Method and apparatus for automated password entry

1. A method of protecting and automatically delivering a security credential with a portable credential vault device, the method comprising:

receiving multiple security credentials of a user at the credential vault device;

storing the security credentials and information identifying remote computer systems associated with the security credentials; and

operating a processor of the credential vault device to:

receive a request for a first security credential, via vault interface logic executing on a requesting device operable by the user to access a first remote computer system associated with the first security credential;

retrieve at least a first portion of the first security credential from storage, wherein the first portion is less than the entire first security credential; and

automatically deliver only the first portion of the first security credential to the requesting device;

wherein:

the vault interface logic enters the first portion of the first security credential on behalf of the user; and

the user enters a remaining portion of the first security credential, without receiving the remaining portion from the credential vault device; and

further operating the processor of the credential vault device to, without activity by the user:

receive a request to generate a new password for use by the user to access a second remote computer system;

identify format requirements of the new password; and

generate the new password so as to satisfy the format requirements.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the multiple security credentials comprises:

receiving the multiple security credentials when the user registers the multiple security credentials with the vault interface logic.

3. The method of claim 1 , further operating the processor to, prior to automatically delivering the first security credential:

alert the user to the request for the first security credential; and

receive from the user input signifying authorization of delivery of the first security credential.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the alert is configured to identify one or more of the first security credential and the first remote computer system.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating the processor to:

generate a new password security credential complying with a set of specified format requirements;

store the new password security credential; and

automatically deliver the new password security credential on behalf of the user, in response to a request initiated by a corresponding remote computer system;

wherein the new password security credential is generated, stored, and delivered without informing the user of the new password security credential.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating the processor to:

disable delivery of one or more stored security credentials unless the credential vault device is located proximate to the requesting device.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising operating the processor to:

disable delivery of a subset of the stored security credentials during a predetermined time period.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the requesting device is one of:

a computing device; and

a communication device comprising a processor.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

establishing a wireless communication link between the credential vault device and the requesting device.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

further storing the multiple security credentials remote from the credential vault device.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of protecting and automatically delivering a security credential with a portable credential vault device, the method comprising:

receiving multiple security credentials of a user at the credential vault device;

storing the security credentials and information identifying remote computer systems associated with the security credentials;

receiving a request for a first security credential, via vault interface logic executing on a requesting device operable by the user to access a first remote computer system associated with the first security credential;

retrieving at least a first portion of the first security credential from storage, wherein the first portion is less than the entire first security credential; and

automatically delivering only the first portion of the first security credential to the requesting device, wherein:

the vault interface logic enters the first portion of the first security credential on behalf of the user; and

the user enters a remaining portion of the first security credential, without receiving the remaining portion from the credential vault device; and

without activity by the user:

receiving a request to generate a new password for use by the user to access a second remote computer system;

identifying format requirements of the new password; and

generating the new password so as to satisfy the format requirements.

12. An apparatus for protecting and delivering a security credential, comprising:

a processor;

one or more communication modules operable to facilitate electronic communication between the apparatus and at least one external device;

non-transitory storage for storing security credentials required to enable access to one or more remote computer systems by a user of the apparatus;

an alert component for alerting the user; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:

receive a security credential request associated with a first remote computer system;

identify the requested security credential;

automatically deliver only a first portion of the security credential in response to the request, wherein:

the first portion is less than the entire security credential; and

the user enters a remaining portion of the first security credential, without receiving the remaining portion from the credential vault device; and

without activity by the user:

receive a request to generate a new password for use by the user to access a second remote computer system;

identify format requirements of the new password; and

generate the new password so as to satisfy the format requirements.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is part of a wearable device.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:

the security credential request is received from an external computing device operated by the user to attempt to access the first remote computer system; and

the security credential comprises one or more of a user identifier and a password.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to, without action by the user:

automatically initiate a communication connection with the first remote computer system; and

update the security credential by changing the password.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:

one or more input controls operable by the user; and

a display component.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to, after said generating:

receive a request for the new password from the second remote computer system; and

automatically deliver the new password in response to the request;

wherein the new password is not revealed to the user prior to said automatic delivery.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:

a wireless communication link between the apparatus and a first external device operated by the user to access the second remote computer system.