Proximity based security protocol for processor-based systems

Abstract

A security protocol may be implemented on a processor-based system by providing a wireless signal to a handheld device normally carried by the user. If a response is not received, it may be determined that the user is not sufficiently proximate to the device being accessed and that, therefore, the person accessing the device is not authorized. An appropriate security protocol may be implemented as a result.

1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a wireless signal in a handheld device in response to a request for access to a processor-based system; and    accessing credential information in a subscriber information module; and    transmitting information related to said credential information to said processor-based system to enable access to said system.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  including receiving a wireless signal pursuant to a protocol with a relatively short range to generate said wireless signal.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  including receiving a wireless signal pursuant to a wireless protocol that has a range of approximately 10 feet.  
   
   
       4 . A processor-based system comprising: 
 a wireless interface;    a subscriber information module; and    a device, coupled to said module, to receive a wireless request to access a remote processor-based system, to obtain credential information from said module, and to provide said credential information to said remote processor-based system to enable use of said remote processor-based system.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said wireless interface is a short range wireless interface.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said short range wireless interface has a range of approximately 10 feet.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said wireless interface includes a dipole antenna.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said system is a cellular telephone.  
   
   
       9 . An article comprising a medium storing instructions that, if executed, enable a processor-based system to: 
 receive a wireless signal in a handheld device in response to a request for access to a processor-based system; and    access credential information in a subscriber information module; and    transmit information related to said credential information to said processor-based system to enable access to said system.    
   
   
       10 . The article of  claim 9  further storing instructions that, if executed, enable the processor-based system to use a wireless protocol with a relatively short range to receive said wireless signal.  
   
   
       11 . The article of  claim 9  further storing instructions that, if executed, enable the processor-based system to use a wireless protocol that has a range of approximately 10 feet.  
   
   
       12 . A method comprising: 
 establishing a wireless communication link between a mobile device and a computer system when within a communication range;    authenticating a user of the mobile device as an authorized user of the computer system using credential information stored in a portable identification module included in the mobile device, the credential information transmitted from the mobile device using the wireless link; and    monitoring the wireless link between the mobile device and the computer system such that when the link is interrupted an audible alarm on the mobile device is generated.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the portable identification module is a subscriber information module.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the communication link is a Bluetooth link.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.