Obtaining biometric identification using a direct electrical contact

• US 20030128867A1
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HALO Wearables LLC
• Original Assignee: Ensign Holdings Limited (Co-Operative Group Limited)
• Inventors: Bennett, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,948,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2218/12 Classification; Matching
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/15 Biometric patterns based on physiological signals, e.g. heartbeat, blood flow
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for employing histological and physiological biometric markers that are substantially unique to an individual in order to activate a device, participate in a transaction, or identify himself or herself, wherein at least one biometric marker is obtained by one or more electrical contacts on the surface of the skin. A biometric identification of an individual is obtained by a heartbeat waveform, which is acquired by one or more direct electrical contacts. A mechanism for biometric authentication is used that includes one or more electrodes, an electrical signal receiver, a memory module, and a processing module.

Claims

1. A device for biometric authentication comprising:

one or more electrodes configured to receive electrical energy from a user to measure at least one trait of an internal physiological process;

an electrical signal receiver coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured to receive at least a portion of the electrical energy;

a memory module coupled to the receiver, wherein the memory module is configured to preserve data related to the electrical energy; and

a processing module coupled to the receiver, wherein the processing module is configured to process the electrical energy with a preserved biometric marker to selectively authenticate execution of a process.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the process authenticated for execution is an utilization of a device.

3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the process authenticated for execution is an execution of a transaction.

4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more electrodes is a bipolar electrode.

5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one trait is inherently specific to the user.

6. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical energy is transmitted from the user'"'"'s body.

7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the preserved data relates to the at least one trait.

8. A method for providing biometric authentication, the method comprising the steps for:

using one or more electrodes to receive electrical energy from a user'"'"'s body to measure at least one trait of an internal physiological process;

using an electrical signal receiver to collect information relating to at least a portion of the electrical energy;

using a memory module to preserve data related to the information collected by the receiver; and

using a processing module to comparing the preserved data with other information to authenticate the user and initiate a process.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one trait is inherently specific to the user.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the electrical energy is from a portion of the user'"'"'s body.

11. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the data preserved relates to the at least one trait.

12. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the process is a utilization of a device.

13. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the process is an execution of a transaction.

14. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the collection of information obtains one or more characteristics to match a profile in order to provide access to at least one of:

(i) a device;

(ii) a facility;

(iii) a fund;

(iv) a function; and

(v) electronic information.

15. A computer program product for implementing within a computer system a method for providing biometric authentication, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium for providing computer program code means utilized to implement the method, wherein the computer program code means is comprised of executable code for implementing the steps for;

receiving information from one or more electrodes to measure at least one trait of an internal physiological process, wherein the information relates to electrical energy from a user'"'"'s body;

using an electrical signal receiver to collect information relating to at least a portion of the electrical energy;

preserving data related to the information collected by the receiver;

and

comparing the preserved data with other information to authenticate the user and initiate a process.

16. A computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one trait is inherently specific to the user.

17. A computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the electrical energy is from a portion of the user'"'"'s body.

18. A computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the data preserved relates to the at least one trait.

19. A computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the process is a utilization of a device.

20. A computer program product as recited in claim 15, wherein the process is an execution of a transaction.