Distributed mobile biometric identification system with a centralized server and mobile workstations

• US 6,317,544 B1
• Filed: 09/25/1997
• Issued: 11/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Diehl, Jeffrey W., Glaze, Mary L., Braceland, Joseph M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bella, Matthew C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAWAN, SHEELA C
• Application Number:
  US08/937,956
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/116, 382/117, 382/118, 382/119, 382/127, 382/313, 340/825.34, 340/825.31, 361/680, 361/681, 361/682, 361/727, 356/71, 283/69
• US Class Current: 385/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/313 using a call-back technique via a telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

A distributed biometric identification system incorporates highly mobile workstations. The system generally includes a plurality of mobile workstations and a file server remotely located from the workstations. The workstations receive input biometric data, such as fingerprint and photographic data, and couples that biometric data to the remote file server. The file server compares the input biometric data with stored biometric data to determine whether any of the stored biometric data matches the input biometric data. The results of the comparison are provided to the workstation that requested the comparison. Workstation mobility is enhanced by providing a wireless and/or PSTN communications link between the workstation and the remotely located file server. Workstation mobility is further improved by housing the workstation in a self-contained, compartmentalized carrying case. Workstation mobility may be even further enhanced by housing the workstation in a so-called lunchbox configuration having a main body, a front panel hinged to the main body, and a back panel hinged to the main body. The front and back panels each have a stowed position adjacent the main body, and a deployed position away from the main body. When the panels are in their stowed positions, the workstation (i.e., main body, front panel, and back panel) is a compact, portable unit.

Claims

1. A distributed biometric enrolling and identification system for enrolling and identification of individuals by a user of a stand-alone workstation, the enrolling and identification system comprising a centralized server having a plurality of databases each having a defined meaning related to the individuals to be enrolled or identified and one or more stand-alone workstations in communication with the centralized server, wherein one or more of said stand-alone workstations comprise:

a portable computer;

a biometric data input system coupled to said portable computer and receiving biometric data of an individual to be enrolled or identified for transfer to said portable computer;

a user input terminal for enabling a user to input to the portable computer non-biometric data (biodata);

a portable communications terminal coupled to said portable computer;

said communications terminal initiating establishment of a communication link between said workstation and the centralized server remotely located from said workstation, at least a portion of said communications link comprising a wireless communications link, to transmit biometric data and biodata to the centralized server; and

said portable computer programmed to;

control said portable communications terminal to establish a communication link between the workstation and the centralized server;

activate transmission of biometric data and biodata of an individual to be enrolled or identified by means of the established communication link to the remote centralized server;

receive from the centralized server by means of the established communication link identification of the plurality of databases containing biodata and/or biometric data stored at the centralized server matching or closely matching biometric data of an individual to be enrolled or identified received at the biometric data input system;

activate a display of said portable computer to present menus for a user to select specific functions based on the identified databases including search for and enroll an individual, search only for an individual for identification, and verify the enrollment of an individual; and

activate the display based on the selected specific function to present to a user the identified databases for evaluation of an individual for enrollment, verification of enrollment, or identification from the identified databases having a defined meaning related to the received biodata and/or biometric data for an individual.

2. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising said computer programmed to initiate said communications terminal to receive from the centralized server over said communication link biometric information stored at said centralized server that matches or closely matches the input biometric data transmitted from said workstation to the centralized server.

3. The workstation of claim 1 further comprising said computer programmed to initiate said communications terminal to receive from the centralized server over said communication link information indicating that no stored biometric information at the centralized server matches or closely matches the input biometric data transmitted from said workstation to the centralized server.

4. The workstation of claim 1 wherein:

the input biometric data comprises input fingerprint data;

the stored biometric data comprises stored fingerprint data; and

said computer comprises programming to initiate said communications terminal to receive from the centralized server over the communication link stored fingerprint information matching or closely matching the input fingerprint data transmitted to the centralized server from said workstation.

5. The workstation of claim 1 wherein:

the input biometric data comprises input photographic data;

the stored biometric data comprises stored photographic data; and

said computer programmed to initiate said communications terminal to receive from the centralized server over the communication link stored photographic information matching or closely matching the input photographic data transmitted to the centralized server from said workstation.

6. A distributed biometric enrolling and identification system for enrolling and identification of individuals by a user of a stand-alone workstation, the enrolling and identification system comprising a centralized server having a plurality of databases each having a defined meaning related to the individuals to be enrolled or identified and one or more stand-alone workstations in communication with the centralized server, wherein one or more of said stand-alone workstations comprise:

a portable computer;

a fingerprint scanner coupled to said portable computer, said fingerprint scanner receiving input fingerprint information of an individual to be enrolled or identified and providing said input fingerprint information to said computer;

a camera coupled to said portable computer, said camera receiving input photographic information of an individual to be enrolled or identified and providing said input photographic information to said computer;

a user input terminal for enabling a user to input to the portable computer non-biometric data (biodata) of an individual to be enrolled or identified;

a portable communications terminal coupled to said portable computer;

said communications terminal initiating the establishment of a communication link between said workstation and the centralized server remotely located from said workstation, at least a portion of said communications link comprising a wireless communications link;

said portable computer programmed to;

control said portable communications terminal to establish a communication link between the workstation and the centralized server;

activate transmission of biometric data and biodata of an individual to be enrolled or identified by means of the established communication link to the remote centralized server;

receive from the centralized server by means of the established communication link identification of the plurality of databases containing biodata and/or biometric data stored at the centralized server matching or closely matching biometric data of an individual to be enrolled or identified received at the fingerprint scanner or the camera;

activate a display of said portable computer to present menus for a user to select specific functions based on the identified databases including search for and enroll an individual, search only for an individual to be identified, and verify the enrollment of an individual; and

activate the display based on the selected specific function to present to the user one or more identified databases for evaluation of an individual for enrollment, verification of enrollment, or identification from the one or more identified databases having a defined meaning related to the received biodata and/or biometric data for an individual.