Merchant-specific shadow account numbers

US8423467B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Jesper Mikael Johansson · Redmond, US
• David H. Hijirida · Seattle, US
• Peter S. Vosshall · Bainbridge Island, US
• Rajiv Chopra · Toronto, CA
• Terrance Douglas Hanold · Seattle, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 16, 2013
• Expiry date: Oct 30, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q20/382
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Financial transactions, such as buying and selling, may be facilitated by merchant-based shadow account numbers. A master account may contain several associated shadow accounts. Each shadow account may in turn be associated with a specific merchant or group of merchants. Merchants and users may store and use the shadow account numbers rather than the master account numbers. Stolen or otherwise compromised shadow account numbers are useless with other non-associated merchants. Furthermore, the shadow numbers may be easily invalidated while leaving the master account untouched.