The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Oct. 07, 2014

Filed:

Jan. 18, 2005
Applicants:

Gabriel Aaron Cohen, Raleigh, NC (US);

Ronald Eugene Craig, Pittsboro, NC (US);

Gerald Laverte Mitchell, Jr., Raleigh, NC (US);

Inventors:

Gabriel Aaron Cohen, Raleigh, NC (US);

Ronald Eugene Craig, Pittsboro, NC (US);

Gerald Laverte Mitchell, Jr., Raleigh, NC (US);

Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F 15/16 (2006.01); G06F 21/84 (2013.01); H04L 12/58 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H04L 12/581 (2013.01); G06F 21/84 (2013.01); H04L 51/04 (2013.01);
Abstract

A technique that reduces the possibility that a message received at a computer terminal during an instant messaging conversation will become accessible to unintended viewers. One embodiment is directed to an arrangement wherein a computer terminal at a first client work station is disposed to receive chat messages from a second client work station during an instant messaging conversation. An apparatus associated with the computer terminal for limiting access to the received chat messages includes a device for attaching a security identifier to each received chat message. A display device at the computer terminal generates a window that selectively provides a specified one of the chat messages in viewable form. A concealment device coupled to the display device is operable to make the specified chat message unviewable on the display device. A component connected to the concealment device activates the concealment device when a prespecified event occurs.


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