Computer network security device and method

• US 6,134,661 A
• Filed: 02/11/1998
• Issued: 10/17/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: William C. Topp
• Inventors: Topp, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cuong H.
• Application Number:
  US09/021,867
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 380/21, 380/25, 382/209, 713/202, 713/201, 713/324, 713/200, 713/172
• US Class Current: 726/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress

Abstract

A keyboard which performs a password encryption function, i.e., converting a memorable (insecure) password which is typed on the keyboard, into a secure password which is used to gain access to a computer network system. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a user designated keyboard having an activating module and an encrypting module, both of which are disposed within the keyboard. To gain access to a computer network, the user will press an activating key of the keyboard which sends an activating signal to the activator. The activating module will direct all subsequent keystroke signals (i.e. password) to the encrypting module, which performs an encrypting function and generates an encrypted password. When the user is finished typing the password, a deactivating key is pressed, which send the encrypted password to the computer network and which signals the activating module to divert (pass through) all subsequent keystroke signals.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing security from unauthorized access to a computer network, comprising:

encrypting means for encrypting a series of keystroke signals representative of a user generated from a computer keyboard;

activating means, operatively coupled to said encrypting means, for directing said series of keystroke signals to said encrypting means to encrypt said series of keystroke signals after said activating means is activated;

deactivating means, operatively coupled to said activating means, for deactivating said activating means, said activating means diverting subsequent keystroke signals away from said encrypting means after being deactivated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said activating means is activated by a dedicated key on said keyboard.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said activating means is activated by a combination of keys on said keyboard.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said deactivating means comprises a dedicated key on said keyboard.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said deactivating means comprises a combination of keys on said keyboard.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said encrypting means performs a user specific encrypting function.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said activating means and said encrypting means are disposed within said keyboard.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said encrypting means performs a user specific encrypting function.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said activating and encrypting means are disposed within a housing having an input terminal connected to said keyboard and an output terminal connected to said computer network.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said activating means is activated by a dedicated key on said keyboard.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said activating means is activated by a combination of keys on said keyboard.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said encrypting means performs a user specific encrypting function.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said activating means comprises switch disposed on said housing.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a key card containing said activating means and said encrypting means; and

a computer keyboard having a slot for receiving said key card.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said encrypting means performs a user specific encrypting function.

16. A method for providing security from unauthorized access to a computer network, comprising the steps of:

activating an encryption function of an encryption module;

entering a password on a keyboard to generate keystroke signals corresponding to said password;

directing each of said keystroke signals to said encryption module;

encrypting each of said keystroke signals to generate an encrypted password;

deactivating said encrypting function of the encryption module, wherein subsequent keystroke signals are diverted away from said encryption module after being deactivated; and

processing said encrypted password, wherein access to the computer network is obtained by said encrypted password.

17. An encrypting device, having an input terminal and an output terminal, for providing computer network security, comprising:

an activator module, connected to said input terminal, for receiving signals from a computer keyboard, said activator module being responsive to an activating signal and a deactivating signal from said computer keyboard;

an encrypter module, operatively coupled to said activator module and connected to said output terminal, wherein said activating signal causes said activator module to direct a series of keystroke signals corresponding to a user password to said encrypter module to convert said series of keystroke signals into an encrypted password, and wherein said deactivating keystroke signal causes said encrypted password to be sent through said output terminal to said computer network and causes said activator module to divert subsequent keystroke signals away from said encrypter module.