(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0178364 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`NOV. 28, 2002
`Weiss
`
`US 20020178364A1
`
`(54) UNIVERSAL SECURE REGISTRY
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(76) Inventor: Kenneth P. Weiss, Newton, MA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, PC
`FEDERAL RESERVE PLAZA
`600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
`BOSTON, MA 02210-2211 (US)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`09/810,703
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 16, 2001
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`....H04K 1/00
`Int. Cl.7
`US. Cl. ............................................................ .. 713/182
`
`(21)
`(22)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`A secure registry system and method for the use thereof are
`provided Which permits secure access to a database contain
`ing selected data on a plurality of entities, at least portions
`of Which database has restricted access. Mechanisms are
`provided for controlling access to restricted access portions
`of the database are provided, such access being determined
`by at least one of the identity of the requesting entity and the
`entity’s status. A multicharacter public code may be pro
`vided Which the system can map to provide permit delivery
`of items, complete telephone calls and perform other func
`tions for entities. The system may also be utilized to locate
`an individual based on limited biological data. Organiza
`tions utilizing the system may have custom softWare facili
`tating their access and use of the system.
`
`ROM I
`
`User
`Interface
`
`USR software
`
`CPU 4
`
`Comm. Port ‘
`
`VWde
`> Area
`Network
`
`14 f
`
`Universal Secure
`Registry
`
`24
`U- ~
`
`r 30
`
`O)
`
`,_ 30
`
`O)
`
`(
`
`(
`
`Person No. 1
`
`Person N0. 2
`
`0
`O
`0
`
`r 30
`
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`Person No. n
`O)
`V
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 1 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Figure1
`
`1 A/O
`
`I20
`
`RAM
`
`ROM
`
`I22
`
`‘2
`
`G‘L
`
`User
`Interface
`
`12
`
`I
`
`(18
`
`j
`
`V
`
`r
`
`USR software
`
`16
`f
`CPU :
`
`f
`
`r Comm. Port
`
`VWde
`> Area
`Network
`
`Universal Secure
`Registry
`
`Person No. 1
`
`Person No. 2
`
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`r
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`
`Person No. n
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`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 2 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`CBmpuler
`Module
`
`Compulef
`Mndule
`
`Compuler
`Module
`
`USR System
`
`(0
`/
`
`Computer
`Module
`
`Compuler
`Module
`
`Compuler
`Module
`
`,1 2?
`
`lnlerlace
`Cenler
`
`Ewvo
`WIDE AREA N
`RK
`
`2?
`
`
`
`Interface Center
`
`2.3‘
`
`lnlerfaoe
`Center "L 2 $1
`
`Pu
`
`lnlerface
`Center
`
`Center
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 3 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Figure 3
`'31
`/.<;
`r7
`I
`l
`
`I1
`
`.
`
`30
`t.
`i
`I
`
`l
`l
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`I
`
`Validation
`lnlon'nalion
`
`Access
`iniunnaliun
`
`2:211:32’
`infarmauon
`
`Address
`information -
`
`Credll card
`and other
`?nancial
`lnformalion
`\
`
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`
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`lnfonnalion
`
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`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 4 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Public
`information
`Computer
`Module
`
`Medical
`Inion'nation
`Computer
`Module
`
`F lnancial
`information
`Computer
`Module
`
`UCR System
`
`Address
`lntormation
`Computer
`Module
`
`Job
`Application
`Computer
`Module
`
`Tax
`Information
`Computer
`Module
`
`h
`
`Public
`Information
`Interface ‘
`Centers
`
`information
`interface
`Centers
`
`En"
`WIDE AREA N
`ORK
`
`Financial
`Information
`Interface
`Centers
`
`I 1:22am"
`1 “3
`""3 ace
`
`Tax
`Information
`’ Interface
`Centers
`
`Job Application
`Information
`interface
`Centers
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 5 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Train the Database
`
`[fa/5' 5
`
`Validate
`Person's N500
`Identi?cation
`
`Enable person / 5m
`to enter basic
`personal data
`
`Yes
`
`l ?rm’
`Enable person
`to enter
`advanced
`personal dala
`
`7
`
`Enable person
`to specify ,4/510
`access to
`advanced
`personal data
`
`1
`
`(if M
`
`Return
`
`I
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 6 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Enable access
`to basic ,véOO
`personal data
`
`72,’ 7‘) ft é
`
`s additiona
`information
`
`Yes
`
`requestor have
`rights to access
`
`ls person
`participating in
`transaction?
`
`No—>
`
`Yes
`
`Validate ""642
`person's
`identity
`
`Enable person
`to change ""la (q
`access rights
`to data
`
`HQ,
`
`Nu-h
`
`requester have
`rights to access
`\ pe of requeste
`
`Yes
`
`Cause USti tO/VEOQ Yes
`Enable access
`to type of
`requested data
`
`Relum
`
`6’ l 0
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`User initiates
`purchase ,v W0
`
`User enters
`secret code in
`Secure ID
`
`Merchant transmits to
`credit card company
`(1) code from Secure l0
`(2) store number
`(3) amount of purchase
`
`Credit card
`company
`sends code to
`USR
`
`m»
`
`?goff g
`
`User initiates M300
`purchase ’
`
`secret code in
`Secure ID
`
`.
`
`(1) code from Secure ID
`(2) store number
`(3) amount of purchase
`
`V
`
`USR
`determines if
`code is valid
`
`m, 806
`
`V
`USR determins if code is valid, and if
`valid accesses user’s credit card
`information and transmits credit card
`number to credit card company
`
`,noir
`
`USR accesses user's credit card
`information and transmits to CCC:
`(1) credit card number
`(2) store number
`(3) amount of purchase
`
`Credit card company checks credit
`worthiness and declines card or debits?
`user's account and transfers $ to
`merchant's account
`
`CCC noti?es
`merchant of ‘N ?17’
`result of
`’ transaction
`
`#570
`CCC checks creditworthiness and -
`declines card or debits user's account
`and transfers $ to merchant's account
`
`CCC noti?es
`USR of result’
`of transaction
`
`‘
`
`USR notifies
`merchant of 1
`result oi
`transaction
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 8 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`User initiates
`purchase and
`writes check to
`merchant -/"q no
`
`'
`
`-
`
`7
`
`User enters
`secret code in/vcl 02
`Secure ID
`
`Merchant transmits to
`USR
`(1) code from Secure ID N?oLt
`(2) store number
`(3) amount of purchase
`
`USR NQOQ
`determines if
`code is valid
`
`V
`
`USR accesses user's bank information
`and transmits to bank:
`W q 0?
`(1) bank account number
`(2) store number
`(3) amount of purchase
`
`Bank checks account balance to verify ‘M 0‘ LO
`availability of funds
`
`Bank noti?es ‘Ma ('2,
`USR of result
`of veri?cation
`
`USR noti?es
`merchant of “'q ‘Lt
`result of
`veri?cation
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 9 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`7290/11’ to
`
`User initiates anonymous purchase
`0
`by entering secret code in Secure
`ID and transmitting result to on-line/V ‘ 00
`merchant
`
`7
`
`Merchant transmits to
`USR
`A1002
`(1) code from Secure ID ‘
`(2) store number
`(3) amount of purchase
`
`V
`
`determines if
`code is valid
`
`l
`
`USR accesses user's credit card
`information and transmits to CCC:
`(1) credit card number
`(2) store number
`(3) amount of purchase
`
`Ni 00;
`
`7
`
`sec checks credit worthiness and
`declines card or debits user's account
`and transfers $ to merchant's account
`
`t
`
`7
`
`CCC noti?es ,
`USR of result
`of transaction
`
`(0H3
`
`T_l |_
`
`2.
`
`,
`If credit
`declined, USR
`noti?es
`merchant
`
`r
`,/ ‘0 l
`if credit accepted, USR MP 1 0 I ‘1
`accesses address code
`and provides merchant with
`address code
`
`7
`
`Merchant .N l 0 i Q
`labels package
`with address
`code and ships
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 10 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Jr; / Z
`
`User provides /t/ l 2 O 0
`telephone code
`on public area
`
`I
`
`User provides
`telephone information
`in telephone area of
`USR
`
`A4202
`
`7
`
`Person dials USR
`phone number and
`enters telephone code
`for user
`
`V
`
`USR connects person to _
`telephone number without
`providing user person with
`telephone number
`
`(206
`
`User provides //U o 0
`address code i
`on public area
`
`User provides address W l l O 2
`information in address
`area of USR
`
`y
`
`Person places public . l l Oll
`code on parcel to be
`mailed
`
`post office accesses A,‘ l o b
`USR to retrieve
`'
`address information
`l______
`[,1 to?’
`
`1,1100
`
`'
`21233213322?‘
`azdress area of USR
`
`Post office prints bar code on
`parcel to automate delivery of
`parcel to address In address
`area of USR
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 11 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`urf I
`
`-
`
`Userattempts _
`
`to prove r?’i300
`identi?cation to
`Validator
`
`User enters ,c. 30 '
`secret code in
`(
`1
`Secure lD
`
`Validator transmits to_
`USR
`‘code from Secure ID
`
`( 3 a Li
`
`7
`
`USR
`determines if
`code is valid
`
`l3 06.
`
`USR accesses usel’s photograph ~ ‘ 3 08,
`information and transmits to validator
`(1) veri?cation of identity
`(2) picture of Secure lD holder
`
`User attempts
`4 AHOO
`to prove
`identi?cation to
`Policeman
`
`[b167,
`
`V
`
`User enters .
`secret code in
`Secure ID
`
`V
`
`Policeman transmits A
`to USR
`' W0“
`code from Secure ID
`
`V
`
`USR
`determines if
`code is valid
`
`A,‘ o '
`L‘
`6’
`
`'
`
`0
`
`‘I USR accesses user's photograph /c (‘i
`
`
`information and police record
`information and transmits to policeman
`ntity
`(1) veri?cation of ide
`(2) picture of Secure ID holder
`(3) police records, such as outstanding
`warrants for arrest and criminal history
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 12 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`User desires
`‘to provide ./‘/(i00
`information to
`Party
`
`7
`
`User enters $19,02
`secret code in
`Secure ID
`
`Party transmits to
`'
`USR
`code from Secure ID
`and Party code
`
`,
`l ‘v 0'1
`
`_
`
`( 50b
`
`7
`
`USR
`determines if
`User code is
`valid
`
`7:7,”; I (a
`
`User desires ‘M l 6 00
`to apply for a
`job, credit or
`apartment
`
`7
`
`User enters -
`secret code in
`Secure ID
`
`“a 0
`2‘
`
`,
`User transmits to
`"\- lbw-l
`USR
`code from Secure ID
`and application code
`
`USR
`determines if '
`User code is
`valid
`
`0
`(6 6
`
`{6 0 ‘8
`
`/"
`r
`USR accesses user's Information
`available to Party according to Party
`code and transmits available
`information to Party
`
`I
`
`USR accesses user's application
`infonnation and transmits available
`information to user or completes an'
`application on behalf ofuser
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Nov. 28, 2002 Sheet 13 0f 13
`
`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`7390/? I?
`
`,v H)
`
`USR System
`
`Lap Top Computer
`
`Electronic Device
`
`Automobile
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 14
`
`

`

`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Nov. 28, 2002
`
`UNIVERSAL SECURE REGISTRY
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus
`for securely storing and disseminating information regard
`ing individuals and, more particularly, to a computer system
`for authenticating identity or verifying the identity of indi
`viduals and other entities seeking access to certain privileges
`and for selectively granting privileges and providing other
`services in response to such identi?cations/veri?cations.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Dissemination of information regarding various
`entities, including individuals, in society is conventionally
`done in a non-centraliZed fashion, often requiring special
`iZed knoWledge of a likely storage location to access the
`information. This specialiZed knoWledge may not be avail
`able When the information is needed, thus effectively pre
`venting distribution of the information When required. For
`eXample, a doctor in an emergency room may desire access
`to a patient’s medical history in determining a course of
`treatment. If the person is not carrying a complete medical
`record, Which is typically the situation, the medical records
`may not be available to the doctor. Even if these medical
`records are available electronically, for eXample via a com
`puter accessible in the person’s regular doctor’s of?ce, the
`records may effectively be unavailable if the person is
`unconscious or otherWise incapacitated or if restrictions on
`access to the doctor’s records cannot otherWise be over
`come. The retrieval of required medical records can be
`further complicated by the fact that such records can be
`located at a number of different sites/systems Which are not
`linked. For eXample, the patient’s primary care physician
`may not have records from a specialist treating the patient,
`and none of these physicians may have dental records.
`Similar problems arise in other environments Where relevant
`data may be scattered and/or otherWise dif?cult to access.
`
`[0003] Identi?cation of a person from other persons Within
`a society and veri?cation of a person as being Who he says
`he is are extremely important for many reasons. For
`eXample, determination/veri?cation of a person’s identity
`Will typically dictate extension of credit, granting access to
`information, alloWing entry to a restricted area, or the
`granting of numerous other privileges.
`[0004] Most people carry multiple forms of identi?cation.
`For eXample, a typical person may carry an identi?cation
`card issued by a federal, state, or local governmental entity,
`an identi?cation card issued by a university or place of
`employment, one or more credit cards that serve to identify
`the person as a holder of a credit card account, one or more
`bank cards that serve to identify the person as holder of a
`bank account, medical information cards identifying the
`person as a member of, for eXample, a health maintenance
`organiZation or as a person holding an insurance policy from
`a speci?ed insurance company, keys that identify the person
`as oWner of an automobile, house, etc., and numerous other
`identi?cation cards that may be used for specialiZed pur
`poses, such as identifying the person as a member of a health
`club, a library, or a professional organiZation.
`
`[0005] To enable the person to function effectively in
`society, the person must typically have one or more of these
`identi?cation devices With them if they Wish to undertake an
`
`associated activity. For eXample, a person is not alloWed to
`drive a car or purchase alcohol Without a governmentally
`issued driver’s license. LikeWise, although cash may be used
`to purchase goods and/or services, the person Will typically
`not be able to purchase goods and/or services With a credit
`card if the person is not physically carrying the credit card.
`Similarly, most hospitals and other medical facilities Will
`require proof of insurance before rendering medical atten
`tion. Carrying these multifarious identi?cation devices can
`become onerous. Additionally, if one or more of the iden
`ti?cation devices is lost, stolen or forgotten, it can be
`inconvenient, making it dif?cult to obtain goods or services
`requiring the missing identi?cation.
`
`[0006] There are also times When the individual may Wish
`to be identi?ed or at least veri?ed Without providing per
`sonal information. For eXample, a person may Wish to
`purchase goods and/or services Without publicly providing
`his/her credit card information for fear that the credit card
`information be may be stolen and used fraudulently. Like
`Wise, the person may Wish to purchase goods or order goods
`to be delivered to an address Without revealing the address
`to the vendor. Unfortunately, conventional identi?cation
`devices require that at least some personal information be
`transmitted to complete a transaction.
`
`[0007] There are other related problems. For eXample,
`When there is a need to locate a person or other entity Where
`only limited biographical data is knoWn, this can be difficult
`since relevant information is seldom available from a single
`database. Another potential problem is the forWarding of
`mail, packages, telephone calls/messages, e-mails and other
`items Where a party is in a situation Where they are changing
`location frequently and/or Where the person does not Want
`such information to be generally available for security or
`other reasons. Asimple, yet secure, Way of dealing With such
`issues does not currently eXist.
`[0008] Another potential problem is ?lling in forms, par
`ticularly for an individual Who frequently has to complete
`the same or similar form. Such forms can for eXample be
`medical forms When visiting a doctor or entering a hospital,
`immigration forms on entering the country, employment
`forms, college entry forms, etc. It Would be desirable if such
`forms could be completed once and be available for future
`use, and it Would be even better if the information for each
`such form could be automatically draWn from an eXisting
`database to complete the form. There is also a frequent
`requirement to periodically update information in a form, for
`eXample ?nancial information for a line of credit. It Would
`be desirable if such updates could be automatically per
`formed from data in a general database.
`
`[0009] Still another potential problem is that a person may
`be forced to make requests on a database, for eXample
`?nancial requests, under duress. It Would be desirable if the
`person could easily and undetectably signal such duress
`When making the request and the receiving system be able
`to act appropriately to assist and protect the individual.
`[0010] Systems capable of effectively performing all of
`these functions do not currently eXist.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0011] There is thus a need for an identi?cation system
`that Will enable a person to be identi?ed or veri?ed (“iden
`
`IPR2018-00067
`Unified EX1008 Page 15
`
`

`

`US 2002/0178364 A1
`
`Nov. 28, 2002
`
`ti?cation” sometimes being used hereinafter to mean either
`identi?ed or veri?ed) and/or authenticated Without necessi
`tating the provision of any personal information. Likewise,
`there is a need for an identi?cation system that Will enable
`a person to be identi?ed universally Without requiring the
`person to carry multiple forms of identi?cation.
`
`[0012] Accordingly, this invention relates, in one embodi
`ment, to an information system that may be used as a
`universal identi?cation system and/or used to selectively
`provide personal, ?nancial or other information about a
`person to authoriZed users. Transactions to and from the
`database may take place using a public key/private key
`security system to enable users of the system and the system
`itself to encrypt transaction information during the transac
`tions. Additionally, the private key/public key security sys
`tem may be used to alloW users to validate their identity
`and/or sign instructions being sent to a universal secure
`registry (USR) system of the type to Which this invention
`relates. For eXample, in one embodiment, a smart card such
`as the Secure ID TM card from RSI Security, Inc. may be
`provided With the user’s private key and the USR system’s
`public key to enable the card to encrypt messages being sent
`to the USR system and to decrypt messages from the USR
`system 10.
`
`[0013] This USR system or database may be used to
`identify the person in many situations, and thus may take the
`place of multiple conventional forms of identi?cation. Addi
`tionally, the USR system may enable the user’s identity to be
`con?rmed or veri?ed Without providing any identifying
`information about the person to the entity requiring identi
`?cation. This can be advantageous Where the person sus
`pects that providing identifying information may subject the
`identifying information to usurpation.
`[0014] Enabling anonymous identi?cation facilitates mul
`tiple neW forms of transactions. For eXample, enabling
`anonymous identi?cation enables the identi?ed person to be
`telephoned by or receive e-mails from other persons Without
`providing the other person With a telephone number or
`e-mail address, and Will permit this to be accomplished even
`Where there are frequent changes in the persons location.
`Similarly, enabling anonymous identi?cation Will enable the
`person to receive mail, other delivered parcels and other
`items Without providing the recipient’s address information
`to the sender. By restricting access to particular classes of
`persons/entities, the person can effectively prevent receipt of
`junk mail, other unsolicited mail, telemarketing calls and the
`like.
`
`[0015] In a ?nancial conteXt, providing anonymous iden
`ti?cation of a person enables the person to purchase goods
`and/or services from a merchant Without ever transmitting to
`the merchant information, such as the person’s credit card
`number, or even the persons name, that could be intercepted
`and/or usurped and used in subsequent or additional unau
`thoriZed transactions or for other undesired purposes.
`Enabling anonymous identi?cation may be particularly
`advantageous in an unsecured environment, such as the
`Internet, Where it has been found to be relatively trivial to
`intercept such credit card information.
`
`[0016] In a medical conteXt, the USR system, in addition
`to enabling a person seeking medical treatment to identify
`themselves, may be con?gured to provide insurance data,
`medical history data, and other appropriate medical infor
`
`mation to a medical provider, once that medical provider has
`been established as an authoriZed recipient. The USR system
`may also contain links to other databases containing portions
`of the patients medical records, for eXample X-rays, MRI
`pictures, dental records, glasses, prescriptions, etc.
`[0017] Access to the USR system may be by smart card,
`such as a Secure IDTM card, or any other secure access
`device. The technology enabling the USR system may be
`physically embodied as a separate identi?cation device such
`as a smart ID card, or may be incorporated into another
`electronic device, such as a cell phone, pager, Wrist Watch,
`computer, personal digital assistant such as a Palm PilotTM,
`key fob, or other commonly available electronic device. The
`identity of the user possessing the identifying device may be
`veri?ed at the point of use via any combination of a
`memoriZed PIN number or code, biometric identi?cation
`such as a ?ngerprint, voice print, signature, iris or facial
`scan, or DNA analysis, or any other method of identifying
`the person possessing the device. If desired, the identifying
`device may also be provided With a picture of the person
`authoriZed to use the device to enhance security.
`
`[0018] The USR system may be useful for numerous other
`identi?cation purposes. For eXample, the USR anonymous
`identi?cation may serve as a library card, a phone card, a
`health club card, a professional association membership
`card, a parking access card, a key for access to ones home,
`of?ce, car, etc. or any one of a host of similar identi?cation/
`veri?cation and/or access functions. Additionally, equip
`ment code information may be stored in the USR system and
`distributed under the user’s control and at the user’s discre
`tion, to maintain personal property or public property in an
`operative state.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`[0019] This invention is pointed out With particularity in
`the appended claims. The above and further advantages of
`this invention may be better understood by referring to the
`folloWing description When taken in conjunction With the
`accompanying draWings. The accompanying draWings are
`not intended to be draWn to scale. In the draWings, each
`identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in
`various ?gures is represented by a like numeral. For pur
`poses of clarity, not every component may be labeled in
`every draWing. In the draWings:
`
`[0020] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a computer
`system con?gured to implement the universal secure registry
`(“USR”), including a USR database, according to one
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0021] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a ?rst
`embodiment of a netWorked environment including the
`computer system of FIG. 1;
`
`[0022] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an entry of
`a database forming the USR database of FIG. 1
`
`[0023] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a second
`embodiment of a netWorked environment including the
`computer system of FIG. 1;
`
`[0024] FIG. 5 is a How chart illustrating steps in a process
`of inputting data into the USR database;
`
`[0025] FIG. 6 is a How chart illustrating steps in a process
`of retrieving data from the USR database;
`
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`[0026] FIG. 7 is a How chart illustrating a ?rst protocol for
`purchasing goods from a merchant via the USR database
`Without transmitting credit card information to the merchant;
`
`[0027] FIG. 8 is a How chart illustrating a second protocol
`for purchasing goods from a merchant via the USR database
`Without transmitting credit card information to the merchant;
`
`[0028] FIG. 9 is a How chart illustrating a protocol for
`purchasing goods from a merchant via the USR database by
`validating the user’s check;
`[0029] FIG. 10 is a How chart illustrating a protocol for
`purchasing goods from an on-line merchant via the USR
`database Without transmitting credit card information to the
`on-line merchant, and enabling the on-line merchant to ship
`the goods to a virtual address;
`
`[0030] FIG. 11 is a How chart illustrating a protocol for
`shipping goods to a virtual address via the USR database;
`
`[0031] FIG. 12 is a How chart illustrating a protocol for
`telephoning a virtual phone number via the USR database;
`
`[0032] FIG. 13 is a How chart illustrating a protocol for
`identifying a person via the USR database;
`
`[0033] FIG. 14 is a How chart illustrating a protocol for
`identifying a person to a policeman via the USR database;
`
`[0034] FIG. 15 is a How chart illustrating a protocol for
`providing information to an authoriZed recipient of the
`information via the USR database;
`
`[0035] FIG. 16 is a ?oW chart illustrating a protocol for
`providing application information to an authoriZed recipient
`of the information via the USR database; and
`
`[0036] FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of an
`embodiment con?gured to use information in the USR
`system to activate or keep active property secured through
`the USR system.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0037] In one embodiment, an information system is
`formed as a computer program running on a computer or
`group of computers con?gured to provide a universal secure
`registry (USR) system. The computer, in this instance, may
`be con?gured to run autonomously (Without the intervention
`of a human operator), or may require intervention or
`approval for all, a selected subset, or particular classes of
`transactions. The invention is not limited to the disclosed
`embodiments, and may take on many different forms
`depending on the particular requirements of the information
`system, the type of information being exchanged, and the
`type of computer equipment employed. An information
`system according to this invention, may optionally, but need
`not necessarily, perform functions additional to those
`described herein, and the invention is not limited to a
`computer system performing solely the described functions.
`
`[0038] In the embodiment shoWn in FIG. 1, a computer
`system 10 for implementing a USR system according to the
`invention includes at least one main unit 12 connected to a
`Wide area netWork, such as the Internet, via a communica
`tions port 14. The main unit 12 may include one or more
`processors (CPU 16) running USR softWare 18 con?gured to
`implement the USR system functionality discussed in
`
`greater detail beloW. The CPU 16 may be connected to a
`memory system including one or more memory devices,
`such as a random access memory system RAM 20, a read
`only memory system ROM 22, and one or more databases
`24. In the illustrated embodiment, the database 24 contains
`a universal secure registry database. The invention is not
`limited to this particular manner of storing the USR data
`base. Rather, the USR database may be included in any
`aspect of the memory system, such as in RAM 20, ROM 22
`or disc and may also be separately stored on one or more
`dedicated data servers.
`
`[0039] The computer system may be a general purpose
`computer system Which is programmable using a computer
`programming language, such as C, C++, Java, or other
`language, such as a scripting language or even assembly
`language. The computer system may also be specially pro
`grammed, special purpose hardWare, an application speci?c
`integrated circuit (ASIC) or a hybrid system including both
`special purpose components and programmed general pur
`pose components.
`
`[0040] In a general purpose computer system, the proces
`sor is typically a commercially available microprocessor,
`such as Pentium series processor available from Intel, or
`other similar commercially available device. Such a micro
`processor executes a program called an operating system,
`such as UNIX, Linux, WindoWs NT, WindoWs 95, 98, or
`2000, or any other commercially available operating system,
`Which controls the execution of other computer programs
`and provides scheduling, debugging, input/output control,
`accounting, compilation, storage assignment, data manage
`ment, memory management, communication control and
`related services, and many other functions. The processor
`and operating system de?nes a computer platform for Which
`application programs in high-level programming languages
`are Written.
`
`[0041] The database 24 may be any kind of database,
`including a relational database, object-oriented database,
`unstructured database, or other database. Example relational
`databases include Oracle 8I from Oracle Corporation of
`RedWood City, Calif.; Informix Dynamic Server from Infor
`mix SoftWare, Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif.; DB2 from Inter
`national Business Machines of Armonk, NY; and Access
`from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. An
`example object-oriented database is ObjectStore from
`Object Design of Burlington, Mass. An example of an
`unstructured database is Notes from the Lotus Corporation,
`of Cambridge, Mass. A database also may be constructed
`using a ?at ?le system, for example by using ?les With
`character-delimited ?elds, such as in early versions of
`dBASE, noW knoWn as Visual dBASE from Inprise Corp. of
`Scotts Valley, Calif., formerly Borland International Corp.
`
`[0042] The main unit 12 may optionally include or be
`connected to an user interface 26 containing, for example,
`one or more input and output devices to enable an operator
`to interface With the USR system 10. Illustrative input
`devices include a keyboard, keypad, track ball, mouse, pen
`and tablet, communication device, and data input devices
`such as voice and other audio and video capture devices.
`Illustrative output devices include cathode ray tube (CRT)
`displays, liquid crystal displays (LCD) and other video
`output devices, printers, communication devices such as
`modems, storage devices such as a disk or tape, and audio
`
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`or video output devices. Optionally, the user interface 26
`may be omitted, in Which case the operator may communi
`cate With the USR system 10 in a networked fashion via the
`communication port 14. It should be understood that the
`invention is not limited to any particular manner of inter
`facing an operator With the USR system.
`
`[0043] It also should be understood that the invention is
`not limited to a particular computer platform, particular
`processor, or particular high-level programming language.
`Additionally, the computer system may be multiprocessor
`computer system or may include multiple computers con
`nected over a computer netWork. It further should be under
`stood that each module or step shoWn in the accompanying
`?gures and the substeps or subparts shoWn in the remaining
`?gures may correspond to separate modules of a computer
`program, or may be separate computer programs. Such
`modules may be operable on separate computers. The data
`produced by these components may be stored in a memory
`system or transmitted betWeen computer systems.
`
`[0044] Such a system may be implemented in softWare,
`hardWare, or ?rmWare, or any combination thereof. The
`various elements of the information system disclosed herein,
`either individually or in combination, may be implemented
`as a computer program product, such as USR softWare 18,
`tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for
`execution by the computer processor 16. Various steps of the
`process may be performed by the computer processor 16
`executing the program 18 tangibly embodie