Authentication methods and apparatus for vehicle rentals and other applications
First Claim
1. A method of authenticating the use of a vehicle, comprising:
- installing a vehicle disable unit inside a vehicle, the vehicle disable unit being operative to disable an entry or operation of the vehicle without an appropriate authorization;
providing a card reader system separate from the vehicle, said card reader system having a keypad and a display, said card reader system comprising a transmitter and a receiver, and where said card reader system is capable of;
receiving a user request from a user for entry or operation of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle disable unit;
in response to said user request, authenticating said user and generating a request upon authentication;
encrypting the generated request; and
transmitting said encrypted generated request to the vehicle disable unit;
receiving the encrypted generated request at the vehicle disable unit, and communicating the encrypted generated request from the vehicle disable unit to a third party;
decrypting the encrypted generated request and validating the request at the third party;
receiving a signal at the vehicle disable unit from the third party, the signal indicating the validation of the generated request and thereby the authentication of the user to enter or operate said vehicle; and
if the signal indicates that the generated request is validated by the third party then deactivating the vehicle disable unit so that the vehicle can be entered or operated.
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Abstract
An autonomous and portable smartcard reader device incorporates a high level of embedded security countermeasures. Data transfers are encrypted with two specific input devices, namely a light sensor and PIN or other keyboard entry, and at the output through the use of a dual-tone encoder-decoder. The unit may be used alone or as a plug-in to another device such as a PDA, cell phone, or remote control. The reader may further be coupled to various biometric or plug-in devices to achieve at least five levels of authentication, namely, (1) the smartcard itself; (2) the smartcard reader; (2) the PIN; (3) private-key cryptography (PKI); and (5) the (optional) biometric device. These five levels account for an extremely strong authentication applicable to public networking on public/private computers, and even on TV (satellite, cable, DVD, CD AUDIO, software applications. Transactions including payments may be carried out without any risk of communication tampering, authentication misconduct or identity theft. The invention finds utility in a wide range of applications, including commercial transactions and security, including the generation of prepaid credit/debit card numbers, vehicle rental, and other uses.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of authenticating the use of a vehicle, comprising:
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installing a vehicle disable unit inside a vehicle, the vehicle disable unit being operative to disable an entry or operation of the vehicle without an appropriate authorization; providing a card reader system separate from the vehicle, said card reader system having a keypad and a display, said card reader system comprising a transmitter and a receiver, and where said card reader system is capable of; receiving a user request from a user for entry or operation of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle disable unit; in response to said user request, authenticating said user and generating a request upon authentication; encrypting the generated request; and transmitting said encrypted generated request to the vehicle disable unit; receiving the encrypted generated request at the vehicle disable unit, and communicating the encrypted generated request from the vehicle disable unit to a third party; decrypting the encrypted generated request and validating the request at the third party; receiving a signal at the vehicle disable unit from the third party, the signal indicating the validation of the generated request and thereby the authentication of the user to enter or operate said vehicle; and if the signal indicates that the generated request is validated by the third party then deactivating the vehicle disable unit so that the vehicle can be entered or operated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification