Secure universal postal encrypted resource (super) browser

• US 20030028764A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Campbell, Leo J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,159,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/606 by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263

Abstract

A universal browser operates in conjunction with an underlying browser to provide a user of a PC with access to an enhanced service. The enhanced service can be post-marking for an electronic communication, encryption, or some other service or product offered by the universal browser provider. The universal browser is displayed as a frame, on a tool-bar, on a pull-down menu, as an icon, or the like on a page that has been accessed by the underlying browser.

Claims

1. A computer program product, comprising signal-bearing media containing program instructions for execution within a general purpose computer, in conjunction with a standard browser application, wherein said program instructions comprise program instructions for:

launching a universal browser each time the standard browser is executed; and

offering a unique enhanced service to the user via a graphical area within a window of the standard browser.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the enhanced service is an electronic postmark service.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the enhanced service is a secure electronic mailbox.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising:

a certificate component to authenticate the user when the enhanced service is requested.

5. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising:

an encryption component to encrypt electronic data as part of the enhanced service.

6. The computer program product of claim 1 wherein said universal browser is a secure universal postal encrypted resource browser.

7. A method for browsing on a computer network, comprising program instructions for:

launching a universal browser each time a standard browser is executed; and

offering a unique enhanced service to the user via a graphical area within a window of the standard browser.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the enhanced service is an electronic postmark service.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the enhanced service is a secure electronic mailbox.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

a certificate component to authenticate the user when the enhanced service is requested.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

an encryption component to encrypt electronic data as part of the enhanced service.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein said universal browser is a secure universal postal encrypted resource browser.

13. A computer network browsing system, comprising:

a memory for storing program instructions and data;

a processor coupled to said memory for executing said program instructions, wherein said program instructions include program instructions for coupling a universal browser to an underlying browser already on a user'"'"'s computer;

launching the universal browser each time the underlying browser is executed; and

offering an enhanced service to the user via the universal browser wherein the enhanced service is not available via the underlying browser.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the enhanced service is an electronic postmark service.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the enhanced service is a secure electronic mailbox.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a certificate component to authenticate the user when the enhanced service is requested.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

an encryption component to encrypt electronic data as part of the enhanced service.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein said universal browser is a secure universal postal encrypted resource browser.