Patent ID: 6339828
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A machine system having plural work stations and being adapted for maintaining confidential digital information in encrypted form while granting intelligible access to such confidential information to users who are authorized for such access by a combination of a user-supplied password and a presented passport, said machine system comprising:(a) a passport generator, provided within a first of the plural stations of said system, for generating within the first station an in-station passport, wherein the in-station passport includes: (a.1) a first secured-by-encryption key derived from a first password of a first authorized user; and (a.2) a second secured-by-encryption key that is different from the first secured key; where provision within the first station is required of plaintext versions of both of the first and the second secured keys for allowing occurrence of said intelligible access to the first authorized user for accessing corresponding confidential information; and (b) a passport exporter, provided within the first station, for generating within the first station an exportable passport, wherein said exportable passport includes a copy of the first secured key but does not include a copy of the second secured key.