System and Method for Authentication

摘要

A multi-functional device is attached to a secure network and includes a control circuit. The control circuit receives indications as to whether a user is authenticated to use the multi-functional device and in response, generates and sends a control signal to the multi-functional device. As long as the multi-functional device continues to receive the control signal, the multi-functional device remains in an operational mode to allow the authenticated user to access the multi-functional device functions. If the multi-functional device ceases to receive the control signal, the multi-functional device deactivates itself.

主权项

1. A method of activating a secure device to perform secure functions, the method performed at an access control circuitry of the secure device and comprising:
receiving a heartbeat signal indicating that an authenticated user is logged on to the secure device, and that an authentication medium comprising encoded credentials of the user is removably coupled to the secure device; while the heartbeat signal continues to be received, sending a control signal to a processing circuit of the secure device to control the processing circuit to switch an operational mode of the secure device into an active mode; and when the heartbeat signal is no longer being received, ceasing to send the control signal to the processing circuit of the secure device to control the processing circuit to switch the operational mode of the secure device into an inactive mode.