Portable device for accessing host computer via remote computer

• US 20070113267A1
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Route1 Inc.
• Original Assignee: Route1 Inc.
• Inventors: Iwanski, Jerry, White, K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,739,726 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards

Abstract

A portable device enables access to a host computer via a guest computer. The portable device is connected to the guest computer, and a program stored in a memory on the portable device is activated, the program including instructions for establishing communication with the host computer such that input to the guest computer serves as input to the host computer, and output displays from the host computer are displayed on the guest computer. The portable device includes a cryptographic processor for performing cryptographic processing for communicating with the host computer. The portable device also includes a protected memory for storing a private key accessible to the cryptographic processor, the private key being used during cryptographic processing. The protected memory can be internal or external to the cryptographic processor.

Claims

1. A portable device for enabling access to a host computer via a guest computer, comprising:

a guest computer interface for connecting the portable device to the guest computer, and

a memory for storing a program including instructions for establishing communication with the host computer such that input to the guest computer serves as input to the host computer, and output displays from the host computer are displayed on the guest computer.

2. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the guest computer interface includes a USB connector and a USB controller.

3. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the guest computer interface includes a MMC connector and a MMC controller.

4. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the stored program includes instructions for

coupling the guest computer to a communication network,

communicating with a controller coupled to the communication network to obtain parameters, and

using the obtained parameters to communicate with the host computer coupled to the communication network.

5. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the memory is also for storing an operating system.

6. The portable device of claim 1, wherein the memory is a read-only memory.

7. The portable device of claim 6, further comprising a second memory for storing information received via the guest computer interface.

8. The portable device of claim 1, further comprising a cryptographic processor for performing cryptographic processing for communicating with the host computer.

9. The portable device of claim 8, wherein the cryptographic processing includes generating an identification certificate and a private key.

10. The portable device of claim 8, wherein the cryptographic processing includes sending and receiving handshake messages.

11. The portable device of claim 8, wherein the cryptographic processing includes encrypting and decrypting transmissions between the guest computer and the host computer.

12. The portable device of claim 8, further comprising a protected memory for storing a private key accessible to the cryptographic processor, the private key being used during cryptographic processing.

13. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the cryptographic processor provides a credential to the protected memory to access its contents.

14. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the protected memory is internal to the cryptographic processor.

15. The portable device of claim 12, wherein the protected memory is external to the cryptographic processor.

16. The portable device of claim 8, further comprising biometric input means for receiving a biometric sample from a user, biometric authentication means for determining whether the biometric sample is for an authorized user, and wherein the cryptographic processor is operative only when the biometric authentication means has determined that the biometric sample is for an authorized user.

17. A method of using a portable device for enabling access to a host computer via a guest computer, comprising:

connecting the portable device to the guest computer, and

activating a program stored in a memory on the portable device, the program including instructions for establishing communication with the host computer such that input to the guest computer serves as input to the host computer, and output displays from the host computer are displayed on the guest computer.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the stored program includes instructions for

coupling the guest computer to a communication network,

communicating with a controller coupled to the communication network to obtain parameters, and

using the obtained parameters to communicate with the host computer coupled to the communication network.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the portable device includes a cryptographic processor for performing cryptographic processing for communicating with the host computer.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the portable device includes a protected memory for storing a private key accessible to the cryptographic processor, the private key being used during cryptographic processing.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the portable device includes biometric input means for receiving a biometric sample from a user, biometric authentication means for determining whether the biometric sample is for an authorized user, and wherein the cryptographic processor is operative only when the biometric authentication means has determined that the biometric sample is for an authorized user.