FIGURE 22 is technically not part of
this patent application. It demonstrates a support process that facilitates
granting access to other computers. The viewpoint in FIGURE 22 is that of
the person requesting access to one or more privacy protected archives
0261.
Note 2210: This capability does depend
on a computer identification system of some sort. This technology as noted
above (0922 and 0923) is outside the purview of this patent application.
Assume simply that there is a means of reliably identifying the computer
that is operating the program 0930, and that users can exchange computers
signature files 0923 that are self-authenticating.
The screen image shown in FIGURE 22 is
from a product called "Secure Software Rental" by Marpex Inc. (also the
originator of the system and method to privatize computer files 0110). This
screen image is viewed on the computer of the person who requests access to
one or more privacy protected archives 0261. [Ed: This method was replaced in the 2004 version.]
In step 2230, fill in a time span over
which the signature file created here is to be valid. A default value of 60
days, 0 hours, and 0 minutes is deemed reasonable.
Step 2240, an "in response to" input,
may be left blank.
Step 2250 should start with browsing to
a location in which the signature file is to be placed. Then give a name
for the signature file. A suffix ".XPM" will be added
automatically.
Clicking the "save signature" button
initiates a process 2260, which creates a computer signature file 0943.
This system produces a 1,260 byte signature that uniquely identifies the
computer without using data from any files and without any information
about the user of the computer or about any organizations. It contains
material that can be used later to disguise a reconstitution file 0270 so
that it can be used only by this requesting computer and by no
other.
In step 2270, the requester transmits
the signature file 0943 by some means (possibly email attachment) to the
author of the desired privacy protected archive(s) 0261.
