Patent ID: 6055592
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: G06F,G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
A pointing device for authenticating a user of a computer and providing first position data to the computer, the first position data representing the pointing device's relative position, the pointing device comprising:a smartcard reader for reading a user identification (ID) and digital signature from a smart card;a memory for storing a first look-up-table (LUT);a converter for converting the user identification (ID) and the digital signature to second position data using the first LUT; anda computer interface port for providing, in response to a request by the computer, the first and second position data to the computer, wherein the first position data is provided with first command codes indicating that the first position data represents the pointing device's relative position, and the second position data is provided with second command codes indicating that the second position data represents the user ID and the digital signature,wherein in response to receipt of the second command codes, the computer converts the second position data back to the user ID and the digital signature using a second LUT stored in the computer, the second LUT corresponding with the first LUT, verifies the digital signature, and grants the user access to the computer when the user ID matches a corresponding user ID stored in the computer and the digital signature is verified, andwherein in response to receipt of any of the first command codes, the computer translates the first position data into cursor movements on a display.