Identify authentication device

• US 7,609,863 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States CP LLC
• Original Assignee: Pen-One Inc.
• Inventors: Black, Gerald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mariam, Daniel G
• Application Number:
  US11/213,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20060023922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 382115-116, 382/124, 382/181, 382186-188, 382/190, 382313-314, 340/5.52, 340/5.53, 713/186, 902/3
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures

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 device comprising:

a processor disposed within the stylus, the processor having memory, the stylus including a component for capturing within the processor memory data pertaining to a writing generated by the stylus upon a writing surface; and

a sensor disposed within the grip of the stylus, the sensor enabling the capture of thumbprint or fingerprint data of a user while the stylus is being used to generate the writing;

whereby user identity is authenticated by comparing the captured thumbprint or fingerprint data against reference thumbprint or fingerprint data, the reference thumbprint or fingerprint data being captured during a user registration.

2. The identity authentication device of claim 1, wherein a card carried by the user is useful in accessing the reference thumbprint or fingerprint data.

3. The identity authentication device of claim 1, wherein the device is wireless and portable.

4. The identity authentication device of claim 1, wherein the writing surface is a digital surface, the stylus being a tethered connection proximate to the digital surface.

5. A stylus for generating a writing on a surface, the stylus comprising a stylus body having a stylus grip, a stylus memory, and a sensor disposed in the stylus grip, the sensor capturing thumbprint or fingerprint data of a user while the stylus is used to generate the writing, data written using the stylus being retained in the stylus memory;

whereby a match of captured thumbprint or fingerprint data of the user with a reference thumbprint or fingerprint data is needed to gain access to the data retained in the stylus memory, the reference thumbprint or fingerprint data being captured during a user registration, a card carried by the user being useful in accessing the reference thumbprint or fingerprint data.

6. The stylus of claim 5, wherein the reference thumbprint or fingerprint data is stored in a user record.

7. The stylus of claim 5, wherein the device is wireless and portable.

8. The stylus of claim 5, wherein the writing surface is a digital surface, the stylus being a tethered connection proximate to the digital surface.

9. A stylus for generating a writing on a surface, the stylus comprising

(a) a stylus body, the stylus body having a stylus grip;

(b) a stylus memory, the stylus memory being disposed within the stylus body; and

(c) a sensor disposed in the stylus grip, the sensor capturing a metric or biometric property of a user while the stylus is used to generate the writing;

whereby data written using the stylus is retained in the stylus memory; and

whereby access to the data retained in the stylus memory is enabled by matching the captured thumbprint or fingerprint data with reference thumbprint or fingerprint data, the reference thumbprint or fingerprint data being captured during a user registration.

10. The stylus of claim 9, wherein a card carried by the user is useful in accessing the reference thumbprint or fingerprint data.

11. The stylus of claim 9, wherein the device is wireless and portable.

12. The stylus of claim 9, wherein the writing surface is a digital surface, the stylus being a tethered connection proximate to the digital surface.