Abstract: A telephone access system utilizes a calling card that is encoded with a machine readable code for both an access telephone number and a personal identification number. A reader/dialer is used to read the data encoded on the calling card and to generate dialing tones corresponding thereto. Once the data encoded on the calling card has been entered into the reader/dialer, the calling card may be stored in a secured location. To access the calling account, the reader/dialer is held to the mouthpiece of a standard telephone set and is actuated to emit the tones corresponding to the access telephone number. Subsequently, tones corresponding to the personal identification number are emitted under automatic or manual control. Once the account has been verified, the caller proceeds to enter a desired destination telephone number or conduct a telephonic transaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for verifying the identity of a system user. Each user has a token which processes an inputted seed to generate a stored value which is either a current seed value or a function thereof. This value is then changed to generate a new current seed in response to each of a plurality of selectively generated trigger signals. The stored current seed or a selected function thereof is outputted, for example by being displayed on the token, and is received and inputted into a host verification unit. This unit either has or generates the current seed value (and the outputted function thereof where required) for the user, the user being indicated by an input also provided to the host with the token output, and compares the received and generated seed function values to verify the user.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel means of controlling access to long distance telephone services or other information processing systems through the use of time dependent user ID numbers. The ID number of the present invention contains a fixed portion, and a changing portion that changes over time in a predetermined manner. Unless the fixed and changing portions of an incoming ID number received from a user attempting to gain access to the secured system are both correct, access is denied. The invention also includes a multi-use detector that determines if a valid ID number is used simultaneously by two different users.