Security access system

• US 6,075,861 A
• Filed: 05/29/1996
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Robert Raymond II
• Primary Examiner(s): Noori, Max
• Application Number:
  US08/657,448
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 380/3, 380/21, 380/23, 380/25, 380/28, 235/380
• US Class Current: 380/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/346 Cards serving only as information carrier of service
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

An entry access system includes a locking mechanism enabling authorized entry at a secured entry point to a closed access area or computing device. Entry is approved in response to an interaction between an intended entrant and the entry access system that involves an interchange of multidigit numbers and use of ID and PINs for generation of a multidigit check number to establish authenticity of a request for entry.

Claims

1. A method of authenticating an authorization of access to a secure system/location through entry access control system in response to a protocol process, comprising the steps of:

providing a user/prospective entrant with a system ID number and a personal PIN number;

including the ID number and PIN number in a database accessible to the access entry control system;

providing an identical encryption algorithm to both the user/prospective entrant and the access entry control system;

storing the ID number and PIN number in a communication device in the possession of the user/prospective entrant;

transmitting the ID number to the access entry control system from the communication device at the access entry control system receiving the transmitted ID number and generating an arbitrary multidigit number from the ID number;

transmitting the arbitrary multidigit number to the communication device;

at the communication device generating a check number with the encryption algorithm using the arbitrary multidigit number, and using the PIN number as a key;

transmitting the check number generated at the communication device to the access entry control;

generating a second check number at the access entry control system with the encryption algorithm using arbitrary multidigit number, using the PIN number as a key and comparing the check number generated at the communication device with the second check number generated at the entry access control system; and

granting access to the user/prospective entrant if the second check number is identical to the check number generated at the communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of:

storing the PIN number in the communicator is performed through use of a smart card inserted into the communicator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of:

transmitting includes a wired telephone connection.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of:

transmitting includes a wireless telephone connection.

5. An access entry control system having an entry admittance system for enabling entrance to a secure facility, the entry access control system operating in response to number exchanges between a prospective entrant and the entry admittance system, the numbers including ID and PIN numbers and generated numbers in the number exchange process, the system comprising:

a communication link for permitting communication between the entry admittance system and the prospective entrant;

including a communicator device for the prospective entrant and a communication device for the entry admittance system;

the communication device for the prospective entrant located external to the secure facility;

including access to an ID of the entry access control system and a PIN number assigned to a user of the communication device seeking access to the secure facility and generating a check number;

the communication system for the entry admittance system located nearby and controlling an entry access mechanism of the secure facility and also including an arbitrary number generator and an encryption algorithm for creating numbers using a PIN number as a key;

the encryption algorithm generating a check number at the prospective entrants'"'"' communication device from the arbitrary number and using the PIN as a key; and

the encryption algorithm generating a check number at the entry admittance system from the arbitrary number and using the PIN as a key; and

the access entry control operative for granting access when check numbers generated at the communication device of the prospective entrant and at the access entry admittance system are in agreement, and the entry access mechanism responsive to effectuate the granting of access.

6. The entry access control system of claim 5, comprising:

the communication device for the prospective entrant which is a wireless communication device.

7. The entry access control system of claim 5, comprising:

the communication system for the entry admittance system which includes a connection to a PSTN network system.

8. The entry access control system of claim 5, comprising:

a multitone generator for transmitting ID numbers.