WO2002017124A2

WO2002017124A2 - Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment using time-space stamping

Info

Publication number: WO2002017124A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/026619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris
Original assignee: Reveo, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-08-25
Filing date: 2001-08-24
Publication date: 2002-02-28
Also published as: WO2002017124A9; AU2001285293A1; WO2002017124A3

Abstract

Internet-based methods of and systems for enabling electronic-commerce-related transactions in ways which help reduce the financial risk associated with expressions of fraudulent conduct such as, for example, unauthorized charging or debiting of another's financial account, fraudulent repudiation of contracts for goods and/or services, and denial of financial authorization for purchased goods and/or services, in connection with electronic commerce related transactions.

Description

INTERNET-BASED METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR AUTHORIZING ELECTRONIC PAYMENT FROM A BUYER'S FINANCIER TO A SELLER'S FINANCIER IN CONNECTION

WITH A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION USING TIME-SPACE STAMPING TECHNIQUES

Inventor: Sadeg M. Faris

RELATED CASES

This is a Continuation-in-Part of: Application Serial No. 09/514,598 filed February 28, 2000 by entitled "Globally Time-Sychronized Systems, Devices And Methods " which is a Continuation- in-Part of Application Serial No. 09/513,601 filed February 25, 2000 entitled "Globally Time- Synchronized Systems, Devices And Methods" by Sadeg M. Faris, Gregory J. Hamlin and James P.

Flannery; PCT Application No. PCT/US00/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000; Application Serial No. 09/258,573 entitled "Internet-Based System And Method For Fairly And Securely Enabling Timed-Constrained Competition Using Globally Time-Synchronized Client Subsystems And Information Servers Having Microsecond Client-Event Resolution", filed February 26, 1999, owned by Assignee, Reveo, Inc., of Elmsford, New York, and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to an improved Internet-based method of and system for enabling electronic-commerce related transactions in ways which reduce the financial risk associated with fraudulent conduct such as, for example, unauthorized charging or debiting of another's financial account, fraudulent repudiation of contracts for goods and/or services, and false procurement of financial authorization for purchased goods and/or services.

Brief Description of The State of Knowledge In The Art

For thousands of years, mankind has had a great need to trade things of value (i.e. goods) among members of its society. As civilization progressed, and its technological needs became more advanced, various forms of labor were divided among different groups of people. Each group possessed particular bodies of knowledge and sets of technical skills. This further increased the need to trade in human society.

At one time in history, trading goods for goods, or goods for services, known as bartering, was the predominant form of trading throughout civilized society. However, over the centuries, systems of financial currency were gradually developed and improved upon so that buyers could purchase goods or services using money (i.e. financial currency) rather than by trading goods or services of like value (e.g. one camel for two horses) commonly associated with bartering.

Merchant banks were eventually developed to provide financial credit and debit services to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers trading their respective goods and services in the marketplace for financial currency, rather than for goods or services of equivalent value.

In recent times, trading occurs between manufacturers and wholesalers, and wholesalers and retailers, using electronic document interchange (EDI) techniques in business-to-business (B2B) types of commercial transactions involving the purchase and sale of goods and/or services. Such EDI-based B2B transaction techniques typically involve the use of electronic payment systems to enable credit and/or debit financial support to such commercial transactions. With the development of the World Wide Web (WWW) and its supporting infrastructure, electronic-commerce transactions are used more widely now than ever, further increasing the demand for electronic payment systems in B2B type commercial transactions. With the increasing usage of electronic payment systems, there has also been an increase in the incidence of fraudulent conduct associated with B2B types of electronic commerce transactions. Financial institutions have invested a great deal of time, effort and money in an effort to develop techniques which promise to reduce the amount of financial losses associated with such forms of human conduct. Financial institutions understand that ensuring effective security against such various forms of financial fraud on the Internet, and the wireless world of communication and electronic commerce, is imperative for the continual growth of electronic commerce throughout our global economy. Financial losses associated with fraudulent conduct in electronic commerce transactions is represented as risk to financial institutions (e.g. merchant banks, credit card institutions, debit card institutions, etc.) and such risk is ultimately passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices paid at the point of purchase and/or sale.

The development of wireless Internet-enabled mobile computing devices, such as palm- computers and wireless WAP-enabled cellphones having display screens and keyboard interfaces, has provided consumers and other trading parties with alternative ways of conducting electronic forms of business-to-consumer (B2C) commerce over the Internet. Such developments in B2C electronic commerce present further problems related to proof of authorization of financial support, delivery or receipt of purchased goods, and the like, as it is common for the transacting parties to interact without face to face contact or without visually inspecting the actual goods being purchased. Also, it is becoming more common for products to be sold from small business concerns having a presence only on the WWW, using outsourced order fulfillment capabilities and having insufficient financial backing to secure the purchase money tendered by the buyer or its financier. Such facts of commercial life in the modern world can often invite fraudulent forms of conduct, as well as an increase in the repudiation of commercial contracts for goods, presenting additional risk for the parties providing financial support to such transactions.

Various methods have been developed to reduce fraudulent conduct on the Internet in connection with procuring financial support for commercial transactions, and validation of commercial transactions between parties. Such methods include, for example: identity recognition techniques (e.g. passwords, voice-identification techniques, photo-identification techniques, etc.); digital signatures as taught in US Patent Nos. 6,088,798 and 6,079,018 and patents cited therein; digital notarization, digital receipt, digital security and proof of services techniques as taught, for example, in Receipt.com. Inc.'s WIPO Publication No. WO 00/25245, and as offered in Valicert's B2B Express e-Transaction infrastructure solutions (i.e. Valicert® Validation Authority Solutions, Valicert® Secure Transport Solutions, and Valicert® Digital Receipt Solutions) described in detail at http://www.valicert.com, each such prior art reference being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

However, while the above-described techniques provide some level of improvement against fraudulent conduct exhibited in connection with electronic commerce related transactions, such prior art techniques suffer from shortcomings and drawbacks which expose financial institutions, providing support to electronic commerce transactions, to levels of risk which need to be reduce, particularly in view of the rapidly increasing use of wireless, mobile Internet-enabled network computing devices being proliferated in our global economy.

Thus, there is still a great need in the art for improved method of and apparatus for further reducing financial risk associated with fraudulent conduct exhibited in connection with electronic commerce transactions, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methodologies.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet- based method of and system for enabling electronic-commerce related transactions in ways which help reduce the financial risk associated with expressions of fraudulent conduct such as, for example, unauthorized charging or debiting of another's financial account, fraudulent repudiation of contracts for goods and/or services, and false financial authorization for purchased goods and/or services, in connection with electronic commerce related transactions, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methodologies. Another object of the present invention to provide such an Internet-based method of and system for authenticating an e-commerce transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of a seller and a buyer purchasing goods and/or services therefrom for money at particular point along the space-time continuum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the goods by a seller or buyer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and method for authenticating a commercial transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when a cash payment (in money) is made to the seller by the buyer via a physical cash transfer or cash transfer effected by way of a conventional check payment system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating a commercial transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller conduct the commercial transaction (i.e. exchange commercial transaction documents using EDI techniques) each using a mobile Internet- enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile transaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for cash value at particular point along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller conduct the commercial transaction (i.e. exchange commercial transaction documents using EDI techniques) each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile transaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the goods by the seller, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller physically present before each other conduct the commercial transaction for goods before them using TS certified EDI (i.e. commercial document exchange) techniques supported between a set of mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminals, each embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, and (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile transaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and method for authenticating a commercial transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer, each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS- stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU)- and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial transaction at a subsequent instant along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of face-face interaction, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually presented to the buyer by the seller for purchase at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are to be purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, or through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating an e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) a seller in the physical presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital

TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial transaction, where each uses a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial transaction, where each uses a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial transaction at a subsequent instant along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial transaction, where each uses a mobile Internet- enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server. Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are physically present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, and (4) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the purchase and sale of goods between a buyer and seller to a commercial transaction, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server. Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS- stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS- stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial transaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a web-based graphical user interface (gui) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where purchase receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted between the buyer's mobile transaction terminal and the seller's

Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC- enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the sale and purchase of goods, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web- based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B- 2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction. Another object of the present invention is to provide such Internet-based systems and methods, wherein wireless GSU-enabled mobile e-commerce transaction terminals may have various form factors, and transmit digitally-signed data packets to TS-stamping based tracking servers for decryption, and subsequent use in (i) mobile transaction terminal tracking and monitoring operations, (ii) transaction authorization and TS certification and (iii) financial support authorization in electronic commerce related transactions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such types of Internet-based systems and methods, wherein the space-time trajectory of the wireless mobile e-commerce transaction terminals are automatically tracked using globally time-synchronized clocks, global positioning subsystems, and digital signature techniques carried out using hardware chips embedded within the tracked transaction terminals.

These and other terminals of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter and in the Claims to Invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more fully appreciate the terminals of the present invention, the detailed description of the illustrated embodiments should be read in conjunction with the accompanied figures and drawings:

Fig. 1 A is a schematic representation of the Internet-based system for time-space (TS) tracking mobile GSU-enabled electronic commerce (e-commerce) transaction terminals of the present invention, for the purpose of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to commercial transactions, authorizing electronic payments in commercial transactions, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of contracts for goods and/or services;

Fig. IB is a schematic representation of some of the major components of a wireless mobile GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminal employed by each buyer in the Internet-enabled system of Fig. 1 A, shown comprising a global synchronization unit (GSU) and various hardware and software layers, including client software such as a tracking client application 340' and tracking hooks and drivers;

Fig. 1C1 is a schematic representation of some of the major components of a wireless mobile GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminal employed by each seller in the Internet-enabled system of Fig. 1 A, shown comprising a global synchronization unit (GSU) and various, hardware and software layers, including client software such as a tracking client application and tracking hooks and drivers;

Fig. 1C2 is a schematic representation of some of the major components of a wireless mobile GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction server/terminal employed by a seller registered to use the Internet-enabled system of Fig. 1 A, shown comprising a global synchronization unit (GSU) and various hardware and software layers, including client software such as a tracking client application and tracking hooks and drivers, as well as web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies, required to deploy the seller's EC-enabled WWW site or store or EC-enabled product sales catalog on the WWW, using mobile web server techniques; Fig. ID is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the Seller's E- commerce driven Web-site Information Server employed in the system of FIG. 1 A, including web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies, required to deploy the seller's EC-enabled WWW site or store, using stationary webserver techniques; Fig. IE is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the Seller's Web- based Product Catalog Information Server employed in the system of FIG. 1 A, including web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies, required to display the seller's EC-enabled product catalog to customers using stationary web-server techniques for display during a Web-browser program provided in the wireless GSU-enabled transaction terminal of the present invention;

Fig. IF is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the Web-Based GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal & Owner Registration Information Server employed in the system of FIG. IA, including web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies; Fig. 1G is a schematic representation of some of the major components of a Time-Space (TS)

Stamping Based Tracking Server employed in the Internet-enabled system of FIG. IA, shown comprising various hardware and software layers including a TS-stamping based tracking server daemon and GPS receiver;

FIG. IH is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server employed in the system of FIG. 1 A, shown comprising various hardware and software layers including a TS-certifying commercial transaction record server daemon and GPS receiver; Fig. II is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the TS-Certifying EDI-based Transaction Server employed in the system of FIG. IA, shown comprising various hardware and software layers including a TS-certifying EDI-based transaction server daemon and GPS receiver; FIG. 1 J is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the Web-Based

Geographic Location/TS Coordinate Data Database Information Server employed in the system of FIG. 1 A, including web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies;

FIG. IK is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the Buyer's Financial Server employed in the system of FIG. IA, including web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies;

FIG. IL is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the Buyer's Financial Server employed in the system of FIG. IA, including web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies; FIG. 1M is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the Web-based

GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Server employed in the system of HG. IA, including web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies;

Fig. 2A is a schematic representation of the Internet-based system of Fig. 1 A shown being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when a cash payment (in money) is made to the seller by the buyer via a physical cash transfer or cash transfer effected by way of a conventional check payment system; Figs. 2B1 through 2B4, taken together, illustrates the major steps involved in carrying out the

Internet-enabled method schematically depicted in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2C is a schematic representation of an exemplary locus of time-space coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals, collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server of the system shown in FIG. 2A during an exemplary e-commerce related transaction process carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2D is a schematic representation of a TS-certified transaction record generated during the operation of the system of Fig. 2A and provided to the transacting parties participating in an exemplary TS-certified e-commerce related transaction carried out in accordance with the method illustrated in Figs. 2B1 through 2B4;

Fig. 3 A is a schematic representation of the Internet-based system of Fig. IA shown being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system;

Figs. 3B1 through 3B4, taken together, illustrates the major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method schematically depicted in Fig. 3 A;

Fig. 3C is a schematic representation of an exemplary locus of time-space coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals, collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server of the system shown in Fig. 3A during an exemplary e-commerce related transaction process carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Fig. 3D is a schematic representation of a TS-certified transaction record generated during the operation of the system of Fig. 3A and provided to the transacting parties participating in an exemplary TS-certified e-commerce related transaction carried out in accordance with the method illustrated in Figs. 3B1 through 3B4;

Fig. 4A is a schematic representation of the Internet-based system of Fig. 1 A shown being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of face-face interaction, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually presented to the buyer by the seller for purchase at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where a Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are to be purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, or through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server;

Figs. 4B1 through 4B4, taken together, illustrates the major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method schematically depicted in Fig. 4A; Fig. 4C is a schematic representation of an exemplary locus of time-space coordinates of the

Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals, collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server of the system shown in Fig. 4A during an exemplary e-commerce related transaction process carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig.4D is a schematic representation of a TS-certified transaction record generated during the operation of the system of Fig. 4A and provided to the transacting parties participating in an exemplary TS-certified e-commerce related transaction carried out in accordance with the Option No. 1 provided for by the method illustrated in Figs. 4B1 through 4B4;

Fig. 4E is a schematic representation of a retail industry transaction set comprising EDI-type messages which are exchanged between buyers and sellers (i.e. trading parties) in connection with an EDI-enabled commercial transaction for goods, in accordance with the Option No. 2 provided for by the method shown in Figs. 4B1 through 4B4, wherein one or more of such commercial messages, deemed by the parties essential to the formation of the commercial agreement, contain TS-certifying information generated and applied to such messages by the TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Server of the present invention; Fig. 5 A is a schematic representation of the Internet-based system of Fig. 1 A shown being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are physically present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, and (4) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer;

Figs. 5B1 through 5B4, taken together, illustrates the major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method schematically depicted in Fig. 5A; Fig. 5C is a schematic representation of an exemplary locus of time-space coordinates of the

Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals, collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server of the system shown in Fig. 5A during an exemplary e-commerce related transaction process carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 5D is a schematic representation of a TS-certified transaction record generated during the operation of the system of Fig. 5A and provided to the transacting parties participating in an exemplary TS-certified e-commerce related transaction carried out in accordance with the method illustrated in Figs. 5B1 through 5B4;

Fig. 6A is a schematic representation of the Internet-based system of Fig. 1 A shown being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and or services, in accordance with a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server;

Figs. 6B1 through 6B4, taken together, illustrates the major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method schematically depicted in Fig. 6A;

Fig. 6C is a schematic representation of an exemplary locus of time-space coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals, collected by the TS-Stamping

Based Tracking Server of the system shown in Fig. 6A during an exemplary e-commerce related transaction process carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 6D is a schematic representation of a TS-certified transaction record generated during the operation of the system of Fig. 6A and provided to the transacting parties participating in an exemplary TS-certified e-commerce related transaction carried out in accordance with the method illustrated in Figs. 6B1 through 6B4;

Fig. 7A is a schematic representation of the Internet-based system of Fig. IA shown being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a sixth illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted between the buyer's mobile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction;

Figs. 7B1 through 7B4, taken together, illustrates the major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method schematically depicted in Fig. 7A;

Fig. 7C is a schematic representation of a retail industry transaction set comprising EDI-type messages which are exchanged between buyers and sellers (i.e. trading parties) in connection with an EDI-enabled commercial transaction for goods shown in Figs.7B1 through 7B4, wherein one or more of such messages contain TS-certifying information generated and applied to such messages in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 7D is a schematic representation of an exemplary locus of time-space coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals, collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server of the system shown in Fig.4A during an exemplary e-commerce related transaction process carried out in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

Fig. 7E is a schematic representation of a TS-certified transaction record generated during the operation of the system of Fig. 7A and provided to the transacting parties participating in an exemplary TS-certified e-commerce related transaction carried out in accordance with the method illustrated in Figs. 7B 1 through 7B4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION

Referring to the figures in the accompanying Drawings, the preferred embodiments of the system and methods of the present invention will now be described in great detail, wherein like elements will be indicated using like reference numerals.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the time-space (TS) coordinates of mobile electronic commerce enabled transaction terminals (e.g. Web-enabled palm computer, WAP- enable cellular phones, smartcards, etc.) are collected, recorded and analyzed in order to track the position of such terminals andor determine the motion thereof within the space-time continuum in the context of an e-commerce transaction enabling systems in which such mobile devices are used by diverse types of trading parties (e.g. buyer and sellers and their financiers).

In general, each TS-tracked transaction terminal comprises a hand or body supportable housing, containing a client-type computing/network device embodying the global synchronization unit (GSU) or extended GSU of the present invention, as possibly other data collecting/sensing devices, as have been described in Applicant's copending PCT Application No. PCT/US00/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000, incorporated herein by reference. The GSU technology embodied within wireless mobile e-commerce transaction terminals and associated http information servers facilitate, in a real-time manner, the collection and management of time and space (TS) coordinate information about such devices in relation to an externally-defined global coordinate reference system.

When provided in each transaction terminal device of the present invention, the GSU greatly enhances the precision and security of the overall Internet-based transaction enabling system hereof. In the context of the present Application, the basic purpose of the GSU is to generate secure and verifiable time and space (TS) stamped records of client-machine (i.e. transaction terminal) inputs and any other external events captured by devices (e.g. bar code symbol scanner/reader, microphone, fingerprint image sensor, etc.) attached or otherwise connected to the GSU of such terminals. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a time/space stamp generated by the GSU includes the location, exact time (e.g. to within +/- 1 microsecond), and security information including, but not limited to, a hash or CRC (cyclic redundancy check) value derived from the input data associated with the event. The hash value will allow the data to be verified in the future to insured that it has not been altered since the time/space stamp was generated. The time/space stamp also will have an associated CRC value or digital signature to insure that the time/space stamp itself is genuine and unmodified. In addition, the GSU of the present invention also provides the ability to authenticate digitally-signed time and space stamps that it has previously generated, and to verify that data associated with that time and space stamp has not been modified since the stamp was created. Such inventive features of the GSU are described in greater detail in Applicants copending PCT Application No. PCT/USOO/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000, supra.

In FIG. 1 A, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the time-space (TS) based stamping e-commerce transaction enabling system of the present invention 3. This system is capable of simultaneously tracking numerous mobile e-commerce transaction terminals, server/terminals and other devices (e.g. Web-enabled palm computer, WAP-enable cellular phones, smartcards, etc.) 1, 2 relative to a globally-defined coordinate reference system symbolically embedded with the structure of the Internet-based system. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, by virtue of its TS- stamping capabilities and GSU-related techniques, the Internet-based system of the present invention can carry out several basic functionalities related to commercial-type transactions including, for example: authenticating e-commerce transactions; certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction; authorizing electronic payments in commercial transactions; and preventing fraudulent repudiation of contracts for goods and/or services. The important e-commerce related functions will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

As shown in Fig. IA, the Internet-enabled system of the illustrative embodiment 3 comprises a number of system components, internetworked together using the infrastructure of the Internet, comprising: a plurality of global positioning satellites (GPS) 4 launched into geodesic orbit; a plurality of buyer-operated wireless mobile electronic commerce transaction terminals (i.e. client network computing devices) 1; a plurality of seller-operated wireless mobile electronic commerce transaction terminals (i.e. client network computing devices) 2; a seller's e-commerce driven Web-site (i.e. http) Information Server 5; at least one Seller's Web-Based Product Catalog Information (http)

Server 6; a Web-based Transaction Terminal and Owner Registration Information Server 7; a TS- stamp Based Tracking Server 8; at least one TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 9; a TS-Certifying EDI-based Transaction Server 10 ; at least one Geographic Location/TS Coordinate Data Database Server 11; a Buyer's Financial (http) Information Server 12; at least one Seller's Financial (http) Information Server 13; at least one Web-based Transaction Terminal Trajectory

Monitoring Server 14', and one or more conventional electronic payment systems 150. The function and structure of each of these system components will be described in greater detail below, followed by a detailed description of the various methods which such system components enable in connection with commercial transactions.

Wireless Mobile GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal Employed By Buyer

In the context of the Internet-enabled system of Fig. 1 A, the function of each buyer-operated wireless mobile electronic commerce transaction terminal 1 (i.e. client network computing devices is to enable its registered operator (e.g. the buyer) to conduct commercial-type transactions using a portable device having an ultra-compact construction which enables ease of transport and handling in the normal course of life and business.

As shown FIG. IB, each wireless mobile GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminal employed in the system of FIG. 1 A comprises: a micro-computing platform with hardware and software components, namely; a global synchronization unit (GSU) 20 and a client computing platform supporting various hardware and software layers including client software such as a tracking client application 21, tracking hooks and drivers 22, and a wireless communications network interface 23 and the like. The GSU 20 may be either a GSU 175 as shown in FIG. 2D2 of copending PCT Application No. PCT/US00/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000, or an extended GSU 177 as shown in FIG. 2D5 thereof. In either instance, the embodied GSU is operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet (or other globally-extensive packet switching digital communications network).

In the illustrative embodiment, each micro-computing platform within the transaction terminal may be realized as a standard palm-computer or WAP-enabled cellular phone, augmented by the addition of several software and hardware components, or by Java virtual machine (JVM) chip augmented by a GSU of the present invention. In general, each micro-computing platform will include an operating system 24, standard device drivers 25, clock or timer hardware 26 and 27. Each transaction terminal communicates with the wireless communications network through hooks and drivers 22 with the underlying output and timing hardware 26. In order that each GSU-enabled transaction terminal can be uniquely identified among potentially millions of such devices, each GSU- enabled transaction terminal 1, 2 is programmed with a unique identification code (UIC) at the time of manufacture, or thereafter. Preferably, this UIC is written into a ROM chip aboard the GSU chip at the time of manufacture. As described in greater detail in Applicant's copending Application, this UIC will be used in connection with the process of generating digitally-signed time-space (TS) stamps from the GSU-enabled transaction terminal during its trajectory through the time-space continuum.

Each wireless mobile transaction terminal of the present invention also includes a Web- browser program 28 (e.g. Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser program, including plug-ins for WAP support) and other plug-in modules and client programs 29 and 30 required to support the various functions carried out independently on micro-computing platform, as well as in cooperation with the various types of http information servers deployed within the Internet-enabled system of the present invention, depicted in Fig. IA. As described in copending PCT Application No. PCT/US00/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000, a basic global synchronization unit (GSU) 20 for use within a GSU-enabled client network device of the present invention would be realized in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) chip comprising: a GPS receiver connected to an antenna; and a central processor connected to the GPS receiver, for (i) storing the GSU's UIC and desired trigger time/locations, (ii) calculating digital signatures verifying the authenticity of the data including, for example, time and space information provided by the GPS receiver, GSU input data from input sources and sensors, and the UIC of the GSU chip, (iii) performing encryption and decryption functions on selected items of collected data, and (iv) performing other functions described hereinabove. Aboard each GSU-enabled transaction terminal device 1, the GSU chip 20 periodically samples its input port for client input data (e.g. biophysiological, or other state data of the terminal or its ambient environment). In the case of not receiving any data at its input port, the GSU chip can be designed to automatically generate an UIC (or default) data element at each input sampling instant, and then use the data element for time-space stamping operations at that sampling instant. Notably, the use of a UlC-indicating data element serves to uniquely identify the corresponding GSU chip at each instance in time along the time-space continuum. In such embodiments, the UIC can be encrypted for added security measures. Then the GSU chip 20 generates a time and space stamp for each input sampling instant. The GSU chip uses digital signature techniques to create (i.e. compute) a digital signature for the set of data comprising: the UlC-indicating (or default) data element generated at each GSU sampling instant; and the time and location data of the GSU chip at the time of input data sampling within the GSU chip. Notably, the time of GSU input data sampling will be expressed in terms of a globally time-synchronized time measure derived by the GSU chip, whereas the location of the GSU at the instant of GSU input sampling would be expressed in terms of a globally referenced space/location measure derived by the GSU chip. The set of data and the computed digital signature applied thereto produces a digitally signed data package. The digitally signed data package is then sent over the network to the TS-stamping based tracking server 8 to serve as a record of the time- space trajectory point of the uniquely identified GSU chip, and associated terminal, at a particular instant in time. At a later time, this record can be used to prove that the GSU chip (and associated terminal) existed at the space-time coordinates indicated by the time-stamp contained within the digitally-signed data package received at the TS-stamping Based Tracking Server 8, shown in Fig.

IA.

Providing a Global Time Reference Using Global Positioning Satellites Deployed Within System of Present Invention

In the illustrative embodiment of the system of Fig. 1 A, a global time reference is accessed by each of the transaction terminals (i.e. client machines) through the use of global positioning system (GPS) receivers 30 located in the GSU 20 in both the client machines (within the GSUs) as well as in information server 8, 9, 10, 5' and 6', indicated in Figs. IA, 5A, 6A and 7A. The GPS system receives time signals from GPS satellites 4 which, in turn, receive their time signals from an atomic clock. The GPS receivers offer the most precisely synchronized time signal available for use in a distributed system of this type. It is understood, however, that in particular applications it may not be economically feasible to equip every client machine with a GSU. In such cases, an alternative method of distributing the master clock time to the clients must be used when characterizing the local clocks on the client machines or when synchronizing the client machine display update cycle.

A solution to this problem is to transmit the master clock time signals from "primary" server, i.e. TS-stamp based Tracking Server 8, over the network 16, to the client machines (i.e. transaction terminals 1 and 2). There is a standard method for distributing time signals over the Internet which is embodied in the network time protocol well known in the art. The network time protocol, or NTP, compensates for network latency when distributing the time signals by performing statistical analysis of the network latencies between the computers, and then taking that latency into account when transmitting the time from one machine to another. The techniques used in NTP can easily be adapted for use in characterizing the client machine's local clock, instead of using the GPS for that purpose. The characterized local clock can then be used for synchronizing the display and for causing the presentation of the query at the desired start-time. Although the generic NTP protocol could be used, security considerations dictate that additional encryption and other security measures be taken to minimize the chance of tampering with the system. Such details are described in Applicants copending PCT Application No. PCT/US00/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000 incorporated herein by reference.

Wireless GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal Employed By Seller

As illustrated in Fig. IA, each seller-operated wireless mobile electronic commerce transaction terminal 2 (i.e. client network computing devices) has an ultra-compact construction which enables ease of transport and handling in the normal course of business. As shown FIG. 1C1, each wireless mobile GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminal employed in the system of FIG. IA comprises: a micro-computing platform with hardware and software components; a global synchronization unit (GSU) 20 and a client computing platform supporting various hardware and software layers including client software such as a tracking client application 21, tracking hooks and drivers 22, and a wireless communications network interface 23 and the like. The GSU 20 may be either a GSU 175 as shown in FIG. 2D2 of copending PCT Application No. PCT/US00/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000, or an extended GSU 177 as shown in FIG. 2D5 thereof. In either instance, the embodied GSU is operably connected to the infrastructure of the Internet (or other globally-extensive packet switching digital communications network). All respects, each seller- operated wireless mobile electronic commerce transaction terminal 2 may be functionally similar to each buyer-operated wireless mobile electronic commerce transaction terminal 1 described above, as each seller may also be a buyer in a commercial transaction, and vice versa. While the form factors may certainly vary among the wireless mobile electronic commerce transaction terminals employed in the system of the present invention, each such transaction terminals will share in common its basic TS-stamping functionaUty as well as its ability to cooperate with the various types of http information servers deployed within the Internet-enabled system of the present invention.

Seller's E-Commerce Driven Web-Site Information Server

The primary function of each seller's e-commerce driven Web-site (i.e. http) information server 5 shown in Fig. 1 A is to serve the seller's EC-enabled WWW site or electronic store to buyers, in which products and/or services are offered for sale over the Internet. Fig. ID illustrates that the major components of the Seller's E-commerce driven Web-site Information Server employed in the system of FIG. IA, include Standard I/O Hardware 36; high-preformance network interface 47; standard device drivers 38; operating system 39; web (http) server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies, required to deploy the seller's EC- enabled WWW site or store. Notably, the Seller's E-commerce driven Web-site Information Server 5 would also include EC-enabled store software such as, for example, the Intershop 4.0 E-commerce Server Solutions from INTERSHOP, Inc. (http://www.intershop.com), for displaying the seller's products for sale. Such Web-enabled EC-enabled store software will enable the display of the seller's products for sale so that customers (i.e. buyers) can purchase such products directly through the EC- enabled store using either EDI-enabled transaction document exchange in which the products are purchased on terms of credit, or in the more common case, by way of money transfer enabled by an electronic payment system which cooperates with the information server components of the system of the present invention as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Seller's Web-based Product Catalog Information Server

The primary function of the seller's Web-Based Product Catalog Information (http) Server is to serve the seller's HTML-encoded EC-enabled product catalog over the Internet so that the products and/or services of the seller can be displayed for sale over the Internet. Fig. IE illustrates the major components of the Seller's Web-based Product Catalog Information Server 5 employed in the system of FIG. 1 A, including: Standard 170 Hardware 36; high-preformance network interface 47; standard device drivers 38; operating system 39; web server software providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies, required to display the seller's EC-enabled product catalog to customers through a Web-browser provided in the wireless GSU-enabled transaction terminal of the present invention. Notably, the Seller's Product Catalog Information Server 6 would also include EC-enabled product catalog software such as, for example, the Lexmedia Catalog Pro™ Web-enabled catalog software, Lexmedia Catalog Pro™~Sales Force Edition or Distributor Edition- Web enabled catalog software, Lexmedia Catalog Express™ Web-enabled catalog software or the Lexmedia catalog Showcase™ Web-enabled catalog software, commercially available from the

Lexmedia Corporation, of Fairfield, CT (i.e. http://www.lexmedia.com) or RealEDI® CatalogMaker™ Software from RealEDI, Inc. (http://www.realedi.com). Such Web-enabled product catalog software will enable the display of the seller's products for sale so that customers (i.e. buyers) can purchase such products directly through the EC-enabled product catalog using either EDI-enabled transaction document exchange in which the products are purchased on terms of credit, or by way of money transfer enabled by an electronic payment system 150 which cooperates with the information server components of the system of the present invention as will- be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Wireless Mobile GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal With Integrated Electronic

Commerce (EC) Driven WWW Server and/or EC-Driven Product Catalog Server Deployable On The Road Bv Seller

Notably, the Seller's EC-Driven Web-site (i.e. http) Information Server 5 described above may also be realized on a transportable computing platform, such as a wireless palmtop or laptop computer, wirelessly connected to the infrastructure of the Internet. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this transportable device 5', 6' shown in Fig. 1C2 would be carried about by the Seller and/or its sales agent in a wireless manner during the course of business, and would function as both (i) a electronic commerce transaction terminal, as well as (ii) a Web (http) information server having a statically-assigned IP address and supporting the Seller's EC-driven

WWW site (e-store) Software 34 and/or the Seller's EC-Driven Product Catalog Software 35, from which the seller's goods are offered for sale and purchase using Internet-enabled electronic payment systems well known in the art.

In such hybrid transaction server/terminal applications, the resulting mobile units 5', 6' shown in Figs. 5 A, 6A and 7A, would be a wireless transportable GSU-Enabled E-Commerce

Transaction Terminal Having An Integrated Electronic Commerce (EC) Driven WWW (http) Server and/or EC-Driven Product Catalog Server deployable on the road by the seller and/or any of its registered sales agents. The transportable transaction server/terminal 5', 6' would communicate with the backoffice infrastructure of the seller in a conventional manner, however large or small this might be, to enable fulfillment of orders placed directly by the seller or sales agent through this transaction server/terminal of Fig. 1C2, or indirectly by the buyer through his or her transaction terminal to the transaction server/terminal of Fig. 1C2. Preferably, the Seller's e-store and product sales catalog being served on the transaction server/terminal of the present invention will be mirrored on a stationary EC-enabled WWW site to ensure customers full access to the seller's (possibly virtual and/or mobile) business enterprise, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As the mobile transaction server/terminal 5', 6' of Fig. 1C2 embodies the GSU-technology of the Seller's wireless e-commerce transaction terminal 2 as shown in Fig. 1C11 and described above, it will be capable of performing essentially the same transaction-related functions thereof. Thus, this mobile server/terminal 5', 6' would be registered by the Seller with the Owner/Terminal Registration Server 7 in substantially the same way as any Buyer or Seller E-Commerce Transaction Terminal would be registered, with possibly some addition information (e.g. static IP address, domain name, URL, e-mail of Webmaster, etc.) being requested on the transportable server to be tracked by the system of Fig. IA. For illustration purposes, transaction terminal/server 5', 6' is shown in the schematic drawings of Figs. 3 A, 4A, 5A and 6A, as such environments would appear to be where this mobile GSU-enabled network client computing device would most likely find useful application.

Web-Based GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal & Owner Registration Information Server

The primary function of the Web-based Transaction Terminal and Owner Registration Information Server 7 is to enable owners of GSU-enabled transaction terminals 1, 2, 5' and 6' to be tracked, and/or the agents assigned thereto (e.g. by their owners) to use any Web-enabled client machine 15 to register themselves, their agents, and their transaction terminals with the system by creating, editing and deleting Owner Records and Terminal Records linked thereto maintained in the Owner/Terminal RDBMS 17 operably connected to the Web-based Transaction Terminal and Owner Registration Information Server 7 by way of a TCP/IP network connection (e.g. via Internet, or direct high-speed Ethernet Commercial Link). As shown in FIG. IF, the Web-Based Owner/Terminal Registration Information Server 7 comprises a number of subcomponents, namely: a standard I/O; a high performance network interface; standard device drivers; and the operating. These components cooperate to support the operation of the web server software. The web server software consists of an HTTP daemon, along with various scripts and utility programs used to handle owner/terminal registration and to perform terminal tracking service updates as such information becomes available. Typically, the web server software provides support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies. As shown in FIG. IF, a number of system components are used to distribute and present HTML (or XML) encoded documents (with or without Java or Active-X applets) and associated web content to the owners. Web-based Owner/Terminal Registration Servers 7 shares a common networked Owner/Terminal RDBMS 17 which contains registration and other information. In addition to providing the Owner/Terminal Registration WWW Site, the Owner/Terminal Registration Web Server 7 also distributes the Owner/Terminal information management (OOEVI) client software to Web-enabled client machines 15 used by owners to monitor their registered terminals. Such down loading operations can be carried out using the HTTP or FTP protocols. Before downloading OOEVI client software, each owner is required to register on the Web-based Owner/Terminal Registration Server 7. Registration involves filling out a web-based (e.g. HTML-encoded or XML-encoded) form containing the necessary personal and client machine information and submitting that form to the web server.

Owner/Transaction Terminal Record RDBMS

The primary function of the Owner/Transaction Terminal Record RDBMS 17 is to store owner records, transaction terminal property records, and transaction terminal trajectory records. Owner records and terminal property records are created during the Owner/Terminal Registration Process described hereinabove using a Web-enabled client machine 15 accessing the Owner/Terminal Registration Information server 7. In general, such records can be changed at any time by the owner using the password assigned thereto at the time of initial registration, or subsequently modified thereafter. Owner records will generally contain information identifying the owner of one or more terminals to be tracked by the system of the present invention, his or her address, and other contact information. In some instances, it may be desired for the owner to remain anonymous and therefore will register with an alias, or using a numeric or alphanumeric code assigned thereto by another Web- based information server, to maintain the privacy of the owner. Various sorts of techniques can be employed to protect the identity of the owner, in relation to particular terminals being tracked, in various applications.

In accordance with the teaching of Applicant's copending PCT Application No. PCT/US00/05093 filed internationally February 28, 2000, each transaction terminal property record is uniquely linked or related to a particular owner record in the RDBMS 17 and typically will uniquely identify the transaction terminal being tracked. Such transaction terminal identification can be by way of a title assigned to the terminal by its owner, by a unique bar code symbol or other code assigned to the terminal by the owner or system administrator. Such transaction terminal property records can also describe unique properties and characteristics of the terminal for insurance reasons, proof of ownership, and the like. Each terminal tracking record is uniquely linked or related to an terminal property record maintained within the RDBMS 17, and in the illustrative embodiment, contains time- space coordinate data generated by the GSU-enabled network device embodied within the transaction terminal being tracked by the system. During the terminal tracking process, TS-stamping data collected by the TS Stamping Based Tracking Information Server 8 is automatically stored in the RDBMS 17 in a linked relationship with its associated terminal record.

Time-Space (TS) Stamping Based Tracking Server The TS-stamp Based Tracking Server 8 of the present invention has several basic functions, namely: (i) collect time-space (TS) coordinate data from each registered deployed GSU-enabled • transaction terminal as it is being moved about the planet, as shown in FIG. 2C during mobile tracking applications; (ii) store such collected TS coordinate data in a Owner/Terminal RDBMS 17, wherein each transaction terminal, its owner, and other information are preregistered during the Terminal Owner Registration Process carried out over the Internet using a simple Web-enabled client machine 15 or transaction terminal; and (iii) analyze collected TS coordinate data on a real-time basis to (1) determine the precise location of the terminal at any instant in time, relative to the global coordinate reference system, or a local coordinate reference system derived from the global coordinate reference system using homogeneous transformations, or (2) whether the terminal has been moved from a particular location without authorization over a given time frame.

As shown in FIG. 1G, the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server 8 employed in the system of FIG. IA, comprises a number of software and hardware components. As shown in FIG. 1G, the structure of the tracking server 8 can be best described using the layered structure of a standard general purpose computer, wherein the hardware components are shown at the lowest level, with successive layers of software functionality disposed above them. Each layer of components utilizes and builds upon the services and capabilities of the lower layers, most often only directly interfacing with the layer immediately below it. In the server, the low level hardware includes a GPS receiver 30, and high precision clock and timing hardware 41 synchronized to a global time reference using the

GPS receiver. In addition, the high performance network interface hardware 42 is used to connect the server to the communications network 16. These hardware components are in addition to the standard I/O and other hardware 43 typically provided on a high-end network server, such as the SUN Enterprise™ server running the Solaris™ platform, by Sun Microsystems, Inc. of Palo Alto, California. Above the hardware level are standard and customized device drivers 44 that control and communicate directly with the hardware. The device drivers are used by the operating system 45 and higher-level applications so that direct hardware programming is not necessary. At the top level of FIG. 1G, a transaction terminal-tracking related application, called the TS-tracking server daemon 46, is supported. This piece of software manages the sequence of operations for the TS-stamping based terminal tracking process as a whole, as well as managing the communication of collected time-space

(TS) coordinate data between the tracking server 8 and with the Owner/Terminal Registration RDBMS 17, where such data is stored.

TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server

A primary function of the TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 9 is to generate a record of each transaction conducted between particular trading parties (e.g. a buyer and a seller) involving particular goods, wherein the transaction record carries a digitally-signed TS certification generated by the TS-stamp Based Tracking Server 8, working in cooperation with the TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 9 . The function of the TS certification, when attached to each transaction record, is to provide a reliable measure of proof of transaction between the parties.

As shown in FIG. IH, the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 9 employed in the system of FIG. 1 A, comprises a number of software and hardware components. As shown in FIG. IH, the structure of server 9 can be best described using the layered structure of a standard general purpose computer, wherein the hardware components are shown at the lowest level, with successive layers of software functionality disposed above them. In the server 9, the low level hardware includes a GPS receiver 30, and high precision clock and timing hardware 51 synchronized to a global time reference using the GPS receiver. In addition, the high performance network interface hardware 52 is used to connect the server 9 to the communications network 16, and thus to the buyer and seller GSU-enabled transaction terminals 1 and 2 connected thereto, as well as the TS- Stamping Based Terminal Tracking Server 8 which supplies digitally signed TS-stamp information about the TS coordinates of transacting trading parties (e.g. buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction). These hardware components are in addition to the standard I/O and other hardware 53 typically provided on a high-end network server, such as the SUN Enterprise™ server running the Solaris™ platform, by Sun Microsystems, Inc. of Palo Alto, California. Above the hardware level are standard and customized device drivers 54 that control and communicate directly with the hardware.

The device drivers are used by the operating system 55 and higher-level applications so that direct hardware programming is not necessary. At the top level of FIG. IH, a TS certifying application, called the TS Certifying Transaction Record server daemon 56, is supported. This piece of software manages the sequence of operations for the TS-stamp transaction record certifying process as a whole, including managing the communication of collected time-space (TS) coordinate data on the seller's and buyer's transaction terminals, between (i) the TS-stamp tracking server 8 and the Owner/Terminal Registration RDBMS 17 where such digitally signed TS stamp data is stored (i.e. archived), and (ii) the TS certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 9 where the transaction records associated with a particular transaction are certified through TS-stamping operations.

TS-Certifying EDI-Based Transaction Server

The primary function of the TS-Certifying EDI-based Transaction Server 10 is to TS-certify the sequence of transaction messages exchanged between particular trading parties (e.g. a buyer and a seller) to a particular commercial transaction involving particular goods, using electronic document interchange (EDI) techniques well known in the art. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, this function is carried out by generating a TS-stamp certification relating to both parties (i.e. the buyer and seller) to the transaction, using the digitally signed TS-stamp data generated by TS- stamp Based Tracking Server 8 and stored in RDBMS 17. Such TS-stamp certification data is then automatically attached to each transaction-related message generated by EDI techniques during the course of the transaction process. It is understood that depending on the nature of the transaction, there could be one or many transaction records which will need to be TS-stamped during the course of the transaction process. Understandably, certain basic documents to a commercial transaction, such as a purchase order, acceptance, etc. will be TS-stamp certified so as to provide a digital TS receipt of the completion of each such step in the transaction document stream, thereby reducing the likelihood of fraudulent repudiation of a contract for sale of goods or the like (e.g. because one party found a better deal after accepting an offer).

As shown in FIG. II, the TS Certifying EDI-Based Transaction Server 10 employed in the system of FIG. IA, comprises a number of software and hardware components. As shown in FIG. II, the structure of server 10 can be best described using the layered structure of a standard general purpose computer, wherein the hardware components are shown at the lowest level, with successive layers of software functionality disposed above them. In the server 10, the low level hardware includes a GPS receiver 30, and high precision clock and timing hardware 61 synchronized to a global time reference using the GPS receiver. In addition, the high performance network interface hardware 62 is used to connect the server 10 to the communications network 16, and thus to the buyer and seller GSU-enabled transaction terminals 1 and 2 connected thereto, as well as the TS-Stamping Based Terminal Tracking Server 8 which supplies digitally-signed TS-stamp information about the TS coordinates of transacting trading parties (e.g. buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction). These hardware components are in addition to the standard I/O and other hardware 63 typically provided on a high-end network server, such as the SUN Enterprise™ server running the Solaris™ platform, by Sun Microsystems, Inc. of Palo Alto, California. Above the hardware level are standard and customized device drivers 64 that control and communicate directly with the hardware. The device drivers are used by the operating system 65 and higher-level applications so that direct hardware programming is not necessary. At the top level of FIG. II, a TS certifying application, called the TS Certifying EDI-Based Transaction server daemon 66, is supported. This piece of software manages the sequence of operations involved in the overall process of TS-stamp certifying the transaction messages exchanged during the (e.g. B2B) transaction process. Such operations include the managing the communication of collected time-space (TS) coordinate data associated with the seller's and buyer's transaction terminals, transferred (i) between the TS-stamp tracking server 8 and the Owner/Terminal Registration RDBMS 17 where such digitally signed TS stamp data is stored (i.e. archived), and (ii) between the Owner/Terminal Registration RDBMS 17 and the TS certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 10 where transaction records are eventually certified through

TS-certifying operations utilizing TS-stamp data associated with the buyer and/or seller. Web-Based Geographic Location/TS Coordinate Data Database Information Server

The primary function of the Geographic Location/TS Coordinate Data Database Server 11 is to automatically generate name-type data representative of the geographic location (e.g. East 42nd Street, at intersection of Lexington Avenue, New York City, NY) of a GSU-enabled transaction terminal in response to a set of TS coordinates thereof (e.g. x, y, z, in Rg), generated and supplied to the Database Server 11 by the TS-stamp Based Tracking Server 8, during a commercial transaction. Essentially, this server performs a coordinate (x., y, z) to street (name) conversion or transaction process; As shown in FIG. 1 J, the Web-based Geographic Location/TS Coordinate Data Database

Server 11 comprises a number of subcomponents, namely: a standard I/O 71; a high performance network interface 72; standard device drivers 73; and the operating system 74. These components cooperate to support the operation of the web server software 75. The web server software 75 consists of an HTTP daemon, along with various scripts and utility programs used to handle TS coordinate data associated with a buyer (seeking financial support) provide as input by the Buyer's

Financial Server 13 , and convert such TS coordinate data (e.g. x, y, z) into "geographic location name" formatted data, for automated comparison against a transaction location given by the buyer (though its registered transaction terminal), as described in greater detail hereinafter. Typically, the web server software 15 provides support for HTML, XML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies. Notably, in the illustrative embodiment, this Database Server 11 does not require its own GPS receiver, as many information servers in the system hereof embody, as this information server obtains its TS coordinate data from the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server 8.

Buyer's Financial Server

The primary function of the Buyer's Financial (http) Information Server 12 is to provide financial (e.g. credit or debit) support to a buyer during the course of a commercial transaction while using a buyer's GSU-enable transaction terminal 1 in accordance with the principles and methods of the present invention. In the illustrative embodiments, this typically involves authorizing the making of an electronic payment to the Seller's Financial Server 13 and issuing a digital TS-stamped purchase receipt for money paid for purchase goods only upon (1) first confirming that the authorized agent (i.e. buyer), and not someone else, is using the registered GSU-enabled transaction terminal at the tracked location along the TS continuum, and (2) then confirming that the registered user (i.e. authorized buyer) is physically located at the geographic location at which the GSU-enabled transaction terminal indicates through its transmission of digitally-signed TS stamps received at the

TS-Stamp based Tracking Server 8.- As shown in FIG. IK, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 comprises a number of subcomponents, namely: a standard I O 81; a high performance network interface 82; standard device drivers 83; and the operating system 84. These components cooperate to support the operation of the web server software 85. The web server software 85 consists of an HTTP daemon, along with various scripts and utility programs used to handle TS coordinate data associated with a buyer (seeking financial support) received as input from the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server 8 during the course of the transaction process. Typically, the web server software 85 provides support for HTML, XML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies. Notably, in the illustrative embodiment, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 does not require its own GPS receiver as it obtains its TS coordinate data from the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server 8.

Also, when the buyer party acts as a seller in different transaction, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 will naturally support all of those functions required to receive electronic payment of money from a buyer and issue digital TS-stamped receipts for purchased payments made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Seller's Financial Server

The primary function of the Seller's Financial (http) Information Server 13 is to provide financial (e.g. credit or debit) support to a seller during the course of a commercial transaction while using a seller's GSU-enable transaction terminal 2 in accordance with the principles and methods of the present invention. In the illustrative embodiments, this typically involves receiving an authorized electronic payment from the Buyer's Financial Server 12 and issuing a digital TS-stamped sales receipt for sold goods only upon (1) the Seller's Financial Server first confirming that the authorized agent (i.e. of the Seller), and not someone else, is using the registered GSU-enabled transaction terminal at the tracked location along the TS continuum, and (2) then confirming that the registered agent (i.e. of the seller) is physically located at the geographic location at which the GSU-enabled transaction terminal indicates through its transmission of digitally-signed TS stamps being received at the TS-Stamp based Tracking Server 8.

As shown in FIG. IL, the Seller's Financial Server 13 comprises a number of subcomponents, namely: a standard I/O 91; a high performance network interface 92; standard device drivers 93; and the operating system 94. These components cooperate to support the operation of the web server software 95. Typically, the web server software 95 provides support for HTML, XML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies. Notably, in the illustrative embodiment, the Seller's Financial Server 13 does not require its own GPS receiver as it obtains its TS coordinate data from the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server 8. Also, when the seller party acts a buyer in different transaction, then the Seller's Financial Server 13 will naturally support the functions required to transmit electronic payment of money from a buyer and issue digital TS-stamped receipts indicating such payment transmission have been made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Web-based GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Server

The primary function of the Web-based Transaction Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Server 14 is to enable registered owners to monitor, in real-time, the position (and possibly other vital characteristics) of his or her e-commerce transaction terminal being tracked by the system, by reviewing TS data tables, sales reports, maps, graphs, images and/or speech-synthesized reports displayed on the GUI Web-browser of a Web-enabled client machine, for analysis and subsequent action.

As shown in FIG. 1M, the Web-Based Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Information Server 14 of the illustrative embodiment comprises: a standard I/O 101; a high performance network interface 102; standard device drivers 103; and an operating system 104. These components cooperate to support the operation of the web server software 105 which serves up a Terminal Trajectory

Monitoring WWW site accessible to registered owners using from any Web-enabled client machine 15. As shown in Fig. 1M, the web server software 105 consists of an HTTP daemon, along with various scripts and utility programs used to handle terminal trajectory monitoring operations carried out in response to requests by owners as to the trajectory of a registered transaction terminal over a period of time (i.e. position of the registered terminal plotted as a function of time), as illustrated. In order to respond to owner requests for terminal trajectory information, the Web-Based Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Information Server 14 has network access to the Owner/Terminal RDBMS 17 via a common gateway interface (CGI) or Java-servlet based interface to the RDBMS 17. Typically, the web server software 105 provides support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies well known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1M, a number of system components are used to distribute and present HTML (or XML) encoded documents (with or without Java or Active-X applets) and associated web content to the owners or custodians of terminals registered with the system. Web-based Terminal Trajectory Monitoring information server 14 communicates with the common networked Owner/Terminal RDBMS 17 which contains owner and terminal registration information as well as other terminal trajectory information (e.g. TS data). Also at the Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Web Site (e.g. http://www.trackyourterminals.com), owners or authorized custodians can download the Terminal Trajectory Monitoring (OTM) client software using HTTP or FTP protocols. Before downloading OTM client software, each owner is required to register on the web-based Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Information Server 14. Registration involves filling out a web-based (e.g.

HTML-encoded or XML-encoded) form containing the necessary personal and client machine information and submitting that form to the web server. Communications Network Of The Terminal Tracking System of The Present Invention

The final component of system shown in FIG. 1 A which deserves mention is the communications network 17. In general, the communications supported by the communications network 17 can be carried out using a variety of different communications methods. In general, each computer or device in the system will establish a connection or connections to one or more of the other computers through the network 17. In practice, these connections will be "virtual" connections through a general network such as the Internet, rather than as a direct point-to-point physical connection. In the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein, the communications network 17 is a packet-switched data communications network running the popular Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Thus each server computer connected to the communications network 17 will have a statically assigned IP address, while each client machine (i.e. GSU-enabled transaction terminal) connected thereto will have either a statically or dynamically assigned IP address in a manner well known in the art.

Three Basic Modes of The Registration and Tracking Subsystem Of The Present Invention

In general, the GSU-enabled Transaction Terminals 1 and 2, the TS-stamp Based Tracking Server 8, the Owner/Terminal RDBMS 17 and a Web-Based Owner/Terminal Registration Server 7 cooperate to provide a Registration and Tracking Subsystem having three primary modes of operation, namely: an owner/terminal registration mode; a terminal tracking mode; and a terminal trajectory monitoring mode. Each of these modes of operation will be described below.

Owner/Terminal Registration Process of The Present Invention

During the owner/terminal registration mode, the owner of a GSU-enabled transaction terminal to be tracked by the system would first obtain a GSU-enabled transaction terminal. The form factor in which the housing of the transaction terminal is realized will depend on the application at hand.

Having acquired a GSU-enabled transaction terminal, the owner or agent thereof uses a web- enabled client machine to log-on to the Owner/Terminal Registration Information server 7 and register himself and one or more terminals to be tracked by the Terminal Trajectory Tracking information server 8. The registration process will typically involve filling out HTML-encoded forms and sending them back to the server for processing. During processing of such completed forms, the

Owner/Terminal Registration Information server 7 creates in the Owner/Terminal Registration Database (i.e. RDBMS) 17, a data record for the owner of each terminal to be registered with the system, as well as a related record for each such terminal, including the UIC assigned to the GSU chip to be used to track and monitor the time and space trajectory thereof.

Transaction Terminal Tracking Process of The Present Invention

Once registration of a GSU-enabled transaction terminal has been completed, the TS- Stamping Based Terminal Tracking Server 8 will attempt to communicate with the wireless GSU- enabled transaction terminal over the wireless IP-based packet switching network of the system. Once a connection has been established, the TS-Stamping Based Terminal Tracking Server 8 will perform all sorts of diagnostic checks to see that the wireless GSU-enabled network device is operating properly. Such checks will typically include (i) TS data collection and transmission by the GSU chip, (ii) battery-power level monitoring using battery-power level monitoring module 108, as well as (iii) other diagnostic checks aboard the wireless transaction terminal. Typically, the results of such diagnostic tests will be posted for review by the owner at the Terminal Trajectory Monitoring WWW Site served by the Web-based Terminal Trajectory Monitoring information server 8. Notably, the owner will have to log-on to this site by password, or can be immediately switched over thereto from the Owner/Terminal Registration WWW Site served by the Web-based Owner/Terminal Registration information server 7.

Once all systems are determined to be working properly, the time and space coordinates of the GSU-enabled transaction terminal 1 , 2 carried on the owner or agent thereof will be automatically tracked every input sampling period within the GSU chip thereof, as described hereinabove. Periodically, the GSU-enabled transaction terminal will monitor the battery power level of its battery power supply and send information representative of this system state to the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server 8. During mobile terminal tracking processes, the time-space coordinates of the GSU-enabled transaction terminal are automatically collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server 8. FIGS. 2C, 3C, 4D, 5C, 6C, and 7D show exemplary loci of TS coordinate data collected by the system while the buyer's mobile transaction terminal being tracked is transported through space.

Terminal Monitoring Process of The Present Invention

Each terminal owner can log-on to a Terminal Trajectory Monitoring WWW Site, supported by http information server 14, and monitor the trajectory of any one of his or her registered transaction terminals. Such monitoring operations are carried out using any Web-enabled client machine 15 pointing to the URL at which the Terminal Trajectory Monitoring WWW Site is located

(e.g., http://www.trackyourterminal.com ). During trajectory monitoring operations, the Terminal Trajectory Monitoring Server 14 accessed information stored in the Owner/Terminal RDBMS 17. While the TS-Stamping Tracking Server 8 tracks GSU's in terms of its assigned UIC, each owner can monitor his or her transaction terminal using the name/title that the owner has assigned to the transaction terminal.

Having described the structure and function of the basic components of the system of the present invention, it is appropriate at this juncture to now describe various methods of carrying out commercial related transaction using this Internet-based system.

Method of Carrying Out A Commercial Transaction In Accordance With A First Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention

Fig. 2A shows the Internet-based system of Fig. 1 A being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating commercial transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 2A, the following conditions are present: (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction; (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction; and (3) the goods and/or services are to be purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when a cash payment (in money) is made to the seller by the buyer via a physical cash transfer or cash transfer effected by way of a conventional check payment system.

The major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method are schematically depicted in Fig. 2A are shown in Figs. 2B1 through 2B4. This method assumes that the transaction terminals, and owners and agents thereof, are registered in the manner described above. Once properly registered, each transaction terminal will be automatically tracked by the TS-stamp based tracking server 8 and the coordinate trajectory thereof will be stored (i.e. archived) within the RDBMS 17 as described above for remote monitoring purposes by authorized personnel, financial support authorization, TS-certification, and transaction authentication operations, as described in detail hereinabove. As indicated at Block A in Fig. 2B1 , the first major step in the first illustrative method involves the Seller establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server, which thereafter creates a set of Seller Account Records within the RDBMS 19 of the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9.

As indicated at Block B in Fig. 2B1, the second major step in the first illustrative method involves the Buyer establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial

Transaction Server 9, which thereafter creates a set of Buyer Account Records within the RDBMS 19 of the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9. As indicated at Block C in Fig. 2B1, the third major step in the first illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 2 that shall be deemed authorized to support EC- commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Seller' s Financier by the Seller.

As indicated at Block D in Fig. 2B1, the fourth major step in the first illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal that shall be deemed authorized to support EC-commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Buyer's Financier, by the Buyer.

As indicated at Block E in Fig. 2B2, the fifth major step in the first illustrative method involves using the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server 8 to track and record the time-space (TS) coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's Transaction Terminals during the Electronic-Commerce (EC) Transaction. As indicated at Block F in Fig. 2B2, the sixth major step in the first illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer using its GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 1 to contact the Buyer's Financial Server and make a request for financial credit (or debit) with regard to the EC-Transaction."

As indicated at Block G in Fig. 2B2, the seventh major step in the first illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transactions, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 querying the Buyer (via its

GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1) as to his or her identity, security password and current physical location at the time of the EC-Transaction.

As indicated at Block H in Fig. 2B2, the eighth major step in the first illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer responding to the query by transmitting his or her identity, security password and geographic location to the Buyer's Financial Server 12 via the Buyer's

GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1.

As indicated at Block I in Fig. 2B2, the ninth major step in the first illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer's Financial Server 8 accessing the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server and the TS-Trajectory Data in RDBMS 17 associated with the Buyer and the Seller. As indicated at Block J in Fig. 2B3, the tenth major step in the first illustrative method involves the Buyer's Financial Server 12 accessing Geographic-Location/TS Stamp Coordinate Data at the Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Database Server 17, which is the name equivalent of the space coordinate data reflected in the Buyer's TS coordinates at the time of the transaction process. As indicated at Block K in Fig. 2B3, the eleventh major step in the first illustrative method involves the Buyer's Financial Server 12 using the transmitted Geographic-Location Data and the accessed Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Data to determine (verify) whether the GSU- Enabled Device 1 used to (i) initiate the EC-Transaction and (ii) request financial support (i.e. credit or debit) is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12.

As indicated at Block L in Fig. 2B3, the twelfth major step in the first illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal, used to initiate the EC-

Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 approves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-Transaction and transmits a Financial Support Commitment Notice to the Seller' s Financial Server 13.

As indicated at Block M in Fig. 2B4, the thirteenth major step in the first illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is not physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server disapproves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-transaction and transmits a Financial Support Denial Notice to the Seller's Financial Server 13.°

Thereafter, a TS-certified transaction record is generated by the TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 9, as shown in Fig. 2D. As illustrated, the TS-certified transaction record indicates the TS coordinates of both the Buyer and Seller to the transaction, as well as an identification of the goods, purchase price, and other relevant information related to the transaction. Fig. 2C shows an exemplary locus of TS coordinates which have been collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server 8 of the system for Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals 1, 2 that have been involved in carrying out an e-commerce related transaction process illustrated in Figs. 2B1 through 2B4.

The above described method and system can be used for various useful purposes. For example, system and method illustrated in Fig. 2A enables the authentication of a commercial transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when a cash payment (in money) is made to the seller by the buyer via a physical cash transfer or cash transfer effected by way of a conventional check payment system. The system and method illustrated in Fig. 2A enables authentication of a commercial transaction between a seller offering goods and or services for sale to a buyer, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller conduct the commercial transaction (i.e. exchange commercial transaction documents) using EDI techniques) each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile ttansaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS- stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 2A enables certification of the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for cash value at particular point along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller conduct the commercial transaction (i.e. exchange commercial transaction documents) using EDI techniques) each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile ttansaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS- stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 2A helps prevent fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the goods by the seller, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller physically present before each other conduct the commercial transaction for goods before them using TS certified EDI (i.e. commercial document exchange) techniques supported between a set of mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminals, each embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, and (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile transaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Method of Carrying Out A Commercial Transaction In Accordance With A Second Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention

Fig. 3A shows the Internet-based system of Fig. IA being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 3A, the following conditions are present: (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system; The major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method are schematically depicted in Fig. 3 A are shown in Figs. 3B1 through 3B4. This method assumes that the transaction terminals, and owners and agents thereof, are registered in the manner described above. Once properly registered, each transaction terminal will be automatically tracked by the TS-stamp based tracking server 8 and the coordinate trajectory thereof will be stored (i.e. archived) within the RDBMS 17 as described above for remote monitoring purposes by authorized personnel, financial support authorization, TS-certification, and transaction authentication operations, as described in detail hereinabove.

As indicated at Block A in Fig. 3B1, the first major step in the second illustrative method involves the Seller establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server, and thereafter creating a set of Seller Account Records within the RDBMS of the

TS Certifying Transaction Server.

As indicated at Block B in Fig. 3B1, the second major step in the second illustrative method involves the Buyer establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server, and thereafter creating a set of Buyer Account Records within the RDBMS of the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server.

As indicated at Block C in Fig. 3B1, the third major step in the second illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal that shall be deemed authorized to support EC-commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Seller' s Financier by the Seller.

As indicated at Block D in Fig. 3B1, the fourth major step in the second illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal that shall be deemed authorized to support EC-commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Buyer's Financier, by the Buyer.

As indicated at Block E in Fig. 3B2, the fifth major step in the second illustrative method involves tracking and recording the time-space (TS) coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's GSU- Enabled Transaction Terminals during the Electronic-Commerce (EC) Transaction, using the TS- Stamp Based Tracking Server.

As indicated at Block F in Fig. 3B2, the sixth major step in the second illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer using its GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal to contact the Buyer's Financial Server and make a request for financial credit (or debit) with regard to the EC-Transaction."

As indicated at Block G in Fig. 3B2, the seventh major step in the second illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transactions, the Buyer's Financial Server querying the Buyer (via its GSU- Enabled Transaction Terminal) as to the identity, security password and current physical location at the time of the EC-Transaction.

As indicated at Block H in Fig. 3B2, the eighth major step in the second illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer responding to the query by transmitting his or her identity, security password, and geographic location to the Buyer's Financial Server via the Buyer's GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal. As indicated at Block I in Fig.- 3B2, the ninth major step in the second illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer's Financial Server accessing the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server and the TS-Trajectory Data associated with the Buyer and the Seller.

As indicated at Block J in Fig. 3B3, the tenth major step in the second illustrative method involves the Buyer's Financial Server accessing Geographic-Location/TS Stamp Coordinate Data at the Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Database Server, which is the name equivalent of the space coordinate data reflected in the Buyer's TS coordinates at the time of the ttansaction process.

As indicated at Block K in Fig. 3B3, the eleventh major step in the second illustrative method involves the Buyer's Financial Server using the transmitted Geographic-Location Data and the accessed Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Data to determine (verify) whether the GSU- Enabled Transaction Terminal used to (i) initiate the EC-Transaction and (ii) request financial support

(i.e. credit or debit) is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server.

As indicated at Block L in Fig. 3B3, the twelfth major step in the second illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal, used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server approves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-Transaction and transmits a Financial Support Commitment Notice to the Seller's Financial Server. As indicated at Block M in Fig. 3B4, the thirteenth major step in the second illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is not physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server disapproves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-transaction and transmits a Financial Support Denial Notice to the Seller's Financial Server." Thereafter, a TS-certified ttansaction record is generated by the TS-Certifying Commercial

Transaction Record Server 9, as shown in Fig. 3D. As illustrated, the TS-certified transaction record indicates the TS coordinates of both the Buyer and Seller to the transaction, as well as an identification of the goods, purchase price, and other relevant information related to the transaction. Fig. 3C shows an exemplary locus of TS coordinates which have been collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server of the system for Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals that have been involved in carrying out an e-commerce related ttansaction process illustrated in Figs. 3B1 through 3B4.

The above described method and system can be used for various useful purposes.

For example, system and method illustrated in Fig. 3 A enables authentication of a commercial transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein

(1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial ttansaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 3A enables authentication of e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) the buyer ttansacts with the seller physically present before the buyer, each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space

(TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 3A enables certification of the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 3A enables authorization of an electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction. The system and method illustrated in Fig. 3A helps prevent fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial transaction at a subsequent instant along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

Method of Carrying Out A Commercial Transaction In Accordance With A Third Illustrative Embodiment of the Present Invention Fig. 4A shows the Internet-based system of Fig. IA being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial ttansaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 4A, the following conditions are present: (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of face-face interaction, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually presented to the buyer by the seller for purchase at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer 6 running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server 5 serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are to be purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system 150, or through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server 10, and (4) the goods are to be delivered to the buyer when the

Seller's Financial Server 13 receives electronic payment from the Buyer's Financial Server 12 or in accordance with the terms agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

The major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method schematically depicted in Fig. 4A are shown in Figs. 4B1 through 4B4. This are method assumes that the transaction terminals, and owners and agents thereof, are registered in the manner described above. Once properly registered, each transaction terminal will be automatically tracked by the TS-stamp based ttacking server 8 and the coordinate trajectory thereof will be stored (i.e. archived) within the RDBMS 17 as described above for remote monitoring purposes by authorized personnel, financial support authorization, TS-certification, and ttansaction authentication operations, as described in detail hereinabove.

As indicated at Block A in Fig.4B1, the first major step in the third illustrative method involves the Seller establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10, and thereafter creating a set of Seller Account Records within the RDBMS 18 of the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server. As indicated at Block B in Fig. 4B1, the second major step in the third illustrative method involves the Buyer establishes a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10, and thereafter a set of Buyer Account Records are created within the RDBMS 18 of the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server.

As indicated at Block C in Fig. 4B1, the third major step in the third illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-

Commerce Transaction Terminal 2 that shall be deemed authorized to support (i) EC-commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Seller's Financier, by the Seller and (ii) EDI-Based Commercial Transaction Messaging.

As indicated at Block D in Fig.4B1, the fourth major step in the third illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E- Commerce Transaction Terminal 1 that shall be deemed authorized to support EC-commerce transactions with (i) one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Buyer's Financier, by the Buyer, and (ii) EDI-Based Commercial Transaction Messaging.

At this stage of the process, the Buyer and Seller have at least two options (e.g. Option No. 1 and Option No. 2) in determining how they wish to carry out a commercial transaction for goods and/or services in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Option No. 1, described at

Blocks F through M in Figs. 4B2 through 4B4, enables the parties to transact for goods and/or services using third party financial support by the Buyer's financier who, in real-time, effects the transfer of an electronic payment of purchase money to the Seller's financier for goods and/or services being purchased by the buyer and sold by the seller. In such a transaction, the purchase offer, acceptance, sales and purchase receipts will be TS-certified by the TS-Certifying Commercial

Transaction Server 10, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Other documents supporting the commercial transaction may also be TS-certified, as deemed desirable by the application at hand.

Option No. 2, described at Blocks N through P in Fig . 4B4, enables the parties to transact for goods and/or services using third party financial support provided by the Buyer financier typically in a non-real time manner, (i.e. at some prespecified date from the date of sale). Unlike Option No. 1, Option No.2 will typically involve a letter of credit or other payment terms, providing the buyer a certain time frame within which to provide payment (i.e. the purchase price) to the seller for the goods sold. These options will be described in greater detail below with reference to Fig. 4B2 through

4B4.

As indicated at Block E in Fig. 4B2, the fifth major step in the third illustrative method, utilizing Option No. 1, involves tracking and recording the time-space (TS) coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminals during 1, 2 the ongoing Commercial Message Exchange associated with its Electronic-Commerce (EC) Transaction Process, using the TS-Stamp

Based Tracking Servers.

As indicated at Block F in Fig. 4B2, the sixth major step in the third illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer using its GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 1, (or alternatively the Seller using its Terminal 2) to contact the Buyer's Financial Server 12 and make a request for financial credit (or debit) with regard to the EC-

Transaction Process." ° As indicated at Block G in Fig. 4B2, the seventh major step in the third illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 querying the Buyer (via its GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1) as to his or her identity, security password and current physical location at the time of the EC-Transaction Process. As indicated at Block H in Fig. 4B2, the eighth major step in the third illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer responding to the query by transmitting his or her identity, security password, and geographic location to the Buyer's Financial Server 12 via the Buyer's GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1.

As indicated at Block I in Fig. 4B2, the ninth major step in the third illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 accessing the TS-Stamp

Based Tracking Server 8 and the TS-Trajectory Data in RDBMS 17 associated with the Buyer and the Seller at the time of the transaction process (e.g. within a predetermined time window from the point of the initial query).

As indicated at Block J in Fig. 4B3, the tenth major step in the third illustrative method involves Buyer's Financial Server 12 accessing Geographic-Location/TS Stamp Coordinate Data at the Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Database Server 11 , which is the name equivalent of the space coordinate data reflected in the Buyer's TS coordinates at the time of the transaction process.

As indicated at Block K in Fig. 4B3, the eleventh major step in the third illustrative method involves Buyer's Financial Server 12 using the transmitted Geographic-Location Data and the accessed Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Data to determine (verify) whether the GSU-

Enabled Transaction Terminal used to (i) initiate the EC-Transaction and (ii) request financial support (i.e. credit or debit) is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12.

As indicated at Block L in Fig. 4B3, the twelfth major step in the third illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1, used to initiate the EC-

Transaction Process and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 approves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-Transaction and transmits a Financial Support Commitment Notice to the Seller' s Financial Server 13.

As indicated at Block M in Fig. 4B4, the thirteenth major step in the third illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal 1 used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is not physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 disapproves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-Transaction Process and transmits a Financial Support Denial Notice to the Seller's Financial Server 13." Thereafter, a TS-certified transaction record is generated by the TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 10, as shown in Fig. 4D. As illustrated, the TS-certified transaction record indicates the TS coordinates of both the Buyer and Seller to the transaction, as well as an identification of the goods, purchase price, and other relevant information related to the transaction. Fig.4C shows an exemplary locus of TS coordinates which have been collected by the TS-Stamping

Based Tracking Server 8 of the system for Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals 1, 2 that have been involved in carrying out an e-commerce related transaction process using Option No. 1 in the method illusttated in Figs. 4B1 through 4B4.

If the Buyer and Seller agree to entering into a commercial transaction having a structure typically of, for example, the retail industry, as indicated by the commercial transaction message set illustrated in Fig.4E, then the parties may choose Option No. 2 in the method shown in Figs. 4B1 through 4B4. This option will be described in greater detail below with reference to Fig. 4B4.

As indicated at Block N in Fig. 4B4, the fourteenth major step in the third illustrative method involves the Buyer and Seller agreeing to enter into a commercial transaction for goods, using an EDI-enabled transaction message set (e.g. as shown in Fig. 4E) supported by TS-Certifying EDI- based Commercial Transaction Server 10. Typically, this component of the system hereof can be programmed in a flexible manner to support any number of commercial transaction message sets associated with one or more particular industries. Notably, the retail industry in particular has employed for many years a well standardized, voluntarily accepted transaction message set, identified by the Transaction (Message) Set ED's set forth in the table of Fig. 4E. It is understood, however, that other industries can and will develop different transaction sets to standardize commercial ttansaction practices in a uniform manner across a particular industry in effort to minimize disputes and advance the general interests the industry's participants.

As indicated at Block O in Fig. 4B4, the fifteenth major step in the third illustrative method involves the TS-certifying EDI-based commercial transaction server 10 cooperating with the TS-

Stamp Based Tracking Server 8, during the course of the transaction process, and acquiring from the TS-Stamp based Tracking Server 8 TS coordinate data associated with the position of the Buyer and Seller, at the time of the transaction process.

As indicated at Block P in Fig.4B4, the sixteenth major step in the third illustrative method involves the TS-Certifying EDI-based Commercial Transaction Server 10 attaching a TS-certification stamp on each ttansaction message mutually deemed (by the parties) to be essential or otherwise important to the formation of the purchase and sale agreement between the parties.

Thereafter, both parties to the transaction will have a set of TS-certified transaction messages stored in their local databases, as evidence of the transaction and for use in carrying out the same in accordance with terms recited therein. Copies of such TS-certified transactions messages will be transferred back to headquarters or other central location for storage and processing in connection with order fulfillment and financial obligations. A copy of the TS-certified transaction set may also be maintained within a centralized database 18 associated with the TS-Certifying EDI-Based Commercial Transaction Server 10.

The above described method and system can be used for various useful purposes. For example, system and method illusttated in Fig. 4A enables authentication of an e- commerce related ttansaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of face-face interaction, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually presented to the buyer by the seller for purchase at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer)- in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC- enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are to be purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electtonic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, or through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server 10, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the Seller's Financial Server receives electronic payment from the Buyer's Financial Server 12.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 4A enables authentication of an e-commerce transaction, wherein (i) a seller in the physical presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each party using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and

(iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the Seller's Financial Server 13 receives electronic payment from the Buyer's Financial Server 12.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 4A enables certification of the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial ttansaction, where each uses a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile ttansaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financial server.

The system and method illusttated in Fig. 4A enables authorization of an electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial transaction, where each uses a mobile Internet- enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile ttansaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI ttansaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

The system and method illusttated in Fig. 4A helps prevent fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial transaction at a subsequent instant along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web- based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial transaction, where each uses a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server.

Method of Carrying Out A Commercial Transaction In Accordance With A Fourth Elusttative

Embodiment of the Present Invention

Fig. 5 A shows the Internet-based system of Fig. IA being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial ttansaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a fourth illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 5A, the following conditions are present: (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial ttansaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller; (2) the goods and/or services are physically present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction; (3) the goods and/or services are to be purchased by the buyer at point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system; and (4) the goods are to be deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer (e.g. for unlocking a lock, enabling an ignition system, releasing a purchased product, dispensing a purchased product, etc.).

The major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method are schematically depicted in Fig. 5 A are shown in Figs. 5B1 through 5B4. This method assumes that the transaction terminals, and owners and agents thereof, are registered in the manner described above. Once properly registered, each transaction terminal will be automatically tracked by the TS-stamp based ttacking server 8 and the coordinate trajectory thereof will be stored (i.e. archived) within the

RDBMS 17 as described above for remote monitoring purposes by authorized personnel, financial support authorization, TS-certification, and ttansaction authentication operations, as described in detail hereinabove.

As indicated at Block A in Fig. 5B1, the first major step in the fourth illustrative method involves the Seller establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial

Transaction Server 9, and thereafter creating a set of Seller Account Records within the RDBMS 19 of the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9.

As indicated at Block B in Fig. 5B1, the second major step in the fourth illustrative method involves the Buyer establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, and thereafter creating a set of Buyer Account Records within the RDBMS 19 of the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9.

As indicated at Block C in Fig. 5B1, the third major step in the fourth illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 2, or Transaction Server Terminal 5', 6' that shall be deemed authorized to support EC-commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Seller's Financier, by the Seller.

As indicated at Block D in Fig. 5B1, the fourth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 1 that shall be deemed authorized to support EC- Commerce Transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Buyer's Financier, by the Buyer. As indicated at Block E in Fig. 5B2, the fifth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves tracking and recording the time-space (TS) coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's GSU- Enabled Transaction Terminals during the Electronic-Commerce (EC) Transaction, using the TS- Stamp Based Tracking Server 8. As indicated at Block F in Fig. 5B2, the sixth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer using its GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 1 (or alternatively, the Seller using its Server 5, 6 or Server/Terminal 5', 6') to contact the Buyer's Financial Server 12 and make a request for financial credit (or debit) with regard to the EC- Transaction." As indicated at Block G in Fig. 5B2, the seventh major step in the fourth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transactions, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 querying the Buyer (via its GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1) as to his or her identity, security password and current physical location at the time of the EC-Transaction.

As indicated at Block H in Fig. 5B2, the eighth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer responding to the query by transmitting his or her identity, security password and current geographic location to the Buyer's Financial Server 12 via the Buyer's GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1.

As indicated at Block I in Fig. 5B2, the ninth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer's Financial Server accessing the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server 8 and the TS-Trajectory Data in RDBMS 17 associated with the Buyer and the Seller at about the time of the transaction.

As indicated at Block J in Fig. 5B3, the tenth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves Buyer's Financial Server 12 accessing Geographic-Location/TS Stamp Coordinate Data at the Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Database Server 11, which is the name equivalent of the space coordinate data reflected in the Buyer's TS coordinates at the time of the ttansaction process.

As indicated at Block K in Fig. 5B3, the eleventh major step in the fourth illustrative method involves Buyer's Financial Server 12 using the transmitted Geographic-Location Data and the accessed Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Data to determine (verify) whether the GSU- Enabled Transaction Terminal used to (i) initiate the EC-Transaction and (ii) request financial support (i.e. credit or debit) is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic

Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12.

As indicated at Block L in Fig. 5B3, the twelfth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1, used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's

Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 approves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-Transaction and ttansmits a Financial Support Commitment Notice to the Seller's Financial Server 13.

As indicated at Block K in Fig. 5B4, the thirteenth major step in the fourth illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal 1 used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer' s Financier, is not physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 disapproves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-transaction and transmits a Financial Support Denial Notice to the Seller's Financial Server 13." Thereafter, a TS-certified ttansaction record is generated by the TS-Certifying Commercial

Transaction Record Server 9, as shown in Fig. 5D. As illustrated, the TS-certified ttansaction record indicates the TS coordinates of both the Buyer and Seller to the transaction, as well as an identification of the goods, purchase price, and other relevant information related to the transaction. Fig. 5C shows an exemplary locus of TS coordinates which have been collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server 8 of the system for Buyer's GSU-enabled e-commerce ttansaction terminal 1 and the Seller's GSU-enabled transaction server 5', 6' (or other server) that have been involved in carrying out an e-commerce related ttansaction method illusttated in Figs. 5B1 through 5B4. The above described method and system can be used for various useful purposes. For example, system and method illustrated in Fig. 5A enables authentication of an e- commerce related ttansaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are physically present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electtonic payment system, and (4) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

The system and method illusttated in Fig. 5A enables authentication of an e-commerce transaction, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet- enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

The system and method illusttated in Fig. 5A can be used to certify the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet- enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

The system and method illusttated in Fig. 5A enables authorization of an electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface (GUI), offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer. The system and method illustrated in Fig. 5A helps prevent fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the purchase and sale of goods between a buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the

TS coordinates of the transaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer. Method of Carrying Out A Commercial Transaction In Accordance With A Fifth Elusttative Embodiment of the Present Invention

Fig. 6A shows the Internet-based system of Fig. IA being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electtonic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a fifth illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 6A, the following conditions are present: wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web- based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web- based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electtonic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financier server.

The major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method are schematically depicted in Fig. 6A are shown in Figs. 6B1 through 6B4. This method assumes that the transaction terminals, and owners and agents thereof, are registered in the manner described above. Once properly registered, each transaction terminal will be automatically tracked by the TS-stamp based tracking server 8 and the coordinate trajectory thereof will be stored (i.e. archived) within the RDBMS 17 as described above for remote monitoring purposes by authorized personnel, financial support authorization, TS-certification, and transaction authentication operations, as described in detail hereinabove.

As indicated at Block A in Fig. 6B1, the first major step in the fifth illustrative method involves the Seller establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, and thereafter a set of Seller Account Records are created within the RDBMS 19 of the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9.

As indicated at Block B in Fig. 6B1, the second major step in the fifth illustrative method involves the Buyer establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, and thereafter a set of Buyer Account Records are created within the RDBMS 19 of the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server. As indicated at Block C in Fig. 6B 1 , the third major step in the fifth illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal that shall be deemed authorized to support EC-commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Seller's Financier, by the Seller.

As indicated at Block D in Fig. 6B1, the fourth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying Commercial Transaction Server 9, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 1 that shall be deemed authorized to support EC- commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Buyer's Financier, by the Buyer.

As indicated at Block E in Fig. 6B2, the fifth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves track and record the time-space (TS) coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller's Transaction Terminals 1, 2, (5', 6') during the Electronic-Commerce (EC) Transaction, using the TS-Stamp Based

Tracking Server.

As indicated at Block F in Fig. 6B2, the sixth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer (or alternatively, the Seller using its Server/Terminal 5', 6') using its GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal to contact the Buyer's Financial Server 12 and make a request for financial credit (or debit) with regard to the EC-Transaction." °

As indicated at Block G in Fig. 6B2, the seventh major step in the fifth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transactions, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 queries the Buyer (via its GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1) as to his or her identity, security password and current physical location at the time of the EC-Transaction. As indicated at Block H in Fig. 6B2, the eighth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction, the Buyer responds to the query by transmitting his or her identity, security password and geographic location to the Buyer's Financial Server 12 via the Buyer's GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1.

As indicated at Block I in Fig. 6B2, the ninth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves, During the EC-Transaction, the Buyer's Financial Server 8 accesses the TS-Stamp Based

Tracking Server in RDBMS 17and the TS-Trajectory Data associated with the Buyer and the Seller at about the time of the ttansaction.

As indicated at Block J in Fig. 6B3, the tenth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves the Buyer's Financial Server 12 accessing Geographic-Location/TS Stamp Coordinate Data at the Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Database Server 11, which is the name equivalent of the space coordinate data reflected in the Buyer's TS coordinates at the time of the ttansaction process.

As indicated at Block K in Fig. 6B3, the eleventh major step in the fifth illustrative method involves the Buyer's Financial Server 12 using the transmitted Geographic-Location Data and the accessed Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Data to determine (verify) whether the GSU-

Enabled Transaction Terminal 1 used to (i) initiate the EC-Transaction and (ii) request financial support (i.e. credit or debit) is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12.

As indicated at Block L in Fig. 6B3, the twelfth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1, used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer' s Financier, is physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 approves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-Transaction and ttansmits a Financial Support Commitment Notice to the Seller's Financial Server 13. As indicated at Block M in Fig. 6B4, the thirteenth major step in the fifth illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1 used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is not physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer's Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer's Financial Server 12 disapproves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-transaction and ttansmits a Financial

Support Denial Notice to the Seller's Financial Server 13."

Thereafter, both parties to the transaction will have a set of TS-certified transaction messages stored in their local databases, as evidence of the transaction and for use in carrying out the same in accordance with terms recited therein. Copies of such TS-certified transactions messages will be transferred back to headquarters or other central location for storage and processing in connection with order fulfillment and financial obligations. A copy of the TS-certified transaction set may also be maintained within a centralized database 19 associated with the TS-Certifying Transaction Record Server 9.

The above described method and system can be used for various useful purposes. For example, system and method illustrated in Fig. 6A enables authentication of an e- commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electtonic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electtonic payment system, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server. The system and method illustrated in Fig. 6A enables authentication of an e-commerce ttansaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the

Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server. The system and method illustrated in Fig. 6A enables certification of the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web- based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server. The system and method illusttated in Fig. 6A enables authorization of an electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each party using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financial server.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 6A helps prevent fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial ttansaction at a subsequent instant along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

Method of Carrying Out A Commercial Transaction In Accordance With A Sixth Elusttative Embodiment of the Present Invention

Fig. 7 A shows the Internet-based system of Fig. 1 A being used to carry out an Internet-based method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, certifying the time and space (TS) coordinates of buyers and sellers to a commercial transaction, authorizing an electronic payment in a commercial transaction, and preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for goods and/or services, in accordance with a sixth illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 7A, the following conditions are present: wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial ttansaction by virtue of a Web- based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software), (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted between the buyer's mobile ttansaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or e-store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction (e.g. conforming to the Uniform Commercial Code UCC adopted by the majority of States in the USA). The major steps involved in carrying out the Internet-enabled method are schematically depicted in Fig. 7A are shown in Figs. 7B1 through 4B4. This method assumes that the ttansaction terminal(s), and owners and agents thereof, are registered in the manner described above. Once properly registered, each transaction terminal will be automatically tracked by the TS-stamp based tracking server 8 and the coordinate trajectory thereof will be stored (i.e. archived) within the RDBMS 17 as described above for remote monitoring purposes by authorized personnel, financial support authorization, TS-certification, and ttansaction authentication operations, as described in detail hereinabove.

As indicated at Block A in Fig. 7B1, the first major step in the sixth illustrative method involves the Seller establishing a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10, and thereafter creating a set of Seller Account Records within the RDBMS 11 of the TS

Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10.

As indicated at Block B in Fig. 7B1, the second major step in the sixth illustrative method involves the Buyer establishes a TS Certification Account with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10, and thereafter creating a set of Buyer Account Records within the RDBMS 11 of the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10.

As indicated at Block C in Fig. 7B1, the third major step in the sixth illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server, the GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal (e.g. mobile ttansaction server/terminal) 5, 6, 5', 6' of Seller that shall be deemed authorized to support (i) EC-commerce transactions with one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the Seller's Financier by the Seller, and (ii) EDI-Based

Commercial Transaction Messaging capabilities.

As indicated at Block D in Fig. 7B1, the fourth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves registering with the TS Certifying EDI Transaction Server 10, the GSU-Enabled Mobile E- Commerce Transaction Terminal 1 of Buyer that shall be deemed authorized to support EC-commerce transactions with (i) one or more financial support (e.g. credit or debit) accounts maintained with the

Buyer's Financier, by the Buyer, and (ii) EDI-Based Commercial Transaction Messaging capabilities. At this stage of the process, the Buyer and Seller have at least two options (e.g. Option No. 1 and Option No. 2) in determining how they wish to carry out a commercial transaction for goods and/or services in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Option No. 1, described at Blocks F through M in Figs.7B2 through 7B4, enables the parties to transact for goods and/or services using third party financial support, e.g. provided by the Buyer's financier who provide, in real-time, effects the transfer of an electtonic payment of purchase money to the Seller's financier for goods and/or services being purchased by the buyer and sold by the seller). In such a transaction, the purchase offer, acceptance, sales and purchase receipts will be TS-certified by the TS-Certifying EDI

Transaction Server 19, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Other documents supporting the commercial transaction may also be TS-certified, as deemed desirable by the application at hand.

Option No.2, described at Blocks N through P in Fig. 7B4, enables the parties to transact for goods and/or services using third party financial support (e.g. Seller and Buyer financier's) but provided typically in a non-real time manner (i.e. at some prespecified date from the date of sale).

Unlike Option No. 1, Option No. 2 will typically involve a letter of credit or other payment terms, providing the buyer a certain time frame within which to provide payment (i.e. the purchase price) to the seller for the goods sold. These options will be described in greater detail below with reference to Fig. 7B2 through 7B4.

As indicated at Block E in Fig. 7B2, the fifth major step in the sixth illustrative method, utilizing Option No. 1, involves tracking and recording the time-space (TS) coordinates of the Buyer's and Seller' s GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminals and server/terminals during the ongoing

Commercial Message Exchange associated with its Electronic-Commerce (EC) Transaction Process, using the TS-Stamp Based Tracking Server 8.

As indicated at Block F in Fig.7B2, the sixth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer using its GSU-Enabled E-Commerce Transaction Terminal 1 to contact the Buyer's Financial Server 12 and make a request for financial credit (or debit) with regard to the current EC-Transaction Process."

^" As indicated at Block G in Fig. 7B2, the seventh major step in the sixth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 querying the Buyer (via its GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1) as to his or her identification, security password, and current physical location at the time of the EC-Transaction Process.

As indicated at Block H in Fig. 7B2, the eighth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer responding to the query by transmitting his or her identity, security password and geographic location to the Buyer's Financial Server 12 via the

Buyer's GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1. As indicated at Block I in Fig.7B2, the ninth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves, during the EC-Transaction Process, the Buyer's Financial Server 12 accessing the TS-Stamp

Based Tracking Server 8 and the TS-Trajectory Data in RDBMS 17 associated with the Buyer and the

Seller at about the time of the ttansaction process.

As indicated at Block J in Fig. 7B3, the tenth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves Buyer's Financial Server 12 accessing Geographic-Location/TS Stamp Coordinate Data from the Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Database Server 11, which is the name equivalent of the space coordinate data reflected in the Buyer's TS coordinates at the time of the transaction process.

As indicated at Block K in Fig. 7B3, the eleventh major step in the sixth illustrative method involves Buyer's Financial Server 12 using the transmitted Geographic-Location Data and the accessed Geographic-Location/ TS-Stamp Coordinate Data to determine (verify) whether the GSU-

As indicated at Block L in Fig.7B3, the twelfth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-Enabled Transaction Terminal 1 , used to initiate the EC-

As indicated at Block M in Fig. 7B4, the thirteenth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves determining whether the GSU-enabled Transaction Terminal 1 used to initiate the EC- Transaction and request financial support from the Buyer's Financier, is not physically located at the same geographic location indicated by the geographic location indicated by the Geographic Location Data provided to the Buyer' s Financial Server 12, and if so, then the Buyer' s Financial Server 12 disapproves the requested financial support for the initiated EC-Transaction Process and ttansmits a Financial Support Denial Notice to the Seller's Financial Server 13."

Thereafter, a TS-certified ttansaction record is generated by the TS-Certifying Commercial Transaction Record Server 10, as shown in Fig. 7D. As illusttated, the TS-certified transaction record indicates the TS coordinates of both the Buyer and Seller to the ttansaction, as well as an identification of the goods, purchase price, and other relevant information related to the transaction. Fig. 7C shows an exemplary locus of TS coordinates which have been collected by the TS-Stamping Based Tracking Server of the system for Buyer's and Seller's GSU-enabled e-commerce transaction terminals and server/terminals that have been involved in carrying out an e-commerce related transaction process using Option No. 1 in the method illustrated in Figs. 7B1 through 7B4.

If the Buyer and Seller agree to entering into a commercial transaction having a structure typically of, for example, the retail industry, as indicated by the commercial transaction message set illusttated in Fig. 4E, then the parties may choose Option No.2 in the method shown in Figs. 4B1 through 4B4. This option will be described in greater detail below with reference to Fig. 4B4. As indicated at Block N in Fig. 7B4, the fourteenth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves the Buyer and Seller agreeing to enter into a commercial transaction for goods, using an EDI-enabled transaction message set (e.g. as shown in Fig.7E) supported by the TS-Certifying EDI- based Commercial Transaction Server 10 of the present invention. Typically, this component of the system hereof can be programmed in a flexible manner to support any number of commercial ttansaction message sets associated with one or more particular industries. Notably, the retail industry in particular has employed for many years a well standardized, voluntarily accepted transaction message set, identified by the Transaction (Message) Set ED's set forth in the table of Fig. 7E. It is understood, however, that other industties can and will develop different transaction sets to standardize commercial transaction practices in a uniform manner across a particular industry in effort to minimize disputes and advance the general interests the industry's participants.

As indicated at Block O in Fig.7B4, the fifteenth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves the TS-certifying EDI-based commercial ttansaction server 8 cooperating with the TS-Stamp

Based Tracking Server 10, during the course of the ttansaction process, and acquiring from the TS- Stamp based Tracking Server 8 TS coordinate data from RDBMS 17 associated with the position of the Buyer and Seller (at about the time of the transaction process).

As indicated at Block P in Fig. 7B4, the sixteenth major step in the sixth illustrative method involves the TS-Certifying EDI-based Commercial Transaction Server 10 attaching a TS-certification stamp on each transaction message mutually deemed (by the parties) to be essential or otherwise important to the formation of the purchase and sale agreement between the parties.

Thereafter, both parties to the transaction will have a set of TS-certified transaction messages stored in their local databases, as evidence of the transaction and for use in carrying out the same in accordance with terms recited therein. Copies of such TS-certified transactions messages will be transferred back to headquarters or other central location for storage and processing in connection with order fulfillment and financial obligations. A copy of the TS-certified ttansaction set may also be maintained within a centralized database 18 associated with the TS-Certifying EDI-Based Commercial Transaction Server 10. The above described method and system can be used for various useful purposes.

For example, system and method illustrated in Fig. 7A enables authentication of an e- commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial ttansaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted between the buyer's mobile transaction terminal and the seller's

Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial ttansaction.

The system and method illustrated in Fig. 7A enables authentication of an e-commerce ttansaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS- stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile ttansaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial ttansaction.

The system and method illusttated in Fig. 7A enables certification of the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store

(served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI ttansaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile ttansaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI ttansaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial ttansaction.

The system and method illusttated in Fig. 7A enables authorization of an electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC- enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile ttansaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction. The system and method illusttated in Fig. 7A helps prevents fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the sale and purchase of goods, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space

(TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are to be delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial ttansaction.

While the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described with regard to the Internet, it is understood that the systems and methods of the present invention can also be carried out on public as well as private inttanets, owned, managed, or otherwise used by large or small business and/or social organizations of either national or international extent, having members across the globe.

While the systems and methods of the present invention have been described above with primary attention to the use of mobile transaction terminals, it is understood that in particular applications, the e-commerce related transaction terminals disclosed herein may be realized as stationary desktop-type ttansaction terminals embodying GSU or equivalent technology, supporting the novel functionalities of the systems and methods of the present invention taught herein.

It is understood that the Internet-based system and subsystems and components of the present invention may be modified in a variety of ways which will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art of having the benefit of the novel teachings disclosed herein. All such modifications and variations of the illusttative embodiments thereof shall be deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the Claims to Invention appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An Internet-based method of and system for enabling electronic-commerce related transactions in ways which help reduce the financial risk associated with expressions of fraudulent conduct such as, for example, unauthorized charging or debiting of another's financial account, fraudulent repudiation of conttacts for goods and/or services, and denial of financial authorization for purchased goods and/or services, in connection with electronic commerce related transactions, while avoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art methodologies.

2. An Internet-based method of and system for authenticating an e-commerce ttansaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer.

3. An Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of a seller and a buyer purchasing goods and/or services therefrom for money at particular point along the space-time continuum.

4. An Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction.

5. An Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the goods by a seller or buyer.

6. An Internet-based method of and method for authenticating a commercial ttansaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial ttansaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial ttansaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when a cash payment (in money) is made to the seller by the buyer via a physical cash transfer or cash transfer effected by way of a conventional check payment system.

7. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating a commercial transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller conduct the commercial ttansaction (i.e. exchange commercial ttansaction documents) using EDI techniques) each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile transaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

8. An Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for cash value at particular point along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller conduct the commercial ttansaction (i.e. exchange commercial transaction documents) using EDI techniques) each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial transaction, (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile ttansaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

9. An Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the goods by the seller, wherein (i) the both the buyer and the seller physically present before each other conduct the commercial transaction for goods before them using TS certified EDI (i.e. commercial document exchange) techniques supported between a set of mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminals, each embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) the seller has purchased the goods with money tendered at the time of the commercial ttansaction, and (iii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the buyer's and seller's mobile ttansaction terminals, and (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction.

10. An Internet-based method of and method for authenticating a commercial ttansaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial transaction, (2) the goods and/or services are physically presented to the buyer for sale by the seller at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial ttansaction, and (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase and sale when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electtonic payment system.

11. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer, each using a mobile Internet- enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction.

12. An Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein.(i) the buyer transacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

13. An Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electronic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) the buyer ttansacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital

TCPTP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction.

14. An Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial transaction at a subsequent instant along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the buyer ttansacts with the seller physically present before the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal, and (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction.

15. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are physically present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of face-face interaction, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually presented to the buyer by the seller for purchase at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are to be purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electronic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electronic payment system, or through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI ttansaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server.

16. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating an e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) a seller in the physical presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile ttansaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server.

17. An Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial transaction, where each uses a mobile

Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

18. An Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web- based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial transaction, where each uses a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the

TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI ttansaction server, and (iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financier server.

19. An Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial transaction at a subsequent instant along the space-time continuum, wherein (i) the buyer in the physical presence of the seller, who virtually displays his product to the buyer through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web- based product catalog server), and sells the display product to the seller through a commercial ttansaction, where each uses a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer and seller, (iii) and the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer by way of the buyer and seller exchanging commercial documents between their modile transaction terminals using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and

(iv) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financier server.

20. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial ttansaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are physically present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase and sale in the commercial ttansaction, (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at point of purchase and sale when an authorized electtonic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electtonic payment system, and (4) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

21. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

22. An Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital

TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

23. An Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

24. An Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the purchase and sale of goods between a buyer and seller to a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) the seller, virtually present before a buyer by way of a graphical user interface, offers goods physically present before the buyer for purchasing using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminal, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, and (iv) the goods are deliverable (i.e. releasable) to the buyer when the seller issues a delivery code to the buyer.

25. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related ttansaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase when an authorized electtonic payment (in money) is made to the seller's financier by the buyer's financier via an electtonic payment system, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financial server.

26. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financial server.

27. An Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the

Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying transaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financial server.

28. An Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial transaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electronic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electronic payment from the buyer's financial server.

29. An Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of the purchase or sale of goods by the buyer or seller in a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based product catalog (served from a Web-based product catalog server), each using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) the buyer's financial server authorizes electtonic payment to the seller's financial server upon confirming that the geographic location of the buyer temporally and spatially coincides (or is consistent) with the time and space coordinates of the buyer's mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal, (iv) a TS certifying ttansaction record server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer when the seller's financial server receives electtonic payment from the buyer's financial server.

30. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce related transaction between a seller offering goods and/or services for sale to a buyer for purchasing, wherein (1) the buyer and seller are virtually present before each other at the time and place of the commercial transaction by virtue of a Web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or telephonic communication link between the buyer and seller, (2) the goods and/or services are virtually present before the buyer at the time and point of purchase (i.e. where Purchase Receipt is delivered to buyer) in the commercial transaction (e.g. using a computer running Web-based Product Catalog software or an http information server serving a Web-based EC-enabled store), (3) the goods and/or services are purchased by the buyer at the point of purchase through an exchange of commercial documents transmitted between the buyer's mobile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI ttansaction server, and (4) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction.

31. An Internet-based system and method of authenticating e-commerce transactions, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC- enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI ttansaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified transaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile transaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI ttansaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial ttansaction.

32. An Internet-based method of and system for certifying the time and space coordinates of the buyer and seller to a commercial transaction for goods or services which have been transacted for value, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI ttansaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp ttacking server, generates a digital TS- stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile ttansaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial ttansaction.

33. An Internet-based method of and system for authorizing electtonic payment from a buyer's financier to a seller's financier in connection with a commercial ttansaction, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled ttansaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/IP link to the infrastructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp ttacking server is used to track the TS coordinates of the ttansaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial ttansaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile ttansaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial ttansaction.

34. An Internet-based method of and system for preventing fraudulent repudiation of a contract for the sale and purchase of goods, wherein (i) a seller in the virtual presence of a buyer, offers for sale to the buyer the seller's product virtually displayed through a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store (served from a Web-based EC-enabled product catalog server), with the buyer using a mobile Internet-enabled transaction terminal embodying a global synchronization unit (GSU) and having a wireless digital TCP/TP link to the inf astructure of the Internet, (ii) a time and space (TS) stamp tracking server is used to ttack the TS coordinates of the transaction terminals used by the buyer, (iii) a TS certifying EDI transaction B-2-B server, cooperating with the TS stamp tracking server, generates a digital TS-stamped certified ttansaction record (i.e. a digital TS-certified purchase and/or sales receipt) for the commercial transaction, (iv) the product and/or services are purchased by the buyer from the seller by exchanging commercial documents between the buyer's modile ttansaction terminal and the seller's Web-based EC-enabled product catalog or store using EDI techniques supported by a TS certifying EDI transaction server, and (v) the goods are delivered to the buyer in accordance with the terms of the commercial transaction.

35. Internet-based systems and methods, wherein wireless GSU-enabled mobile e-commerce ttansaction terminals may have various form factors, and transmit digitally-signed data packets to TS- stamping based tracking servers for decryption, mobile transaction terminal ttacking and monitoring operations, and authorization of financial supported extended to buyers in electtonic commerce related transactions.

36. Internet-based systems and methods, wherein the space-time ttajectory of the wireless mobile e-commerce transaction terminals are automatically tracked using globally time-synchronized clocks, global positioning subsystems, and digital signature techniques carried out using hardware chips embedded within such wireless ttansaction terminal being tracked.