service the identity of said real entity, the at least one service including one or more of an electronic-mail (e-mail) service, a shopping service, a chat service, an Internet surfing service, a multi-user service, a gaming service, a dating service, and a search service.

4. The virtual entity of claim 3, wherein the virtual-entity data includes at least one of an e-mail account username, an e-mail account password, credit card information, an address, a billing address, a shipping address, a social security number, and an identification number.

5. The virtual entity of claim 1, wherein said virtual identification data includes one or more predefined virtual entity attributes defining a unique virtual entity personality, and wherein the virtual entity attributes include at least one of an image, a voice pattern, a physical characteristic of the virtual entity, profession information relating to a profession of the virtual entity, a date of birth of the virtual entity, and one or more preferences of the virtual entity in one or more fields of interest.

6. A system to control interaction of at least one virtual entity on behalf of at least one real entity via one or more communication network sites, the system comprising:

a memory having stored therein virtual identification data defining at least one profile of at least said one virtual entity, said profile including at least a virtual name uniquely identifying said virtual entity, a password, and a history of activities of said virtual entity on said site, wherein said profile does not reveal the identity of said real entity; and

a server to control interaction of said virtual entity on behalf of said real entity via said site using said profile, based on input received from said real entity.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the profile includes virtual-entity data for interaction of the virtual entity, on behalf of the real entity, with at least one service on said communication network sites, without revealing to said service the identity of said real entity, and wherein the at least one service includes one or more of an electronic-mail (e-mail) service, a shopping service, a chat service, an Internet surfing service, a multi-user service, a gaming service, a dating service, and a search service.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the virtual-entity data includes at least one of an e-mail account username, an e-mail account password, credit card information, an address, a billing address, a shipping address, a social security number, and an identification number.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the profile of the virtual entity includes a unique virtual entity personality defined by one or more predefined virtual entity attributes.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the virtual entity attributes include at least one of an image, a voice pattern, a physical characteristic of the virtual entity, profession information relating to a profession of the virtual entity, a date of birth of the virtual entity, and one or more preferences of the virtual entity in one or more fields of interest.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the profile of the virtual entity includes virtual-entity transaction data assigned to said virtual entity, and wherein the server is adapted to perform a transaction of monetary value with a communication network service on behalf of said virtual entity by providing said virtual-entity transaction data to said communication network service, without revealing billing data of said real entity.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the server is adapted to verify an attempt of said real entity to access the virtual entity based on the password assigned to the virtual entity.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein the history of activities includes at least one of a surfing history, a spending history, a conversation content, and a cookie.

14. A system of providing one or more virtual entities capable of transacting on at least one communication network site, the system comprising:

a memory having stored therein virtual identification data defining a virtual entity and virtual-entity transaction data assigned to said virtual entity; and

a server to control activities of said virtual entity on said site, based on input from a real entity, without identifying said real entity, wherein the server is adapted to facilitate a transaction of monetary value between said virtual entity and another entity on said communication network site by providing said virtual-entity transaction data to said site, without revealing billing data of the real entity.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the server is adapted to limit transactions of said virtual entity to a prepaid amount of money associated with the virtual entity.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the server is adapted to maintain a real user account of the real entity.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the virtual-entity transaction data includes transaction data fields comparable to the transaction data fields used for transactions of real entities.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the virtual-entity transaction data includes viable credit card information.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the virtual-entity transaction data includes a mailing address uniquely associated with the virtual entity and not revealing a real mailing address of the real entity.