Method for identity verification

• US 20020025062A1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States CP LLC
• Original Assignee: Pen-One Inc.
• Inventors: Black, Gerald R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,082,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/116
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The method for identity verification employs biometric technology. Positioned at the center of the system is a stylus with any of a number of biometric properties or their combination or with one or more metric sensors, while the customer uses the stylus to sign his/her name, or even for writing anything. The identity verification system is used at point-of-sale terminals, in various closed environments, to access a computer network, in applications involving pen-based computers and smart-pens, and for e-commerce. When fingerprint sensors are used, the sensors are positioned in the stylus grip, one sensor for the index finger, and a second sensor for the thumb. In one variation, one-to-one biometric matching is used. Each participant carries on his/her person a device that includes an encrypted biometric for reference purposes to gain access into the system. Processing is simplified since the system need only make a “MATCH” or “NO MATCH” decision. In a second variation that is particularly useful in closed environments, one-to-many biometric matching is used. During each event access request, the community of reference prints is searched for a match with the applicant. Each member of the community need carry nothing on his/her person to participate in the system. In either variation, the stylus is either attached to each site or is portable, one such stylus being carried by each participant.

Claims

1. A method of authenticating user identity, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint image sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a user registration, fingerprint image comparison being performed within a matching processor; and

approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor determines that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed, confirmation determination being independent of any image generated upon the flat surface.

2. The method of claim 1, further capturing a second sensed fingerprint image of a second finger as the second finger is positioned proximate to a second fingerprint image sensor, the second fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the second sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched, and approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor decides that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the second sensed fingerprint image and the second reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed.

3. The method of claim 1, further capturing a first sensed metric property of stylus user as the stylus is used to write upon the flat surface, and approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor decides that based at least partially upon comparison data of the first sensed metric property with reference data, identity is confirmed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction is a financial transaction and upon completion of the transaction a prepaid user account is debited.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction is a financial transaction and upon completion of the transaction a credit user account associated is debited.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction involves access to data in a guarded network and user identity is authenticated prior to enabling access to additional data in the guarded network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction involves entry of data into a guarded network and user identity is authenticated prior to enabling entry of additional data into the guarded network.

8. A method of authenticating user identity, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface;

capturing a first fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched, the first fingerprint image sensor including a semiconductor chip, fingerprint image capture being by nonoptical sesnor;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a user registration, fingerprint image comparison being performed within a matching processor; and

blocking the transaction in the absence of a match of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image within the matching processor.

9. A method of authenticating user identity, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface, the stylus having a cable attachment to a writing surface, the cable attachment enabling electrical connection between the stylus and a cardreader, the cable attachment enabling wire transmission of data captured by use of the stylus to a matching processor;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint image sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

scanning a user card with the cardreader, the user card including data relative to the first reference fingerprint image;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint being captured during a user registration, fingerprint image comparison being performed within the matching processor; and

approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor determines that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed.

10. The method of claim 9, further capturing a second sensed fingerprint image of a second finger as the second finger is positioned proximate to a second fingerprint image sensor, the second fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the second sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched, and approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor decides that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the second sensed fingerprint image and the second reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed.

11. The method of claim 9, further capturing a first sensed metric property of stylus user as the stylus is used to write upon the flat surface, and approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor decides that based at least partially upon comparison data of the first sensed metric property with reference data, identity is confirmed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the transaction involves access to data in a guarded network and user identity is authenticated prior to enabling access to additional data in the guarded network.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the transaction involves entry of data into a guarded network and user identity is authenticated prior to enabling entry of additional data into the guarded network.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the stylus is pre-registered for use with a plurality of pen-based computers.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein stylus position relative to any surface is used for purpose of text capture purposes and user identity is useful in deciphering written text.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the transaction involves access to data in a guarded network and user identity is authenticated prior to enabling access to additional data in the guarded network.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the transaction involves entry of data into a guarded network and user identity is authenticated prior to enabling entry of additional data into the guarded network.

12. A method of authenticating user identity, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface, the stylus being wireless and portable;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a user registration, the first reference fingerprint image being stored within the stylus, fingerprint image comparison being performed within the matching processor, the matching processor being disposed within the stylus; and

approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor determines that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed.

17. A method of authenticating user identity, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface, the stylus having a cable attachment to a writing surface, the cable attachment enabling electrical connection between the stylus and a pen-based computer, the cable attachment enabling wire transmission of data captured in the stylus to the pen-based computer;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint image sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a user registration, the first reference fingerprint image being stored in the pen-based computer, fingerprint image comparison being performed within the pen-based computer; and

approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor determines that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed, confirmation determination being independent of any image generated upon the flat surface.