Abstract: An apparatus and method for securely providing identification information generates one or more obscured identifiers for a recipient, such as one or more identifiers that are generated based on data unique to a recipient or other information as may be appropriate. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus generates a translucent identification member, such as a plastic card, sheet, film or other suitable member that has a translucent area that includes one or more obscured identifiers. When the translucent identification member is overlayed on a screen displaying a visual filtering pattern, one of one or more obscured identifiers is visually revealed for use during the particular transaction. The revealed identifier is entered into a recipient device and sent to an authenticator to be verified as an appropriate identifier for the transaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing mutual authentication between a user and a sending unit, (i.e. target resource) in one embodiment, includes determining, for a user that has been assigned an article, such as a card or other suitable article that has indicia thereon, desired sender authentication information that corresponds to actual sender authentication information that is embodied on the article. The sender authentication information can be located on the article by using the location information provided by the sending unit in a challenge. The method includes determining for the user, corresponding article identification information, such as a serial number that has been assigned to the article, or a shared secret, and sending a challenge for the user wherein the challenge includes at least location information, to allow the user to identify desired sender authentication information located on the article, and sending the article identification information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing mutual authentication between a user and a sending unit, (i.e. target resource) in one embodiment, includes determining, for a user that has been assigned an article, such as a card or other suitable article that has indicia thereon, desired sender authentication information that corresponds to actual sender authentication information that is embodied on the article. The sender authentication information can be located on the article by using the location information provided by the sending unit in a challenge. The method includes determining for the user, corresponding article identification information, such as a serial number that has been assigned to the article, or a shared secret, and sending a challenge for the user wherein the challenge includes at least location information, to allow the user to identify desired sender authentication information located on the article, and sending the article identification information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securely providing identification information includes a translucent identification member that contains a visual filtering pattern and a display screen displays at least one obscured identifier that may be for example data representing user authentication data that is unique to a user, or other data if desired. The combination of overlaying the translucent identification member (visual filter) over the display that displays an obscured identifier, reveals (un-obscures) the at least one obscured identifier on the screen for use as a second factor of user authentication. The visual filtering pattern on the member stays the same since it is printed or otherwise impressed on the member, and the displayed obscured identifier is changed during each session or at other suitable intervals.

Abstract: A method for providing electronic message authentication employs an article, such as a card, sticker, or any other suitable article, that includes sender authentication information and location information such as row and column headings. In one example, each recipient of interest is issued an article that embodies unique sender authentication information that is identifiable by corresponding location information such as column and row identifiers. In both an apparatus and method, when the sender of an electronic message wants to send a message to a recipient of interest, the sender sends the electronic message and both location information and corresponding desired sender authentication information located at the coordinate identified by the location coordinate information. If the sent desired sender authentication information matches authentication information found on the article, the sender of the message is trusted.

Abstract: A concept identification system useful in reducing and/or representing text content of an electronic document and in highlighting the content of the document. A concept knowledge base comprises a plurality of concepts and each concept comprises one or more subconcepts linked to each other and to the concept on a hierarchical basis. One or more of the subconcepts may be linked to one or more subconcepts of another concept. A concept matching module matches text of the document to subconcepts of the concept knowledge base and assesses any links between the matched subconcepts and other concepts and/or subconcepts of the concept knowledge base. From this a determination is made of whether the document relates to a concept of the knowledge base. With an identification of such concept a document representation generator may produce a precis of the document based on a template associated with such concept.