Method and apparatus for electronic commerce

United States Patent

Talati et al.

[19]

US005903878A [ii] Patent Number: [45] Date of Patent:

5,903,878 May 11,1999

[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

[76] Inventors: Kirit K. Talati, 207 Sun Ray La.,

Sunnyvale, Tex. 75102; Yashvant Jani, 4708 Nocana Dr., Piano, Tex. 75024

[21] Appl. No.: 08/915,436 [22] Filed: Aug. 20, 1997

[51] Int. CI. G06F 17/60

[52] U.S. CI 705/26; 705/40; 380/23;

380/24

[58] Field of Search 705/26, 40; 380/23,

380/24; 395/226, 200.33, 186, 187, 188

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,264,782 4/1981 Konheim 380/25

4,799,156 1/1989 Shavit et al 705/25

5,267,314 11/1993 Stamber 380/24

5,319,710 6/1994 Atalla 380/23

5,524,073 6/1996 Stamber 380/24

5,621,797 4/1997 Rosen 380/24

5,646,998 7/1997 Stamber 380/25

5,671,279 9/1997 Elgamal 380/23

5,710,887 1/1998 Chelliah et al 705/26

5,715,314 2/1998 Payne et al 380/24

A method for providing validated electronic commerce transactions is disclosed. A transaction order generated by a purchaser has a unique transaction identifier associated therewith and the purchase order is transmitted to a merchant and then to a transaction administrator. The transaction administrator contacts the original purchaser and provides the generated unique transaction identifier to confirm whether or not the transaction order was initially provided by the purchaser. Upon verification ol origination ol the transaction order by the purchaser and other transaction information, the transaction administrator notifies the merchant and the transaction may be completed.

52 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets

[

Originator compares the transaction in validation request with original transaction list regarding the contents and UTID and responds to TA regarding validity of the transaction