Importance

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Abstract

A security device for operating protected programs or data, or other functions performed by or within computers, the security device having both hardware and software keys and a reader for accepting smart cards. The smart card reader communicates with a control module having segmented non-volatile memory. Data from plural smart cards is entered into segmented NVM through the smart card reader. Each segment of segmented NVM creates a virtual token essentially duplicating enabling ability of the corresponding smart card or token. The control module has processing and memory means for encrypting and decrypting commands and recognizing encrypted passwords. The control module also has a plurality of interface apparatuses for enabling communicable connection to computers. When one or more virtual tokens is created by transfer of data from a smart card or cards, the smart card may be safely stored or discarded. A computer connected to the security device may be operated to execute functions which are protected in the sense of access being denied in the absence of keys stored in one or more virtual tokens.

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First Claim