Using biometric user-specific attributes

• US 9,740,841 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2015
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tessera Advanced Technologies Inc (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tessera Advanced Technologies Inc (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Kwok-Suzuki, Eliza, Dordick, Robert S., Lattin, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): McNally, Michael S
• Application Number:
  US14/843,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20160070898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 726 7
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/316 by observing the pattern of computer usage, e.g. typical user behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/082 applying multi-factor authentication
• 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

Techniques are provided for determining two or more user-specific parameters that can be measured or obtained using various methods, and using values of the two or more user-specific parameters to uniquely identify or authenticate an individual. Examples of the user-specific parameters may include biometric parameters, textual-based parameters, a combination of biometric parameters and textual-based parameters, and the like.

Claims

1. A computerized data processing method to control access to consumer devices, the method comprising:

collecting a plurality of user-specific parameter values as a user attempts to access a consumer device;

determining at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values that uniquely identify the user;

determining two or more parameter categories to which the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values belong;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, retrieving, from a reference database, at least one user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category and that has been stored in the reference database for the user;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, selecting from the at least one user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category, a most recently obtained user-specific reference value obtained the most recently from the user;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, determining whether any of the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values matches the most recently obtained user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category; and

in response to determining, for each of the two or more parameter categories, that at least one of the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values matches the most recently obtained user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category, granting, to the user, access to the consumer device.

2. The computerized data processing method of claim 1, further comprising:

ranking the plurality of user-specific parameter values collected as the user attempts to access the consumer device based on a date when the plurality of user-specific parameter values was collected to determine whether the plurality of user-specific parameter values is to be used to determine whether to grant, to the user, access to the consumer device; and

ranking at least two user-specific reference values based on a date when the at least two user-specific reference values were stored in the reference database to determine whether the at least two user-specific reference values are to be used to compare with the plurality of user-specific parameter values; and

wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values are performed automatically or manually by an authenticator.

3. The computerized data processing method of claim 2, wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values in a noisy environment are based on assigning high ranks to values obtained as results of a contact with a sensor, and assigning low ranks to values collected as results of an object scanning.

4. The computerized data processing method of claim 2, wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values in a low light environment are based on assigning high ranks to values collected using a voice and speech recognition device, and assigning low ranks to values collected as results of a contact with a sensor.

5. The computerized data processing method of claim 2, further comprising:

in response to determining that the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values do not match the at least two user-specific reference values, denying, the user, access to the consumer device;

wherein denying, the user, access to the consumer device comprises one or more of;

refusing to positively authenticate the user with a security system of the consumer device;

determining that the user is incapable of performing one or more functions with respect to the consumer device, including starting the consumer device, operating the consumer device, or accessing resources of the consumer device;

turning off the consumer device;

preventing the user from withdrawing funds from a bank account using the consumer device;

preventing the user from depositing funds to a bank account using the consumer device;

preventing the user from watching a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from recording a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from playing a specially-rated program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from accessing computer resources of the consumer device;

or

preventing the user from using functionalities of the consumer device.

6. The computerized data processing method of claim 1,

wherein the consumer device is any one of:

a computerized security device, a motorized vehicle, a motorized machinery, a domestic appliance, a bank kiosk, a television set, a setup box, a play station, a movie recorder, a computer device, a portable device, a smart phone, or a digital camera;

wherein granting, to the user, access to the consumer device comprises one or more of;

positively authenticating the user with a security system of the consumer device;

determining that the user is capable of performing one or more functions with respect to the consumer device, including starting the consumer device, operating the consumer device, or accessing resources of the consumer device;

permitting to continue operating the consumer device;

permitting to withdraw funds from a bank account using the consumer device;

permitting to deposit funds to a bank account using the consumer device;

permitting to watch a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

permitting to record a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

permitting to play a specially-rated program on the consumer device;

permitting to access computer resources of the consumer device;

or

permitting to use functionalities of the consumer device.

7. The computerized data processing method of claim 1,

wherein the plurality of user-specific parameter values includes two or more of:

user credentials, a textual-based parameter value, a digital image, a biometric parameter value, a physiological parameter value, or a behavioral parameter value.

8. A computer system comprising:

a data collector performing;

collecting a plurality of user-specific parameter values as a user attempts to access a consumer device;

a computer processor performing;

determining at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values that uniquely identify the user;

determining two or more parameter categories to which the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values belong;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, retrieving, from a reference database, at least one user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category and that has been stored in the reference database for the user;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, selecting from the at least one user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category, a most recently obtained user-specific reference value obtained the most recently from the user;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, determining whether any of the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values matches the most recently obtained user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category; and

in response to determining, for each of the two or more parameter categories, that at least one of the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values matches the most recently obtained user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category, granting, to the user, access to the consumer device.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the computer processor further performs:

ranking the plurality of user-specific parameter values collected as the user attempts to access the consumer device based on a date when the plurality of user-specific parameter values was collected to determine whether the plurality of user-specific parameter values is to be used to determine whether to grant, to the user, access to the consumer device; and

ranking at least two user-specific reference values based on a date when the at least two user-specific reference values were stored in the reference database to determine whether the at least two user-specific reference values are to be used to compare with the plurality of user-specific parameter values; and

wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values are performed automatically or manually by an authenticator.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values in a noisy environment are based on assigning high ranks to values obtained as results of a contact with a sensor, and assigning low ranks to values collected as results of an object scanning.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values in a low light environment are based on assigning high ranks to values collected using a voice and speech recognition device, and assigning low ranks to values collected as results of a contact with a sensor.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the computer processor further performs:

in response to determining that the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values do not match the at least two user-specific reference values, denying, the user, access to the consumer device;

wherein denying, the user, access to the consumer device comprises one or more of;

refusing to positively authenticate the user with a security system of the consumer device;

determining that the user is incapable of performing one or more functions with respect to the consumer device, including starting the consumer device, operating the consumer device, or accessing resources of the consumer device;

turning off the consumer device;

preventing the user from withdrawing funds from a bank account using the consumer device;

preventing the user from depositing funds to a bank account using the consumer device;

preventing the user from watching a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from recording a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from playing a specially-rated program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from accessing computer resources of the consumer device;

or

preventing the user from using functionalities of the consumer device.

13. The computer system of claim 8,

wherein the consumer device is any one of:

a computerized security device, a motorized vehicle, a motorized machinery, a domestic appliance, a bank kiosk, a television set, a setup box, a play station, a movie recorder, a computer device, a portable device, a smart phone, or a digital camera;

wherein granting, to the user, access to the consumer device comprises one or more of;

positively authenticating the user with a security system of the consumer device;

determining that the user is capable of performing one or more functions with respect to the consumer device, including starting the consumer device, operating the consumer device, or accessing resources of the consumer device;

permitting to continue operating the consumer device;

permitting to withdraw funds from a bank account using the consumer device;

permitting to deposit funds to a bank account using the consumer device;

permitting to watch a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

permitting to record a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

permitting to play a specially-rated program on the consumer device;

permitting to access computer resources of the consumer device;

or

permitting to use functionalities of the consumer device.

14. The computer system of claim 8,

wherein the plurality of user-specific parameter values includes two or more of:

user credentials, a textual-based parameter value, a digital image, a biometric parameter value, a physiological parameter value, or a behavioral parameter value.

15. One or more non-transitory computer storage media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more computer processors, cause performing:

collecting a plurality of user-specific parameter values as a user attempts to access a consumer device;

determining at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values that uniquely identify the user;

determining two or more parameter categories to which the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values belong;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, retrieving, from a reference database, at least one user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category and that has been stored in the reference database for the user;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, selecting from the at least one user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category, a most recently obtained user-specific reference value obtained the most recently from the user;

for each of the two or more parameter categories, determining whether any of the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values matches the most recently obtained user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category; and

in response to determining, for each of the two or more parameter categories, that at least one of the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values matches the most recently obtained user-specific reference value that belongs to the parameter category, granting, to the user, access to the consumer device.

16. The one or more non-transitory computer storage media of claim 15, storing additional instructions which, when executed by one or more computer processors, cause performing:

ranking the plurality of user-specific parameter values collected as the user attempts to access the consumer device based on a date when the plurality of user-specific parameter values was collected to determine whether the plurality of user-specific parameter values is to be used to determine whether to grant, to the user, access to the consumer device; and

ranking at least two user-specific reference values based on a date when the at least two user-specific reference values were stored in the reference database to determine whether the at least two user-specific reference values are to be used to compare with the plurality of user-specific parameter values; and

wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values are performed automatically or manually by an authenticator.

17. The one or more non-transitory computer storage media of claim 16, wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values in a noisy environment are based on assigning high ranks to values obtained as results of a contact with a sensor, and assigning low ranks to values collected as results of an object scanning.

18. The one or more non-transitory computer storage media of claim 16, wherein the ranking of the plurality of user-specific parameter values and the ranking of the at least two user-specific reference values in a low light environment are based on assigning high ranks to values collected using a voice and speech recognition device, and assigning low ranks to values collected as results of a contact with a sensor.

19. The one or more non-transitory computer storage media of claim 16, storing additional instructions which, when executed by one or more computer processors, cause performing:

in response to determining that the at least two of the plurality of user-specific parameter values do not match the at least two user-specific reference values, denying, the user, access to the consumer device;

wherein denying, the user, access to the consumer device comprises one or more of;

refusing to positively authenticate the user with a security system of the consumer device;

determining that the user is incapable of performing one or more functions with respect to the consumer device, including starting the consumer device, operating the consumer device, or accessing resources of the consumer device;

turning off the consumer device;

preventing the user from withdrawing funds from a bank account using the consumer device;

preventing the user from depositing funds to a bank account using the consumer device;

preventing the user from watching a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from recording a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from playing a specially-rated program on the consumer device;

preventing the user from accessing computer resources of the consumer device;

or

preventing the user from using functionalities of the consumer device.

20. The one or more non-transitory computer storage media of claim 15,

wherein the consumer device is any one of:

a computerized security device, a motorized vehicle, a motorized machinery, a domestic appliance, a bank kiosk, a television set, a setup box, a play station, a movie recorder, a computer device, a portable device, a smart phone, or a digital camera;

wherein granting, to the user, access to the consumer device comprises one or more of;

positively authenticating the user with a security system of the consumer device;

determining that the user is capable of performing one or more functions with respect to the consumer device, including starting the consumer device, operating the consumer device, or accessing resources of the consumer device;

permitting to continue operating the consumer device;

permitting to withdraw funds from a bank account using the consumer device;

permitting to deposit funds to a bank account using the consumer device;

permitting to watch a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

permitting to record a specially-rated television program on the consumer device;

permitting to play a specially-rated program on the consumer device;

permitting to access computer resources of the consumer device;

or

permitting to use functionalities of the consumer device.