SHARABLE CONTENT ITEM LINKS WITH USE RESTRICTIONS

• US 20140289810A1
• Filed: 05/19/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dropbox, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dropbox, Inc.
• Inventors: Byrne, Sean, Dabney, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 9,319,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/082 applying multi-factor authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0838 using one-time-passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/168 above the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]

Abstract

Sharable content item links with use restrictions. In one embodiment, for example, a method comprises: receiving, from a client computing device used by an authenticated link submitter, a first request to access a server-stored content item at a sharable link; wherein the link submitter is authenticated according to a first authentication factor; responsive to receiving the first request, prompting the link submitter to enter/submit a second authentication factor; and providing access to the server-stored content item at the shareable link responsive to receiving the second authentication factor from the link submitter.

Claims

1. A method for sharing a server-stored content item, comprising:

receiving, from a client computing device used by an authenticated link submitter, a first request to access a server-stored content item at a sharable link;

wherein the link submitter is authenticated according to a first authentication factor;

responsive to receiving the first request, prompting the link submitter to enter/submit a second authentication factor; and

allowing access to the server-stored content item at the shareable link by the link submitter responsive to receiving the second authentication factor from the link submitter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first authentication factor is a password provided by the link submitter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second authentication factor is a password or pin code provided by the link submitter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second authentication factor is a fingerprint, an eye print, or other biometric information detected from the link submitter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sharable link is in the form of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the server-stored content item is one of a file or a folder.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the access requested by the link submitter is to download the server-stored content item to the client computing device of the link submitter.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the access requested by the link submitter is to view the server-stored content item at the client computing device of the link submitter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the access requested by the link submitter is to view a preview of the server-stored content item at the client computing device of the link submitter.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting the link submitter to enter/submit the second authentication factor based on a use restriction associated with the shareable link.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first authentication factor is a password provided by the link submitter.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authentication factor is a password or pin code provided by the link submitter.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authentication factor is a fingerprint, an eye print, or other biometric information detected from the link submitter.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the sharable link is in the form of a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the server-stored content item is one of a file or a folder.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the access requested by the link submitter is to download the server-stored content item to the client computing device of the link submitter.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the access requested by the link submitter is to view the server-stored content item at the client computing device of the link submitter.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the access requested by the link submitter is to view a preview of the server-stored content item at the client computing device of the link submitter.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more computing devices, further cause:

prompting the link submitter to enter/submit the second authentication factor based on a use restriction associated with the shareable link.

11. A system comprising:

one or more computing devices configured with instructions which, when executed by the one or more computing devices, cause;

receiving, from a client computing device used by an authenticated link submitter, a first request to access a server-stored content item at a sharable link;

wherein the link submitter is authenticated according to a first authentication factor;

responsive to receiving the first request, prompting the link submitter to enter/submit a second authentication factor; and

allowing access to the server-stored content item at the shareable link by the link submitter responsive to receiving the second authentication factor from the link submitter.