Mechanism for enabling secure electronic transactions on the open internet

US5778173A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• AT&T CORP. · US

Inventor

• Jitendra Apte · Mumbai, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 1996
• Grant date: Jul 7, 1998
• Expiry date: Jun 12, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M7/12
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method is provided for performing a transaction that is initiated over an open communication network between a user and a remotely located server. The open communication network may be the Internet, for example. In accordance with one embodiment of the method, a transaction identification number is received from the remotely located server over the open network and subsequently, communication between the user and the remotely located server is discontinued. Communication is established between the user and a transaction server. The transaction server is operatively coupled to the user and the remotely located server over a communication network which is isolated from the open network. The transaction identification number is transmitted to the transaction server over the communication network. After the transaction server confirms the validity of the transaction identification number, in response to a request from the transaction server, a transaction authorization number is transmitted over the communication network to the transaction server to complete the transaction.