Removable cryptographic ignition key system and method
US7761904B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 25, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/35
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A removable, wireless, cryptographic ignition key (CIK) provides a user the capability to conduct secure operations utilizing a processor as long as the CIK is within the vicinity of the processor. This removable CIK may be utilized in applications related to conducting secure operations on desktop computers, laptop computers, wireless telephones, handheld radios (e.g., military radios requiring secure communications), and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Secure operations are enabled upon insertion and removal of the CIK into/from the processor. If a predetermined proximity between the removable CIK and the processor is exceeded (e.g., the user leaves the room, the user puts the processor on a moving belt on an X-ray machine at the airport, the processor is stolen), secure operations are disabled. Secure operations may be resumed, upon the CIK being inserted and removed into/from the processor again.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.