Abstract: A method is disclosed for a peripheral portable desktop device. The peripheral portable desktop device is coupled with a workstation. In a second mode of operation, a portion of the peripheral portable desktop device is operatively coupled with the workstation for operation therewith to provide an ancillary function. In a first mode of operation data within the peripheral portable desktop device is used to support a personal desktop on the workstation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for provisioning of a peripheral portable desktop device. The peripheral portable desktop device is coupled with a workstation. A data file relating to an image for being stored within the peripheral portable desktop device is provided. The image includes secured data that is other than accessible absent user authorization data of a virtual user. Within the peripheral portable desktop device is stored data reflective of the image. A first user is then authorized to the peripheral portable desktop device by providing first user authorization data. For the first user is created a user account secured based on the first user authorization data. The account of the virtual user is accessed via the user account and the user account is configured to access the account of the virtual user upon access to the user account.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for a portable peripheral memory storage device. The peripheral memory storage device is coupled with a workstation. In a first mode of operation, a portion of the peripheral memory storage device is mounted on the workstation for operation therewith as a storage medium in a first mode of operation. In a second other mode of operation data within the peripheral memory storage device is used to support a personal desktop on the workstation.

Abstract: A portable desktop device and method for host computer system hardware recognition and configuration are provided. The portable desktop device causes on a first boot, the host computer system to recognize hardware devices connected thereto, and to configure hardware configuration files of the portable desktop O/S in accordance with the recognized hardware. Once the hardware configuration files have been configured, the system is rebooted. On the second boot, the host computer determines that the portable desktop has been configured for its hardware, and initiates start-up of the portable desktop.

Abstract: A method of recognizing an injury pattern on a fingerprint is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing biometric information to a contact imager; imaging and characterizing the biometric information; comparing an image of the biometric information against previously stored templates; upon a comparison result of the comparison, determining an injury pattern; wherein upon an injury pattern determination, performing a comparison against a stored template based on features extracted from the biometric data and the damage data.

Abstract: A method for displaying encoded image data includes providing data in an encoded form, the data when displayed forming a two-dimensional image. Using a decoding cellular automaton rule and a predetermined secret key, the data is processed through a plurality of iterations to obtain the data in a non-encoded form. A series of images resulting from the processing, and ending in the two-dimensional image, is displayed in time-sequence.

Abstract: A method comprises providing first user authentication data of a user and comparing the first user authentication data to first stored template data. When the comparison is indicative of a match, a first session is provided, which supports one of user access for retrieving first data that are stored within a peripheral memory storage device and user access for modifying a data content of the peripheral memory storage device. The first session does not support the other one of user access for retrieving first data that are stored within the peripheral memory storage device and user access for modifying a data content of the peripheral memory storage device. During the first session, second user authentication data of the same user is provided and compared to second stored template data.

Abstract: A method of recognizing an injury pattern on a fingerprint is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing biometric information to a contact imager; imaging and characterizing the biometric information; comparing an image of the biometric information against previously stored templates; upon a comparison result of the comparison, determining an injury pattern; wherein upon an injury pattern determination, performing a comparison against a stored template based on features extracted from the biometric data and the damage data.

Abstract: A removable swipe-imaging device and a method for identifying the device are disclosed. The removable swipe-imaging device is for limiting access to protected area to authorized individuals. The removable swipe-imaging device comprises a sensing pad with an integrated processor for processing sensed biometric image data; the processor comprising an encoding circuit for encoding the sensed biometric image data in response to a challenge received from a host processor, the encoded sensed image data for being transmitted to the host processor and decoded based on the challenge.

Abstract: A method includes providing a processor comprising memory for storing of blacklist data therein and memory for storing of programming data therein for execution on the processor. Version data indicative of a version of first programming data is retrieved from memory external to the processor. The version data is compared with blacklist data stored within the processor. When the blacklist data is indicative of the version data indicating a version of the programming data that is blacklisted, then the processor other than executes the first programming data.

Abstract: When executing a licensing management application, data indicative of licensing privileges of a software application for simultaneous execution on a subset of a plurality of computers are received from a licensor of the software application. The data indicative of licensing privileges comprise data indicative of a licensing key. For each of a plurality of users a peripheral licensing device is provided and the data indicative of a licensing key are then stored in memory thereof. Data indicative of a total number of users—equal to a number of the subset—are determined and provided to the licensor, or storage of the licensing key is prevented, when the total number is greater than a predetermined number of the subset.

Abstract: When executing a licensing management application, data indicative of licensing privileges of a software application for simultaneous execution on a subset of a plurality of computers are received from a licensor of the software application. The data indicative of licensing privileges comprise data indicative of a licensing key. For each of a plurality of users a peripheral licensing device is provided and the data indicative of a licensing key are then stored in memory thereof. Data indicative of a total number of users—equal to a number of the subset—are determined and provided to the licensor, or storage of the licensing key is prevented, when the total number is greater than a predetermined number of the subset.

Abstract: Temporary digital data received for storage in non-volatile memory are encoded using a key stored in volatile memory. The encoded digital data are then stored in the non-volatile memory. As long as there has been no interruption of supply of power to the volatile memory, the key is available enabling decoding of the encoded digital data stored in the non-volatile memory. Upon interruption of supply of power to the volatile memory the key is erased. Absent the key, access to the encoded digital data stored in the non-volatile memory is prevented.

Abstract: A method of improving electronic security establishes a secure trusted path between a user and an institution seeking an electronic signature to verify a transaction before any request for signature and completing electronic transaction activities occurs. The secure trusted path providing the user with a first predetermined portion of a branded watermark, for instance an advertisement, provided from the institution in conjunction with the request, and a second predetermined portion of the branded watermark being provided upon a personalized device that cannot be intercepted or manipulated by malware, allowing the user to verify that the request as displayed upon the user's primary computing device is valid.

Abstract: A method of securing security data stored on a computer system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a data key to the computer system. The data key is used for transforming the security data in a reversible fashion to produce an encoded secure data such that the data key is required in order to perform a reverse transform and extract the security data from the encoded secure data. The encoded secure data are stored secure data in a fashion such that a user authorization process is used to retrieve the encoded secure data. Furthermore, the encoded secure data are stored such that the data key and the user authorization process in combination provide access to the security data and such that the stored data within the computer system is encoded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of improving electronic security by establishing a path between a user and a secure transaction appliance. The secure transaction appliance receiving information destined for the user which includes a tagged portion, said tagged portion triggering the secure transaction appliance to forward the information to the computer from which the request was issued, and to seeking an electronic signature to verify the content or transaction by transmitting a watermark, tagged portion of the content, or similar electronic content. The secure trusted path providing the user with the tagged portion incorporating additional elements such as a watermark, or in some embodiments only the additional elements, upon a personalized security device associated with the user making interception or manipulation more complex and difficult.

Abstract: A method of providing new functionality to an electronic product is provided. The new functionality for the electronic product being installed via a new firmware load from a memory card. The new firmware load being released to the electronic product upon the provision of an authentication by the user of the electronic product that matches the authentification credentials stored within the memory card. In a further embodiment of the invention the authentication further supports the transfer of additional content relating to the authenticated user thereby providing the electronic device with a “personality” determined by the user. In another embodiment of the invention the new firmware load is “personalized” to the memory card such that it cannot be illegally duplicated or copied thereby allowing vendors to provide via the Internet new functionalities for electronic products on a procurement basis.

Abstract: Provided is a biometric imaging device for imaging a biological feature, which includes a sensor for detecting an environmental parameter other than relating to surface topology of the biological feature. The detected environmental parameters like temperature and humidity levels are utilized in image reconstruction to eliminate erroneous structures caused by the environmental conditions. There is also provided a biometric imaging device, which includes a preparation device for use prior to sensing a biometric image. The preparation device is used for conditioning a parameter of the biometric information source, and/or for cleaning the biometric information source.

Abstract: Biometric imaging devices and methods of processing images of biometric surfaces that are captured using the imaging device including capturing an image of a biometric surface presented by an individual by a sensor of the imaging device, either as a single image or as a plurality of overlapping image portions that are combinable to form a single composite image. The imaging device also includes a memory buffer for retrievably storing image data relating to the image of the biometric surface. A processor of the imaging device is provided for analyzing the stored image data to determine a location of a feature of interest and for providing an output image of a known size and shape for use by a host system that is in communication with the imaging device for identifying the individual.

Abstract: A method of compensating for distortion within a composite image is disclosed. A biometric surface is sensed with a swipe imager. The images so provided are assembled into a composite image of the biometric surface. The composite image is then adjusted by insertion or deletion of rows therein to result in an image with a different number of rows.