# US 10,482,081 B2 · Methods and systems for validating online transactions using location information > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,482,081 B2 - Document ID: US10482081B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/298,720 - Filed: 2007-06-27 - Published: 2010-07-08 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2007-06-04 - Assignees: Bce Inc. - Applicants: Jean Bouchard; Stéphane Maxime Francois Fortier - Inventors: Jean Bouchard; Stéphane Maxime Francois Fortier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10482081B2 ## CPC - G06F 16/9535: Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation - G06F 16/24: Querying - G06Q 20/02: involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP] - G06Q 20/10: specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems - G06Q 20/40: Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists - G06Q 30/0251: Targeted advertisements - G06Q 30/0253: {During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions} - G06Q 30/0254: {based on statistics} - G06Q 30/0255: {based on user history} - G06Q 30/0264: {based upon schedule} - G06Q 30/0269: {based on user profile or attribute} - G06Q 30/0277: {Online advertisement} - G06Q 40/00: Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes - G06Q 40/12: Accounting - H04L 63/0892: {by using authentication-authorization-accounting [AAA] servers or protocols} - H04L 67/02: based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] - H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46) - H04L 67/306: User profiles - H04W 4/023: {using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A method comprising: obtaining a service point location, the service point location being associated with a logical identifier assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction; obtaining at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and performing an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of the comparing. Also provided is an apparatus for implementing this method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: maintaining a location information database comprising: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: obtaining by a computer apparatus the network address of the end-user equipment connected to the network and used in the attempt to make the online transaction; consulting, by the computer apparatus the location information database to obtain a service point location that is associated with the network address; obtaining by the computer apparatus at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; comparing by the computer apparatus the service point location to the at least one authorized transaction point location; and at the computer apparatus performing an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of said comparing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises receiving a message conveying the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises generating and transmitting a message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises consulting a second database on a basis of the transaction object information. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises validating the online transaction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a first manner. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to, validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 18 An apparatus comprising: an interface for receiving messages; and a processing unit coupled to said interface, said processing unit being responsive to receipt of a message at said interface for: maintaining a location information database by: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: obtaining the network address of the end-user equipment used in the attempt to make the online transaction; consulting the location information database to obtain a service point location that is associated with the network address; obtaining at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; comparing the service point location to the at least one authorized transaction point location; and performing an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of said comparing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the message conveys the at least one authorized transaction point location, and wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises processing the message to obtain the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises generating and transmitting via said interface a second message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein obtaining the at least one authorized transaction point location comprises consulting a second database on a basis of the transaction object information. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises validating the online transaction. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) An apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a first manner. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) An apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein, if the result of said comparing is that the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location, performing an action related to validation of the online transaction comprises handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) An apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate. ### Claim 30 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account. ### Claim 31 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 32 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 33 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 34 (depends on 18) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 35 A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions for execution by a computer to implement a method comprising: maintaining a location information database comprising: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: obtaining at a computer apparatus the network address of the end-user equipment connected to the network and used in the attempt to make the online transaction; at the computer apparatus, consulting the location information database to obtain a service point location that is associated with the network address; obtaining at the computer apparatus at least one authorized transaction point location, the at least one authorized transaction point location being associated with transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; at the computer apparatus comparing the service point location to the at least one authorized transaction point location; and at the computer apparatus performing an action related to validation of the online transaction based on a result of said comparing. ### Claim 36 A method comprising: maintaining a location information database by: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: receiving at a computer apparatus a message conveying a network address; at the computer apparatus, consulting the location information database to obtain the service point location that is associated with the network address; and at the computer apparatus, using the service point location to perform an action related to validation of an online transaction attempted to be made using end-user equipment to which the network address is assigned, wherein the message is a first message and further conveys at least one authorized transaction point location, and wherein using the service point location to perform an action comprises: comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and generating and transmitting a second message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using payment card information regarding a payment card, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a card issuing entity that issued the payment card. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) A method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) A method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using electronic check information regarding an electronic check, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the electronic check. ### Claim 41 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the set of at least one digital cash certificate. ### Claim 42 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the online transaction is an online fund transfer involving an account, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that manages the account. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 44 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 45 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 46 (depends on 36) A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 47 An apparatus comprising: an interface for receiving a message conveying a network address; and a processing unit coupled to said interface, said processing unit being operative for: maintaining a location information database by: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: consulting the location information database to obtain the service point location that is associated with the network address; and using the service point location to perform an action related to validation of an online transaction attempted to be made using end-user equipment to which the network address is assigned, wherein the message is a first message and further conveys at least one authorized transaction point location, and wherein using the service point location to perform an action comprises: comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and generating and transmitting a second message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using payment card information regarding a payment card, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a card issuing entity that issued the payment card. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card. ### Claim 50 (depends on 48) An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card. ### Claim 51 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using electronic check information regarding an electronic check, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the electronic check. ### Claim 52 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the online transaction is an online payment using digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that issued the set of at least one digital cash certificate. ### Claim 53 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the online transaction is an online fund transfer involving an account, and wherein the message is generated by a network element associated with a financial entity that manages the account. ### Claim 54 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 55 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 56 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 57 (depends on 47) An apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 58 A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions for execution by a computer to implement a method comprising: maintaining a location information database by: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the known determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: receiving a message conveying the network address; consulting a database to obtain the service point location that is associated with the network address; and using the service point location to perform an action related to validation of an online transaction attempted to be made using end-user equipment to which the network address is assigned, wherein the message is a first message and further conveys at least one authorized transaction point location, and wherein using the service point location to perform an action comprises: comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and generating and transmitting a second message indicative of whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 59 A method comprising: maintaining a location information database by: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: receiving at a computer apparatus a message conveying: the network address assigned to the end-user equipment used in the attempt to make the online transaction; and transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; at the computer apparatus, consulting the location information database to obtain the service point location associated with the network address; at the computer apparatus, consulting a second database to obtain at least one authorized transaction point location associated with the transaction object information; and at the computer apparatus, verifying whether one of the at least one authorized transaction point location corresponds to the service point location. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, Wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises: transmitting a second message to request the service point location, the second message conveying the network address; receiving a third message conveying the service point location; and comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) A method as claimed in claim 60, comprising handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 62 (depends on 61) A method as claimed in claim 61, comprising handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 63 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises: transmitting a second message conveying the network address and the at least one authorized transaction point location; receiving a third message transmitted in response to the second message and indicating whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and determining whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location based on the third message. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) A method as claimed in claim 63, comprising handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) A method as claimed in claim 64, comprising handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 66 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) A method as claimed in claim 66, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card. ### Claim 68 (depends on 66) A method as claimed in claim 66, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card. ### Claim 69 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check. ### Claim 70 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate. ### Claim 71 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account. ### Claim 72 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 73 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 74 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 75 (depends on 59) A method as claimed in claim 59, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 76 An apparatus comprising: an interface for receiving a message conveying; a network address assigned to end-user equipment used in an attempt to make an online transaction; and transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; and a processing unit coupled to said interface, said processing unit being operative for: maintaining a location information database by: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: consulting the location information database to obtain the service point location associated with the network address; consulting a second database to obtain at least one authorized transaction point location associated with the transaction object information; and verifying whether one of the at least one authorized transaction point location corresponds to the service point location. ### Claim 77 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises: transmitting via said interface a second message to request the service point location, the second message conveying the network address, said interface being adapted for receiving a third message conveying the service point location; and comparing the service point location to each of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 78 (depends on 77) An apparatus as claimed in claim 77, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 79 (depends on 78) An apparatus as claimed in claim 78, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 80 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the message is a first message, and wherein said verifying comprises: transmitting via said interface a second message conveying the network address and the at least one authorized transaction point location, said interface being adapted for receiving a third message transmitted in response to the second message and indicating whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location; and determining whether the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location based on the third message. ### Claim 81 (depends on 80) An apparatus as claimed in claim 80, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a first manner if the service point location does not correspond to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 82 (depends on 81) An apparatus as claimed in claim 81, said processing unit being operative for handling the online transaction in a second manner different from the first manner if the service point location corresponds to one of the at least one authorized transaction point location. ### Claim 83 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the transaction object information comprises payment card information regarding a payment card. ### Claim 84 (depends on 83) An apparatus as claimed in claim 83, wherein the payment card information is credit card information regarding a credit card. ### Claim 85 (depends on 83) An apparatus as claimed in claim 83, wherein the payment card information is debit card information regarding a debit card. ### Claim 86 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the transaction object information comprises electronic check information regarding an electronic check. ### Claim 87 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the transaction object information comprises digital cash information regarding a set of at least one digital cash certificate. ### Claim 88 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the transaction object information comprises account information regarding an account. ### Claim 89 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the service point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 90 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein the service point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 91 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a civic address. ### Claim 92 (depends on 76) An apparatus as claimed in claim 76, wherein each of the at least one authorized transaction point location is expressed as a set of geo-coordinates. ### Claim 93 A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions for execution by a computer to implement a method comprising: maintaining a location information database by: maintaining a mapping between service point locations and ports of a network access multiplexer, each service point location having network access provided by a physical link connected to a respective port of the network access multiplexer; assigning an IP address to end-user equipment connected to a port of the network access multiplexor; providing the assigned IP address to the end-user equipment over the physical link; determining the service point location associated with the port connected to the end-user equipment using the mapping between service point locations and ports; and storing the assigned IP address in association with the determined service point location; and processing a network address of end-user equipment connected to a network and used in an attempt to make an online transaction in support of validating an online transaction comprising: receiving a message conveying; the network address assigned to the end-user equipment used in the attempt to make the online transaction; and transaction object information provided via the end-user equipment; consulting the location information database to obtain the service point location associated with the network address; consulting a second database to obtain at least one authorized transaction point location associated with the transaction object information; and verifying whether one of the at least one authorized transaction point location corresponds to the service point location. ### Claim 94 (depends on 1) The method defined in claim 1, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 95 (depends on 18) The apparatus defined in claim 18, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 96 (depends on 35) The computer-readable storage medium defined in claim 35, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 97 (depends on 36) The method defined in claim 36, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 98 (depends on 47) The apparatus defined in claim 47, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 99 (depends on 58) The computer-readable storage medium defined in claim 58, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 100 (depends on 59) The method defined in claim 59, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 101 (depends on 76) The apparatus defined in claim 76, wherein the network address is an IP address. ### Claim 102 (depends on 93) The computer-readable storage medium defined in claim 93, wherein the network address is an IP address.