Patent ID: 7324972
Filing Date: 2008-01-29
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A system for managing user accounts and controlling anonymous access to resources over data networks for a plurality of provider members in a manner to preserve the secrecy of the identity of a user who is in a home provider's user/customer base, said system comprising: (a) a means sharing non-identifying user information and charges among a plurality of service provider members comprising a home provider and an outside provider, (b) a means enabling a user who is registered as a customer with the home provider to anonymously access the resources of the outside provider, (c) a settling means allowing the system to settle accounts among service providers by charging the home provider for access by its user to the resources of the outside provider, (d) a payment means assuring that the outside provider is then anonymously paid for said access through the system, (e) a sharing means allowing the system to permit the home provider to enable access by the user to the resources of the outside provider without requiring either personal identification or an open account for the user at the outside provider, and (f) a verification means separate from the home provider allowing the outside provider to determine the user's access privileges and criteria.