Controlling data transmissions from a computer

• US 6,442,607 B1
• Filed: 08/06/1998
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Calderwood, Richard C., Korn, Rodney A., Kisor, Gregory H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): SALAD, ABDULLAHI ELMI
• Application Number:
  US09/130,244
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 713/153, 713/166, 713/200, 713/201, 713/154, 707/529, 707/530, 707/531, 707/507, 710/67, 709/224, 709/225, 709/229
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation

Abstract

A method includes receiving a stream of data in a computer for transmission from the computer. A determination is made whether a portion of the stream of data indicates personal information. Based on the determination, action is automatically taken to control transmission of the portion of the stream. The method may be performed, for example, by a processor of the computer.

Claims

1. A method comprising;

receiving a stream of keystroke data in a first computer for transmission from the first computer;

comparing the keystroke data to at least one predetermined pattern of arbitrary characters indicative of a personal information item to determine whether a portion of the stream of keystroke data indicates the personal information item; and

based on the determination, automatically taking action to control transmission of the portion of the stream.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stream is for transmission to a second computer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second computer comprises a server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

using a keyboard of the first computer to generate the stream of keystroke data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of taking action includes:

prompting a user to indicate whether transmission of the portion is desired if the portion indicates personal information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of taking action includes:

removing the portion from the stream of keystroke data if the portion indicate personal information.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

intercepting the stream of keystroke data before the stream is processed by execution of an operating system.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the personal information items comprises a credit card number.

9. A computer system comprising:

an input device to generate a stream of keystroke data;

an output device; and

a processor to;

compare the keystroke data to at least one predetermined pattern of arbitrary characters indicative of a personal information item to determine whether a portion of the stream of keystroke data indicates the personal information item, and

based on the determination, take action to control transmission of the portion of the stream by the output device.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the input device comprises a keyboard.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the action taken by the processor includes prompting a user to indicate whether transmission of the portion is desired if the portion indicates the personal information.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the action taken by the processor includes a removal of the portion from the stream of data if the portion indicates the personal information.

13. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the processor interacts with the output device to transmit the portion if the portion does not indicate the personal information.

14. The computer system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the personal information items comprises a credit card number.

15. An article comprising a computer readable storage medium storing instructions to cause a computer to:

receive a stream of keystroke data in a first computer for transmission to a second computer;

compare the keystroke data to at least one predetermined pattern of arbitrary characters indicative of a personal information item to determine whether a portion of the stream of keystroke data indicates the personal information item; and

based on the determination, take action to control transmission of the portion of the stream.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the action taken by the computer includes prompting a user to determine whether transmission of the portion is desired if the portion indicates personal information.

17. The article of claim 15, wherein the action taken by the computer includes a removal of the portion from the stream of data if the portion indicates personal information.

18. The article of claim 15, further comprising instructions to cause the computer to intercept the stream of keystroke data before the stream is processed by execution of an operating system.

19. The article of claim 15, wherein at least one of the personal information items comprises a credit card number.

20. A method comprising:

monitoring a stream of keystroke data to determine whether a portion of the stream of keystroke data indicates a pattern of arbitrary characters indicative of personal information; and

selectively regulating access of the keystroke data by a browser application program based on the determination.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

comparing the keystroke data to predetermined patterns of keystroke data to make the determination.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

prompting a user to indicate whether transmission of the portion is desired if the portion indicates personal information.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

removing the portion from the stream of keystroke data if the portion indicates personal information.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

intercepting the stream of keystroke data before the stream is processed by execution of an operating system.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the personal information comprises a credit card number.

26. An article comprising a machine readable storage medium storing instructions to cause a processor to:

monitor a stream of keystroke data to determine whether a portion of the stream of keystroke data indicates a pattern of arbitrary characters indicative of personal information; and

selectively regulate access of the keystroke data by a browser application program based on the determination.

27. The article of claim 26, the medium storing instructions to cause the processor to:

compare the keystroke data to predetermined patterns of keystroke data to make the determination.

28. The article of claim 26, the medium storing instructions to cause the processor to:

prompt a user to indicate whether transmission of the portion is desired if the portion indicates personal information.

29. The article of claim 26, the medium storing instructions to cause the processor to:

remove the portion from the stream of keystroke data if the portion indicates personal information.

30. The article of claim 26, the medium storing instructions to cause the processor to:

intercept the stream of keystroke data before the stream is processed by execution of an operating system.

31. The article of claim 26, wherein the personal information comprises a credit card number.