RFC 3506 (rfc3506) - Page 1 of 15

Requirements and Design for Voucher Trading System (VTS)

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Network Working Group                                        K. Fujimura
Request for Comments: 3506                                           NTT
Category: Informational                                      D. Eastlake
                                                                Motorola
                                                              March 2003


        Requirements and Design for Voucher Trading System (VTS)

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   Crediting loyalty points and collecting digital coupons or gift
   certificates are common functions in purchasing and trading
   transactions.  These activities can be generalized using the concept
   of a "voucher", which is a digital representation of the right to
   claim goods or services.  This document presents a Voucher Trading
   System (VTS) that circulates vouchers securely and its terminology;
   it lists design principles and requirements for VTS and the Generic
   Voucher Language (GVL), with which diverse types of vouchers can be
   described.

Conventions used in this document

   The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
   "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
   document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC 2119].

Table of Contents

   1.  Background ....................................................2
   2.  Terminology and Model .........................................3
       2.1 Voucher ...................................................3
       2.2 Participants ..............................................3
       2.3 Voucher Trading System (VTS) ..............................4
   3.  VTS Requirements ..............................................5
       3.1 Capability to handle diversity ............................6
       3.2 Ensuring security .........................................6
       3.3 Ensuring practicality .....................................7



Fujimura & Eastlake          Informational
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