Token device that generates and displays one-time passwords and that couples to a computer for inputting or receiving data for generating and outputting one-time passwords and other functions

Abstract

A token device that generates and displays one-time passwords and couples to a computer for inputting or receiving data for generating and outputting one-time passwords and performing other functions is provided. The token includes an interface for coupling to a computer. The token may also be coupled to any network that the computer may be connected to, when coupled to the computer. Data and information may be transmitted between the computer and token, and between the network and token, via the computer and interface. The data and information may include one-time password seeding, file transfer, authentication, configuration and programming of the token. The token must be seeded to generate and display one-time passwords. An original, or seed, value is loaded into the token. One-time passwords are subsequently generated or calculated, or both, from the seed value. Seeding of the token involving a counter, time, or time-related functions, may allow synchronization of the token with such functions. The token may support different authentication methods.

1 . A unitized USB token device for generating and displaying one-time passwords comprising:
 a seed value for generating one-time passwords; and   a display for displaying characters; and   a USB interface for coupling the token device to a computer;   a housing configured to hold the seed value, the display and the USB interface.   
     
     
         2 . A unitized USB token device according to  claim 1 , where in the characters are numeric characters. 
     
     
         3 . A unitized USB token device according to  claim 1 , where in the characters are alphanumeric characters. 
     
     
         4 . A unitized USB token device according to  claim 1 , where in the characters include alphanumeric and numeric characters. 
     
     
         5 . A unitized USB token device according to  claim 1 , where in the housing is made up of at least two separate and distinct portions. 
     
     
         6 . A unitized token device for generating and displaying one-time passwords, comprising:
 a processor configured to generate one-time passwords;   a memory configured to store a seed value for use in generating one-time passwords;   a display for displaying one-time passwords;   an interface configured to communicate with a computer; and   a housing configured to hold the display, the processor, the interface and the seed value.   
     
     
         7 . A unitized token device according to  claim 6 , where in the characters are numeric characters. 
     
     
         8 . A unitized token device according to  claim 6 , where in the characters are alphanumeric characters. 
     
     
         9 . A unitized token device according to  claim 6 , where in the characters include alphanumeric and numeric characters. 
     
     
         10 . A unitized token device according to  claim 6 , where in the housing is made up of at least two separate and distinct portions. 
     
     
         11 . A unitized token device according to  claim 6 , where in the housing is configured to hold a display for viewing of characters. 
     
     
         12 . A unitized USB token device for generating and displaying one-time passwords, comprising:
 a memory configured to store a seed value for use in generating one-time passwords;   a processor coupled to the memory and configured to generate one-time passwords using the seed value;   a display configured to display characters;   a USB interface for coupling the token device to a computer; and   a housing configured to unitize the token device such that the memory, the USB interface, the processor and the display are held by the housing.   
     
     
         13 . A unitized token device according to  claim 12 , where in the characters include one of alphanumeric and numeric characters. 
     
     
         14 . A unitized token device for generating and displaying one-time passwords, comprising:
 a memory configured to store a seed value for use in generating one-time passwords;   a processor coupled to the memory and configured to generate one-time passwords using the seed value;   a display coupled to the processor and configured to display one-time passwords;   an interface for communicating the token device to a computer; and   a housing configured to unitize the token device such that the memory, the interface, the processor and display are held by the housing.   
     
     
         15 . A unitized token device according to  claim 14 , where in the characters include one of alphanumeric and numeric characters. 
     
     
         16 . A unitized token device for generating and displaying one-time passwords, comprising:
 a memory configured to store a seed value for use in generating one-time passwords;   a processor coupled to the memory and configured to generate one-time passwords using the seed value;   a display coupled to the processor and configured to display one-time passwords in the form of numeric characters;   an interface for communicating the token device to a computer; and   a housing configured to unitize the token device such that the memory, the interface, the processor and display are held by the housing.   
     
     
         17 . A method for generating and outputting one-time passwords, the method comprising;
 providing a unitized token device having a processor and a memory containing a seed value to allow said processor to generate one-time passwords, a display for displaying characters representative of one-time password data generated by the processor, the token device being unitized such that the processor, memory and display are held by a housing, and an interface for transmitting data to and from a computer;   loading one of a counter value and a time value into the memory;   transmitting the seed value and one of the counter and time value to the processor; and   generating data representative of a one-time password.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the data representative of a one-time password is displayed on the display. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , where in the one-time password include ones of alphanumeric and numeric characters. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising transmitting data representative of a one-time password from the token device to a computer. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising transmitting data representative of a one-time password from the token device to a computer of a computer network. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising generating or modifying said seed value by methods selected from the group consisting of PKI keys pairs, digital certificates, and time related functions. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said device additionally performs other functions selected from the group consisting of challenge and response, PKI, and digital certificate.