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US4926481A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Computer access security code system

Assignee: United States, NASA (NASA), Secretary of
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Filing: 1988-12-05
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Granted: 1990-05-15
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Expires: 2008-12-05
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Abstract

Abstract A security code system for controlling access to computer and computer-controlled entry situations comprises a plurality of subsets of alpha-numeric charcters disposed in random order in matrices of at least two dimensions forming theoretical rectangles, cubes, etc., such that when access is desired, at least one pair of previously unused character subsets not found in the same row or column of the matrix is chosen at random and transmitted by the computer. The proper response to gain access is transmittal of subsets which complete the rectangle, and/or a parallelepiped whose opposite corners were defined by first groups of code. Once used, subsets are not used again to absolutely defeat unauthorized access by eavesdropping, and the like.

Inventors

  • 👤 Earl R. Collins, Jr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 09:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/45; G06F21/46

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 237 words
In a security access control system wherein a user at a remote station requires approval from a controlling computer to gain access, the improvement comprising: (a) a pair of matching first matrices of passwords located at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, each said first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; and, (b) access logic means located at the controlling computer and operably connected to read from and write to its associated said first matrix of passwords, (b1) for transmitting a first pair of said passwords from its said first matrix to the remote station when the remote station attempts to gain access, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane, (b2) for receiving a first pair of said passwords transmitted from the remote station as obtained from the remote station's said first matrix, (b3) for comparing said first pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to the said passwords located in the controlling computer's said first matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted first pair of said passwords, (b4) for granting access if said compared passwords are a match, and (b5) for denying access if said compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 237 words
In a security access control system wherein a user at a remote station requires approval from a controlling computer to gain access, the improvement comprising: (a) a pair of matching first matrices of passwords located at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, each said first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; and, (b) access logic means located at the controlling computer and operably connected to read from and write to its associated said first matrix of passwords, (b1) for transmitting a first pair of said passwords from its said first matrix to the remote station when the remote station attempts to gain access, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane, (b2) for receiving a first pair of said passwords transmitted from the remote station as obtained from the remote station's said first matrix, (b3) for comparing said first pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to the said passwords located in the controlling computer's said first matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted first pair of said passwords, (b4) for granting access if said compared passwords are a match, and (b5) for denying access if said compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 56 words
The improvement to a security access control system of claim 1 wherein said access logic means additionally includes: (a) means for marking ones of said passwords within the associated said first matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) means for not choosing a said password marked as used for transmission to the remote station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 242 words
The improvement to a security access control system of claim 1 and additionally comprising: (a) a pair of matching second matrices of passwords located at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, each said second matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; and wherein said access logic means additionally includes, (b) secondary checking means disposed before said means for granting access if said compared passwords are a match, (b1) for transmitting a second pair of said passwords from its said second matrix to the remote station, said second pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing said compared and matched passwords at diagonal corners of one side thereof, (b2) for receiving a second pair of said passwords transmitted from the remote station as obtained from the remote station's said second matrix, (b3) for comparing said second pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to the said passwords located in the controlling computer's said second matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted second pair of said passwords, (b4) for granting access if said compared second passwords are a match, and (b5) for denying access if said compared second passwords are not a match.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 56 words
The improvement to a security access control system of claim 3 wherein said access logic means additionally includes: (a) means for marking ones of said passwords within the associated said second matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) means for not choosing a said password marked as used for transmission to the remote station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 280 words
The improvement to a security access control system of claim 1 and additionally comprising: (a) a pair of matching second matrices of passwords located at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, each said second matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; (b) the remote station including query logic for transmitting a query pair of said passwords from its said first matrix to the controlling computer to initiate an access attempt, said query pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane; and wherein said access logic means additionally includes, (c) preliminary checking logic disposed before said means for transmitting a first pair of said passwords the remote station, (c1) for receiving said query pair of said passwords transmitted from the remote station, (c2) for using said query pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to find the said passwords located in the controlling computer's said first matrix at two corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted query pair of said passwords, (c2) for transmitting said passwords from said two other corners to the remote station, and wherein additionally, (d) said first pair of said passwords is chosen from the controlling computer's said first matrix, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing said four query passwords at corners of one side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 257 words
A security access control system comprising: (a) controlling computer means for controlling access to an object; (b) remote station means operably connected to said controlling computer means for inputting access information to said controlling computer means; (c) a pair of matching first matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and the remote station means respectively, each said first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; and, (d) access logic means located at said controlling computer means and operably connected to read from and write to its associated said first matrix of passwords, (d1) for transmitting a first pair of said passwords from its said first matrix to said remote station means when said remote station means attempts to gain access, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane, (d2) for receiving a first pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means as obtained from said remote station means' said first matrix, (d3) for comparing said first pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said first matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted first pair of said passwords, (d4) for granting access if said compared passwords are a match, and (d5) for denying access if said compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 257 words
A security access control system comprising: (a) controlling computer means for controlling access to an object; (b) remote station means operably connected to said controlling computer means for inputting access information to said controlling computer means; (c) a pair of matching first matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and the remote station means respectively, each said first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; and, (d) access logic means located at said controlling computer means and operably connected to read from and write to its associated said first matrix of passwords, (d1) for transmitting a first pair of said passwords from its said first matrix to said remote station means when said remote station means attempts to gain access, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane, (d2) for receiving a first pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means as obtained from said remote station means' said first matrix, (d3) for comparing said first pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said first matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted first pair of said passwords, (d4) for granting access if said compared passwords are a match, and (d5) for denying access if said compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 54 words
The security access control system of claim 6 wherein said access logic means additionally includes: (a) means for marking ones of said passwords within the associated said first matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) means for not choosing a said password marked as used for transmission to said remote station means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 245 words
The security access control system of claim 6 and additionally comprising: (a) a pair of matching second matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and said remote station means, respectively, each said matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; and wherein said access logic means additionally includes, (b) secondary checking means disposed before said means for granting access if said compared passwords are a match, (b1) for transmitting a second pair of said passwords from its said second matrix to said remote station means, said second pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing said compared and matched passwords at diagonal corners of one side thereof, (b2) for receiving a second pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means as obtained from said remote station means' said second matrix, (b3) for comparing said second pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said second matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted second pair of said passwords, (b4) for granting access if said compared second passwords are a match, and (b5) for denying access if said compared second passwords are not a match.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 54 words
The security access control system of claim 8 wherein said access logic means additionally includes: (a) means for marking ones of said passwords within the associated said second matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) means for not choosing a said password marked as used for transmission to said remote station means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 288 words
The security access control system of claim 6 and additionally comprising: (a) a pair of matching second matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and said remote station means, respectively, each said second matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; (b) said remote station means including query logic for transmitting a query pair of said passwords from its said first matrix to said controlling computer means to initiate an access attempt, said query pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane; and wherein said access logic means additionally includes, (c) preliminary checking logic disposed before said means for transmitting a first pair of said passwords to said remote station means, (c1) for receiving said query pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means, (c2) for using said query pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to find the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said first matrix at two corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted query pair of said passwords, (c2) for transmitting said passwords from said two other corners to said remote station means, and wherein additionally, (d) said first pair of said passwords is chosen from said controlling computer means' said first matrix, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing said four query passwords at corners of one side thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 244 words
In a security access control system wherein a user at a remote station requires approval from a controlling computer to gain access, the method of operation to improve the system's ability to defeat unauthorized access by eavesdroppers and the like comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pair of matching first matrices of passwords at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, each first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; (b) providing access logic means at the controlling computer and operably connected to read from and write to its associated first matrix of passwords; (c) transmitting a first pair of passwords from the controlling computer's first matrix to the remote station when the remote station attempts to gain access wherein the first pair of the passwords is chosen from different columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in the first virtual plane, (d) receiving a first pair of the passwords transmitted from the remote station as obtained from the remote station's first matrix, (e) comparing the first pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to the passwords located in the controlling computer's first matrix at corners of the rectangle other than those defined by the transmitted first pair of passwords; (f) granting access if the compared passwords are a match; and, (g) denying access if the compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 244 words
In a security access control system wherein a user at a remote station requires approval from a controlling computer to gain access, the method of operation to improve the system's ability to defeat unauthorized access by eavesdroppers and the like comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pair of matching first matrices of passwords at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, each first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; (b) providing access logic means at the controlling computer and operably connected to read from and write to its associated first matrix of passwords; (c) transmitting a first pair of passwords from the controlling computer's first matrix to the remote station when the remote station attempts to gain access wherein the first pair of the passwords is chosen from different columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in the first virtual plane, (d) receiving a first pair of the passwords transmitted from the remote station as obtained from the remote station's first matrix, (e) comparing the first pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to the passwords located in the controlling computer's first matrix at corners of the rectangle other than those defined by the transmitted first pair of passwords; (f) granting access if the compared passwords are a match; and, (g) denying access if the compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method of claim 11 and additionally including the steps of: (a) marking ones of the passwords within the associated first matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) not choosing a password marked as used for transmission to the remote station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 214 words
The method of claim 11 and additionally comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pair of matching second matrices of passwords at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, wherein each second matrix of passwords comprises a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; and wherein before the granting of access if the compared passwords are a match there are the steps of, (b) transmitting a second pair of passwords from the controlling computer's second matrix to the remote station wherein the second pair of passwords is chosen from different columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing the compared and matched passwords at diagonal corners of one side thereof; (c) receiving a second pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station's second matrix; (d) comparing the second pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to the passwords located in the controlling computer's second matrix at corners of the rectangle other than those defined by the transmitted second pair of passwords; (e) granting access if the compared second passwords are a match; and, (f) denying access if the compared second passwords are not a match.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method of claim 13 and additionally including the steps of: (a) marking ones of the passwords within the associated second matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) not choosing a password marked as used for transmission to the remote station.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 241 words
The method of claim 11 and additionally comprising the steps of: (a) providing a pair of matching second matrices of passwords at the controlling computer and the remote station, respectively, each second matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; (b) transmitting a query pair of the passwords from the remote station's first matrix to the controlling computer to initiate an access attempt wherein the query pair of the passwords is chosen from different columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in the first virtual plane; and wherein before transmitting a first pair of the passwords to the remote station there are the steps of, (c) receiving the query pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station; (d) using the query pair of passwords transmitted from the remote station to find the passwords located in the controlling computer's first matrix at two corners of the rectangle other than those defined by the transmitted query pair of passwords; (e) transmitting the passwords from the two other corners to the remote station; and, (f) choosing the first pair of the passwords from the controlling computer's first matrix from different columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing the four query passwords at corners of one side thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 338 words
A security access control system comprising: (a) controlling computer means for controlling access to an object; (b) remote station means operably connected to said controlling computer means for inputting access information to said controlling computer means; (c) a pair of matching first matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and the remote station means, respectively, each said first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; and, (d) access logic means located at said controlling computer means and operably connected to read from and write to its associated said first matrix of passwords for transmitting portions of rectangularly oriented data in its said first matrix of passwords to said remote station means, for comparing non-transmitted portions of said rectangularly oriented data in its said first matrix of passwords to data transmitted to said controlling computer means by said remote station means from its associated said first matrix means and for granting access when said data from said remote station means properly matches said non-transmitted portions, said access logic means including logic for performing the steps of, (d1) transmitting a first pair of said passwords from said controlling computer means's said first matrix to said remote station means when said remote station means attempts to gain access, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane, (d2) receiving a first pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means as obtained from said remote station means' said first matrix, (d3) comparing said first pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said first matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted first pair of said passwords, (d4) granting access if said compared passwords are a match, and (d5) denying access if said compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 338 words
A security access control system comprising: (a) controlling computer means for controlling access to an object; (b) remote station means operably connected to said controlling computer means for inputting access information to said controlling computer means; (c) a pair of matching first matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and the remote station means, respectively, each said first matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a first virtual plane; and, (d) access logic means located at said controlling computer means and operably connected to read from and write to its associated said first matrix of passwords for transmitting portions of rectangularly oriented data in its said first matrix of passwords to said remote station means, for comparing non-transmitted portions of said rectangularly oriented data in its said first matrix of passwords to data transmitted to said controlling computer means by said remote station means from its associated said first matrix means and for granting access when said data from said remote station means properly matches said non-transmitted portions, said access logic means including logic for performing the steps of, (d1) transmitting a first pair of said passwords from said controlling computer means's said first matrix to said remote station means when said remote station means attempts to gain access, said first pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane, (d2) receiving a first pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means as obtained from said remote station means' said first matrix, (d3) comparing said first pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said first matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted first pair of said passwords, (d4) granting access if said compared passwords are a match, and (d5) denying access if said compared passwords are not a match.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 56 words
The security access control system of claim 16 wherein said access logic means additionally includes logic for performing the steps of: (a) marking ones of said passwords within the associated said first matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) not choosing a said password marked as used for transmission to said remote station means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 242 words
The security access control system of claim 16 and additionally comprising: (a) a pair of matching second matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and said remote station means, respectively, each said second matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; and wherein said access logic means additionally includes logic for before granting access if said compared passwords are a match including the steps of, (b) transmitting a second pair of said passwords from the controlling computer mean's said second matrix to said remote station means, said second pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing said compared and matched passwords at diagonal corners of one side thereof; (c) receiving a second pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means as obtained from said remote station means' said second matrix; (d) comparing said second pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said second matrix at corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted second pair of said passwords; (e) granting access if said compared second passwords are a match; and, (f) denying access if said compared second passwords are not a match.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 56 words
The security access control system of claim 16 wherein said access logic means additionally includes logic for performing the steps of: (a) marking ones of said passwords within the associated said second matrix employed for any purpose as "used"; and, (b) not choosing a said password marked as used for transmission to said remote station means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 272 words
The security access control system of claim 16 and additionally comprising: (a) a pair of matching second matrices of passwords located at said controlling computer means and said remote station means, respectively, each said second matrix of passwords comprising a plurality of individually unique symbols arranged in rows and columns to define a second virtual plane; (b) said remote station means including query logic for transmitting a query pair of said passwords from its said first matrix to said controlling computer means to initiate an access attempt, said query pair of said passwords being chosen from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said first virtual plane; and wherein said access logic means additionally includes logic for before transmitting a first pair of said passwords to said remote station means including the steps of, (c) receiving said query pair of said passwords transmitted from said remote station means; (d) using said query pair of passwords transmitted from said remote station means to find the said passwords located in said controlling computer means' said first matrix at two corners of said rectangle other than those defined by said transmitted query pair of said passwords; (e) transmitting said passwords from said two other corners to said remote station means; and, (f) choosing said first pair of said passwords from said controlling computer means' said first matrix from different said columns and rows whereby they define diagonally opposite corners of a rectangle in said second virtual plane which is located in a plane of a parallelepiped containing said four query passwords at corners of one side thereof.

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-05-14 1993-11-13 1994-05-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-05-14 1997-11-13 1998-05-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-05-14 2001-11-13 2002-05-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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