Smart Card System With Ergonomic Fingerprint Sensor And Method of Using
First Claim
1. A unitized, fingerprint reading electronic device, comprising:
- secure memory containing sensitive informationa partial fingerprint reader capable of reading a portion of a fingerprint;
working memory to store multiple portions of a fingerprint;
a processor to assemble portions of a fingerprint into a fingerprint mosaic;
fingerprint recognition memory containing at least one authorized fingerprint;
wherein a user of said device swipes his finger across the partial fingerprint reader, and the processor assembles portions of the fingerprint read by said partial fingerprint reader into a fingerprint mosaic, and compares this fingerprint mosaic with an authorized fingerprint stored in fingerprint recognition memory;
and wherein if the fingerprint mosaic matches the authorized fingerprint, said device makes sensitive information available in secure memory available to external devices for reading or writing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A unitized smart card device with a partial fingerprint sensor, ergonomic guides and a processor is disclosed. The smart card contains secure memory, battery, and a processor to run the fingerprint sensor. The ergonomic guides help insure that the users finger properly swipes the fingerprint sensor. The smart card be used on a backwards compatible “dumb credit card” basis, or it may dock with an external smart card docking station. This docking station may act to facilitate communication between the smart card'"'"'s fingerprint sensor and its onboard secure memory; and external computerized devices. The docking station itself may be configured with slots or other openings to allow users to access the smart card'"'"'s fingerprint sensor while the smart card is docked with the docking station. The docking station itself may contain ergonomic guides to help ensure that the smart card'"'"'s fingerprint sensor is used (swiped) in a correct manner.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A unitized, fingerprint reading electronic device, comprising:
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secure memory containing sensitive information a partial fingerprint reader capable of reading a portion of a fingerprint; working memory to store multiple portions of a fingerprint; a processor to assemble portions of a fingerprint into a fingerprint mosaic; fingerprint recognition memory containing at least one authorized fingerprint; wherein a user of said device swipes his finger across the partial fingerprint reader, and the processor assembles portions of the fingerprint read by said partial fingerprint reader into a fingerprint mosaic, and compares this fingerprint mosaic with an authorized fingerprint stored in fingerprint recognition memory; and wherein if the fingerprint mosaic matches the authorized fingerprint, said device makes sensitive information available in secure memory available to external devices for reading or writing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A unitized smart card configured with an onboard partial fingerprint reader, comprising:
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a smart card casing; a partial fingerprint reader capable of reading a portion of a fingerprint; working memory to store multiple portions of a fingerprint; a processor configured to process portions of a fingerprint into a fingerprint mosaic; fingerprint recognition memory configured to contain at least one authorized fingerprint; a battery; and secure memory configured to store sensitive information; wherein if the fingerprint mosaic matches the authorized fingerprint, said device makes sensitive information available in secure memory available to external devices for reading or writing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for storing and retrieving sensitive information, said method comprising:
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providing a unitized smart card device with electronic secure memory; said unitized smart card device having an onboard partial fingerprint reader; swiping a finger over said partial fingerprint reader; assembling a series of partial fingerprints obtained from said partial fingerprint reader into a mosaic representative of a fingerprint complete enough to be used for identification; comparing said mosaic with a reference authorized fingerprint; wherein if said mosaic and said authorized fingerprint match, making said electronic secure memory available to external humans or devices for storage and retrieval of sensitive information. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A unitized smart card configured with an onboard partial fingerprint reader, comprising:
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a casing; a partial fingerprint reader capable of reading a portion of a fingerprint; memory to store a fingerprint; a processor configured to process portions of a fingerprint into a fingerprint mosaic; fingerprint recognition memory configured to contain at least one authorized fingerprint; and memory configured to store sensitive information; wherein if the fingerprint mosaic matches the authorized fingerprint, said device makes sensitive information available in secure memory available to external devices.
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Specification