Biometrically authenticated portable access device

• US 20050253683A1
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
• Original Assignee: Identification Technology Group
• Inventors: Lowe, Peter R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,232,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.530
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07354 by biometrically sensitive means, e.g. fingerprint sensitive fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/12; biometrically activated access control G07C9/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass

Abstract

A biometrically authenticated portable access device, includes a biometric sensor for measuring a live biometric parameter of an unverified user, an authenticator controlling a switch that enables and disables a conventional RFID tag and a stored biometric template corresponding to a previously measured biometric parameter of an authorized user. The authenticator compares the live biometric parameter of the unverified user to the stored biometric template and enables the RFID tag when the live biometric parameter matches the stored biometric template. The RFID tag is programmable in conventional RFID tag programmers that may be proprietary permitting the portable access device to be used with existing installed systems of proprietary and non-proprietary RFID tag programmers and readers.

Claims

1. A biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device comprising:

a biometric sensor for measuring a live biometric parameter of an unverified user;

a stored biometric template corresponding to a previously measured biometric parameter of an authorized user;

an authenticator for comparing the live biometric parameter of the unverified user to the stored biometric template and producing an authorization signal when the live biometric parameter matches the stored biometric template;

a conventional RFID tag programmable in a conventional RFID tag programmer selected from an installed base of RFID programmers used for programming RFID tags that do not include associated biometric sensors;

an electronic switch responsive to the authorization signal from the authenticator, the electronic switch acting to enable the RFID tag when the authorization signal from the authenticator indicates that the live biometric parameter matches the stored biometric template.

2. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic switch acts to prevent power from being wirelessly supplied to the RFID tag by an RFID tag reader.

3. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic switch acts to prevent oscillation of a tuned circuit within the RFID tag.

4. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic switch acts to connect a power input to a ground input of the RFID tag to prevent an operating voltage from being provided to the RFID tag when the authorization signal is not provided to the switch.

5. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic switch is physically protected such that the switch is destroyed in the event that an attempt is made to access the switch.

6. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the electronic switch is protected by a potting material that prevents access to the switch.

7. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the biometric sensor measures fingerprints.

8. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the biometric sensor measures thumbprints.

9. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the authenticator further includes a timer and wherein the timer provides the authorization signal to the switch for a limited period of time after the authenticator has determined that the live biometric parameter matches the stored biometric template.

10. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the authenticator comprises a microprocessor.

11. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 1 wherein the authenticator is initially in a locked state providing the authorization signal to the switch and thereby enabling the RFID tag to be programmed.

12. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 11 wherein the authenticator can be subsequently changed to an unlocked state thereby disabling the RFID tag unless the live biometric parameter matches the stored biometric template.

13. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 12 wherein the authenticator is changed to the unlocked state by irreversibly burning a fuse in the authenticator.

14. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 12 wherein the authenticator includes a port and the authenticator is changed to the unlocked state by entering a code through the port.

15. A biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device comprising:

a case in the form of a key fob adapted for connection to a key ring to hold keys;

a biometric thumbprint sensor mounted in the case, the biometric thumbprint sensor producing an output corresponding to a thumbprint of an unverified user;

a digital storage for storing a biometric template corresponding to a thumbprint of an authorized user;

an authenticator in the form of a microprocessor for comparing the output of the biometric thumbprint sensor to the stored biometric template and producing an authorization signal for a limited period of time when there is a match;

a conventional RFID tag programmable in a conventional RFID tag programmer selected from an installed base of RFID programmers used for programming RFID tags that do not include associated biometric sensors;

an electronic switch connected to the authenticator and responsive to the authorization signal, the electronic switch opening to enable the RFID tag when the authorization signal is received and closing to disable the RFID tag when the authorization signal is not received; and

a protective compound applied at least to the switch, the protective compound destroying the switch when an attempt is made to access the switch.

16. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 15 wherein the authenticator is initially in a locked state providing the authorization signal to the switch and thereby enabling the RFID tag to be programmed.

17. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 16 wherein the authenticator can be subsequently changed to an unlocked state thereby disabling the RFID tag after programming until the authenticator determines that the output of the biometric thumbprint sensor matches the stored biometric template and produces the authorization signal.

18. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 17 wherein the authenticator is changed to the unlocked state by irreversibly burning a fuse in the authenticator.

19. The biometrically authenticated portable RFID access device according to claim 17 wherein the authenticator includes a port and the authenticator is changed to the unlocked state by entering a code through the port.