Computer keyboard with secure authentication features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11403379-B2
Application number	US-201916561491-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 5, 2019
Priority date	Sep 27, 2013
Publication date	Aug 2, 2022
Grant date	Aug 2, 2022

Abstract

A keyboard is disclosed. The keyboard may comprise a biometric sensor configured for authenticating a user; a docking station configured for receiving a security device; and a processor configured for facilitating communication between the biometric sensor and the security device docked in the docking station with a computing device coupled to the keyboard.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a computing device; and
a keyboard communicatively coupled to, but separate from, the computing device, the keyboard comprising:
a docking station configured to receive a security device for authenticating a user on the computing device, the security device separate from the computing device and transmitting a code for accessing software executing on the computing device in response to the security device being docked in the docking station;
a processor configured to facilitate communication between the security device docked in the docking station and the computing device; and
a biometric sensor in communication with the processor and configured to scan biometric information of the user, the biometric information used by the processor to authenticate the user in order to grant access to the keyboard.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the security device docked in the docking station.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the biometric information comprises a fingerprint of the user.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect a current software version associated with the security device docked in the docking station; and
determine whether to apply an update to the security device based on the detected current software version.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
in response to determining to apply the update to the security device:
receive the update from the computing device; and
cause an installation of the update on the security device.

6. The system of claim 1 , the keyboard further comprising:
a connector configured to connect a communication cable between the keyboard and the computing device, the connector being releasable from the keyboard.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the security device comprises a power button, a display, and a biometric sensor.

8. A keyboard comprising:
a docking station configured to receive a security device for authenticating a user on a computing device, the computing device being communicatively coupled to, but separate from, the keyboard, the security device separate from the computing device and transmitting a code for accessing software executing on the computing device in response to the security device being docked in the docking station;
a processor configured to facilitate communication between the security device docked in the docking station and the computing device; and
a biometric sensor in communication with the processor and configured to scan biometric information of the user, the biometric information used by the processor to authenticate the user in order to grant access to the keyboard.

9. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the biometric information comprises a fingerprint of the user.

10. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
detect a current software version associated with the security device docked in the docking station; and
determine whether to apply an update to the security device based on the detected current software version.

11. The keyboard of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
in response to determining to apply the update to the security device:
receive the update from the computing device; and
cause an installation of the update on the security device.

12. The keyboard of claim 8 , wherein the security device comprises a power button, a display, and a biometric sensor.

13. A method comprising:
detecting, by a processor of a keyboard, a security device docked in a docking station of the keyboard;
in response to detecting the security device docked in the docking station, facilitating a transmission of a code from the security device to a computing device that is separate from the keyboard and separate from the security device, wherein the code is for authenticating a user for accessing software executing on the computing device;
scanning biometric information of the user by a biometric sensor of the keyboard; and
authenticating, by the processor, the user based on the biometric information in order to grant access to the keyboard.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
facilitating a transmission of an authentication signal from a biometric sensor to the computing device in response to the biometric sensor authenticating biometric information of the user.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the biometric information comprises a fingerprint of the user.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
detecting a current software version associated with the security device docked in the docking station; and
determining whether to apply an update to the security device based on the detected current software version.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
in response to determining to apply the update to the security device:
receiving the update from the computing device; and
causing an installation of the update on the security device.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the security device comprises a power button, a display, and a biometric sensor.

Assignees

• Bloomberg Finance Lp

Inventors

• Ozolins Helmars E
• Udagawa Masamichi
• Roarty Sean
• Kaufman Avram
• Zimman Christopher William
• Skowronek Stanislaw
• Patychakis Emmanuel

Classifications

• G06F21/32 Primary

  using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints · CPC title

• G06F21/83

  input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof · CPC title

• G06F8/65

  Updates (security arrangements therefor G06F21/57) · CPC title