APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO COMPUTER FILES AND FOR SECURING MEDICAL RECORDS

• US 20180315493A1
• Filed: 06/28/2018
• Published: 11/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey A. Matos
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey A. Matos
• Inventors: Matos, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,607,730 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

Apparatus for identifying the writer or receiver of a document, where identifying information for each of a plurality of registered human individuals is stored in a database, calls for capturing local images of an individual producing or receiving information and determining whether this individual is the same as one of the registered individuals whose identifying information is stored in the database. The identifying information stored in the database includes both an alphanumeric identifier and at least one image of a unique, visually observable biologic identifier on a body portion of each registered individual. The accuracy of user identification is enhanced by allowing the sender of information to supply visual content which modulates the appearance of a biologic identifier of the user. A human gatekeeper further hardens the system against inappropriate access. Utilization of the system for the document of critical encounters such as medical events is provided.

Claims

1-26. -26. (canceled)

27. Apparatus for controlling the access of a particular human individual to a computer memory for a given period of time by repeatedly assessing a changeable visible identifying feature (“

VIF”

) of said human individual, and by assessing an identifying feature of a gatekeeping human individual (“

GHI”

), said apparatus comprising, in combination;

(a) a computer memory storing and providing (i) secure information, (ii) a plurality of images of a VIF pertaining to at least one registered accessing human individual (“

RAHI”

) authorized to access said secure information and (iii) biologic identifying information (“

BII”

) pertaining to at least one registered gatekeeping human individual (“

RGHI”

);

(b) a first processor coupled to the memory, storing and accessing selected information in the memory and producing (i) at least one supplementing signal and (ii) at least one assessment signal;

(c) a camera, coupled to said first processor,

(1) arranged to image a visible identifying feature of a putative accessing human individual (“

PAHI”

), and

(2) configured to repeatedly generate successive test mans of said VIF of said PAHI during a given period of time for transmission to said first processor;

d) a first supplemental identification device, coupled to said first processor, for supplementing the test image information provided by said camera in response to said at least one supplementing signal received from said first processor;

(e) at least one biologic identification input device, coupled to said first processor, for inputting BII of a putative gatekeeping human individual (“

PGHI”

);

(f) an output device, coupled to said first processor, for presenting match information represented by said at least one assessment signal to said RGHI; and

(g) an input device, coupled to said first processor, for providing a signal to said processor representing an inputted access command from said RGHI pertaining to granting access to said memory;

wherein said first processor is operative to;

(1) generate said at least one supplementing signal for transmission to said first supplemental identification device;

(2) repeatedly compare each of said successive test images of said identifying feature of said PAHI received from said camera, with said stored images of the identifying feature of said at least one RAHI to repeatedly assess the identity of the PAHI during said first given period of time; and

generate said at least one assessment signal indicating at least one result of said repeated assessment of the identity of the PAHI;

(3) assess the inputted BII of said PGHI to determine whether or not the PGHI is an RGHI, in dependence on whether or not the information contained in the inputted BII of the PGHI matches the stored BII of the RGHI;

(4) provide the result of said repeated assessment to the output device and

(5) allow access by the PAHI to said memory for a period of time, following the input of an access command by said RGHI.

28. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first processor is operative to allow reading of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to a first command.

29. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first processor is operative to allow storage of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to a second command.

30. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first given period of time is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) less than 1 minute;

(b) 1 to 5 minutes;

(c) 5 to 5 minutes; and

(d) more than 15 minutes.

31. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first processor is operative to prevent PAHI access to said memory upon an assessment, by said first processor of a non-match between the inputted BII of said PAHI and the stored BII of said RAHI.

32. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said at least one assessment signal indicates a degree of match of the BII of said PAHI with the stored BII of aid RAHI.

33. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said biologic identification input device comprises a PGHI camera, arranged to capture at least one image of said PGHI.

34. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein each of said camera, said first supplemental identification device, said first processor and said computer memory is situated at a common location.

35. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said camera and said first supplemental identification device are situated at a remote location from said computer memory and said first processor, and wherein said apparatus further comprises:

(a) a first transmitting and receiving (“

T/R”

) device, coupled to said first processor, for transmitting said at least one supplementing signal to said first supplemental identification device and for receiving said successive test images from said at least one camera;

(b) a second T/R device, for communication with said first T/R device, coupled to each of

(1) said first supplemental identification device for receiving said at least one supplementing signal, and

(2) said camera, for transmitting said successive test images;

wherein

(a) said first processor is further operative to cause said first T/R device transmit said at least one supplementing signal, and to process said received test images;

(b) said first processor and said computer memory are situated at a first location; and

(c) said camera, and said first supplemental identification device are situated at a second location, remote from said first location.

36. The apparatus defined in claim 27, further comprising:

(a) a second processor, coupled to each of said camera and said first supplemental identification device; and

(b) a communication system, coupled to each of said first processor and second processor, for exchanging of signals between said first and said second processors;

wherein

(i) said second processor is operative to transmit said successive test images to said first processor via said communication system;

(ii) said first processor is operative to transmit said supplementing signal to said first supplemental identification device via said communication system and said second processor;

(iii) said first processor and said computer memory are situated at a first location; and

(iv) said second processor, said camera and said first supplemental identification device are situated at a second location, remote from said first location.

37. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein each VIF is at least one pattern of an iris of an eye of the RAHI and of the PAHI.

38. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein each VIF is at least one pattern of retinal veins of an eye of the RAHI and PAHI.

39. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein each VIF is a face of the RAHI and PAHI.

40. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein each VIF is at east one of a fingerprint and a palm print of the RAHI and PAHI.

41. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein each VIF is a pattern of veins of a hand of the RAHI and PAHI.

42. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein:

(a) said supplementing signal is a first prompt producing signal;

(b) said first supplemental identification device is a first prompt producing device, for producing at least one first prompt in response to said first prompt producing signal;

(c) said first prompt causes a change in the appearance of said VIF of said PAHI.

43. The apparatus defined in claim 42, wherein:

(i) said VIF is pattern of an iris of an eye of the RAHI and the PAHI;

(ii) said computer memory is further operative to store a plurality of images of an iris of an eye of said RAHI, each image captured under different lighting conditions for said iris; and

(iii) said prompt producing device is a light source configured to generate light in response to said at least one first prompt signal, which impinges on said PAHI iris thereby to alter an opening size of said PAHI iris;

wherein said first processor is further operative to change said lighting conditions by generating said at least one first prompt signal;

wherein said first processor is further operative to compare a plurality of viewed images of said PAHI iris, each captured under different lighting conditions, with a plurality of stored RAHI iris images.

44. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first supplemental identification device comprises a display device located in proximity to said PAHI for displaying a representation of said supplementing signal received from said first processor.

45. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first supplemental identification device comprises a display device located in proximity to said PAHI, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a communication link between said first processor and said display device, wherein said communication link is selected from the group consisting of (a) a wired link, and (b) a wireless link.

46. The apparatus defined in claim 44, wherein the information represented by said supplementing signal causes said display device to produce first prompt arranged to induce an alteration in at least one of:

(a) the quantity of light impinging on an eye of said PAHI;

(b) the focus of an eye of said PAHI;

(c) a direction of gaze of an eye of said PAHI; and

(d) an angle of orientation of a face of said PAHI with respect to said camera.

47. The apparatus defined in claim 44, wherein

(a) said first processor is further operative to generate a first representation of a first code, and to cause:

(i) said first representation to be stored in said computer memory, and

(ii) said first supplementing signal to specify said first representation;

(b) in response to receipt of said first supplementing signal, said display device is adapted to produce a visual second representation of said first code; and

(c) said at least one camera arranged to image both

(1) said visible identifying feature of said PAHI, and

(2) said display device displaying said visual second representation of said first code,

for generating a composite image containing both said identifying feature of said PAHI and said visual second representation of said code, for transmission to said first processor;

wherein said first processor further operative to;

(i) receive said composite image and generate both

(A) a third representation of said first code; and

(B) a representation of said identifying feature of said PAHI,

each from the composite image;

(ii) compare information contained in said stored first representation of said first code information contained in said received third representation of said code; and

(iii) compare information contained in said stored RAHI identifying feature with information contained in said representation of said identifying feature of said PAHI; and

wherein said at least one assessment signal provides an indication of a result of;

(A) said code comparison and

(B) said identifying feature comparison.

48. The apparatus defined claim 33, wherein said PGHI camera is adapted to input at least one of:

(a) at least one pattern of an iris of an eye of said PGHI;

(b) at least one pattern of retinal veins of said PGHI;

(c) an image of a face of said PGHI;

(d) at least one of a fingerprint and a palm print of said PGHI; and

(e) a pattern of veins of a hand of said PGHI.

49. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first processor is operative to repeatedly assess said PGHI biologic identification, and to prevent PAHI access to said memory upon an assessment, by said first processor of a non-match between the inputted BII of said PGHI and the stored BII of said RGHI.

50. The apparatus defined in claim 27, further comprising a second supplemental identification device, for supplementing the BII pertaining to said PGHI, provided by said biologic identification input device, in response to at least one additional supplementing si al received from said first processor;

wherein said first processor is operative to;

(1) generate said at least one additional supplementing signal for controlling second supplemental identification device;

(2) prevent access to said memory by said RAHI upon an assessment, by said first processor of a non-match of inputted PGHI BII with the stored RGHI BII, in response to said at least one additional supplementing signal.

51. The apparatus defined in claim 50, wherein:

(a) said biologic ID input device comprises a PGHI camera, arranged to capture at least one image of said PGHI;

(b) said biologic identifying feature is a pattern of an iris of an eye of the PGHI;

(c) said computer memory is further operative to store a plurality of images of an iris of an eye of said RGHI;

each image captured obtained under different lighting conditions for said iris; and

(d) said second supplemental identification device is a light source configured to generate light which impinges on said PGHI iris thereby to alter an opening size of said PGHI iris, in response to said additional supplementing signal;

wherein said first processor is further operative to change said lighting conditions by crating said additional supplementing signal;

wherein said first processor is further operative to compare a plurality of captured images of said PGHI iris, each under different lighting conditions, a plurality of stored RGHI iris images.

52. The apparatus defined in claim 51, wherein said second supplemental identification device comprises a PGHI display device coupled to said first processor, located in proximity to said PGHI for displaying a representation of said additional supplementing signal received from said first processor.

53. The apparatus defined in claim 52, wherein the information represented by said additional supplementing signal causes said PGHI display device to produce a second prompt arranged to induce an alteration in at least one of:

(a) the quantity of light impinging on an eye of said PGHI;

(b) the focus of an eye of said PGHI;

(c) a direction of gaze of an eye of said PGHI; and

(d) an angle of orientation of a face of said PGHI with respect to said PGHI camera.

54. The apparatus defined in claim 52, wherein:

(a) said first processor is further operative to generate a first representation of a PGHI code, and to cause;

(i) said first representation of said PGHI code to be stored in said computer memory, and

(ii) said additional supplementing signal to specify said first representation of said PGHI code;

(b) in response to receipt of said additional supplementing signal, said PGHI display device is adapted to produce a visual second representation of said PGHI code; and

(c) said PGHI camera is arrange to image both

(1) said visible identifying feature of said PGHI, and

(2) said PGHI display device displaying said visual second representation of said PGHI code,

for generating a composite PGHI image containing both said identifying feature of said PGHI and said visual second representation of said PGHI code, for transmission to said first processor;

wherein said first processor is further operative to;

(i) received said composite PGHI image and generate both

(A) a third representation of said PGHI code, and

(B) a representation of said identifying feature of said PGHI,

each from the received composite PGHI image;

(ii) compare information contained in said stored first representation of said PGHI code with information contained in said received third representation of said PGHI code;

(iii) compare information contained in said stored RGHI identifying feature with information contained in said representation of said identifying feature of said PGHI; and

(iv) prevent access of said PAHI to said memory if said first processor does not determine that both

(A) said PGHI code comparison, and

(B) said PGHI identifying feature comparison with said stored RGHI images,

indicate respective substantially similar information matches;

thereby to prevent PAHI access to said memory if said PGHI is not determined to be an RGHI.

60. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first processor is operative to al deletion of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to a third command.

61. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said first processor is operative to allow alteration of said secure information in said memory by said PAHI in response to a third command.

62. The apparatus defined in claim 32, wherein said first processor is operative to prevent PAHI access to said memory upon a determination by said first processor of a degree of match less than a first given number, wherein said degree of match less than said first given number indicates a high likelihood of a non-match of the BII of said PAHI with the stored BII of said RAHI.

63. The apparatus defined in claim 32, wherein said first processor is operative to allow PAHI access to said memory upon a determination by said first processor of a degree of match greater than a second given number, wherein said degree of match greater than said second given number indicates a high likelihood of a match of the BII of said PAHI with the stored BII of said RAHI.

64. The apparatus defined in claim 47, wherein said at least one assessment signal provides information indicating a degree of match of said code comparison.

65. The apparatus defined in claim 27, wherein said computer memory is further operative to store alphanumeric information related to at least one of:

said at least one RAHI, and

said at least one RGHI.

55-59. -59. (canceled)

66. A method of controlling the access of a human individual to secure information in a computer memory comprising the steps of:

(a) storing, in a computer memory, each of

secure information;

a plurality of images of a visible identifying feature (“

VIF”

) pertaining to at least one registered accessing human individual (“

RAHI”

) authorized to access said secure information; and

biologic identifying information (“

BII”

) pertaining to at least one registered gatekeeping human individual (“

RGHI”

) authorized to grant access to said secure information;

(b) receiving, by a processor, a request to identify a putative authorized human individual (“

PAHI”

) as a RAHI;

c) based on receiving the request, generating, by the processor, at least one VIF modifying signal and providing said signal to a VIF modifying device;

d) receiving, by the VIF modifying device, the VIF modifying signal;

e) in response to the received VIF modifying signal, producing, by the VIF modifying device, an output, and applying the output to the PAHI, wherein the output induces a change in an appearance of a VIF of the PAHI;

f) repeatedly capturing, by a digital camera, a plurality of images of the VIF of the PAHI following the application of the output and providing a representation of the images to the processor;

g) repeatedly comparing, by the processor, (1) the information representing the images of the VIF of the PAHI with (2) the VIF of the RAHI, and determining a match between the stored VIF information of the RAHI and the inputted VIF information of the PAHI;

h) generating, by the processor, least one assessment signal representing a result of said comparing;

i) displaying, by a display device, a representation of said assessment signal;

j) inputting, by at least one biologic identification input device, BII pertaining to a putative gatekeeping human individual (“

PGHI”

);

k) comparing, by the processor, (1) the information representing the PGHI BII with (2) the stored BII pertaining to the RGHI, and determining a match between the stored RGHI BII and the inputted PAHI BII; and

l) inputting, by an RGHI input device, a grant access command, permitting access of a PAHI identified by the RGHI as an RAHI, to the secure information.