Security method and apparatus

#This invention is related generally to the secure transmission of data over a computer or other data network. Because of the open nature of such data transfer networks, the provision of secure data transfer is of great importance. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide an improved method and apparatus for facilitating a secure data transfer over a data transfer network.

#Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an improved method and apparatus are provided for facilitating the secure transfer of data over a data transfer network.

#As a greater amount of personal information is available in computerized format, the need to secure this type of data increases. At the present time, an individual might have financial or other personal information residing on her home computer. This home computer may be continuously connected to the Internet via a cable modem, DSL line, or other communication system, or may alternatively be connected to a global publicly accessible or private computer network. Furthermore, a user may have secured one or more remote storage locations and/or remote storage devices for storing other information. Such a remote storage system allows a user to reserve a predetermined amount of storage space. This remote storage space is accessible by the user through the use of a secure access method, such as one employing an identification and password from any other computer or appropriate access device in the world. Additionally, various parties, such as doctors, accountants or any other professional or the like may maintain personal information about a patient or client (user), test results, analysis of other medical data, financial data or the like in a computer-accessible location. Remote storage devices offer various types of access. Some remote storage devices can be connected to a PC, PDA or some other I/O devices and will authenticate users based on the use of a secure access method. However, some third party remote storage devices (ie: Personal Video Recorder (TIVO®, ReplayTV®), console game box (ie: XBOX®)) currently allow users limited access to copying & moving stored media and data to other devices due to a lack of compatible software and network interface. Finally, the user may have access to additional information, data and media storage, on-demand media access maintained by a third party on a subscription-type basis. Thus, the third party may maintain information, such a music/media data that while not personal, may only be accessed by a particular user that has paid or registered for the right of access.

#For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing an overall flow of data in accordance with the user of a security apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a flow chart diagram depicting an embodiment of the invention;

#A detailed description of the invention will now be provided, making reference to the figures. In accordance with the invention, as is shown in FIG. 1, a security apparatus 110 is shown coupled with a computer 120. Security apparatus 110 includes one or more slots for receiving one or more corresponding hardware security devices. These might comprise parallel keys, wireless receiving devices, smart cards, RSA devices, or any other apparatus, such as those discussed above, that might be user for security. Also included within security apparatus 110 is an appropriate memory for retaining data that might be used as a software type of security apparatus. Therefore, security apparatus 110 may be employed with any available individual security apparatus.

#Currently, and even more so in the future, data belonging to, or pertaining to a particular individual, will reside on any number of local and remote computers. Therefore, a user may have personally generated information stored on local computer, and other data stored at a third party data storage location 150. Data at this location may comprise data placed there by the individual, such a music data, video data, documents or other data. Additionally, this data may comprise personal data generated by another entity, such as medical records, tax records, accounting records, credit reports and the like. Other remotely stored data may comprise data available to a particular user in accordance with a subscription or other pay for use service stored at a remote third party subscription location 140. This type of service may comprise video or music on demand, electronic books, research data, other types of music or other digital data download service allowing a user to download the data for future use, or even a case where various research reports or other proprietary data may be obtained. While this remotely stored data may reside at a remote location, it may also reside at a user's home or business, but at another location on a computer network, LAN or the like.

#Regardless of where this data is stored, one or more parties have an interest in maintaining the confidential and secure nature of the data. If the data is personal data maintained on computer 120, the individual user has an interest in keeping the data private. If the data is generated and stored at remote third party storage 150, both the generating party and the user to whom the data refers have an interest in maintaining the confidential nature of the data. In a subscription type service, it is the third party that maintains the storage location 140 who has the incentive to insure that the data is only accessed by paying customers.