Electronic Data Storage Medium With Fingerprint Verification Capability

• US 20070130436A1
• Filed: 01/18/2007
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Shen, Ming-Shiang
• Application Number:
  US11/624,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20070130436A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/163
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1416 by checking the object accessibility, e.g. type of access defined by the memory independently of subject rights G06F12/1458 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• 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: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic data storage medium is adapted to be accessed by a data terminal, and includes a processing unit connected to a memory device that stores a data file and security reference data possessed by a person authorized to access the data file, and an input-output interface circuit activable so as to establish communication with the data terminal. The processing unit is operable selectively in a programming mode and a data retrieving mode. The electronic data storage medium also includes a function key set for manually switching the electronic data storage medium between the programming mode and the data retrieving mode.

Claims

1. An electronic data storage medium adapted to be accessed by a data terminal, said electronic data storage medium comprising:

a non-volatile memory device for storing a data file and reference data possessed by a person authorized to access the data file;

security means for entering the security data into the electronic data storage medium;

an input/output interface circuit for establishing communication with the data terminal;

a processing unit coupled to said non-volatile memory device, said security means and said input/output interface circuit, wherein said processing unit includes means for selectively operating in a programming mode in which said processing unit activates said input/output interface circuit to receive the data file from said data terminal and stores the data file in said non-volatile memory device, a data retrieving mode in which said processing unit accesses the data file stored in said non-volatile memory device and activates said input/output interface circuit to transmit the data file to said data terminal, and a data resetting mode in which the processing unit facilitates erasing of the data file from said non-volatile memory device;

means for manually switching the electronic data storage medium between the programming mode and the data retrieving mode;

means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the programming mode such that the processing unit transfers at least one of the data file and the reference data from the input/output interface circuit into said non-volatile memory device, and

means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the data retrieving mode such that the processing unit compares the security data entered through said security means with the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device, and activates said input/output interface circuit to transmit the data file stored in the non-volatile memory device to the data terminal only when the security data matches the reference data.

2. The electronic data storage medium of claim 1, wherein said non-volatile memory device is a flash memory device.

3. The electronic data storage medium of claim 1, wherein said processing unit includes means for storing the data file in said non-volatile memory device in a compressed format.

4. The electronic data storage medium of claim of 3, wherein said means for manually switching the electronic data storage medium comprises a function key set connected to said processing unit, and wherein said function key set includes means for initiating operation of said processing unit in a selected one of the programming, data retrieving and data resetting modes.

5. The electronic data storage medium of claim 4, wherein said memory device further comprises means for storing a reference password therein, wherein said function key set includes means for providing an input password to said processing unit, and wherein said processing unit includes means for comparing the input password with reference password and for initiating operation in the data resetting mode upon verifying that the input password corresponds with the reference password.

6. The electronic data storage medium of claim 3, where in said processing unit further comprises means for automatically initiating operation in the data resetting mode upon detecting that a preset time period has elapsed since storage of the data file and the fingerprint reference data in said non-volatile memory device.

7. The electronic data storage medium of claim 1, further comprising a display unit connected to and controlled by said processing unit for displaying the data file exchanged with the data terminal.

20. The electronic data storage medium of claim 1, further comprising a power source for supplying electrical power thereon.

8. An electronic data storage medium adapted to be accessed by a data terminal, said electronic data storage medium comprising:

a card body;

a non-volatile memory device, mounted on said card body, for storing a data file and reference data possessed by a person authorized to access the data file;

security means for entering the security data into the electronic data storage medium;

an input/output interface circuit, mounted on said card body, for establishing communication with the data terminal;

a processing unit, mounted on said card body, coupled to said non-volatile memory device, said security means and said input/output interface circuit;

means for manually switching the electronic data storage medium between a programming mode and a data retrieving mode;

means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the programming mode such that the processing unit transfers at least one of the data file and the reference data from the input/output interface circuit into said non-volatile memory device, and

means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the data retrieving mode such that the processing unit compares the security data entered through said security means with the reference data stored in said non-volatile memory device, and activates said input/output interface circuit to transmit the data file to the data terminal only when the security data matches the reference data.

9. The electronic data storage medium of claim 8, wherein said non-volatile memory device is a flash memory device.

10. The electronic data storage medium of claim 8, wherein said processing unit includes means for storing the data file in said non-volatile memory device in a compressed format.

11. The electronic data storage medium of claim of 10, wherein said means for manually switching the electronic data storage medium comprises a function key set connected to said processing unit, and wherein said function key set includes means for initiating operation of said processing unit in a selected one of the programming, data retrieving and data resetting modes.

12. The electronic data storage medium of claim 11, wherein said memory device further comprises means for storing a reference password therein, wherein said function key set includes means for providing an input password to said processing unit, and wherein said processing unit includes means for comparing the input password with reference password and for initiating operation in the data resetting mode upon verifying that the input password corresponds with the reference password.

13. The electronic data storage medium of claim 11, where in said processing unit further comprises means for automatically initiating operation in the data resetting mode upon detecting that a preset time period has elapsed since storage of the data file and the fingerprint reference data in said non-volatile memory device.

14. The electronic data storage medium of claim 8, further comprising a display unit connected to and controlled by said processing unit for displaying the data file exchanged with the data terminal.

15. An electronic data storage medium adapted to be accessed by a data terminal, said electronic data storage medium comprising:

a card body;

a non-volatile memory device, mounted on said card body, for storing at least a data file;

an input/output interface circuit, mounted on said card body, for establishing communication with the data terminal;

a processing unit, mounted on said card body, coupled to said non-volatile memory device, and said input/output interface circuit, wherein said processing unit includes means for selectively operating in a programming mode in which said processing unit activates said input/output interface circuit to receive the data file from said data terminal and stores the data file in said non-volatile memory device, a data retrieving mode in which said processing unit accesses the data file stored in said non-volatile memory device and activates said input/output interface circuit to transmit the data file to said data terminal, and a data resetting mode in which the processing unit facilitates erasing of the data file from said non-volatile memory device;

means for manually switching the electronic data storage medium between the programming mode and the data retrieving mode;

means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the programming mode such that the processing unit transfers at least one data file from the input/output interface circuit into said non-volatile memory device, and

means for controlling said processing unit when the electronic data storage medium is in the data retrieving mode such that the processing unit activates said input/output interface circuit to transmit at least one data file stored in the non-volatile memory device to the data terminal.

16. The electronic data storage medium of claim 15, wherein said non-volatile memory device is a flash memory device.

17. The electronic data storage medium of claim 15, further comprising a power source, mounted on said card body, for supplying electrical power thereon.

18. The electronic data storage medium of claim 15, wherein said means for manually switching comprises a functional key set, mounted on said card body, connected to said processing unit and operable so as to initiate operation of said processing unit in a selected one of the programming, data retrieving and data resetting mode.

19. The electronic data storage medium of claim 15, further comprising a display unit, mounted on said card body, connected to and controlled by said processing unit for displaying the data file exchanged with the data terminal.