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

• US 8,645,348 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2011
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• 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:
  US13/338,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20120101911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 717/174, 707/783, 707/739, 707/741, 707/748, 707/749, 707/706, 707/758, 707/803, 707/705, 711/114, 711/162, 711/163, 713/168, 713/182, 713/153, 726/28, 709/250, 709/249, 705/37, 705/27, 705/26.1, 705/1.1
• 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 method of enabling a real entity to access a service on a communication network using a virtual entity, the method comprising:

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, wherein said second data does not identify said real entity;

storing said first and second data in a first database;

linking between said first and second data in said first database;

storing said second data at a second database;

associating said second database with a communication network site;

connecting said communication network site to said communication network;

receiving said second data from an unidentified user on the communication network site;

identifying said unidentified user as said virtual entity based on receiving said second data; and

allowing said virtual entity to access said service.

2. A method according to claim 1, comprising preventing access from said communication network to said first database.

3. A method according to claim 1, comprising :

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

adding said information to said second database.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said attribute of said virtual entity comprises at least one attribute selected from the group consisting of a visual attribute and an audible attribute.

5. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving funds of substantially non-traceable source from said real entity;

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

assigning said virtual transaction account to said virtual entity.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising authorizing a transaction of said virtual entity using said virtual transaction account.

7. A method according to claim 1, comprising:

receiving credible billing information from said real entity;

establishing a virtual transaction account; and

assigning said virtual transaction account to said virtual entity.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising authorizing a transaction of said virtual entity using said virtual transaction account.

9. A virtual entity residing on a communication network site and adapted to interact on a communication network on behalf of a real entity, the virtual entity comprising:

a memory having stored therein information defining the virtual entity, said information including a unique user name, a password, and information corresponding to an image representing the virtual entity; and

a virtual user interface adapted to communicate with said communication network from said communication network site,

wherein said virtual entity is not linkable, on said communication network, to the identity of said real entity.

10. A virtual entity according to claim 9 further comprising:

a virtual transaction account that enables the virtual entity to transact on said communication network.

11. A virtual entity according to claim 10, wherein said virtual transaction account enables the virtual entity to perform a transaction of real monetary value on behalf of said real entity, and wherein said virtual transaction account is not traceable to said real entity over said communication network.

12. A virtual entity according to claim 9, wherein the information defining the virtual entity includes one or more attributes of the virtual entity, and wherein said one or more attributes are updatable by said real entity using said virtual user interface.

13. A virtual entity according to claim 10, wherein transactions performed by the virtual transaction account are monitored by a provider of said virtual entity.

14. A virtual entity according to claim 9, wherein said virtual user interface enables said real entity to control activity of the virtual entity on said communication network.

15. A system of enabling a real entity to access a service on a communication network using a virtual entity, the system comprising:

a first database having stored therein at least one real user account, the user account including at least first data corresponding to the identity of the real entity and second data corresponding to a virtual entity assigned to said real entity, wherein said second data does not identify said real entity;

a second database having stored therein at least one virtual user account including at least said second data corresponding to the virtual entity,

wherein said first data is not linked to said second database,

wherein said second database is associated with a site of said communication network,

wherein said site of the communication network is adapted to receive at least part of said second data from an unidentified user on said communication network and to identify said unidentified user as said virtual entity based on said second data, and

wherein said site of the communication network is adapted to allow said virtual entity to access said service.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said first database is inaccessible from said communication network.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein said second database is adapted to receive from said unidentified user information corresponding to one or more attributes of said virtual entity and to update said virtual user account with said information.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein said attribute of said virtual entity comprises at least one attribute selected from the group consisting of a visual attribute and an audible attribute.

19. A system according to claim 15, wherein said virtual entity is assigned with a virtual transaction account adapted to perform transactions of real monetary value over said communication network, wherein said virtual transaction account is backed by funds of the real entity associated with said real user account.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said virtual transaction account is configured to allow said service to authorize a transaction of said virtual entity using said virtual transaction account.