Biometrics-secured transaction card

• US 20080120509A1
• Filed: 11/17/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Simon, Rodolphe J.
• Application Number:
  US11/601,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20080120509A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0718 the sensor being of the biometric kind, e.g. fingerprint sensors fingerprint sensors in general G06V40/13; biometric access-control systems in general, see G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0893 the card reader reading the card in a contactless manner
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

Secure transaction card for execution of transactions by an authorized user. The secure transaction card has a biometric sensor, a battery, data transmission means, a microprocessor, a data storage device, and a security circuit. The microprocessor compares the scanned biometric feature with biometric data stored on the card. Upon determination of a match, the microprocessor energizes the security circuit, which then allows transmission of data to an external card reader. Data transmission is via a magnetic strip or RF technology. Upon determination of a mismatch, the security circuit remains de-energized and data transmission from or to an external reader is blocked.

Claims

1. An electronic transaction card comprising:

a card substrate;

a storage and transmission device;

stored transactional data; and

a biometric security circuit that includes stored biometric data, a biometric sensor, a data-release circuit, a microprocessor, and a power source;

wherein said microprocessor compares a biometric feature sensed by said biometric sensor with said stored biometric data, and, upon determination of a match between said sensed biometric feature and said stored biometric data, energizes said data-release circuit, which then enables transmission of said transactional data to an external data retrieval system; and

wherein said storage and transmission device and said biometric security circuit are incorporated into said card substrate.

2. The electronic transaction card of claim 1, wherein said data storage and transmission device includes a magnetic strip for data storage and transmission

3. The electronic transaction card of claim 2, wherein said stored biometric data is stored on said magnetic strip.

4. The electronic transaction card of claim 1, wherein said stored biometric data is stored in a memory in said microprocessor.

5. The electronic transaction card of claim 1, wherein said data storage and transmission device is an RF transmission device that transmits said transactional data.

6. The electronic transaction card of claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery pack that includes one or more replaceable batteries.

7. The electronic transaction card of claim 6, wherein said battery pack is an insert that carries said one or more replaceable batteries and said card substrate has a receiving channel and a connector for receiving said insert and providing a connection between said one or more replaceable batteries and said biometric security circuit.

8. The electronic transaction card of claim of claim 1, wherein said biometric sensor is a fingerprint sensor.

9. The electronic transaction card of claim 1, wherein said biometric data includes multiple sets of biometric data.

10. The electronic transaction card of claim 9, wherein a first set of biometric data enables a first range of transactions and a second set of biometric data enables a second range of transactions.

11. The electronic transaction card of claim of claim 1 further comprising an indicator light on an external surface of said card substrate, said indicator light indicating a read-status of said biometric security circuit.