System and method for inhibiting access to a computer

• US 20110023113A1
• Filed: 09/29/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gay L. Munyon, Paul J. Munyon
• Original Assignee: Gay L. Munyon, Paul J. Munyon
• Inventors: Munyon, Gay L., Munyon, Paul J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,330,246 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2139 Recurrent verification

Abstract

A computer security system which prevents an unauthorized user from accessing the computer system when an authorized user has already logged onto the computer system and has temporarily left the workstation. The computer security system generally includes a sensor which is configured to detect the presence of a person in the region around a workstation and a processing unit which logs out of the computer when a person is no longer present in the region. An optional calibration tool may be provided to set the sensitivity of the sensor and prevent accidental logging out when the authorized user is still present in the region around the workstation.

Claims

1. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer system, comprising:

a. providing a central processing unit;

b. providing a memory connected to said central processing unit;

c. providing a sensor capable of identifying unique characteristics of said authorized user, said sensor being connected to said central processing unit;

d. establishing a set of unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user and storing said unique identifying characteristics in said memory, along with a reference to the authorized user to which they pertain;

e. after said authorized user logs into said computer system, using said central processing unit to compare information from said sensor against said unique identifying characteristics in said memory corresponding to said authorized user; and

f. upon failing to detect a match between said sensor data and said data in said memory for a defined interval, logging off said authorized user.

2. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor includes a digital camera.

3. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor includes an infrared sensor.

4. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user include facial topography.

5. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of establishing a set of unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user occurs at the time said authorized user logs on.

6. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of establishing a set of unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user occurs before the time said authorized user logs on.

7. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user include an infrared signature.

8. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said result of said comparison performed by said central processing unit is stored in said memory.

9. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said information from said sensor is stored in said memory.

10. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 9, wherein said result of said comparison performed by said central processing unit is stored in said memory.

13. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor includes a digital camera.

11. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer system, comprising:

a. providing a central processing unit;

b. providing a memory connected to said central processing unit;

c. providing a sensor capable of identifying unique characteristics of said authorized user, said sensor being connected to said central processing unit;

d. storing a set of sensor data corresponding to said authorized user in said memory;

e. after said authorized user logs into said computer system, using said central processing unit to compare information from said sensor against said set of sensor data corresponding to said authorized user stored in said memory; and

f. upon failing to detect a match between said sensor data and said data in said memory for a defined interval, taking a predetermined action.

12. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said predetermined action is selected from the group consisting of logging off said authorized user and notifying a security administration officer.

14. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said sensor includes an infrared sensor.

15. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user include facial topography.

16. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said step of establishing a set of unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user occurs at the time said authorized user logs on.

17. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said step of establishing a set of unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user occurs before the time said authorized user logs on.

18. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said unique identifying characteristics of said authorized user include an infrared signature.

19. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said result of said comparison performed by said central processing unit is stored in said memory.

20. A method for ensuring that only an authorized user remains logged into a computer as recited in claim 11, wherein said information from said sensor is stored in said memory.