Title: Communications method and device
Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication method that includes an operation of receiving a succession of pages originating from a first site of a computer network. That method further includes an operation of memory storage of information representative of the succession of pages, outside the first site and an operation of associating a certificate of integrity with the memory-stored information representative of the succession of pages. The certificate of integrity is stored in memory in association with the information representative of the succession of pages. The certificate of integrity makes it possible to detect any alteration to the memory-stored information representative of the succession of pages, subsequent to its being stored in memory.
Patent Number: 7,020,774 Issued on 03/28/2006 to Cornuejols, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Cornuejols; Georges Marc (1148 Westmoreland Rd., Alexandria, VA 22308);
Cornuéjols; Emmanuelle Maurecette (1148 Westmoreland Rd., Alexandria, VA 22308)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
719567 |
| Filed:
|
August 30, 2000 |
| PCT Filed:
|
August 30, 2000
|
| PCT NO:
|
PCT/IB00/01312
|
| 371 Date:
|
December 29, 2000
|
| 102(e) Date:
|
December 29, 2000
|
| PCT PUB.NO.:
|
WO01/16784 |
| PCT PUB. Date:
|
March 8, 2001 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Aug 30, 1999[FR] | 99 11250 |
| Sep 06, 1999[FR] | 99 12108 |
| Oct 05, 1999[FR] | 99 13401 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
713/176; 713/175; 713/200; 713/201; 713/156; 713/168; 713/178; 705/67; 705/75; 705/76 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
H04L 9/00 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
713/175-176,200-201,50,156,168,178,150,180,187
705/67,75,76,78,79,53,51,26,44,404-405
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
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| |
| 5715314 | Feb., 1998 | Payne et al.
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| 5825881 | Oct., 1998 | Colvin, Sr.
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| 5826241 | Oct., 1998 | Stein et al.
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| 5883810 | Mar., 1999 | Franklin et al.
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| 5909023 | Jun., 1999 | Ono et al.
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| 5960411 | Sep., 1999 | Hartman et al.
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| 6061792 | May., 2000 | Simon.
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| 6105012 | Aug., 2000 | Chang et al.
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| 6167378 | Dec., 2000 | Webber, Jr.
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| 6185683 | Feb., 2001 | Ginter et al.
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| 6282658 | Aug., 2001 | French et al.
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| 2001/0011350 | Aug., 2001 | Zabetian.
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| 2002/0162006 | Oct., 2002 | Takahashi et al.
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| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 0 845 733 | Jun., 1998 | EP.
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| WO 95/1697/1 | Jun., 1995 | WO.
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| WO 98/2167/9 | May., 1998 | WO.
| |
Other References
Hayashi et al.; "Temporally-Threaded Workspace: A Model for Providing Activity-Based
Perspectives on Document Spaces"; ACM Conference on Hypertext and Hypermedia; New
York, NY; ACM, Jun. 20, 1998; pp. 87-96; XP000868462.
Herda; "Non-repudiation: Constituting evidence and proof in digital cooperation";
Computer Standards and Interfaces; Elsevier Sequoia, Lausanne; CH; vol. 17, No.
1, 1995; pp. 69-79; XP004046750.
Sung-Woo Tak et al. "Modeling and Design of Notarial system supporting Secure
Transactions in Electronic Commerce based on the Internet", Proceedings; International
Conference on Information Networking; Jan. 21, 1998; pp. 257-260; XP002118185.
|
Primary Examiner: Morse; Gregory
Assistant Examiner: Tran; Tongoc
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Young & Thompson
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A communications method, comprising the steps of:
a user accessing a first site, via a computer network, from a first device;
during access of the first site, the user successively selecting pages from the
first site and receiving, from the first site to the first device, the selected
pages, the successively selected and received pages forming a succession of pages,
the selected pages being originated by the first site, the succession of pages
being originated by the user's selection of pages;
storing information representative of the received succession of pages in a storage
first memory located outside the first site; and
associating a certificate of integrity with the memory-stored information representative
of the received succession of pages;
the certificate of integrity being permanently memory-stored in association with
the information representative of the succession of pages,
the certificate of integrity enabling detection of any alteration, to the memory-stored
information representative of the received succession of pages, made subsequent
to the information being stored in the first memory,
the information representative of the received succession of pages documenting
a content of the received succession of pages,
the first memory being a non-volatile memory,
a step of detecting information characteristic of a transaction with the first
site; and
upon detection of information characteristic of a transaction with the first
site, continuing to store the memory-stored information representative of the succession
of pages,
upon the step of detecting information not detecting information characteristic
of a transaction with the first site, a step of deleting the memory-stored information
representative of the succession of pages of the first site.
2. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a time-stamping step attributing a date to at least one of the receiving and
memory-storage steps,
the date being permanently memory-stored in association with the information
representative of the succession of pages, and
the certificate of integrity enabling detection of an alteration to the date
subsequent to the date being stored.
3. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of determining an address of the first site on the network, the address
being permanently memory-stored in association with the information representative
of the succession of pages,
the certificate of integrity enabling detection of an alteration to the address
subsequent to the address being stored.
4. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of determining a display duration for each page of the succession, the
duration being permanently memory-stored in association with the information representative
of the succession of pages,
the certificate of integrity enabling detection of an alteration to the duration
subsequent to the duration being stored.
5. A communications method according to claim 1, wherein said first site is one
of a plurality of predetermined sites of the network, and further comprising:
a step of determining addresses of pages of said first site,
the memory-storage step including memory storage of the pages, of the first site,
having the determined addresses,
the pages, having the determined addresses, being permanently memory-stored in
association with the information representative of the succession of pages, and
the certificate of integrity enabling detection of an alteration to the pages
subsequent to the pages being stored in the first memory.
6. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of displaying at least a part of each user-selected page received in the
course of the receiving step, and
in the course of the memory-storage step, a step of storing the displayed parts
of the selected pages.
7. A communications method according to claim 1, wherein the information permanently
memory-stored in the course of the memory-storage step includes the information,
in text format, of the succession of pages.
8. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of communicating with a second site of the network and of transmitting,
to the second site, information dependent on the first site.
9. A communications method according to claim 8, further comprising:
a step of receiving, at the first device, information originating from the second
site; and
a step of storing information representative of the information originating from
the second site.
10. A communications method according to claim 8, further comprising:
a step of transmitting to the second site information representative of the received pages,
the memory-storage step being carried out by the second site.
11. A communications method according to claim 10, wherein,
the step of receiving the pages to the first device being carried out via the
second site.
12. A communications method according to claim 8, further comprising:
a step of reading, on the first site, information of at least one page, the address
of which page is based on received information originating from the second site.
13. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of selecting a date;
a step of storing the date;
at the date, a step of displaying a dialogue window on a visual-display screen
of a terminal; and
depending on the user's answer to the displayed dialogue, a step of automatic
opening of a second communications session between the terminal and a distant site.
14. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of displaying parts of pages of the succession of pages, other parts of
the succession of pages not being displayed;
a step of automatically downloading pages of the first site not selected by the
user; and
a step of memory storage of information of the non-displayed pages of the first
site, outside the first site.
15. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of displaying, by a computer terminal, parts of pages of the succession
of pages; and
a step of memory storage, at a second site independent of the terminal, of information
representative of the displayed parts of pages.
16. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
an automatic step of receiving, originating from a second site, contextual information
depending on an identifier of the first site;
a triggering step; and
depending on the triggering step, a step of displaying the contextual information.
17. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of communicating, via a communications network, in the course of which
communicating data is exchanged between a terminal and the network;
a further step of memory storage of data originating from the communications
network in the course of the communications step;
in the course of the further memory-storage step, a step of determining the necessity
to keep the memory-stored data, on the basis of the data sent on the network by
the terminal in the course of the communications step; and
a step of keeping the memory-stored data depending on the result of the step
for determining the necessity to keep the memory-stored data.
18. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of detecting an electronic signature; and
in case an electronic signature is detected, a step of memory storage of information
representative of at least one page of the succession of pages, outside the first site.
19. A communications method according to claim 1, wherein, in the course of the
memory-storage step, the information stored in the first memory is representative
of each page of the succession of pages accessed between a start of the memory-storage
step and an end of the memory-storage step.
20. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising:
a step of detecting an electronic signature; and
a step of joining at least one page of the succession of pages to a document
to be signed,
the electronic signature depending on each joined page.
21. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of
detecting a change to a security-protected mode of the communication on the computer
network between the first device and the first site, the step of memory storage
of information representative of said succession of pages depending on the detected change.
22. A communications method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of
detecting predetermined information received from the first site, the step of memory
storage of information representative of the succession of pages depending on the
detected information.
23. A communication device, comprising:
a device for, via a network, a user successively selecting pages from a first
site and receiving to the device the selected pages, the selected pages being originated
by the first site, the successively selected and received pages forming a succession
of pages, the succession of pages being originated by the user's selection of pages;
a non-volatile memory for storing information representative of the succession
of pages, outside the first site; and
means for associate a certificate of integrity with the memory-stored information
representative of the succession of pages,
the certificate of integrity being stored in the memory in association with the
information representative of the succession of pages,
the certificate of integrity enabling detection of any alteration made to the
memory-stored information made subsequent to the memory-stored information being
stored in the memory;
a step of detecting information characteristic of a transaction with the first
site; and
upon detection of information characteristic of a transaction with the first
site, continuing to store the memory-stored information representative of the succession
of pages,
upon the step of detecting information not detecting information characteristic
of a transaction with the first site, a step of deleting the memory-stored information
representative of the succession of pages of the first site.
24. An internet communication validation method, comprising the steps of:
from a first communication device, a user internet accessing a first web site;
during access of the first site, selecting at least one web pages from the first
site and receiving the selected page, from the first site to the first device,
each selected page being originated by the first site;
storing information representative of each received page in a first non-volatile
memory of the first communication device; and
associating a certificate of integrity with the memory-stored information representative
of each received page,
the certificate of integrity being permanently memory-stored in association with
the information representative of each received page,
the certificate of integrity enabling detection of any alteration, to the memory-stored
information representative of each received page, made subsequent to the information
being stored in the first memory,
the stored information representative of the received page together with the
certificate of integrity, enabling verification of a content of each received page,
a step of detecting information characteristic of a transaction with the first
site; and
upon detection of information characteristic of a transaction with the first
site, continuing to store the memory-stored information representative of the succession
of pages,
upon the step of detecting information not detecting information characteristic
of a transaction with the first site, a step of deleting the memory-stored information
representative of the succession of pages of the first site.
25. A communications method according to claim 1, wherein,
the first device is a computer,
the succession of pages are selected from publicly-available pages, and
the certificate of integrity is stored in the storage first memory.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communications method and a communications
device. The present invention applies, in particular, to communications via a data-communications
network, for example the Internet.
The present invention relates to a communications method and a communications
device. More particularly, the present invention applies to protecting the security
of data, on-line transactions or communications. Even more particularly, the present
invention applies to protecting the security of transmissions of confidential information
and purchases made via a communications network, for example the Internet.
The user of such a communications network, for example the Internet, feels a
certain amount of disquiet when he ventures onto this network. He cannot keep organized
track of the data pages which he receives, he cannot easily identify the bodies,
physical or legal, with whom he has to deal, and he feels unsafe in the course
of his on-line purchasing.
The users of such a network are poorly protected against abuses on the part of
third parties, for example by other users of the network or data sites which deliver
content on the network.
The present invention intends to remedy these drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect, the present invention envisages a security-protection
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of memory storage of characteristics of data known as "confidential",
an operation of opening a communication on a communications network,
an operation of comparing characteristics of data to be transmitted on the said
network with the said characteristics stored in memory and
when a characteristic of data to be transmitted corresponds to a characteristic
of confidential data, an operation of delaying the transmission of the said data
to be transmitted.
According to particular features of the method according to the first aspect
of the present invention, the said comparison operation is carried out as a background
task with respect to the communications operation.
According to particular features of the method according to the first aspect
of the present invention the characteristics of the confidential data are insufficient
to determine the confidential data protected.
According to a second aspect, the present invention envisages a memory-management
method, characterized in that it includes:
at least one operation of communication via a communications network,
at least one operation of memory storage of various types of data originating
from the said network in the course of the said communications operation,
an operation of determining the necessity of deleting certain memory-stored data, and
when it is necessary to delete memory-stored data, a delete operation in the
course of which the memory-stored data is deleted as a function of its memory-storage
date and of its type, the data of at least one predetermined type being kept for
a longer time than the data of at least one other type.
According to particular features of the method according to the second
aspect of the present invention, the necessity-determining operation includes an
operation of comparison of a memory space with a predetermined memory space value.
According to particular features of the method according to the second
aspect of the present invention, the method includes a comparison of a page already
stored in memory and of a page visited in the course of the operation of communicating
on a communications network and, in the course of the memory-storage operation,
only the pages not yet stored in memory are stored in memory.
According to a third aspect, the present invention envisages a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of opening a first communications session with a first site of a
communications network,
an operation of opening a second communications session with a second site of
the said communications network,
an operation of transmitting, to the said second site, information relating to
the first session, and
an operation of receiving information, relating to the first session, originating
from the said second site.
According to particular features of the method according to the third aspect
of the present invention, the said operation of transmitting to the said second
site includes an operation of automatically transmitting an identifier of the said
first site.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the communications method includes an operation
of memory storage of at least one characteristic of an item of confidential information,
and the said operation of opening a second communications session includes an operation
of detecting a characteristic of an item of confidential information in data to
be transmitted to the said first site.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the communications method includes an operation
of transmitting, to the said first site, information based on received information
originating from the said second site.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the received information originating from the
second site includes a root or code generating a means-of-payment identifier.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the communications method includes an operation
of transmitting the said means-of-payment identifier to the said first site.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the operation of transmitting to the said second
site information relating to the first session includes an operation of transmitting
an identifier of a product or service capable of being supplied via the said first site.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the communications method includes an operation
of automatic memory storage of data received from the first site in the course
of the said first session.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the communications method includes an operation
of requesting information making it possible to determine a single-use means-of-payment identifier.
The third aspect of the present invention also envisages a communications method
characterized in that it includes:
an operation of opening a communications session called "second" session with
a terminal,
an operation of receiving information, originating from the said terminal, relating
to a communications session known as "first" communication session in which the
said terminal participates and
an operation of supplying, to the said terminal, information relating to the
first session.
According to particular features of the method according to the third aspect
of the present invention, the information relating to the first session includes
a generator code or root making it possible to define a single-use means-of-payment identifier.
According to other particular features of the method according to the third
aspect of the present invention, the communications method includes an operation
of receiving the said identifier, an operation of verifying the validity of the
said identifier, an operation of triggering payment and an operation of invalidating
the said identifier.
According to a fourth aspect, the present invention envisages an on-line
payment method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of opening a first communications session with a first site, via
a communications network,
an operation of receiving a root of a single-use means-of-payment identifier,
from the said first site,
an operation of determining a single-use means-of-payment identifier,
an operation of supplying the said identifier to a second site via the said communications
network, in the course of a second communications session, and
a payment operation using the said single-use means of payment.
In relation to the fourth aspect, the present invention envisages a payment method
characterized in that it includes:
an operation of generating a root of a single-use means-of-payment identifier,
an operation of transmitting the said root to a user, via a communications network,
an operation of receiving a single-use means-of-payment identifier from a third party,
an operation of verifying correspondence between the said identifier and the
said
root, and, when there is correspondence:
- an operation of paying the said third party, debiting the said user, and
- an operation of invalidating the said single-use means of payment following
the first payment operation using the said means of payment.
According to particular features of the method according to the fourth
aspect of the present invention, this method includes an operation of authenticating
the user.
According to particular features of the method according to the fourth
aspect of the present invention, this authentication operation includes an operation
of recognizing an identifier of a permanent-use means of payment.
According to particular features of the method according to the fourth
aspect of the present invention, the single-use means-of-payment identifier is
a payment-card identifier, for example with 20 figures lying between 0 and 9.
According to particular features of the method according to the fourth
aspect of the present invention, the operation of opening the second session precedes
the operation of opening the first session.
According to particular features of the method according to the fourth
aspect of the present invention, the payment operation includes an operation of
verifying an identifier of the second site.
According to a fifth aspect, the present invention envisages a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of opening a first communications session between a terminal and
a site of a communications network,
an operation of selecting a date,
an operation of storing the said date in memory and,
at the said date, an operation of automatic opening of a second communications
session between the said terminal and the said site.
According to particular features of the method according to the fifth aspect
of the present invention, this method includes an operation of interrogating a
user of the said terminal and the said second session depends on at least one response
given by the said user.
According to a sixth aspect, the present invention envisages a method of
storing communications in memory characterized in that it includes an operation
of memory storage of contents of pages accessible via a communications network
and an operation of re-reading the memory-stored contents including an operation
of selecting re-read speed and, when a slow re-read speed is selected, a first
operation of displaying memory-stored content for a first duration and, when a
high re-read speed is selected, a second operation of displaying memory-stored
content for a second duration less than the first duration.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, when a slow re-read function is selected, in the course
of the first display operation, a first portion of memory-stored content is displayed
and, in the course of the second display operation, a second portion of memory-stored
content is displayed, the second portion being different from the first portion.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the second portion includes at least one page address
accessible on the communications network.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the second portion includes at least one memory-storage date.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the second portion includes a page header content accessible
on the communications network.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the method includes an operation of displaying parts
of accessible pages and the first portion includes an operation of re-displaying
parts of pages already displayed, in the order of their first display in the course
of the display operation.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, in the course of the memory-storage operation, the user
selects the pages to be stored in memory.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the method includes an operation of authenticating the
user, before the re-reading operation.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the first portion includes the second portion.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the first re-read operation is automatic, each element
of the information stored in memory and displayed not remaining displayed for more
than a predetermined duration.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the method includes an operation of selecting keys displayed
in a tool bar on the visual-display screen where the content portions are displayed.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the method includes an operation of stopping re-reading
and, following the operation of stopping re-reading, an operation of displaying
the whole of the content stored in memory relating to the page being displayed
at the moment when stopping re-reading was selected.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixth aspect
of the present invention, the method includes an operation of selecting re-read
order, in the course of which the user selects a page-scrolling order identical
to the memory-storage order or a page-scrolling order which is the reverse of the
memory-storage order.
According to a seventh aspect, the present invention envisages a communications
memory-storage method characterized in that it includes an operation of receiving
pages originating from a communications network, an operation of displaying received
pages, an operation of selecting a group of pages, an operation of storing in memory
the content of the said pages relating to the group selected, an operation of selecting
a group of pages and an operation of re-displaying memory-stored pages relating
to the selected group.
According to an eighth aspect, the present invention envisages a method
of transmitting a page on a communications network characterized in that it includes:
a first operation of requesting transmission of a first content of the said page
corresponding to a first quantity of information to be transmitted and, in the
event of failure of the transmission due to a predetermined transmission duration
being exceeded,
an operation of automatically determining a second content of the said page,
the
second content corresponding to a quantity of information to be transmitted less
than the first quantity and an operation of requesting transmission of the said
second content of the said page.
According to particular features of the method according to the eighth
aspect of the present invention, the second content is a part of the first content.
According to particular features of the method according to the eighth
aspect of the present invention, the second content corresponds to text files.
According to particular features of the method according to the eighth
aspect of the present invention, the first content corresponds to files representing
images and/or sounds.
It will be observed that the method can be implemented at any point of the communications
network, and, in particular, in the computer terminal or in a computer system of
a provider of access to the said network. It will be observed that the security-protection
means may also be located on the communications network, at any point and, in particular,
in the computer terminal or in a computer system of a provider of access to the
said network.
The present invention also envisages a data site, a server, a computer, characterized
in that they implement the method briefly set out above. The present invention
also envisages an information medium, such as a diskette, a hard disk, a compact
disc or a computer memory, which holds program instructions for:
opening a communications session between a computer terminal and a data site,
via a communications network,
automatically detecting a preparation for payment by transmission,
in the course of the said session, via the said terminal, of a means-of-payment
identifier, and
when payment preparation is detected, automatically security-protecting the
said payment outside the said data site, at least by backing up the amount of the
payment outside the said data site.
The present invention envisages, according to a ninth aspect, a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of receiving a succession of pages originating from a first site
of a computer network,
an operation of memory storage of information representative of the said succession
of pages, outside the said first site, and
an operation of associating a certificate of integrity with the memory-stored
information representative of the said succession of pages, the said certificate
of integrity being stored in memory in association with the information representative
of the said succession of pages, the said certificate of integrity making it possible
to detect any alteration to the memory-stored information representative of the
said succession of pages, subsequent to its being stored in memory.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes a time-stamping operation attributing a date
to at least one of the reception and memory-storage operations; the said date is
stored in memory in association with the information representative of the said
succession of pages and the certificate of integrity makes it possible to detect
an alteration to the said date subsequent to its being stored in memory.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of determining an address of the
said first site on the said network, the said address being stored in memory in
association with the information representative of the said succession of pages,
and the certificate of integrity makes it possible to detect an alteration to the
said address subsequent to its being stored in memory.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of determining a display duration
for each page of the said succession, the said duration being stored in memory
in association with the information representative of the said succession of pages,
and the certificate of integrity makes it possible to detect an alteration to the
said duration subsequent to its being stored in memory.
According to particular features of the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention, for each site of a plurality of sites of the said network,
the method includes an operation of determining addresses of pages of the said
site, the said memory-storage operation including memory storage of the said pages,
the said pages being stored in memory in association with the information representative
of the said succession of pages, and the certificate of integrity makes it possible
to detect an alteration to the said pages subsequent to their being stored in memory.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of displaying the pages received
in the course of the receiving operation, and in the course of the memory-storage
operation the parts of the pages received which are displayed in the course of
the display operation are stored in memory.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of displaying the pages received
in the course of the receiving operation, and, in the course of the memory-storage
operation, indicators of the parts of the received pages which are displayed in
the course of the display operation are stored in memory.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of displaying pages received in
the course of the receiving operation, and, in the course of the memory-storage
operation, the parts of the received pages which are not displayed in the course
of the display operation are not stored in memory.
According to particular features, in the method according to the ninth
aspect of the present invention, the information stored in memory in the course
of the memory-storage operation includes the information, in text format, of the
said succession of pages.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of communicating with a second site
of the said network and of transmitting, to the said second site, information dependent
on the first site.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of communicating with a second site
of the said network and of receiving information originating from the said second
site, the information stored in memory being representative of the said information
originating from the second site.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of communicating with a second site
of the said network and of transmitting to the said second site information representative
of the said pages, the memory-storage operation being carried out by the said second site.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of communicating with a second site
of the said network, the receiving operation being carried out via the said second site.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of detecting information characteristic
of a transaction with the said first site, and an operation of deleting the memory-stored
information representative of the said succession of pages of the said first site,
the said delete operation depending on the said detection.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of detecting information characteristic
of a transaction with the said first site, the said memory-storage operation depending
on the said detection.
According to particular features, the method according to the ninth aspect
of the present invention includes an operation of detecting information characteristic
of a transaction with the said first site, by determining a preparation for communication
to the first site of information corresponding to information known as "information
to be protected" kept in a memory.
The present invention envisages, according to a tenth aspect, a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of receiving a succession of pages originating from a first site
of a computer network,
an operation of displaying parts of pages of the said succession of pages,
an operation of memory storage of information representative of the said parts
of displayed pages, outside the said first site, the said information being identified
in memory as displayed and
an operation of memory storage of information of parts of pages not displayed,
originating from the said first site, outside the said first site, the said information
being identified in memory as not displayed.
The tenth aspect of the invention exhibits, according to particular features,
all or some of the features of the ninth aspect.
The present invention envisages, according to an eleventh aspect, a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of receiving, via a computer terminal, a succession of pages originating
from a first site of a computer network,
an operation of displaying, by the computer terminal, parts of pages of the said
succession, and
an operation of memory storage, at a second data site independent of the said
terminal, of information representative of the said parts of pages displayed.
The eleventh aspect of the invention exhibits, according to particular features,
all or some of the features of the ninth aspect.
The present invention envisages, according to a twelfth aspect, a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of receiving, by a computer terminal, a succession of pages originating
from a first data site,
an automatic operation of receiving, by the computer terminal, originating from
a second information site, contextual information depending on an identifier of
the said first site,
a triggering operation, and
an operation of displaying the said contextual information.
The present invention envisages, according to a thirteenth aspect, a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of receiving, via a computer terminal, a succession of pages originating
from a first site,
an operation of detecting an electronic signature,
an operation of memory storage of information representative of at least one
page
of the said succession of pages, outside the said first site, depending on the
said detection.
According to particular features of the method according to the thirteenth
aspect of the present invention, in the course of the memory-storage operation,
the information stored in memory is representative of a plurality of pages of the
said succession.
According to particular features of the method according to the thirteenth
aspect of the present invention, in the course of the memory-storage operation,
the information stored in memory is representative of at least one page at which
the said electronic signature is requested.
According to particular features of the method according to the thirteenth
aspect of the present invention, in the course of the memory-storage operation,
information stored in memory is representative of each page of the said succession.
According to particular features, the method according to the thirteenth
aspect of the present invention includes an operation of determining a start of
a contractual document and an operation of determining the end of a contractual
document, and, in the course of the memory-storage operation, the information stored
in memory is representative of each page accessed between the start of document
and the end of document.
According to particular features, the method according to the thirteenth
aspect of the present invention includes an operation of associating a certificate
of integrity with the memory-stored information representative of the said succession
of pages, the said certificate of integrity being stored in memory in association
with the information representative of at least one page of the said succession
of pages, the said certificate of integrity making it possible to detect any alteration
to the information stored in memory, subsequent to its being stored in memory.
According to particular features, the said signature includes a certificate
of integrity stored in memory in association with the information representative
of at least one page of the said succession of pages, the said certificate of integrity
making it possible to detect any alteration to the information stored in memory,
subsequent to its being stored in memory.
According to a fourteenth aspect, the present invention envisages a communications
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of receiving, via a computer terminal, a succession of pages originating
from a first site,
an operation of detecting an electronic signature,
an operation of editing a plurality of pages of the said succession,
the said electronic signature depending on the said plurality of pages.
According to particular features, the method according to the fourteenth
aspect of the present invention includes an operation of conjoint displaying of
information representative of the said plurality of pages.
According to particular features, the method according to the fourteenth
aspect of the present invention includes an operation of transmitting information
representative of the said memory-storage operation in association with an electronic-signature
transmission operation.
According to a fifteenth aspect, the present invention envisages a memory-management
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of determining at least one item of data called "data to be protected",
at least two operations of communicating via a communications network, and, for
each communications operation:
an operation of determining a preparation for transmission of data to be protected
in the course of the said communications operation,
an operation of memory storage of data received in the course of said communications
operation, and of an indicator for determination or not determination of preparation
for transmission of data to be protected,
an operation of determining the necessity to delete certain memory-stored data, and
when it is necessary to delete memory-stored data, a delete operation in the
course of which the memory-stored data is treated differently on the basis of the
memory-storage date and of the value of the said indicator.
According to a sixteenth aspect, the present invention envisages a memory-management
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of determining at least two levels of protection for data called
"data to be protected",
at least two operations of communicating via a communications network, and, for
each communications operation:
an operation of determining the preparation for transmission of data to be protected
in the course of the said communications operation,
an operation of memory storage of data received in the course of said communications
operation, and of an indicator of a level of protection of data to be protected,
preparation for transmission of which has been determined,
an operation of determining the necessity to delete certain memory-stored data, and
when it is necessary to delete memory-stored data, a delete operation in the
course of which the memory-stored data is treated differently on the basis of the
memory-storage date and of the value of the said indicator.
According to particular features of the method according to the sixteenth
aspect of the present invention, the necessity-determining operation includes an
operation of comparing a memory space with a predetermined memory-space value.
According to a seventeenth aspect, the present invention envisages a memory-management
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of determining at least one item of data called "data to be protected",
at least two operations of communicating via a communications network, and, for
each communications operation:
an operation of determining the preparation for transmission of data to be protected
in the course of the said communications operation,
an operation of memory storage of data received in the course of said communications
operation, the said memory-storage operation depending on the said determination
or non-determination of preparation for transmission of data to be protected.
According to particular features of the method according to the seventeenth
aspect of the present invention, the memory-storage operation includes an operation
of encrypting memory-stored data.
According to an eighteenth aspect, the present invention envisages a memory-management
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of determining at least one item of data called "data to be protected",
at least two operations of communicating via a communications network, and, for
each communications operation:
an operation of determining a transmission of data to be protected in the course
of the said communications operation,
an operation of memory storage of data representative of data received in the
course of said communications operation, the said memory-storage operation depending
on the said determination or non-determination of transmission of data to be protected, and
an operation of transmitting, to the said network, information representative
of the said memory-storage operation.
According to particular features of the method according to the eighteenth
aspect of the present invention, the said operation of transmitting information
representative of the said operation is carried out by electronic mail.
According to a nineteenth aspect, the present invention envisages a memory-management
method characterized in that it includes:
an operation of determining at least two levels of protection of data known as
"data to be protected",
at least two operations of communicating, via a communications network, and,
for
each communications operation:
- an operation of determining preparation for transmission of data to
be protected in the course of the said communications operation,
- an operation of memory storage of data received in the course of said
communications operations, the said memory storage depending on the level of protection
of data to be protected which is determined in the course of the said determination operation,
According to particular features of the method according to the nineteenth
aspect of the present invention, the memory-storage operation employs different
data formats, in connection with the result of the said determination operation.
A twentieth aspect of the present invention envisages a data-protection method
characterized in that it includes:
an operation of selecting software context for protection of data called "data
to be protected", in the course of which a user determines in which case, among
at least two of the following cases, data to be protected have to be protected;
outside communications on an international communications network,
for electronic-mail communications on an international communications network, and/or
for Internet web site visits;
an operation of detection of use, by a user, of data to be protected, in one
of
the selected software contexts; and
an operation of memory storage of information representative of the said use.
A twenty-first aspect of the present invention envisages a data-storage method
characterized in that it includes:
an operation of communicating, via a communications network, in the course of
which data is exchanged between a terminal and the said network,
an operation of memory storage of data originating from the said communications
network in the course of the said communications operation,
in the course of the said memory-storage operation, an operation of determining
the necessity to keep the said memory-stored data, on the basis of the data sent
on the said network by the said terminal in the course of the said communications
operation, and
an operation of keeping the said memory-stored data depending on the result of
the said operation for determining the necessity to keep the said memory-stored data.
A twenty-second aspect of the present invention envisages a method for contextual
information characterized in that it includes:
a first communications operation, via a communications network, in the course
of
which first data is exchanged between a terminal and a first remote server,
a second communications operation, via the said communications network, in the
course of which second data depending on the first remote server is exchanged with
a second remote server,
in the course of the said communications operation, an operation of determining
the necessity to display the said second data, on the basis of the first data sent
by the terminal in the course of the said first communications operation, and
an operation of displaying the said second data depending on the result of the
said operation for determining the necessity to display the said second data.
According to particular features of the method according to the twenty-second
aspect of the present invention, the said second data is representative of pages
supplied by the said first remote server.
According to particular features, the method according to the twenty-second
aspect of the present invention includes an operation of memory storage of all
or part of the said first data and of all or part of the said second data.
A twenty-third aspect of the present invention envisages a method of keeping
data
remotely characterized in that it includes:
a first communications operation, via a communications network, in the course
of
which first data is exchanged between a terminal and a first remote server,
a second communications operation, via the said communications network, in the
course of which second data depending on the first data is received by a second
remote server,
in the course of the said first communications operation, an operation of determining
the necessity to keep the said second data, on the basis of the first data sent
by the terminal in the course of the said first communications operation, and
an operation of keeping the said second data depending on the result of the said
operation for determining the necessity to keep the said second data.
According to particular features of the method according to the twenty-third
aspect of the present invention, the said second data is page addresses supplied
by the said first server and, in the course of the keeping operation, at least
one type of data, for example the text data, situated at the said addresses is kept.
According to particular features of the method according to the twenty-third
aspect of the present invention, the said second data includes an identifier of
the first remote server, of the terminal, of the date of the first communications operation.
According to particular features of the method according to the twenty-third
aspect of the present invention, the said second data is representative of the
first data which is displayed on the said terminal.
A twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention envisages a method of keeping
data
remotely characterized in that it includes:
a first communications operation, via a communications network, in the course
of
which first data is exchanged between a
