Electronic commerce depends in large part upon the successful and secure processing of consumer payments, wherein payment processing typically includes the process of settling charges with payment providers, such as Visa® and MasterCard®, and the like. Conventionally, a consumer browses a website and selects items for purchase by placing them in a virtual shopping cart. The consumer can subsequently supply identifying information, shipping address, as well as payment information by completing a form, for example. Such form and associated captured information can then be transmitted to a merchant.
Merchant operation personnel such as a web master can receive the transferred information, parses the data, and transmits the information to payment providers. As such, the payment provider can supply authorization to the merchant and subsequently credit the merchant's account or debit the authorized party's account. Typically, such process can be conventionally completed on a daily basis at a predetermined time. For example, files are transmitted to payment providers at night (e.g., 10 p.m.) and responses received from the providers are processed in the morning (e.g., 8 a.m.). Such can prove inefficient and can unnecessarily strain a system at inopportune times, for example where the system is encountering high system loads. Further, conventional payment processing systems are manually driven by business operations personnel and thus require operation personnel to be present throughout the entire payment and reconciliation process. Conventional payment processing and reconciliation systems, therefore have a very high cost of processing per transaction due to many inefficiencies including, inter alia, processing independent of system load and constant monitoring and interaction by operation personnel.
Accordingly, electronic payment systems can resemble conventional payment systems, having at least the usual nodes: a payer, a payee, and a bank, using mechanisms similar to ordinary checks, credit, debit, and cash. Security lapses can occur inside a node or between nodes. Such can arise from faulty man-machine communication, and from faulty or compromised machinery. Additional problems can further include payer-payee disputes, wherein purchased digital content does not match its title, or the usual disputes about payments and delivery.
Moreover, pre-requisites for proper secure e-commerce are proper merchant authentication, and proper payer authentication (e.g., for non-anonymous secure payment system). For example, impersonation can occur due to either inter or intra node security failures.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject innovation facilitates ensuring a fair transaction when a user (e.g., buyer) obtains digital content that is ordered from a merchant, and the merchant receives payment for the digital content, via employing a trusted component that is associated with a device of a user. Such trusted component can compute a cryptographic hash value (and/or signed cryptographic hash) for the digital content (e.g., during a download thereof), wherein typically such hash value cannot be altered (e.g., tampered) by the user. Accordingly, the trusted component can act as a trusted agent on a user's device, wherein the trusted component itself can further be downloaded to the user device as part of the transaction.
In a related aspect, the user can supply payment to a trusted third party, such as to tie verification for the downloaded component to payments—hence mitigating frauds and disputes between merchants and users. As such, a user can connect to a merchant's site, wherein a down load of the digital content occurs. The user's device can then compute a hash for the downloaded digital content. Moreover, the cryptographic hash can be computed on the user's machine, and such hash can further be included as part of a transaction log (e.g., key available). Subsequently, the computed hash of the digital content can be sent in conjunction with payments to a trusted third party. Upon receipt of the hash content by the trusted third party, such third party can then look up a published list of hash values and digital content, to verify that a correct match exists. By verifying the proper downloaded content with associated payment, a key can then be supplied to the user. Hence, the third party can check mapping of the hash values, to ascertain user's receipt of the digital content.
According to a further aspect, a logging component associated with the user device can maintain a log for the downloaded digital content and supply a comparison between a log viewed by the user device and the log used on a server associated with the third party. Such can typically ensure a fair transaction, wherein the merchant cannot over charge or create spurious transactions and/or user allege lack of receipt for the digital content.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the claimed subject matter are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of various ways in which the subject matter may be practiced, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The various aspects of the subject innovation are now described with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like or corresponding elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.
The repository components 112, 114, 116 can include any type of a device with storage capabilities and a memory that can include read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The ROM contains among other code the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS), which can control the basic hardware operations of the repository components 112, 114, 116, and the RAM can function as the main memory into which the operating system and application programs can be loaded. The repository components 112, 114, 116 can also serve as the storage medium for storing information and additional metadata related to the digital content such as; genre; user ranking, purchase info, number of times downloaded or played, ratings and related data. For mass media file storage, the repository components 112, 114, 116 can include a hard disk drive (e.g., 10 Gigabyte hard drive), and the like.
The repository components 112, 114, 116 can also be associated with a network (e.g., wireless network 130) such as a system area network or other type of network, and can include several hosts, (not shown), which can be personal computers, servers or other types of computers. Such host generally can be capable of running or executing one or more application-level (or user-level) programs, as well as initiating an I/O request (e.g., I/O reads or writes). In addition, the network can be, for example, an Ethernet LAN, a token ring LAN, or a Wide Area Network (WAN). Moreover, such network can also include hardwired and/or optical and/or wireless connection paths. The connections can be shared among a plurality of the repository components 112, 114, 116 that store digital files for sale to the user. Likewise, the user devices 141, 142, 143 (1 thru m, m being an integer) can include intelligent devices personal computers, workstations, televisions, telephones, and the like for example. Moreover, the wireless network 130 can further include one or more input/output units (I/O units), wherein such I/O units can includes one or more I/O controllers connected thereto, and each of the I/O can be any of several types of I/O devices, such as storage devices (e.g., a hard disk drive, tape drive) or other I/O device. The hosts and I/O units and their attached I/O controllers and devices can be organized into groups such as clusters, with each cluster including one or more hosts and typically one or more I/O units (each I/O unit including one or more I/O controllers). The hosts and I/O units can be interconnected via a collection of routers, switches and communication links (such as wires, connectors, cables, and the like) that connects a set of nodes (e.g., connects a set of hosts and I/O units) of one or more clusters. Moreover, the wireless communication network 130 can be cellular or WLAN communication network; such as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) networks, and wireless Internet Protocol (IP) networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and IP Data networks
The user device 141, 142, 143 can be a hand-held wireless communication device that can communicate with a wireless communication network, (e.g. wireless communication network 130) to upload and download digital content, via a cellular access point and/or via a wireless access network (WLAN) access point, such as a cellular base station, mobile switching center, 802.11x router, 802.16x router and the like. Further examples of the portable user device 141, 142, 143 can include a cellular communication device, a multi-mode cellular device, a multi-mode cellular telephone, a dual-mode cellular device, a dual-mode cellular/WiFi telephone, or like cellular and/or combination cellular/fixed internet protocol (IP) access devices.
In general, payment processing component 213 can settle charges with payment providers (e.g., Visa® and MasterCard®), as well as the merchant unit 220, which can further include: a central host computer operatively connected to a plurality of in-store customer sale terminals 225 that can represent point of sale (POS); a wireless local area network that includes a plurality of access points; and a wired backbone for communicating data between the central host and the customer sale terminals (not shown).
Upon receipt of the hash content by the trusted third party entity 230, such third party can then look up a published list of hash values and digital content, to verify that a correct match exists. Upon verification of the proper downloaded content and associated payment, a key can then be supplied to the user device 227. As such, the third party entity 230 can check mapping of the hash values, to ascertain user's receipt of the digital content. Moreover, a logging component (not shown) associated with the user device 227 can maintain a log for the downloaded digital content and supply a comparison between a log viewed by the user device and the log used on a server associated with the trusted third party entity 230. Such can typically ensure a fair transaction, wherein the merchant cannot over charge or create spurious transactions and/or user allege lack of receipt for the digital content.
For example, in context of purchasing digital music, to play a song one requires permission from the trusted component. Such permission can be granted if the trusted component has evidence that the song is obtained legally. The trusted component acts substantially similar to a trusted third party, wherein the payment and digital goods exchange occurs therein. More specifically, when the vendor sends the goods to the trusted component, the latter can keep a record of the transaction (including the secure hash of the content and payment amount) and transmit payment authorization to the vendor. The records can be maintained in cryptographically secure fashion, so that a malicious user cannot tamper therewith. Example of the secure record can include signing the record using the module's secret key. Likewise, in case of a dispute, a secure channel can be established between a “judge” machine (not shown)—and the trusted component. A log of all associated transactions can subsequently be exchanged, (e.g., signed hashes of songs), to establish legal purchases.
The file hashes described above facilitate integrity of the deployable digital content (e.g., the assembly). Some applications are comprised of several assemblies. Therefore, to ensure integrity of the entire application it is necessary to confirm not only that each individual assembly has not changed, but that the set of assemblies used by the application program at runtime are the same set that were previously built and tested together. Accordingly, in one aspect of the innovation, an assembly referencing another assembly can compute the hash of the manifest of the referenced assembly. An assembly manifest can include dependency information, which is information about other assemblies that the assembly depends on or references. Part of the information stored as part of the dependency information is a hash of the referenced assembly's manifest. In general, hashing the manifest of the referenced assembly can be sufficient because that manifest in turn includes hashes of all its constituent files. As with the file hashes, hashes on manifests of referenced assemblies can be computed by the tool emitting the manifest.
The assembly 310 can include a top assembly and any number of modules that make up the assembly 310. The top assembly can be defined as an assembly that includes a metadata section or manifest. The metadata section or manifest can include identity information defining the assembly, assembly references that define the dependencies to other assemblies and module references that define a link to modules or subassemblies, which form the digital content that is to be downloaded. A metadata section 316 is provided in the top assembly 312 that includes information regarding the first assembly 310. The metadata section 316 can further include an identity information component 317 and a file validation digest component 318. The identity information component 317 can further include information about the first assembly 310, while the file validation digest component 318 includes information about the module 314. The identity information component 317 can also include such information as a simple name, version information, operating system or processor information, publisher information, in addition to many other types of information about the digital content or the first assembly 310. The file validation digest component 318 can also include a hash of the module 314.
A top assembly digest 319 can be provided at the end of the top assembly 312. The top assembly digest 319 can contain a hash of the contents of the top assembly 312. Such top assembly hash can be employed to verify that the contents of the top assembly 312 have not been modified, while the hash in the file validation digest component 318 can be used to verify that the module 314 has not been modified.
It is to be appreciated that the digital content can include application programs can include assemblies, some of which refer to other assemblies while executing. As illustrated in
The AI component 730 can employ any of a variety of suitable AI-based schemes as described supra in connection with facilitating various aspects of the herein described invention. For example, a process for learning explicitly or implicitly how or which digital media should be downloaded can be facilitated via an automatic classification system and process. Classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed. For example, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier can be employed. Other classification approaches include Bayesian networks, decision trees, and probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.
As will be readily appreciated from the subject specification, the subject innovation can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing user behavior, receiving extrinsic information) so that the classifier is used to automatically determine according to a predetermined criteria which answer to return to a question. For example, with respect to SVM's that are well understood, SVM's are configured via a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class—that is, f(x)=confidence(class).
Wireless transceiver 845 connects CPU 805 with wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., digital file repositories, desktops, portable computers, portable data assistants, communications satellites, and devices with WiFi and Bluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices. Wireless transceiver 845 can also be a removable cellular or dual-mode cellular and WiFi device that can connect to a wireless communication network through a cellular, WLAN or other wireless access point. Such aspect of wireless transceiver 845 enables mobile device 800 to download wireless digital device from a wireless communication network through a standard cellular telephone that can form a wired or wireless connection to CPU 805.
User interface 830 includes at least a graphical display 835 and microphone 840 and is coupled with CPU 805. User interface 830 enables external input of instructions to CPU 805 (e.g. via a keypad or keyboard, a pointing device, for example a mouse or trackball) to configure and run applications (e.g. search applications containing music specific search filters) stored on internal memory 810 or removable/external memory 815. User interface 830 can include a download hotkey, hot-button, or software icon that executes an application automatically connecting a user to a wireless communication network through wireless transceiver 845, and opening a browser at a user specified location containing the digital content for download. User interface 830 can further include features described herein in regard to a user interface for a cellular telephone, such as a sheet music indexing component, selective search component, voice recognition component, audio recognition component or predictive text component. Graphical display 835 can be a CRT or flat panel display e.g. a liquid crystal display (LCD) or plasma display that can graphically display digital sheet music. Microphone 840 is a device that allows the input of analog audio, voice, or speech onto wireless mobile device 800. Inputting analog audio files, voice files, or speech can form the basis for a voice or audio recognition search of a wireless communication network or of the Internet as described, supra.
As used in herein, the terms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an instance, an executable, a thread of execution, a program and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computer and the computer can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Similarly, examples are provided herein solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit the subject innovation or portion thereof in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.
Furthermore, all or portions of the subject innovation can be implemented as a system, method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed innovation. For example, computer readable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips . . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive . . . ). Additionally it should be appreciated that a carrier wave can be employed to carry computer-readable electronic data such as those used in transmitting and receiving electronic mail or in accessing a network such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications may be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.
In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter,
With reference to
The system bus 918 can be any of several types of bus structure(s) including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available bus architectures including, but not limited to, 11-bit bus, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), and Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI).
The system memory 916 includes volatile memory 920 and nonvolatile memory 922. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information between elements within the computer 912, such as during start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory 922. By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 922 can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory 920 includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).
Computer 912 also includes removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media.
It is to be appreciated that
A user enters commands or information into the computer 912 through input device(s) 936. Input devices 936 include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and the like. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit 914 through the system bus 918 via interface port(s) 938. Interface port(s) 938 include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 940 use some of the same type of ports as input device(s) 936. Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide input to computer 912, and to output information from computer 912 to an output device 940. Output adapter 942 is provided to illustrate that there are some output devices 940 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other output devices 940 that require special adapters. The output adapters 942 include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide a means of connection between the output device 940 and the system bus 918. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such as remote computer(s) 944.
Computer 912 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s) 944. The remote computer(s) 944 can be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance, a peer device or other common network node and the like, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to computer 912. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 946 is illustrated with remote computer(s) 944. Remote computer(s) 944 is logically connected to computer 912 through a network interface 948 and then physically connected via communication connection 950. Network interface 948 encompasses communication networks such as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, Token Ring/IEEE 802.5 and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).
Communication connection(s) 950 refers to the hardware/software employed to connect the network interface 948 to the bus 918. While communication connection 950 is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer 912, it can also be external to computer 912. The hardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 948 includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and external technologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems, cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.
What has been described above includes various exemplary aspects. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing these aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the aspects described herein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.