Abstract:
A system and method are disclosed for controlling physical access through a digital certificate validation process that works with standard certificate formats and that enables a certifying authority (CA) to prove the validity status of each certificate C at any time interval (e.g., every day, hour, or minute) starting with C's issue date, D1. C's time granularity may be specified within the certificate itself, unless it is the same for all certificates. For example, all certificates may have a one-day granularity with each certificate expires 365 days after issuance. Given certain initial inputs provided by the CA, a one-way hash function is utilized to compute values of a specified byte size that are included on the digital certificate and to compute other values that are kept secret and used in the validation process.
Abstract:
A computer learning system includes a computer screen, a cover that selectively covers and reveals different amounts of the computer screen and a computer processor that senses an amount of the computer screen that is revealed by the cover. The processor causes a first learning segment to be displayed on the computer screen in response to the cover revealing a first portion of the computer screen and causes a second learning segment to be displayed on the computer screen in response to the cover revealing a second portion of the computer screen. The first learning segment may be a question and the second learning segment may be an answer to the question. The computer processor and the computer screen may be provided by a tablet computer. The table computer may be an iPad® 2 tablet computer.
Abstract:
A system and method are disclosed for controlling physical access through a digital certificate validation process that works with standard certificate formats and that enables a certifying authority (CA) to prove the validity status of each certificate C at any time interval (e.g., every day, hour, or minute) starting with C's issue date, D1. C's time granularity may be specified within the certificate itself, unless it is the same for all certificates. For example, all certificates may have a one-day granularity with each certificate expires 365 days after issuance. Given certain initial inputs provided by the CA, a one-way hash function is utilized to compute values of a specified byte size that are included on the digital certificate and to compute other values that are kept secret and used in the validation process.
Abstract:
A cost-effective system that provides for the efficient protection of transmitted non-public attribute information may be used, for example, to control access to a secure area. Encryption of the attribute information may be performed using symmetric encryption techniques, such as XOR and/or stream cipher encryption. A centralized database that stores and transmits the encrypted attribute information may generate the encryption/decryption key based on selected information bytes, for example, as taken from a card inserted into a handheld device used at the secure area. The selected information to generate the encryption key stream may be varied on a periodic basis by the centralized database. Information as to which selected bytes are to be used for a particular access authorization request may be transmitted to the handheld unit or may be input through action of a user of the handheld unit, for example by entry of a PIN code.
Abstract:
Providing information about digital certificate validity includes ascertaining digital certificate validity status for each of a plurality of digital certificates in a set of digital certificates, generating a plurality of artificially pre-computed messages about the validity status of at least a subset of the set of digital certificate of the plurality of digital certificates, where at least one of the messages indicates validity status of more than one digital certificate and digitally signing the artificially pre-computed messages to provide OCSP format responses that respond to OCSP queries about specific digital certificates in the set of digital certificates, where at least one digital signature is used in connection with an OCSP format response for more than one digital certificate. Generating and digitally signing may occur prior to any OCSP queries that are answered by any of the OCSP format responses. Ascertaining digital certificate validity status may include obtaining authenticated information about digital certificates.
Abstract:
Controlling access includes providing a barrier to access that includes a controller that selectively allows access, at least one administration entity generating credentials/proofs, wherein no valid proofs are determinable given only the credentials and values for expired proofs, the controller receiving the credentials/proofs, the controller determining if access is presently authorized, and, if access is presently authorized, the controller allowing access. The credentials/proofs may be in one part or may be in separate parts. There may be a first administration entity that generates the credentials and other administration entities that generate proofs. The first administration entity may also generate proofs or the first administration entity may not generate proofs. The credentials may correspond to a digital certificate that includes a final value that is a result of applying a one way function to a first one of the proofs.
Abstract:
Logging events associated with accessing an area includes recording an event associated with accessing the area to provide an event recording and authenticating at least the event recording to provide an authenticated recording. Recording an event may include recording a time of the event. Recording an event may include recording a type of event. The event may be an attempt to access the area. Recording an event may include recording credentials/proofs used in connection with the attempt to access the area. Recording an event may include recording a result of the attempt. Recording an event may include recording the existence of data other than the credentials/proofs indicating that access should be denied. Recording an event may include recording additional data related to the area. Authenticating the recording may include digitally signing the recording. Authenticating at least the event recording may include authenticating the event recording and authenticating other event recordings to provide a single authenticated recording.
Abstract:
Providing information about digital certificate validity includes ascertaining digital certificate validity status for each of a plurality of digital certificates in a set of digital certificates, generating a plurality of artificially pre-computed messages about the validity status of at least a subset of the set of digital certificate of the plurality of digital certificates, where at least one of the messages indicates validity status of more than one digital certificate and digitally signing the artificially pre-computed messages to provide OCSP format responses that respond to OCSP queries about specific digital certificates in the set of digital certificates, where at least one digital signature is used in connection with an OCSP format response for more than one digital certificate. Generating and digitally signing may occur prior to any OCSP queries that are answered by any of the OCSP format responses. Ascertaining digital certificate validity status may include obtaining authenticated information about digital certificates.
Abstract:
Logging events associated with accessing an area includes recording an event associated with accessing the area to provide an event recording and authenticating at least the event recording to provide an authenticated recording. Recording an event may include recording a time of the event. Recording an event may include recording a type of event. The event may be an attempt to access the area. Recording an event may include recording credentials/proofs used in connection with the attempt to access the area. Recording an event may include recording a result of the attempt. Recording an event may include recording the existence of data other than the credentials/proofs indicating that access should be denied. Recording an event may include recording additional data related to the area. Authenticating the recording may include digitally signing the recording. Authenticating at least the event recording may include authenticating the event recording and authenticating other event recordings to provide a single authenticated recording.
Abstract:
Actuating a security system includes providing a first set of access codes to a wireless device and causing the wireless device to transmit the first set of access codes to a first controller that actuates the security system. The first set of access codes provided to the wireless device may expire. Actuating a security system may also include providing expiration dates for each of the first set of access codes provided to the wireless device. Actuating a security system may also include examining each of the expiration dates and, in response to a particular expiration date being prior to a current date, erasing from the wireless device a particular one of the first set of access codes that corresponds to the particular expiration date.