Devices, Systems and Methods for Security Using Magnetic Field Based Identification

• US 20130019292A1
• Filed: 07/12/2011
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Varshavsky, Alexander, Li, Kevin Ansia
• Granted Patent: US 8,752,200 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/79 Radio fingerprint

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for determining an electromagnetic signature for authenticating a device, a user, and/or a location. In exemplary embodiments, a magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature which is then compared with one or more authorized electromagnetic signatures. If the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature, then access is granted. The magnetometer is integrated into a communication device having a processor and a logic. The magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature of a surrounding environment and detects motion of the communication device through the captured electromagnetic signature. The logic on the communication device locks or unlocks features of the device based upon the captured electromagnetic signature. In further embodiments of the subject disclosure, the magnetometer is in communication with a server which authenticates a user or communication device to provide access to a remote location.

Claims

1. A device for authentication, the device comprising:

a processor;

a magnetometer in communication with the processor; and

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory containing a security logic for

detecting a detected electromagnetic signature,

determining that the detected electromagnetic signature matches at least one of a plurality of authorized electromagnetic signatures, and

granting authentication.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the detected electromagnetic signature is created by gesturing the device around a magnetic source.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the detected electromagnetic signature is that of a human body.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the human body makes a gesture and the detected electromagnetic signature includes the gesture.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a biometric input.

6. A system for authentication, the system comprising:

a plurality of magnets creating an electromagnetic signature; and

a device having an integrated magnetometer, the magnetometer detecting the electromagnetic signature, and the device having a memory containing a plurality of authorized electromagnetic signatures;

wherein authorization is granted when the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature from among the plurality of authorized electromagnetic signatures.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a server, wherein the plurality of magnets are electromagnets driven by the server.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the server drives at least one electromagnet with a varying current, creating a dynamic electromagnetic signature.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the electromagnetic signature is captured while the device is gestured.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein authorization is denied when the electromagnetic signature does not match an authorized electromagnetic signature.

11. A method for authentication, the method comprising:

placing a device in a magnetic field, the device having a magnetometer;

detecting an electromagnetic signature;

determining one of a match and a mismatch between the detected electromagnetic signature and at least one of a plurality of authorized electromagnetic signatures; and

granting authentication when a match is determined.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising creating a magnetic field.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the magnetic field is created by placing a plurality of permanent magnets around a room.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the magnetic field is created by powering a plurality of electromagnets around a room.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising dynamically powering at least one of the electromagnets to create a dynamic electromagnetic signature.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the authenticating allows access to a feature of the device.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the authenticating allows access to an accessible unit.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising gesturing the device, wherein the magnetometer captures the electromagnetic signature of the gesture.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising changing the magnetic field.

20. The method of claim 11, further comprising wiping a memory of the device when a mismatch is determined.