Secure control data entry system

• US 6,654,484 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2000
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Catherine Topping
• Original Assignee: Catherine Topping
• Inventors: Topping, Catherine
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Jon
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, CHONG R
• Application Number:
  US09/558,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20020181747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/124, 340/5.52, 340/5.83
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

An identification system for use in controlling the operation of a device comprises comparing fingerprint data with stored data to identify both an individual and which of the individual'"'"'s fingerprints has been input, and using the identity of the individual and the finger in controlling the operation of the device.

Claims

1. A secure data entry system comprising assigning a data character to each of a plurality of an individual'"'"'s fingers, inputting fingerprint data relating to a fingerprint pattern of the individual into a device using a fingerprint reader, comparing the fingerprint data with stored fingerprint data to identify the individual whose fingerprint data has been input and to identify to which of the individual'"'"'s fingers the fingerprint data relates to determine which data character has been input, wherein the device includes a plurality of sensor regions, each of the sensor regions having a plurality of data characters associated therewith, the data character input being dependent upon both the identity of the finger used to input the fingerprint data into the device and which sensor region is used to input the fingerprint data.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to permit text entry, a letter entered depending upon which finger is used and which sensor region is used to sense the fingerprint.