Bruce B Dickson

US Patent:

8015593, Sep 6, 2011

Filed:

Apr 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/106782

Inventors:

Bruce Dickson - Raleigh NC, US
David Louis Kaminsky - Chapel Hill NC, US
Marcia Lambert Peters Stockton - Bakersfield CA, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 7/04
G08B 21/00
H04B 10/00

US Classification:

726 2, 398 40, 340540

Abstract:

A method for protecting a data entry device from eavesdropping includes masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping. The signature may include a temperature differential in the data entry device from data entry by the user and the masking may include controlling the external temperature of the data entry device to reduce temperature differentials left in the data entry device by the user. Alternatively, the signature may include sound waves emitted from the data entry device and the masking may include masking sound waves emitted from the data entry device to reduce the detectability of the sound waves. A system may also be employed for protecting data entry to a data entry device from eavesdropping. The system includes a data entry device and means for masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping.

US Patent:

7362973, Apr 22, 2008

Filed:

Sep 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/396873

Inventors:

Bruce Dickson - Apex NC, US
David Louis Kaminsky - Chapel Hill NC, US
Marcia Lambert Peters - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04B 10/00
G06F 7/04
G08B 21/00
H04K 1/00
H04M 1/24

US Classification:

398 40, 726 2, 340540, 713183, 379 35

Abstract:

A method for protecting a data entry device from eavesdropping includes masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping. The signature may include a temperature differential in the data entry device from data entry by the user and the masking may include controlling the external temperature of the data entry device to reduce temperature differentials left in the data entry device by the user. Alternatively, the signature may include sound waves emitted from the data entry device and the masking may include masking sound waves emitted from the data entry device to reduce the detectability of the sound waves. A system may also be employed for protecting data entry to a data entry device from eavesdropping. The system includes a data entry device and means for masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping.

US Patent:

20020138345, Sep 26, 2002

Filed:

Mar 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/814350

Inventors:

Bruce Dickson - Apex NC, US
Mary Dickson - Apex NC, US

International Classification:

G06F017/60

US Classification:

705/014000

Abstract:

A method and system for providing personalized coupons at the beginning of a customers shopping process, i.e., before the customer starts to shop. The method includes the steps of obtaining a current shopping list from a wireless communication device (e.g., a PDA, a mobile phone) of the customer, correlating the current shopping list with an available coupon list to identify personalized coupons for the customer, and providing the personalized coupons to the customer at the beginning of the customer's shopping process, so that the coupons can be used effectively during the customer's current store visit.

US Patent:

20020170961, Nov 21, 2002

Filed:

May 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/859292

Inventors:

Bruce Dickson - Apex NC, US
Mary Dickson - Apex NC, US

International Classification:

G06K015/00

US Classification:

235/383000

Abstract:

A method and system for providing shopping assistance to a customer. The system provides a shopping cart attachment device attached to a shopping cart operated by the customer, and RFID-tagged items. The shopping cart attachment device is configured to automatically detect items as they are placed in (or removed from) the shopping cart, to automatically scan the RFID-tagged item information, and to communicate the scanned item information to a central processing system. The central processing system identifies recommended additional purchase items associated with the items placed in the shopping cart based on the RFID-tagged item information, and displays this recommended information on the display device of the customer's wireless communication device such as a PDA, a two-way pager, a mobile phone, etc.

US Patent:

20080072331, Mar 20, 2008

Filed:

Nov 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/942548

Inventors:

Bruce Dickson - Raleigh NC, US
David Kaminsky - Chapel Hill NC, US
Marcia Peters - Bakersfield CA, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 21/02
G10K 11/00
G10K 11/175
H03B 29/00

US Classification:

726026000, 381071800, 381073100, 700300000

Abstract:

A method for protecting a data entry device from eavesdropping includes masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping. The signature may include a temperature differential in the data entry device from data entry by the user and the masking may include controlling the external temperature of the data entry device to reduce temperature differentials left in the data entry device by the user. Alternatively, the signature may include sound waves emitted from the data entry device and the masking may include masking sound waves emitted from the data entry device to reduce the detectability of the sound waves. A system may also be employed for protecting data entry to a data entry device from eavesdropping. The system includes a data entry device and means for masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping.

US Patent:

20110249828, Oct 13, 2011

Filed:

Jun 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/166491

Inventors:

Bruce Dickson - Raleigh NC, US
David Louis Kaminsky - Chapel Hill NC, US
Marcia Lambert Peters - Bakersfield CA, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H04R 3/02

US Classification:

381 731

Abstract:

A method for protecting a data entry device from eavesdropping includes masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping. The signature may include a temperature differential in the data entry device from data entry by the user and the masking may include controlling the external temperature of the data entry device to reduce temperature differentials left in the data entry device by the user. Alternatively, the signature may include sound waves emitted from the data entry device and the masking may include masking sound waves emitted from the data entry device to reduce the detectability of the sound waves. A system may also be employed for protecting data entry to a data entry device from eavesdropping. The system includes a data entry device and means for masking a signature of entry resulting from entry of data by a user of the data entry device so as to reduce the detectability of the signature by eavesdropping.