Self-contained token device for installing and running a variety of applications

• US 20060075486A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Authenex Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Authenex Incorporated
• Inventors: Lin, Paul, Lee, Fu-Hua, Cheng, Fred
• Application Number:
  US11/237,098
• Publication Number:
  US 20060075486A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/123 by using dedicated hardware, e.g. dongles, smart cards, cryptographic processors, global positioning systems [GPS] devices

Abstract

A token device that contains software and firmware required for running and installing a variety of applications is provided. The token is configured to connect to a host device via a USB port, wireless receiver or other means. The token may contain varying combinations of installers, applications, drivers, memory, and firmware. Token-related and non-token related applications that may be contained in the token'"'"'s memory may include those required for smart card, cryptographic service provider, authentication, firewall, antivirus, and VPN type applications.

Claims

1. A token device comprising:

a processor for processing data;

a memory device for storing data; and

at least one of an installer program and an application stored in the memory device.

2. The token device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one of an installer program, an application, and a driver stored in the memory device.

3. The token device of claim 2 wherein an application stored in the memory device comprises an application selected from the group consisting of a smart card application, a cryptographic service provider application, an authentication application, a firewall application, an antivirus application, and a virtual private network application.

4. The token device of claim 1 further comprising:

firmware stored in the token device.

5. A token device comprising:

a processor for processing data, the processor configured with firmware for running an application;

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

at least one of an installer program, an application, and a driver stored in the memory device.

6. The token device of claim 5 wherein an application stored in the memory device comprises an application selected from the group consisting of a smart card application, a cryptographic service provider application, an authentication application, a firewall application, an antivirus application, and a virtual private network application.

7. A method for installing and running an application stored on a token device, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) coupling a token device to a host device to activate the token device;

(b) retrieving a selected application from a memory of the token device;

(c) invoking an installer from the memory of the token device to configure the selected application to run on the host device; and

(d) running the selected application on the host device.

8. The method claim 7 further comprising:

(e) invoking a driver to enable the host device to communicate with the token device.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the selected application comprises an application selected from the group consisting of a smart card application, a cryptographic service provider application, an authentication application, a firewall application, an antivirus application, and a virtual private network application.