Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods that improve the security of computer networks. These systems and methods may be utilized in various applications such as electronic commerce, secure document access, and electronic authentication. The systems and methods include methods for accessing secure accounts without the use of passwords in order to eliminate the need for passwords. In addition, systems and methods further deter automated attacks online using email authentication.

Abstract: An email-based e-commerce system is disclosed with additional features for added security. The system may include security features for email based e-commerce providing added assurance to customers of a higher level of protection than generally required. These security features enhance the password reset function without requiring a password, generate confirmations on outside messaging systems and implement an oversight management tool for authorizing transactions. The methods and apparatus described herein may enhance security by designing a system that can confirm payments through a separate non-email based media. The e-commerce system may send alerts or requests for confirmation in a variety of media to ensure a secure payment process. The methods and apparatus described herein may expand the list of individuals that may request or approve payments based on a single account registered by a single credit card holder. A single user may receive requests from registered sub-customers for payments by email.

Abstract: An email payment gateway may be configured to send emails to potential donors. The emails may include mailto hyperlinks. Each mailto hyperlink may be associated with one or more fundraising campaigns, and each mailto hyperlink describes an email message that may be generated when that hyperlink is selected. When a mailto hyperlink is selected, the generated email message may include one or more parameters related to the fundraising campaign associated with the hyperlink, such as an identifier of the fundraising campaign, donor identity or donation amount. The generated email message may then be transmitted to the email payment gateway. The email payment gateway may receive the message and, based on the parameters in the received message, process the donation on behalf of the donor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving digital transaction using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The method includes determining to whether an alert related to a task is sent to a registered individual, on a condition that the alert related to the task should be sent, generating an email message, wherein the email includes at least one mailto link and a form for the registered individual to complete, transmitting the email message to the registered individual, receiving a response email from the registered individual, authenticating the email message and decoding a token, and updating an information database.

Abstract: An information management system may store information related to tasks to be performed by workers in an organization. Workers in the organization may communicate with the information management system using email messages. The information management system may not require a login or authentication procedure, and workers may interact with the information management system without the need to log in to the information management system. The information management system may receive an email message from a worker that indicates a request for a report. The information management system may determine whether to transmit the report to the worker based on whether the worker is appropriately registered with the information management system, and/or whether the worker has administrative privileges. The information management system, in response to a positive determination, may transmit the report to the email address from which the requesting email message was sent.

Abstract: A method for leveraging email to complete an online transaction from a third party vendor, the method comprising: storing customer information, the customer information including a customer name, customer email address, customer shipping address, and customer billing information. The method further comprises receiving an authorization request from an application programming interface associated with a third party vendor requesting access to a portion of the customer information and receiving confirmation from a customer to allow the third party vendor to access the portion of the customer information. The method further comprising transmitting an access code to the third party vendor and receiving a request message from the third party vendor, wherein the request message comprises the access code, and wherein the request message requests an authorization token. The method may further comprise confirming the received access code and transmitting an authorization token to the third party vendor.

Abstract: A method and system implemented in an e-commerce system to facilitate transactions between a customer and a vendor is disclosed. The method includes generating, by a processor, the requested at least one NFC code and token, wherein the at least one NFC code and token an identification of the price the customer pays for a specific product, the customer's amount owed on an invoice or granting access to a secure account, transmitting, by a transmitter, the at least one NFC code and token to a vendor server; receiving, by a receiver, a response email, wherein the response email includes the token; decoding, by the processor, the token; performing, by the processor, an Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) validation; and processing, by the processor, the transaction, on a condition that the SPF and DKIM validations are approved.

Abstract: An electronic information system which enables email based transactions comprises an information database storing information regarding a plurality of individuals in a group and selections available to individuals in the group. A first email message with a mailto hyperlink having a plurality of fields including actionable parameter is generated and sent. A reply email message is received in response to selection of the mailto hyperlink. The received email message includes the plurality of fields and the actionable parameter that indicates that a specific selection has been made. A processor performs the action indicated by the actionable parameter in response to the received email message, including updating the information database to indicate the specific selection that has been made.

Abstract: A method and system implemented in an e-commerce system to facilitate transactions between a customer and a vendor is disclosed. The method includes generating, by a processor, the requested at least one NFC code and token, wherein the at least one NFC code and token an identification of the price the customer pays for a specific product, the customer's amount owed on an invoice or granting access to a secure account, transmitting, by a transmitter, the at least one NFC code and token to a vendor server; receiving, by a receiver, a response email, wherein the response email includes the token; decoding, by the processor, the token; performing, by the processor, an Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) validation; and processing, by the processor, the transaction, on a condition that the SPF and DKIM validations are approved.

Abstract: A method for leveraging email to complete an online transaction from a third party vendor, the method comprising: storing customer information, the customer information including a customer name, customer email address, customer shipping address, and customer billing information. The method further comprises receiving an authorization request from an application programming interface associated with a third party vendor requesting access to a portion of the customer information and receiving confirmation from a customer to allow the third party vendor to access the portion of the customer information. The method further comprising transmitting an access code to the third party vendor and receiving a request message from the third party vendor, wherein the request message comprises the access code, and wherein the request message requests an authorization token. The method may further comprise confirming the received access code and transmitting an authorization token to the third party vendor.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate transactions between a customer and a vendor is disclosed. The system and method include receiving a response email, wherein the response email includes a short lookup token associated with the transaction between a customer and a vendor; determining the long token associated with the short lookup token; decoding the long token; performing a validation of the decoded long token; and processing the transaction, on a condition that validation is approved. A system and method may also include receiving an email, the email includes a short lookup token integrated into the string of characters that compose the email address and is associated with the transaction between a customer and a vendor; determining a long token associated with the short lookup token; decoding the long token; performing a validation of the decoded long token; and processing the transaction, on a condition that validation is approved.

Abstract: An information management system may store information related to tasks to be performed by workers in an organization. Workers in the organization may communicate with the information management system using email messages. The information management system may not require a login or authentication procedure, and workers may interact with the information management system without the need to log in to the information management system. The information management system may receive an email message from a worker that indicates a request for a report. The information management system may determine whether to transmit the report to the worker based on whether the worker is appropriately registered with the information management system, and/or whether the worker has administrative privileges. The information management system, in response to a positive determination, may transmit the report to the email address from which the requesting email message was sent.

Abstract: An email-based e-commerce system is disclosed with additional features for added security. The system may include security features for email based e-commerce providing added assurance to customers of a higher level of protection than generally required. These security features enhance the password reset function without requiring a password, generate confirmations on outside messaging systems and implement an oversight management tool for authorizing transactions. The methods and apparatus described herein may enhance security by designing a system that can confirm payments through a separate non-email based media. The e-commerce system may send alerts or requests for confirmation in a variety of media to ensure a secure payment process. The methods and apparatus described herein may expand the list of individuals that may request or approve payments based on a single account registered by a single credit card holder. A single user may receive requests from registered sub-customers for payments by email.

Abstract: A system and method to facilitate transactions between a customer and a vendor is disclosed. The system and method include receiving a response email, wherein the response email includes a short lookup token associated with the transaction between a customer and a vendor; determining the long token associated with the short lookup token; decoding the long token; performing a validation of the decoded long token; and processing the transaction, on a condition that validation is approved. A system and method may also include receiving an email, the email includes a short lookup token integrated into the string of characters that compose the email address and is associated with the transaction between a customer and a vendor; determining a long token associated with the short lookup token; decoding the long token; performing a validation of the decoded long token; and processing the transaction, on a condition that validation is approved.

Abstract: An electronic information system which enables email based transactions comprises an information database storing information regarding a plurality of individuals in a group and selections available to individuals in the group. A first email message with a mailto hyperlink having a plurality of fields including actionable parameter is generated and sent. A reply email message is received in response to selection of the mailto hyperlink. The received email message includes the plurality of fields and the actionable parameter that indicates that a specific selection has been made. A processor performs the action indicated by the actionable parameter in response to the received email message, including updating the information database to indicate the specific selection that has been made.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving digital transaction using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The method includes determining to whether an alert related to a task is sent to a registered individual, on a condition that the alert related to the task should be sent, generating an email message, wherein the email includes at least one mailto link and a form for the registered individual to complete, transmitting the email message to the registered individual, receiving a response email from the registered individual, authenticating the email message and decoding a token, and updating an information database.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for integrating email, SMS, and social media based transactions with interactive television or standard cable with Internet access to make payments. Disclosed is a method to tie together a vendor and a cable provider with an e-commerce system leveraging each entity's customer information to streamline the payment process. Also disclosed are multiple methods to allow customers to make messaging based payments via interactive cable television features. The messaging allows for payments based on various levels of convergence between Internet and cable television experiences.

Abstract: A method and system implemented in an e-commerce system to facilitate transactions between a customer and a vendor is disclosed. The method includes generating, by a processor, the requested at least one NFC code and token, wherein the at least one NFC code and token an identification of the price the customer pays for a specific product, the customer's amount owed on an invoice or granting access to a secure account, transmitting, by a transmitter, the at least one NFC code and token to a vendor server; receiving, by a receiver, a response email, wherein the response email includes the token; decoding, by the processor, the token; performing, by the processor, an Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) validation; and processing, by the processor, the transaction, on a condition that the SPF and DKIM validations are approved.

Abstract: A method implemented in an e-commerce system to facilitate transactions between a customer and a vendor using embedded forms includes requesting by a vendor system to an e-commerce system to generate an embedded form for use in an SMTP email campaign. The method further includes transmitting emails with embedded forms including at least one token by the vendor system to a customer device. The method further includes rendering the embedded form in email to the customer device and receiving a response email, wherein the response email includes input details requested in the specified input fields and a token; authenticating the response email; decoding the token and processing a transaction based on the customer input details requested in the specified input fields of the embedded form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for integrating email, SMS, and social media based transactions with interactive television or standard cable with Internet access to make payments. Disclosed is a method to tie together a vendor and a cable provider with an e-commerce system leveraging each entity's customer information to streamline the payment process. Also disclosed are multiple methods to allow customers to make messaging based payments via interactive cable television features. The messaging allows for payments based on various levels of convergence between Internet and cable television experiences.