Access control of resources using tokens

A method for generating and using an electronic token having a token grantee identifier, a token grantor identifier, and a resource access control field, comprising the steps of:

• generating an electronic token based on a token grantee identifier, a token grantor identifier, and a resource access control field, wherein the resource access control field indicates control of additional limitations of token grantee access to a resource as specified by the token grantor, where the resource comprises enablement of receipt by a token grantor associated with the token grantor identifier of a communication from a token grantee associated with the token grantee identifier;
• transmitting the electronic token to a token grantee computer system;
• receiving a communication from the token grantee computer system, the communication having embedded therein the electronic token;
• and
• transmitting the communication including the embedded electronic token from the token grantee computer system to a computer system controlling access to the resource requested by the token grantee computer system where the computer system controlling access to the resource permits the communication to be received by the grantor subject to the limitations in the resource access field and further where the computer system prevents communications without the embedded token from being received by the grantor.

A system for generating and using an electronic token having a token grantee identifier, a token grantor identifier, and a resource access control field, comprising:

• a processor for receiving and transmitting data;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having stored therein instructions causing the processor to:
• generate an electronic token including a token grantee identifier, a token grantor identifier, and a resource access control field, wherein the resource access control field indicates control of additional limitations of token grantee access to a resource as specified by the token grantor, where the resource comprises enablement of receipt by the token grantor associated with the token grantor identifier of a communication from a token grantee associated with the token grantee identifier;
• transmit the electronic token to a token grantee computer system;
• upon receiving a communication having the electronic token embedded therein from the token grantee computer, transmitting the communication including the embedded electronic token from the token grantee computer system to the token grantor subject to the limitations in the resource access field;
• and
• prevent communications without the embedded token from being received by the token grantor.