Biometric input with encryption

• US 5,995,630 A
• Filed: 02/28/1997
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Activcard Ireland, Limited (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: DEW Engineering and Development Limited (Trelleborg AB)
• Inventors: Borza, Michael Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Laufer, Pinchus M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAYADIAN, HRAYR
• Application Number:
  US08/808,863
• Time in Patent Office: 1,005 Days
• Field of Search: 380/23, 380/21, 380/25, 380/5, 380/10, 380/20, 380/54, 382/115, 382/116, 382/124, 382/100, 382/232, 340/825.3, 340/825.31, 340/825.34
• US Class Current: 380/54
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• 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

A fingerprint sensing system for providing data in dependence upon fingerprint information to a computer is disclosed. The system comprises an imaging device for capturing a fingerprint image. The fingerprint image is processed to provide associated data such as a portion of an encryption key. The associated data are secured prior to transmission by encoding into an image frame forming part of a video data signal. The data are encoded at predetermined locations within the image frame instead of image pixel data. The video data signal comprising the associated data are then transmitted to a computer. Upon receipt at the computer the received video data signal is processed to extract the encoded data from the predetermined locations within the image frame.

Claims

1. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer, comprisiing the steps of:

providing a fingerprint to an imaging device for providing a digital representation of an image of the fingerprint;

using a processor in communication with the imaging device other than a processor of the computer, processing the digital representation of the image of the fingerprint to provide processed data including at least one of data derived from the image of the fingerprint and data retrieved from memory determined in dependence upon the step of processing the digital representation of the fingerprint;

securing the data prior to transmission from the imaging device to the computer by the step of;

replacing some of the digital representation of the image of the fingerprint with the processed data, the processed data replacing a non-zero portion less than the whole of the digital representation of the image of the fingerprint;

transmitting from the imaging device to the computer a video signal comprising the digital representation of the image of the fingerprint including the encoded data therewithin;

receiving the video data signal at the computer; and

,

using the processor of the computer, processing the received video data signal to extract the processed data within one or more fingerprint images, the extracted processed data for use in one of authorising access to the computer and securing of data.

2. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the data is encoded replacing the least significant bit of known data bytes within the digital representation of the image of the fingerprint.

3. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer, as defined in claim 1 wherein the processed data comprises a portion of an encryption or decryption key and wherein the step of processing the received video data signal to extract the processed data comprises the step of forming the encryption or decryption key using the data.

4. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer, as defined in claim 3 wherein the processed data comprises a complete encryption and/or decryption key.

5. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer, as defined in claim 1 comprising the step of transmitting a plurality of image frames to the computer in succession.

6. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer, as defined in claim 5 wherein the step of;

transmitting a plurality of image frames to the computer is performed at known intervals.

7. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer, as defined in claim 6 comprising the step of:

transmitting image frames absent processed data to the computer at known intervals when an absence of a fingerprint is detected within a digital representation of an image captured by the imagine device.

8. A method of providing data, in dependence upon a fingerprint, to a computer, as defined in claim 1 comprising the step of capturing a digital representation of the fingerprint using a contact imager.

9. A fingerprint sensing system for providing data in dependence upon a fingerprint to a computer comprising:

an imaging device for capturing a fingerprint image;

means for processing the fingerprint image to provide asscociated data comprising other than image data of a fingerprint, the data for use in one of user authorisation by the computer and securing data by the computer;

means for securing the associated data prior to transmission by the step of;

replacing some of the image of the fingerprint captured by the imaging device with the associated data, the associated data replacing a non-zero portion less than the whole of the image of the fingerprint; and

,

means for providing the video data signal comprising the fingerprint image including the associated data to the computer.

10. A fingerprint sensing system for use with a computer as defined in claim 9 wherein the associated data comprises an encryption and/or decryption key;

and,

wherein the means for processing the image to provide associated data comprises;

electronic non-volatile storage means for storing at least some fingerprint data and at least an encryption and/or decryption key;

means for characterising the captured fingerprint image and for comparing the characterised captured fingerprint image with the stored fingerprint data;

means for providing the encryption and/or decryption key as the associated data in dependence upon the comparison.

11. A fingerprint sensing system for use with a computer as defined in claim 9 wherein the video signal is a digital video signal.

12. A fingerprint sensing system for use with a computer as defined in claim 9 wherein the fingerprint sensing system is removable from the computer.

13. A fingerprint sensing system for use with a computer as defined in claim 9 further comprising encryption and decryption means.

14. A fingerprint sensing system for use with a computer comprising:

an imaging device for capturing a fingerprint image;

electronic non-volatile storage means for storing fingerprint data relating to each of at least one authorised user and for storing security data in association with the at least one authorised user, the security data comprising at least one of an access code, all encryption key and a decryption key;

a processor for comparing data provided by the imaging device and the stored fingerprint data relating to each of at least one authorised user, for providing the security data associated with the authorised user and for securing the security data prior to transmission to the computer by the step of;

replacing some of the fingerprint image captured by the imaging device with the security data, the security data replacing a non-zero portion less than the whole of the fingerprint image, the fingerprint image forming part of a video data signal;

output means for providing the video data signal including at least an image frame comprising the fingerprint image and security data to the computer wherein provision of said video data signal is dependent upon detection of an authorised user.