Patent ID: 7810143
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform acts comprising: registering a plurality of credential providers in a credential registry, the plurality of credential providers including a first credential provider that is integral to an operating system of the computing device, and a second credential provider at an arbitrary source that is separate from the operating system each of the plurality of credential providers authenticates one or more authenticators; receiving multiple sets of credential information for multiple credentials from the plurality of credential providers in the credential registry, each set of credential information to enable tailoring of a portion of a graphical user interface to present one of the multiple credentials and to specify an acceptable credential type for the one of the multiple credentials; receiving a request to authenticate a user; presenting the multiple credentials on the graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a corresponding portion for each of the multiple credentials that is tailored based on its set of credential information; receiving an authenticator specified by one of the multiple credentials that is of the acceptable credential type from the user; and authenticating the received authenticator at a corresponding credential provider.