Internet appliance integrating telephone function security and guidance features
First Claim
1. A method of integrating telephony function with security and guidance features on an Internet appliance comprising the steps of:
- selecting a communication access number using a selection means, said communication access number operable to access a communication link via said Internet appliance;
alerting a user of said Internet appliance when an attempt is made to select said communication link via a dialing action of said Internet appliance using said communication access number;
receiving an authorization for said dialing action by said user of said Internet appliance;
using a security protocol for encrypting and decrypting information transmitted on said communication link in response to authorizing said dialing action for said communication link; and
using a built-in key escrow function to notify a trusted server of a current dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) assigned IP address along with a key indicating authenticity of transmission so that voice over IP services between devices and a web page server lookup may be performed in a DHCP environment without side-channel communication for call or web reference look-up.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An Internet appliance has added hardware and software functionality to allow communication where a dialing action request is authorization is verified using a personal identification means (PIM). A user first selects a communication access number by requesting a dialing action on a actual or a virtual keypad or by clicking a “hot spot” on a Web page. Selecting an access number (e.g., dialing of a telephone number), alerts the user of the Internet appliance of the selection process whether the user instigates or the selection is attempted from a remote device using the Internet appliance facilities. Either method will trigger software commands that prompt the user to enter a PIM either to authorize his own use or another one'"'"'s use of the Internet appliance. The PIM may comprise, but is not limited to, keying in a personal identification number (PIN), a biometric identification, or a smart card stored number. The PIM is correlated to an authorization means that verifies that the user so identified is authorized to make or allow the prescribed connection. The Internet appliance has a security protocol that is used to encrypt and decrypt the PIM data. Also the device drivers used to execute a dialing action are also encrypted by the security protocol and are only decrypted on granting of authorized use of the Internet appliance. If the user so requests and is authorized, they may also select to use the security protocol to execute secure communication. The security protocol includes but is not limited to a Public/Private symmetric key technology.
12 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of integrating telephony function with security and guidance features on an Internet appliance comprising the steps of:
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selecting a communication access number using a selection means, said communication access number operable to access a communication link via said Internet appliance; alerting a user of said Internet appliance when an attempt is made to select said communication link via a dialing action of said Internet appliance using said communication access number; receiving an authorization for said dialing action by said user of said Internet appliance; using a security protocol for encrypting and decrypting information transmitted on said communication link in response to authorizing said dialing action for said communication link; and using a built-in key escrow function to notify a trusted server of a current dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) assigned IP address along with a key indicating authenticity of transmission so that voice over IP services between devices and a web page server lookup may be performed in a DHCP environment without side-channel communication for call or web reference look-up. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for integrating telephony function with security and guidance features on an Internet appliance (IA):
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one or more personal identification means (PIM) input units coupled to a system bus in an ICA, said PIM input units operable to generate unique PIM signals; a security protocol circuit operable to encrypt, decrypt, store and retrieve said PIM signals and device driver code; a PIM verification circuit operable to receive said PIM signals and compare them to a secure predetermined PIM signals, said PIM verification circuit generating a verification signal; one or more Modems coupled to a dialing action controller and to communication lines;
said Modems operable to send and receive communication data;a dialing action controller (DAC) coupled to said system bus and said Modems, said DAC operable to receive a dialing action request and to alert a user of said dialing action and to enable or disable said dialing action to said Modems in response to said verification signal and a user signal; wherein said DAC uses a built-in key escrow function to notify a trusted server of a current dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) assigned IP address along with a key indicating authenticity of transmission so that voice over IP services between devices and a web page server lookup may be performed in a DHCP environment without side-channel communication for call or web reference look-up. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An Internet appliance, comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU); a read only memory (RAM); a random access memory (RAM); a user interface adapter coupled to a keyboard and a mouse; a display interface adapter coupled to a user display; an I/O interface adapter; a system bus; a communication adapter; and a security processing unit, said security processing unit further comprising; one or more personal identification means (PIM) input units coupled to a system bus in an ICA, said PIM input units operable to generate unique PIM signals; a security protocol circuit operable to encrypt, decrypt, store and retrieve said PIM signals and device driver code; a PIM verification circuit, said PIM verification circuit operable to receive said PIM signals and compare them to secure predetermined PIM signals, said PIM verification circuit generating a verification signal; one or more Modems coupled to a dialing action controller and to communication lines, said Modems operable to send and receive communication data; a dialing action controller (DAC) coupled to said system bus and said Modems, said DAC operable to receive a dialing action request and to alert a user of said dialing action and to enable or disable said dialing action to said Modems in response to said verification signal and a user signal; and wherein said DAC uses a built-in key escrow function to notify a trusted server of a current dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) assigned IP address along with a key indicating authenticity of transmission so that voice over IP services between devices and a web page server lookup may be performed in a DHCP environment without side-channel communication for call or web reference look-up. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification