Secure communications card modem and method of using same

• US 6,173,405 B1
• Filed: 05/29/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Nagel, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REVAK, CHRISTOPHER A
• Application Number:
  US09/087,307
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 713/200, 713/201, 713/202, 380/266, 902/26, 705/41, 257/678, 257/679, 455/557, 455/558, 439/55, 439/131, 710/102, 710/103, 361/725, 361/727, 361/686, 235/475, 235/479, 235/486
• US Class Current: 726/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/313 using a call-back technique via a telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices

Abstract

A secure communications card modem, in general accord with PCMCIA standards, is provided for use in authenticating authorized users to transmit or receive sensitive data. In a preferred embodiment, the communications card modem is configured for use with two sliding interface ports and a connector for interfacing with a host computer. The two sliding interface ports comprise a media connector port and a security port. The media connector port is adapted for receiving a media connector, such as a RJ-11 phone jack. The security port is adapted for receiving a security card. During use, a user inserts a security card into the security port whereupon the security card is authenticated by a reader circuit within the modem. Thereafter, the modem circuitry within the modem is enabled to transmit or receive sensitive data. In the event the reader circuit does not authenticate the security card, the modem circuitry is disabled from transferring data from between the computer and communications line. In the event authentication is not required, the modem circuitry is enabled to transfer data as a conventional modem.

Claims

1. A secure communications card modem having a housing, comprising:

a media connector port extendable from said housing adapted for reception of a media connector interfaced with a communications line suited for transmission or reception of data, said housing being substantially received within a host computer;

a security port extendable from said housing in a first position for reception of a security card without removal of said communications card modem from said host computer, and retractable in a second position substantially received within said host computer, said security card for providing authentication before transmission or reception of said data; and

a host connector coupled to said housing for interfacing with said host computer.

2. A secure communications card according to claim 1, further comprising a reader circuit for facilitating authentication before transmission or reception of said data.

3. A secure communications card modem according to claim 1, further comprising a modem circuit for one of transferring said data from said media connector port when said data is received through said communications line and transferring said data to said media connector port for transmission of said data through said communications line.

4. A secure communications card modem having a housing for use in authenticating authorized users to transmit or receive data over a communications line, comprising:

a host connector for interfacing with a host computer;

a media connector port extendable from within said housing for interfacing with said communications line, said housing being substantially received within a host computer;

a security port extendable from within said housing in a first position for reception of a security card without removal of said communications card modem from said host computer, and retractable in a second position substantially received within said host computer;

a modem circuit for transferring said data between said host connector and said media connector port during use of said host computer; and

a reader circuit for authenticating said security card to enable said modem circuit to transfer said data.

5. A secure communications card modem according to claim 4, wherein said security port is slidably engaged with said housing of said secure communications card modem.

6. A secure communications card modem according to claim 5, wherein said security port has a cavity to receive said security card therein so that when said security port is slid into a housing of said secure communications card modem, said security card does not interfere with said housing.

7. A secure communications card modem according to claim 4, wherein said security port is configured to receive said security card in substantially only one orientation.

8. A secure communications card modem according to claim 4, wherein said media connector port is slidably engaged with said housing of said secure communications card modem.

9. A secure communications card modem according to claim 4, wherein said connector is a 68 pin connector.

10. A secure communications card modem according to claim 4, wherein said housing is configured in size and shape according to type II PCMCIA standards.

11. A secure communications card modem for use in authenticating authorized users to transmit or receive data over a communications line, comprising:

a housing for being substantially received within a host computer;

a pin connector for interfacing with a host computer;

a media connector port slidably engaged with said housing and adapted for reception of a media connector, said media connector interfaced with said communications line;

a security port slidably engaged with said housing adapted for reception of a security card, said security port being extendable from said housing in a first position for reception of a security card without removal of said communications card modem from said host computer, and retractable in a second position substantially received within said host computer;

a modem circuit for transferring said data between said pin connector and said media connector port during use of said computer; and

a reader circuit for authenticating said security card to enable said modem circuit to transfer said data.

12. A secure communications card modem according to claim 11, wherein said security port has a cavity configured to receive said security card such that when said security port is slid into said housing, said security card does not interfere with said housing.

13. A secure communications card modem according to claim 12, wherein said housing is configured in size and shape according to type II PCMCIA standards.

14. A secure communications card modem according to claim 13, wherein said pin connector is configured for 68 pins.

15. A system for authenticating whether a user is authorized to transmit or receive data over a communications line, comprising:

a host computer for interfacing with said user, said host computer being configured to transmit or receive said data;

a communications card modem having a housing interfaced with said host computer, said housing being substantially received with a host computer, said communications card modem having

a) a media connector port extendable from said housing;

b) a security port extendable from said housing in a first position for reception of a security card without removal of said communications card modem from said host computer, and retractable in a second position substantially received within said host computer, said security card for providing authentication of said user; and

c) modem circuitry for transferring said data between said host computer and said media connector port; and

a media connector adapted for insertion into said media connector port of said communications card modem, said media connector being interfaced with said communications line for transmitting or receiving said data between said communications card modem and said communications line.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein said security port of said communications card is configured to receive a security card.

17. A system according to claim 15, wherein said communications card modem further comprises a reader circuit for communicating with said security port to authenticate said user.

18. A system according to claim 15, wherein said security port of said communications card modem is extendable from within a housing of said communications card modem.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein said security port of said communications card modem is slidably engaged with said housing.

20. A system according to claim 15, wherein said media connector port of said communications card modem is extendable from within a housing of said communications card.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein said media connector port of said communications card modem is slidably engaged with said housing.

22. A method for authenticating whether a user is authorized for transmission or reception of data over a communications line, comprising the steps:

providing a communications card modem having a housing for use between a host computer and communications line, said housing being substantially received within said host computer, said communications card modem having a security port, a reader circuit, a modem circuit and a media connector port for reception of a media connector interfaced with said communications line;

extending said security port from said housing of said communications card modem to a first position for reception of a security card without removal of said communications card modem from said host computer;

inserting said security card into said security port;

retracting said security port into a second position substantially received within said host computer;

determining whether said reader circuit authenticates said security card;

if said reader circuit does not authenticate said security card, disabling said modem circuit from transferring data from between said host computer and said media connector port; and

if said reader circuit does authenticate said security card, enabling said modem circuit to transfer said data from between said host computer and said media connector port.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of determining whether the transmission or reception of said data requires authentication.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising the step of enabling said modem circuit to transfer said data from between said host computer and said media connector port if the transmission or reception of said data does not require authentication.

25. A method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of prompting said user to take corrective action if said modem is disabled from transferring data from between said host computer and said media connector port.