Data security system

• US 20060036873A1
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newport Scientific Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Newport Scientific Research LLC
• Inventors: Ho, Joshua, Choi, Gyu N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,797,750 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• 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: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A data security system controls access to and interfaces with a computer system by requiring user verification through fingerprint sensing. The data security system includes a security module having a fingerprint sensor, image data, and an application interface that is generated by the security module and communicative with the computer system. The image data is associated with a fingerprint of a user through the use of the security module.

Claims

1. A data security system for a computer system, comprising:

a security module;

image data associated with a fingerprint of a user through the use of said security module, said image data being stored on said security module; and

an application interface generated by said security module and communicative with said computer system.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said security module is portable.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said security module comprises:

a fingerprint sensor;

a microprocessor communicative with said fingerprint sensor and adapted to store said image data; and

a connector port coupled to said fingerprint sensor and said microprocessor.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said application interface is a graphical user interface displayed on said computer system.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said application interface is adapted to control and interface with applications located on said computer system.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said applications comprise a web browser application, an email application, an address book application, a data encryption application, a data back-up application, and a system directory application.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said application interface for said web browser application includes a URL factory adapted to supply password/login and bookmark data to said application interface.

8. A security module for a computer system, comprising:

a fingerprint sensor adapted to scan the fingerprint of a user;

a microprocessor communicative with said fingerprint sensor, said microprocessor adapted to store data, encrypt data, and control access to said computer system; and

a connector port coupled to said fingerprint sensor and said microprocessor.

9. A module according to claim 8, wherein said fingerprint sensor is a silicon type sensor.

10. A module according to claim 8, wherein said connector port is a USB port.

11. A module according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor has flash memory.

12. A module according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor is adapted to store fingerprint data of a user.

13. A module according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor comprises:

a disk controller;

a device lock controller communicative with said disk controller; and

a memory disk communicative with said disk controller and said device lock controller.

14. A module according to claim 13, wherein said device lock controller is adapted to encrypt and decrypt data stored in said security module.

15. A module according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor creates an encryption key that uniquely identifies a registered user.

16. A module according to claim 15, wherein said encryption key is comprised of a digital fingerprint template, at least one user password/login, and a randomly generated digit.

17. A module according to claim 8, wherein said microprocessor further comprises:

a dynamic optimization control adapted to analyze each fingerprint scan.

18. A module according to claim 17, wherein said dynamic optimization control creates a digital composite of a fingerprint based on each fingerprint scan.

19. A module according to claim 8, wherein said fingerprint sensor utilizes an image matching method when authenticating a fingerprint of a user.

20. A module according to claim 8, wherein said fingerprint sensor utilizes a minutiae information calculating method when authenticating a fingerprint of a user.

21. A method of controlling access to and securing data located on a computer system, comprising the steps of:

providing a data security system having a fingerprint sensor and a microprocessor with memory storage capability;

storing an encryption key having a registered user fingerprint template in said microprocessor;

determining whether a fingerprint scanned by said fingerprint sensor matches said fingerprint template; and

displaying a graphical user interface containing links to applications located on said computer system and said data security system when said scanned fingerprint matches said fingerprint template.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of displaying a graphical user interface includes displaying links to applications including a web browser application, an email application, an address book application, a data encryption application, a data back-up application, and a system directory application.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of displaying a graphical user interface for said email application further includes displaying a complete email message.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of displaying a graphical user interface for said address book application further includes displaying information stored in memory or in a database.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of displaying a data encryption application includes providing an encrypting function for a user to encrypt and de-crypt data.

26. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of displaying a data backup includes providing a data backup function for a user to backup data.

27. A method according to claim 21, wherein the step of storing an encryption key includes storing an encryption key comprising a digital fingerprint template, at least one user password/login, and a randomly generated digit.