Centralized biometric authentication

• US 20060036442A1
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interactions, LLC
• Original Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Novack, Brian M., Thompson, Timothy R., Madsen, Daniel Larry
• Granted Patent: US 7,107,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/273
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• 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: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/30 Distributed recognition, e.g. in client-server systems, for mobile phones or network applications
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/00 Speaker identification or verification techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6054 Biometric subscriber identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64

Abstract

A centralized biometric system is provided for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity over a communications network. The system includes a storage that stores biometric information in association with information that identifies an individual. The system also includes a receiver that receives, from one of a communications device and a network communications platform, a biometric sample from a party attempting to obtain a service from the one of the communications device and the network communications platform. The service is provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual. The system also includes a processor that compares the biometric sample to the biometric information to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual.

Claims

1. A centralized biometric system for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity over a communications network, comprising:

a storage that stores biometric information in association with information that identifies an individual;

a receiver that receives, from one of a communications device and a network communications platform, a biometric sample from a party attempting to obtain a service from the one of the communications device and the network communications platform, the service being provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual; and

a processor that compares the biometric sample to the biometric information to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual.

2. The centralized biometric system of claim 1, the receiver receiving requests from a plurality of client communications devices that each provide a service to a plurality of individuals.

3. The centralized biometric system of claim 1, the receiver receiving requests from a plurality of network communications platforms that each provide a service to a plurality of individuals.

4. The centralized biometric system of claim 1, in which the receiver receives the request over the internet.

5. The centralized biometric system of claim 1, the communications device comprising a transaction platform used to conduct a financial transaction.

6. The centralized biometric system of claim 1, the communications device comprising a personal computer used by the individual to conduct a financial transaction.

7. The centralized biometric system of claim 1, further comprising:

a log generator that generates a record of information relating to the authentication request.

8. A method for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity over a communications network using a centralized biometric system, comprising:

storing biometric information in association with information that identifies an individual;

receiving, from one of a communications device and a network communications platform, a biometric sample from a party attempting to obtain a service from the one of the communications device and the network communications platform, the service being provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual; and

comparing the biometric sample to the biometric information to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual.

9. The method for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity of claim 8, wherein:

biometric samples are received from a plurality of client communications devices that each provide a service to a plurality of individuals.

10. The method for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity of claim 8, wherein:

biometric samples are received from a plurality of network communications platforms that each provide a service to a plurality of individuals.

11. The method for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity of claim 8, wherein the biometric sample is received over the internet.

12. The method for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity of claim 8, the communications device comprising a transaction platform used by the public to conduct a financial transaction.

13. The method for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity of claim 8, the communications device comprising a personal computer used by the individual to conduct a financial transaction.

14. The method for verifying an individual'"'"'s identity of claim 8, further comprising:

generating a record of information relating to the authentication.

15. A computer readable medium storing a program that verifies an individual'"'"'s identity over a communications network using a centralized biometric system, the computer readable medium comprising:

a biometric storing code segment that stores biometric information in association with information that identifies an individual;

a receiving code segment that receives, from one of a communications device and a network communications platform, a biometric sample from a party attempting to obtain a service from the one of the communications device and the network communications platform, the service being provided contingent on authentication of the party as the individual; and

a comparing code segment that compares the biometric sample to the biometric information to authenticate the identity of the party as the individual.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein:

biometric samples are received from a plurality of client communications devices that each provide a service to a plurality of individuals.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein:

biometric samples are received from a plurality of network communications platforms that each provide a service to a plurality of individuals.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the biometric information is received over the internet.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 15, the communications device comprising a transaction platform used by the public to conduct a financial transaction.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 15, the communications device comprising a personal computer used by the individual to conduct a financial transaction.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:

a log generating code segment that generates a record of information relating to the authentication.