Patent ID: 7818395

Claim:
An apparatus for interfacing with a restricted access computer, the apparatus comprising: a peripheral component comprising a biometric sensor; an interface controller for enabling communication between the peripheral component and the restricted access computer, and for communicating data to the restricted access computer indicating to the restricted access computer that the restricted access computer is operable to interact with the apparatus using software already installed on the restricted access computer; a data storage component; and a computer program stored on the data storage component, the computer program comprising— a first code segment for enabling the restricted access computer to interact with the peripheral component, a second code segment discoverable by the restricted access computer for enabling the restricted access computer to execute the first code segment directly from the apparatus without installing the first code segment on the restricted access computer, a third code segment for encrypting a file selected by a user and storing the file in a secure repository selected by the user, wherein the program encrypts and stores the file in response to the user selecting the file, selecting the secure repository, and either (1) performing only minimal first additional action, or (2) with no other action from the user intermediate selecting the file and selecting the secure repository, a fourth code segment for decrypting the file and storing the file in a location selected by the user external to the secure repository, wherein the computer program decrypts and stores the file in response to the user selecting the file from the secure repository, selecting the external location, and either (1) performing only minimal second additional action, or (2) with no other action from the user intermediate selecting the file and selecting the external location, and a fifth code segment for enabling the restricted access computer to execute the third and fourth code segments directly from the apparatus without installing the third and fourth code segments on the restricted access computer.