Identity authentication device

• US 6,970,583 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States CP LLC
• Original Assignee: Gerald R. Black
• Inventors: Black, Gerald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARIAM, DANIEL G
• Application Number:
  US09/865,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20010055411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,649 Days
• Field of Search: 382115-116, 382/124, 382/181, 382186-188, 382/190, 382/313, 382/314, 713/186, 902/3, 283/69
• US Class Current: 382/124
• 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 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0336 Mouse integrated fingerprint sensor
• 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 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/12 Details of acquisition arrangements; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

An identity authentication device is stylus-shaped. A processor is disposed within the device. The stylus-shaped device includes a scanner-type device component for capturing within the processor memory a written signature generated by the stylus while the stylus is writing upon a surface. A fingerprint sensor is disposed within the grip of the stylus. The fingerprint sensor enables the capture of a digital signature of the writer at the same time that the written signature of the writer is captured. Once the identity of the writer has been authenticated by comparison against a reference print, the signature of the writer irrefutable. The device serves the same general purpose and can be used in lieu of a signature pad. The device is either attached to a surface or is portable and wireless.

Claims

1. An identity authentication device having the general shape of a stylus, the stylus having a stylus tip, the identity authentication device comprising:

a sensor disposed within the grip of the stylus, the sensor enabling the capture of a fingerprint or a thumbprint as the stylus is generating text images upon a surface, either the fingerprint or thumbprint enabling identity authentication of the person doing the writing, the text images being a signature or non-signature images; and

a processor having memory, the memory being disposed within the stylus, the stylus including means for determining the position of the tip of the stylus upon the surface, the text images being captured in processor memory as the writing is generated by the stylus, the processor memory retaining the text images generated by the stylus upon the surface;

whereby identity authentication is based upon a comparison of either the captured fingerprint or thumbprint against a reference print, such identity authentication being independent of the text images; and

whereby the text images generated by the stylus are downloadable from the scanned text images retained in the processor memory within the stylus.

2. An identity authentication device having the general shape of a stylus, the identity authentication device comprising:

a sensor enabling the capture of a fingerprint or a thumbprint as the stylus is generating text images upon a surface, the fingerprint or thumbprint enabling identity authentication of a person doing the writing, the text images being a signature or non-signature images; and

a processor having memory, the memory being disposed within the stylus, the stylus including a scanner-type device, the scanner-type device for scanning text images generated by the stylus upon the surface, all of the text images being captured in processor memory as the writing is generated by the stylus, the processor memory retaining the text images generated by the stylus upon the surface;

whereby identity authentication is based upon a comparison of either the captured fingerprint or thumbprint against a reference print, such identity authentication being independent of the text images; and

whereby the text images generated by the stylus are downloadable from the scanned text images retained in the processor memory within the stylus.

3. An identity authentication device having the general shape of a stylus, the stylus having a stylus tip, the identity authentication device comprising:

a sensor enabling the capture of a fingerprint or a thumbprint as the stylus is generating text images upon a writing surface, the fingerprint or thumbprint enabling identity authentication of the person doing the writing, the text images being a signature or non-signature images; and

a processor having memory, the memory being disposed within the stylus, the processor tracking the position of the stylus tip as the text images are being generated upon the writing surface, the position of the stylus tip relative to the surface being tracked by infrared emissions received by the stylus and stored in the processor memory as the writing is generated by the stylus;

whereby identity authentication is based upon a comparison of the captured fingerprint or thumbprint against a reference print, such identity authentication being independent of the text images; and

whereby the text images generated by the stylus are downloadable from the scanned text images retained in the processor memory within the stylus.