Patents Examined by Matthew Heneghan
  • Patent number: 6834346
    Abstract: A first information processing unit 100 stores identification information into a storage module 152, stores an encrypted contents signal into a mass storage unit 180, and supplies the encrypted contents signal and identification information to a second information processing unit 200 through a communication section 110. In a receiving unit 170 of the first information processing unit 100, log information generated by a purchase processing module 153 is stored into the storage module 152 every time the contents key is decoded, and the log information is transmitted at predetermined timing to a key management center 30 through the transmission section 110. The second information processing unit 200 receives the encrypted contents signal and the identification information through a communication section 210, and causes a contents processing section 260 to decode the encrypted contents signal and to append the identification information thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihito Ishibashi, Tateo Oishi, Tomoyuki Asano, Yoshitomo Osawa
  • Patent number: 6823459
    Abstract: To provide a method whereby unauthorized data access by an RFID data processing system is prohibited without any degradation of performance being incurred. An RFID data processing system 30 comprises a CPU 35, a EEPROM 34, communication devices 31 and 32, and power controllers 40 and 41. When an RFID data processing system 30 in the power-ON state that does not have access authorization passes through a portal gate located at the entrance to an unauthorized data access protection area, the portal gate transmits a signal to set ON a tamper bit 44 in the EEPROM 34. When the tamper bit 44 has been set ON, a tamper bit interrupt request signal is output by the EEPROM 34. Upon receiving this signal, the power controllers 40 and 41 power off the RFID data processing system 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Horikoshi, Naoki Abe, Jun Tanaka, Tomoki Maruichi
  • Patent number: 6785822
    Abstract: Initially, profiles are customized by naming an assignment to individual users and identifiable groups of users. A profile is further assigned action groups that comprise one or more system actions. System actions provide the functionality needed for toolbar buttons and menu items. Using the system actions associated with the action groups, toolbar buttons and menus can then be configured for the profile. The profile determines the level of functionality downloaded with the application. When a request is received for an application, the user's profile is accessed for the action groups and system actions that provide functionality for the application. Only system actions associated with a profile to which the user is assigned are transferred to the requesting user. Alternatively, the user's group profile may be accessed for the action groups and system actions that provide functionality for the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Bharati Hemandas Sadhwani-Tully
  • Patent number: 6741705
    Abstract: A system is provided for securing voice mail messages. The system includes a packet network and a telephony device that is coupled to the packet network. The system also includes a voice mail system that is coupled to the packet network and that receives a voice mail message from a caller attempting to communicate with a user of the telephony device. The voice mail system encrypts the voice mail message using a public key associated with the telephony device and stores the encrypted voice mail message in an open file system coupled to the packet network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Nelson, K. Paul Clark, Charles A. Munro, Jeffrey A. Sanders