Patent ID: 7907542

Claim:
In an access device, an apparatus for constructing and transmitting a password utilized by an authentication device to authenticate the access device, said apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a user, a plurality of predefined characters forming a User ID; a lookup table for storing a plurality of sets of password modification factors, each set including a plurality of predefined modification factors, wherein each set is associated with a predefined index; a mechanical switch for physically isolating the lookup table from the access device when the switch is in an open position, and for allowing access to the lookup table when the switch is in a closed, position; communication means for receiving an index value from the authentication device; means for accessing the lookup table with the index value to retrieve an associated set of password modification factors when the user closes the mechanical switch during an access attempt; means for generating a password utilizing the retrieved set associated with the index value; and means for transmitting the password to the authentication device.