Authentication device with electronic authentication communication

US5983347A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Daimlerchrysler AG · US

Inventors

• Horst Brinkmeyer · Waiblingen, DE
• Michael Daiss · Echterdingen, DE
• Guenter Schwegler · Waiblingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 8, 1997
• Grant date: Nov 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Aug 8, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07C2209/63
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electronic authentication device has an authentication key unit for user authentication with respect to the target unit, which key unit communicates electronically with the target unit during an authentication communication process. An electronic authentication communication process is activated automatically when the key unit approaches the target unit or when a triggering element provided on the target unit is actuated. For increased protection against unauthorized authentication attempts, indicating apparatus are provided on the key unit to display the fact that an electronic authentication communication process is taking place. Also switching apparatus can be provided for allowing or blocking an authentication communication process, and a communication duration monitor can also be provided on the target unit to monitor the duration of an authentication communication process and block authentication if this duration exceeds a predetermined maximum duration.