System and method for verifying the identity of a person

• US 6,163,616 A
• Filed: 04/24/1998
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen Edward Feldman
• Original Assignee: Stephen Edward Feldman
• Inventors: Feldman, Stephen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHTA, BHAVESH M
• Application Number:
  US09/066,148
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/119, 382/120, 382/121, 382/123, 340/825.34
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/316 by observing the pattern of computer usage, e.g. typical user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/552 involving long-term monitoring or reporting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method for verifying the identity of a person while the person is performing a seemingly unrelated act. The position of a person'"'"'s hand in contact with a sensing surface, while holding an object and/or performing a task, such as using a writing instrument to write one'"'"'s signature or a computer mouse in association with a computer, for example, is distinctive and consistent and will serve to verify the identity of a person, when data defining such contact is compared with a standard defined by previously determined data from the same person. Sensing devices, such as pressure or electrical transducers or other sensors can be located in or on a sensing surface to determine the parameters of contact between the person'"'"'s hand and the sensing surface. Alternatively, a touch-sensitive screen, such as used in conjunction with a computer, may be used for sensing a person'"'"'s hand contact.

Claims

1. A system for verifying the identity of a person based on a relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of said person when said person is holding and operating a computer mouse with said hand while in contact with a surface of a touch-sensitive screen of a computer across which said person is moving said computer mouse, said system comprising:

a) a touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to a computer means, for sensing and determining an angular relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of a person when said hand is in contact with a surface of said touch-sensitive screen means and said person is moving a computer mouse, coupled to said computer, across said touch-sensitive screen means while holding said computer mouse in said hand;

b) a comparitor means for comparing said angular relationship between said related anatomic structures of said hand sensed and determined by contact with said surface of said touch-sensitive screen means with a previously established standard for said angular relationship between said anatomic structures of said hand of said person.

2. A system for verifying the identity of a person as in claim 1 wherein said touch-sensitive screen means is a visual display for said computer and said touch-sensitive screen means is coupled to said computer.

3. A system for verifying the identity of a person as in claim 1 wherein said touch-sensitive screen means is coupled to said computer and said touch-sensitive screen means is oriented with a surface of said touch-sensitive screen means in a substantially horizontal position.

4. A system for verifying the identity of a person as in claim 1 wherein said touch-sensitive screen means is coupled to said computer and said touch-sensitive screen means is oriented with a surface thereof in a substantially vertical position.

5. A system for verifying the identity of a person based on a relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of said person when said person is holding and operating a means with said hand while in contact with a surface of a touch-sensitive screen of a computer across which said person is moving said computer mouse, said system comprising:

a) a touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to a computer means, for sensing and determining an angular relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of a person when said hand is in contact with a surface of said touch-sensitive screen means and said person is moving a computer mouse, coupled to said computer, across said touch-sensitive screen means while holding said computer mouse in said hand;

b) a comparitor means for comparing said angular relationship between said related anatomic structures of said hand sensed and determined by contact with said surface of said touch-sensitive screen means with a previously established standard for said angular relationship between said anatomic structures of said hand or said person; and

c) a storage means for storing said previously established standard.

6. A system for verifying the identity of a person based on a relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of said person when said person is holding and operating a computer mouse with said hand while in contact with a surface of a touch-sensitive screen of a computer across which said person is moving said computer mouse, said system comprising:

a) a touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to a computer means, for sensing and determining an angular relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of a person when said hand is in contact with a surface of said touch-sensitive screen means and said person is moving a computer mouse, coupled to said computer, across said touch-sensitive screen means while holding said computer mouse in said hand;

b) a comparitor means for comparing said angular relationship between said related anatomic structures of said hand sensed and determined by contact with said surface of said touch-sensitive screen means with a previously established standard for said angular relationship between said anatomic structures of said hand of said person; and

c) a data storage means for storing data corresponding to said previously established standard and a data retrieval means for retrieving said data corresponding to said previously established standard from said data storage means.

7. A system for confirming the identity of a person comprising:

a) a first touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to a computer means, said first touch-sensitive screen means for determining a first angular orientation between related anatomic structures of a hand of a first person, said first angular orientation determined during a first act of operating a first computer mouse across a first surface of said first touch-sensitive screen means, when holding said first computer means in said hand of said first person, and a first part of said hand is in contact with said first surface, and for providing a first signal defining said first angular orientation between said related anatomic structures of said hand;

b) a storage means for storing said first signal;

c) a second touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to said computer means, said second touch-sensitive screen means for determining a second angular orientation between related anatomic structures of a hand of a second person, said second angular orientation determined during a second act of operating a second computer mouse across a second surface of said second touch-sensitive screen means, when holding said second computer mouse in said hand of said second person, and a second part of said hand is in contact with said second surface, and for providing a second signal defining said second angular orientation between said related anatomic structures of said hand of said second person;

d) a retrieval means for retrieving said first signal from said storage means; and

e) a comparison means for comparing said first signal with said second signal for confirming that said first person and said second person are the same person.

8. A system for confirming identity as in claim 7 and in which said system further includes:

a) a first means for converting said first signal into a digital data defining said first angular orientation; and

b) a memory means for storing said digital data.

9. A method for confirming the identity of a person including the steps of:

a) monitoring a first angular relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of a first person when said first person is operating a first computer mouse across a first surface of a first touch-sensitive screen of a first monitor of a first computer while holding said first computer mouse and part of said hand of said first person is in contact with said first surface;

b) generating a first data representing said first angular relationship;

c) storing said first data as a standard for said first person;

d) monitoring a second angular relationship between anatomic structures of a hand of a second person when said second person is operating a second computer mouse across a second surface of a second touch-sensitive screen means of a second monitor of a second computer while holding said second computer mouse and part of said hand of said second person is in contact with said second surface;

e) generating a second data representing said second angular relationship;

f) retrieving said first data from storage; and

g) comparing said first data with said second data for confirming that said second person is said first person.

10. A system for verifying the identity of a person based on a comparison of previously and currently determined characteristics between anatomic structures of a hand of a person when said person is holding and operating a computer mouse over a surface and said hand is in contact with said surface, said system comprising:

a) a data storage means for storing a first data, defining a first anatomic relationship between related structures of a hand of a first person, sensed and determined during a previous operation of a first computer mouse by said first person, across a first surface of a first touch-sensitive screen means when said hand of said first person holding said first computer mouse is in contact with said first surface of said first touch-sensitive screen means;

b) a second touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to a computer means, for sensing and determining a second angular relationship between said related anatomic structures of a hand of a second person when said hand is holding a second computer mouse and said second person is operating said second computer mouse across a second surface of said second touch-sensitive screen means and said hand is in contact with said second surface;

c) a means for converting said second angular relationship into a second data defining said second angular relationship; and

d) a comparator means for comparing said first data with said second data for verifying that said second person is said first person.

11. A system for verifying the identity of a person based on a comparison of previously and currently determined characteristics between anatomic structures of a hand of a person when said person is holding and operating a computer mouse over a surface and said hand is in contact with said surface, said system comprising:

a) a data storage means for storing a first data, defining a first anatomic relationship between related structures of a hand of a first person, sensed and determined during a previous operation of a first computer mouse by said first person across a first surface of a first touch-sensitive screen means when said hand of said first person holding said first computer mouse is in contact with said first surface of said first touch sensitive screen means,

wherein said storage means is a transferrable, programmable memory means;

b) a second touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to a computer means, for sensing and determining a second angular relationship between said related anatomic structures of hand of a second person when said hand is holding a second computer mouse and said second person is operating said second computer mouse across a second surface of said second touch-sensitive screen means and said hand is in contact with said second surface;

c) a means for converting said second angular relationship into a second data defining said second angular relationship;

d) a comparator means for comparing said first data with said second data for verifying that said second person is said first person; and

e) an interface means for receiving said transferrable programmable memory means and for reading said first data programmed into said transferrable, programmable memory means and for inputting said first data into said comparator means.

12. A system for verifying the identity of a person based on a comparison of previously and currently determined characteristics between anatomic structures of a hand of a person when said person is holding and operating a computer mouse over a surface and said hand is in contact with said surface, said system comprising:

a) a data storage means for storing a first data, defining a first anatomic relationship between related structures of a hand of a first person, sensed and determined during a previous operation of a first computer mouse by said first person, across a first surface of a first touch-sensitive screen means when said hand of said first person holding said first computer mouse is in contact with said first surface of said first touch sensitive screen means;

b) a second touch-sensitive screen means, coupled to a computer means, for sensing and determining a second angular relationship between said related anatomic structures of hand of a second person when said hand is holding a second computer mouse and said second person is operating said second computer mouse across a second surface of said second touch-sensitive screen means and said hand is in contact with said second surface;

c) a means for converting said second angular relationship into a second data defining said second angular relationship;

d) a comparator means for comparing said first data with said second data for verifying that said second person is said first person; and

e) an access control means coupled to said computer means for permitting extended access to said computer means upon verification that said second person is said first person.