Methods and apparatuses for security visualization

• US 7,506,163 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2005
• Issued: 03/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: VE Networks
• Original Assignee: VE Networks
• Inventors: Mansz, Robert Paul, Groom, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): Peeso; Thomas R
• Application Number:
  US11/096,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20060224888A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 713/168, 713/161
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/168 above the transport layer

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for preconscious security feedback. In one aspect, a method for secure communication includes: displaying a first visual cue to indicate presence of security measure for communication while an operation for a secure communication transaction is in progress; and playing a first audio cue to indicate the presence of security measure for communication while the operation for the secure communication transaction is in progress. In one embodiment, the visual and/or audio cues used provide preconscious feeling of security based on familiarity and/or historical associations to security in particular cultures.

Claims

1. A machine readable storage medium storing executable computer program instructions which when executed by a data processing system cause said system to perform a method for secure communication, the method comprising:

displaying a first visual cue to indicate presence of security measure for communication while an operation for a secure communication transaction is in progress; and

playing a first audio cue to indicate the presence of security measure for communication while the operation for the secure communication transaction is in progress.

2. The medium of claim 1, wherein the first visual cue provides preconscious feeling of security in a culture.

3. The medium of claim 2, wherein the first audio cue includes sonification well recognized in the culture.

4. The medium of claim 3, wherein the sonification comprises musical notes that provide preconscious feeling of security in the culture.

5. The medium of claim 3, wherein the first visual cue provides time dependent images.

6. The medium of claim 5, wherein the first visual cue includes an animation of iconography representative of historical associations to security.

7. The medium of claim 1, wherein the first visual cue and the first audio cue are presented to indicate one of:

beginning of the secure communication transaction;

successful completion of the secure communication transaction; and

secure transmission in progress.

8. The medium of claim 7, wherein the secure communication transaction is over a wireless telecommunication link.

9. The medium of claim 1, wherein the method comprises:

displaying a second visual cue to indicate progress of secure transmission.

10. The medium of claim 9, wherein the method comprises:

displaying a third visual cue to indicate completion of the secure transmission while playing a second audio cue to indicate completion of the secure transmission.

11. The medium of claim 1, wherein data for the first visual cue and the first audio cue is access protected with encryption.

12. The medium of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of one of the first visual cue and the first audio cue includes information revealing an identity of a recipient of the secure communication transaction.

13. The medium of claim 12, wherein the information includes one of:

a picture of the recipient;

a handwriting message; and

a voice message.

14. The medium of claim 11, wherein a portion of the first visual cue includes a watermark.

15. The medium of claim 14, wherein the watermark shows a digitized signature.

16. The medium of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of one of the first visual cue and the first audio cue includes information personalized for a sender of the secure communication transaction.

17. The medium of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of one of the first visual cue and the first audio cue is retrieved from a secure server over a network connection.

18. A method for secure communication, the method comprising:

displaying a first visual cue to indicate presence of security measure for communication while an operation for a secure communication transaction is in progress; and

playing a first audio cue to indicate the presence of security measure for communication while the operation for the secure communication transaction is in progress.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first visual cue provides time dependent images capable of invoking preconscious feeling of security in a culture;

the first audio cue includes musical notes well recognized in the culture to provide preconscious feeling of security.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first visual cue includes an animation of iconography representative of cultural associations to security.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first visual cue and the first audio cue are presented to indicate one of:

beginning of the secure communication transaction;

successful completion of the secure communication transaction; and

secure transmission in progress;

wherein the secure communication transaction is over a wireless telecommunication link.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

displaying a second visual cue to indicate progress of secure transmission; and

displaying a third visual cue to indicate completion of the secure transmission while playing a second audio cue to indicate completion of the secure transmission.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein data for the first visual cue and the first audio cue is access protected with encryption;

at least a portion of one of the first visual cue and the first audio cue is personalized to include one of;

a photo picture;

a graphical representation of a text message; and

a voice message.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of one of the first visual cue and the first audio cue is retrieved from a secure server over a network connection.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein a second visual cue is displayed to indicate lack of security measure for communication while an operation for an insecure communication transaction is in progress.

26. A data processing system for secure communication, the data processing system comprising:

means for displaying a first visual cue to indicate presence of security measure for communication while an operation for a secure communication transaction is in progress; and

means for playing a first audio cue to indicate the presence of security measure for communication while the operation for the secure communication transaction is in progress.

27. The data processing system of claim 26, wherein the first visual cue provides an animation of iconography representative of historical associations to security in a culture;

and the first audio cue includes musical notes familiar to people in the culture.

28. The data processing system of claim 26, wherein at least one of the first visual cue and the first audio cue is presented to indicate beginning of the secure communication transaction, successful completion of the secure communication transaction, and secure transmission in progress.

29. The data processing system of claim 26, further comprising:

means for displaying a second visual cue to indicate progress of secure transmission.

30. The data processing system of claim 29, further comprising:

means for displaying a third visual cue to indicate completion of the secure transmission while playing a second audio cue to indicate completion of the secure transmission.

31. The data processing system of claim 26, wherein data for the first visual cue and the first audio cue is access protected with encryption;

and at least a portion of one of the first visual cue and the first audio cue is retrieved from a secure server over a network connection and personalized with one of;

a photo picture;

a graphical representation of a text message; and

an audio record.

32. The data processing system of claim 31, comprising:

a cellular communication transceiver.