Marking for authentication and access

Abstract

An authentication system for managing access to an access-restricted system is provided. The system includes a user interface panel for receiving a request for access rights from a user. A processing device is also provided for assigning the access rights to the user and storing them in a database. An ink deposition station coupled to the processing device is operable to print access credentials on an authentication object in accordance with the access rights assigned to the user. The user may then gain access to at least a portion of the access-restricted system by interfacing with a credentials reader. The reader scans the access credentials from the authentication object and transmits the credentials to the processing device, which grants access to the access-restricted system upon authentication of the access credentials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An authentication system for managing access to an access-restricted system, the authentication system comprising:
 a user interface panel configured to receive a request for access rights from a user;   a processing device coupled to the user interface panel and configured to assign the access rights to the user;   an ink deposition station coupled to the processing device and configured to receive an authentication object from the user and to print access credentials on the authentication object in accordance with the access rights assigned to the user; and   a credentials reader coupled to the processing device and configured to read the access credentials from the authentication object and transmit the access credentials to the processing device,   wherein the processing device is configured to authenticate the access credentials and grant access to at least a portion of the access-restricted system in accordance with the access rights of the user.   
     
     
         2 . An electronic locker system, the system comprising
 a housing;   a plurality of securable units within the housing; and   an authentication system to manage access to the securable units, the authentication system including:
 a kiosk configured to receive a request for access rights from a user for accessing an assigned securable unit; 
 a processing device coupled to the kiosk and configured to assign the access rights to the user; 
 an ink deposition station coupled to the processing device and configured to receive an authentication object from the user and to print access credentials on the authentication object in accordance with the access rights assigned to the user, the ink deposition station being further configured to print the access credentials using invisible ink or dye; and 
 a credentials reader coupled to the processing device and configured to read the access credentials from the authentication object and transmit the access credentials to the processing device, 
 wherein the processing device is configured to authenticate the access credentials and grant access to the assigned securable unit in accordance with the access rights of the user. 
   
     
     
         3 . A system to track time worked by an employee at a work site, the system comprising:
 a user interface panel configured to receive inputs from the employee to clock-in to the work site;   a processing device coupled to the user interface panel and configured to store a clock-in time and employee information within a database;   an ink deposition station coupled to the processing device and configured to receive an authentication object from the employee and to print access credentials on the authentication object; and   a credentials reader coupled to the processing device and configured to read the access credentials from the authentication object and transmit the access credentials to the processing device,   wherein the processing device is configured to authenticate the access credentials and record a clock-out time if the processing device authenticates the access credentials.