Abstract: The SPD according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may interface with different buses and computer system architectures to enable deployment in a wide variety of devices. Heterogeneous network (300) using SPDs in various computing devices. Desktop computers (302), mobile systems (such as cell phones) (304), mainframes (306), workstations (308), PDA systems (310) and other devices may be operatively connected to a network (such as the Internet or an Intranet). These devices may include SPDs (312) to enable web services to be provided among these devices. They may also communicate with some devices that do not include SPDs (such as the PC Desktop System (302) and Mobile System (304) in FIG. 3). These devices would require the use of a SOAP software toolkit for the particular platform, because they do not include an SPD. The SPDs could have different designs in different systems, while they share a common SOAP engine to provide a consistent and efficient SOAP processing capability.

Abstract: An access system in one embodiment that first determines that someone has correct credentials by using a non-biometric authentication method such as typing in a password, presenting a Smart card containing a cryptographic secret, or having a valid digital signature. Once the credentials are authenticated, then the user must take at least two biometric tests, which can be chosen randomly. In one approach, the biometric tests need only check a template generated from the user who desires access with the stored templates matching the holder of the credentials authenticated by the non-biometric test. Access desirably will be allowed when both biometric tests are passed.