Method for Transmitting an Anonymous Request from a Consumer to a Content or Service Provider Through a Telecommunication Network

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for supporting purchasing of goods or services from a provider. An example system may comprise a database operable to maintain identification data of a consumer; and a server operable to receive a purchase request from the consumer. The server may then add an alias to the purchase request, where the alias corresponds to the identification data of the consumer, and forward the purchase request with the alias to the provider. The aliased identification data is not accessible to the provider. In an example method, a server, in a communication network, may receive a purchase request sent by a consumer through the communication network. The server, which may maintain identification data of the consumer, may then substitute the identification data of the consumer with an alias, and may forward the purchase request with the alias to the provider. The identification data is not accessible to the provider.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A system for purchasing goods or services from a provider, the system comprising:
 a database operable to maintain identification data of a consumer; and   a server operable to:
 receive a purchase request from the consumer, 
 add an alias to the purchase request, the alias corresponding to the identification data of the consumer; and 
 forward the purchase request with the alias to the provider, 
 wherein the aliased identification data is not accessible to the provider. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the identification data of the consumer comprises the consumer's payment information. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the server is operable to verify the consumer's payment information. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the purchase request is sent by the consumer from a mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the server is operable to encrypt the purchase request prior to forwarding the purchase request to the provider. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the server is operable to establish an anonymous profile by the provider. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the server is operable to update the anonymous profile each time a purchase request is received. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the provider is operable to send a response that comprises the alias to the consumer, the alias being substituted with the identification data within the communication network before forwarding the response to the consumer. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the request received by the provider contains information about a mobile station used by the consumer, the response from the provider depending on the information about the mobile station. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the server is operable to identify the consumer according to a registration request, the registration request being valid during a limited period of time. 
     
     
         16 . A method for purchasing goods or services from a provider, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a server in a communication network, a purchase request sent by a consumer through the communication network, wherein the server maintains identification data of the consumer;   substituting, by the server, the identification data of the consumer with an alias; and   forwarding, by the server, the purchase request with the alias to the provider, wherein the identification data is not accessible to the provider.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the identification data comprises the consumer's payment information. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the server is operable to verify the consumer's payment information. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the purchase request is sent by the consumer from a mobile device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises encrypting, by the server, the purchase request prior to forwarding. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises establishing an anonymous profile by the provider. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method comprises updating the anonymous profile each time a purchase request is received. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises sending, by the provider, a response that comprises the alias to the consumer, wherein the alias is substituted with the identification data within the communication network before forwarding the response to the consumer. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the request received by the provider contains information about a mobile station used by the consumer, the response from the provider depending on the information about the mobile station. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises identifying the consumer according to a registration request, the registration request being valid during a limited period of time.