Method and apparatus for secure instant messaging utilizing server-supervised publication
First Claim
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1. A method of managing exchange of secure online instant messages between subscriber devices, where the secure messages are signed and encrypted using subscribers'"'"' digital certificates, the method comprising steps of:
- a messaging server receiving a log-in request from at least one subscriber device comprising a local instant messaging module to begin a session of exchanging synchronous online messages;
the local instant messaging module submitting a certificate publication request to the messaging server, the publication request also specifying a digital certificate corresponding to the subscriber device;
the messaging server receiving the certificate publication request from said local instant messaging module;
responsive to the certificate publication request, the messaging server temporarily storing the digital certificate in a publication record in association with the subscriber device as long as the associated instant messaging module remains logged-in to the messaging server;
responsive to prescribed events, the messaging server providing logged-in subscriber devices with selected information concerning certificates of other subscriber devices;
responsive to a particular subscriber device ending the session, the messaging server automatically removing the digital certificate from the publication record for the particular subscriber device;
receiving a particular subscriber device'"'"'s request to un-publish the digital certificate and in responsive to receiving the request to un-publish the digital certificate, the messaging server removing the digital certificate from the publication record for the particular subscriber device;
identifying other logged-in subscriber devices that previously designated the particular subscriber device for potential future secured instant messaging; and
notifying the identified other logged-in subscriber devices that the digital certificate for the particular subscriber device is withdrawn from use.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Digitally signed and encrypted synchronous online messages are conducted between prescribed online messaging service subscribers.
39 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of managing exchange of secure online instant messages between subscriber devices, where the secure messages are signed and encrypted using subscribers'"'"' digital certificates, the method comprising steps of:
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a messaging server receiving a log-in request from at least one subscriber device comprising a local instant messaging module to begin a session of exchanging synchronous online messages; the local instant messaging module submitting a certificate publication request to the messaging server, the publication request also specifying a digital certificate corresponding to the subscriber device; the messaging server receiving the certificate publication request from said local instant messaging module; responsive to the certificate publication request, the messaging server temporarily storing the digital certificate in a publication record in association with the subscriber device as long as the associated instant messaging module remains logged-in to the messaging server; responsive to prescribed events, the messaging server providing logged-in subscriber devices with selected information concerning certificates of other subscriber devices; responsive to a particular subscriber device ending the session, the messaging server automatically removing the digital certificate from the publication record for the particular subscriber device; receiving a particular subscriber device'"'"'s request to un-publish the digital certificate and in responsive to receiving the request to un-publish the digital certificate, the messaging server removing the digital certificate from the publication record for the particular subscriber device; identifying other logged-in subscriber devices that previously designated the particular subscriber device for potential future secured instant messaging; and notifying the identified other logged-in subscriber devices that the digital certificate for the particular subscriber device is withdrawn from use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A messaging server for use in managing an exchange of secure online instant messages between subscriber devices, where secure messages are signed and encrypted using subscribers'"'"' digital certificates, a messaging server comprising:
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a computer-readable data storage medium; and at least one digital data processor coupled to the computer-readable data storage medium, the data processor programmed to perform operations comprising; beginning a session of exchanging synchronous online messages by receiving log-in from a local instant messaging module associated with a subscriber device; receiving from the logged-in device'"'"'s associated local instant messaging module a certificate publication request specifying a digital certificate corresponding to a particular subscriber device; responsive to the certificate publication request, temporarily storing the digital certificate in a publication record in association with the particular subscriber device as long as the associated instant messaging module remains logged-in to the messaging server; responsive to prescribed events, providing other logged-in subscriber devices with selected information concerning the digital certificate for the particular subscriber device; responsive to a particular subscriber device end the session, the messaging server automatically removing the digital certificate from the publication record for the particular subscriber device; receiving a particular subscriber device'"'"'s request to un-publish the digital certificate and in responsive to receiving the request to un-publish the digital certificate, the messaging server removing the digital certificate from the publication record for the particular subscriber device; identifying other logged-in subscriber devices that previously designated the particular subscriber device for potential future secured instant messaging; and notifying the identified other logged-in subscriber devices that the digital certificate for the particular subscriber device is withdrawn from use. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification