Patent ID: 7003480
Filing Date: 2006-02-21
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for performing an electronic commerce transaction over an unsecure network without requiring encryption of all documents communicated over the unsecure network that are employed for performing the electronic commerce transaction, comprising the steps of: (a) enabling a first party to apply for registration with a second party in order to receive a commercial relationship certificate, the first party having access to financial resources through the second party; (b) presenting a certified identifier of the first party to the second party, said certified identifier enabling the second party to confirm a true identity of the first party; (c) transferring the commercial relationship certificate to the first party from the second party over the unsecure network, the commercial relationship certificate being digitally signed by the second party and including the certified identifier and an index to the financial resources accessible to the first party through the second party, neither said commercial relationship certificate nor said index being encrypted or secret; (d) providing the commercial relationship certificate to a seller over the unsecure network, the commercial relationship certificate being digitally signed by the first party to indicate that the first party agrees to make a payment for goods provided by the seller in an amount indicated in the certificate as digitally signed; and (e) said seller presenting the commercial relationship certificate that was digitally signed by the first party to the second party over the unsecure network in exchange for the payment, the second party referencing the amount indicated in said commercial relationship certificate in making the payment to the seller from the financial resources accessible by the first party.