Devices, systems and methods for security using magnetic field based identification

• US 9,197,636 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2014
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Varshavsky, Alexander, Li, Kevin Ansia
• Primary Examiner(s): PERUNGAVOOR, VENKATANARAY
• Application Number:
  US14/299,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20140289835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/44 Program or device authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/68 Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/79 Radio fingerprint

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for determining an electromagnetic signature for authenticating a device, a user, and/or a location. In exemplary embodiments, a magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature which is then compared with one or more authorized electromagnetic signatures. If the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature, then access is granted. The magnetometer is integrated into a communication device having a processor and a logic. The magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature of a surrounding environment and detects motion of the communication device through the captured electromagnetic signature. The logic on the communication device locks or unlocks features of the device based upon the captured electromagnetic signature. In further embodiments of the subject disclosure, the magnetometer is in communication with a server which authenticates a user or communication device to provide access to a remote location.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by an authentication server comprising a processor, an electromagnetic signature created by a communication device when the communication device is gestured, wherein the electromagnetic signature is based on a gesture made by the communication device when the communication device is gestured and is further based on a signature of an electromagnetic field of the communication device; and

attempting, by the authentication server based on the electromagnetic signature, to authenticate the communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein attempting, by the authentication server based on the electromagnetic signature, to authenticate the communication device comprises determining whether the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising in response to determining that first electromagnetic signature matches the authorized electromagnetic signature, granting access to an accessible unit.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein granting access to the accessible unit comprises sending a signal to the accessible unit to grant access.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, blocking access to an accessible unit for a period of time.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, requiring, from the communication device, another authentication in addition to the electromagnetic signature.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, providing, by the authentication server to the communication device, a prompt to attempt authentication again.

8. An authentication server comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

receiving an electromagnetic signature of a communication device created when the communication device is gestured, wherein the electromagnetic signature is based on a gesture made by the communication device when the communication device is gestured and is further based on a signature of an electromagnetic field of the communication device, and

attempting, based on the first electromagnetic signature, to authenticate the communication device.

9. The authentication server of claim 8, wherein attempting, based on the electromagnetic signature, to authenticate the communication device comprises determining whether the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature.

10. The authentication server of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining that electromagnetic signature matches the authorized electromagnetic signature, granting access to an accessible unit.

11. The authentication server of claim 10, wherein granting access to the accessible unit comprises sending a signal to the accessible unit to grant access.

12. The authentication server of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, blocking access to an accessible unit for a period of time.

13. The authentication server of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, requiring, from the communication device, another authentication in addition to the electromagnetic signature.

14. The authentication server of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, providing, to the communication device, a prompt to attempt authentication again.

15. A memory storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving an electromagnetic signature of a communication device created when the communication device is gestured, wherein the electromagnetic signature is based on a gesture made by the communication device when the communication device is gestured and is further based on a signature of an electromagnetic field of the communication device; and

attempting, based on the electromagnetic signature, to authenticate the communication device.

16. The memory of claim 15, wherein attempting, based on the electromagnetic signature, to authenticate the communication device comprises determining whether the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature.

17. The memory of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining that electromagnetic signature matches the authorized electromagnetic signature, granting access to an accessible unit.

18. The memory of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, blocking access to an accessible unit for a period of time.

19. The memory of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, requiring, from the communication device, another authentication in addition to the electromagnetic signature.

20. The memory of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining a mismatch between the authorized electromagnetic signature and the electromagnetic signature, providing, to the communication device, a prompt to attempt authentication again.