Token device that generates and displays one-time passwords and that couples to a computer for inputting or receiving data for generating and outputting one-time passwords and other functions

• US 20050015588A1
• Filed: 07/15/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Authenex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Authenex Incorporated
• Inventors: Hon, Henry, Lin, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,519,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/159
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3415 Cards acting autonomously as pay-media
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/385 using an alias or single-use codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40975 using encryption therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1075 PIN is checked remotely

Abstract

A token device that generates and displays one-time passwords and couples to a computer for inputting or receiving data for generating and outputting one-time passwords and performing other functions is provided. The token includes an interface for coupling to a computer. The token may also be coupled to any network that the computer may be connected to, when coupled to the computer. Data and information may be transmitted between the computer and token, and between the network and token, via the computer and interface. The data and information may include one-time password seeding, file transfer, authentication, configuration and programming of the token. The token must be seeded to generate and display one-time passwords. An original, or seed, value is loaded into the token. One-time passwords are subsequently generated or calculated, or both, from the seed value. Seeding of the token involving a counter, time, or time-related functions, may allow synchronization of the token with such functions. The token may support different authentication methods.

Claims

1. A token device for generating and displaying password data comprising:

a body portion; and

a display portion, the display portion including a display for displaying alphanumeric characters and an interface for coupling the token to a computer.

2. The token device of claim 1 wherein the display portion displays alphanumeric characters representing password data generated by the token device.

3. A token device for generating and displaying password data comprising:

a body portion, the body portion including,

a processor for processing data;

a memory for storing data, the memory coupled to the processor; and

a display portion, the display portion including,

a display for displaying alphanumeric characters, the display coupled to the processor for displaying data output by the processor; and

an interface for coupling the token to a computer, for transmitting data between the processor and computer.

4. The token device of claim 3 wherein the display portion is rotatably coupled to the body portion.

5. The token device of claim 4 wherein the display displays alphanumeric characters representing password data output by the processor.

6. The token device of claim 5 wherein the display is configured to display at least five alphanumeric characters representing password data output by the processor.

7. The token device of claim 3 further including a data cable configured to couple the interface to the computer for transmitting data between the token device and computer.

8. A token device for generating and displaying password data comprising:

a body portion, the body portion including,

a processor for processing data, the processor contained within the body portion;

a memory for storing data, the memory coupled to the processor and contained within the body portion; and

a display portion rotatably coupled to the body portion, the display portion including,

a display for displaying alphanumeric characters, the display coupled to the processor for displaying data output by the processor; and

an interface for coupling the token to a computer, the interface coupled to the processor for transmitting data between the processor and computer.

9. The token device of claim 8 wherein the display is configured to display at least five alphanumeric characters representing password data output by the processor.

10. The token device of claim 9 wherein the display comprises a selected one of a liquid crystal display and a light emitting diode display.

11. The token device of claim 8 further including a data cable configured to couple the interface to the computer for transmitting data between the token device and computer.

12. The token device of claim 8 wherein the processor generates new password data at predetermined time intervals.

13. The token device of claim 8 wherein the processor generates new password data upon receipt of data from the computer, and wherein the new password data is displayed on the display.

14. The token device of claim 13 wherein the token device transmits the new password data to the computer via the data cable.

15. The token device of claim 14 wherein the computer is connected to a least one computer of a computer network.

16. The token device of claim 15 wherein the processor generates new password data upon receipt of data from a least one computer of the computer network that the token is connected to via the computer and data cable, and wherein the new password data is displayed on the display.

17. The token device of claim 16 wherein the token device transmits the new password data to least one computer of the computer network.

18. A method for generating and outputting one-time passwords, the method comprising;

providing a token device, the token device including,

a body portion including a processor and a memory; and

a display portion, the display portion including a display for displaying alphanumeric characters representative of one-time password data generated by the processor, and an interface for coupling the token to a computer, for transmitting data between the token and computer;

loading a value into the memory;

feeding the value into the processor for generating data representative of one-time passwords; and

generating data representative of a one-time password.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the data representative of a one-time password is displayed on the display.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

providing a data cable configured to couple the interface to the computer for transmitting data between the token device and computer, and wherein the computer is connected to a least one computer of a computer network

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:

transmitting data representative of a one-time password from the token device to the computer.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

transmitting data representative of a one-time password from the token device to a computer of the computer network.