Patents by Inventor Kirk Sanford

Kirk Sanford 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: 8078683
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for authenticating an electronic communication. The method includes parsing a header of the electronic communication to identify actual domain name data included in the header at a server receiving the electronic communication from a communication client; parsing the header to obtain purported sender data included in the header of the electronic communication; comparing the actual domain name data and purported sender data; and generating in response to the comparison an authenticity indicator, to provide a recipient of the electronic communication with an indication of the likelihood that the electronic communication was sent from a purported sender of the electronic communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Publication number: 20110010426
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method for authenticating an electronic communication. The method includes parsing a header of the electronic communication to identify actual domain name data included in the header at a server receiving the electronic communication from a communication client; parsing the header to obtain purported sender data included in the header of the electronic communication; comparing the actual domain name data and purported sender data; and generating in response to the comparison an authenticity indicator, to provide a recipient of the electronic communication with an indication of the likelihood that the electronic communication was sent from a purported sender of the electronic communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Patent number: 7831671
    Abstract: A method includes generating an authenticity indicator for an electronic communication based on a comparison of domain name data and purported sender data associated with the electronic communication, the authenticity indicator indicating a likelihood that the electronic communication was sent from a purported sender of the electronic communication. The authenticity indicator is presented to the recipient of the electronic communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Publication number: 20080098077
    Abstract: A method includes generating an authenticity indicator for an electronic communication based on a comparison of domain name data and purported sender data associated with the electronic communication, the authenticity indicator indicating a likelihood that the electronic communication was sent from a purported sender of the electronic communication. The authenticity indicator is presented to the recipient of the electronic communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Patent number: 7320021
    Abstract: A method includes generating an authenticity indicator for an electronic communication based on a comparison of domain name data and purported sender data associated with the electronic communication, the authenticity indicator indicating a likelihood that the electronic communication was sent from a purported sender of the electronic communication. The authenticity indicator is presented to the recipient of the electronic communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Publication number: 20060206572
    Abstract: A method includes generating an authenticity indicator for an electronic communication based on a comparison of domain name data and purported sender data associated with the electronic communication, the authenticity indicator indicating a likelihood that the electronic communication was sent from a purported sender of the electronic communication. The authenticity indicator is presented to the recipient of the electronic communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Patent number: 7072944
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating an electronic message are provided. The method includes investigating data in a header of the electronic message, and generating an authenticity indicator in response to the investigation. The authenticity indicator may provide an indication of the likelihood that the electronic message was sent from a purported sender visible to a recipient of the electronic message. In certain embodiments, the method includes presenting the authenticity indicator to the recipient of the electronic message. Investigating data in the header may include parsing the header to obtain purported sender data in a from field populated at a mail client and to obtain actual originator data, comparing the purported sender data and actual originator data, and generating the authenticity indicator in response to the comparison. The from field may be the “FROM: . . . ” field of an email message provided to identify a sender of the email message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Publication number: 20060068897
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for the purchase of gaming vouchers (slot vouchers) with commercial bank cards using electronic funds transfer including a kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming machines but separate from a particular gaming machine, an EFT reader and processing system, user interactive communication equipment, voucher issuing equipment and means for communicating with both a commercial EFT system and a voucher accounting system, and including personal daily limit options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Kirk Sanford, Thomas Sears, Robert Connelly
  • Patent number: 6843412
    Abstract: A system and method for providing money or credit to the user of an entertainment machine. The method includes requesting money through a point of sale device located at or near the entertainment machine. The request is forwarded to an active layer computer and server that provides initial screening of the request. If approved, the request is forwarded to a host processor, which in turns checks with the user's financial institution for preliminary approval therefrom. If the financial institution provides the preliminary approval, the host processor provides electronic funds to the user at the entertainment machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Kirk Sanford
  • Publication number: 20040068542
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating an electronic message are provided. The method includes investigating data in a header of the electronic message, and generating an authenticity indicator in response to the investigation. The authenticity indicator may provide an indication of the likelihood that the electronic message was sent from a purported sender visible to a recipient of the electronic message. In certain embodiments, the method includes presenting the authenticity indicator to the recipient of the electronic message. Investigating data in the header may include parsing the header to obtain purported sender data in a from field populated at a mail client and to obtain actual originator data, comparing the purported sender data and actual originator data, and generating the authenticity indicator in response to the comparison. The from field may be the “FROM: . . . ” field of an email message provided to identify a sender of the email message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Chris Lalonde, Marty Abbott, Kirk Sanford, Greg Isaacs
  • Patent number: 4927354
    Abstract: A device comprising in combination a cigarette lighter and a housing with a retractable reel mechanism contained therein, the housing being formed of two generally cup-shaped halves secured together and housing a coil spring and retractable take-up spool therein for connection to one end of a cord or the like, the other end being coupled to a fastener configured and adapted for captively and releasably retaining the cigarette lighter. Cord retraining means is included for retaining the amount of extension of the cord at a selected point, the release of which allows the reel mechanism to retract the lighter. A clip member or the like is attached to a side surface of the housing for enabling attachment of the device to an article of wearing apparel, such as a belt or waistband of trousers. In one embodiment, the circumference of the housing is cut away or contoured to form a lighter receiving cavity or compartment configured and adapted for releasably retaining the cigarette lighter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Kirk Sanford