while this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms , there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail , specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated . [ 0072 ] fig1 illustrates a system 10 for carrying out an interactive , authentication / authorization process . in one aspect , system 10 as discussed below can be implemented using a multi - line approach . alternately , a single line approach can be used . the system 10 includes a site visitor &# 39 ; s display 12 and associated local computer 14 . the site visitor v , via a bi - directional communication link 16 can access , forward requests to and receive services from an internet service provider 20 . the internet service provider 20 which would be coupled via bi - directional communication links 22 communicates via an electronic network 26 , which could be the publicly available internet or a private intranet with a target site 30 via a bi - directional communication link 32 . in a typical transaction , the visitor v logs onto target site 30 and requests , authorization , authentication or other services alone or in combination from the site 30 . in response to one or more requests from the visitor v , the site 30 , via a bi - directional communication link 34 and the network 26 communicates via another link 36 with an authentication / authorization server 38 . server 38 includes authorization / authentication software in the form of prestored executable instructions p . it also includes data bases d wherein information is stored in connection with prior transactions , or , previously supplied information provided by target site 30 . the authentication / authorization server 38 makes it possible to authenticate or authorize the site visitor v in accordance with the present invention . the server 38 receives either from target site 30 or directly from visitor v a telephone number where the visitor v can be called or reached essentially immediately . the server 38 includes executable instructions p for implementing either a multi - line environment wherein the visitor v can communicate by telephone simultaneously while being on - line with the server 38 or a single line environment wherein the visitor v must log off so as to receive the telephone called discussed subsequently and then log back on again . in a multi - line environment , the server 38 interacts in real time with the visitor v both via the network 26 and via the switched telephone network 44 . in this circumstance , prior to the telephone call , the authentication / authorization software p transmits , via the network 26 , confirmation information . this information appears on the visitor &# 39 ; s display 12 . confirmation information can include alphanumeric sequences of information of a type the visitor v can key in or audibly speak into a telephone 46 . the server 38 then automatically places a telephone call via the network 44 to the phone 46 using the number supplied by the site visitor v . the server 38 can , once the visitor v has picked up the telephone 46 , verbally confirm with the visitor v that it is in fact the individual who has logged onto site 30 and that that individual is in fact expecting a call at that telephone . the server 38 then verbally requests the visitor v to key or speak the confirmation information which has just been received on display 12 . the server 38 can also request that the visitor v speak into the telephone 46 for purposes of creating one or more stored voice files usable as part of an audit trail . assuming that the appropriate confirmation information has been fed back by the visitor v to the server 38 using the network 44 , the server 38 can direct the visitor v to terminate the telephone call . the server 38 can then compare the received confirmation information to the transmitting confirmation and determine if they are the same . control of the visitor &# 39 ; s browser can then be returned to target site 30 along with a message confirming the identify of the visitor v or providing authorization information in connection with a transaction based on initial information stored in data base d of server 38 . either one alone or both of servers 38 and site 30 can be involved in making the authentication / authorization decision . the site 30 then continues the transaction and communicates directly with a visitor v . it will be understood that a variety of types of confirmation information can be transmitted via server 38 to the visitor v using the out - of - band transmission link , namely the public switched telephone network 44 . similarly , a variety of responses by the visitor v to the server 38 can be forwarded to site 30 , if desired , to be used to make the authentication / authorization decision . [ 0084 ] fig2 illustrates the steps of a process 100 implemented by the system 10 . in a step 102 , the visitor v logs onto target site 30 and in a step 104 , provides preliminary identification information . in a step 106 , the site 30 confirms a telephone number with the visitor v at which the visitor can be immediately reached . the site 30 then redirects the visitor along with the visitor &# 39 ; s phone number to server 38 . in a step 108 , server 38 assumes control of the visitor &# 39 ; s browser and inquires of the visitor if a call can be placed at that phone number while the visitor is on - line . in a multi - line environment , where the user answers “ yes ”, the on - line session continues with the server 38 forwarding a confirmation code via network 26 which is in turn presented on display 12 . in a step 110 , the server 38 places a telephone call to the provided phone number via the network 44 which should produce ringing at phone 46 which in turn is picked up by visitor v . the server 38 can then confirm that the visitor v , the call recipient , is expecting the call . the server 38 then requests that the visitor v either speaks or types the confirmation information on display 12 . in addition to analyzing the confirmation information fed back via network 44 , the server 38 in a step 112 can request that the visitor v make predetermined voice statements such as reciting his or her name and then reciting an agreement to terms of a proposed transaction . visitors who remain on line during the call can then hang up the telephone and terminate the conversation . visitors who had to be disconnected for purposes of making the telephone call via the network 44 are reminded to log back onto the site 30 and complete the registration step 104 . the server 38 then returns control of the visitor &# 39 ; s browser in a step 114 to site 30 . the site 30 then using its internal software determines whether the visitor v has satisfied the necessary requirements to permit the transaction to continue . the following discussion and associated figures illustrate the flow where server 38 assists a credential issuing site 30 ′ in registering visitor v , see fig3 . in the following scenario , site visitor v is an individual who has logged onto web site 30 ′ to apply for the electronic security credential . “ esc ” stands for electronic security credential . “ so application ” refers to the registration application software that runs at the “ site owner &# 39 ; s ” facility 30 ′. in the following tables , numbered steps in the left - most column which contain numbers in bold and underlined refer to interactions on the server 38 ′. the steps that are not in bold refer to interactions that the site visitor v is having on the site owner &# 39 ; s system 30 ′. fig4 - 17 illustrate the associated , exemplary internet browser screens which are referenced within the internet session column of table 3 . two scenarios are represented in table iii and iv . table iii labeled “ immediate synchronization ” refers to a session where the site visitor v has an internet connection that does not interfere with the previously discussed automated telephone call . table iv labeled “ delayed synchronization ” refers to the site visitor v using the same telephone line for the internet connection as is to be used for receiving the authentifying telephone call . table iii immediate synchronization immediate synchronization occurs when the visitor v is using a different communications link for the internet connection than is being used for the automated call from the server 38 , fig1 or 38 ′, fig3 . step internet session pstn session comments 1 site visitor v arrives at a prescribed web site 30 ′ to initiate the registration process . ( fig4 ) 2 site visitor enters information information to be collected will into the site owner &# 39 ; s ( so ) be prescribed by the issuer of application as prompted by the the esc , and for exemplary web page and submits the purposes could contain information , identifying information such as ( fig5 ) name , address , ssn , employee number , account number , mother &# 39 ; s maiden name , etc . 3 so application uses the site visitor information information submitted by site collected can be validated , visitor to query a data store reviewed for inconsistencies , and determine if the and associated with an existing information provided by the identity within the so &# 39 ; s site visitor identifies an entity system . to which an esc is to be issued by the system . ( fig5 ) 4 in one embodiment , the so application displays a list of locations for telephone numbers maintained in the data store for the entity just identified . this list could be rendered as the location names , the entire telephone number , or a masked number ( 555 - 555 -*** 5 ), and presented back to the site visitor in a web page . the web page asks the site visitor to identify at which of the listed locations site visitor can be reached at this time . there are several other alternates from which the issuer of a credential could choose . these include : • actual phone numbers may be presented ( instead of location names ) • the site visitor may be prompted to enter a phone number a combination of location name and last four digits of the number may be used to increase accuracy while maintaining privacy . ( fig6 ) 5 site visitor identifies the this information is submitted number of the telephone at to the register system , server which he / she can be reached , 38 ′. therefore , after the site either by selecting a number visitor selects a number and or representative location clicks submit , he / she is name or by entering the redirected to the register server number . this information is 38 ′. the site visitor will be then submitted . unaware of this transfer ( fig6 ) because the web pages will look similar to the so application 6 server 38 ′ presents a web this question is presented to page querying the site visitor the site visitor in order to about his / her ability to answer determine if the site visitor can a call placed to a certain receive the automated number while connected to the telephone call while connected internet . to the internet . alternately , example question is “ can you they have to disconnect their talk on 555 - 555 -*** 5 while computer in order to receive a connected to the internet ?” telephone call . ( fig7 ) 7 server 38 ′ then presents a web this web page allows the site page to the site visitor which visitor to confirm that he / she reconfirms the decision he / she can receive a telephone call made on the previous page . if while they are connected to the the site visitor answered internet . it also allows the site “ yes ” to the question above visitor to go back to the then the following text would previous question if the be displayed . statement that is presented to “ i can personally answer calls him / her is incorrect . placed to 555 - 555 -*** 5 at the same time my computer is connected to the internet and i can read information displayed on my computer &# 39 ; s screen while using the telephone ” ( fig8 ) 8 server 38 ′ displays a web automated telephone call is at this point , server 38 ′ will page telling the site visitor placed to the prescribed employ a state management that an automated call is being number that the site visitor has technique that will enable the placed to them . requested . active internet session to be the web page also contains a coordinated with the pstn confirmation number or session ( telephone call ). alphanumeric string error conditions ( busy signal , ( conformation information ) switchboard , etc .) must be ( fig9 ) appropriately handled . “ appropriate ” handling will be dependent upon the requirements of the owner of the credential . examples are : • if the line is busy , fail • if the line is busy , retry after pause 9 same web page is displayed once answered , server 38 ′ will the actual content of the as in step 8 . respond with an identifying greeting can be controlled by ( fig9 ) greeting such as : site 30 ′ or server 38 ′ or both “ hello , this is xyz without limitation . corporation &# 39 ; s automated the server 38 ′ can , as an telephone call . if you are option , require a positive action expecting this call , press to have the person who pound . otherwise please hang - answered the phone up .” acknowledge an identity . for the duration of the pstn session , server 38 ′ will provide the site visitor the ability to receive help at any time . if the site visitor presses the help key (* key on the telephone ), the system will react per the requirements of the site owner . 10 same web page is displayed server 38 ′ will instruct the site once the site visitor has as in step 8 . visitor to enter the entered the confirmation ( fig9 ) confirmation number from the number from the web page into web page into the telephone : the telephone . the server 38 ′ “ please enter the confirmation expects that whoever is using number displayed on your the web browser is the same computer screen using your person who is on the telephone telephone keypad , then press call . pound .” the server 38 ′ will allow the site visitor to retry the confirmation number many times . the site owner determines how many times it will allow the site visitor to enter the confirmation number . 11 when the site visitor presses server 38 ′ will instruct the site the server 38 ′ will make a the pound key , the web page visitor to record his / her name : name recording for audit trail changes and has the following “ for audit purposes we need to information . text : record your name . after the the owner of site 30 ′ can “ please listen carefully to the tone , please say your full determine what information telephone voice prompts name , then press pound .” should be recorded from the ( fig1 ) site visitor v . the server 38 ′ will allow many recordings or no recordings as requested by the site owner . a scripting feature provides such flexibility . the server 38 ′ has mechanisms that ensure that the recordings are of good quality . the server 38 ′ is able to detect if a voice is loud enough and long enough to get an accurate recording . the server 38 ′ can use these recordings by applying voice biometrics to them for subsequent authentications 12 the same web page as step 11 server 38 ′ will instruct the site again , this recording is ( fig1 ) visitor to record his / her intended to be used as an audit acceptance of the terms an trail mechanism . conditions : the owner of site 30 ′ can “ xyz corporation now needs determine if it would like this to record your acceptance of voice recording or any the terms and conditions from additional recordings . its web site . after the tone , the owner of site 30 ′ decides if please say ‘ i accept the the server 38 ′ should use conditions ’, then press pound .” speech recognition to verify proper acceptance or use number entry ( e . g . “ press 1 if you accept , 2 if you do not ”) as an alternative . 13 the site visitor is redirected the server 38 ′ reads an after the site visitor has back to the site 30 ′ application acknowledgement of success to finished the process prescribed ( fig1 ) the site visitor : by the owner of site 30 ′, he / she “ congratulations , you have will be redirected back to the completed your owner of site 30 ′ application , authentification . your new thus allowing the owner of site userid and password are 30 ′ to distribute the esc . displayed on your computer screen . good - bye . 14 the site owner will display on the site owner will distribute its system the next web page the esc that the site visitor was in its process . it could initially seeking when he / she potentially give the site came to the so application in visitor : step 1 . - userid and password - digital certificate - personal identification number - an e - mail to an e - mail box ( fig1 ) [ 0095 ] table iv delayed synchronization the delayed synchronization scenario occurs when the site visitor v is using the same telephone line for his / her internet connection as he / she is using to receive the automated telephone call , thus forcing the site visitor to temporarily disconnect from the internet . step internet session pstn session comments 1 site visitor arrives at a prescribed web site to initiate the registration process . ( fig4 ) 2 site visitor enters information information to be collected will into the site owner &# 39 ; s be prescribed by the issuer of application as prompted by the the esc , and could contain web page and submits the identifying information such as information . name , address , ssn , employee ( fig5 ) number , account number , mother &# 39 ; s maiden name , etc . 3 so application uses the site visitor information information submitted by site collected can be validated , visitor to query a data store reviewed for inconsistencies , and determine if the and associated with an existing information provided by the identity within the so &# 39 ; s site visitor identifies an entity system . to which an esc is to be issued by the system . ( fig5 ) 4 in one embodiment , the so application displays a list of locations for telephone numbers maintained in the data store for the entity just identified . this list could be rendered as the location names , the entire telephone number , or a masked number ( 555 - 555 -*** 5 ), and presented back to the site visitor in a web page . the web page asks the site visitor to identify at which of the listed locations site visitor can be reached at this time . there are several other alternates from which the issuer of a credential could choose . these include : • actual phone numbers may be presented ( instead of location names ) • the site visitor may be prompted to enter a phone number a combination of location name and last four digits of the number may be used to increase accuracy while maintaining privacy . ( fig6 ) 5 site visitor identifies the important number of the telephone at this information is submitted which he / she can be reached , to the system . therefore , after either by selecting a number the site visitor selects a number or representative location and clicks submit , he / she is name or by entering the redirected to the server 38 ′. number . this information is the site visitor will be unaware then submitted . of this because the web pages ( fig6 ) will look similar to the so application 6 server 38 ′ presents a web this question is presented to page querying the site visitor the site visitor in order to about his / her ability to answer determine if the site visitor can a call placed to a certain receive the automated number while connected to the telephone call while connected internet . to the internet . alternately , example question is “ can you he / she have to disconnect their talk on 555 - 555 -*** 5 while computer in order to receive a connected to the internet ?” telephone call . ( fig7 ) 7 server 38 ′ then presents a web this web page allows the site page to the site visitor which visitor to confirm that he / she reconfirms the decision he / she must disconnect the computer made on the previous page . if from the internet in order to the site visitor answered “ no ” receive the phone call . it also to the question above then the allows the site visitor to go following text would be back to the previous question if displayed . the statement that is presented “ to personally answer a to him / her is incorrect . telephone call placed to 555 - 555 -*** 5 , i must first disconnect my computer from the internet ” ( fig1 ) 8 server 38 ′ presents a web the site visitor needs to write page with a confirmation down or print out the web page number on it . in order to use the confirmation ( fig1 ) number during the telephone call . 9 server 38 ′ presents a web the site visitor needs to page which contains a url remember or write down the ‘ www . finishregistration . com ’ url because after the ( fig1 ) telephone call he / she will need to reconnect to the internet and direct their web browser to the url that is shown on the web page . the reason this is done is because the system must close out the site visitors session before redirecting to the site visitor back to the so application 10 server 38 ′ then presents a web the site visitor will be able to page allowing the site visitor choose the delay time before to select how long they want the telephone call is placed . to wait before the call is the so will instruct as to the placed to him / her . values that the server 38 ′ will ( fig1 ) display to the site visitor . 11 server 38 ′ presents a web the server 38 ′ reminds the site page reminding the site visitor visitor one more time of the 2 about the confirmation pieces of information they will number and the url ( web need to complete the address ) authentication process . ( fig1 ) 12 server 38 ′ presents a web when the site visitor sees this page instructing the site visitor screen the server 38 ′ will start to disconnect from the internet the timer on the time delay that and wait for the system to was chosen in step 10 . place the automated telephone the so decides if the server call 38 ′ should use speech ( fig1 ) recognition to verify proper acceptance or use number entry ( e . g . “ press 1 if you accept , 2 if you do not ”) as an alternative . the web session is now completed , and the phone session will begin 13 voice application begins during the phone call the site “ hello , this is visitor is not connected to the xyz corporation &# 39 ; s automated web application . this first telephone call . if you are prompt helps identify that the expecting this call , press server 38 ′ has reached the pound . otherwise please hang - intended party . up .” 14 “ please enter your this step asks the site visitor to confirmation number , then enter the number that was press pound ” previously given to him / her over the web application . this ensures that the person who was on the web session is the same person that is on the telephone 15 “ for audit purposes we need to this steps takes a voice record your name . after the recording of the site visitor for tone , please say your full audit purposes . name , then press pound .” the server 38 ′ can use these recordings by applying voice biometrics to them for subsequent authentications . 16 “ xyz corporation now needs this step takes another voice to record your acceptance of recording of the site visitor for the terms and conditions from audit purposes . its web site . after the tone , the server 38 ′ can use these please say ‘ i accept the recordings by applying voice conditions ’, then press pound .” biometrics to them for subsequent authentications . 17 “ congratulations , you have this is the last step in the completed your telephone phone session . after the site authorization . please go to visitor has completed this step internet address he / she must reconnect his / her www . finishregistration . com to computer to the internet and complete your registration . point their web browser to you must reconnect within 20 ‘ www . finishregistration . com ’. minutes to complete the this helps reinforce the process . good - bye .” information that was given to the site visitor in steps 9 and 11 . the server 38 ′ has the capability of requiring a site visitor to reconnect their computer and go to the appropriate web address within a certain amount of time . the amount of time is configurable as requested by the site owner . 18 site visitor v reconnects the server 38 ′ then checks his / her computer to the which site visitor is coming internet and goes for example back to the web site and makes to : all the appropriate checks to www . finishregistration . ensure he / she has indeed com finished the phone session . ( fig1 ) if all the checks are successful the site visitor is redirected back to the so application in the exact same manner as the immediate synchronization scenario step 13 . thus allowing the so to distribute the esc 19 the site owner will display on the site owner will distribute their system the next web the esc that the site visitor was page in their process . it could initially seeking when they potentially give the site came to the so application in visitor : step 1 - userid and password - digital certificate - personal identification number - an e - mail to him / her ( fig1 ) the following is a list of sample error conditions which may occur and a suggestion of how they may be handled . handling of many of these conditions is largely a policy issue to be decided by the owner of site 30 ′. each of these failure cases has as a possible response that the electronic registration could not be completed . table v error condition possible response 1 busy signal • wait 30 seconds and call back . • present instructions on the web to choose a different number or clear line . 2 telephone call • present recording requesting transfer to site reaches switchboard visitor . • transfer to human agent on initiation side of the call , request transfer to site visitor , transfer back to automated attendant . • play the dtmf tones of the extension the system is trying to reach 4 site visitor cancels pstn session thanks them for participating and out of web session terminates call . 5 site visitor cancels web session presents page offering alternative out of pstn session registration mechanisms . 6 no voice recording • provide instructions to speak more loudly . captured • fail registration • accept registration with no voice audit from the foregoing , it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . it is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred . the disclosure is intended to cover the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims .