Data security system

• US 7,047,419 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2001
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States CP LLC
• Original Assignee: Pen-One Inc.
• Inventors: Black, Gerald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smithers, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): CALLAHAN, PAUL E
• Application Number:
  US10/032,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20020081005A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,661 Days
• Field of Search: 380/259, 705/50, 705/55, 705/64, 705/67, 705/16, 705/18, 713/150, 713/160, 713/161, 713/164, 713/151, 713/153, 713/154, 713/186, 709/314, 709/232, 382115-119, 235/379, 235/380, 235/382, 356/71
• US Class Current: 713/186
• 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 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0336 Mouse integrated fingerprint sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2139 Recurrent verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• 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 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• 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 40/12 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 9/257 : electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• 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 19/207 : Surveillance aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

A data security system comprises a host processor, and a plurality of remote computers. Each remote computer provides biometric authentication of a user prior to responding to the user request for data access. The remote computers are handheld when in operational mode. A sensor in the handheld computer captures a biometric image while the remote computer is being used. The biometric sensor is positioned in such a way that the sensor enables the capture of the biometric image continually during computer usage with each request for access to secure data. The biometric authentication occurs in a seamless manner and is incidental to the data request enabling user identity authentication with each request to access secure data.

Claims

1. A pen-based computing device for accessing secure data, the pen-based computing device having a casing, the pen-based computing device including at least one fingerprint sensor for capturing a user thumbprint image of a user hand, the fingerprint sensor being positioned at a fingerprint sensor site in the casing of the pen-based computing device;

whereby placement of the fingerprint sensor site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables an incidental capture of the thumbprint image of the user hand for purposes of identity authentication prior to each request to access the secure data; and

whereby placement of the fingerprint sensing site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables capture of the thumbprint image of the user hand holding the pen-based computing device; and

whereby placement of the fingerprint sensing site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables a continuous capture of the thumbprint image of the user hand while the pen-based computing device is being held.

4. The pen-based computing device of claim 1, wherein the pen-based computing device includes a processor and a stylus, the processor having a display screen, the fingerprint sensor site being disposed in the casing of the processor.

5. The pen-based computing device of claim 1, wherein the pen-based computing device includes a processor and a stylus, the processor having a display screen, the fingerprint sensor site being disposed in the casing of the stylus.

6. The pen-based computing device of claim 1, wherein the pen-based computing device includes a wallet or a pouch, the wallet or pouch being in digital engagement with the pen-based computing device, the fingerprint sensor being disposed in the casing of the wallet or pouch.

2. A pen-based computing device for accessing secure data, the pen-based computing device having a casing, the pen-based computing device including a palm-print sensor for capturing a palm-print image of a user hand, the palm-print sensor being positioned at a palm-print sensor site in the casing of the pen-based computing device;

whereby placement of the palm-print sensor site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables an incidental capture of the palm-print image of the user hand for purposes of identity authentication prior to each request to access the secure data; and

whereby placement of the palm-print sensing site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables capture of the palm-print image of the user hand holding the computing device; and

whereby placement of the palm-print sensing site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables a continuous capture of a palm-print image of the user hand while the pen-based computing device is being held.

3. A pen-based computing device for accessing secure data, the computing device having a casing, the pen-based computing device including a palm-print sensor for capturing a facial image print, the facial image print sensor being positioned at a sensor site in the casing of the pen-based computing device;

whereby placement of the palm-print sensor site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables an incidental capture of the facial image of a user for purposes of identity authentication prior to each request to access the secure data; and

whereby placement of the sensor site in the casing of the pen-based computing device enables a continuous capture of a facial image print while the pen-based computing device is being used.