US 6993658

US patent 6993658 (US6993658B1) pertains to using personal communication devices for user authentication.

Here's a concise summary of the patent:

• Title: Use of personal communication devices for user authentication
• Current Assignee: Dynapass Ip Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Sten-Olov Engberg, Ake Jonsson
• Filing Date: March 6, 2000
• Issue Date: January 31, 2006
• Abstract: The patent describes a password setting system for secure systems. It includes a user token server and a communication module. The user token server generates a random token upon a user's request for a new password. A new password is then created by concatenating a secret passcode (known to the user) with this token. This new password is set for the user's ID. The communication module sends the token to the user's personal communication device (like a mobile phone or pager). The user combines their secret passcode with the received token to form the valid password for accessing the secure system. This authentication relies on: a non-secret user ID, a secret passcode known to the user, and a token provided via a device the user possesses.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (Method): This claim describes a multi-step method for authenticating a user on a "first secure computer network." It involves:

  1. Connecting the user to their personal communication device (like a cell phone), which operates on a "second network" (a cell phone network distinct from the first computer network).
  2. Receiving a request for a temporary code (token) from the user through their personal communication device on this second network.
  3. Generating a new password for the first computer network by combining this token (which the user doesn't know beforehand) with a passcode (which the user does know).
  4. Setting this new combination as the user's password.
  5. Activating the user's access to their account on the first computer network.
  6. Sending the token to the user's personal communication device.
  7. Receiving the complete password (passcode + token) from the user through the first computer network.
  8. Deactivating access to the user's account on the first computer network within a set time after activation, making it inaccessible with any password.

• Claim 5 (System): This claim describes a user authentication system that performs the actions of Claim 1. It includes:

  1. A computer processor.
  2. A user database linking a user to their personal communication device (which connects via a cell phone network to the system).
  3. A control module (run by the processor) that creates the new password using a token (unknown to the user) and a passcode (known to the user), and then sets this as the user's password.
  4. A communication module to send the token to the personal communication device via the cell phone network.
  5. An authentication module to receive the password from the user through a separate secure computer network where the user has an account.
  6. This authentication module then activates the user's account access upon successful password submission and deactivates it within a specific time, rendering the account inaccessible.

CAFC 2026 Dockets Search:
A search for "US patent 6993658 CAFC 2026 dockets" shows at least one case filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) in the year 2025, specifically case number "25-1222". While the query specified "2026 dockets," this 2025 filing would be active and relevant in 2026. This indicates ongoing litigation related to this patent at the appellate level. The full details of the parties involved and the specifics of the appeal would require direct access to CAFC dockets.