Authentication platform and related method of operation

A method of operating an authentication system, comprising:

• receiving input data through a user interface of an integrated device comprising an authentication platform and a client device and implemented within a portable authentication token;
• operating the authentication platform to authenticate a user according to the received input data, and to enable communication between the client device and an authentication host as a consequence of authenticating the user;
• and
• transmitting a delay request to the authentication host while authentication of the user is pending;
• wherein the authentication platform comprises a control unit configured to communicate separately with the client device and the authentication host, a first interface that communicates with the authentication host using a protocol associated with the client device so as to imitate communication of the client device, and a second interface that communicates with the client device using a protocol associated with the authentication host so as to imitate communication of the authentication host, wherein the client device is disposed in the token and stores trusted information, and the authentication host is disposed separate from the token and is configured to authenticate the client device based on the trusted information.

An integrated device, comprising:

• a user interface configured to receive input data;
• an integrated circuit storing information for authenticating a user to an authentication host and configured to communicate with the authentication host;
• and
• an authentication platform comprising an authentication unit and control unit implemented separate from the integrated circuit and configured to capture a message generated by the integrated circuit upon powering up through a first communication interface, to power down the integrated circuit after capturing the message, to transmit the captured message to the authentication host while the integrated circuit is powered down through a second communication interface, to authenticate a user according to the input data, and to power up the integrated circuit and the authentication host after authenticating the user;
• wherein the first communication interface communicates with the integrated circuit using a protocol associated with the authentication host so as to imitate communication of the authentication host, and the second communication interface communicates with the authentication host using a protocol associated with the integrated circuit so as to imitate communication of the integrated circuit;
• wherein the authentication platform is further configured to receive a message generated by the authentication host in response to the captured message, and to transmit a delay request to the authentication host to prevent it from timing out while the user is authenticated to the integrated device.