Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Protection at a particular protocol layer
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-29
2001-01-09
Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 2785)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Protection at a particular protocol layer
C455S558000, C361S725000, C361S689000, C235S486000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173405
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to communication card modems. More specifically the present invention relates to a communications card modem for a personal computer useful in the transmission and reception of sensitive data.
2. The Relevant Technology
The rapid increase in the use of distributed computing networks has caused a corresponding increase in the transmission of sensitive data. This has exposed sensitive data to substantial risk. These risks include intrusions by unauthorized users who gain access to the computing network by “hacking” and users with authorization to the networks but who “eavesdrop” on data to which they have no need to know.
Accordingly, computing networks have incorporated security measures to prevent this unauthorized user access to protect and preserve sensitive data. For example, software programs have been installed on computer networks that require users to supply a name and a password during the loading of the operating system. This, however, is inadequate for protecting sensitive data after the initialization process. For example, when a computer is left unattended by an authorized user, an unauthorized user is free to gain access.
Often, password programs are input into these computer networks through a circuit card inserted into an input/output expansion slot of an individual computer. This is problematic for many computers, such as laptop or personal computers (PC), because these computers typically already have their expansion slots filled with other circuit cards. Thereafter, they lack the open architecture that allows for additional expansion slots to accommodate circuit cards that load password programs.
In general, password programs are software inserted between the operating system of the computer and other software applications. Although most password programs are compatible with disk operating systems (DOS) like MS-DOS and PC-DOS, many password programs are still not compatible with Microsoft Windows software programs and higher level DOS.
Conventional password programs are also inadequate because they are typically devoid of protection for modem “dial-up” sessions which require user authentication before sensitive data can be transmitted or received.
More recently, other secure systems have been developed to overcome the inadequacies of the password programs. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,463, a portable security device is taught that provides encryption and authentication for data transmissions and reception. This device, however, is an additional piece of computing equipment which can easily be forgotten during transport of portable computers such as PC's. This device also requires additional connectors which increases user costs. These problems also exemplify the shortcomings in other similar related patents teaching modular, portable devices.
Other secure systems, such as “smart cards” have also been developed to provide protection for the transmission and reception of sensitive voice and data signals. In general, the smart card is a small microcomputer with writable, non-volatile memory and a simple input/output interface device fabricated as a single chip that is embedded in a plastic “credit card”. For computer use, however, the smart card requires an additional expansion slot in the computer in order to be effective. Again, this is problematic because many PC and other downsized computer styles do not have an architecture that allows the insertion of additional cards into expansion slots. Furthermore, as computers continue to downsize, there will be fewer expansion slots available for additional cards such as smart cards.
Additionally, if the smart card is to be used with a computer for the transmission and reception of data, and only one expansion slot on the computer exists, a user is required to jockey between the card and the modem to effectuate data transfer. At best, this is inconvenient. Although some smart cards have been fabricated as smaller versions of the credit-card style smart cards, these have typically been reserved for use with cellular phones.
Still other security measurements for computing networks include authentication measures that utilize biological attributes of a user. Such systems include retina scanners or fingerprint readers. Although effective, these measures are extraordinarily expensive for users of average computing systems. They can also be inconvenient.
Accordingly, it is desirous to overcome the foregoing shortcomings associated with the prior art devices by providing a novel and improved secure means of transmitting and receiving sensitive data that is useful for computers and computing networks.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a secure means for the transmission and reception of sensitive data that is effective beyond the initialization of the computing system configuration.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a secure means for the transmission and reception of sensitive data that does not require an additional expansion slot in the computing system configuration.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a secure means for the transmission and reception of sensitive data that is compatible with existing hardware and software programs.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a secure means for the transmission and reception of sensitive data that is integrated within existing configurations to prevent the rotating of components and/or the requirement of carrying an additional piece of computing equipment.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a secure means for the transmission and reception of sensitive data that enables user authentication for modem dial-up sessions.
It is a concomitant object of the present invention to provide a secure means for the transmission and reception of sensitive data that is economically feasible for users of average computing systems.
In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the foregoing and other objectives are achieved by providing a secure communications card modem, in general accord with PCMCIA standards, for use in authenticating authorized users before the transmission or reception of sensitive data.
In a preferred embodiment, the communications card modem is configured for use with two sliding interface ports and a connector for interfacing with a host computer. The two sliding interface ports comprise a media connector port and a security port. The media connector port is adapted for receiving a media connector, such as a RJ-11 phone jack. The security port is adapted for receiving a security card. Both sliding interface ports are at one end of the modem while the connector is at another end.
During use, a user inserts a security card into the security port whereupon the security card is authenticated by a reader circuit within the modem. Thereafter, the modem circuitry within the modem is enabled to transmit or receive sensitive data. In the event the reader circuit does not authenticate the security card, the modem circuitry is disabled from transferring data from between the computer and a communications line. In the event authentication is not required, the modem circuitry is enabled to transfer data as a conventional modem.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
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patent:
3Com Corporation
Beausoliel, Jr. Robert W.
Revak Christopher
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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