Self-decrypting web site pages

• US 7,003,800 B1
• Filed: 11/06/2000
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph Victor Bain
• Original Assignee: Ralph Victor Bain
• Inventors: Bain, Ralph Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parthasarathy, Pramila
• Application Number:
  US09/707,225
• Time in Patent Office: 1,933 Days
• Field of Search: 713/201, 713/200
• US Class Current: 726/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links

Abstract

A web site contains a process which allows visitors to the site to view sensitive information contained in cryptograms in the site pages. During the site visit, controlling and key handling functions within the process automatically give the visitor an opportunity to enter keys to identify certain cryptograms in the site pages that the visitor is authorized to display. When pages containing the identified cryptograms are downloaded during the site visit, a decryption function within the process displays decrypted versions of those cryptograms in a seamless, sequential presentation along with standard page contents. At all times while pages are transmitted, stored, handled by network servers, or processed and displayed by a browser, the sensitive information in the site pages remains in cryptographic form.

Claims

1. A method for decrypting a plurality of cryptograms which are placed within each web site HTML document in a plurality of web site HTML documents that are being downloaded from a web site by a viewer that is visiting said web site, comprising:

(a) providing said plurality of web site HTML documents,

(b) providing said plurality of cryptograms within each said web site HTML document,

(c) providing the data within each said web site HTML document for validating a plurality of viewer-entered clear-text keys for said plurality of cryptograms,

(d) providing an HTML frameset page for enabling data communications between said web site HTML documents,

(e) providing a key handler function within each said web site HTML document for receiving and validating said plurality of viewer-entered clear-text keys, comprising;

(i) providing a first means for sending an input request to said viewer, and

(ii) providing a second means for receiving said plurality of viewer-entered clear-text keys directly into said web site HTML document,

(f) providing a controller function within each said web site HTML document for activating and controlling said key handler function as needed, and

(g) providing a decryption function within each said web site HTML document for generating a plurality of decrypted versions of said plurality of cryptograms that correspond to said plurality of viewer-entered clear-text keys that have been received and validated.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of decrypted versions will be made available for display in the original locations of said plurality of cryptograms.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of cryptograms are any size up to the size allowed by HTML standards for the body of said web site HTML document.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said viewer receives a validity report directly from said decryption function upon entry of each of said plurality of viewer-entered, clear-text keys.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of viewer-entered clear-text keys are made available to each said web site HTML document in said plurality of web site HTML documents as each is being displayed.