Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

IBM Applies for Password Manager Patent

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the isn't-that-special dept.

An anonymous reader writes "As of August 21, IBM has applied for a patent on "A convenient and secure system and method for access to any number of password-protected computer applications, web sites and forms without adding to the user cognitive load and without circumventing the inherent security of such password-protection schemes. An existing password field on a device display is overlaid with password wallet pop-up field which allows a wallet "master" key to unlock the wallet. An application-specific and/or user-specific password is automatically retrieved from the wallet and entered into the password field with no other user action required." This isn't much different from Mozilla's "Master Password"."

7 of 247 comments (clear)

  1. KeyChain by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Sounds alot like Apples' KeyChain to me.

    1. Re:KeyChain by Rosyna · · Score: 1, Redundant

      It sounds EXACTLY like the Keychain which was created for PowerTalk and has been available since System 7.

  2. ah crap... by Lord_Slepnir · · Score: 1, Redundant

    Is IBM evil now, or still good. I need someone to root for in the whole SCO thing, but now that they're pulling patent BS like amazon, I don't know what I should do.

  3. Gator is Spyware. n/t by dolo666 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Gator is Spyware. n/t

  4. How about Mac OS keychain? Quicken Vault? by jordandeamattson · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Well, I can think of a couple of other pieces of prior art:

    1. Mac OS keychain
    This one goes back to Mac OS 7.5 (circa 1994-95). It has all of the functionality described in this high-level description.

    2. Quicken Vault
    Don't know how long it has been around, but it sure sounds like it provides this functionality to me.

    Yours,

    Jordan Dea-Mattson

  5. Apple's KeyChain anyone? by pstreck · · Score: 0, Redundant

    With the introduction of OS X Apple introduced KeyChain which does this as well. When will the patent everything someone else already implemented mess end?

    --

    Later,
    Phil
  6. I'm gonna patent the art of 'reading&writing' by gNU+Kid · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Boy., I get an idea. I think I'll patent the art of reading& writing. No one patented it before (though 80% of the world knows how to do it). OK everybody listen to this., "any body who plan to read or write any text gotto send me $10 and get written permission to write". Aint I a genuis??? (following the path of IBM) :|