Secure credit card employing pseudo-random bit sequences for authentication
First Claim
1. A secure credit card, comprising:
- a) a counter;
b) a pseudo-random bit sequence generator;
c) a clock for driving the counter and for driving the pseudo-random bit sequence generator, wherein the clock is operable for an unpredictable number of cycles, wherein the unpredictable number of cycles is determined by a human action of unpredictable duration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A secure credit card has a pair of linear feedback shift registers (LFSRs) for generating a pair of random numbers. The LFSRs each have a unique initial state and feedback tap configuration. Hence, they each produce a unique sequence of numbers. When a financial transaction occurs, the LFSRs are operated for a random number of clock cycles, to create a pair of matched random numbers. Each card issued has unique LFSR settings, and so will produce characteristic random numbers. At a financial institution, the LFSR settings are known, so the financial institution can determine by calculation if the pair of random numbers is authentic. There are many variations, including a credit card with a secret security code for activation, and 2-way “handshake” communication with the financial institution. Also, one of the LFSRs may be replaced with a binary, or similar counter.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A secure credit card, comprising:
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a) a counter;
b) a pseudo-random bit sequence generator;
c) a clock for driving the counter and for driving the pseudo-random bit sequence generator, wherein the clock is operable for an unpredictable number of cycles, wherein the unpredictable number of cycles is determined by a human action of unpredictable duration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A secure credit card, comprising:
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a) a virtually emulated first linear-feedback shift register (LFSR);
b) a second linear-feedback shift register (LFSR) or a second virtually emulated LFSR; and
c) a clock for driving the first and second linear-feedback shift registers, wherein the clock is operable for an unpredictable number of cycles, wherein the unpredictable number of cycles is determined by a human action of unpredictable duration. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for authenticating a secure credit card having a linear feedback shift register (LFSR), comprising the steps of:
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a) sending from the credit card to a financial institution a card identification number uniquely associated with LFSR settings;
c) sending from the financial institution to the credit card a request for an output of the LFSR after m clock cycles;
d) operating the LFSR for m clock cycles to produce an LFSR output;
e) sending the LFSR output from the card to the financial institution;
f) comparing the LFSR output with LFSR settings for the credit card to authenticate the credit card. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A method for authenticating a secure credit card having a counter and a pseudo-random bit sequence generator (GEN), comprising the steps of:
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a) driving the counter and the GEN for numbers of cycles having a fixed or predictable mathematical relationship;
b) transmitting to a financial institution outputs of the counter and GEN after step (a);
c) authenticating the credit card by comparing the outputs produced in step (b) with settings of the counter and GEN known to the financial institution. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification