Tokenless biometric electronic transactions using an audio signature to identify the transaction processor

• US 6,920,435 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 07/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: YT Acquisition Corp.
• Original Assignee: Indivos Corporation (Solidus Networks Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pare, Jr., David Ferrin, Lee, Jonathan Alexander, Lapsley, Philip Dean, Hoffman, Ned
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, John W.
• Application Number:
  US10/120,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20020111917A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 705/18, 705/39, 705/43, 705/44, 705/64, 705/65, 705/67, 705/75, 705/76, 382/115
• US Class Current: 705/44
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/554 involving event detection and direct action
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/57 Certifying or maintaining trusted computer platforms, e.g. secure boots or power-downs, version controls, system software checks, secure updates or assessing vulnerabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/008 Public Key, Asymmetric Key, Asymmetric Encryption
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/00 Payment architectures, schemes or protocols apparatus for performing or posting payment transactions G07F7/08, G07F19/00; electronic cash registers G07G1/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• 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 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• 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 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 : Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4097 : using mutual authentication between devices and transaction partners
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/42 : Confirmation, e.g. check or permission by the legal debtor of payment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 : Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 : Surveillance aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/211 : Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network
• 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: G07F 9/002 : Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 : applying security measure for e-commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 : for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 : using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231

Abstract

The invention discloses a tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising at least a database containing registered biometric samples of users. A comparator compares a bid biometric sample of a user to at least one registered biometric sample, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user during an identification process for conducting an electronic transaction by the user. A stored audio signature is associated with a transaction processor entity, which the transaction processor entity is responsible for conducting the electronic transaction. A sound generator generates an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature, and a transducer converts the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature. This invention generates a play back audio signature from the stored audio signature that is associated with the transaction processor entity and the play back audio signature is played back to the user to identify the transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction, wherein no man made personal devices such as credit cards, identity cards or the like is used during the identification process for conducting the electronic transaction.

Claims

1. A tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising:

at least one database containing registered biometric samples of users;

a comparator for comparing a bid biometric sample of a user to a plurality of registered biometric samples, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user to identify the user conducting an electronic transaction;

a second database containing at least one account for the user, each account associated with one of a plurality of transaction processor entities;

means for the user to select an account from the second database, thereby selecting a transaction processor entity;

a stored audio signature, wherein the stored audio signature is associated with the selected transaction processor entity, the selected transaction processor entity conducting the electronic transaction using the selected account;

sound generator means for generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature;

a transducer for converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

means for playing basic the play back audio signature to the user to identify the transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction using the account, wherein no credit cards or identity cards are used during the identification process for conducting the electronic transaction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the play back audio signature is in the form of an audio sound wave comprising one or more of the following:

a tone, a musical fragment, speech, phonation, and a song.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the bid biometric sample comprises any of the following:

a fingerprint, a voice print, an iris scan, a retinal scan, and a facial image.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction processor entity comprises any of the following:

a retailer, a bank, a credit association, a stored value system, and an internet payment entity.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the comparator is operative to receive from the user only the bid biometric sample to identify the user conducting the electronic transaction.

6. A tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising:

at least one database containing registered biometric samples of users;

a comparator for comparing a bid biometric sample of a user to a plurality of registered biometric samples, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user during an identification process for conducting an electronic transaction by the user;

a second database containing as least one account for the user, each account associated with one of a plurality of transaction processor entities;

means for the user to select an account front the second database, thereby selecting a transaction processor entity;

a stored audio signature data bank, wherein the audio signature databank contains at least a first stored audio signature and a second stored audio signature, each audio signature associated with one of the plurality of transaction processor entities, the selected transaction processor entity associated with the first stored audio signature conducting the electronic transaction using the selected account;

sound generator means for generating an analog or digital signal from the first stored audio signature; and

a transducer for converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature, the play back audio signature in the form of an audio sound wave comprising one or more of the following;

a tone, a musical fragment, speech, phonation, and a song, and capable of being played back to the user to identify the transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction using the account.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the comparator is operative to receive from the user only the bid biometric sample to identify the user conducting the electronic transaction.

8. A tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising:

at least one database containing registered biometric samples of users;

a comparator for comparing a biometric sample of a user to a plurality of registered biometric samples, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user during an identification process for conducting an electronic transaction by the user, the bid biometric sample comprising any of the following;

a fingerprint, a voice print, an iris scan, a retinal scan, and a facial image;

a second database containing at least one account for the user, each account associated with one of a plurality of transaction processor entities;

means for the user to select an account from the second database, thereby selecting a transaction processor entity;

a stored audio signature data bank, wherein the audio signature databank contains at least a first stored audio signature and a second stored audio signature, each audio signature associated with one of the transaction processor entities, the selected transaction processor entity associated with the first stored audio signature conducting the electronic transaction using the selected account;

sound generator means for generating an analog or digital signal from the first stored audio signature; and

a transducer for converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature, the play back audio signature capable of being played back to the user to identify the transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction using the selected account.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the comparator is operative to receive from the user only the bid biometric sample to identify the user conducting the electronic transaction.

10. A tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising:

at least one database containing registered biometric samples of users;

a comparator for comparing a bid biometric sample of a user to a plurality of registered biometric samples, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user during an identification process for conducting an electronic transaction by the user;

a second database containing at least one account for the user, each account associated with one of a plurality of transaction processor entities;

means for the user to select an account from the second database, thereby selecting a transaction processor entity;

a stored audio signature data bank, wherein the audio signature databank contains at least a first stored audio signature and a second stored audio signature, each audio signature associated with one of the transaction processor entities, the selected transaction processor entity associated with the first stored audio signature conducting the electronic transaction using the account and comprising any of the following;

a retailer, a bank, a credit association, a stored value system, and an internet payment entity;

sound generator means for generating en analog or digital signal from the first stored audio signature; and

a transducer for converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature, the play back audio signature capable of being played back to the user to identify the transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction using the account.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the comparator is operative to receive from the user only the bid biometric sample to identity the user conducting the electronic transaction.

12. A method of identification of a transaction processor entity to a user of a tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a bid biometric sample from the user'"'"'s person and comparing the bid biometric sample to a plurality of registered biometric samples to produce a successful or failed identification of the user;

registering a first stored audio signature associated with a first transaction processor entity and a second stored audio signature associated with a second transaction processor entity with the identification computer system;

selecting an account for the user, the account associated with one of the first transaction processor entity and the second transaction processor entity;

selecting one of the first transaction processor entity and the second transaction processor entity based on the selected account for the user;

generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature associated with the selected transaction processor entity;

converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identity the selected transaction processor that conducted the electronic transaction using the selected account, wherein no credit cards or identity cards are used during the identification process for conducting the electronic transaction.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the bid biometric sample comprises any of the following:

a fingerprint, a voice print, an iris scan, a retinal scan, and a facial image.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the transaction processor entity comprises any of the following:

a retailer, a bank, a credit association, a stored value system, and an internet payment entity.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein comparing the bid biometric sample to a plurality of registered biometric samples includes receiving from the user only the bid biometric sample to identity the user.

16. A method of identification of a transaction processor entity to a user of a tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a bid biometric sample from the user'"'"'s person and comparing the bid biometric sample to a plurality of registered biometric samples to produce a successful or failed identification of the user, the bid biometric sample comprising any of the following;

a fingerprint, a voice print, an iris scan, a retinal scan, and a facial image;

registering a first stored audio signature associated with a first transaction processor entity and a second stored audio signature associated with a second transaction processor entity with the identification computer system;

storing the first stored audio signature and the second stored audio signature in a stored audio signature data bank;

selecting an account for the user, the account associated with one of the first transaction processor entity and the second transaction processor entity;

selecting one of the first transaction processor entity and the second transaction processor entity based on the selected account for the user;

generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature associated with the selected transaction processor entity;

converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identify the selected transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction using the selected account.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein comparing the bid biometric sample to a plurality of registered biometric samples includes receiving from the user only the bid biometric sample to identify the user.

18. A method of identification of a transaction processor entity to a user of a tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a bid biometric sample from the user'"'"'s person and comparing the bid biometric sample to a plurality of registered biometric samples to produce a successful or failed identification of the user;

registering a first stored audio signature associated with a first transaction processor entity and a second stored audio signature associated with a second transaction processor entity with the identification computer system;

storing the stored audio signature in a stored audio signature data bank;

selecting an account for the user, the account associated with one of the first transaction processor entity and the second transaction processor entity

selecting one of the first transaction processor entity and the second transaction processor entity based on the selected account for the user;

generating an analog or digital signal front the stored audio signature associated with the selected transaction processor entity;

converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identity the selected transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction using the selected account, the transaction processor entity that conducted the transaction comprising any of the following;

a retailer, a bank, a credit association, a stored value system, and an internet payment entity.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein comparing the bid biometric sample to a plurality of registered biometric samples includes receiving from the user only the bid biometric sample to identify the user.

20. A tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising:

as least one database containing registered biometric samples, the database organized into at least two biometric baskets, each biometric basket including a subset of the registered biometric samples and identified by a biometric basket code, wherein each registered biometric sample is algorithmically distinct from every other registered biometric sample in the same biometric basket;

a comparator for comparing a bid biometric sample of a user to the subset of registered biometric samples in one of the biometric baskets, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user to identity the user conducting an electronic transaction, the biometric basket selected using a biometric basket code provided by the user;

a second database containing at least one account for the user each account associated with one of a plurality of transaction processor entities;

means for the user to select an account from the second database, thereby selecting a transaction processor entity;

a stored audio signature, wherein the stored audio signature is associated with a the selected transaction processor entity, the transaction processor entity conducting the electronic transaction;

sound generator means for generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature;

a transducer for converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

means for playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identify the transaction processor enity that conducted the electronic transaction, wherein no credit cards or identity cards are used during the identification process for conducting the electronic transaction.

21. A tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising:

at least one database containing registered biometric samples, the database organized into at least two biometric baskets, each biometric basket including a subset of the registered biometric samples and identification by a biometric basket code, wherein each registered biometric sample is algorithmically distinct from every other registered biometric sample in the same biometric basket;

a comparator for comparing a bid biometric sample of a user to the subset of registered biometric samples in one of the biometric baskets, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user during an identification process for conducting an electronic transaction by the user, the biometric basket selected using a biometric basket code provided by the user;

a stored audio signature data bank, wherein the audio signature databank contains at least a first stored audio signature and a second stored audio signature, each audio signature associated with a transaction processor entity;

a second database containing at least one account for the user, each account associated with one of a plurality of transaction processor entities;

means for the user to select an account from the second database, thereby selecting a transaction processor entity;

sound generator means for generating an analog or digital signal from the audio signature associated with the selected transaction processor entity; and

a transducer for converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature, the play back audio signature in the form of an audio sound wave comprising one or more of the following;

a tone, a musical fragment, speech, phonation, and a song, and capable of being played back to the user to identify the transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction.

22. A method of identification of a transaction processor entity to a user of a tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a bid biometric sample from the user'"'"'s person;

obtaining from the user a biometric basket code;

selecting a subset of registered biometric samples associated with the biometric basket code, all of the subset of the registered biometric samples being algorithmically distinct;

comparing the bid biometric sample to the subset of the registered biometric samples to produce a successful or failed identification of the user;

registering a stored audio signature associated with a transaction processor entity with the identification computer system;

selecting by the user of an account registered with the system

identifying the transaction processor entity associated with the selected account;

identifying the stored audio signature associated with the selected transaction processor entity;

generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature;

converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identity the transaction processor that conducted the electronic transaction, wherein no credit cards or identity cards are used during the identification process for conducting the electronic transaction.

23. A method of identification of a transaction processor entity to a user of a tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a bid biometric sample from the user'"'"'s person;

obtaining from the user a biometric basket code;

selecting a subset of registered biometric samples associated with the biometric basket code, all of the subset of the registered biometric samples being algorithmically distinct;

comparing the bid biometric sample in the subset of the registered biometric samples to produce a successful or failed identification of the user;

registering a stored audio signature associated with a transaction processor entity with the identification computer system;

selecting by the user of an account registered with the system;

identifying the transaction processor entity associated with the selected account;

identifying the stored audio signature associated with the selected transaction processor entity;

storing the stored audio signature in a stored audio signature data bank, the stored audio signature data bank including at least a second stored audio signature;

generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature;

converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signatures; and

playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identify the transaction processor that conducted the electronic transaction, the transaction processor that conducted the transaction comprising say of the following;

a retailer, a bank, a credit association, a stored value system, and an internet payment entity.

24. A tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising:

at least one database containing registered biometric samples the database organized into at least two biometric baskets, each biometric basket including a subset of the registered biometric samples and identified by a biometric basket code;

means for verifying that every registered biometric sample in each biometric basket is algorithmically distinct from one another;

a comparator for comparing a bid biometric sample of a user to the subset of registered biometric samples in one of the biometric baskets, the bid biometric sample obtained directly from the user to identify the user conducting an electronic transaction, the biometric basket selected using a biometric basket code provided by the user,

a second database containing at least one account for the user, each account associated with one of a plurality of transaction processor entities;

means for the user to select an account from the second database, thereby selecting a transaction processor entity;

a stored audio signature, wherein the stored audio signature is associated with the selected transaction processor entity, the transaction processor entity conducting the electronic transaction;

sound generator means for generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature;

a transducer for converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

means for playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identify the transaction processor entity that conducted the electronic transaction, wherein no credit cards or identity cards are used during the identification process for conducting the electronic transaction.

25. A method of identification of a transaction processor entity to a user of a tokenless biometric identification computer system, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a registration biometric sample from the user'"'"'s person;

assigning a biometric basket code;

verifying that the registration biometric sample is algorithmically distinct from a subset of registered biometric samples associated with the biometric basket code;

associating the registration biometric sample with the biometric basket code;

obtaining a bid biometric sample from the user'"'"'s person;

obtaining from the user the biometric basket code;

selecting the subset of the registered biometric samples associated with the biometric basket code;

comparing the bid biometric sample to the subset of the registered biometric samples to produce a successful or failed identification of the user;

registering a stored audio signature associated with a transaction processor entity with the identification computer system;

selecting by the user of an account registered with the system;

identifying the transaction processor entity associated with the selected account;

identifying the stored audio signature associated with the selected transaction processor entity;

generating an analog or digital signal from the stored audio signature;

converting the analog or digital signal to a play back audio signature; and

playing back the play back audio signature to the user to identify the transaction processor that conducted the electronic transaction, wherein no credit cards or identity cards are used during the identification processor for conducting the electronic transaction.