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US6006333A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Password helper using a client-side master password which automatically presents the appropriate server-side password to a particular remote server

Assignee: Oracle America Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-13
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2016-03-13
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Abstract

Abstract A user operating a client system may access a plurality of remote servers requiring passwords for access by employing a master password. The master password is used to decrypt a stored password for a particular remote server to which the client desires access. The client system maintains a database of encrypted passwords and user IDs for remote servers to which the user is registered. Although each remote server is accessed using a different password, the user need only remember one master password. Since only the master password need be remembered, the passwords particular to specific remote sites may be made more random and thus more secure. Implementation of the password management system need not require modification of any remote servers.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jakob Nielsen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 20:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/41

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 106 words
In a network, a method of supporting registration of a user of a client system to a remote server comprising: searching a plurality of network addresses for a remote server requesting authentication; receiving, at said client system, user input specifying a user ID and a password used to register to said remote server; encrypting said password using a master password as a key; storing said password in encrypted form in a database along with a network address of said remote server. searching a list of sensitive network addresses for said network address; and if said network address is found during said searching, displaying an authentication form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 106 words
In a network, a method of supporting registration of a user of a client system to a remote server comprising: searching a plurality of network addresses for a remote server requesting authentication; receiving, at said client system, user input specifying a user ID and a password used to register to said remote server; encrypting said password using a master password as a key; storing said password in encrypted form in a database along with a network address of said remote server. searching a list of sensitive network addresses for said network address; and if said network address is found during said searching, displaying an authentication form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said storing further comprises storing said user ID in said database along with said network address and said password in encrypted form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: encrypting said user ID using said master password as a key; and wherein said storing further comprises storing said user ID in encrypted form in said database along with said network address and said password in encrypted form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said network address of said remote server is a URL.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying a dialog box having entry fields for entering said user ID and said password; and wherein said receiving comprises receiving said user ID and said password into said dialog box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said displaying further comprises: generating a suggested password; and displaying said suggested password.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 116 words
Software on a storage medium for, in conjunction with a network, supporting registration of a user of a client system to a remote server, said software comprising: software for searching a plurality of network addresses for a remote server requesting authentication; software for receiving, at said client system, user input specifying a user ID and a password used to register to said remote server; software for encrypting said password using a master password as a key; software for storing said password in encrypted form in a database along with a network address of said remote server; software for searching a list of sensitive network addresses for said network address; and software for displaying an authentication form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 116 words
Software on a storage medium for, in conjunction with a network, supporting registration of a user of a client system to a remote server, said software comprising: software for searching a plurality of network addresses for a remote server requesting authentication; software for receiving, at said client system, user input specifying a user ID and a password used to register to said remote server; software for encrypting said password using a master password as a key; software for storing said password in encrypted form in a database along with a network address of said remote server; software for searching a list of sensitive network addresses for said network address; and software for displaying an authentication form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 30 words
The software of claim 7 wherein said storing software comprises software for storing said user ID in said database along with said network address and said password in encrypted form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 50 words
The software of claim 7 further comprising: software for encrypting said user ID using said master password as a key; and wherein said storing software further comprises software for storing said user ID in encrypted form in said database along with said network address and said password in encrypted form.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 16 words
The software of claim 7 wherein said network address of said remote server is a URL.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 43 words
The software of claim 7 further comprising: software for displaying a dialog box having entry fields for entering said user ID and said password; and wherein said receiving software comprises software for receiving said user ID and said password into said dialog box.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
The software of claim 11 wherein said displaying software further comprises: software for generating a suggested password; and software for displaying said suggested password.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5481720A Cited
US5560008A Cited
US5642515A Cited
US5611048A Cited
US5623637A Cited
US5655077A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2002-12-20 2003-06-21 2003-12-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2006-12-20 2007-06-21 2007-12-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2010-12-20 2011-06-21 2011-12-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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