Methods and systems for managing authentication devices coupled to multi-function devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10104240-B2
Application number	US-201715447828-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2017
Priority date	Mar 2, 2017
Publication date	Oct 16, 2018
Grant date	Oct 16, 2018

Abstract

The disclosure discloses methods and systems for managing an authentication device such as a card reader coupled to a multi-function device. The multi-function device includes a memory for storing information related to one or more users, one or more pre-authorized users and alert setting instructions. The multi-function device includes an authentication device, coupled to a universal serial bus peripheral port of the device, and configured for: receiving authentication information from a user via an input method. The multi-function device further includes a control system configured for authenticating the user to access the multi-function device for one or more functions, based on the authentication information. The control system is further configured for generating an alert for the one or more pre-authorized users when the authentication device is disconnected or is malfunctioned, and for transmitting the alert to the one or more pre-authorized users, for one or more pre-defined actions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-function device configured for managing an authentication device coupled to the multi-function device, comprising:
a memory for storing information related to one or more users, one or more pre-authorized users and alert setting instructions;
the authentication device coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) peripheral port of the multi-function device, the authentication device configured for:
receiving authentication information from a user via an input method; and
a control system configured for:
authenticating the user to access the multi-function device for one or more functions, based on the authentication information of the user;
checking whether the authentication device is disconnected from the multi-function device or is malfunctioned;
generating an alert for the one or more pre-authorized users when the authentication device is disconnected from the multi-function device or malfunctioned;
transmitting the alert with pre-formatted message to the one or more pre-authorized users, for one or more pre-defined actions, wherein the alert is transmitted to resolve a security matter; and
ceasing the operation of the multi-function device when the authentication device is disconnected from the multi-function device or malfunctioned.

2. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the authentication device is detachably coupled to the USB port of the multi-function device.

3. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the authentication device is integral to the multi-function device.

4. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the alert comprises at least one of an email alert, a text message alert and an entry in an audit log, and wherein the pre-formatted message comprises working status of the authentication device, type of the authentication device, and details of the user accessing the multi-function device.

5. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the control system is configured for creating an audit log when the authentication device is disconnected from the multi-function device or malfunctioned.

6. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the multi-function device is connected to one or more multi-function devices over a network.

7. The multi-function device of claim 6 , wherein the control system is configured for cloning the alert setting instructions to the one or more multi-function devices connected over the network.

8. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the authentication device comprises one of a card reader, a biometric device, a keypad, and a proximity reader.

9. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the input method comprises one of a smart card, a fingerprint, retina, and a PIN.

10. The multi-function device of claim 1 , wherein the security matter comprises detecting disconnection or malfunction of the authentication device.

11. The multi-function device of claim 10 , wherein disconnection comprises removal of the authentication device from the multi-function device.

12. The multi-function device of claim 10 , wherein malfunction comprises at least one of tampering of the authentication device, non-working state due to hardware failure, power failures, and cable connection.

13. A multi-function device for generating alerts related to card readers, comprising:
a memory for storing information related to one or more users, one or more pre-authorized users and alert setting instructions;
a card reader comprising:
a slot for receiving a smart card containing authentication information specific to a user; and
a control system configured for:
detecting the smart card as input by the user within the slot;
authenticating the user to access the multi-function device for one or more functions, based on the authentication information stored in the smart card;
generating an alert with a pre-formatted message, for the one or more pre-authorized users, when the card reader is disconnected or malfunctioned;
sending the alert with the pre-formatted message to the one or more pre-authorized users, for one or more pre-defined actions, wherein the alert is sent to resolve a security matter; and
ceasing the operation of the multi-function device when the card reader is disconnected from the multi-function device or malfunctioned.

14. The multi-function device of claim 13 , wherein the smart card comprises one of a contactless card and a physical contact card.

15. The multi-function device of claim 13 , wherein the control system is configured for monitoring the card reader for disconnection or for malfunctioning.

16. The multi-function device of claim 13 , wherein the security matter comprises detecting disconnection or malfunction of the authentication device.

17. The multi-function device of claim 16 , wherein disconnection comprises removal of the authentication device from the multi-function device.

18. The multi-function device of claim 16 , wherein malfunction comprises at least one of tampering of the card reader, non-working state due to hardware failure, power failures, and cable connection.

19. A method for generating an alert related to an authentication device coupled to a multi-function device, comprising:
storing information related to one or more users, one or more admin users and alert setting information;
receiving authentication information from a user via an input method;
authenticating the user to access the multi-function device, based on the authentication information;
detecting whether the authentication device is disconnected from the multi-function device or malfunctioned;
generating an alert for the one or more admin users when the authentication device is disconnected from the multi-function device or malfunctioned;
transmitting the alert with pre-formatted message to the one or more admin users, for one or more pre-defined actions, wherein the alert is transmitted to resolve a security matter; and
ceasing the operation of the multi-function device when the authentication device is disconnected from the multi-function device or malfunctioned.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the authentication device is one of a card reader, a biometric device, and a keypad.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the alert comprises at least one of an email alert, a text message alert and an audit log entry, and wherein the pre-formatted message comprises working status of the authentication device, type of the authentication device, and details of the user accessing the multi-function device.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the input method comprises one of a smart card, a fingerprint, retina and a PIN.

23. The method of claim 19 , further comprising creating an audit log when the authentication device is disconnected or malfunctioned.

24. The method of claim 19 , further comprising tracking usage of the multi-function device when the user is authenticated.

25. The method of claim 19 , further comprising receiving an alert setting instruction from an admin user.

26. The method of claim 19 , wherein the security matter comprises detecting disconnection or malfunction of the authentication device.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein disconnection comprises removal of the authentication device from the multi-function device.

28. The method of claim 26 , wherein malfunction comprises at least one of tampering of the authenticatio

Assignees

• Xerox Corp

Inventors

• Granby Peter
• Panchani Rajana Mukesh

Classifications

• H04N1/00007

  relating to particular apparatus or devices · CPC title

• H04N1/442

  using a biometric data reading device · CPC title

• H04N1/4426

  involving separate means, e.g. a server, a magnetic card · CPC title

• H04N1/00079 Primary

  remotely · CPC title

• H04N2201/0094

  Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception · CPC title