Apparatus and Methods for Providing Scalable, Dynamic, Individualized Credential Services Using Mobile Telephones
First Claim
1. A computerized method for creating a virtual smartcard, resident in network storage, for an individual based on a physical credential applicable to the individual, the method comprising:
- receiving, over a communications network, credential data derived from the physical credential;
receiving, over the communications network, authentication data pertinent to the individual; and
creating a virtual smartcard for the individual by storing the credential data in association with the authentication data in the network storage, so that the credential data of the virtual smartcard can be accessed by a networking device operated by the individual, over the communications network, upon communication of the authentication data pertinent to the individual,wherein the network storage also stores credential data of other individuals in association with authentication data pertinent to the other individuals, so that the credential data of each other individual may be accessed by a networking device operated by such other individual, over the communications network, upon communication of the authentication data pertinent to such other individual.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A virtual smartcard and methods for creating the same are provided. A virtual smartcard is a set of computer-implemented processes, associated with an individual, which simulate the behavior of a physical smartcard or other authentication token containing a hardware security module. In one embodiment, a computer receives credential data derived from the physical credential and authentication data pertinent to the individual such as a biometric imprint, and creates a virtual smartcard by storing the credential data in association with the authentication data in a network storage. The credential data may later be used for identification and encryption purposes upon the individual providing the authentication data to the network storage, even if the physical credential itself has been lost. Thus, the virtual smartcard provides a network-based method for backing up a passport, driver'"'"'s license, credit card, public transportation card, or other such identification card or device.
130 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A computerized method for creating a virtual smartcard, resident in network storage, for an individual based on a physical credential applicable to the individual, the method comprising:
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receiving, over a communications network, credential data derived from the physical credential; receiving, over the communications network, authentication data pertinent to the individual; and creating a virtual smartcard for the individual by storing the credential data in association with the authentication data in the network storage, so that the credential data of the virtual smartcard can be accessed by a networking device operated by the individual, over the communications network, upon communication of the authentication data pertinent to the individual, wherein the network storage also stores credential data of other individuals in association with authentication data pertinent to the other individuals, so that the credential data of each other individual may be accessed by a networking device operated by such other individual, over the communications network, upon communication of the authentication data pertinent to such other individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computerized method for creating a virtual smartcard, resident in network storage, for an individual based on a physical smartcard in a mobile electronic device of the individual, the physical smartcard having a hardware security module that performs cryptographic operations, the physical smartcard storing a private cryptographic key for use in a public/private encryption system, the method comprising:
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receiving from the mobile electronic device, over a communications network, the private cryptographic key; receiving from the mobile electronic device, over the communications network, authentication data pertinent to the individual; and creating a virtual smartcard for the individual by storing the private cryptographic key in association with the authentication data in the network storage, the virtual smartcard being configured to simulate the cryptographic operations of the hardware security module of the physical smartcard, so that a cryptographic operation requiring use of the private cryptographic key may be accessed by a networking device operated by the individual, over the communications network, only upon communication of the authentication data pertinent to the individual; and wherein the network storage also stores credential data of other individuals in association with authentication data pertinent to the other individuals, so that the credential data of each other individual may be accessed by a networking device operated by such other individual, over the communications network, upon communication of the authentication data pertinent to such other individual. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification