Portable system for personal identification based upon distinctive characteristics of the user

• US 6,213,391 B1
• Filed: 09/10/1997
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vindolor, LLC
• Original Assignee: William H. Lewis
• Inventors: Lewis, William H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Diane I.
• Application Number:
  US08/926,230
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/376, 235/379, 235/382, 235/382.5, 235/451, 235/470, 235/492, 902/2, 902/3, 902/4, 902/5, 902/26, 705/42, 705/43, 705/44, 713/182, 713/185, 713/186
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3415 Cards acting autonomously as pay-media
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures

Abstract

A system for identifying an individual is determined either by generating an identification profile based on a distinctive biometric characteristic possessed by that person (e.g. voice analysis, finger print, facial scan, DNA etc.), or by means of verifying some digital “signature” representation assigned to that person. The biometric information or digital signature may then be used in a variety of functions to enhance both the security and convenience of conducting electronic transactions. The system may provide an algorithm for creating a PIN number for use as a preliminary or secondary identification steps, and/or an algorithm for generating unique tone codes for use in personal identification via telephone or modem. Further, security of online transactions may be greatly improved by placing access key information in a medium outside the computer host or client. The system further provides a device that facilitates a user'"'"'s ability to change codes or methods of generating codes instantly, without having to contact their bank, credit card company, etc.”

Claims

1. A portable identification system comprising a storage medium for storing electronic data;

one or more inputs;

one or more outputs;

a verifying means for determining user authorization or non-authorization, said verifying means receiving data from at least one of said one or more inputs, which data is derived from biometric or other distinctive characteristics of the user, said verifying means generating an identification profile for each user, wherein said identification profile is determined from said data, and a code generator employing at least one code generating algorithm for generating one or more access codes based upon said identification profile wherein at least one of the said one or more access codes is an identification specific digital signature.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said digital signature may be encoded for secure transmission.