Third-party access control

• US 20090302997A1
• Filed: 06/04/2008
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alexandre Bronstein
• Original Assignee: Alexandre Bronstein
• Inventors: Bronstein, Alexandre
• Application Number:
  US12/156,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20090302997A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.540
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0884 by delegation of authentication, e.g. a proxy authenticates an entity to be authenticated on behalf of this entity vis-à-vis an authentication entity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/321 involving a third party or a trusted authority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3271 using challenge-response

Abstract

Techniques for third-party access control include performing a communication to a third-party in response to an attempt by an individual to access an object. A control input from the third-party is obtained using the communication and a determination is made whether to allow the individual to access the object in response to the control input.

Claims

1. A method for access control, comprising:

performing a communication to a third-party in response to an attempt by an individual to access an object;

obtaining a control input from the third-party using the communication;

determining whether to allow the individual to access the object in response to the control input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a virtual object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a physical object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a physical structure.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is a vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein performing a communication comprises placing a call to the third-party.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein placing a telephone call comprises placing a call to a handheld device belonging to the third-party.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining a control input comprises obtaining a password from the third-party.

9. A system for access control, comprising:

a set of settings by a third-party for controlling access to an object by an individual;

access controller that performs a communication to the third-party in response to an attempt by the individual to access the object and in response to the settings, the access controller obtaining a control input from the third-party using the communication and then determining whether to allow the individual to access the object in response to the control input.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the settings specify a telephone number for a handheld device belonging to the third-party such that the access controller performs the communication using the telephone number.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the settings specify a set of conditions that cause the access controller to perform the communication.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the settings identify the individual so that the access controller can recognize the attempt.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the settings identify the object so that the access controller can recognize the attempt.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the access controller comprises;

client system used by the individual to make the attempt;

access control server having a subsystem for performing the communication.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the client system sends a request to the access control server such that the request includes a set of access parameters that describe the attempt.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the access control server determines whether to perform the communication in response to the settings and the access parameters.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the access control server sends a response to the client system that specifies whether the attempt is approved.