Methods, systems, and products for identity verification

• US 20080209543A1
• Filed: 02/23/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Aaron, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,095,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for identification verification. A signature, representing the presence of a device, is acquired. The signature is compared to a reference signature. When the signature favorably compares to the reference signature, then the identity of a user associated with the device is verified.

Claims

1. A method of verifying identity, comprising:

acquiring a signature representing the presence of a device;

comparing the signature to a reference signature; and

when the signature favorably compares to the reference signature, then verifying an identity of a user associated with the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein comparing the signature comprises comparing the signature to a historical signature.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the signature favorably compares to the historical signature, then verifying the identity of the user associated with the device.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising acquiring multiple signatures and comparing the multiple signatures to a historical signature.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the multiple signatures favorably compare to the historical signature, then verifying the identity of the user associated with the device.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising querying for the reference signature based on at least one of a date, a time, and a location of the device.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sending a verification message that verifies the identity of the user.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a request to verify the identity of the user.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the signature unfavorably compares to the reference signature, then declining to verify the identity of the user.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying a set of rules that determines how strictly the signature is compared to the reference signature.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein acquiring the signature comprises acquiring a unique identification number that represents the presence of an RFID device, and

wherein comparing the signature comprises comparing the unique identification number to at least one reference number historically associated with the device;

and

when the unique identification number favorably compares to the at least one reference number, then verifying the identity of the user.

12. A system for verifying identity, the system operative to:

acquire a signature representing the presence of a device;

compare the signature to a reference signature; and

when the signature favorably compares to the reference signature, then verify the identity of a user associated with the device.

13. A system according to claim 12, further operative to query for the reference signature based on at least one of a date, a time, and a location of the device.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein when the signature unfavorably compares to the reference signature, then the system is further operative to decline to verify the identity of the user.

15. A system according to claim 12, further operative to apply a set of rules that determines how strictly the signature is compared to the reference signature.

16. A system according to claim 12, further operative to:

acquire a unique identification number that represents the presence of an RFID device;

compare the unique identification number to at least one reference number historically associated with the device; and

when the unique identification number favorably compares to the at least one reference number, then verify the identity of the user.

17. A computer program product storing computer-readable instructions for:

acquiring a signature representing the presence of a device;

comparing the signature to a reference signature; and

when the signature favorably compares to the reference signature, then verifying an identity of a user associated with the device.

18. A computer program product according to claim 17, further comprising instructions for querying for the reference signature based on at least one of a date, a time, and a location of the device.

19. A computer program product according to claim 17, further comprising instructions for when the signature unfavorably compares to the reference signature, then declining to verify the identity of the user.

20. A computer program product according to claim 17, further comprising instructions for:

acquiring a unique identification number that represents the presence of an RFID device;

comparing the unique identification number to at least one reference number historically associated with the device; and

when the unique identification number favorably compares to the at least one reference number, then verifying the identity of the user.