METHOD FOR TRACING PAYMENT DATA IN AN ANONYMOUS PAYMENT SYSTEM, AS WELL AS PAYMENT SYSTEM IN WHICH THE METHOD IS APPLIED

摘要

The invention relates to a method for tracing payment data in an anonymous payment system having electronic payment means, such as so-called "smart cards". According to the invention, the user (U) commits himself to a value (w; w'') which may later be used for the tracing by a payment institution (B). The value (w) is preferably recorded with the help of a so-called one-way function (F) and an (electronic) signature (.sigma.), so that the payment institution does not dispose of the value itself, but is able to verify it on the basis of the stored derivative (w'') of the value. The invention further relates to a payment means and a payment system for application of the method.