US6442691B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Authenticated time device
Assignee: E-CONTACT TECHNOLOGIES LLC
•
Filing: 1995-02-27
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Granted: 2002-08-27
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Expires: 2015-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A computer diary archives a diary entry by creating, time stamping, authenticating and permanently storing a reference data block along with each diary entry. An archived diary entry can only be modified by placing original text within compartment codes, such as cross-out or tear-out codes, and by placing inserted text within insertion codes so that the original diary entry can be recreated from the modified diary entry. The reference data block, which can be the original diary entry, a canonical version of the original diary entry, or a one way fixed length encryption (hash) of the original diary entry, cannot be modified and is used to authenticate the original diary entry. The diary program also monitors text entry for aliases and relative date phrases, and upon detection, prompts the user for entry or enters a specific identifier for each detected alias in an alias compartment or an absolute date for each relative date phrase in an implied date compartment in the diary entry.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Roy Blandford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/32; H04L9/3297; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/901; G06F16/9024; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/34; G06F21/70; G06F21/86; G06F21/87; H04L9/3247; H04L2209/00; H04L2209/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling operation of a user of a user device, comprising the steps of: (a) issuing an authenticated time signal request from the user device to an authenticated time source device; (b) generating an authenticated time signal within the authenticated time source device in response to the request; (c) receiving the authenticated time signal at the user device; (d) determining, within the user device, the validity of the authenticated time signal; (e) controlling operation of the user device based on receipt of the authenticated time signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling operation of a user of a user device, comprising the steps of: (a) issuing an authenticated time signal request from the user device to an authenticated time source device; (b) generating an authenticated time signal within the authenticated time source device in response to the request; (c) receiving the authenticated time signal at the user device; (d) determining, within the user device, the validity of the authenticated time signal; (e) controlling operation of the user device based on receipt of the authenticated time signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of issuing the authenticated time signal request further comprises the steps of generating a random or pseudorandom number within the user device; and transmitting the random or pseudorandom number from the user device to the authenticated time source device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of generating the authenticated time signal comprises the steps of: determining a current time; performing a cryptographic operation on at least the current time to form an authentication code; and combining at least the current time and the authentication code to produce the authenticated time signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 3 wherein the step of performing the cryptographic operation further comprises hashing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 3 wherein the step of performing the cryptographic operation comprises using a symmetric or asymmetric cryptographic key protocol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of determining the validity of the authenticated time signal further comprises the steps of determining a previous time at which the user device was most recently stopped or started; determining a returned time from the authenticated time signal; and verifying that the returned time is later than the previous time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of determining the validity of the authenticated time signal comprises the steps of: determining, from the authenticated time signal, at least a returned time and a returned authentication code; performing a cryptographic operation on at least the returned time to form a recomputed authentication code; and comparing the recomputed authentication code and the returned authentication code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 7 wherein said performing the cryptographic operation comprises hashing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of determining validity of the authenticated time signal further comprises the steps of: determining a random or pseudorandom number that was most recently transmitted to the authenticated time source; determining a returned random or pseudorandom number from the authenticated time signal; and comparing the returned and most recent random or pseudorandom numbers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of controlling operation of the user device comprises setting a clock within the user device upon receipt of a valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of controlling operation of the user device further comprises preventing continued operation of the user device in the absence of the valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 7 wherein said performing the cryptographic operation includes using a cryptographic key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 12 wherein the cryptographic key includes using a key belonging to a symmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device, comprising the steps of: issuing an authenticated time signal request to an authenticated time-source device; receiving an authenticated time signal from the authenticated time source device; determining the validity of the authenticated time signal; and controlling operation of the user device based on receipt of the authenticated time signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device, comprising the steps of: issuing an authenticated time signal request to an authenticated time-source device; receiving an authenticated time signal from the authenticated time source device; determining the validity of the authenticated time signal; and controlling operation of the user device based on receipt of the authenticated time signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of issuing the authenticated time signal request comprises the steps of: generating a random or pseudorandom number within the user device; and transmitting the random or pseudorandom number from the user device to the authenticated time source device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of determining the validity of the authenticated time signal comprises the steps of: determining a previous time at which the user device was most recently stopped or started; determining a returned time from the authenticated time signal; and verifying that the returned time is later than the previous time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of determining validity of the authenticated time signal further comprises the steps of: determining, from the authenticated time signal, at least a returned time and a returned authentication code; performing a cryptographic operation on at least the returned time to form a recomputed authentication code; and comparing the recomputed authentication code and the returned authentication code.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 17 wherein the step of performing the cryptographic operation comprises hashing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of determining the validity of the authenticated time signal further comprises the steps of: determining a random or pseudorandom number that was most recently transmitted to the authenticated time source; determining a returned random or pseudorandom number from the authenticated time signal; and comparing the returned and most recently transmitted random or pseudo random numbers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of controlling operation of the user device comprises setting a clock within the user device upon receipt of the valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of controlling operation of the device comprises preventing continued operation of the user device in the absence of a valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 17 wherein said performing the cryptographic operation includes using a cryptographic key.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 22 wherein the cryptographic key is a key belonging to a symmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of determining the validity of the authenticated time signal further comprises the step of performing a cryptographic operation on the authenticated time signal to give at least a returned time.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 24 wherein the step of performing a cryptographic operation includes using a cryptographic key.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 25 wherein the cryptographic key is a key used in a symmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 25 wherein the cryptographic key comprises a key used in an asymmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of determining the validity of the authenticated time signal further comprises the steps of: determining a random or pseudorandom number that was most recently transmitted to the authenticated time source; determining a returned random or pseudorandom number from the authenticated time signal; and comparing the returned and most recently transmitted random or pseudorandom numbers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of controlling operation of the user device comprises setting a clock within the user device after receipt of the valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 14 wherein the step of controlling operation of the user device comprises preventing continued operation, of the user device unless the valid authenticated time signal is received.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device, comprising: an input/output port for issuing an authenticated time signal request to an authenticated time source and receiving an authenticated time signal from the authenticated time source; a memory; a controller for determining the validity of the authenticated time signal and for modifying operation of the user device in accordance with the validity determination; and a tamper resistance system for impeding unauthorized access to the user device.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device, comprising: an input/output port for issuing an authenticated time signal request to an authenticated time source and receiving an authenticated time signal from the authenticated time source; a memory; a controller for determining the validity of the authenticated time signal and for modifying operation of the user device in accordance with the validity determination; and a tamper resistance system for impeding unauthorized access to the user device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 additionally comprising a number generator for generating a random or pseudorandom number as part of the authenticated time signal request.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein said controller comprises: a comparator for verifying that a returned time, determined from the authenticated time signal, is later than a previous time at which the user device was most recently stopped or started.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein said controller further comprises: a cryptographic engine for determining a returned time and a returned authentication code from the authenticated time signal, and for performing a cryptographic operation on at least the returned time to form a recomputed authentication code; and a comparator for comparing the recomputed authentication code and the returned authentication code.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 34 wherein the computer engine includes means for computing a hash.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 34 wherein the means for cryptographic engine includes at least a cryptographic key.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 36 wherein the cryptographic key comprises a key used in a symmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 36 wherein the cryptographic key comprises a public key used in an asymmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein said controller includes a comparator for comparing a first random or pseudorandom number that was most recently transmitted to the authenticated time source device against a second random or pseudorandom number returned from the authenticated time signal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein said controller comprises means forgetting a clock within the user device upon receipt of a valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the controller for modifying operation of the user device comprises means for preventing continued operation of the user device in the absence of the valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the tamper resistance system comprises a seal enclosing a clock, a cryptographic engine, an input/output port, a digital bus, and the controller.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 42 wherein said seal comprises an encapsulation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the tamper resistance system comprises means for allowing only predetermined electronic signals to access the user device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the tamper resistance system comprises means for automatically disabling the user device upon detection of unauthorized access.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein said controller further comprises a cryptographic engine for performing a cryptographic operation on the authenticated time signal to give at least a returned time.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 46 wherein the cryptographic engine includes a cryptographic key.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 47 wherein the cryptographic key is a key used in a symmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 47 wherein the cryptographic key is a key used in an asymmetric cryptographic protocol.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein said controller includes a comparator for comparing a first random or pseudorandom number that was most recently transmitted to the authenticated time source device against a second random or pseudorandom number returned from the authenticated time signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the controller for modifying operation of the user device comprises means for setting a clock within the user device upon receipt of the valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the controller for modifying operation of the user device comprises means for preventing continued operation of the user device in the absence of the valid authenticated time signal.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the tamper resistance system comprises a seal for enclosing: a clock, a cryptographic engine, an input/output port, a digital bus, and the controller.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 53 wherein said seal comprises an encapsulation.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the tamper resistance system comprises means for allowing only predetermined electronic signals to access the user device.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for controlling operation of a user device as recited in claim 31 wherein the tamper resistance system comprises means for automatically disabling the user device upon detection of unauthorized access.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for authenticating and time-stamping input data, comprising: a clock; an encryption circuit including a secret key; an input/output circuit including a port for receiving and transmitting digital signals; a digital bus coupled to the input/output circuit, the encryption circuit, and the clock; a controller coupled to the bus for controlling operation of said input/output circuit, said clock and said encryption circuit to receive input data and requests for authenticating and time-stamping the input data applied to the port, to read time data from the clock, to combine and input data with said time data, to operate the encryption circuit to generate an encrypted time stamp authentication code from the combined input data and time data, and to transmit from the port the time data and the encrypted time stamp authentication code; and an access detector, said access detector indicating attempted access to at least one of said clock, said encryption circuit, said digital bus, said controller, and said input/output circuit except via the port.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for authenticating and time-stamping input data, comprising: a clock; an encryption circuit including a secret key; an input/output circuit including a port for receiving and transmitting digital signals; a digital bus coupled to the input/output circuit, the encryption circuit, and the clock; a controller coupled to the bus for controlling operation of said input/output circuit, said clock and said encryption circuit to receive input data and requests for authenticating and time-stamping the input data applied to the port, to read time data from the clock, to combine and input data with said time data, to operate the encryption circuit to generate an encrypted time stamp authentication code from the combined input data and time data, and to transmit from the port the time data and the encrypted time stamp authentication code; and an access detector, said access detector indicating attempted access to at least one of said clock, said encryption circuit, said digital bus, said controller, and said input/output circuit except via the port.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
161 words
A device for authenticating and time-stamping input data, comprising: a clock; an encryption circuit including a secret key; an input/output circuit including a port for receiving and transmitting digital signals; a digital bus coupled to the input/output circuit, the encryption circuit, and the clock; a controller coupled to the bus for controlling operation of said input/output circuit, said clock and said encryption circuit to receive input data and requests for authenticating and time-stamping the input data applied to the port, to read time data from the clock, to combine and input data with said time data, to operate the encryption circuit to generate an encrypted time stamp authentication code from the combined input data and time data, and to transmit from the port the time data and the encrypted time stamp authentication code; and an access inhibitor, said access inhibitor impeding access to said clock, said encryption circuit, said digital bus, said controller, and said input/output circuit except via the port.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
161 words
A device for authenticating and time-stamping input data, comprising: a clock; an encryption circuit including a secret key; an input/output circuit including a port for receiving and transmitting digital signals; a digital bus coupled to the input/output circuit, the encryption circuit, and the clock; a controller coupled to the bus for controlling operation of said input/output circuit, said clock and said encryption circuit to receive input data and requests for authenticating and time-stamping the input data applied to the port, to read time data from the clock, to combine and input data with said time data, to operate the encryption circuit to generate an encrypted time stamp authentication code from the combined input data and time data, and to transmit from the port the time data and the encrypted time stamp authentication code; and an access inhibitor, said access inhibitor impeding access to said clock, said encryption circuit, said digital bus, said controller, and said input/output circuit except via the port.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for authenticating and time-stamping input data, comprising: a clock; an encryption circuit including a secret key; an input/output circuit including a port for receiving and transmitting digital signals; a digital bus coupled to the input/output circuit, the encryption circuit, and the clock; a controller coupled to the bus for controlling operation of said input/output circuit, said clock and said encryption circuit to receive input data and requests for authenticating and time-stamping the input data applied to the port, to read time data from the clock, to combine and input data with said time data, to operate the encryption circuit to generate an encrypted time stamp authentication code from the combined input data and time data, and to transmit from the port the time data and the encrypted time stamp authentication code; and a tamper resistance system, said tamper resistance system inhibiting undetected access to said clock, said encryption circuit, said digital bus, said controller, and said input/output circuit except via the port.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
164 words
A device for authenticating and time-stamping input data, comprising: a clock; an encryption circuit including a secret key; an input/output circuit including a port for receiving and transmitting digital signals; a digital bus coupled to the input/output circuit, the encryption circuit, and the clock; a controller coupled to the bus for controlling operation of said input/output circuit, said clock and said encryption circuit to receive input data and requests for authenticating and time-stamping the input data applied to the port, to read time data from the clock, to combine and input data with said time data, to operate the encryption circuit to generate an encrypted time stamp authentication code from the combined input data and time data, and to transmit from the port the time data and the encrypted time stamp authentication code; and a tamper resistance system, said tamper resistance system inhibiting undetected access to said clock, said encryption circuit, said digital bus, said controller, and said input/output circuit except via the port.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 59 wherein said tamper resistance system comprises a seal enclosing said clock, said encryption circuit, said input/output circuit, said digital bus, and said controller.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 59 , wherein said tamper resistance system detects attempted access to at least one of said clock, said encryption circuit, said input/output circuit, said digital bus, and said controller.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 59 , wherein said tamper resistance system impedes access to at least one of said clock, said encryption circuit, said input/output circuit, said digital bus, and said controller.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 59 , wherein said tamper resistance system both detects attempted access to at least one of said clock, said encryption circuit, said input/output circuit, said digital bus, and said controller; and impedes access to at least one of said clock, said encryption circuit, said digital bus, said controller, and said input/output circuit except via the port.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 59 , wherein said tamper resistance system prevents undetected access to at least one of said clock, said encryption circuit, said input/output circuit, said digital bus, and said controller.
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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) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |