RFID tag and method of user verification

• US 20040257202A1
• Filed: 06/16/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ScriptPro LLC
• Original Assignee: ScriptPro LLC
• Inventors: Knutsen, Bernhard P., Schloemer, David E., Coughlin, Michael E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,230,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.82
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals

Abstract

An identification tag (100) facilitates use of a secure computer system (300). The tag (100) is adapted to be worn on a user'"'"'s wrist and includes an identification and registration circuit (102) that includes an identification component (106), an affiliation component (110), and a light-emitting diode (112). The computer system includes an RF identification tag registration device (302) operable to acquire user physical information and communicate the physical information to a computer (202), wherein the computer verifies that a valid user is wearing the tag (100). The identification and registration device (302) ensures that the physical information communicated to the computer pertains to the user wearing the tag by comparing pulse signals acquired from the user'"'"'s hand and wrist as the device (302) is acquiring physical information. The computer (202) uses the identification information and the affiliation information to log the user into and out of the system (300), and to associate the identification information with a particular user.

Claims

1. A device for registering an identification tag, the device comprising:

a biometric information sensor for acquiring biometric information from a user wearing the tag;

an identification tag read/write component for writing identification information to the tag and reading the identification information from the tag; and

a communications component for communicating the biometric information and the identification information to an external electronic device.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the biometric information sensor is a retina scanner for acquiring retina information.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the biometric information sensor is a fingerprint scanner for acquiring fingerprint information.

4. The device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a first pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from a first location on the user'"'"'s arm, wherein the communications component communicates the pulse information from the first pulse sensor to the external electronic device.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the first pulse sensor includes a finger pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s finger.

6. The device as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a second pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from a second location on the user'"'"'s arm, wherein the communications component communicates the pulse information from the second pulse sensor to the external electronic device.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the second pulse sensor includes a wrist pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s wrist.

8. The device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the communications component includes a processor for comparing the pulse information obtained from the wrist pulse sensor with the pulse information obtained from the finger pulse sensor and communicating the identification information and the biometric information to the external device if the pulse information obtained from the wrist pulse sensor corresponds to the pulse information obtained from the finger pulse sensor.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a confirmation signal sensor for sensing a confirmation signal generated by the identification tag.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the communications component communicates the biometric information and the identification information to the external device if the confirmation signal received by the confirmation sensor is valid.

11. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the read/write component communicates with the tag via a wireless RF signal.

12. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the read/write component communicates with the tag via an infrared signal.

13. An RF identification tag registration device comprising:

a housing including a base and a handle;

a fingerprint scanner positioned on the handle for receiving a user'"'"'s finger, acquiring user fingerprint information, and communicating the fingerprint information;

a finger pulse sensor integral with the fingerprint scanner for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s finger;

a plurality of wrist pulse sensors located in the base for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s wrist;

a confirmation signal sensor located proximate the wrist pulse sensors for sensing a confirmation signal generated by an RFID tag;

an RF tag read/write component located proximate the wrist pulse sensors for writing identification information to the RF tag by communicating an RF signal and for reading identification information from the RF tag; and

a processor for comparing the pulse information obtained from the wrist pulse sensor with the pulse information obtained from the finger pulse sensor and communicating the identification information and the fingerprint information to an external device if the pulse information obtained from the wrist pulse sensor corresponds to the pulse information obtained from the finger pulse sensor and the confirmation signals reflect the RF signal.

14. A computer user verification system comprising:

an identification tag for communicating identification information, the tag including—

an identification component for storing and communicating identification information, and

a confirmation signal source for communicating a confirmation signal; and

an identification tag registration device for registering the tag, the device including—

a biometric information sensor for acquiring biometric information from a user using the tag, and

a confirmation signal sensor for sensing the confirmation signal of the identification tag.

15. The system as set forth in claim 14, the identification component including a passive RF circuit for communicating the identification information in a radio signal in response to an interrogation signal.

16. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the identification information includes the user'"'"'s name.

17. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the identification information includes an identification number.

18. The system as set forth in claim 14, the identification tag further including an affiliation component for detecting when the tag is secured to the user and for communicating affiliation information.

19. The system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the affiliation information indicates whether the tag is secured to the user.

20. The system as set forth in claim 19, wherein the affiliation component detects when the tag is secured to the user by measuring a capacitance between two points of a surface of the tag that is in contact with the user'"'"'s skin.

21. The system as set forth in claim 19, wherein the affiliation component detects when the tag is secured to the user by measuring a pressure exerted on the surface of the tag.

22. The system as set forth in claim 19, wherein the affiliation component detects when the tag is secured to the user by measuring a temperature of the surface of the tag.

23. The system as set forth in claim 20, wherein the affiliation component detects when the tag is secured to the user by sensing light incident to the surface of the tag.

24. The system as set forth in claim 14, further including an attachment component for securing the tag to the user'"'"'s wrist.

25. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the confirmation signal source is a light-emitting diode.

26. The system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the light-emitting diode emits an infrared signal.

27. The system as set forth in claim 14, further comprising a battery for storing energy and communicating the energy to another component of the tag.

28. The system as set forth in claim 27, further comprising a battery charger, wherein the charger stores energy in the battery by receiving energy from an antenna and delivering the energy to the battery.

29. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the biometric information sensor is a retina scanner for acquiring retina information.

30. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the biometric information sensor is a fingerprint scanner for acquiring fingerprint information.

31. The system as set forth in claim 14, the identification tag registration device further including—

a first pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from a first location on the user'"'"'s arm;

a second pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from a second location on the user'"'"'s arm; and

a processor for comparing the pulse information from the first location with the pulse information from the second location and communicating the biometric information to an external device if the pulse information from the first location corresponds to the pulse information from the second location.

32. The system as set forth in claim 31, wherein the first pulse sensor includes a finger pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s finger.

33. The system as set forth in claim 32, wherein the second pulse sensor includes a wrist pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s wrist.

34. The system as set forth in claim 31, wherein the processor communicates the biometric information to the external device if the confirmation signal received by the confirmation signal sensor is valid.

35. The system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the identification tag registration device further includes an identification tag read/write component for writing the identification information to the tag and reading the identification information from the tag.

36. The system as set forth in claim 35, wherein the read/write component communicates with the tag via an RF signal.

37. The system as set forth in claim 35, wherein the read/write component communicates with the tag via an infrared signal.

38. A user verification system for allowing a user to access a secured system or location, the user verification system comprising:

a tag for communicating identification information;

a registration device for acquiring a user'"'"'s biometric information and for communicating the biometric information; and

a computer operable to receive the identification information and the biometric information communicated from the tag and the registration device, respectively, and for validating the identification information and the biometric information, for permitting the user to access the secured system or location if the identification information and the biometric information are validated, and for denying the user access to the secured system or location if the identification information and the biometric information are not validated.

39. The system as set forth in claim 38, wherein the tag is a wrist tag.

40. The system as set forth in claim 39, wherein the tag further includes an affiliation component for detecting when the tag is secured to the user'"'"'s wrist and for communicating affiliation information.

41. The system as set forth in claim 40, wherein the computer associates the identification information with the biometric information, confirms the association using the affiliation information, and if the association is confirmed, permits the user to access the secured system or location.

42. The system as set forth in claim 40, wherein the computer associates the identification information with the biometric information, abandons the association using the affiliation information, and if the association is abandoned, denies the user access to the secured system or location.

43. The system as set forth in claim 38, wherein the registration device includes a fingerprint scanner for acquiring fingerprint information relating to the user'"'"'s fingerprint and communicating the fingerprint information to the computer.

44. The system as set forth in claim 43, wherein the fingerprint scanner detects when the user'"'"'s fingertip is present.

45. The system as set forth in claim 43, wherein the registration device further includes a finger pulse sensor and a wrist pulse sensor and communicates the fingerprint information only if pulse information obtained from the finger pulse sensor corresponds to pulse information obtained from the wrist pulse sensor.

46. The system as set forth in claim 45, wherein the registration device further comprises an RF tag read/write component for writing the identification information to an RF identification component and for reading identification information from the RF identification component, wherein the read/write component is located proximate the wrist pulse sensor.

47. The system as set forth in claim 46, wherein the tag further includes a confirmation signal generator and the registration device further includes a confirmation signal sensor located proximate the wrist pulse sensor, and the registration device communicates the fingerprint information only if the confirmation signal sensor senses a confirmation signal from the signal generator.

48. The system as set forth in claim 46, further comprising an RF tag reader for interrogating the RF identification component by transmitting an RF interrogation signal and receiving the radio signal from the RF identification component.

49. The system as set forth in claim 48, wherein the RF tag reader isolates communication with the user by decreasing a transmit power if the reader receives signals from more than one identification component.

50. A user verification system for allowing a user to access a secured system or location, the user verification system comprising:

a wrist tag for communicating identification information, the tag including—

an affiliation component for detecting whether the wrist tag is secured to the user'"'"'s wrist and for communicating affiliation information,

a passive RF identification component embedded in the wrist tag for responding to an interrogation signal by transmitting a radio signal containing the identification information,

a confirmation signal generator for generating a signal to confirm the identity of the tag, and

an attachment component for containing the affiliation component, the identification component, and the confirmation signal generator and for securing each to the user'"'"'s wrist;

a registration device for acquiring the user'"'"'s biometric information and for communicating the information, the device including—

a finger pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s finger,

a wrist pulse sensor for acquiring pulse information from the user'"'"'s wrist,

a confirmation signal sensor for receiving the signal from the confirmation signal generator, wherein the confirmation signal sensor is located proximate the wrist pulse sensor,

an RF tag read/write component for writing identification information to the RF identification component and reading identification information from the identification component, wherein the read/write component is located near the wrist pulse sensor, and

a fingerprint scanner for receiving the user'"'"'s fingertip, detecting when the fingertip is present, acquiring the user'"'"'s fingerprint information, and communicating the information if the pulse information obtained from the finger pulse sensor corresponds to the pulse information obtained from the wrist pulse sensor and the confirmation signal reflects the signal from the read/write component;

a variable power RF tag reader for interrogating the passive RF identification component in the wrist tag by transmitting an RF interrogation signal and receiving the radio signal from the RF identification component, for isolating communication with the user by decreasing a transmit power if the reader receives signals from more than one identification component, and for communicating the identification information; and

a computer operable to receive the identification information and the biometric information communicated from the wrist tag and the registration device, respectively, and for validating the identification information, the affiliation information, and the fingerprint information, for associating the identification information with the fingerprint information, for confirming the association if the affiliation information indicates the wrist tag is secured to the user'"'"'s wrist, for abandoning the association if the affiliation information indicates the wrist tag is not secured to the user'"'"'s wrist, for permitting the user to access the secured system or location if the association is confirmed, and for denying the user access to the secured system or location if the association is abandoned.

51. A computer interaction and user verification system for allowing a user access to a secured system or location, the computer interaction and user verification system comprising:

a stylus;

an identification component for storing and communicating identification information;

an attachment component for securing the stylus and the identification component to a user;

a computer for detecting the identification information; and

a display for showing information generated by the computer and responding to contact with the stylus.

52. The system as set forth in claim 51, wherein the stylus is substantially triangle-shaped and formed to fit over the user'"'"'s fingernail.

53. The system as set forth in claim 51, wherein the identification component is a passive RF identification tag.

54. The system as set forth in claim 51, wherein the identification component is embedded in the stylus.

55. The system as set forth in claim 51, wherein the attachment component attaches the stylus and the identification component to a fingernail of the user.

56. The system as set forth in claim 55, wherein the attachment component leaves exposed a fingerprintable portion of the user'"'"'s fingertip.

57. The system as set forth in claim 51, wherein the computer permits access to the secured system or location if it detects a valid identification and denies access to the secured system or location if it does not detect a valid identification.

58. The system as set forth in claim 51, further including—

an affiliation component for communicating affiliation information to the computer; and

a registration device for communicating user information to the computer.

59. The system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the attachment component secures the affiliation component to the user.

60. The system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the affiliation component is attached to the stylus.

61. The system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the affiliation component detects when the stylus is attached to the user'"'"'s fingernail by measuring a capacitance.

62. The system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the user information is fingerprint information.

63. The system as set forth in claim 58, wherein the computer associates the identification information with the user information.

64. They system as set forth in claim 63, wherein the computer confirms the association using the affiliation information, abandons the association using the affiliation information, permits the user to access the computer if the association is confirmed, and denies the user access to the computer if the association is abandoned.

65. A computer interaction and user verification system for allowing a user to access a secured system or location, the computer interaction and verification system comprising:

a plastic triangle-shaped stylus formed to fit over a user'"'"'s fingernail;

a passive RF identification tag embedded in the stylus for responding to an interrogation signal by transmitting a radio signal containing identification information;

an affiliation component connected to the stylus for detecting when the stylus is secured to the user'"'"'s finger and for communicating affiliation information;

an attachment component for removably securing the stylus to the user'"'"'s fingernail so that a point of the stylus extends over a tip of the fingernail with minimal overhang, the attachment component including a flexible strap adapted to encircle the user'"'"'s finger while leaving exposed a fingerprintable portion of the user'"'"'s fingertip and secured with a hook and loop fastener;

a registration device for acquiring user fingerprint information and communicating the information;

a computer for interrogating the RF identification tag, validating the identification information, validating the fingerprint information, associating the identification information with the fingerprint information, confirming the association if the affiliation information indicates the stylus is secured to the user'"'"'s finger, abandoning the association if the affiliation information indicates the stylus is not secured to the user'"'"'s finger, permitting the user to access the secured system or location if the association is confirmed, and denying the user access to the secured system or location if the association is abandoned; and

a touch screen for displaying information generated by the computer and responding to contact with the stylus.