Patent ID: 7512806

Claim:
A method for controlling access to a computer network, comprising: gaining access to said computer network by use of a portable computing device; reading biometric data peculiar to a user by the use of a biometric data reader coupled to said portable computing device; if no previously stored biometric data is stored in said portable computing device, determining if said user of said portable computing device is authorized for network use; acquiring new biometric data if said user is authorized for network use; storing said new biometric data; comparing said biometric data peculiar to said user to previously stored biometric data stored in said portable computing device and said computer network for the purpose of identifying said user, and wherein said previously stored biometric data is operable to be removed from said portable computing device on instruction by a remote station on said computer network, said remote station retaining a copy of said biometric data; and denying further access to said computer network and said portable computing device if said comparing step fails to identify said user as an authorized user.