Secure electronic transactions using a trusted intermediary to perform electronic services

A method of securely transmitting a message from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary capable of performing electronic services, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving the message from the sender and forming an encrypted envelope using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope containing the message and decryptable by the recipient;
• (b) forming a first information structure, associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as an ultimate destination and identifying desired electronic services;
• (c) forming an encrypted information structure using a second cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted first information structure being decryptable by the intermediary;
• (d) receiving the encrypted inner envelope and encrypted first information structure and transmitting the inner envelope and encrypted first information structure as a first package on the communication network;
• (e) receiving the first package and decrypting the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services;
• (f) processing in accordance with the electronic services indicated;
• (g) forming a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope and transmitting the second package on the network;
• (h) receiving the second package;
• and
• (i) decrypting the inner envelope, using the first cryptographic algorithm, to recover the message and to present it to the recipient.

A system for use with a communication network to securely transmit a message thereover from a sender to a recipient, the system capable of performing electronic services, comprising:

• first logic to receive a first package from the sender, wherein the first package includes at least:
• an inner envelope encrypted using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope decryptable by the recipient;
• and
• an encrypted first information structure associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as a destination and identifying desired electronic services, the first information structure encrypted using a second cryptographic algorithm;
• second logic to decrypt the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services;
• third logic to process the electronic services;
• and
• fourth logic to form a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope, wherein the receiver may obtain the second package and use the first cryptographic algorithm to recover the message.

A method of securely transmitting a message from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary capable of performing electronic services, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first package from the sender wherein the first package includes at least:
• an inner envelope encrypted using a first cryptographic algorithm, the encrypted inner envelope decryptable by the recipient;
• and
• an encrypted first information structure associated with the inner envelope, the first information structure containing data identifying the recipient as a destination and identifying desired electronic services, the first information structure encrypted using a second cryptographic algorithm;
• decrypting the encrypted first information structure, using the second cryptographic algorithm, to determine the identifying data and the desired electronic services;
• processing the electronic services;
• and
• forming a second package, the second package containing the encrypted inner envelope, wherein the receiver may obtain the second package and use the first cryptographic algorithm to recover the message.