A security system for controlling access to property having a user-operated keyboard to key in and reset a composite password code. An indicator visually displays at least one code symbol varying with time. A memory device stores a current composite password code including at least two code symbols so that upon entry of the keyed-in password code through the keyboard, one of the stored password code symbols is replaced directly by the time varying code symbol to form a regenerated, composite password code which is then compared with the keyed-in password code to grant access to the property when coincidence occurs between the keyed-in and the regenerated password codes. In response to non-coincidence, an alerting signal is generated to indicate the incorrect password condition.

A stealth system and method that allows a resource to be practically invulnerable to fast online brute-force attacks is disclosed. The method for controlling access to a computer resource consists in performing a user authentication procedure upon receiving a request from a user to access the computer resource. As part of the user authentication procedure, a password verification procedure is performed which comprises the steps of requesting a password from the user and comparing the entered password with an expected valid one. The next steps are to compute the number of ungranted access for the user during a predefined time interval N if the password matches the expected one and to grant access to the user only if the computed number is lower than a predetermined number K of authorized requests. Otherwise, if either the password does not match the expected one or the number of unsuccessful attempts to log is higher than the predetermined number, the access is denied to the user and a time stamp of the ungranted access is stored.

A computerized password verification system and associated method is disclosed for discreet recognition and reporting of a duress transaction being imposed upon a user at an ATM or other remote cash-dispensing terminal. The inventive system utilizes conventional ATM hardware including a card reader, keypad and display together with its associated operating and communications software required for transaction processing, and further comprises the programmed generation and display screen of a list of transaction acceptance passwords (TAPs) with a prompt to the user for a TAP selection to confirm the validity of the immediate transaction. The prompted display of the TAP list appears following the initial acceptance of the user's personal identification number (PIN) and requires the ATM user to select the TAP from the list that is currently registered to the user. While selection of the user's current TAP from the prompted list verifies the immediate transaction, the selection of any other TAP from the displayed list would constitute a "panic" TAP that triggers the generation of a silent alert signal to the authorities.

An anti-crime security system which provides an entrance and an exit to an establishment, wherein the entrance and exit define an enclosed area, provides sensors to monitor ingress and egress through the enclosed area, and monitors activity in the enclosed area and controls access to the establishment based on the ingress, egress, and activity monitored by the sensors.

The invention is directed to an image forming apparatus including a print engine operable in at least two modes, and an access control system connected to and controlling the print engine. The access control system includes an access control key for allowing selective and discriminate switching of the print engine from one of the at least two modes to an other of the at least two modes, such as from an economy mode to a high quality mode, or vice versa.