Computer access via a single-use password
US6370649B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2131
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer system according to the present invention implements a self-modifying “fail-safe” password system that allows a manufacturer or site administrator to securely supply a single-use password to users who lose a power-up password. The fail-safe password system utilizes at least one fail-safe counter, an encryption/decryption algorithm, a public key, and a secure non-volatile memory space. The fail-safe password is derived by generating a hash code using SHA, MD5,or a similar algorithm and encrypting the result. The fail-safe password is then communicated to the user. After the user enters the fail-safe password, the computer system generates an internal hash value and compares it with the hash code of the decrypted fail-safe password. When the decrypted fail-safe password matches the internal hash value, the user is allowed access to the computer system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.