Method and apparatus for secure identification and verification

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing identification and/or verification at predetermined checkpoints is provided. A selected radiation, such as an RF signal or an ultrasonic signal at a predetermined frequency, is transmitted at the checkpoint. Each identifyee has a unit such as a card, badge or other token or device which detects the predetermined radiation. The unit also stores a predetermined coded value, at least a predetermined portion of which is changed at selected time intervals in accordance with an algorithm, the algorithm being such that that the value of the predetermined portion of the stored coded value at any given time is nonpredictable. In response to the detection of the selected radiation, the unit presents an indication of the current stored coded value to the checkpoint, the checkpoint responding to the predetermined coded value for identifying the identifyee of the unit. Security may be enhanced by the identifyee inputting a unique PIN at the unit which PIN is utilized in generating the nonpredicatble codes. Verification may be achieved by including a public code as part of the code which is presented from the unit which public code is not changed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.