Methods, systems, devices, and products for authenticating users

• US 9,491,168 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2014
• Issued: 11/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Novack, Brian M., Madsen, Daniel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): McNally, Kerri
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dorsey, Renee
• Application Number:
  US14/541,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20150074778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/082 applying multi-factor authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system or for message authentication H04L9/32
• 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

Abstract

Enhanced biometric authentication combines a user'"'"'s inherent biometric data with the user'"'"'s password, code, or other secret glyph. For example, the user'"'"'s finger makes an input on a touchpad. An image of a fingerprint is extracted from the input, along with the user'"'"'s password, code, or other secret glyph. In one input, then, the user'"'"'s finger serves two authentication schemes for increased security.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a server, a composite input sent from a device requesting authentication, the composite input comprising an image of a fingerprint extracted from a hand-drawn glyph;

segregating, by the server, the composite input into the image of the fingerprint and into a mechanical characterization of the hand-drawn glyph;

determining, by the server, a first match between the image of the fingerprint and a template associated with the authentication;

determining, by the server, a second match between the mechanical characterization and the template associated with the authentication; and

authenticating, by the server, the device in response to the first match and the second match.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a password as the mechanical characterization.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a trace as the mechanical characterization.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a character as the mechanical characterization.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a combination of characters as the mechanical characterization.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a letter as the mechanical characterization.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a stroke as the mechanical characterization.

8. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device, the memory device storing instructions, the instructions when executed causing the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

receiving a composite input sent from a device for authentication, the composite input comprising an image of a fingerprint extracted from a glyph drawn by a user associated with the authentication;

segregating the composite input into the image of the fingerprint and into a mechanical characterization of the glyph drawn by the user;

determining a double match between the image of the fingerprint and the mechanical characterization to a template associated with the authentication; and

authenticating the device in response to the double match.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise determining a password as the mechanical characterization.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise determining a trace as the mechanical characterization.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise determining a character as the mechanical characterization.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise determining a combination of characters as the mechanical characterization.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise determining a letter as the mechanical characterization.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise determining a stroke as the mechanical characterization.

15. A computer readable memory storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving a composite input sent from a device for authentication, the composite input comprising an image of a fingerprint extracted from a glyph drawn by a user associated with the authentication;

segregating the composite input into the image of the fingerprint and into a mechanical characterization of the glyph;

determining a first match between the image of the fingerprint and a template associated with the authentication;

determining second match between the mechanical characterization and the template; and

authenticating the device in response to the first match and the second match.

16. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining a password as the mechanical characterization.

17. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining a trace as the mechanical characterization.

18. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining a character as the mechanical characterization.

19. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining a combination of characters as the mechanical characterization.

20. The memory of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determining a letter as the mechanical characterization.