Patent Publication Number: US-2011060904-A9

Title: Secure system for the issuance, acquisition, and redemption of certificates in a transaction network

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/472,100, filed Dec. 20, 1999, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to the field of certificate systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a certificate system for the controlled and secure issuance, acquisition and redemption of single-use certificates in a transaction network.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The quickly expanding internet provides a variety of on-line commerce structures and processes, allowing online browsing and sales through a variety of dedicated retail web-sites, which typically offer one or more products. An inventory of products, which are typically stocked at one or more remote warehouse or related retail locations, are offered for sale through a web site. A purchaser, upon selecting a desired product, typically enters purchase information, such as credit card information and shipping information. Upon credit card authorization, typically when the items are shipped to the designated shipping address, the authorized card information is used to transfer monetary funds from the purchaser&#39;s credit account to the seller&#39;s bank account. While such on-line commerce systems provide adequate purchasing opportunities for buyers who have access to the Internet, typically for the purchase of smaller items which are readily sent (e.g. such as through postal services), such online commerce does not typically allow a buyer to conveniently pick up merchandise locally.  
      As well, there is an increasing development for systems which enhance the automation of on-line and off-line commerce, as evidenced by on-line payment systems, point of sale terminals, and debit cards. Related documents include  Making the World Go Round  ( Online Payments ), Internet Business, no. 24, p. 2830 (January 1999);  Wireless Point of Sale Terminal for Credit and Debit Payment Systems , Conference Proceedings, IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering, (1998);  Is Off - line Debit about to Derail? , ABA Banking Journal, vol. 89, no. 9, p. 66,68,70 (September 1997); 1998 : Year of the Debit Card , Bank Systems &amp; Equipment, vol. 24, no. 11, p. 16-18 (November 1987).  
      I. Krsul, J. Mudge, and A. Demers, Method Electronic Payments that Prevents Double-Spending, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,119 (17 Nov. 1998) and corresponding European Patent Application No. 0833285, Method and Product for Generating Electronic Tokens, (filed 25 Sep. 1997) disclose a “method of generating electronic monetary tokens that supports off-line transactions while preventing double-spending. Generation of electronic token halves by a financial services provider begins in response to a request from a buyer to generate monetary tokens to be used with an identified seller. First, the financial services provider generates a plurality of electronic monetary tokens. Second, the provider splits each monetary token into two electronic token halves and associates with each the same serial number. These electronic token halves when combined recreate the electronic money token from which they were generated, but buy themselves neither electronic token half has any value. Nor can either electronic token half by itself be used to create the electronic monetary token without the token half&#39;s mate. After splitting all the monetary tokens, the services provider assigns a half of each electronic token to the seller and the other half of each electronic token to the buyer. The buyer and seller can now engage in multiple transactions off-line of the financial services provider”. While Krsul et al disclose a method of generating electronic monetary tokens, they fail to disclose a system for issuer-defined virtual certificates which are acquired on-line during a first transaction in which an acquirer establishes a secure private key that is associated with the acquired certificate, and are then selectively redeemed off-line, using the re-submitted private key to authorize the redemption transaction with the on-line system, and to revoke further use of the acquired certificate.  
      K. Ginter, V. Shear, F. Spahn and D. Van Wie, Systems and Methods for Secure Transaction Management and Electronic Rights Protection, U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,019 (22 Jun. 1999) disclose systems and methods “for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node. These techniques may be used to support an all-electronic information distribution, for example, utilizing the “electronic highway”.” 
      Gift Certificate Systems. Traditional gift certificates are typically offered by a small percentage of retail stores. There are often major costs associated in the creation and distribution of paper-based certificates, as well as in the management of in-store redemption. Consumers are thus presented with a narrow range of merchant outlets where certificates can be redeemed. The buyer often has to travel to the store to buy the certificate, and then the recipient has to wait until the buyer sends the paper-based certificate to the recipient. As well, there is often no authorization control on the redemption of the paper-based certificate. Paper-based certificates are often treated as cash, and a lost or stolen certificate usually will not be refunded to the buyer or recipient.  
      Some dedicated network locations, such as web sites which offer goods and services for a single entity, typically offer the purchase of pre-printed and inventoried paper-based gift certificates, which are typically purchased on-line by a buyer, and then are typically sent to a desired recipient.  
      As well, aggregated web sites which offer multiple goods and services from multiple sources often offer the similar online purchase of generic certificates, which may then be redeemed on-line by a recipient, such as towards the purchase of inventoried goods, which are subsequently sent to the recipient redeemer.  
      As well, some web-based companies, such as “www.giftpoint.com” and “www.giftcertificates.com”, have recently been established to sell a variety of gift certificates, which inventory and offer for sale a large number of pre-printed gift certificates, typically related to nationally traded products and services (e.g. such as redeemable certificates from Gap Stores, Inc. or Wal Mart, Inc.). While such sites allow a buyer to purchase a certificate online, the range of merchants they support is only a small subset of the already small number of merchants who offer traditional paper-based certificates. Such sites inventory the paper-based gift certificates, and offer the certificates to buyers through the web site. When a paper-based certificate is purchased through the site, funds are typically transferred from the buyer at the time of the transaction, and the stocked paper-based certificate is then sent to the designated recipient. While such sites offer a variety of gift certificates for purchase, the certificates are required to initially be established (i.e. printed and recorded) by each of the businesses, and are then transferred to the site (such as by a purchase transaction), where they are inventoried. While large business entities may have already established paper-based certificates, small issuers (e.g. such as small or localized businesses) often do not have certificate systems of their own.  
      A similar on-line business, located at “www.gifttracker.com”, provides gift certificates which may be purchased online and redeemed locally. The site provides a redemption and retail location search engine, by which an online shopper may search for certificates, based upon redemption type (e.g. such as by toys, books, sports equipment, or women&#39;s apparel), as well as by location (e.g. such as by entering by zip code). For a given product type, an online shopper typically enters a zip code (such as the zip code of the shopper, or the postal zip code of a potential recipient of a gift certificate). Based upon the entered postal code, the search engine determines gift certificates which may be redeemed locally within the submitted postal area. While the certificate system implemented by gifttracker.com provides the online purchase of certificates which may be redeemed locally, the system requires an inventory of printed certificates which are supplied by the issuers (e.g. such as conventional printed certificates available from large chain stores). After an on-line purchase transaction, the pre-printed certificates are then packaged and sent to a designated address (e.g. such as the acquirer&#39;s address, or an alternate recipient address). Once a pre-printed certificate arrives, such as by a conventional mail service, the pre-printed certificate is then taken by the recipient to a corresponding store. The site does not allow the on-line creation of a remote, electronic gift certificates, such as for issuers that do not have pre-printed certificates. As well, the system inherently requires an associated inventory and distribution system for the pre-printed gift certificates.  
      Another web-based company which sells certificates is located at “www.webcertificates.com”, which enables recipients of a certificate to redeem the certificate from a wide variety of on-line merchants. The site creates a certificate which is similar to a virtual credit card, which is then readily accepted by a wide variety of on-line merchants who accept credit cards as payment for their products and services. However, recipients are required to access the Internet, follow detailed instruction to retrieve their online certificate, and then are required to redeem the certificate at an online location, wherein a product is then shipped.  
      In an alternate embodiment of a conventional online gift certificate site, a buyer may purchase a “generic” gift certificate, which is then typically given as a gift to a recipient, whereby the generic gift certificate is supplied with a tracking number (which may be sent to a recipient, or may be e-mailed to the recipient?). The recipient may then log on to the gift certificate site, and “redeem” the generic gift certificate by selecting one or more specific gift certificates, which in sum are equal to the designated value of the original generic certificate. However, as with other online business which offer paper-based certificates for sale, the specific certificates are limited to an actual inventory of paper-based gift certificates which are available at that site. Upon redemption of the generic certificate, the specific certificate or certificates are then physically sent to the redeemer.  
      Another web-based company which sells gift certificates is located at “www.flooz.com”, which enables an on-line buyer to purchase and send “on-line” currency, which is only available and usable on the Internet. When a buyer sends a recipient the “on-line” currency, such as by electronic mail, the recipient can then spend the “on-line” currency at one or more online sites which are registered to accept the “on-line” currency for online commerce.  
      In present embodiments of online commerce, buyers and sellers are linked electronically, at some point in the process, and merchandise (or redeemable paper-based certificates) are shipped to the buyer or alternate recipient, such as from a central warehouse linked to the seller. In such embodiments, there are inherent shipment costs, and there is often shipment delays.  
      On-line Ticketing Systems. In conventional networked commerce sites which offer tickets (e.g. such as for travel, sports, or entertainment), when a computer user purchases tickets online, a selling sites typically provides the buyer with a serial number (i.e. such as a confirmation or tracking number, or even a general ticket number), such as through an e-mail notification. To receive the tickets, the buyer is then typically required to submit the confirmation or number at a will-call booth, whereby the submitted confirmation number is matched to the tickets (which may be previously printed, or may be printed upon redemption). If the submitted number is correctly matched to the tickets, the tickets are then given to the redeeming person. While such conventional online systems allow the online purchase of tickets, as well as the local pick-up of the purchased tickets, money is typically transferred upon the initial on-line acquisition of the tickets, and whereby anyone submitting the correct tracking number may be given the tickets. The single tracking number is confirmed off-line at the will-call booth and, is not authenticated with the on-line site.  
      The disclosed prior art systems and methodologies thus provide basic certificate systems, but fail to provide a secure certificate system in which allows issuers to create an virtual inventory of certificates, which may then be acquired online, and then redeemed locally. It would also be advantageous to provide a certificate system which allows customers to establish a private key that is unique to the transaction, which is subsequently used in a redemption transaction to authorize the local redemption with the online system. The development of such a certificate system would constitute a major technological advance.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A transaction network contains a networked certificate authority, by which one or more virtual certificates may be remotely defined and stored, such as by an issuer user through a issuer web portal interface. The virtual certificates correspond to a product or service denomination which is selected by the issuer, include a public key identifier. An acquirer user may locate and acquire one or more virtual certificates, through an acquirer web portal interface. When a virtual certificate is acquired by an acquirer, a corresponding private key is established by the acquirer, and is stored at the certificate authority in association with a record of the acquired certificate. As well, when the certificate is acquired, the acquirer typically submits payment agent information (e.g. such as credit card information). In one embodiment, funds are transferred during acquisition of the certificate. In a preferred embodiment, authorization for the transfer of funds occurs during the acquisition transaction. Certificate information is typically transferred to the acquirer, or to an alternate recipient, by which the holder of the certificate can redeem the certificate at a redemption location associated with an acquired certificate. The acquirer (or an alternate recipient of an acquired certificate to whom the acquirer has communicated the established private key), submits the certificate information at the redemption location, along with the established private key, to redeem the certificate. Include redemption authorization here and revoke of certificate.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a system block diagram of a transaction network for the issuance, acquisition and redemption of single-use certificates;  
       FIG. 2  shows a single-use gift certificate;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a single-use gift certificate identification packet;  
       FIG. 4  shows a redemption process for a single-use gift certificate having an identification packet and an associated private key;  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of issuer facility options;  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of acquirer facility options;  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of transaction information data entry;  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic block diagram of redeemer facility options;  
       FIG. 9  shows the creation of virtual certificates by an issuer on at a certificate authority server;  
       FIG. 10  shows an issuer virtual certificate creation module interface;  
       FIG. 11  shows a graphic user interface for an issuer virtual certificate creation module;  
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a virtual inventory stored within a database;  
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing a site virtual inventory at an aggregate network site, and a search subset of the site virtual inventory directed by a search command at an acquirer terminal;  
       FIG. 14  is a block diagram of an acquisition transaction module at an acquirer terminal, which is accessible from a selection of a virtual certificate from one or more alternate sites;  
       FIG. 15  shows an embodiment of a partial certificate transaction network having a plurality of issuers, a plurality of acquirers, and a remote certificate authority; and  
       FIG. 16  shows an embodiment of a partial certificate transaction network having a plurality of acquirer terminals, and an issuer terminal having a dedicated certificate authority. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  is a system block diagram of a transaction network  10  for the issuance, acquisition and redemption of single-use certificates  60  ( FIG. 2 ). The transaction network  10  contains a networked certificate authority  12 , through which one or more virtual certificates  60  are remotely created, such as by an issuer user ISR ( FIG. 9 ) through issuer facilities  24  (e.g. such as through a web portal interface). The virtual certificates  60  typically correspond to sellable commodity, such as a product or service denomination, which is selectable by the issuer user ISR. In an alternate embodiment, the virtual certificates  60  may correspond to a distributable commodity, such as a discount coupon for a product or service, or a reservation (e.g. such as for travel or dining), which is selectable by the issuer user ISR. Created virtual certificates  60  are stored on a database  18  which is associated with the networked certificate authority  12 .  
      An acquirer user ACQ ( FIG. 6 ), accessing the transaction network  10  through an acquirer terminal  26 , may locate and acquire one or more virtual certificates  60 , through an acquirer facilities  28  (e.g. such as a acquirer web portal interface). When a virtual certificate  60  is acquired by an acquirer user ACQ, a corresponding private key  76  is established by the acquirer user ACQ, and is stored at the certificate authority  12  (e.g. such as within the database  18 ), in association with a record of the acquired certificate  60 , along with other identifying information  98  for the acquired certificate  60 .  
      As well, when a virtual certificate  60  is acquired, the acquirer user ACQ typically submits payment agent information  52  (e.g. such as credit card information). In one embodiment, funds are transferred during acquisition of the certificate  60 . In a preferred embodiment, authorization for the transfer of funds occurs during the acquisition transaction  72 . Certificate information  98  ( FIG. 3 ) is typically transferred to the acquirer user ACQ, or to an alternate recipient RCP, by which the holder of the acquired certificate  60  can redeem the certificate  60  at a redemption location RL ( FIG. 4,8 ) associated with an acquired certificate  60 . The acquirer ACQ (or an alternate recipient RCP of an acquired certificate  60  to whom the acquirer user ACQ has communicated the established private key  76 ), submits the certificate information at the redemption location, along with the established private key, to redeem the certificate. Include redemption authorization here and revoke of certificate.  
      Creation of Virtual Certificates.  FIG. 2  shows a single-use certificate  60 , which may preferably be delivered in a printable form, either to an acquirer user ACQ, or to an alternate recipient RCP. A single-use certificate  60  typically includes one or more design elements  62 , a denomination  64 , one or more redemption rules  66 , and identification information  74  ( FIG. 3 ), which may include human readable information  68 , and/or machine readable information  70  (e.g. such as a bar code symbol  70 ). An issuer user ISR  22  at an issuer terminal  22 , in selective electronic communication with a certificate authority  12 , has the means (i.e. issuer facilities)  24  to direct the certificate authority  12  to create one or more customized virtual certificates  60 , for subsequent issuance to acquirer users ACQ at one or more acquirer terminals  26 .  
      Establishment of Defined Virtual Certificates. Authorization for the construction of certificates typically occurs through an issuer facility  24 , such as through a web portal  24  for a transaction network  10  operating across an internet  192 , whereby an issuer user ISR (e.g. such as a merchant, or a product manager for a plurality of stores RL) connects to the certificate authority  12  (i.e. such as through a certificate server portion  14  of a certificate authority  12 ).  
      The issuer user ISR defines detailed specifications for virtual single-use certificates  60  through a certificate specification interface  194  ( FIG. 10 ), such as design specifications  62  and redemption rules  66 , whereby the certificates  60  typically reflect sellable or distributable commodities, such as products and/or services which are available for pick up by a customer, typically at a redemption location RL (e.g. such as at a retail store, a distribution center, a box office, a ticket counter, or at a service provider).  
      An issuer user ISR  22  has the means  122  ( FIG. 5 ) to control the modular design of one or more virtual certificates  60   a - 60   n  independently, either by selecting standard designs offered by the certificate authority  12 , by uploading  122  one or more custom designs  62   a - 62   n  to the certificate authority  12 , in the form of a computer file, or by specifying that a certificate  60  be issued using a combination of stock elements  162  uploaded through the issuer terminal  22 . An issuer user may preferably incorporate the denomination  64  of the certificate  60  as an additional element in the certificate identification packet  74 . Additionally, an issuer user ISR may preferably incorporate an additional public key segment  82 , as a part of the certificate identification packet  74 , which may be used, for example, in mapping a certificate  60  to an issuer&#39;s coding scheme (e.g. such as to correspond to product serial numbers, part numbers, product color codes, product size, or service codes).  
      Storage of Virtual Certificates. Each virtual certificate  60  exists, until issued, as a virtual certificate  60  comprised of multiple independent textual elements  64 , 66  and/or graphical elements  62   a - 62   n , which are stored by the certificate authority  12 , in the secure database  18 .  
      In one embodiment of the certificate system  10 , the certificate authority  12  comprises two functional servers, a certificate server  14 , as well as an authentication server  16 . In alternate embodiments, a single certificate authority server  12  may perform both certificate establishment functions, as well as certificate redemption functions. In another alternate embodiment, the certificate authority  12 , the certificate module  14 , the authentication module  16 , and the certificate database  18  are integral modules within a certificate authority terminal  58  ( FIG. 12 ).  
      Acquisition of Certificates and Establishment of Keys.  FIG. 3  is a schematic view of an acquisition transaction  72  for a single-use certificate  60 . identification packet  74 . During an acquisition transaction  72 , an acquirer user ACQ typically provides a means to purchase the certificate, an authorization to purchase during subsequent redemption transaction  104  ( FIG. 4 ), or otherwise qualifies for issuance of the acquired certificate  60 .  
      Certificate acquisition instructions are initially defined by an issuer user ISR at an issuer terminal  22 , and are stored at the certificate authority  12 , in association with each virtual certificate. Preceding an acquisition transaction  72 , an acquirer user ACQ at an acquirer terminal  26 , by means of the acquirer facilities  28 , typically searches for or browses through a plurality of virtual certificates  60 , (i.e. a virtual inventory). An acquirer user ACQ, upon selecting an acceptable virtual certificate  60 , may selectably begin an acquisition transaction  72  to acquire the virtual certificate  60 .  
      Before an acquisition transaction  72 , a virtual certificate  60  to be acquired is constituted from the independent data elements  62 , 64 , 66 ,  68 , 70  for the virtual certificate  60 , which are stored in the secure database  18 , for presentation to the acquirer user ACQ at an acquirer computer terminal  26  (e.g. such as in the form of an HTML document readable through acquirer facilities  28  by an internet browser application). However, after a certificate  60  is acquired during an acquisition transaction  72 , the independent data elements  62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70  are bound together within the database  18 .  
      During an acquisition transaction  72 , in which the certificate authority  12  issues a certificate  60  to the acquirer user ACQ, a unique identifier  98  is bound to the issued certificate  60 , typically comprising certificate information  74 , which appears on the acquired certificate  60 , which typically includes a denomination  64 , and a secret public key  80  assigned by the certificate authority. In a preferred embodiment, the certificate information  74  includes a supplementary public key segment  82 , which is assigned by an issuer user ISR. The certificate information  74  typically appears on the acquired certificate  60  through a printed number  68 , or through an encoded symbol, such as a bar code  70  ( FIG. 2 ). The unique certificate identifier  98  includes the elements associated with the certificate information  74 , in combination with a private key  76 , which is assigned to the certificate  60  by an acquirer user  92 , as a part of the acquisition transaction  72 .  
      The private key  76 , which is assigned to the certificate  60  by an acquirer user  92 , does not appear on the certificate  60 , and is known only to the acquirer user ACQ, but is stored by the certificate authority  12 , in association with the other data elements relating to the certificate  60 , on the secure database  18 .  
      Redemption of Certificates.  FIG. 4  shows a redemption process  90  for a single-use gift certificate  60  having a submitted identification packet  98 , which includes and an associated private key  76 . The private key  76  must be provided to the redeemer  36  as part of the redemption process  90  by the acquirer user ACQ ( FIG. 4 ), or by a third party and/or agent to whom the acquirer ACQ has communicated the private key  76 . A redemption clerk RC, such as a sales clerk, through a redeemer terminal  36 , in communication with the certificate authority  12 , by means of the redeemer facilities  38 , or optionally, by means of a live operator intermediary  42 , may authenticate a certificate  60 , by providing the certificate authority  12  with the unique identification information  98  associated with the acquired certificate  60  (i.e. both the public keys  80 , 82  assigned to the certificate upon issuance, a denomination  64 , as well as the unique private identification information  76  which is assigned to the certificate  60  by the acquirer user. ACQ (i.e. the private key  76 ).  
      In alternate embodiments of the certificate system  10 , either the redemption clerk RC or the holder of the acquired certificate  60  can manually or automatically upload the certificate information  76  during a redemption process  90 , such as through a point of sale terminal  40 . As well, either the redemption clerk RC or the holder of the acquired certificate  60  can enter the private key PIN  76  into a point of sale terminal  40 .  
      Authorization of Certificate During Redemption. The certificate authority  12  authenticates a certificate  60 , on the basis of the certificate identification packet  74  (which includes the public key  80  and supplementary public key  82 ), and the private key  76  submitted by a redemption clerk RC, such as through redemption terminal  36 . As seen in comparison step  100  in  FIG. 4 , the certificate authority  12  queries the secure database  18 , which stores the independent elements associated with the acquired certificate  60 , to determine whether the certificate identification packet  74  and the private key  76  originally associated with the certificate  60  on issuance matches the certificate identification packet  74  and private key  76  identification information provided to the certificate authority  12  by the redeemer, as shown in matching step  102 . If the unique identification sets correlate  103 , the certificate authority  12  validates the certificate  60 , and upon instructions by the redemption clerk RC, authorizes the redemption transaction  104 . If the unique identification sets do not correlate  105 , the certificate authority  12  typically cancels  106  the redemption transaction  104 , either by requesting that the acquirer ACQ resubmit the certificate information  74  and the private key  76 , or by revoking the certificate  60  (e.g. such as if the certificate  60  has previously been marked as used).  
      Authorized Redemption Transaction and Cancellation of Single-Use Certificate. Upon a successful authorization transaction  104  of an acquired certificate  60 , the certificate authority  12  allows the redemption clerk RC to proceed with redemption of the certificate  60 , and revokes the single-use certificate  60  (i.e. thus preventing further use of the certificate information  74 , 76 ). The certificate authority revokes the certificate  60  by updating the certificate information stored on the secure database  18  (e.g. by marking the certificate as “used”). In one embodiment of the certificate system  10 , the certificate authority  12 , by means of certificate payment facilities  48 , initiates the transfer of payments between the parties of the acquisition transaction  76  and the redemption transaction  104 , by issuing transfer instructions to the certificate payment agent  58 , the acquirer payment agent  52 , the issuer payment agent  54 , and the redeemer payment agent  56 .  
      When a redemption transaction  104  is successfully authorized by the certificate authority  12 , the certificate authority  12  preferably downloads a transaction code  181  ( FIG. 8 ) to the redemption terminal  36 , which preferably becomes part of a redemption record  41  ( FIG. 1 ) by the redemption location RL, and is also preferably transferred to the acquirer user ACQ or alternate recipient RCP (e.g. such as within a redemption receipt  41 ).  
      Virtual Certificate Creation Options.  FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram  100  of issuer facility options, which includes initial registration of new issuers  112 , secure entry  114  into the transaction network  10 , an issuer certificate parameter module, and an issuer report module  116 .  
      Registration of Issuers. An issuer ISR who is not previously registered as a client with the certificate authority  12  is preferably guided through a registration process  112 , during which the issuer user is required to input relevant information (e.g. such as the name of the issuer user, the business name, one or more redemption locations RL, as well as relevant banking information). The preferred registration of issuers allows the certificate authority  12  to confirm that the issuer is a legitimate entity (i.e. such as an existing, valid business), and that the issuer is offering real goods and services. As well, the preferred registration process  112  includes the input of banking information related to issuers, such that funds may be properly transferred to issuers, from acquirers, such as when an acquired certificate  60  is redeemed at a redemption location RL.  
      The registration process  112  also typically includes a registration validation step, by which the certificate authority  12  or other independent entity checks pertinent registration information, such as bank account information, credit references, or merchant identification number. Based upon a successful registration step  112  and validation step, the certificate authority  12  preferably assigns an access number  113  to the new issuer, and sends the a registration notification and access number to the new issuer (e.g. such as by an e-mail notification). In an alternate embodiment, a new issuer ISR, having submitted a valid merchant number at registration step  112 , may automatically gain an access number and subsequent access to the certificate authority.  
      Issuer Access. When an issuer is properly registered with the certificate authority  12 , the issuer user ISR may gain ongoing access to the certificate authority  12 . A registered issuer user ISR typically inputs the previously established unique issuer access code  113 , to log  114  onto the certificate authority  12 .  
      Creation of Certificate Parameters. An issuer user ISR at an issuer terminal  22 , in secure communication with the certificate authority  12  (e.g. such as through initial registration  112  or a subsequent log on process  114 ), by means of issuer facilities  24  (e.g. such as through a web portal), can direct a large variety of certificate parameters  115 . While an issuer user ISR may direct the creation of virtual certificates  60  through the selection of standard certificate elements  62 - 70 , the issuer user ISR may optionally upload discrete data elements  62 - 70  to the certificate authority  12 , which are unique to the issuer ISR, for storage as stored elements associated with one or more virtual certificates  60 , or may otherwise direct certificate parameters, at step  115 , by selection of options offered by the certificate authority  12 .  
      At issuer information selection step  118 , the issuer preferably selects or uploads issuer information  118 , such as company information, or promotional information. Issuer information  118  may be preferably included within a virtual certificate  60 , or may be included as information at a network site offering selection of the appropriate certificate  60 . For example, a web page which includes a selectable certificate for a business typically includes other issuer information  118  to describe the business, or to describe the selectable commodity, such as a product or service description.  
      At denomination selection step  120 , the issuer preferably selects or uploads denomination parameters for a virtual certificate  60 . The denomination  78  may be in the form of a currency denomination, or in the form of a code associated with a product, a service, a coupon, a voucher, or other instrument for which the an acquired certificate  60  may be redeemed. The issuer may preferably authorize  120  the certificate authority  12  to issue certificates  60  within a set range of selectable denomination, or authorize the creation of virtual certificates  60  with a value determined by an acquirer user ACQ.  
      Examples of virtual certificates  60  that can be offered to acquirers by the certificate authority  12  on behalf of issuers include certificates denominated as full payment in exchange for an item and/or service (e.g. such as a gift certificate which is redeemable for an item and/or service, or a ticket or coupon voucher redeemable for an actual ticket), certificates  60  which may be redeemed as partial payment for a particular item or service, denominated as a currency amount (e.g. such as a gift certificate denominated in a currency amount); or a certificate  60  redeemable for currency, denominated in a currency amount (e.g. such as a “traveler&#39;s check”).  
      At issuer artwork selection step  122 , the issuer preferably selects or uploads artwork graphics  62   a - 62   n  which may be unique to the issuer (e.g. such as logos, trademarks, or other artwork, such as borders, illustrations, or photographs). The artwork graphics  62   a - 62   n  to be uploaded are typically uploaded in the form of graphics files  62   a - 62   n  ( FIG. 2 )(e.g. such as in TIFF, PICT or EPSF file formats), which are associated with an issuer ISR, a redemption location RL, a product or service, or basic certificate artwork  62 .  
      At redemption rule information selection step  124 , the issuer preferably selects or uploads redemption rules  66 , such as an expiration date, any exclusion of redemption on the basis of geographic location, or other redemption rules  66  unique to the issuer. As seen in  FIG. 2 , redemption rule information  66  may be included as printed information on an acquired certificate  60 .  
      At issuance restriction information selection step  126 , the issuer preferably selects or uploads issuance restrictions to the certificate authority  12 , such as to limit the number of acquired certificates  60   a - 60   n  to be issued by the certificate authority  12  on behalf of the issuer  22 , such as within a specified time frame, within a geographic region, or on the basis if other criteria unique to the issuer.  
      At issuance certificate identification parameter selection step  128 , the issuer preferably selects or specifies the format of unique certificate public key identification  82  ( FIGS. 3,4 ). For example, the issuer may require unique certificate public key identification  82  which corresponds to existing product codes, inventory, or existing issuer certificate systems. Therefore, the issuer may optionally select, enter or upload certificate identification public key parameters  82 , to be combined with certificate identification public key information  82  ( FIG. 3 ) assigned by the certificate authority  12 .  
      Issuer Reports. If an issuer user ISR has already created certificates  60 , the issuer user ISR, through the report interface  116 , can view, print, or download reports based upon previously created virtual certificates  60 , acquired certificates, or for redeemed certificates  60 . An issuer user ISR, at an issuer computer  22 , is preferably provided with report options  116  to request, view, print, or download, in near real time, various reports relating to certificate parameters, issuance, redemption, and other information.  
      For example, at certificate review step  130 , an issuer may preferably review existing parameters and data elements associated with a virtual certificate  60  or a series of virtual certificates  60   a - 60   n . At issued certificate review step  132 , an issuer may preferably review, print, or download information regarding issued certificates. At redeemed certificate review step  134 , an issuer may preferably review information regarding certificates  60  which have been redeemed and/or revoked (***Steps  134 , 136 , corresponding to steps  5 - 13 , 5 - 14  in original drawings, appear to be the same. Is there a correction that should be made here?***).  
      Acquirer Options.  FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram  140  of acquirer facility options. An acquirer user ACQ at an acquirer terminal  26 , through acquirer, facilities  28 , in a secure communication with the certificate authority  12 , such as through a registration or logon step  142 , is preferably provided with certificate acquisition options  144 , such as the means to browse through or search  148  for virtual certificates  60  (to be assembled from the discrete elements) stored on the database  18  by a certificate authority  12 , and to direct various parameters  144  regarding issuance of one or more certificates  60 . For a virtual certificate which an acquirer user ACQ proceeds to acquire, the acquirer user ACQ enters transaction information at transaction step  150 .  
      For previously acquired certificates  60  which have not been redeemed, the acquirer may preferably be able to cancel the certificate  60 , at cancellation step  151 . As well, for previously acquired certificates  60  which have not been redeemed, the acquirer user may preferably request a replacement for a certificate (e.g. such as for a lost or destroyed certificate). At customization step  153 , the acquirer user ACQ may preferably be given customization choices, such as integrating an acquired certificate  60  within a printed card, or modifying the artwork to display other information (e.g. such as the name of an alternate recipient RCP). In addition, for previously acquired certificates  60  which have not been redeemed, an acquirer user ACQ may access reports, at step  146 , regarding acquired certificates. For example, at redemption location report step  154 , an acquirer user may view, print, or download a list of alternate redemption locations RL, or supplementary information regarding the redemption locations RL (e.g. such as a map), for an acquired certificate  60 .  
      Certificate Acquisition and Input of Acquirer Information.  FIG. 7  shows a detailed acquisition transaction process  150 , by which an acquirer user may direct a certificate authority  12  to issue one or more selected certificates  60   a - 60   n  from an inventory of available virtual certificates  60 . An acquirer typically receives an issued certificate  60 , in exchange for an authorization to charge the acquirer upon certificate redemption, for payment at the time of acquisition, or on the basis of other acquirer qualifications. An acquirer may upload other necessary instructions and transaction information  162  to the certificate authority  12 , which are then stored (e.g. such as in database  18 ) as additional independent elements associated with the issued certificate  60 . Acquirer entered transaction information  162  typically includes name and address information  164 , credit card or other information  166  associated with the acquirer&#39;s payment agent  52 , assignment  170  by the acquirer of the secret private key  76  ( FIG. 3 ) to be associated with the selected certificate  60 , and a selected delivery method  172  for the certificate  60 .  
      The acquirer is typically prompted (e.g. such as by a required data entry field or a dialog box) to input the private key  76  (e.g. such as a personal identification number (PIN) into the system. The acquirer is preferably prompted to enter the private key  76  twice, to verify that the acquirer user has correctly entered a known private key), to be stored in association with the certificate  60 . In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system  10 , an acquirer may specify that the private key  76  to be associated with an issued certificate  60  be comprised of other identification information associated with the transaction, such as an account number which associates the acquirer with the acquirer&#39;s payment agent  52  (e.g. a credit card number), or a debit card number. As well, an acquirer user ACQ may preferably select and/or specify a denomination  168  for an acquired certificate  60  (e.g. such as a currency amount), typically by selecting from among denominations presented by an issuer. In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system  10 , the certificate authority  12  sends a confirming e-mail to the acquirer.  
      When the acquisition of a certificate  60  is complete, the certificate authority  12  preferably allows the acquirer to preview of a printed version of the certificate  60 , and typically presents certificate delivery options  172  to the acquirer, such as the transfer of a downloadable PDF file to the acquirer terminal  26 , the e-mail of certificate information  98  to the acquirer terminal  26  (or to an alternate recipient RCP), the facsimile transmission  32  of a certificate, an electronic encoding  34  of a smart-card based certificate, or the electronic transfer of the certificate to a redeemer computer  36  at a desired redemption location RL.  
      The acquirer can send an e-mail or other message to a recipient (e.g. such as for a gift certificate), directing the recipient to log on and pick up the certificate, either for printing, such as at the recipient&#39;s computer, at the redemption location RL, or at a third party (e.g. such as at a third party mail service provider). If no hard-copy of the acquired certificate  60  is desired, or if printing is not feasible, the certificate information can be transferred directly to the issuer merchant&#39;s computer (e.g. a paperless electronic certificate), by which the acquirer ACQ or alternate recipient RCP need only to visit a redemption location RL, and supply the private key PIN number to the redemption clerk RC.  
      Examples of alternate delivery methods for an acquired certificate  60  which may be specified by an acquirer ACQ include downloading of the certificate  60  as an electronic file (e.g. such as within a portable document format (PDF) file (by ACROBAT™, of Adobe Systems, Inc., of San Jose Calif.), or as an electronic description transferred via the acquirer&#39;s computer  26  to a transaction card encoder  34 , or for printing on a printer  30  connected to the acquirer&#39;s computer  26 , or for subsequent printing later by the acquirer user.  
      A redeemer (i.e. a store clerk) typically needs only the certificate information  74  (which includes the denomination  78  of the certificate  60  and public keys  80 , 82 ), in combination with the acquirer&#39;s private key  76 , to validate an acquired certificate  60 . Hence, an issuer may request that a certificate  60  be delivered in the form of an e-mail, containing only these items, or as encodeable “smart card” data that can be magnetically stored by the acquirer using a “smart card” encoder- 34  attached to the acquirer computer  26  or other communication device.  
      An alternate preferred delivery option  172  which an acquirer may specify is that an acquired certificate be printed by the certificate authority  12 , and delivered by a postal service or other delivery service, to an address specified by the acquirer user ACQ (the typically the address of the acquirer ACQ, or the address of an alternate recipient RCP, such as if the acquired certificate  60  is intended as a gift certificate).  
      An alternate preferred delivery option  172  which an acquirer may specify is that an image (e.g. such as a TIFF file) of an acquired certificate  60  be faxed by the certificate authority  12 , to a facsimile (fax) machine designated by the acquirer user ACQ (typically a facsimile machine  32  associated with the acquirer ACQ, or a fax machine  32  associated with an alternate recipient RCP).  
      As seen in  FIG. 6 , until an acquired certificate is redeemed, an acquirer preferably has the ability to cancel  152  a previously acquired certificate  60 , or to request that an acquired certificate be revoked and replaced  153  by a new certificate  60 . For example, if an acquirer user accidentally damages, destroys, or loses a previously printed acquired certificate  60 , the acquirer may simply print out a new certificate  60 , or have a new certificate delivered or faxed, and may either retain the previously stored private key  76 , or may specify a new private key  76 .  
      Since an acquired certificate  60  may only be used for redemption once (at which time further use is revoked), there is no financial risk to the issuer ISR in the use of replacement certificates. As well, even if a certificate is lost and retrieved by a second party, or is stolen, the lost acquired certificate is unredeemable, without submittal of the private key  76 , which is not included as printed information on a certificate  60 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 6 , an acquirer is preferably allowed to query the secure database  18  for available redemption locations  154  for an acquired certificate  60 , typically on the basis of a geographic screening. The acquirer may request redemption locations  154  when the certificate is acquired, and is preferably provided with ongoing access to redemption locations  154  (such as if an alternate redemption location is desired, and is allowed by the redemption rules  66  for an acquired certificate  60 .  
      Prior to acquisition, the virtual certificate is  60  merely a defined product or service, associated with an authorization to produce a certificate, as defined by an issuer, for the defined product or service. However, after the acquisition transaction is completed, the certificate  60  then exists as an established entity within the database  18 , thereby becoming a token which directly corresponds to the corresponding defined product or service, which is to be surrendered by the seller to the holder of the certificate  60  at the time of a completed redemption transaction  104 .  
      In addition to the previously defined public keys  80 , 82  and private key identifiers, upon issuance of an acquired certificate, the certificate authority  12  preferably creates or assigns a unique issued certificate number (e.g. such as certificate “XYZ-203-4067”) which corresponds to the acquired certificate  60 , as well as to the collection of the defined elements of the certificate  60  (e.g. such as the associated graphics  62 , redemption rules  66 , and denomination  78 ), which are bound within the database  18  after the acquisition transaction.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the certificate authority  12  communicates the acquisition transaction  72  to the issuer (e.g. such as through issued certificate reports  132 ), such that the product or service which is to be received upon redemption may be held (i.e. reserved). For a product within an inventory at a redemption location, the product may preferably be placed on hold. For a designated service, the issuer may preferably use the acquisition information to schedule personnel or equipment, or to limit the further sale of goods or services (e.g. such as for an airline flight, which has a limited number of seats available for a scheduled flight and time).  
      Before the acquisition transaction  72 , the virtual certificate  60  is merely an authorization to construct a certificate  60 , wherein the virtual certificate  60  is typically stored as a product or service category within a virtual inventory of other virtual certificates. If a certificate is never acquired, there is no effect upon a real inventory. If an inventory of real goods an services (or associated cost structures) change for an issuer, they may simply reaccess the certificate system  10 , and remove or edit previously defined virtual certificates  60 , or create other certificates  60  which reflect their current goods, services, or cost structures.  
      For example, for an issuer/merchant who has a limited number of products available (e.g. such as three mission-style coffee tables), the issuer ISR would preferably limit the availability of virtual certificates  60 , as a redemption rule  66  at issuer facility step  124  ( FIG. 5 ). If an acquirer user ACQ acquires a certificate for such a commodity having a limited availability, the certificate authority  12  preferably limits the acquisition to the defined virtual inventory. As well, for an issuer ISR which creates virtual certificates  60  for a plurality of redemption locations RL, the issuer may preferably create virtual certificates  60  which are unique to one or more of the redemption locations. For example, a first redemption location RL may sell products which are not available at a second similar redemption location RL, or the selling price for a product may be different at different redemption locations. For virtual certificates  60  which are defined as virtual coupons (e.g. such as for a discount at a redemption location RL), an issuer can preferably define different discount rates for different redemption locations RL.  
      Certificate Redemption.  FIG. 8  is a detailed schematic block diagram  174  of redeemer facility options. A redemption clerk RC (e.g. such as a sales clerk at a redemption location), establishes electronic communication with a certificate authority  12  through redeemer facilities  38 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the redeemer facilities  38  are typically accessed through a redeemer computer terminal  36 , a redeemer POS terminal  40 , or by a telephone  44  (either by using a keypad driven menu, or through a live operator intermediary  14 ).  
      When an acquirer user ACQ (or alternate recipient RCP) desires to proceed with a redemption transaction  90  at a redemption location, the acquirer user ACQ typically hands the printed certificate  60  to a redemption clerk RC, and communicates the private key  76 . The redemption clerk RC then validates the issued certificate  60 , to obtain a redemption authorization code  181  from a certificate authority  12  to redeem the certificate  60 , thereby performing a certificate authentication  178 . In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system, the acquired certificate includes redemption instructions  66  (i.e. terms of service instructions), which a redemption clerk RC preferably follows to redeem the acquired certificate  60 . The redemption clerk RC uploads  180  certificate information  98  to the certificate authority  12 , which typically includes the certificate denomination  78 , the public keys  80 , 82 , as well as the private key  76  (which is submitted separately by the acquirer user ACQ).  
      In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system  10 , communication of redemption information  98  (e.g. such as communication of the required public keys  80 , 82 , private key  76  and denomination  78 ) of the certificate  60  to the certificate authority  12  is made by an electronic link  39  with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal  40  and/or a card code scanner  40 , a redeemer computer  36 , or by other means having the ability to establish an electronic link  39  with the certificate authority  12 . For example, a redemption clerk RC preferably uses a bar code image scanner or other POS terminal  40  to determine the redemption information  98 , while the acquirer ACQ typically enters the private key  76  (e.g. such as a PIN number) into a keypad of a POS terminal  40 .  
      In a redemption system  174  which comprises a telephone terminal  44 , the communication of the redemption information  98  of the certificate  60  to the certificate authority  12  may be made using a touch-tone telephone keypad on the telephone  44 , or by live-phone contact to an operator intermediary  45  in communication with the certificate authority  12 .  
      Authorization of Certificate Redemption. Upon authentication of the certificate by the certificate authority  12 , on the basis of a correlation of the unique certificate identification  74  in combination with the acquirer&#39;s private key PIN  76  with the transaction records associated with the certificate  60  stored in the secure database  18 , the certificate authority  12  authorizes the redemption, and revokes the certificate  60 .  
      In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system  10 , upon authentication of a certificate  60 , the certificate authority  12 , creates a unique redemption transaction code  181 , which through redeemer facilities  38  may be downloaded  182  or otherwise communicated to a redemption terminal  36 , 40 , 44 . The certificate authority  12  preferably stores the redemption transaction code  181  in association with the data elements relating to the certificate  60 . The redemption transaction code  181  may subsequently be used by redeemer personnel RC, such as through a redemption terminal  36 , to authenticate to the certificate authority  12  that the redemption of the certificate  60  occurred, in the event there are subsequent discrepancies in the final financial reconciliation of payment transfers associated with the redemption transaction  104 .  
      The certificate authority  12  has the means  46  to selectively establish an electronic communication link  57  with an acquirer payment agent  52 , to request payment, and transmits to the acquirer payment agent  52  the identification needed by the acquirer payment agent  52  to authenticate the acquirer user ACQ, and obtain approval for the redemption transaction  104 .  
      Therefore, upon a successful redemption transaction  104 , the certificate authority  12  typically manages the transfer of funds between appropriate payment agents. In one embodiment the certificate authority  12  sends instructions to the authority payment agent  58 , to transfer funds to the redeemer payment agent  56  of a redeemer.  
      Issuer Creation Module.  FIG. 9  shows the creation of a virtual certificate  60  by an issuer user ISR at an issuer terminal, through issuer facilities  24 . As described above, an issuer user ISR, in communication with the certificate authority  12  across a network  192  (e.g. such as the internet), typically through a certificate server  14 , can direct the creation of one or more virtual certificates  60 . The issuer facilities preferably include a issuer certificate creation module  194 , in which the issuer may define attributes for a virtual certificate  60 , such as denomination information  64   a , 64   b , certificate design information  62   a - 62   n , redemption rules  66   a - 66   n , and issuer defined public key information  82 .  
       FIG. 10  shows an issuer virtual certificate creation module interface  194   a , which preferably includes an issuer information module  196 , an issuer commodity denomination module  198 , an issuer design module  200 , and a redemption rule module  202 .  
      The information module  196  typically includes issuer business name  204   a , issuer address  204   b , registration information  204   c , issuer description copy  204   d , and a comprehensive list  204   n  of all associated redemption locations RL. The commodity denomination module  198  typically includes commodity type  206   a , commodity category  206   b , and a denomination descriptor  206   c . Other denomination attributes may be set with denomination attribute control  206   d . The issuer design module  200  typically includes selection of various design element  62 , such as through add design element control  122   a , design library control  122   b , and upload design control  122   c . Attributes for a design are preferably set by attribute control  208 . A design element  62  is preferably activated by control  210 . A design element  62  which is not needed may be deleted by deletion control  212 . The redemption rule module  202  typically includes user selectable expiration limitations  124   a , location selection  124   b , or other redemption rules  124   c . As well, other issuer entered restrictions may be entered, such as availability  126   a , or other restrictions  126   n.    
       FIG. 11  shows a preferred graphic user certificate layout interface  194   b  for an issuer virtual certificate creation module  194 . The certificate layout interface  194   b  preferably includes a work area  214 , in which an issuer user ISR can establish a defined layout for virtual certificates  60 , as they may appear on a network site, or as an acquired certificate  60  may look if a printable form is used. User selectable elements, such as denomination  64 , design elements  62   a - 62   n , redemption rules  66 , or issuer defined certificate identification elements  82 , preferably appear as selectable icons. The selectable elements are preferably established in the issuer virtual certificate creation module interface  194   a , such that selectable elements are preferably limited to the defined attributes. The work area  214  preferably allows the issuer user ISR to create a certificate layout in a WYSIWYG work environment, wherein elements may be “dragged into position in the area, and wherein a certificate preview (e.g. such as a thumbnail or full size image) is created within the work area  214 . An issuer user may save  218  a virtual certificate, rename  220  a certificate as a new certificate, print  222  a proof copy, or be guided  224  to context-sensitive help screens.  
      Creation of Inventory.  FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a virtual inventory stored within a database  18 . Each created virtual certificate  60  is a defined collection of elements, such as denomination elements  64   a , 64   b , redemption rules  66 , such as applicable redemption locations RL, and a public key identification packet  80 , 82 . One or more virtual certificates  60 , which are stored within the database  18 , become a virtual inventory  228  of goods and services, which can then be accessed through one or more network locations (e.g. such as through web sites).  
      The virtual inventory  228  typically comprises a wide variety of goods and services. As well, the virtual inventory  228  typically comprises virtual certificates which may be redeemed within different geographic regions. For example, a first inventory subset  230   a  within the virtual inventory  228  may be a subset of similar products or services, but with no limitation of a redemption location RL. By contrast, a second inventory subset  230   b  within the virtual inventory  228  may be a subset of all products or services which may be acquired, but within a small geographic region.  
      Certificate elements, such as commodity type, denomination, product descriptors, and redemption locations RL are preferably searchable data elements, by which virtual certificates  60  for products or services may be quickly located.  
      One or more network sites, such as aggregate sites  234  ( FIG. 13 ), may preferably be established, to allow an acquirer shopper ACQ to locate an appropriate subset  230  of virtual inventory  228 , to allow for the sale of similar goods and services from a plurality of issuers ISR, and to allow the sale of goods and services to be redeemed within a given region. As well, from a site  234  having a subset  230  of any portion of the virtual inventory, the acquirer is preferably provided with search tools  238  by which appropriate virtual certificates  60  are located.  
       FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing a site virtual inventory  236  at an aggregate network site  234 , and a search subset  240  of the site virtual inventory  236  directed by a search command  238  within a browsing (i.e. shopping) module  148  at an acquirer terminal  26   n.    
      In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system, an acquirer user ACQ is able to control (e.g. such as by search command  238 ) which of the available virtual certificates  60  are to be displayed, on the basis of a particular store or brand of product, or on the basis of certificate types and/or issuer types categorized by one or more descriptive criteria available in the discrete information associated with each unissued virtual certificate.  
      In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system  10 , an acquirer user ACQ may specify a geographic location for a desired redemption location RL (e.g. such as a redemption within a postal code area or telephone area code region). The certificate authority  12  uses the selected geographic descriptor to create a subset  240  of available virtual certificates  60 , such that only redeemable certificates associated with the specified geographic location are presented to the acquirer user ACQ. For example, an issuer ISR may have specified geographic exclusions for a certificate which correlate to the acquirer&#39;s geographic identification information, precluding redemption within the acquirer&#39;s geographic area.  
      Therefore, an acquirer user ACQ can locate redemption locations RL for one or more products or services which are available as selectable virtual certificates  60 . Upon initiating a search, such as by product type, service type, zip code, town, or state, the certificate authority  12  preferably presents a browseable subset  240  of the entire virtual inventory  228  (or of an aggregate inventory  236 ), which matches search limiters entered by the acquirer user ACQ.  
      For example, an acquirer user in  FIG. 13  may have entered “coffee” as a search descriptor at an aggregate site  234 , within a zip code of “97213”, with a selected local radius of 25 miles. The certificate authority  12  would then perform a search for product types or description text that includes the word “coffee”, for virtual certificates  60  which include a one or more redemption locations within the “97213” zip code (as well, in this preferred embodiment, within a region roughly defined by a 25 mile radius from the center of the “97213” area code). In this manner, the acquirer user may be presented with a selection of virtual certificates  60  which match the search criteria.  
      Since the inventory  228  of virtual products and services is a virtual product inventory  228 , one or more of the virtual products or services may be accessed by a plurality of network locations  234 . For example, a virtual certificate  60  created by an issuer ISR who sells computers may correspond to the acquisition of a small, hand-held tape recorder. The corresponding virtual certificate  60  may advantageously listed within a plurality of aggregate sites  234  such as an aggregated site  234   a  for electronics, an aggregated site for business supplies  234   b , an aggregated site for school supplies  234   c , or even a site for gadgets or gifts  234   d.    
      From an aggregated web site  234 , which offers virtual certificates  60  for goods or services from a plurality of businesses ISR, RL, an acquirer user ACQ, searching or browsing through an aggregate inventory  236  of virtual certificates  60 , is preferably guided to web pages or sections of web pages  248  ( FIG. 14 ), which describe one or more certificates  60 , along with a presentation of other information  252   a , 252   b  which was input by the user to be displayed with the virtual certificate  60  (e.g. such as a store or product logo, a description of the store, business address, phone number, or map, or a description of the product or service represented by the virtual coupon  60 ). As well, links to related virtual coupons for other products and services from the same issuer are preferably included.  
      As well, the same certificate  60  may be accessed from the issuer/merchant&#39;s own network site  242 , which has a site virtual inventory  236  limited to virtual certificates  60  that are created by the issuer ISR. For example, a merchant site  242  (i.e. such as an issuer/redeemer site) that is established by a merchant may include a wide variety of information  244 , typically related to the issuer ISR or associated redemption locations RL. Within the merchant site  242 , the issuer ISR may preferably provide direct access to virtual certificates, such as through selectable certificate icons  246  ( FIG. 14 ).  
      Upon selection of a selectable certificate locator icon  246 , an abbreviated certificate description page  248  is typically presented to the acquirer user ACQ at the acquirer terminal  26 , which describes the goods and services for the selected virtual certificate. The certificate description page  248  provides a virtual “shelf space”, which may be accessed from one or more aggregate sites  234 , or from a merchant web site  242 . The certificate description page  248  typically provide issuer defined options, such as headers, product or service description, including selectable options to view and acquire  250  coupons or certificates.  
      An acquirer user ACQ therefore may preferably access the inventory  228 , 236  of virtual certificates  60  through both one or more larger aggregated sites  234 , as well as through existing merchant sites  242 . An acquirer customer ACQ typically finds a virtual certificate  60 , or does a search to find various network sites offering virtual certificates  60  for desired goods or services.  
      Acquisition Transaction Module.  FIG. 14  is a block diagram  240  of acquirer access to an acquisition transaction module  252 , wherein the acquisition transaction module  252  is accessible through one or more aggregated sites  234 , as well as through an existing merchant site  242 .  
      Selection of a selectable acquisition icon  250  by an acquirer user ACQ typically transfers the acquirer user ACQ to a acquisition transaction module  252  within the acquirer facilities  28  for the certificate system  10 . While the acquisition transaction module  252  is operated within the certificate system  10 , the description of the selected available product or service, the denomination  64  for the selected available product or service, as well as other redemption rules  66 , are determined by the issuer options  114  ( FIG. 5 ). As well, limitations on appropriate acquirer payment agents  52  are initially selectable  252  by the issuer, and limit the payment agent choices within the shopping transaction module  252 .  
      For example, if a redemption location RL for an issuer ISR accepts VISA™ or AMERICAN EXPRESS™ credit card payment agents  52 , but does not accept MASTERCARD™ credit card payment agents  52 , the issuer ISR preferably limits the selectable  256  payment agents  52 , to be displayed and selectable within the shopping transaction module  252 , to VISA™ or AMERICAN EXPRESS™ payment agents  52 .  
      While the shopping transaction module  252  is typically used for a single acquisition transaction  90 , related to a single issuer ISR, the shopping transaction module  252  can alternately be used to acquire one or more certificates related to the same issuer ISR, for a single redemption location RL. Details of the acquisition transaction are displayed within the transaction invoice  254 .  
      As described above, during an acquisition transaction  72 , the acquirer facilities  28  typically prompt the acquirer user to enter required transaction information  150  ( FIG. 5 ), which include the submittal of a private key  76 , which is thereafter associated with the acquired certificate  60 .  
      Alternate Embodiments for Payment Transfer. The certificate system  60  is easily adapted to provide alternate systems for payment transfer. For example, as described below, funds may be transferred directly from an acquirer payment agent  52  and a redeemer payment agent  56  upon the acquisition of a certificate  60 , which is redeemed at a later time at a redemption location RL.  
      As well, funds may first be transferred directly from an acquirer payment agent  52  to a third party (e.g. such as the certificate payment agent  58 ) upon the acquisition of a certificate  60 , and from the certificate payment agent  58  to the redeemer payment agent  56  upon redemption.  
      In an alternate embodiment, an independent entity operates the certificate system  10 , purchases virtual certificates  60  from one or more issuers  22 , and then sells the purchased virtual certificates to acquirers, with funds transferring between the acquirer payment agents  52  to the certificate payment agent  58 , either during the acquisition transaction, or during the redemption transaction  104 .  
      Certificate Systems Having Payment Upon Acquisition. In one embodiment of the certificate system  10 , payment funds are transferred from the acquirer payment agent  52  when a certificate  60  is acquired. While this payment system may not be applicable for all embodiments of the certificate system  10 , payment of funds at the point of certificate acquisition  72  is often beneficial for issuers and redeemers, wherein inventory of goods, or reservations of services, are preferably held or reserved upon payment.  
      As well, for issuers, such as larger corporate clients, which are linked to a plurality of redemption locations RL (e.g. such as a chain of retail stores), inventory related to acquired certificates may be routed to a particular redemption location RL.  
      A certificate system  10  which offers payment upon certificate acquisition may be beneficial for “in-house” certificate systems  10 , wherein the certificate authority  12  is a dedicated system for an issuer ISR, as seen the certificate network  260   b  of  FIG. 16 . However, for issuers and redeemers which are may be small or unknown businesses, acquirer users ACQ may be hesitant to transfer funds from their respective acquirer payment agent  52  until the goods or services are deemed to be acceptable (i.e. at the point of redemption). For large or known issuers ISR, redemption locations RL, and for brand name products, payment upon acquisition may be satisfactory for acquirer users ACQ.  
      Certificate Systems Having Payment Upon Redemption Transaction. In a preferred embodiment of the certificate system  10 , the certificate authority  12  receives an initial authorization to transfer funds from an acquirer payment agent  52 , whereby the certificate authority establishes a “lock” on funds as a part of the certificate acquisition transaction  72 . The funds are then transferred, from the acquirer payment agent  52  to the redeemer payment agent  56 , when a certificate is redeemed  90 , 104  for actual goods or services, when the redemption transaction is authorized by the certificate authority  12  (e.g. such as by an authentication module  16 ).  
      For a certificate system  10  which serves a plurality of issuers ISR, payment upon redemption is often advantageous to acquirer users ACQ. For example, in a large independent certificate system  10 , which accepts a plurality of issuers ISR, and allows acquirers ACQ to acquire certificates  60  for a selection of goods and services from the plurality of issuers ISR, it is important that only qualified and legitimate issuers be allowed to market certificates  60 . As well, it is important that the issuers ISR clearly describe the products and services which are to be acquired through a redemption of an acquired certificate  60 .  
      For a system in which payment of funds from an acquirer user ACQ is made upon the actual receipt of acceptable products or services, the acquirer ACQ (or alternate recipient RCP) is assured that redemption location RL, as well as the products or services to be received, are legitimate. It is therefore advantageous that issuers and redeemers clearly describe the goods or services which are represented by an acquired certificate  60 .  
      As well, for a certificate system  10  in which payment of funds from an acquirer is made upon the actual receipt of acceptable products or services, the redemption transaction  104  is a true sales transaction, wherein the sale is independent of the certificate entity (except for the authorization to transfer funds). For example, funds are not transferred into or out of a certificate authority account  58 , and an acquirer is able to accept or decline the transfer of funds at the time of the redemption transaction  104  (either by redeeming the certificate  60 , or by declining a redemption). In such a certificate system, the certificate authority  12  need not accept responsibility for the quality of goods or services, since the redeemer receives funds from the acquirer payment agent  52  during the redemption transaction  104 , and the acquirer receives the related goods or services from the redemption location RL during the redemption transaction  104 .  
      Therefore, while an issuer ISR creates a virtual certificate  60  which is acquired through the certificate transaction network  10 , the purchase transaction for the goods or services represented by the certificate occurs at the redemption location RL, through the merchant&#39;s point of sale terminal  40 , with final redemption authorization of acquirer funds handled by the certificate authority  12 .  
      In the preferred certificate system  10  wherein payment is not transferred until actual redemption of the certificate  60 , buyers are inherently protected from mis-represented goods or services, or from illegitimate certificate issuers ISR. If a customer, such as an acquirer user, or a recipient of a certificate  60  (and accompanying private key  76 ), decides not to redeem the certificate, or upon visiting a redemption location RL, decides against the transaction for any reason, the customer may, at their discretion, decide against proceeding with the redemption transaction  104 . Since the customer is not charged for the sale unless a redemption transaction  104  is actually made, the customer is inherently protected, since the certificate system  10  minimizes misrepresentation of goods and services by issuers ISR.  
      For an acquirer who decides not to proceed with a redemption transaction  104 , the acquirer may simply let the acquired certificate  60  “expire”, or may actively return to the purchasing site, such as through the acquirer facilities, and actively cancel the certificate  60 , while suspending the authorized lock on the acquirer&#39;s funds.  
      The enhanced level of protection for the buyer provided by the certificate system  10  is advantageous for many redemption circumstances. While business and personal travelers commonly purchase travel tickets (e.g. such as airline tickets, train tickets, accommodations, and car rentals) at the present time, funds are still transferred when the tickets are sent to or reserved for the acquirer. If travel plans are changed, or if flights are changed, buyers have little or no financial leverage. In contrast to conventional ticketing and reservations, if travel plans are changed, or if a flight is canceled, a customer in possession of an applicable certificate  60  can easily modify their travel plans, without being charged.  
      While authorization to charge against an acquirer&#39;s payment agent  52  (e.g. such as a credit card) is first established at the time the acquirer first acquires a certificate  60 , funds are not typically transferred during the initial authorization. Instead, the initial authorization acts to validate an acquirer&#39;s payment agent  52 , while performing a preliminary test for funds, which are to be typically charged later, during a second redemption transaction  104 .  
      The second authorization against the acquirer&#39;s funds takes place when the certificate is redeemed. While the initial authorization typically confirms available credit for an acquirer, and typically establishes a hold on appropriate funds for the certificate  60 , the fund hold may either be held in place indefinitely until redemption, or may expire before the redemption of the certificate. For a fund hold which expires before a certificate is redeemed, a redeemer may still gain authorization to charge the acquirer&#39;s payment agent  52 , during the redemption transaction  90  (such as be re-entering the credit information).  
      The certificate system  10  therefore provides a mutually safe and fair means for commerce between an acquirer and an issuer, since, the acquirers ACQ are properly authorized (both during the initial acquisition of the certificate and during the redemption transaction  104 ), while the holder of the certificate  60  (i.e. the acquirer or an authorized recipient of an acquired certificate) is also able to accept or decline the redemption transaction  90  (e.g. such as upon visiting the redemption location, if the goods or services are not satisfactory).  
      In this preferred embodiment of the certificate system, funds are never transferred to the hosting certificate system  10 , but are only transferred, upon a redemption transaction  104 , from the acquirer payment agent  52 , either to the issuer payment agent  54 , or to the redeemer payment agent  56 . In this mode of operation, a second authorization is required at the time the certificate is redeemed, to authorize transfer of funds, and to initiate the actual transfer of funds.  
      Financial institutions which offer credit card systems typically charge merchant businesses different discount rates (e.g. typically a percentage of each sale), based upon the type of sales transactions. Many financial institutions charge different rates for credit card present transactions, credit card not present transactions, and internet transactions, with the greatest rates typically charged to internet transactions (typically since fraudulent use of credit cards is currently more prevalent on the internet).  
      However, within the certificate system  10 , for embodiments where funds are initially locked during the acquisition, and where a second authorization takes place upon redemption of an acquired certificate, funds are transferred at the redemption level. For an acquirer user who has a card present for redemption authorization, there is a reasonable level of security for the merchant that the card is valid. Even for a an acquirer or recipient who is in possession of the certificate  60  and the private key  76 , the redemption transaction is significantly more secure than a remote internet transaction. Therefore, a merchant is more likely to pay less to the credit card issuing agency.  
      System Structures. The certificate system  10  may operate across a wide variety of networks  192 , and may be easily adapted to promote various commerce models.  FIG. 15  shows one network embodiment  260   a  of a certificate system  10  implemented across a network  192 , having a plurality of issuer terminals  22   a - 22   p , each having issuer facilities  24   a - 24   p , and network connection  23   a - 23   p ; a remote certificate authority  12 , including a certificate module  14 , an authentication module  16 , a database  18 , and an authority terminal  58 . A plurality of acquirer terminals  26   a - 26   n , each having acquirer facilities  28   a - 28   n , and network connections  27   a - 27   n , are connected to network  192 , such that a plurality of acquirer users may browse and acquire certificates  60  which are created by a plurality of issuer users at issuer terminals  22   a - 22   p.    
       FIG. 16  shows an embodiment of an alternate network embodiment  260   b  of a certificate system  10  implemented across a network  192  having a single issuer terminal  22 , with issuer facility  24 , and a network connection  23   a - 23   p  and a related dedicated certificate authority  12 , including a certificate module  14 , an authentication module  16 , a database  18 , and an authority terminal  58 . For a large issuer ISR, such as a conglomerate which provides a large selection of products or services at a plurality of locations RL, a dedicated certificate authority system  12 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 58  may preferably be used to manage a large virtual inventory of  228  certificates  60  on an issuer network site  242 . A plurality of acquirer terminals  26   a - 26   n , each having acquirer facilities  28   a - 28   n  and network connections  27   a - 27   n , are connected to network  192 , such that a plurality of acquirer users ACQ may browse and acquire certificates  60  within the virtual inventory  228  of the merchant site  242 .  
      System Applications and Alternative Embodiments. The certificate system  10  can be used for a large variety of commerce applications, wherein products and services are located on-line, but are picked up at a store. For example, an acquirer user ACQ may locate a large gift item on-line (e.g. such as a television set), which can be picked up at a location RL near a recipient RCP. The acquirer user ACQ may simply search for and locate the desired gift item at a location RL near the recipient RCP, proceed with an acquisition transaction  72 , transfer the acquired certificate  60  (or just the certificate information  74 ) to the recipient RCP (or directly to the redemption location RL), and communicate the private key to the recipient RCP. The recipient RCP may then perform the redemption transaction  90 , and receive the gift item.  
      In a similar embodiment, an acquirer user ACQ may desire to send a gift certificate with a selected money denomination  64  to a recipient RCP. With the certificate information  74  and the private key  76 , the recipient RCP can either visit the redemption location RL directly, or may alternately browse on-line through an aggregate site or a merchant site, to locate desired goods or services, before picking the desired goods up at the redemption location RL.  
      The certificate system  10  can also be used for travel and accommodations, and for various ticketing applications, As well, the certificate system  10  may be used as a secure currency, in the form of “traveler&#39;s” certificates, which are acquired online, but are spent or cashed at one or more locations RL. As well, the certificate system may be used to prepay for services, such as for medical or dental services, or even home repair.  
      The certificate system  10  may be alternately used for business vouchers systems, in which personnel, such as employees, are sent to pick up and deliver goods and services, using single-use certificates  60  to provide for the secure transfer of various forms of inventory.  
      As described above, the certificate system  10  does not require that monetary funds are transferred, or that the system be used exclusively for purchasing products or services. For example, the certificate system  10  may be used to distribute discount coupons for one or more issuers ISR, which are typically redeemable as a discount for an acquired product or service. While virtual coupons are similar to virtual certificates  60  there is typically no monetary value associated with a virtual coupon, such that there may be no private key verification required during a redemption transaction  90 . An acquirer user ACQ simply accesses a desired virtual coupon (e.g. such as for a related search for products or businesses within their regional area), and prints a desired coupon on an acquirer printer  30 . The acquirer user ACQ may then visit a related redemption location RL (i.e. the selected store), which honors and redeems the coupon (typically as a discount for a product or service specified on the virtual coupon).  
      A merchant issuer may preferably combine the use of virtual certificates  60  with that of virtual coupons, such as through virtual site, wherein an acquirer user may receive a discount that is related to the acquisition of one or more certificates  60 . For example, to promote the redemption location RL, an issuer user may provide an acquirer user with a virtual discount coupon, as a bonus for prior certificate purchases.  
      System Advantages. Retailers, such as small merchants, may easily establish means for selling their goods and services online, without the requirement of establishing an extensive online presence. Issuers may simply register their business with the certificate authority  12 , and then may create virtual certificates  60  for one or more of their products and services. Virtual certificates  60  can be offered for acquisition at one or more sites, such as an aggregated site  234  for a large variety of products and services within a selected region, or a more specialized site  234  that is related to specific types of products or services within their area.  
      As well, even without a web site, an issuer/merchant can input other store information  252   a , 252   b  (such as business location information, logos, product descriptions) to appear on a web page  248 , 252  appropriate to a virtual certificate  60 , as well as acceptable credit cards  52  for the issuer/merchant. When an acquirer ACQ navigates to a description of a virtual certificate within a site  248 , such as by limiting a search to a specific product category within a specified zip code region, the issuer/merchant information  252  is preferably displayed, in conjunction with the virtual certificate  60 , thereby creating a network presence for the issuer/merchant. As well, if an acquirer ACQ selects the certificate  60  (i.e. decides to acquire the certificate), the acquirer facility  28  typically displays an acquisition invoice module  252  that is specific to an issuer/merchant for the selected certificate  60 , wherein selectable payment agent information (i.e. accepted credit cards) are limited to cards which the issuer accepts at the redemption location RL.  
      Through the certificate system  10 , acquirers are able to find goods and services that they might not have been able to find otherwise. As well, acquirers are able to secure a price for a transaction at the time they acquire a certificate  60 . The certificate authority creates a virtual inventory  228  of virtual certificates  60 , there is no inventory of paper-based certificates or coupons.  
      Although the certificate system  10  and its methods of use are described herein in connection with retail certificates offered through web sites, the apparatus and techniques can be implemented for other certificate, coupon, voucher, or token system, and over different types of networks, or any combination thereof, as desired.  
      Accordingly, although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a particular preferred embodiment, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.