초록 ▼

A number of fault-tolerant methods for purchasing digital goods with a digital token over a network in which the token's value resides either with a customer or a merchant are disclosed. One version of the method comprises the steps of establishing a price with a merchant for a digital good. A merch

A number of fault-tolerant methods for purchasing digital goods with a digital token over a network in which the token's value resides either with a customer or a merchant are disclosed. One version of the method comprises the steps of establishing a price with a merchant for a digital good. A merchant-signed invoice and the digital good in encrypted form are then sent from the merchant to the customer. The invoice is signed with the customer's signature to produce a countersigned invoice. The countersigned invoice, a token (which can be an anonymous token), and identifying information for the token are sent from the customer to the merchant. The countersigned invoice, the token, and the identifying information are sent from the merchant for verification. The token is verified with the identifying information and the other information in the countersigned purchase order is checked. The transaction is committed when the token and other information in the countersigned purchase order are verified such that the value of the token is transferred from the customer to the merchant. The transaction is then completed by providing the customer with the key for decrypting the encrypted goods.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What we claim is:] [1.] A fault-tolerant method of purchasing digital goods with a digital token in which the token's value resides either with a customer or with a merchant, comprising the steps of:initiating a transaction with a merchant for a digital good;sending a merchant-signed invoice and t

[ What we claim is:] [1.] A fault-tolerant method of purchasing digital goods with a digital token in which the token's value resides either with a customer or with a merchant, comprising the steps of:initiating a transaction with a merchant for a digital good;sending a merchant-signed invoice and the digital good in encrypted form from the merchant to a customer;signing the invoice with the customer's signature to produce a countersigned invoice;sending the countersigned invoice, a token, and identifying information for the token from the customer to the merchant;sending the countersigned invoice, the token, and the identifying information for verification;verifying the token with the identifying information and verifying the other information in the countersigned purchase order;committing the transaction when the token and other information in the countersigned purchase order are verified such that the value of the token is transferred from the customer to the merchant;completing the transaction by making a key for decrypting the digital good available to the customer; andretaining records of the transaction.