Techniques for providing a personal identification security feature to a portable computing device

• US 8,095,968 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2007
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Cortopassi, Michael, Hile, Wayne, Robinson, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand, Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYSZYNSKI, AUBREY H
• Application Number:
  US11/900,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20080098468A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,581 Days
• Field of Search: 726/5
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1025 Identification of user by a PIN code
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 the reader being an RFID reader

Abstract

One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes implementing a personal digital assistant (PDA) with a wireless personal identification mechanism. Specifically, the wireless identification mechanism can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit which is incorporated on the inside of the rear housing (e.g., plastic) of the personal digital assistant. Once the radio frequency identification integrated circuit has been implemented with an authorized security code, the personal digital assistant in accordance with the present embodiment is capable of functioning as a “key” enabling entry into restricted areas which are secured with non-contact radio frequency security systems such as corporate campuses, buildings, and/or laboratories. In this manner, an authorized person does not have to carry around a separate radio frequency keycard in order to gain access to restricted areas.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a portable computing device;

a radio frequency identification circuit attached to said portable computing device;

wherein said radio frequency identification circuit comprises memory that stores a security code,

said radio frequency identification circuit being energized by a radio frequency field produced by a reading device when said portable computing device is brought into said radio frequency field,

said radio frequency identification circuit responding to being energized by outputting a signal containing said security code for reception by said reading device,

said security code indicating authorization to enter a secure area such that said reading device permits access to said secure area upon reception and authentication of said security code.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification circuit comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification circuit comprises a radio frequency identification integrated circuit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification circuit is disposed inside a housing of said portable computing device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said radio frequency identification circuit is disposed on a removable panel of said housing of said portable computing device so as to be inside said housing when said panel is in place on said portable computing device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification circuit is communicatively coupled to a processor of said portable computing device, wherein said processor creates a log of usage of said security code by said radio frequency identification circuit to access said secure area.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said radio frequency identification circuit is communicatively coupled to a processor of said portable computing device, and

said security code of said radio frequency identification circuit is set using an interface of said portable computing device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said portable computing device comprises a telephone.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said portable computing device comprises a portable computer.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a snap-on adapter sized to snap onto said portable computing device, wherein said radio frequency identification integrated circuit is disposed on said snap-on adapter.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said portable computing device comprises a telephone and said snap-on adapter snaps onto said telephone.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said snap-on adapter engages sides of said telephone so as to be disposed on a rear portion of said telephone.

13. A method comprising:

presenting a portable computing device having a radio frequency identification circuit attached thereto to gain access to a secure area;

wherein said radio frequency identification circuit comprises memory that stores a security code,

said radio frequency identification circuit being energized by a radio frequency field produced by a reading device when said portable computing device is brought into said radio frequency field,

said radio frequency identification circuit responding to being energized by outputting a signal containing said security code for reception by said reading device,

said security code indicating authorization to enter said secure area such that said reading device permits access to said secure area upon reception and authentication of said security code.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said radio frequency identification circuit is communicatively coupled to a processor of said portable computing device, wherein said method further comprises, with said processor, creating a log of usage of said security code by said radio frequency identification circuit to access said secure area.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said log indicates dates and times at which said security code is used by said radio frequency identification circuit to access said secure area.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein:

said radio frequency identification circuit is communicatively coupled to a processor of said portable computing device, and

said method comprises inputting said security code to said radio frequency identification circuit using an interface of said portable computing device.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising snapping a snap-on adapter onto said portable computing device, wherein said radio frequency identification circuit is disposed on said snap-on adapter.