Method for identity verification

• US 6,539,101 B1
• Filed: 03/24/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States CP LLC
• Original Assignee: Gerald R. Black
• Inventors: Black, Gerald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Duy M.
• Application Number:
  US09/535,411
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115-116, 382/119-125, 382/127, 705/64-65, 705/67, 705/16, 705/18, 713/186, 235/379, 235/380, 235/382, 356/71, 902/3-5, 902/20, 902/26, 345/179, 345/156, 178/18.01, 178/19.01, 178/19.05, 250/208.1, 250/216
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• 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 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The method for identity verification employs biometric technology. Positioned at the center of the system is a stylus with any of a number of biometric properties or their combination or with one or more metric sensors, while the customer uses the stylus to sign his/her name, or even for writing anything. The identity verification system is used at point-of-sale terminals, in various closed environments, to access a computer network, in applications involving pen-based computers and smart-pens, and for e-commerce. When fingerprint sensors are used, the sensors are positioned in the stylus grip, one sensor for the index finger, and a second sensor for the thumb. In one variation, one-to-one biometric matching is used. Each participant carries on his/her person a device that includes an encrypted biometric for reference purposes to gain access Into the system. Processing is simplified since the system need only make a “MATCH” or “NO MATCH” decision. In a second variation that is particularly useful in closed environments, one-to-many biometric matching is used. During each event access request, the community of reference prints is searched for a match with the applicant. Each member of the community need carry nothing on his/her person to participate in the system. In either variation, the stylus is either attached to each site or is portable, one such stylus being carried by each participant.

Claims

1. A method of authenticating user identity, comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint image sensor the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a user registration fingerprint image comparison being performed within a matching processor;

capturing a second sensed fingerprint image of a second finger as the second finger is positioned proximate to a second fingerprint image sensor, the second fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the second sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched, and approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor decides that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the second sensed fingerprint image and the second reference fingerprint image and the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed, confirmation determination being independent of any image generated upon the flat surface.

2. A method of authenticating user identify, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface, the stylus having a cable attachment to a writing surface, the cable attachment enabling electrical connection between the stylus and a cardreader, the cable attachment enabling wire transmission of data captured by use of the stylus to a matching processor;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint image sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

scanning a user card with the cardreader, the user card including data relative to a first reference fingerprint image;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint being captured during a user registration, fingerprint image comparison being performed within the matching processor;

capturing a second sensed fingerprint image of a second finger as the second finger is positioned proximate to a second fingerprint image sensor, the second fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the second sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched, and

approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor decides that based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image and the second sensed fingerprint image and the second reference fingerprint image, identity is confirmed.

3. A method of authenticating user identity, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint image sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

capturing a second sensed fingerprint image of a second finger as the second finger is positioned proximate to a second fingerprint image sensor, the second fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the second sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image and the second sensed fingerprint image with a second reference fingerprint image, fingerprint image comparison being performed within a matching processor; and

approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor determines that identity is confirmed based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image, and of the second sensed fingerprint image and the second reference fingerprint image.

4. A method of authenticating user identity, the method comprising:

grasping a stylus as a transaction request is initiated, the stylus enabling a written image to be generated upon a flat surface, the stylus having a cable attachment to a writing surface, the cable attachment enabling electrical connection between the stylus and a card reader, the cable attachment enabling wire transmission of data captured by use of the stylus to a matching processor;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a first finger as the first finger is positioned proximate to a first fingerprint image sensor, the first fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the first sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

capturing a second sensed fingerprint image of a second finger as the second finger is positioned proximate to a second fingerprint image sensor, the second fingerprint image sensor being positioned in such a manner that the second sensed fingerprint image is captured as the stylus is touched;

scanning a user card with the card reader, the user card including data relative to a first reference fingerprint image;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image, fingerprint image comparison being performed within the matching processor; and

approving the transaction request whenever the matching processor determines that identity is confirmed based at least partially upon fingerprint comparison data of the first sensed fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image, and of the second sensed fingerprint image and the second reference fingerprint image.

5. A method of verifying a user'"'"'s identity in a transaction wherein the user generates a written image on a reference surface through contact of a stylus with the reference surface, the method comprising:

capturing, during the transaction, a plurality of fingerprint images as the user touches the stylus;

determining whether a first captured fingerprint image matches a first reference fingerprint image using a matching processor;

generating an identity verification signal with the matching processor responsive to the determining; and

,

determining whether a second captured fingerprint image matches a second reference fingerprint image, wherein the second fingerprint image is captured only when a correlation between the first captured fingerprint image and the first reference fingreprint image falls below a predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

detecting, upon contact between the stylus and the reference surface during the transaction, a metric property of the stylus; and

wherein generating includes comparing the detected metric property with a reference data.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising capturing, prior to the transaction, at least one reference fingerprint image with at least one of the plurality of fingerprint sensors on the stylus;

and storing the at least one captured reference fingerprint images for retrieval.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein retrieving includes providing a removable data storage medium containing the at least one reference fingerprint images, and reading the at least one reference fingerprint images from the removable data storage medium immediately prior to comparing.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the transaction includes a computer-executable instruction, and further comprising enabling execution of the instruction based on the identity verification signal.

10. A method of authenticating an identify of a user, including the steps of:

providing a stylus having a fingerprint image sensor;

capturing a first sensed fingerprint image of a finger of the user with the fingerprint image sensor as the stylus is grasped by the user;

capturing a second sensed fingerprint image of a second finger of the user with the fingerprint image sensor as the stylus is grasped by the user;

comparing the first sensed fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image;

comparing the second sensed fingerprint image with a second reference fingerprint image; and

,

responsively confirming the identity of the user as a function of the comparing step.