Patent ID: 6651168
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An authentication subsystem for enabling a computer system to authenticate a user with a selected one of a plurality of authentication processes, each having a distinct sequence of steps and a unique input/output (I/O) interface for exchanging authentication information with the computer system, comprising:a first conversation function driver coupled to a first authentication module, defining a first programmed sequence of steps to authenticate a user with a first authentication process, said first driver having access to first display configuration information and first input device configuration information used during said first authentication process, to configure a user display and input device for the first authentication process; a second conversation function driver coupled to a second authentication module, defining a second programmed sequence of steps to authenticate a user with a second authentication process, said second driver having access to second display configuration information and second input device configuration information used during said second authentication process, to configure the user display and input device for the second authentication process; an authentication framework in the computer system; and a generic conversation function including an interpreter/processor in the authentication framework coupled to the user display and input device, defining a generic programmed sequence of steps for selectively re-configuring the user display and input device layouts and a command line interface in response to said first programmed sequence of steps or said second programmed sequence of steps; said generic conversation function receiving said first programmed sequence of steps from the first conversation driver, to selectively re-configure the user display and input device for authenticating a user during the first authentication process; said generic conversation function receiving said second programmed sequence of steps from the second conversation driver, to selectively re-configure the user display and input device for authenticating a user during the second authentication process.