System of secured payment by the transfer of electronic money through an interbank network

US5905976A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• FRANCE TELECOM · FR
• LA POSTE · FR
• Sintef Delab · NO

Inventors

• Stig Frode Mjolsnes · Trondheim, NO
• Rolf Michelsen · Trondheim, NO
• Marie-Josephe Revillet · Verson, FR
• Aymeric De Solages · Caen, FR

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 1996
• Grant date: May 18, 1999
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2209/56
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system of payment by the transfer of electronic money and especially of electronic cheques with blind signatures comprises an interbank compensation unit, an interbank network, and a verification unit. The interbank compensation unit permits the transfer of electronic money between multiple bank units in payment of amounts owed therebetween arising from the electronic cheques. The interbank network links the interbank compensation unit to the multiple bank units, and enables the transfer of electronic cheques from a payment terminal to the interbank compensation unit. The verification unit is linked to the interbank compensation unit, and is capable of verifying the authenticity and the non-reutilization of electronic cheques which have already travelled through the interbank network after a first payment.