Optimized biometric authentication method and system

• US 20090190802A1
• Filed: 01/24/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Little, Herbert A., Adams, Neil Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,838,989 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications

Abstract

An efficient exchange of messages in a system for authenticating access to a base device is facilitated through the selection of a particular biometric template from among a plurality of biometric templates. Rather than transmitting the template to a peripheral device, an indication of a location of the particular biometric template within the plurality of biometric templates is transmitted to the peripheral device. At the peripheral device, once the indication of the location and a biometric candidate are received, the particular biometric template may be located and compared to the biometric candidate. Finally, an indication of a result of the comparing may be transmitted to the base device.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating, at a base device, an efficient exchange of messages in a system for authenticating access to said base device, said authenticating based on a data set comprising a plurality of biometric templates, said method comprising:

selecting a particular biometric template from among said plurality of biometric templates;

determining a location, in said data set, for said particular biometric template; and

transmitting an indication of said location to a peripheral device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of biometric templates comprise fingerprint templates.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication of said location comprises an indication of an index, within said data set, of said particular biometric template.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication of said location comprises an indication of a length of said particular biometric template.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication of said location comprises an indication of a specific hand and a specific finger with which said particular biometric template is associated.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said transmitting said indication comprises employing a wireless communication channel.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said wireless communication channel comprises a Bluetooth™

communications channel.

8. A computing apparatus employing a system for authenticating access to said computing apparatus, said authenticating based on a data set comprising a plurality of biometric templates, said computing apparatus adapted to:

select a particular biometric template from among said plurality of biometric templates;

determine a location, in said data set, for said particular biometric template; and

transmit an indication of said location to a peripheral device.

9. A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor in a computing apparatus, said computing apparatus employing a system for authenticating access to said computing apparatus, said authenticating based on a data set comprising a plurality of biometric templates, cause said processor to:

select a particular biometric template from among said plurality of biometric templates;

determine a location, in said data set, for said particular biometric template; and

transmit an indication of said location to a peripheral device.

10. A method of facilitating, at a peripheral device, efficient exchange of messages in a system for authenticating access to a base device, said authenticating based on a data set comprising a plurality of biometric templates, said method comprising:

receiving, from said base device, an indication of a location, in said data set, for a particular biometric template;

extracting said particular biometric template from said data set;

obtaining a biometric candidate;

comparing said particular biometric template to said biometric candidate; and

transmitting an indication of a result of said comparing to said base device.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

reading said data set from a data storage apparatus; and

storing said data set locally at said peripheral device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said data storage apparatus comprises a smart card conforming to ISO 7816.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said peripheral device comprises a smart card reader.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said plurality of biometric templates comprise fingerprint templates.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said indication of said location comprises an indication of an index, within said data set, of said particular biometric template.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein said indication of said location comprises an indication of a length of said particular biometric template.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein said indication of said location comprises an indication of a specific hand and a specific finger with which said particular biometric template is associated.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein said receiving and said transmitting comprise employing a wireless communication channel.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said wireless communication channel comprises a Bluetooth™

communications channel.

20. A peripheral device as part of a system for authenticating access to a base device, said authenticating based on a data set comprising a plurality of biometric templates, said peripheral device adapted to:

receive, from said base device, an indication of a location, in said data set, for a particular biometric template;

extract said particular biometric template from said data set;

obtain a biometric candidate;

compare said particular biometric template to said biometric candidate; and

transmit an indication of a result of said comparing to said base device.

21. A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor in a peripheral device, said peripheral device being part of a system for authenticating access to a base device, said authenticating based on a data set comprising a plurality of biometric templates, cause said processor to:

receive, from said base device, an indication of a location, in said data set, for a particular biometric template;

extract said particular biometric template from said data set;

obtain a biometric candidate;

compare said particular biometric template to said biometric candidate; and

transmit an indication of a result of said comparing to said base device.