Kenneth G Conley

US Patent:

7937752, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Feb 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/388393

Inventors:

Dirk Balfanz - Redwood City CA, US
Diana Smetters - Belmont CA, US
Kenneth Conley - Mountain View CA, US
Bryan Pendleton - Menlo Park CA, US
Steve Cousins - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G06F 7/04
G06F 17/30

US Classification:

726 9, 713159, 713168, 713169, 713170, 713163, 455410, 380277

Abstract:

A system and method for sharing files securely includes server software on a first device configured to communicate with server software operating on one or more other preauthorized devices, such as a second device. The servers communicate with each other securely using cryptographic information exchanged during a preauthorization phase using a range-limited communication channel. The server on the first device obtains file information from the other preauthorized device(s) and combines the information with local file information from the first device. This combined file information is sent to client software operating on the machine, which presents the combined file information to users.

US Patent:

20050100166, May 12, 2005

Filed:

Nov 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/703437

Inventors:

Diana Smetters - San Francisco CA, US
Kenneth Conley - Mountain View CA, US
Bryan Pendleton - Menlo Park CA, US
Glenn Durfee - San Francisco CA, US
Steve Cousins - San Jose CA, US
Dirk Balfanz - Menlo Park CA, US
Hadar Shemtov - Palo Alto CA, US

Assignee:

PARC INC. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04L009/00
G06F011/30

US Classification:

380277000, 713163000, 713201000

Abstract:

A location-limited channel is implemented using physical exchanges of physical tokens. The physical tokens are implemented using writeable or re-writeable storage media. Location-limited channels, when used to implement pre-authentication protocols, provide demonstrative identification and authenticity. A group originator loads pre-authentication information and a network location from a communication device onto the location-limited physical token channel. The location-limited physical token channel is passed to another participant, who copies the originator's pre-authentication information and location onto that participant's communication device. That participant then adds that participant's own pre-authentication information and network location onto the location-limited physical token channel. This is repeated until the last participant passes the location-limited physical token channel back to the group originator. The originator thus has pre-authentication information and network locations for all other participants. The originator establishes secure communications with each participant based on the originator' and that participant's shared information.