Biometric key generation for secure storage
First Claim
1. A method for generating security information using biometric information, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving scan data relating to a person securing data;
generating a random cryptographic key;
performing a reversible operation on said biometric scan data and said random key to create a template;
storing said template;
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the generation and use of a biometric cryptographic key to secure and retrieve data that involves combining a random key and the biometric information to generate a template, such that the cryptographic key needed to retrieve the data cannot be obtained from the combination unless the identical user submits his or her biometric information during a subsequent biometric scan at which time the cryptographic key is generated from a combination of the stored template and the scan, allowing the secured data to be released and/or decrypted. Thus, if the system containing the secured data were compromised it would be virtually impossible to decrypt the data because not enough information resides on the system to re-construct the cryptographic key.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for generating security information using biometric information, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving scan data relating to a person securing data;
generating a random cryptographic key;
performing a reversible operation on said biometric scan data and said random key to create a template;
storing said template;
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of retrieving a random cryptographic key originally generated using biometric information, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving biometric scan data relating to a person seeking access to the secured data;
combining, through a reversible operation, said biometric information with a stored template, to derive said random cryptographic key. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A method securing and unsecuring user data using a biometric cryptographic key, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first biometric scan data set relating to a person securing user data;
generating a random cryptographic key;
performing a reversible operation on said biometric scan data and random cryptographic key to create a template;
storing said template;
securing the user data through use of said random cryptographic key;
receiving a second biometric scan data set from a person desiring to retrieve the secured user data;
performing said reversible operation on said template and second biometric scan data set to derive a key;
using said derived key to retrieve said secured user data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for securing user data using a random cryptographic key, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first biometric scan data set relating to a person securing user data;
generating a random cryptographic key;
performing a reversible operation on said biometric scan data and random key to create a template;
storing said template;
securing the user data through use of said random cryptographic key. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method unsecuring data using a random cryptographic key, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a biometric scan data set from a person desiring to retrieve the secured user data;
performing a reversible operation on a stored template and said biometric scan data set to derive a key;
using said derived key to retrieve said secured data. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for securing and unsecuring data through the use of a biometric cryptographic key comprising:
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a biometric scanner;
a secure data system comprising a processor and a first data store, said processor being programmed to generate a random key and for performing reversible operations on biometric scan data sets and said random key to create a template, said processor also securing said data from access by unintended parties through the use of said random key; and
a second data store for storing said template.
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Specification