# US 8,752,200 B2 · Devices, systems and methods for security using magnetic field based identification

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,752,200 B2
- Document ID: US8752200B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/180,805
- Filed: 2011-07-12
- Published: 2013-01-17
- Granted: 2014-06-10
- Earliest claimed: 2011-07-12
- Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
- Applicants: Alexander Varshavsky; Kevin Ansia Li
- Inventors: Alexander Varshavsky; Kevin Ansia Li
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8752200B2

## CPC

- H04L 63/0861: {using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231)}
- G06F 21/32: using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
- G06F 21/44: Program or device authentication
- H04L 9/3231: {Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina (network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861)}
- H04L 9/3247: {involving digital signatures}
- H04W 12/06: Authentication
- G06F 2221/2111: Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
- H04L 2209/805: Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
- H04W 12/68: Gesture-dependent or behaviour-dependent
- H04W 12/79: Radio fingerprint
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for determining an electromagnetic signature for authenticating a device, a user, and/or a location. In exemplary embodiments, a magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature which is then compared with one or more authorized electromagnetic signatures. If the electromagnetic signature matches an authorized electromagnetic signature, then access is granted. The magnetometer is integrated into a communication device having a processor and a logic. The magnetometer captures an electromagnetic signature of a surrounding environment and detects motion of the communication device through the captured electromagnetic signature. The logic on the communication device locks or unlocks features of the device based upon the captured electromagnetic signature. In further embodiments of the subject disclosure, the magnetometer is in communication with a server which authenticates a user or communication device to provide access to a remote location.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory that stores a first authorized electromagnetic signature and instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
sending, at a first time, a first electric current through a magnetic source to create a first electromagnetic signature in an environment, the first authorized electromagnetic signature associated with the first electromagnetic signature,
receiving, from a communication device located in the environment, a detected electromagnetic signature captured via a magnetometer associated with the communication device, the detected electromagnetic signature corresponding to a magnetic field created when the communication device is gestured in the environment, and
determining whether the detected electromagnetic signature matches the first authorized electromagnetic signature.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise in response to determining that the detected electromagnetic signature matches the first authorized electromagnetic signature, sending a signal to an accessible unit to grant access to a user of the communication device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic source comprises an electromagnet.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further stores a second authorized electromagnetic signature and wherein the operations further comprise sending, at a second time, a second electric current through the magnetic source to create a second electromagnetic signature in the environment, the second authorized electromagnetic signature associated with the second electromagnetic signature, wherein the first authorized electromagnetic signature stored by the memory is hashed according to the first time and the second authorized electromagnetic signature stored by the memory is hashed according to the second time.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising receiving a biometric input.

### Claim 6

A method comprising:
storing, at a system comprising a processor, a first authorized electromagnetic signature;
sending, at a first time by a system comprising a processor, a first electric current through a magnetic source to create a first electromagnetic signature in an environment, the first authorized electromagnetic signature associated with the first electromagnetic signature;
receiving, by the system from a communication device located in the environment, a detected electromagnetic signature captured via a magnetometer associated with the communication device, the detected electromagnetic signature corresponding to a magnetic field created when the communication device is gestured in the environment; and
determining whether the detected electromagnetic signature matches the first authorized electromagnetic signature.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the magnetic source is an electromagnet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising:
storing a second authorized electromagnetic signature; and
sending, at a second time, a second electric current through the magnetic source to create a second electromagnetic signature in the environment, the second authorized electromagnetic signature associated with the second electromagnetic signature, wherein the first authorized electromagnetic signature stored by the memory is hashed according to the first time and the second authorized electromagnetic signature stored by the memory is hashed according to the second time.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising in response to determining that the detected electromagnetic signature matches the first authorized electromagnetic signature, sending a signal to an accessible unit to grant access to a user of the communication device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a biometric input.

### Claim 11

A method comprising:
detecting, by a device comprising a processor, an electromagnetic signature, the electromagnetic signature being detected by a magnetometer coupled to the processor;
determining, by the processor, whether a match between the electromagnetic signature and at least one of a plurality of authorized electromagnetic signatures exists;
granting, by the processor, authentication when the match is determined; and
wiping a memory of the device when a mismatch between the electromagnetic signature and the plurality of authorized electromagnetic signatures is determined.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising creating a magnetic field.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the magnetic field is created by placing a plurality of permanent magnets around a room.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein the magnetic field is created by powering a plurality of electromagnets around a room.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising dynamically powering at least one of the electromagnets to create a dynamic electromagnetic signature.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein granting authentication when the match is determined comprises allowing access to a feature of the device.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein granting authentication when the match is determined comprises allowing access to an accessible unit.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, further comprising gesturing the device, wherein the magnetometer captures the electromagnetic signature of the gesture.

### Claim 19 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising changing the magnetic field.