Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for operating a computer in a secure mode

US7043643B1 · kind B1 · utility

34Cited by
4References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 6, 2001
Grant dateMay 9, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L9/3234
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for activating an encryption control device that is in communication with a computer for providing a secure computing environment for a user is provided. The method initiates with providing a card for insertion into a card reader of the encryption control device. The card is configured to receive and pass data. Next, a biometric identifier is received from the user. The biometric identifier enables validation of the user as the authorized owner of the card. Then, a challenge/response protocol between the encryption control and the inserted card is run. The challenge/response protocol establishes that the card and the encryption control device are compatible. Next, an encryption engine of the encryption control device is activated to create a secure computing environment if the user is validated as the authorized owner of the card and the challenge/response protocol is successfully executed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.