Patent US5958005A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5958005A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic mail security
Assignee: Snap Inc
•
Filing: 1997-07-17
•
Granted: 1999-09-28
•
Expires: 2017-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A method, system, and product for communicating data text messages, such as E-Mail, between computers connected to a network while providing selectable degrees of security for each message. The methodology comprises the procedure of creating in the originating computer a data message having a header which specifies, in addition to the address of the intended recipient computer, one or more security parameters which control the processing of the data message in the recipient computer. The security parameters include instructions for erasure of the data message following its storage in the recipient computer. The security parameters also include instructions as to whether or not copying, archiving, forwarding and printing of the data message is permitted. The recipient computer processes the data message in accord with the instructions. The erasure is of such a nature as to render the data message irretrievable following erasure.
Inventors
- 👤 John Thorne
- 👤 Marie L. Davis
- 👤 Michael J. Strauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L61/00; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H04L51/00; H04L51/07; H04L51/18; H04L51/21; H04L51/212; H04L51/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99939
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of communicating between processing devices comprising the steps of: a) creating in a first processing device a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second processing device; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of communicating between processing devices comprising the steps of: a) creating in a first processing device a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second processing device; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said erasing step comprises over-writing said data message multiple times.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein successive over-writing steps utilize different over-write characters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said erasing step renders said data message irrecoverable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said erasing step is performed according to the erasure specifications of the National Security Agency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of disabling printing of said data message by said second processing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of enabling a single printing of one copy of said data message by said second processing device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of limiting the time duration of display of said data message in accordance with said processing instruction data in said header.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of disabling copying of said data message in said second processing device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of disabling forwarding of said data message in said second processing device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of designating said data message with a security parameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 11 including the step of periodically erasing data messages stored in said second processing device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 2 including the step of disabling archiving of said data message by said second processing device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein successive over-writing steps utilize different over-write characters, and wherein said erasing step renders said data message irrecoverable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 14 including the step of disabling printing of said data message by said second processing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 14 including the step of enabling a single printing of one copy of said data message by said second processing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 14 including the step of limiting the time duration of display of said data message in accordance with said processing instruction data in said header.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 14 including the step of disabling copying of said data message in said second processing device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 14 including the step of disabling forwarding of said data message in said second processing device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 14 including the step of disabling archiving of said data message by said second processing device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein successive over-writing steps utilize different over-write characters, and wherein said erasing step renders said data message irrecoverable, and including the steps of disabling printing of said data message by said second processing device, and limiting the time duration of display of said data message in accordance with said processing instruction data in said header.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 21 including the steps of disabling copying of said data message in said second processing device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 22 including the step of disabling forwarding of said data message in said second processing device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 23 including the step of disabling archiving of said data message by said second processing device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
116 words
A product bearing a sequence of computer executable instructions, said sequence of computer executable instructions, when executed in a pair of computers, comprising instructions for performing the steps of: a) creating in a first of said computers a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second of said computers; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second of said computers responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second computer in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
116 words
A product bearing a sequence of computer executable instructions, said sequence of computer executable instructions, when executed in a pair of computers, comprising instructions for performing the steps of: a) creating in a first of said computers a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second of said computers; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second of said computers responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second computer in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
A product according to claim 25 wherein said erasing step comprises over-writing said data message multiple times.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A product according to claim 26 wherein successive over-writing steps utilize different over-write characters.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A product according to claim 26 wherein said erasing step renders said data message irrecoverable.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a communication network having connected thereto at least one server and a plurality of client computers a method of communicating between said client computers comprising the steps of: a) creating in a first client computer a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second client computer; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second client computer responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second client computer in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a communication network having connected thereto at least one server and a plurality of client computers a method of communicating between said client computers comprising the steps of: a) creating in a first client computer a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second client computer; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second client computer responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second client computer in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein said erasing step comprises over-writing said data message multiple times.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein successive over-writing steps utilize different over-write characters.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 30 wherein said erasing step renders said data message irrecoverable.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of storing said data message in said server prior to storing said data message in said second client computer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 33 including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said server substantially immediately after storing said data message in said second client computer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of disabling printing of said data message by said second client computer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of enabling a single printing of one copy of said data message by said second client computer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of limiting the time duration of display of said data message in accordance with said processing instruction data in said header.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of disabling copying of said data message in said second client computer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of disabling forwarding of said data message in said second client computer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of designating said data message with a security parameter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 40 including the step of periodically erasing data messages stored in said second client computer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 29 including the step of disabling archiving of said data message by said second client computer.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of communicating between processing devices comprising the steps of: a) creating in an originating processing device a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in at least one intermediate processing device; e) storing said data message in an addressee processing device; f) displaying said data message; g) processing said data message in said addressee processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; h) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said originating processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data; i) processing said data message in said at least one intermediate processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; j) said processing in said at least one intermediate processing device including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said intermediate processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of communicating between processing devices comprising the steps of: a) creating in an originating processing device a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in at least one intermediate processing device; e) storing said data message in an addressee processing device; f) displaying said data message; g) processing said data message in said addressee processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; h) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said originating processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data; i) processing said data message in said at least one intermediate processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; j) said processing in said at least one intermediate processing device including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said intermediate processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 43 including the steps of transmitting a copy of said message from said intermediate processing device to said addressee processing device, and erasing said message from said intermediate processing device upon transmitting said copy of said message to said addressee processing device.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein said erasure of said message in said intermediate processing device occurs substantially immediately after transmitting said message to said addressee processing device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein said erasure of said message in said intermediate processing device occurs a predetermined time after transmitting said message to said addressee processing device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein said erasure of said message in said intermediate processing device occurs substantially immediately after transmitting said message to said addressee processing device and comprises over-writing said data message by address multiple times.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein said erasing step comprises over-writing said data message multiple times.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 48 wherein successive over-writing steps utilize different over-write characters.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein said erasing step renders said data message irrecoverable.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein said erasing of said message from said intermediate processing device occurs pursuant to a periodic erasure.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 44 wherein said erasing of said message from said intermediate device comprises deleting said message and subsequently erasing said message in a manner that renders such message irretrievable.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 52 wherein said erasing of said message in a manner that renders such message irretrievable occurs pursuant to a periodic erasure.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of communicating between processing devices comprising the steps of: a) creating in a first processing device a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second processing device; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data, said erasure occurring substantially immediately prior to shut down of said second processing device.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of communicating between processing devices comprising the steps of: a) creating in a first processing device a header for a data message; b) populating said header with address data and processing instruction data; c) creating said data message; d) storing said data message in a second processing device; e) displaying said data message; f) processing said data message in said second processing device responsive to said processing instruction data; g) said processing including the step of erasing said data message from storage in said second processing device in accordance with said processing instruction data, said erasure occurring substantially immediately prior to shut down of said second processing device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-27 | 2003-03-29 | 2003-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-03-29 | 2007-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-27 | 2011-03-29 | 2011-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |