Biometric security device

• US 8,847,732 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2009
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asmag-Holding Gmbh
• Original Assignee: NanoIdent Technologies AG
• Inventors: Schrter, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Ghayour, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON, BRIAN P
• Application Number:
  US12/812,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20110102137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,090 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/5.82
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1072 measuring distances on the body, e.g. measuring length, height or thickness A61B5/1076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1075 for measuring dimensions by non-invasive methods, e.g. for determining thickness of tissue layer A61B8/0858 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/441 Skin evaluation, e.g. for skin disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/489 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• 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: G06V 40/1318 using electro-optical elements or layers, e.g. electroluminescent sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/61 Time-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

The invention relates to a security device (1) comprising at least one authentication device (17) and a locking device (18), which authentication device (17) comprises at least one sensor (2) and an evaluation and comparison module (10), and a communication link (21) exists between the locking device (18) and the authentication device (17), and the sensor (2) is provided in the form of a thin-film sensor for detecting biometric data or spectral properties of the skin and layers of tissue lying underneath, and the communication link (21) is designed to effect a secure, wireless transmission of a unique user code determined by the authentication device (17) and is limited in terms of its operating range to a close-up range, in particular less than 50 cm, and the locking device (18) is deactivated if the user code matches an identification code assigned to the locking device.

Claims

1. A security device comprising at least one authentication device and a locking device, wherein the authentication device comprises a closure element configured to generate a trigger signal to initiate user authentication through detection of biometric data from a user, a sensor configured to detect the biometric data, wherein the biometric data includes a vein structure, a structure of a skin surface, and a tissue structure, the sensor including an organic semiconductor, an electromagnetic radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a quantum detector for detecting the emitted electromagnetic radiation, wherein the sensor is provided in the form of a deformable and elastically reboundable thin-film sensor and is controlled such that the vein structure, the structure of the skin surface, and the tissue structure are selectively detected, such that the electromagnetic radiation source is configured to emit the electromagnetic radiation with different wavelengths based on the selected biometric data to be detected, an evaluation and comparison module configured to compare the detected biometric data with reference biometric data, a near-field communication link established via the user'"'"'s skin after comparing the detected biometric data and which exists between the locking device and the authentication device, wherein the near-field communication link is programmed to effect a secure, wireless transmission of a unique user code determined by the authentication device, and the locking device is deactivated if the unique user code matches an identification code assigned to the locking device.

2. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source emits the electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in the range of 650 nm to 1.4 μ

m.

3. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the quantum detector comprises an array of several photosensitive elements.

4. The security device according to claim 3, wherein the quantum detector is selected from the group comprising organic or inorganic photodiodes, organic or inorganic photo-transistors, and photo-resistors.

5. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an adhesive film.

6. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is disposed in a device selected from the group comprising an armband, head covering, sweat band, neck microphone, goggles, and chest strap.

7. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication device has a power supply unit.

8. The security device according to claim 7, wherein the power supply unit comprises an electro-chemical element.

9. The security device according to claim 7, wherein the power supply unit comprises a solar cell.

10. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect vital signs.

11. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation and comparison module and the sensor are integrated.

12. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation and comparison module has a memory.

13. The security device according to claim 12, wherein the reference biometric data is stored in the memory.

14. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the biometric data is continuously and/or intermittently detected.

15. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation and comparison module has a computer unit.

16. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication device is designed to transmit the unique user code continuously and/or intermittently.

17. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication device has a power save operating mode, a wireless position sorting system, a network communication module, an authenticity feature, or a length measuring device.

18. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the authentication device and the locking device have an encryption and/or decryption unit.

19. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is configured to set up a data assignment to the authentication device for a limited time.

20. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device is assigned to only one specific authentication device.

21. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises a lock element.

22. The security device according to claim 21, wherein the lock element comprises a lock bolt and drive means is designed to move the lock element between a locked and an unlocked position.

23. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises an electronic firing system.

24. The security device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device has a status display.