Patents Assigned to Open Market, Inc.
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Patent number: 6490358Abstract: A system for creating a log of a conversation includes a convener computer and a plurality of conversation computers interconnected by a computer network. The system includes an arbiter computer and a plurality of conversation computers interconnected by a computer network. The arbiter computer creates a public key pair comprising a new public key and a new private key, and causes the new public key to be transmitted to the conversation computers. The conversation computers receive the public key and transmit messages during the conversation. The arbiter computer uses the new private key to encrypt messages transmitted by at least some of the conversation computers during a conversation among the conversation computers, and to store the encrypted messages in a message log. The conversation computers cause messages in the message log to be decrypted using the new public key.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventors: Daniel E. Geer, Jr., Henry R. Tumblin
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Patent number: 6449599Abstract: A network-based sales system includes at least one buyer computer for operation by a user desiring to buy a product, at least one merchant computer, and at least one payment computer. The buyer computer, the merchant computer, and the payment computer are interconnected by a computer network. The buyer computer is programmed to receive a user request for purchasing a product, and to cause a payment message to be sent to the payment computer that comprises a product identifier identifying the product. The payment computer is programmed to receive the payment message, to cause an access message to be created that comprises the product identifier and an access message authenticator based on a cryptographic key, and to cause the access message to be sent to the merchant computer.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1999Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventors: Andrew C. Payne, Lawrence C. Stewart, David J. Mackie
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Publication number: 20010037467Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for controlling transfers of information in computer networks. One technique involves transmitting from a server computer to a client computer a document containing a channel object corresponding to a communication service, and storing an access ticket that indicates that a user of the client computer permits the information source computer to communicate with the user over a specified channel. Another technique involves transmitting smart digital offers based on information such as coupons and purchasing histories stored at the computer receiving the offer. Another technique involves transmitting from a server computer to a client computer a request for a user's personal profile information, and activating a client avatar that compares the request for personal profile information with a security profile of the user limiting access to personal profile information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: Open Market, Inc.Inventors: James W. O'Toole, David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 6279112Abstract: The present invention relates to techniques for controlling transfers of information in computer networks. One technique involves transmitting from a server computer to a client computer a document containing a channel object corresponding to a communication service, and storing an access ticket that indicates that a user of the client computer permits the information source computer to communicate with the user over a specified channel. Another technique involves transmitting smart digital offers based on information such as coupons and purchasing histories stored at the computer receiving the offer. Another technique involves transmitting from a server computer to a client computer a request for a user's personal profile information, and activating a client avatar that compares the request for personal profile information with a security profile of the user limiting access to personal profile information.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1996Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventors: James W. O'Toole, Jr., David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 6212634Abstract: A system for certifying authorizations includes an authorizing computer and an authorized computer interconnected by a computer network. The authorizing computer creates a public key pair comprising a new public key and a new private key, and creates an authorization certificate that certifies that a holder of the authorization certificate is authorized to perform an action referred to in the authorization certificate. The authorization certificate includes the new public key. The authorizing computer causes the authorization certificate and the new private key to be transmitted to the authorized computer. The authorized computer receives the authorization certificate and the new private key and decrypts messages using the new private key as evidence that the authorized computer has obtained the authorization certificate legitimately.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1996Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventors: Daniel E. Geer, Jr., Henry R. Tumblin
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Patent number: 6205437Abstract: A complete system for the purchasing of goods or information over a computer network is presented. Merchant computers on the network maintain databases of digital advertisements that are accessed by buyer computers. In response to user inquiries, buyer computers retrieve and display digital advertisements from merchant computers. A digital advertisement can further include a program that is interpreted by a buyer's computer. The buyer computers include a means for a user to purchase the product described by a digital advertisement. If a user has not specified a means of payment at the time of purchase, it can be requested after a purchase transaction is initiated. A network payment system performs payment order authorization in a network with untrusted switching, transmission, and host components. Payment orders are backed by accounts in an external financial system network, and the payment system obtains account authorizations from this external network in real-time.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventor: David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 6199051Abstract: A complete system for the purchasing of goods or information over a computer network is presented. Merchant computers on the network maintain databases of digital advertisements that are accessed by buyer computers. In response to user inquiries, buyer computers retrieve and display digital advertisements from merchant computers. A digital advertisement can further include a program that is interpreted by a buyer's computer. The buyer computers include a means for a user to purchase the product described by a digital advertisement. If a user has not specified a means of payment at the time of purchase, it can be requested after a purchase transaction is initiated. A network payment system performs payment order authorization in a network with untrusted switching, transmission, and host components. Payment orders are backed by accounts in an external financial system network, and the payment system obtains account authorizations from this external network in real-time.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventor: David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 6195649Abstract: A complete system for the purchasing of goods or information over a computer network is presented. Merchant computers on the network maintain databases of digital advertisements that are accessed by buyer computers. In response to user inquiries, buyer computers retrieve and display digital advertisements from merchant computers. A digital advertisement can further include a program that is interpreted by a buyer's computer. The buyer computers include a means for a user to purchase the product described by a digital advertisement. If a user has not specified a means of payment at the time of purchase, it can be requested after a purchase transaction is initiated. A network payment system performs payment order authorization in a network with untrusted switching, transmission, and host components. Payment orders are backed by accounts in an external financial system network, and the payment system obtains account authorizations from this external network in real-time.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventor: David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 6049785Abstract: A complete system for the purchasing of goods or information over a computer network is presented. Merchant computers on the network maintain databases of digital advertisements that are accessed by buyer computers. In response to user inquiries, buyer computers retrieve and display digital advertisements from merchant computers. A digital advertisement can further include a program that is interpreted by a buyer's computer. The buyer computers include a means for a user to purchase the product described by a digital advertisement. If a user has not specified a means of payment at the time of purchase, it can be requested after a purchase transaction is initiated. A network payment system performs payment order authorization in a network with untrusted switching, transmission, and host components. Payment orders are backed by accounts in an external financial system network, and the payment system obtains account authorizations from this external network in real-time.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventor: David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 5812776Abstract: This invention relates to methods for providing access to network servers. In particular, the process described in the invention includes client-server sessions over the Internet involving hypertext files. In the hypertext environment, a client views a document transmitted by a content server with a standard program known as the browser. Each hypertext document or page contains links to other hypertext pages which the user may select to traverse. The user may also access a hypertext page by providing a conventional telephone number or other descriptor. The server maps such a telephone number or descriptor to a target page identifier using a translation database and automatically directs the client to retrieve the desired page.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventor: David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 5724424Abstract: A complete system for the purchasing of goods or information over a computer network is presented. Merchant computers on the network maintain databases of digital advertisements that are accessed by buyer computers. In response to user inquiries, buyer computers retrieve and display digital advertisements from merchant computers. A digital advertisement can further include a program that is interpreted by a buyer's computer. The buyer computers include a means for a user to purchase the product described by a digital advertisement. If a user has not specified a means of payment at the time of purchase, it can be requested after a purchase transaction is initiated. A network payment system performs payment order authorization in a network with untrusted switching, transmission, and host components. Payment orders are backed by accounts in an external financial system network, and the payment system obtains account authorizations from this external network in real-time.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1995Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventor: David K. Gifford
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Patent number: 5715314Abstract: A network-based sales system includes at least one buyer computer for operation by a user desiring to buy a product, at least one merchant computer, and at least one payment computer. The buyer computer, the merchant computer, and the payment computer are interconnected by a computer network. The buyer computer is programmed to receive a user request for purchasing a product, and to cause a payment message to be sent to the payment computer that comprises a product identifier identifying the product. The payment computer is programmed to receive the payment message, to cause an access message to be created that comprises the product identifier and an access message authenticator based on a cryptographic key, and to cause the access message to be sent to the merchant computer.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1994Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventors: Andrew C. Payne, Lawrence C. Stewart, David J. Mackie
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Patent number: 5708780Abstract: This invention relates to methods for controlling and monitoring access to network servers. In particular, the process described in the invention includes client-server sessions over the Internet involving hypertext files. In the hypertext environment, a client views a document transmitted by a content server with a standard program known as the browser. Each hypertext document or page contains links to other hypertext pages which the user may select to traverse. When the user selects a link that is directed to an access-controlled file, the server subjects the request to a secondary server which determines whether the client has an authorization or valid account. Upon such verification, the user is provided with a session identification which allows the user to access to the requested file as well as any other files within the present protection domain.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Open Market, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Mark Levergood, Lawrence C. Stewart, Stephen Jeffrey Morris, Andrew C. Payne, George Winfield Treese