Transaction coordinator for digital certificate validation and other services
First Claim
1. An apparatus for facilitating computerized transactions between at least a first entity and a second entity, the apparatus comprising:
- a first server, said server comprising a first transaction coordinator associated with said first entity;
a second server, said server comprising a second transaction coordinator associated with said second entity and communicatively coupled to said first transaction coordinator via a communications network;
said first transaction coordinator comprising an interface module that communicates with said second transaction coordinator, said interface module comprising a transaction coordinator request manager component and a transport services component;
said first transaction coordinator further comprising, coupled to the interface module,a set of service modules comprising a digital certificate status check module that validates digital certificates of said entities, a warranty service module that guarantees an identity of an entity that signs an electronic communication relating to a transaction, and a payment guarantee module that provides a first entity with confirmation of a second entity'"'"'s ability to fulfill a financial obligation; and
a set of core components comprising a logging component that provides non-repudiation and security auditing services, a billing component that creates and stores a transaction billing history for responses and requests received by the transaction coordinator, and a digital signature component that uses cryptographic processing to verify digital signatures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
System and methods for facilitating electronic commerce by securely providing certificate-related and other services, including certificate validation and warranty services. The system services include a certificate status check service and a warranty service. The certificate status check service allows a relying customer to validate a subscribing customer'"'"'s digital certificate. The warranty service allows the relying customer to receive a collateral-backed warranty that the subscribing customer'"'"'s digital certificate is valid, and also confirms the ability of the subscribing customer to pay. All participants and a root entity are provided with a transaction coordinator for combining services and operations into a single transaction having the qualities of atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability. The transaction coordinator provides a single consistent interface for certificate-status messages and requests, as well as messages and requests relating to other services.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An apparatus for facilitating computerized transactions between at least a first entity and a second entity, the apparatus comprising:
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a first server, said server comprising a first transaction coordinator associated with said first entity; a second server, said server comprising a second transaction coordinator associated with said second entity and communicatively coupled to said first transaction coordinator via a communications network; said first transaction coordinator comprising an interface module that communicates with said second transaction coordinator, said interface module comprising a transaction coordinator request manager component and a transport services component; said first transaction coordinator further comprising, coupled to the interface module, a set of service modules comprising a digital certificate status check module that validates digital certificates of said entities, a warranty service module that guarantees an identity of an entity that signs an electronic communication relating to a transaction, and a payment guarantee module that provides a first entity with confirmation of a second entity'"'"'s ability to fulfill a financial obligation; and a set of core components comprising a logging component that provides non-repudiation and security auditing services, a billing component that creates and stores a transaction billing history for responses and requests received by the transaction coordinator, and a digital signature component that uses cryptographic processing to verify digital signatures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification