Patent · US Active

Social device security in a social network

US9100453B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
2References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 14, 2012
Grant dateAug 4, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 1, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L67/303
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A social network (SNET) is divided into one or more circles employing separate security secrets, e.g. keys, for communication between members. A device can be a member of more than one circle, and store different keys for each of those circles in separate, restricted portions of memory. When a member leaves a circle, new keys can be generated and distributed to the remaining members. Before and after joining a circle, a level of trust associated with the device or human member can be determined based on third party trust verification and a trust history. A requirement for multiple current circle members to vouch for the prospective member can be imposed as a condition of membership. Each circle can be assigned different trust and access levels, and authorization to receive information can be checked before transmitting information between circles.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.