Method for tracing payment data in an anonymous payment system
First Claim
1. A method for tracing payment data in an anonymous payment system, the payment system having an electronic payment means associated with each particular user and a payment institution, comprising:
- establishing an identity value associated with each particular user and his electronic payment means;
using each electronic payment means for deriving payment identification values from the identity value for making electronic payment transactions with the associated electronic payment means;
deriving a modified value from the identity value that does not reveal the identity of the particular user and transmitting the modified value to the payment institution;
storing the modified value transmitted by each particular user at the payment institution; and
permitting tracing of successfully completed electronic payment transactions by a particular electronic payment means when an associated particular user causes the transmitting of the identity value to the payment institution, said tracing comprising,verifying the transmitted identity value by deriving a second modified value from the received identity value,comparing the derived second modified value with the previously stored modified value, andidentifying successfully completed electronic payment transactions associated with the particular payment means by further deriving tracing payment identification values from the verified transmitted identity value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for tracing payment data in an anonymous payment system having electronic payment means, such as so-called "smart cards". According to the invention, the user commits himself to a value (w) which may later be used for the tracing by a payment institution. The value (w) is preferably recorded with the help of a so-called one-way function (F) and an (electronic) signature (σ), so that the payment institution does not dispose of the value itself, but is able to verify it on the basis of the stored derivative (w") of the value. The invention further relates to a payment means and a payment system for application of the method.
49 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for tracing payment data in an anonymous payment system, the payment system having an electronic payment means associated with each particular user and a payment institution, comprising:
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establishing an identity value associated with each particular user and his electronic payment means; using each electronic payment means for deriving payment identification values from the identity value for making electronic payment transactions with the associated electronic payment means; deriving a modified value from the identity value that does not reveal the identity of the particular user and transmitting the modified value to the payment institution; storing the modified value transmitted by each particular user at the payment institution; and permitting tracing of successfully completed electronic payment transactions by a particular electronic payment means when an associated particular user causes the transmitting of the identity value to the payment institution, said tracing comprising, verifying the transmitted identity value by deriving a second modified value from the received identity value, comparing the derived second modified value with the previously stored modified value, and identifying successfully completed electronic payment transactions associated with the particular payment means by further deriving tracing payment identification values from the verified transmitted identity value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A payment device for use with a payment institution in an anonymous payment system, the payment device comprising:
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an integrated circuit portion arranged for driving payment identification values for making electronic payment transactions from a first value stored by a portion of the integrated circuit portion, said first value being configured to permit the identity of an associated user of the payment device to be derived therefrom; means for deriving a second value from the first value and for transferring the second value to said payment institution, said second value being configured to prevent the identity of the associated user from being derived therefrom without said first value; and further means for transferring said first value to the payment institution when a request is initiated and when the associated user agrees to the transfer of said first value. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for tracing payment data in an anonymous payment system having an electronic payment means associated with each particular user for making electronic transactions and at least one payment institution, comprising:
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establishing an identity value associated with each particular user and his particular electronic payment means to enable electronic transactions to be conducted by the particular user with his particular electronic payment means, said identity value being provided in a modified form to protect the anonymity of the particular user to the payment institution for storage thereat; and performing tracing and detecting of successful transactions involving a particular electronic payment means upon the associated particular user releasing said associated identity value to the payment institution permitting the identity of the particular user to be established using said stored modified form, wherein the releasing of the identity value is performed after a transaction is prematurely broken off to enable the detecting of successful transactions.
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Specification