Portable access device

• US 7,994,898 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bloomberg Finance LP (Bloomberg LP)
• Original Assignee: Bloomberg Finance LP (Bloomberg LP)
• Inventors: Ozolins, Helmars E.
• Primary Examiner(s): JUNG, DAVID YIUK
• Application Number:
  US12/485,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20090273442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.82, 340/5.81, 340/5.8
• US Class Current: 340/5.82
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly

Abstract

Portable devices, methods, and systems for controlling access to computers and other secure systems such as systems protecting secure premises, by processing data supplied by the individual seeking access to the system and data supplied by the system to which the prospective user seeks access, to determine whether access by the individual is to be authorized or enabled. In one embodiment the invention provides a device for providing a code that may be used to access a system such as a computer or security system. The device comprises an output device and at least one processor. The processor processes data representing a biometric characteristic of a prospective user of the system and a signal provided by the system, and, depending upon a result of the processing, provides to the output device a code that may be used to access the system.

Claims

1. A method of providing a code for use in accessing a system, the method performed by an access device comprising a processor, a signal sensor, and a biometric sensor, the method comprising:

the processor of the access device processing a signal received by the signal sensor of the access device from a signal generator associated with the system to be accessed to determine whether the system has received information indicating that a person seeking access to the system is attempting to access the system using a primary entry station;

if it is determined by the access device using the signal received by the signal sensor that the person is attempting to access the system using a primary entry station, the access device providing to an output device thereof an access code that can be used to access the system regardless of any biometric information received from the biometric sensor of the access device;

otherwise the access device providing to the output device thereof an access code that can be used to access the system only upon determination that a correlation criteria is satisfied by biometric information received from the biometric sensor and stored biometric information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the access code is session-specific.

3. A method of selectively providing a code for use in accessing a system such as a computer system, the method performed by an access device comprising an output device, a processor, a signal sensor, and a biometric sensor, the method comprising:

in response to an attempt to access the system using an authorization function associated with the system from a primary entry station, the system granting access thereto;

otherwise, in response to the attempt,

receiving by the signal sensor of the access device a signal from a signal generator associated with the system to be accessed, and

the access device generating the access code based on the received signal; and

the access device providing the access code to the output device thereof only upon determination of a correlation criteria between biometric information received by the biometric sensor from a person attempting to access the system and stored biometric information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the authorization function comprises a system log-in comprising a user name, a password, or both.