Access control/crypto system

Claim 2

An access control system including a screen and an input/output port, the access control system comprising: a hard disk containing encrypted information; a smart card reader connected to the input/output port; a smart card containing electronic keys for access control to a computer; and the computer executing an access control program for communications with the smart card reader and the smart card, including card reader control means for controlling a plurality of smart card reader types and smart card control means for controlling a plurality of smart card types, and providing communications based on a particular smart card reader attached to the computer and based on a particular smart card inserted into the smart card reader; wherein the access control program requests information from a user to provide access to the system and use of the encrypted information.

Claim 3

The access control system of claim 1 , wherein the encrypted information comprises a plurality of electronic keys for encrypting files and decrypting files.

Claim 4

The access control system of claim 1 , wherein the smart card is an ISO 7816-compliant smart card.

Claim 5

The access control system of claim 1 , wherein the end user must answer questions, based on trusted security level assigned, to access the encrypted information.

Claim 6

The access control system of claim 2 wherein the encrypted information is encrypted according to a secret key encryption algorithm.

Claim 7

The access control system of claim 2 wherein the encrypted information is encrypted according to a public key encryption algorithm.

Claim 8

The access control system of claim 2 wherein the encrypted information is encrypted according to the FORTEZZA encryption standard.

Claim 9

The access control system of claim 2 wherein the files comprise data, facsimile, video, or other message types of files.

Claim 10

The access control system of claim 2 , wherein the files are compressed.

Claim 11

The access control system of claim 2 , wherein the data files are stored on the computer hard disk.

Claim 12

The access control system of claim 2 , wherein the files are transferred over networks, internet, intranet, global trade point network, world wide web, or point to point.

Claim 13

The access control system of claim 2 , wherein the files are archived to a removable medium.

Claim 14

An access control system including a screen and an input/output port, the access control system comprising: a hard disk containing encrypted information; a smart card reader connected to the input/output port; a smart card containing electronic keys for access control to a computer; the computer executing an access control program for communications with the smart card reader and the smart card, including card reader control means for controlling a plurality of smart card readers and smart card control means for controlling a plurality of smart cards, and providing communications based on a particular smart card reader attached to the computer and based on a particular smart card inserted into the smart card reader; an electronic key module for managing electronic keys for encrypting and decrypting files, including creating and deleting electronic keys; a smart card database for storing the electronic keys, the smart card database resident on a smart card; a smart card access module for reading and writing electronic keys to and from the smart card database; a smart card operations module for managing the input/output operations of the smart card; a card reader operations module for managing the interaction of the smart card with the smart card reader; a file selection module for selecting a file to be encrypted or decrypted; a file encryption/decryption module for accepting the file and using one of the electronic keys to encrypt or decrypt the file according to input user specification; a corn module for managing communications between the smart card reader and the computer; and a main control module for coordinating the operation access control system; wherein the access control program requests information from a user to provide access to the system and use of the encrypted information.

Claim 15

An access control system including a screen and an input/output port, the access control system comprising: a hard disk containing encrypted information; a smart card reader connected to the input/output port; a smart card containing electronic keys for access control to a computer; the computer executing an access control program for communications with the smart card reader and the smart card, including card reader control means for controlling a plurality of smart card readers and smart card control means for controlling a plurality of smart cards, and providing communications based on a particular smart card reader attached to the computer and based on a particular smart card inserted into the smart card reader; an electronic key module for managing electronic keys for encrypting and decrypting files, including creating and deleting electronic keys; a smart card database for storing the electronic keys, the smart card database resident on a smart card; a smart card access module for reading and writing electronic keys to and from the smart card database; a smart card operations module for managing the input/output operations of the smart card; a card reader operations module for managing the interaction of the smart card with the smart card reader; a file selection module for selecting a file to be encrypted or decrypted; a file encryption/decryption module for accepting the file and using one of the electronic keys to encrypt or decrypt the file according to input user specification; a corn module for managing communications between the smart card reader and the computer; and a main control module for coordinating the operation access control system; wherein the access control program requests information from a user to provide access to the system and use of the encrypted information.

Claim 16

The access control system of claim 13 , wherein the file encryption/decryption module encrypts files such that they remain secure when transmitted.

Claim 17

The access control system of claim 13 , wherein the card reader operations module is capable of controlling smart card readers from any one of a variety of vendors, and wherein the smart card operations module is capable of controlling smart cards from any one of a variety of vendors.

Claim 18

The access control system of claim 1 , wherein the computer executes an access control program which uses a C programming language file input/output paradigm to read information from the smart card and write information to the smart card, and wherein the access control program controls access to the information on the smart card, and wherein the access control program encrypts and decrypts files using the information on the smart card.