Microprocessor identity device

#The present invention relates generally to the privacy and security of digital information, and in particular to the privacy and security of electronic communication.

#In electronic communication, the authentication of the parties involved is generally required. Each party should be clearly identifiable and distinguishable. The electronic communication between parties should also be secure. The parties should also be able to grant various levels of permission for access to their respective information.

#What is needed is a method of identifying microprocessors and using this method of microprocessor identification in a digital identity device for entities to use in electronic communications.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a system for a digital identity device.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the digital identity device of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the digital identity device of FIG. 1.

#To assist in this detailed description a glossary of terms and acronyms follows; authentication the ability of the receiver of a message to positively identity the author of the message digital signature a digital code that can be attached to an electronically transmitted message that uniquely identifies the sender e-mail electronic mail GRID global registry of digital identity devices I/O input/output integrity the guarantee that a message has not changed in the process of transmission license key an encrypted code that grants permission to use a software program on a fixed amount of computers non-repudiation the inability of the author of a message to deny sending the message NVRAM non-volatile random access memory PCI peripheral component interconnect PCMCIA personal computer memory card international association PDA personal digital assistant PROM programmable read-only memory RISC reduced instruction set computer UID universal identity card USB universal serial bus VME VersaModule Eurocard

#Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for digitally identifying individuals or corporations includes a digital identity device 105 (further illustrated in FIG. 2), a computer card 110, and a connection 115. The connection 115 couples the digital identity device 105 to the computer card 110.

#The digital identity device 105 contains the identity information of either an individual or a corporation. The digital identity device 105 contains one or more passwords. The passwords are encrypted.