Apparatus and method for effecting secure physical and commercial transactions in a contactless manner using biometric identity validation

• US 7,337,326 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovation Connection Corporation
• Original Assignee: Innovation Connection Corporation
• Inventors: Palmer, Glennard D., Doughty, Ralph O., Antaki, Patrick R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zand; Kambiz
• Assistant Examiner(s): POLTORAK, PIOTR
• Application Number:
  US10/400,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226041A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 363157-177, 902 24- 29, 713/186
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• 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 20/3821 Electronic credentials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

Provided is an apparatus and method for effecting secure transactions in a contactless manner using biometric identity validation. The apparatus may include, for example, a biometric sensor that is operable to detect biometric information associated with a user of the apparatus. A processor that is accessible to the biometric sensor may be used to process the biometric information to verify the identity of the user. One or more antennae may also form part of the apparatus and may perform multiple functions. For example, the antennae may provide contactless communication with an external device and may also provide receive power from an external power source to power the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a flexible device having approximately the size and shape of a credit card, the device including circuitry and the circuitry including a biometric sensor that can detect biometric information associated with a user of the device, the biometric sensor being flexible;

wherein the device has an edge portion with approximately the size and shape of an edge portion of a credit card;

wherein the biometric sensor includes a fingerprint sensor; and

wherein the circuitry further includes;

a flexible display;

memory that can store biometric template information and a plurality of account numbers;

a manually operable button;

a processor coupled to the fingerprint sensor, the display, the memory and the button, the processor being responsive to biometric input information from the fingerprint sensor for comparing the biometric input information with the biometric template information, and being responsive to manual operation of the button for selecting one of the account numbers in the memory;

a section that is coupled to the processor, that the processor can use to receive and transmit radio frequency signals, and that is responsive to electromagnetic fields external to the device for supplying operating power to other portions of the circuitry, the section including an antenna;

a part that is disposed on the portion of the device, that is coupled to the processor, and that under control of the processor can produce externally of the device a magnetic field readable by a magnetic strip reader; and

a contact smart card chip coupled to the processor.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor transmits through the section a communication that is a function of whether the stored biometric template information matches the biometric input information obtained with the biometric sensor.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor effects variation of the magnetic field.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor effects variation of the magnetic field as a function of biometric input information obtained with the biometric sensor.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor effects variation of the magnetic field as a function of whether the stored biometric template information matches biometric input information obtained with the biometric sensor.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry includes a rechargeable battery, the battery being recharged by the operating power produced by the section from external electromagnetic fields.