Authenticating wireless phone system

• US 20050268111A1
• Filed: 05/13/2004
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Markham, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US10/846,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20050268111A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00928 for garage doors
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• 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

An authenticating portable electronic device such as a cellular phone having radio frequency transmission capability, battery power and a keypad. The device further includes a fingerprint reader proximate the keypad of the device for authenticating the user of the device, as well as a transreceiver in the device for communicating authentication signals with a remote location to verify the identity of the user. Remote locations may be gates, doors or badge screening locations. Also included is a transmitter for sending signals to a transceiver receiver having a connection to a wire telephone system within a structure to permit phone calls using the device through the receiver to and from the wire telephone system. The device includes a connector for connecting to a docking cradle operably connected to a computer for authenticating the user before allowing access to the computer, which can also be the battery charging interface.

Claims

1. In an authenticating portable electronic device having radio frequency transmission capability, battery power and a keypad, the improvement comprising:

a fingerprint reader proximate the keypad of said device for authenticating the user of said device;

a receiver and transmitter in said device for communicating authentication signals with a remote location to verify the identity of the user;

a transmitter/receiver for sending/receiving signals to a transceiver having a connection to a wire telephone system within a structure to permit phone calls using said device through the receiver to and from the wire telephone system; and

a connector for connecting to a docking cradle operably connected to a computer for authenticating the user before allowing access to said computer,

2. The device of claim 1, wherein portable electronic device is a cellular phone.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said phone communicates with a RF inquiry at said remote location when said fingerprint reader affirms the identity of the user.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said remote location is selected from gates, doors and moveable barriers.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said device initiates said communication with said remote location.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein said remote location initiates said communication with said device triggering activation of said fingerprint reader.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said electronic device includes a connector for connecting to a docking cradle operably connected to a computer for authenticating the user before allowing access to the computer.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said connector is a battery charging interface.

9. In an authenticating portable electronic device having radio frequency transmission capability, battery power and a keypad, the improvement comprising:

fingerprint reader means for reading the finger print of a user and located proximate the keypad of said device for authenticating the user of said device;

receiver and transmitter means in said device for communicating authentication signals with a remote location to verify the identity of the user;

transciever means for sending signals to a transceiver having a connection to a wire telephone system within a structure to permit phone calls using said device through the receiver to and from the wire telephone system; and

connector means for connecting to a docking cradle operably connected to a computer for authenticating the user before allowing access to said computer,

10. The device of claim 9, wherein portable electronic device is a cellular phone.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said phone communicates with a FR inquiry at said remote location when said fingerprint reader affirms the identity of the user.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said remote location is selected from gates, doors and moveable barriers.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said device initiates said communication with said remote location.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein said remote location initiates said communication with said device triggering activation of said fingerprint reader.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein said electronic device includes a connector for connecting to a docking cradle operably connected to a computer for authenticating the user before allowing access to the computer.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said connector is a battery charging interface.

17. An authentication and communication system in a facility comprising:

a facility IT system having radio frequency transmission capability and a data base for storing data relating to personnel having access to and assets within the facility, said IT system further having a wire telephone system;

an authenticating portable electronic device having radio frequency transmission capability, battery power and a keypad, said electronic device including;

a fingerprint reader proximate the keypad of said device for authenticating the user of said device;

a transreceiver in said device for communicating authentication signals with a remote location to verify the identity of the user;

a transceiver for sending signals to a transceiver having a connection to a wire telephone system within a structure to permit phone calls using said device through the receiver to and from said wire telephone system;

a connector for connecting to a docking cradle operably connected to a computer for authenticating the user before allowing access to said computer,

18. The system of claim 17, wherein portable electronic device is a cellular phone.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said phone communicates with a RF inquiry at said remote location only when said fingerprint reader affirms the identity of the user.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said remote location is selected from gates, doors and moveable barriers.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said device initiates said communication with said remote location.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said remote location initiates said communication with said device triggering activation of said fingerprint reader.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein said electronic device includes a connector for connecting to a docking cradle operably connected to a computer for authenticating the user before allowing access to the computer.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said connector is a battery charging interface.