Abstract: The present patent application discloses a USB token that advantageously mimics a human interface device such as a keyboard in interacting with a host computer, thus removing the need for pre-installation of a dedicated device driver. This is accomplished by requiring the host computer to direct the input of the attached human interface devices of the keyboard type, including the USB token, exclusively to the program interacting with the USB token, by using cryptographic algorithms based on a shared secret, which require less data to be transferred than PKI-based algorithms, and by employing an efficient encoding scheme that minimizes the time needed to exchange information with the USB token, and minimizes the probability of generating ambiguity with input that might legitimately be generated by other attached human interface devices.

Abstract: A system and method for deforming and puncturing magnetic storage media includes one or more pivot arms that support one or more rotationally driven rotatable members bearing multiple deforming members or punch points. The punch points impact the media, producing the deformation, while the rotational forces push the media through the system, and the pivot arms adapt to media characteristics and widths to protect against jams. The puncturing force may be adjustable.

Abstract: One or more pairs of magnet assemblages (14 and 16) are provided with magnetized segments (21-30) arranged in a Halbach-like array. The magnet assemblages (14 and 16) define a gap (18) through which magnetic data storage media (12) pass in a direction (20) across the segments (21-30). The magnetized sides (36) of the magnet assemblages (14 and 16) face each other thereby creating strong magnetic fields which degauss the magnetic data storage media (12) passing through the gap (18).

Abstract: A bulk degaussing system for the erasure of magnetic storage media by means of permanent magnets. The bulk degaussing system includes a rotatably mounted carousel and an angular displacement means that angularly displaces the carousel through a predetermined angle after passage of the carousel through a degaussing gap.

Abstract: A user authentication method includes creating an authentication key in the form of a user formula, presenting a user with an arrangement of variables, each assigned a value, applying the assigned values to matching variables in the user formula and calculating a first result, and authenticating the user if the first result matches a second result of a separate and independent calculation of the user formula.

Abstract: A degaussing system for magnetic media is provided, the system comprising an erasing head connected to an LC circuit and the erasing head including an elongated form around which a coil is wound. The coil has two segments which are spaced apart a distance to provide adjustment of the electrical and/or magnetic properties of the coil.

Abstract: Methods and systems for secure transmission of information are provided. In accordance with a method of the present invention, a client sends to a server, a request, at least one unique identifier and an encryption key. The server generates a reply to the request and identifies a mobile device (based on the at least one unique identifier) to which to send the reply. The server also encrypts the reply, using the encryption key, to thereby produce an encrypted reply. The encrypted reply is then sent from the server to the mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone). Once received by the mobile device, the encrypted reply is available for transfer (automatically or manually) from the mobile device to the client. Once provided to the client, the client can decrypt the encrypted reply using the encryption key. The decrypted reply is then available for use at (e.g., by) the client.

Abstract: A degaussing system for magnetic media is provided, the system comprising an erasing head connected to an LC circuit and the erasing head including an elongated form around which a coil is wound. The coil has two segments which are spaced apart a distance to provide adjustment of the electrical and/or magnetic properties of the coil.

Abstract: A bulk degaussing apparatus and method for erasing magnetic media of various sizes. A plurality of fixed magnetic poles are predisposed around a gap for projecting magnetic flux across the gap such that the spacing of the poles is provided at roughly equal intervals or sets of intervals across the gap to form sets of magnetic fields at the staggered intervals. A media passage is provided such that across the width of the passage at every point, media passing therethrough is linearly exposed to the magnetic fields provided through the gap. An adapter constrains location of the media passing through the gap by way of the media passage such that the plurality of magnetic poles effectively degausses regions formed between the poles. Placement of the magnetic poles is provided with partial overlap of facing poles on opposite sides of the pathway of the media passage. Two or more multi-pole degaussing regions provided with differing orientation avoid regional weaknesses or singularities in the magnetic field.

Abstract: A bulk degaussing apparatus and method for erasing magnetic media of various sizes. A media passage track is provided such that media passing therethrough is uniformly exposed to the magnetic fields provided through the gap. The bulk degaussing apparatus has fixed magnetic pole pairs predisposed for generating uniform magnetic field elements across a gap projecting magnetic flux across the gap for erasing various sizes of magnetic media, with the magnetic media receiving track positioned relative to the poles such that adjacent like poles are arranged on each side of the gap to counteract fringing effects. The bulk degaussing method for erasing various sizes of magnetic media provides a plurality of fixed magnetic pole pairs for generating uniform magnetic field elements on one or more sides of a degaussing region projecting magnetic flux into the region, and arranges the plurality of fixed poles so that adjacent poles counteract fringing effects.

Abstract: A bulk degaussing apparatus and method for erasing magnetic media of various sizes. A media passage track is provided such that media passing therethrough is uniformly exposed to the magnetic fields provided through the gap. The bulk degaussing apparatus has fixed magnetic pole pairs predisposed for generating uniform magnetic field elements across a gap projecting magnetic flux across the gap for erasing various sizes of magnetic media, with the magnetic media receiving track positioned relative to the poles such that adjacent like poles are arranged on each side of the gap to counteract fringing effects. The bulk degaussing method for erasing various sizes of magnetic media provides a plurality of fixed magnetic pole pairs for generating uniform magnetic field elements on one or more sides of a degaussing region projecting magnetic flux into the region, and arranges the plurality of fixed poles so that adjacent poles counteract fringing effects.

Abstract: A bulk degaussing apparatus and method for erasing magnetic media of various sizes. A plurality of fixed magnetic poles are predisposed around a gap for projecting magnetic flux across the gap such that the spacing of the poles is provided at roughly equal intervals or sets of intervals across the gap to form sets of magnetic fields at the staggered intervals. A media passage is provided such that across the width of the passage at every point, media passing therethrough is linearly exposed to the magnetic fields provided through the gap. An adapter constrains location of the media passing through the gap by way of the media passage such that the plurality of magnetic poles effectively degausses regions formed between the poles. Placement of the magnetic poles is provided with partial overlap of facing poles on opposite sides of the pathway of the media passage. Two or more multi-pole degaussing regions provided with differing orientation avoid regional weaknesses or singularities in the magnetic field.

Abstract: A means for winding orthogonal coil systems that almost completely encompass and closely conform to magnetic media having a circular cylindrical form and orientation, including such media further encased in square or rectangular cassettes, cartridges or disk drives, while providing necessary access to that volume without the use of drawers and separable connectors or flexible lead wires for connection of the coils to energy stored in capacitors. The invention further employs hard wired circuitry for controlling the phase of currents in the coils and maintaining the desired rotation of the magnetic field. While this invention can be realized to degauss media inserted and extracted through the same side of the winding system, it is equally configurable to conveyance of media in one end of an orthogonal coil system and out of the opposing end.

Abstract: A bulk degaussing system automatically adjusts the operating voltage of the system to achieve a predetermined level of magnetic filed strength. A microprocessor is used to monitor the transient response of the system to maintain operation at a predetermined level of stored energy or to detect impending failure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting a value A representing in a first basis an element of a finite field GF(q.sup.m) to a value B representing the element in a second basis, where q is a prime number or power of a prime number and m is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and where the value B includes a vector of m coefficients from a finite field GF(q). An exemplary apparatus, particularly well-suited for exporting the value A in an internal basis representation to the value B in an external basis representation, includes an externally shifted sequence generator for generating from the value A a sequence of intermediate values representing in the first basis elements of the finite field GF(q.sup.m) whose representations in the second basis are related to the value B by a predetermined external shift operation. An extractor coupled to the externally shifted sequence generator receives and processes the sequence of intermediate values to generate each coefficient of the value B.

Abstract: A simple encryption and decryption device has been developed. The underlying algorithm is a fast block cipher that may be implemented efficiently in hardware or software. The algorithm makes heavy use of data-dependent rotations. The amount of each rotation depends on the data being encrypted and intermediate encryption results. The variables for the algorithm include word size, rounds, and the length of a secret key.

Abstract: A simple encryption and decryption device has been developed. The underlying algorithm is a fast block cipher that may be implemented efficiently in hardware or software. The algorithm makes heavy use of data-dependent rotations. The amount of each rotation depends on the data being encrypted and intermediate encryption results. The variables for the algorithm include word size, rounds, and the length of a secret key.

Abstract: A bulk degaussing system for bulk erasure of various magnetic media includes a source of magnetic flux for generating a magnetic field with a predetermined field strength within a predetermined volume defining a predetermined degaussing window, a transport system for transporting the magnetic media relative to the degaussing window such that every point on the magnetic media is exposed to the magnetic field. A control circuit is included which modulates the magnetic field to reduce power consumption. In addition to reducing power consumption, the modulated magnetic field minimizes system performance degradation due to stalls of the magnetic media transport system due to interactions between the magnetic field and ferromagnetic components associated with certain magnetic media.

Abstract: A public key escrow system is adapted to have a proof of knowledge protocol for a certificate. The certificate is signed with RSA and is proved using a protocol based on the Guillou-Quisquater proof of knowledge scheme, or other proof of knowledge protocol. Interactive and non-interactive protocols are disclosed.

Abstract: Encrypted data objects are distributed via a broadcast communication channel or media. Relatively large access indicia may also be pre-distributed to any potential data object users and/or purchasers via an access communication channel or media. Subsequently, when a particular potential user or purchaser wishes to decrypt a given data object, he or she communicates to a data distribution point the identity of the desired data object and the identity of a valid access incidium. A relatively short decryption key is then furnished via a key distribution communication channel or media to permit decryption while at the same time permitting appropriate accounting operations to take place. The system is resistant to abuse in several ways but in part because such abuse would be approximately as difficult as would be re-distribution of the entire decrypted data object itself.