Security information caching on authentication token

• US 10,027,659 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2016
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Invention, LLC
• Original Assignee: Applied Invention, LLC
• Inventors: Hillis, W. Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Dao Q
• Application Number:
  US15/347,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20170054714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/206 comprising security or operator identification provisions, e.g. password entry
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/082 applying multi-factor authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234

Abstract

A method of operating a security token to authenticate a user in a multi-factor authentication system is disclosed. The method includes: monitoring user custody of the token, the token having an identifying characteristic representing a possession factor for use through possession factor authentication; during a period of continuous user custody of the token based on the monitoring, obtaining a knowledge factor from a user having the continuous user custody; caching the knowledge factor in a memory of the token; and in response to a second authentication request, retrieving the knowledge factor from the memory to demonstrate to an authentication system knowledge of the knowledge factor, during the period of continuous user custody.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a multi-factor authentication, the method comprising:

monitoring a continuous user custody of a token having an identifier of the token representing a possession factor, wherein the token comprises two sub-tokens including a first sub-token and a second sub-token, wherein monitoring the continuous user custody comprises confirming the continuous user custody by monitoring continual proximity between the first sub-token and the second sub-token;

during a period of continuous user custody determined based on the monitoring of the continuous user custody, maintaining a knowledge factor in a memory of the token; and

during the period of continuous user custody determined based on the monitoring of the continuous user custody, and in response to an authentication request received from a security system separate and distinct from the token,

(a) presenting the identifier of the token to the security system verifying the identifier of the token, thereby satisfying a possession factor authentication, and

(b) automatically retrieving the knowledge factor from the memory of the token and presenting the knowledge factor to the security system verifying the knowledge factor, thereby satisfying a knowledge factor authentication.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising clearing the knowledge factor from the memory of the token in response to a break in the continuous user custody determined based on the monitoring of the continuous user custody.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining the knowledge factor in the memory includes pre-loading the knowledge factor in the memory prior to the period of continuous user custody.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising during the period of continuous user custody, obtaining the knowledge factor from a user having the continuous user custody.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein obtaining the knowledge factor is in response to receiving another authentication request prior to the authentication request.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein during the period of continuous user custody, the user provides the knowledge factor for authentication only once.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous user custody of the token by a user is assured by reliably securing the token around or to the user'"'"'s body.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the token cannot be removed from the user'"'"'s body without generating a signal that is detected by the token as a break in the continuous user custody of the token.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the monitoring comprises:

detecting a status of a switch or other sensor associated with the token;

confirming constant contact between the token and the user'"'"'s skin;

continually acquiring biometric measurements of a user;

or any combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first sub-token is implanted within the user'"'"'s body and the second sub-token is unattached to the user'"'"'s body to demonstrate possession and knowledge of the possession factor and the knowledge factor, respectively, through the second sub-token.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the knowledge factor comprises any of a personal identification number (PIN), a password, and a pattern.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising demonstrating possession and knowledge of the possession factor and the knowledge factor, respectively, during a transaction requiring authentication at an in-person point of sale, wherein said demonstrating includes the token presenting the possession factor as a visible indication for reading by a human or machine.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting the possession factor via a visible indication, a magnetic strip, wireless communication, a wired interface, or any combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting an authentication package for demonstrating knowledge of the knowledge factor via a visible indication, a magnetic strip, wireless communication, a wired interface, or any combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising periodically changing the possession factor to thwart potential replay attacks.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing access to a list of passwords stored in an encrypted manner and associated with the token;

wherein the knowledge factor is required for decryption of one or more passwords within the list.

17. An apparatus acting as a token to conduct a multi-factor authentication, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor to take measurements indicative of continuous user custody of the token, wherein the token comprises two sub-tokens including a first sub-token and a second sub-token, wherein monitoring the continuous user custody comprises confirming the continuous user custody by monitoring continual proximity between the first sub-token and the second sub-token;

a controller configured to monitor the measurements to determine a period of continuous user custody of the token;

a memory to cache a knowledge factor, the knowledge factor available during the period of continuous user custody;

an interface to receive authentication requests from a security system, wherein the security system is separate and distinct from the apparatus; and

an identifier of the token representing a possession factor satisfying possession factor authentication on the security system, wherein the knowledge factor is different from the identifier of the token representing the possession factor;

wherein, the controller is configured to automatically retrieve the identifier of the token of the token to demonstrate possession of the possession factor to the security system, in response to receiving an authentication request;

wherein, during the period of continuous user custody of the token, the controller is configured to retrieve the knowledge factor from the memory to demonstrate knowledge of the knowledge factor to the security system, in response to receiving the authentication request at the interface.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising an input device to receive the knowledge factor from a user during the period of continuous user custody;

wherein, during the period of continuous user custody of the token, the controller is further configured to, responsive to receiving a previous authentication request at the interface, obtain the knowledge factor from the user through the input device and cache the knowledge factor in the memory.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the input device receives the knowledge factor as a personal identification number (PIN), a password, or a pattern.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the sensor is a switch, a skin contact sensor;

or a biometric measurement device.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, the first sub-token with an attachment mechanism to attach to the user'"'"'s body and the second sub-token unattached to the user'"'"'s body to enable demonstration of possession and knowledge of the possession factor and the knowledge factor, respectively;

wherein the controller is configured to confirm the period of continuous user custody by monitoring continual proximity between the first sub-token and the second sub-token via the sensor; and

wherein each component of the token, including the controller and the memory, is either in the first sub-token or the second sub-token.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to demonstrate possession of the possession factor by providing a visible indication for reading by a human or machine, by configuring a magnetic strip, or by transmitting a wireless or wired communication.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, the controller is further configured to demonstrate knowledge of the knowledge factor by providing a visible indication on the token, configuring a magnetic strip, or by transmitting a wireless or wired communication.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory stores a list of passwords, wherein the list is stored in an encrypted manner and associated with the token;

and wherein the knowledge factor is required for decryption of one or more passwords within the list.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a mechanism for reliably securing the token around or to the user'"'"'s body, wherein the period of continuous user custody of the token by a user is assured when the mechanism is secured.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a mechanism by which the token cannot be removed from the user'"'"'s body without generating a signal that is detected by the controller as a break in the period of continuous user custody of the token.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a body structure of the token in a form factor of:

a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, an earring, a clamping or securing device, a medallion, or a patch secured using an elastic band.

28. An apparatus comprising:

a sensor to take measurements indicative of continuous user custody of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises two sub-apparatuses including a first sub-apparatus and a second sub-apparatus, wherein monitoring the continuous user custody comprises confirming the continuous user custody by monitoring continual proximity between the first sub-apparatus and the second sub-apparatus;

a controller configured to monitor the measurements to determine a period of continuous user custody of the apparatus;

an identifier of the apparatus representing a possession factor of the apparatus, the possession factor of the apparatus satisfying possession factor authentication on a security system, wherein the identifier of the apparatus is adapted to be readable by the security system, and wherein the security system is separate and distinct from the apparatus;

a memory to cache a knowledge factor to satisfy knowledge factor authentication on the security system, wherein the knowledge factor is different from the identifier of the apparatus representing the possession factor;

an output component to automatically demonstrate the knowledge factor to the security system during the period of continuous user custody according to the period of continuous user custody; and

wherein the knowledge factor is removed from the memory or prevented from being accessed when the period of continuous user custody ends.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the output component is configured to demonstrate the possession factor to the security system.