Computer terminals biometrically enabled for network functions and voice communication

• US 9,912,793 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2016
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bloomberg Finance LP (Bloomberg LP)
• Original Assignee: Bloomberg Finance LP (Bloomberg LP)
• Inventors: Bloomberg, Michael R., Waanders, John D., Ozolins, Helmars Ericks
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Yong Hang
• Application Number:
  US15/164,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20160269519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 340 551, 340 552, 340 553, 340 58, 340 581, 340 582, 340 583, 340 584, 340 585, 379900, 726 5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/06 Hooks; Cradles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6054 Biometric subscriber identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53308 Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party

Abstract

The invention provides a handset that includes a finger-image sensor that provides finger-image-related signals or data for authentication purposes and functions as a telephone handset for use with a computer terminal. A system, including handsets and computer terminals, enables the terminal and/or the handset to access or otherwise participate in at least one network-related function and voice communication in response to authentication of finger-image data provided by the handset.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a first computer terminal comprising a first finger image sensor, the first finger image sensor configured to sense a first finger image;

a second computer terminal comprising a second finger image sensor, the second finger image sensor configured to sense a second finger image; and

a host computer configured to;

authenticate the first sensed finger image at first periodic time intervals,

authenticate the second sensed finger image at second periodic time intervals,

enable a voice communication function between the first and second computer terminals in response to the first and second sensed finger images being authenticated,

determine that an intended recipient of a voice communication is present at the second computer terminal based on the second sensed finger image being authenticated,

receive a request from the first computer terminal to initiate the voice communication function with the second computer terminal based on the intended recipient being present at the second computer terminal, and

initiate the voice communication function between the first and second computer terminals in response to the request.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the host computer is further configured to:

enable the first computer terminal to access a function that is not related to and does not depend upon participation by the first computer terminal in the voice communication function.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the host computer is further configured to:

authenticate the first sensed finger image each time a user of the first computer terminal initiates a particular function.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein initiate the voice communication function comprises:

send a signal to the second computer terminal indicating that the voice communication is incoming.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein initiate the voice communication function further comprises:

receive a notification from the second computer terminal indicating that the second computer terminal has accepted the voice communication; and

notify the first computer terminal that the voice communication has been accepted.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the host computer is further configured to:

interface with a voicemail system to enable a user of the first computer terminal to leave a message for the intended recipient.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a third computer terminal associated with a third sensed finger image that the host computer has not authenticated, wherein the third computer terminal is configured to receive communication from the first computer terminal but not transmit communication to the first computer terminal.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first computer terminal further comprises:

a display device configured to display an indication that the intended recipient is present at the second computer terminal.

9. A host computer configured to:

authenticate a first sensed finger image at first periodic time intervals, the first sensed finger image sensed by a first finger image sensor of a first computer terminal;

authenticate a second sensed finger image at second periodic time intervals, the second sensed finger image sensed by a second finger image sensor of a second computer terminal;

enable a voice communication function between the first and second computer terminals in response to the first and second sensed finger images being authenticated;

determine that an intended recipient of a voice communication is present at the second computer terminal based on the second sensed finger image being authenticated;

receive a request from the first computer terminal to initiate the voice communication function with the second computer terminal based on the intended recipient being present at the second computer terminal; and

initiate the voice communication function between the first and second computer terminals in response to the request.

10. The host computer as recited in claim 9, wherein the host computer is further configured to:

enable the first computer terminal to access a function that is not related to and does not depend upon participation by the first computer terminal in the voice communication function.

11. The host computer as recited in claim 9, wherein the host computer is further configured to:

authenticate the first sensed finger image each time a user of the first computer terminal initiates a particular function.

12. The host computer as recited in claim 9, wherein initiate the voice communication function comprises:

send a signal to the second computer terminal indicating that the voice communication is incoming.

13. The host computer as recited in claim 12, wherein initiate the voice communication function further comprises:

receive a notification from the second computer terminal indicating that the second computer terminal has accepted the voice communication; and

notify the first computer terminal that the voice communication has been accepted.

14. The host computer as recited in claim 9, wherein the host computer is further configured to:

interface with a voicemail system to enable a user of the first computer terminal to leave a message for the intended recipient.

15. A method, comprising:

authenticating a first sensed finger image at first periodic time intervals, the first sensed finger image sensed by a first finger image sensor of a first computer terminal;

authenticating a second sensed finger image at second periodic time intervals, the second sensed finger image sensed by a second finger image sensor of a second computer terminal;

enabling a voice communication function between the first and second computer terminals in response to the first and second sensed finger images being authenticated;

determining that an intended recipient of a voice communication is present at the second computer terminal based on the second sensed finger image being authenticated;

receiving a request from the first computer terminal to initiate the voice communication function with the second computer terminal based on the intended recipient being present at the second computer terminal; and

initiating the voice communication function between the first and second computer terminals in response to the request.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

enabling the first computer terminal to access a function that is not related to and does not depend upon participation by the first computer terminal in the voice communication function.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

authenticating the first sensed finger image each time a user of the first computer terminal initiates a particular function.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein initiating the voice communication function comprises:

sending a signal to the second computer terminal indicating that the voice communication is incoming.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein initiating the voice communication function further comprises:

receiving a notification from the second computer terminal indicating that the second computer terminal has accepted the voice communication, and

notifying the first computer terminal that the voice communication has been accepted.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

interfacing with a voicemail system to enable a user of the first computer terminal to leave a message for the intended recipient.