Biometric identification device with smartcard capabilities

• US 20060213982A1
• Filed: 03/24/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1PerfectID, Inc., Madison Tyler LLC
• Original Assignee: Privaris, Inc.
• Inventors: Relgle, Thomas, Cannon, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,481,364 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0013 by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers connectors in general H01R13/00; connectors for SIM cards used in mobile phones or the like H04B1/3816
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/006 the housing being a portable casing
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0091 the circuit comprising an arrangement for avoiding intrusions and unwanted access to data inside of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/02 Access control comprising means for the enrolment of users
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device integrates a smartcard reader with a biometric authentication component to provide secured access to electronic systems. The device allows for an individual to insert a smartcard into an aperture in the physical enclosure of the BPID Security Device, allowing the smartcard and the BPID Security Device to electronically communicate with each other. The smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device is based on a custom application specific integrated circuit that incorporates smartcard terminals, such that the BPID Security Device can communicate directly with an inserted smartcard. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device is based on a commercial off-the-shelf microprocessor, and may communicate with a commercial off-the-shelf microprocessor smartcard receiver using a serial, USB, or other type of communication protocol. The device allows for enrolling a user'"'"'s credentials onto the smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device. The device also allows for authenticating an individual using the smartcard-enabled BPID Security Device.

Claims

1. An autonomous, portable apparatus for identifying and authenticating electronic user credentials, comprising:

a. a physical enclosure with an aperture for receiving a smartcard;

b. a reading/writing means for reading and writing to a smartcard, such that when a smartcard is placed into said aperture of said physical enclosure, the smartcard connects to said reading/writing means such that the smartcard can be read or written; and

c. a personal authentication device comprising an authentication means for biometric authentication, a wireless transceiver, a communication means for communicating with said reading/writing means, and a processing means for electronic data processing and storage, located inside said enclosure and coupled to said reading/writing means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said physical enclosure is tamper-evident.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said physical enclosure is tamper-resistant.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said aperture of said physical enclosure is oriented such that when a smartcard is inserted into said aperture, the external surface of the smartcard is visible.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reading/writing means and said personal authentication device are implemented together on an application-specific integrated circuit, such that communications between said reading/writing means and said personal authentication device are secure and tamper-resistant.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reading/writing means and said personal authentication device communicate using serial communications.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reading/writing means and said personal authentication device communicate using a Universal Serial Bus.

8. A method for associating a user with an autonomous, portable apparatus for identifying and authenticating electronic user credentials, comprising the steps of:

a. providing the autonomous, portable apparatus which comprises;

i. a physical enclosure with an aperture for receiving a smartcard;

ii. a reading/writing means for reading and writing to a smartcard, such that when a smartcard is placed into said aperture of said physical enclosure, the smartcard connects to said reading/writing means such that the smartcard can be read or written; and

iii. a personal authentication device comprising an authentication means for biometric authentication, a wireless transceiver, a communication means for communicating with said reading/writing means, and a processing means for electronic data processing and storage, located inside said enclosure and coupled to said reading/writing means;

b. placing a smartcard into said aperture formed in said physical enclosure of the autonomous, portable apparatus;

c. using said reading/writing means to read said a serial number assigned to said smartcard;

d. transmitting said serial number to said personal authentication device;

e. verifying that said personal authentication device has not previously enrolled said smartcard using said serial number;

f. connecting said personal authentication device to an external enrollment station;

g. using said external enrollment station to acquire a biometric template and a personal identification number from the user;

h. transmitting said biometric template and said personal identification number to said personal authentication device;

i. storing said biometric template and said personal identification number to said personal authentication device;

j. associating said serial number with said biometric template and said personal identification number in said personal authentication device;

k. transmitting said biometric template and said personal identification number from said personal authentication device to said smartcard; and

l. storing said user'"'"'s biometric template and personal identification number on said smartcard.

9. A method for authenticating a user to a device using an autonomous, portable apparatus for identifying and authenticating electronic user credentials, comprising the steps of:

a. providing the autonomous, portable apparatus which comprises;

i. a physical enclosure with an aperture for receiving a smartcard;

ii. a reading/writing means for reading and writing to a smartcard, such that when a smartcard is placed into said aperture of said physical enclosure, the smartcard connects to said reading/writing means such that the smartcard can be read or written; and

iii. a personal authentication device comprising an authentication means for biometric authentication, a wireless transceiver, a communication means for communicating with said reading/writing means, and a processing means for electronic data processing and storage, located inside said enclosure and coupled to said reading/writing means;

b. placing a smartcard into said aperture formed in said physical enclosure of the autonomous, portable apparatus;

c. acquiring a biometric sample and a personal identification number from the user using the personal authentication device;

d. comparing said acquired biometric sample and personal identification number to a previously stored biometric sample and personal identification number; and

e. authenticating the user if said acquired biometric sample and personal identification number match said previously stored biometric sample and personal identification number.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the comparison step is performed on the smartcard.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the comparison step is performed on the personal authentication device.