Patent ID: 8555376

Claim:
A peripheral portable desktop device comprising: a housing; a port for interfacing with a workstation; a first circuit comprising a peripheral portable desktop memory storage area comprising portable desktop data and configured for supporting portable desktop functionality in a portable desktop environment in a first mode of operation on the workstation, wherein the peripheral portable desktop device is coupled thereto; and a second circuit comprising a security data storage area for securing the portable desktop data in the peripheral portable desktop storage area and further providing an ancillary authentication function, the ancillary authentication function for use independent of the portable desktop functionality in a second other mode of operation, absent the portable desktop environment; wherein the peripheral portable desktop device is configured for providing the portable desktop environment in the first mode of operation and the ancillary authentication function absent the portable desktop environment in the second other mode of operation; and a processor configured for providing limited access to the second circuit when the device is operating in the first mode to provide the portable desktop environment, the limited access restricting access to the ancillary authentication function provided by the second circuit in the portable desktop environment, relative to such access provided in the second other mode of operation, absent the portable desktop environment.