Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Renaud

Benjamin J. Renaud has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6021491
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and products are provided for verifying the authenticity of data within one or more data files. Each data file is provided with an identifier, such as a one-way hash function or cyclic redundancy checksum. A signature file, that includes the identifiers for one or more data files, is provided with a digital signature created with a signature algorithm. The data file(s) and signature file are then transferred, or otherwise provided to a user. The user verifies the digital signature in the signature file using a signature verifying algorithm. Once verified as being authentic, the signature file can be used to verify each of the data files. Verification of the data files can be accomplished by comparing the identifier for each data file with the corresponding identifier in the signature file. If the identifiers in the data and signature files match, then the data file can be marked as authentic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Renaud
  • Patent number: 5958051
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and products are provided for establishing and verifying the authenticity of data within one or more data files. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for verifying the authenticity of data involves providing at least one data file which includes an identifier and a signature file which includes the identifier for the data file as well as a digital signature. The digital signature is then verified using a computer system, and the identifier in the data file is compared with the identifier in the signature file using the computer system. In one embodiment, the identifier for the data file includes at least one certificate authority, site certificate, software publisher identifier, or a site name, and verifying the authenticity of data involves setting a security level for at least one of the certificate authority, the site certificate, the software publisher identifier, and the site name.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Renaud, John C. Pampuch, Avril E. Hodges Wilsher