Using biometrics as an encryption key

• US 20100046811A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 02/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Original Assignee: Harris Technology LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,090,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0866 involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics

Abstract

An image of an biometric part is used as encryption or decryption key. The biometric part image is obtained, and items within the biometric part are analyzed. Relationships between those parts are determined, e.g. ratios between different parameters of different parts. Those ratios are then used to form the key. A sequence of biometric information can used in which case both the information itself and the sequence are used to form to the key.

Claims

1. A method of analyzing a biometric part, comprising:

receiving information indicative of a scan of a biometric part of an individual;

using a computer for analyzing said information to determine certain features of the biometric within said information, and for comparing said features with a reference that is itself determined from the biometric within said information; and

determining a value from said comparing said features with said reference, and using said value as indicative of the biometric.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said biometric is a fingerprint.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said reference is an average of certain features within the fingerprint.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein said comparing comprises determining a reference, finding features relative to the reference, and for each of said features, determining if a value of the feature has a value greater than said reference or lower than said reference.

5. A method as in claim 4, further comprising making a score based on whether said value is greater than said reference or less than said reference.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said reference is a line.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein said user sets an angle of the reference line.

8. A method as in claim 5, wherein said score is a number that is used to determine identity.

9. A biometric analyzing device, comprising:

a scan part that receives information indicative of a scan of a biometric part of an individual;

a computer that analyzes said information to determine certain features of the biometric within said information, and compares said features with a reference that is itself determined from the biometric within said information, and determining a value from said comparing said features with said reference, and using said value as an output indicative of the biometric.

10. A device as in claim 9, wherein said biometric is a fingerprint, and said scan part includes a fingerprint scanner.

11. A device as in claim 10, wherein said computer determines an average of certain features within the fingerprint and said reference is based on said average.

12. A device as in claim 11, wherein said computer compares features relative to the reference, and for each of said features, determining if a value of the feature has a value greater than said reference or lower than said reference.

13. A device as in claim 12, wherein said computer makes a score based on whether said value is greater than said reference or less than said reference.

14. A device as in claim 13, wherein said computer determines a line as said reference.

15. A device as in claim 14, wherein said computer accepts input about an angle of the reference line.

16. A device as in claim 13, wherein said score is used by said computer to determine identity.

17. A device as in claim 10, wherein said scan part is an image sensor integrated circuit having an active surface which receives radiation, and where pixels of the active surface directly receive the fingerprint for scanning.

18. A biometric analyzing device, comprising:

a scanning part that receives information indicative of a fingerprint scan of a biometric part of an individual, said scanning part including an image sensor integrated circuit having an active surface which receives radiation, and where pixels of the active surface directly receive the fingerprint for scanning;

a computer that analyzes said information in a way that is independent of position, orientation and absolute size.

19. A device as in claim 18, wherein said computer compares said features with a reference that is itself determined from the biometric within said information, and determines a value from said comparing said features with said reference, and using said value as an output indicative of the biometric.

20. A device as in claim 19, wherein said computer determines an average of certain features within the fingerprint and said reference is based on said average.