Apparatus for preventing unauthorized access to computer files and for securing medical records

• US 10,607,730 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2018
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey A. Matos
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey A. Matos
• Inventors: Matos, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hiep V
• Application Number:
  US16/021,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20180315493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 705 3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Apparatus and method for identifying and managing a requesting person who wishes to access information in a computer memory, calls for capturing local images of the requesting person and determining whether this person is the same as one of the registered persons whose identifying information is stored in a database. Identifying information stored in the database pertains to at least one visually observable biologic identifier on a body portion of each registered person. The accuracy of requesting person identification enhanced by allowing the access grantor of information to provide visual content which modulates the appearance of the biologic identifier of the requesting person. An identified human gatekeeper further hardens the system against inappropriate access. Utilization of the system for the documentation of encounters such as medical and other events is provided.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling the access of a particular human individual to a computer memory for a given period of time by repeatedly assessing a changeable visible identifying feature (“

VIF”

) of said human individual, and by assessing an identifying feature of a gatekeeping human individual said apparatus comprising, in combination;

(a) a computer memory operative to store and provide (i) secure information, (ii) information representing a plurality of images of a VIF pertaining to at least one registered accessing human individual (“

RAHI”

) authorized to access said secure information and (iii) information representing a plurality of images of a VIF pertaining to at least one registered gatekeeping human individual (“

RGHI”

) authorized to enable access to said secure information;

(b) a first processor coupled to the memory, operative to store selected information in the memory and to access selected information from the memory, and operative to produce (i) a plurality of first supplementing signals, (ii) at least one second supplementing signal, and (iii) a plurality of assessment signals;

(c) a first camera, coupled to said first processor,

(1) arranged to capture images of a visible identifying feature of a putative accessing human individual (“

PAHI”

), and

(2) configured to repeatedly generate successive test images of said VIF of said PAHI during a given period of time for transmission to said first processor;

(d) a first supplemental identification device (“

SID”

), arranged in the vicinity of said first camera, coupled to said first processor, and configured to supplement the test image information provided by said first camera in response to said at least one first supplementing signal received from said first processor, said first SID producing at least one of;

an output configured to induce a change in the appearance of said VIF of said PAHI; and

an output configured and arranged to display a visual representation of information represented by said first supplementing signal, wherein said first camera is arranged to capture images showing both said visual representation and a VIF of said PAHI, wherein said first SID modifies at least some of the visual information captured by said first camera;

(e) a second camera, coupled to said first processor, arranged to input VIF information pertaining to putative gatekeeping human individual (“

PGHI”

);

(f) a second SID, arranged in the vicinity of said second camera, coupled to said first processor, and configured to supplement the information provided by said first camera in response to said at least one second supplementing signal received from said first processor, said second SID producing at least one of;

an output configured to induce a change in the appearance of said VIF of said PGHI; and

an output configured and arranged to display a visual representation of information represented by said second supplementing signal, wherein said second camera is arranged to capture images showing both said visual representation and a VIF of said PGHI, wherein said second SID modifies at least some of the visual information captured by said second camera;

(g) an output device, coupled to said first processor, operative to provide match information represented by said assessment signals to said RGHI; and

(h) an input device, coupled to said first processor, operative to provide a signal to said processor representing an inputted access command from said RGHI pertaining to granting access to said memory, to a PAHI;

wherein said first processor is operative to;

(1) repeatedly generate said first supplementing signal for transmission to said first SID;

(2) repeatedly compare each of said successive test images of said VIF of said PAHI received from said first camera, with said stored images of the VIF of said at least one RAHI to repeatedly assess the identity of the PAHI during said given period of time; and

generate said at least one assessment signal indicating at least one result of said repeated assessment of the identity of the PAHI;

(3) assess the inputted identification information of said PGHI to determine whether or not the PGHI is an RGHI, in dependence on whether or not the information contained in the inputted identification information of the PGHI matches the stored identification information of the RGHI;

(4) provide the result of said repeated assessment to the output device; and

(5) allow access by the PAHI to said memory for a given period of time, following the input of an access command by said RGHI.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first processor is operative to allow reading of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to receipt of a first command signal and wherein said input device is further operative to provide said first command signal in response to a respective PGHI input.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first processor is operative to allow storage of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to receipt of a second command signal and wherein said input device is further operative to provide said second command signal in response to a respective PGHI input.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said given period of time is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) less than 1 minute;

(b) 1 to 5 minutes;

(c) 5 to 15 minutes; and

(d) more than 15 minutes.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first processor is operative to prevent PAHI access to said memory upon an assessment, by said first processor of a non-match between the inputted test image of said PAHI and the stored images of said RAHI.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one assessment signal indicates a degree of match of the test image of said PAHI with the stored images of said RAHI.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said first processor is operative to prevent PAHI access to said memory upon a determination by said first processor of a degree of match less than a first given number, wherein said degree of match less than said first given number indicates a high likelihood of a non-match of the test image of said PAHI with the stored images of said RAHI.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein said first processor is operative to allow PAHI access to said memory upon a determination by said first processor of a degree of match greater than a second given number, wherein said degree of match greater than said second given number indicates a high likelihood of a match of the test image of said PAHI with the stored images of said RAHI.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein each of said first camera, said first SID, said first processor, said computer memory, said second camera, said second SID, said output device and said input device is situated at a common location.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first camera and said first SID are situated at a remote location from said computer memory, said first processor, said second camera, said second SID, said output device and said input device, and wherein said apparatus further comprises:

(a) a first transmitting and receiving (“

T/R”

) device, coupled to said first processor, for transmitting said at least one first supplementing signal to said first SID and for receiving said successive test images from said first camera;

(b) a second T/R device, for communication with said first T/R device, coupled to each of

(1) said first SID for receiving said at least one first supplementing signal, and

(2) said first camera, for transmitting said successive test images;

wherein

(a) said first processor is further operative to cause said first T/R device to transmit said at least one first supplementing signal, and to process said received test images;

(b) said first processor, said computer memory, said second camera, said second SID, said output device and said input device are situated at a first location; and

(c) said first camera, and said first SID are situated at a second location, remote from said first location.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a second processor, coupled to each of said first camera and said first SID; and

(b) a communication system, coupled to each of said first processor and said second processor, for exchanging of signals between said first and said second processors;

wherein

(i) said second processor is operative to transmit said successive test images to said first processor via said communication system;

(ii) said first processor is operative to transmit said first supplementing signal to said first SID via said communication system and said second processor;

(iii) said first processor, said computer memory, said second camera, said second SID, said output device and said input device are situated at a first location; and

(iv) said second processor, said first camera and said first SID are situated at a second location, remote from said first location.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said RAHI VIF is at least one pattern of an iris of an eye of the RAHI and wherein said PAHI VIF is at least one pattern of an iris of an eye of the PAHI.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said RAHI VIF is at least one pattern of retinal veins of an eye of the RAHI and wherein said PAHI VIF is at least one pattern of retinal veins of an eye of the PAHI.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said RAHI VIF is a facial pattern of the RAHI and wherein said PAHI VIF is a facial pattern of the PAHI.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said RAHI VIF is selected from the group consisting of a fingerprint and a palm print of the RAHI, and wherein said PAHI VIF is selected from the respective member of the group consisting of a fingerprint and a palm print of the PAHI.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said RAHI VIF is a pattern of veins of a hand of the RAHI and wherein said PAHI VIF is a pattern of veins of a hand of the PAHI.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) each of said first supplementing signal is a first prompt producing signal;

(b) said first SID is a first prompt producing device, for producing at least one first prompt in response to said first prompt producing signal; and

(c) said first prompt causes a change in the appearance of said VIF of said PAHI.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 17, wherein:

(i) said RAHI VIF is a pattern of an iris of an eye of the RAHI and said PAHI VIF is a pattern of an iris of an eye of the PAHI;

(ii) said computer memory is further operative to store information representing a plurality of images of an iris of an eye of said RAHI, each image captured under different lighting conditions for said iris; and

(iii) said prompt producing device is a light source configured to generate light in response to said at least one first prompt signal, which impinges on said PAHI iris thereby to alter an opening size of said PAHI iris;

wherein said first processor is further operative to change said lighting conditions by generating said at least one first prompt signal;

wherein said first processor is further operative to compare information representing a plurality of viewed images of said PAHI iris, each captured under different lighting conditions, with said information representing a plurality of stored RAHI iris images.

19. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first SID comprises a display device located in proximity to said PAHI for displaying a representation of said first supplementing signal received from said first processor.

20. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein the information represented by said first supplementing signal causes said display device to produce a first prompt arranged to induce an alteration in at least one of:

(a) the quantity of light impinging on an eye of said PAHI;

(b) the focus of an eye of said PAHI;

(c) a direction of gaze of an eye of said PAHI; and

(d) an angle of orientation of a face of said PAHI with respect to said first camera.

21. The apparatus defined in claim 19, wherein

(a) said first processor is further operative to generate a first representation of a first information set, and to cause:

(i) said first representation to be stored in said computer memory, and

(ii) said first supplementing signal to specify said first representation;

(b) in response to receipt of said first supplementing signal, said display device is adapted to produce a visual second representation of said first information set; and

(c) said at least one first camera is arranged to image both

(1) said visible identifying feature of said PAHI, and

(2) said display device displaying said visual second representation of said first information set,

for generating a composite image containing both said identifying feature of said PAHI and said visual second representation of said information set, for transmission to said first processor;

wherein said first processor is further operative to;

(i) receive said composite image and generate both

(A) a third representation of said first information set, and

(B) a representation of said VIF of said PAHI,

each from the received composite image;

(ii) compare information contained in said stored first representation of said first information set, with information contained in said received third representation of said information set; and

(iii) compare information contained in said stored RAHI VIF with information contained in said representation of said VIF of said PAHI; and

wherein said at least one assessment signal provides an indication of a result of;

(A) said first information set comparison and

(B) said VIF comparison.

22. The apparatus defined in claim 21, wherein said at least one assessment signal provides information indicating a degree of match of said first information set comparison.

23. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first SID comprises a display device located in proximity to said PAHI, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a communication link between said first processor and said display device, wherein said communication link is selected from the group consisting of (a) a wired link, and (b) a wireless link.

24. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said second camera is adapted to input at least one of:

(a) at least one pattern of an iris of an eye of said PGHI;

(b) at least one pattern of retinal veins of said PGHI;

(c) an image of a face of said PGHI;

(d) a VIF selected from the group consisting of a fingerprint and a palm print of said PGHI; and

(e) a pattern of veins of a hand of said PGHI.

25. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first processor is operative to repeatedly assess said PGHI VIF information, and to prevent PAHI access to said memory upon an assessment, by said first processor of a non-match between the inputted VIF information pertaining to said PGHI and the stored VIF information pertaining to said RGHI.

26. The apparatus defined in claim 1,

wherein said first processor is operative to prevent access to said memory by said RAHI upon an assessment, by said first processor of a non-match of inputted VIF information pertaining to the PGHI with the stored VIF information pertaining to the RGHI.

27. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein:

(a) said VIF is a pattern of an iris of an eye of the PGHI;

(b) said computer memory is further operative to store a plurality of images of an iris of an eye of said RGHI, each image captured under different lighting conditions for said iris; and

(c) said second SID is a light source configured to generate light which impinges on said PGHI iris thereby to alter an opening size of said PGHI iris, in response to said second supplementing signal;

wherein said first processor is further operative to change said lighting conditions by generating said second supplementing signal;

wherein said first processor is further operative to compare a plurality of captured images of said PGHI iris, each under different lighting conditions, with a plurality of stored RGHI iris images.

28. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said second SID comprises a PGHI display device coupled to said first processor, located in proximity to said PGHI for displaying a representation of said second supplementing signal received from said first processor.

29. The apparatus defined in claim 28, wherein the information represented by said second supplementing signal causes said PGHI display device to produce a second prompt arranged to induce an alteration in at least one of:

(a) the quantity of light impinging on an eye of said PGHI;

(b) the focus of an eye of said PGHI;

(c) a direction of gaze of an eye of said PGHI; and

(d) an angle of orientation of a face of said PGHI with respect to said second camera.

30. The apparatus defined in claim 28, wherein:

(a) said first processor is further operative to generate a first representation of a second information set, and to cause;

(i) said first representation of said second information set to be stored in said computer memory, and

(ii) said second supplementing signal to specify said first representation of said second information set;

(b) in response to receipt of said second supplementing signal, said PGHI display device is adapted to produce a visual second representation of said second information set; and

(c) said second camera is arranged to image both

(1) said visible identifying feature of said PGHI, and

(2) said PGHI display device displaying said visual second representation of said second information set,

for generating a composite PGHI image containing both said identifying feature of said PGHI and said visual second representation of said second information set, for transmission to said first processor;

wherein said first processor is further operative to;

(i) receive said composite PGHI image and generate both

(A) a third representation of said second information set, and

(B) a representation of said VIF of said PGHI,

each from the received composite PGHI image;

(ii) compare information contained in said stored first representation of said second information set with information contained in said received third representation of said second information set;

(iii) compare information contained in said stored RGHI VIF with information contained in said representation of said VIF of said PGHI; and

(iv) prevent access of said PAHI to said memory if said first processor does not determine that both

(A) said second information set comparison, and

(B) said PGHI VIF comparison with said stored RGHI images,

indicate respective substantially similar information matches;

thereby to prevent PAHI access to said memory if said PGHI is not determined to be an RGHI.

31. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first processor is operative to allow deletion of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to receipt of a third command signal and wherein said input device is further operative to provide said third command signal in response to a respective PGHI input.

32. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first processor is operative to allow alteration of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to receipt of a fourth command signal and wherein said input device is further operative to provide said fourth command signal in response to a respective PGHI input.

33. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said computer memory is further operative to store alphanumeric information related to at least one of:

said at least one RAHI, and

said at least one RGHI.

34. A method of controlling the access of a human individual to secure information in a computer memory comprising the steps of:

(a) storing, in a computer memory, each of

secure information;

information representing a plurality of images of a visible identifying feature (“

VIF”

) pertaining to at least one registered accessing human individual (“

RAHI”

) authorized to access said secure information; and

information representing a plurality of images of a VIF pertaining to at least one registered gatekeeping human individual (“

RGHI”

) authorized to grant access to said secure information;

(b) receiving, by a processor, a request to identify a putative authorized human individual (“

PAHI”

) as a RAHI;

c) based on receiving the request, generating, by the processor, at least one first VIF modifying signal and providing said signal to a first VIF modifying device;

d) receiving, by the first VIF modifying device, the first VIF modifying signal;

e) in response to the received first VIF modifying signal, producing, by the first VIF modifying device, an output, and providing the output in the vicinity of the PAHI, wherein the output induces a change in an appearance of the VIF of the PAHI;

f) repeatedly capturing, by a first digital camera, a plurality of images of the VIF of the PAHI following the providing of the output, and providing information representing the PAHI VIF images to the processor;

g) repeatedly comparing, by the processor, (1) the information representing the images of the VIF of the PAHI with (2) the stored information representing the VIF of the RAHI, and determining a match between the stored VIF information of the RAHI and the inputted VIF information of the PAHI;

h) generating, by the processor, at least one assessment signal representing a result of said comparing;

i) displaying, by a display device, a representation of said assessment signal;

j) generating, by the processor, at least one second VIF modifying signal and providing said signal to a second VIF modifying device;

k) receiving, by the second VIF modifying device, the second VIF modifying signal;

l) in response to the received second VIF modifying signal, producing, by the second VIF modifying device, a supplemental output, and providing the supplemental output in the vicinity of a putative gatekeeping human individual (“

PGHI”

), wherein the supplemental output induces a change in an appearance of a VIF of the PGHI;

(m) capturing, by a second digital camera, a plurality of images of the VIF of the PGHI including at least one image following the providing of the supplemental output, and providing information representing the PGHI VIF images to the processor;

(n) comparing, by the processor, (1) the information representing the images of the VIF of the PGHI with (2) the stored information representing the VIF of the RGHI, and determining a match between the stored RGHI VIF information and the inputted PGHI VIF information; and

(o) inputting, by an RGHI input device, a grant access command, and, upon a determination of a match between said PGHI VIF information and said RGHI VIF information, permitting access by a PAHI to the secure information.