Security method and apparatus

• US 20030204733A1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Krulce, Darrell
• Granted Patent: US 8,171,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/183
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing password security to an electronic device. Access rights to an electronic device are determined by decrypting and decoding an encrypted password given to one or more individuals. When an individual enters a given encrypted password into the electronic device, a decrypting function decrypts the password to generate an decrypted password. The decrypted password contains information as to whether access should be granted to the individual, and if so, to what extent. For example, the decrypted password may comprise a time and date field which indicates a date and time at which access will not be granted.

Claims

1. An electronic device having password security to an electronic device, comprising:

an input device for allowing entry of an encrypted password;

a memory for storing a decryption function and a decoding function; and

a processor for receiving the encrypted password, for applying the decryption function to the encrypted password to produce a decrypted password, and for applying said decoding function to said decrypted password to determine access rights to the electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decrypted password comprises a numerical value, wherein a user is permitted access to said electronic device if said numerical value is less than a predetermined value.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decrypted password comprises a numerical value, wherein a user is permitted access to said electronic device if said numerical value is greater than a predetermined value.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decrypted password comprises a numerical value, wherein a user is permitted access to said electronic device if said numerical value is within a predetermined range.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a time-keeping device for determining a current time;

wherein

said decrypted password comprises a time reference and said decoding function comprises instructions for allowing access to said electronic device if said time reference is earlier than said current time.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a time-keeping device for determining a current time;

wherein

said decrypted password comprises a time reference and said decoding function comprises instructions for allowing access to said electronic device if said time reference is later than said current time.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a time-keeping device for determining a current time;

wherein

said decrypted password comprises a first time reference and a second time reference, and said decoding function comprises instructions for allowing access to said electronic device if said current time falls between said first reference and said second refernece.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said decrypted password comprises information for allowing access to a predetermined portion of information accessed through said electronic device.

9. A method for providing password security to an electronic device, comprising:

storing a decryption function;

storing a decoding function;

receiving an encrypted password;

decrypting said encrypted password using said decryption function to produce a decrypted password;

decoding said decrypted password to determine access rights to said electronic device.

10. An electronic device having password security to an electronic device, comprising:

means for allowing entry of an encrypted password;

means for storing a decryption function and a decoding function; and

means for receiving the encrypted password and for applying the decryption function to the encrypted password to produce a decrypted password, and for applying said decoding function to said decrypted password to determine access rights to the electronic device.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the decrypted password comprises a numerical value, wherein a user is permitted access to said electronic device if said numerical value is less than a predetermined value.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the decrypted password comprises a numerical value, wherein a user is permitted access to said electronic device if said numerical value is greater than a predetermined value.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the decrypted password comprises a numerical value, wherein a user is permitted access to said electronic device if said numerical value is within a predetermined range.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

means for determining a current time;

wherein

said decrypted password comprises a time reference and said decoding function comprises instructions for allowing access to said electronic device if said time reference is earlier than said current time.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

means for determining a current time;

wherein

said decrypted password comprises a time reference and said decoding function comprises instructions for allowing access to said electronic device if said time reference is later than said current time.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

means for determining a current time;

wherein

said decrypted password comprises a first time reference and a second time reference, and said decoding function comprises instructions for allowing access to said electronic device if said current time falls between said first reference and said second refernece.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said decrypted password comprises information for allowing access to a predetermined portion of information accessed through said electronic device.