Biometric authentication device for use in mobile telecommunications

• US 20020060243A1
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Biocentric Solutions
• Original Assignee: Biocentric Solutions
• Inventors: Schaub, Cathy, Depp, Mark R., Schenk, Thomas, Krueger, Greg, Howe, Barry, Janiak, Martin J., Wachter, Greg
• Application Number:
  US09/683,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20020060243A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• 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 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0886 the card reader being portable for interacting with a POS or ECR in realizing a payment transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A biometric authentication device for use with a telecommunications device such as a wireless phone having memory, processing power and communication capabilities is disclosed. The biometric device includes a fingerprint module having a fingerprint sensor for capturing a user'"'"'s fingerprint placed onto the fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint module is interconnected and communicates with the telecommunications device. The fingerprint module also includes a portion adapted to receive and read a card containing electronic fingerprint information, such as a smart card. The fingerprint module is capable of determining a match between the user'"'"'s fingerprint captured from the fingerprint sensor and the electronic fingerprint information stored on the smart card. Determination of the match between the end user captured fingerprint and the stored electronic fingerprint information enables biometric verification or identification of the end user. This information may be transmitted via the interconnected telecommunications device. The biometric device is useful in time and attendance, access and control as well as user identification and verification applications. Application program interface software used with the biometric device permits application specific solutions to be developed for biometric telecommunications.

Claims

1. A biometric device for use with a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

a fingerprint module having a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint and generating fingerprint data; and

electronic circuitry located within the fingerprint module and connected to the fingerprint sensor to process the fingerprint data; and

wherein the biometric device is connectable to and usable with the mobile telecommunications device.

2. A biometric device for use with a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

a fingerprint module having a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint and generating fingerprint data; and

electronic circuitry located within the fingerprint module and connected to the fingerprint sensor to process the fingerprint data;

wherein the fingerprint module further includes a compact flash connection slot; and

wherein the biometric device is connectable to and usable with the mobile telecommunications device through the connection slot.

3. A biometric device for use with a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

a fingerprint module having a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint and generating fingerprint data; and

electronic circuitry located within the fingerprint module and connected to the fingerprint sensor to process the fingerprint data;

wherein the fingerprint module further includes a smart card slot for receiving a smart card; and

wherein the biometric device is connectable to and usable with the mobile telecommunications device.

4. A biometric device for use with a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

a fingerprint module having a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint and generating fingerprint data; and

electronic circuitry located within the fingerprint module and connected to the fingerprint sensor to process the fingerprint data;

wherein the fingerprint module further includes a compact flash connection slot for connecting the fingerprint module and a smart card slot for receiving a smart card; and

wherein the biometric device is connectable to and usable with the mobile telecommunications device.

5. A biometric device for use with a telecommunications device and a user of the telecommunications device comprising:

a fingerprint module including a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint of the user, the fingerprint module receptive to and connectable with the telecommunications device to allow electronic communication with the telecommunications device, wherein the fingerprint module includes a portion adapted to receive and read a data card having fingerprint information, and wherein the fingerprint module is capable of determining a match between the user fingerprint read from the fingerprint sensor and the fingerprint information on the data card.

6. The biometric device of claim 5 wherein the data card is one of a smart card, a memory card and an optical card having an optical bar code for storing the fingerprint information.

7. The biometric device of claim 5 wherein the fingerprint information is stored on a chip located on the data card.

8. The biometric device of claim 5 wherein the telecommunications device is a wireless telephone.

9. The biometric device of claim 5 wherein determination of the match between the user fingerprint and the fingerprint information on the data card enables biometric identification or verification of the user of the telecommunications device.

10. The biometric device of claim 5 wherein the biometric device generates user information, the user information selected from the group consisting of user entry time, user exit time, user check-in time and user attendance.

11. The biometric device of claim 5 wherein the biometric device generates information to selectively grant the user access to a desired location or control of a desired device.

12. The biometric device of claim 5 wherein the biometric device further generates information to identify or verify an identity of the user.

16. The portable biometric reader of claim 15 wherein the portable biometric reader is capable of utilizing any communication capabilities of the processing telephonic host.

19. The biometric identification module of claim 18, wherein the application program interface is compatible with additional programming to obtain application specific output and functionalities for the biometric identification module.

20. The biometric identification module of claim 18, wherein the stored biometric data and the user biometric data are fingerprint data.

13. A biometric system comprising:

a telecommunications device having at least one application therefor;

a fingerprint module interconnected with the telecommunications device such that the fingerprint module may be utilized in conjunction with the telecommunications device to provide a biometric solution for the at least one application.

14. A fingerprint module for use in a biometric authentication system, the fingerprint module including a fingerprint sensor and wherein the fingerprint module is capable of connection to and operation with a telecommunications device so as to receive biometric information from the fingerprint sensor as part of the biometric authentication system.

15. A portable biometric reader for use with a processing telephonic host comprising:

a fingerprint module having a communication port for communication with the processing telephonic host, the fingerprint module including a fingerprint sensor for reading a fingerprint of the user, the fingerprint module receptive to and connectable with the processing telephonic host to allow electronic communication with the processing telephonic host, wherein the fingerprint module includes a portion adapted to receive and read a data card having fingerprint information, and wherein the fingerprint module is capable of determining a match between the user fingerprint read from the fingerprint sensor and the fingerprint information on the data card.

17. A biometric device for use with a telecommunications device comprising:

a biometric module adapted for communication with the telecommunications device, and wherein the biometric module includes an application programming interface software that can be customized to interface with the telecommunications device.

18. A biometric identification module for use with a telecommunications device comprising:

a housing;

a biometric sensor exposed through the housing for obtaining user biometric data;

a receiving portion receptive to a biometric data storage device having stored biometric data;

electronic processing and storage circuitry disposed within the housing and connected to the biometric sensor; and

an application program interface compatible with the telecommunications device programmed into the processing and storage circuitry to compare the user biometric data to the stored biometric data.

21. A biometric solution system for use with a portable telephonic host device comprising:

a biometric identification module comprising;

a housing; and

a biometric sensor exposed through an outer surface of the housing;

a biometric data storage media, the housing further including a receiving portion receptive to the biometric data storage media; and

an application protocol interface programmed into the module,

wherein the application protocol interface is capable of being used in conjunction with an application specific software to provide a customized biometric application solution useable with the portable telephonic host device.

22. The biometric solution system of claim 21, wherein the biometric data storage media is one of a memory card, a smart card and an optical data card.

24. The biometric system of claim 23 wherein the communication port between the fingerprint identification module and the host device is a serial connection.

25. The biometric system of claim 24 wherein the serial connection is through a compact flash port.

26. The biometric system of claim 23 wherein the serial connection is through a PCMCIA port.

27. The biometric system of claim 23, further comprising a biometric data card insertable into the fingerprint identification module for comparison to data extracted by the fingerprint identification module.

29. The biometric solution system of claim 28, further including an internet server in electronic communication with the portable solution system for communication to a central data center.

30. The biometric solution system of claim 28, wherein the portable host device is electronically connected to one of a PC, a host server, and a network for collection and storage of the application program output.

31. The biometric solution system of claim 28, wherein the biometric samples are fingerprints.

23. A biometric system comprising:

a fingerprinted identification module for extracting fingerprint data having a communication port; and

a telephonic host device connected to the fingerprint identification module through the communication port, the host device having a storage capacity and processing power to manipulate the fingerprint data extracted from the fingerprint identification module.

28. A biometric solution system for use with a telecommunications device comprising:

a module for receiving biometric samples, the module connected to the telecommunications device;

a storage media having stored biometric data, the storage media insertable into the module; and

an application program for use by the telecommunications device wherein the application program is specifically designed to operate for a particular biometric solution, the module in operative association with the application program such that a comparison may be made between the biometric samples and the stored biometric data, and wherein the comparison generates an output specific to the application program which may be displayed and transmitted by the telecommunications device as part of the biometric solution.

32. A biometric network comprising:

a plurality of biometric devices, each biometric device comprising;

a fingerprint module including a fingerprint sensor for reading a user fingerprint placed onto the fingerprint sensor, wherein the fingerprint module includes a portion adapted to receive and read a data card having electronic fingerprint information, and wherein the fingerprint module is capable of determining a match between the user fingerprint read from the fingerprint sensor and the electronic fingerprint information; and

a server having a connection to each of the plurality of biometric devices to receive data from each of the plurality of biometric devices.

33. The biometric network of claim 32 wherein the server is connected to the internet.

34. The biometric network of claim 32 wherein the connection is wireless.

36. The biometric device of claim 35 wherein the fingerprint module further includes a slot for receiving a smart card.

38. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the data card is a memory card.

39. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the data card is inserted into the fingerprint module.

40. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the data card is a smart card.

41. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the data card is an optical card having an optical bar code.

42. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the wireless telephonic device is a cellular telephone.

43. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the wireless telephonic device is a communications device.

44. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the wireless telephonic device is a mobile computer device with telephonic capabilities.

45. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the wireless device is a combination wireless computer and telephone.

46. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the biometric device and wireless telephonic device is used in time and attendance applications.

47. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the biometric device and wireless telephonic device is used in user verification applications.

48. The biometric device of claim 37 wherein the biometric device and wireless telephonic device is used in access and control applications.

50. The biometric device of claim 49 wherein connectivity of the telecommunications device is not reduced when the biometric hub is attached thereto.

51. The biometric device of claim 49 further including a data card for insertion into a data card slot of the biometric hub, and wherein the data card is inserted in a direction substantially parallel to a length of the biometric hub.

52. The biometric device of claim 49 further including a data card for insertion into a data card slot of the biometric hub, and wherein the data card is inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to a length of the biometric hub.

53. The biometric device of claim 49 wherein the data card slot is located within a front face of the biometric device.

54. The biometric device of claim 49 wherein the data card slot is located within a side face of the biometric hub.

55. The biometric device of claim 49 wherein the peripheral connection ports are capable of receiving telephone power connectors.

56. The biometric device of claim 49 wherein the peripheral connection ports are capable of receiving a recharger connector.

57. The biometric device of claim 49 wherein the telecommunications device is a wireless telephone.

58. The biometric device of claim 49 wherein the biometric hub includes a cradling portion and wherein the telecommunications device is connectable to and slidably engageable with the cradling portion of the biometric hub.

35. A biometric device for use with a telephonic device comprising:

a fingerprint module;

a fingerprint sensor connected to the fingerprint module for generating fingerprint data;

a communication port integral with the fingerprint module in electrical communication with the fingerprint sensor for transmitting the fingerprint data from the fingerprint sensor through the communication port to the telephonic device.

37. A biometric device comprising a fingerprint module including a fingerprint read field for reading a user fingerprint placed on the fingerprint read field, the fingerprint module receptive to and connectable with a wireless telephonic device, the fingerprint module including a portion adapted to receive and read a data card wherein the data card includes a chip for storing electronic fingerprint information and the fingerprint module is capable of determining a match between the user fingerprint read from the fingerprint read field and the electronic fingerprint information stored on the chip, and wherein determination of the match enables biometric verification of the user of the wireless telephonic device and wherein the biometric verification of the user may be transmitted via the wireless telephonic device.

49. A biometric device for use with a telecommunications device having connection ports, at least one of the connection ports for connection to a peripheral connector, the biometric device comprising:

a biometric hub having an end that is receptive to the telecommunications device for removable attachment to and electrical communication with the telecommunications device;

wherein the biometric device further includes peripheral connection ports and wherein any peripheral connectors for use with the telecommunications device are capable of being connected to the telecommunications device through the peripheral connection ports of the biometric hub.