Authentication device

Details Authentication device Authentication device

1999-05-13

2002-06-11

Chan, Wing F. (Department: 2743)

Telephonic communications

Telephone line or system combined with diverse electrical...

Having transmission of a digital message signal over a...

Reexamination Certificate

active

06404862

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an authentication device for use over a telephone line.
There are a number of situations where a person may be required to authenticate his or her identity to a remote service over a telephone line. For example, authentication is required when a customer calls a bank to obtain account details, or when a person calls a government department in connection with a benefit claim. Conventional methods, such as asking for date of birth or mother's maiden name, provide only a minimal degree of security.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,619 describes a universal authentication device which is the size and shape of a credit card, and contains a microprocessor, keypad, LCD display, and audio interface for receiving and transmitting signals over a telephone line when the device is held close to the telephone earpiece or mouthpiece. In operation, the remote service sends a random challenge over the telephone line to the device. The device generates a response, e.g. by encrypting the challenge, and returns the response over the telephone line to the remote service. The remote service compares the response with the expected response, and if they match, authenticates the user.
PCT Patent Application No. 95/04328 describes a portable hand-held device containing a microprocessor, keypad, LCD display, and audio interface for connection to a telephone line. The device also contains a receptor for an integrated circuit card (smart card). The device may be used for a large number of functions, controlled by program modules stored internally or on the smart card. One function provides identification of the user via the telephone, using a challenge and response mechanism.
A problem with both of these prior proposals is that they are relatively complex, and hence would be relatively expensive to implement. The object of the present invention is to provide an improved authentication device, which does not have these disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention an authentication device comprises a hand-held unit having a receptacle for a smart card and an audio interface for communication with a telephone line to permit a challenge-and-response authentication procedure between the smart card and a remote service, the device being dedicated solely to said authentication procedure and having no display.
It will be seen that, because the device is dedicated solely to the authentication procedure and has no display, it can be implemented very simply and cheaply. In a preferred form of the invention, the device also has no keypad, allowing it to be implemented even more cheaply.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4430728 (1984-02-01), Beitel et al.
patent: 4694492 (1987-09-01), Wirstrom et al.
patent: 5351296 (1994-09-01), Sullivan
patent: 5406619 (1995-04-01), Akhteruzzaman et al.
patent: 5740232 (1998-04-01), Pailles et al.
patent: 5770849 (1998-06-01), Novis et al.
patent: 5987155 (1999-11-01), Dunn et al.
patent: WO 95/04328 (1995-02-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Authentication device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Authentication device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Authentication device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2938172