Method and apparatus using biometric sensors for controlling access to a wireless communication device
DCFirst Claim
1. A wireless communication device arranged and constructed to enable a function when an identity of a user is confirmed, the wireless communication device comprising:
- a plurality of biometric devices, each of the plurality of biometric devices for assessing the identity of the user, anda controller, coupled to the plurality of biometric devices, for selecting one of the plurality of biometric devices when a corresponding predetermined condition is present,wherein the corresponding predetermined condition comprises one of a time of day, a date, an interval, and situation circumstances and wherein the situation circumstances comprise one of ambient light, temperature, and ambient noise and a corresponding biometric sensor comprises, respectively, a camera, a skin sensor, and a microphone;
wherein the controller enables the function when the identity of the user is confirmed by the one of the plurality of biometric devices.
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Abstract
A wireless communication device (300) and corresponding system therein uses a plurality of biometric sensors (206, 208, 210) for assessing the identity of a user requesting access to a feature or service provided via the wireless communication device (300). A method comprises collecting (410) a biometric sample from one of the sensors and enabling the feature or service (414) when the sample matches a known sample (412) corresponding to the user. Preferably a sensor will be selected, based on evaluating whether a corresponding predetermined condition exists (406), from a list of the plurality of sensors that is prioritized according to accuracy and ease of use of the sensor.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A wireless communication device arranged and constructed to enable a function when an identity of a user is confirmed, the wireless communication device comprising:
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a plurality of biometric devices, each of the plurality of biometric devices for assessing the identity of the user, and a controller, coupled to the plurality of biometric devices, for selecting one of the plurality of biometric devices when a corresponding predetermined condition is present, wherein the corresponding predetermined condition comprises one of a time of day, a date, an interval, and situation circumstances and wherein the situation circumstances comprise one of ambient light, temperature, and ambient noise and a corresponding biometric sensor comprises, respectively, a camera, a skin sensor, and a microphone; wherein the controller enables the function when the identity of the user is confirmed by the one of the plurality of biometric devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9)
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4. A wireless communication device arranged and constructed to enable a function when an identity of a user is confirmed, the wireless communication device comprising:
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a plurality of biometric devices, each of the plurality of biometric devices for assessing the identity of the user; and a controller, coupled to the plurality of biometric devices, for selecting one of the plurality of biometric devices when a corresponding predetermined condition is present; wherein the controller enables the function when the identity of the user is confirmed by the one of the plurality of biometric devices;
wherein a first biometric device has a higher reliability in assessing the identity of the user and is selected when the corresponding predetermined condition indicates a suitable operating environment.
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6. A wireless communication device arranged and constructed to enable a function when an identity of a user is confirmed, the wireless communication device comprising:
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a plurality of biometric devices, each of the plurality of biometric devices for assessing the identity of the user; and a controller, coupled to the plurality of biometric devices, for selecting one of the plurality of biometric devices when a corresponding predetermined condition is present; wherein the controller enables the function when the identity of the user is confirmed by the one of the plurality of biometric devices and wherein the controller is operable to limit a number of times a second biometric device may be used to confirm the identity of the user before a first biometric device must be used to confirm the identity of the user.
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10. A system for authorizing the use of a feature on a wireless communication device comprising:
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a plurality of biometric sensors, each for collecting a sample corresponding to a user biometric; and a controller coupled to the plurality of biometric sensors for; collecting a first sample from one of the plurality of biometric sensors, the one of the plurality of biometric sensors selected when a corresponding predetermined condition is present; and authorizing the use of the feature when the first sample corresponds to a known sample, wherein a first biometric sensor must be used to authorize the use of the feature after a predetermined number of consecutive uses of a second biometric sensor to authorize the use of the feature. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for enabling a feature on a wireless communication device comprising:
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collecting a biometric sample corresponding to a user from one of a plurality of biometric sensors, the one of the plurality of biometric sensors selected when a corresponding predetermined condition is present; and enabling the feature when the biometric sample corresponds to a known sample, wherein the collecting further comprises; selecting a first biometric sensor when a predetermined condition is present, the predetermined condition indicating a suitable operating environment for the first biometric sensor, thereby resulting in more accuracy when matching the biometric sample to the known sample. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification