Method for identity verification

• US 7,961,917 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2005
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States CP LLC
• Original Assignee: Pen-One Inc.
• Inventors: Black, Gerald R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Duy M
• Application Number:
  US11/102,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20050180618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,255 Days
• Field of Search: 382115-116, 382119-124, 382/312, 382/313, 382/314, 345/157, 345/179, 713/186
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The method for identity verification employs biometric technology. Positioned at the center of the system is a stylus with any of a number of biometric properties or their combination or with one or more metric sensors, while the customer uses the stylus to sign his/her name, or even for writing anything. The identity verification system is used at point-of-sale terminals, in various closed environments, to access a computer network, in applications involving pen-based computers and smart-pens, and for e-commerce. When fingerprint sensors are used, the sensors are positioned in the stylus grip, one sensor for the index finger, and a second sensor for the thumb. In one variation, one-to-one biometric matching is used. Each participant carries on his/her person a device that includes an encrypted biometric for reference purposes to gain access Into the system. Processing is simplified since the system need only make a “MATCH” or “NO MATCH” decision. In a second variation that is particularly useful in closed environments, one-to-many biometric matching is used. During each event access request, the community of reference prints is searched for a match with the applicant. Each member of the community need carry nothing on his/her person to participate in the system. In either variation, the stylus is either attached to each site or is portable, one such stylus being carried by each participant.

Claims

1. A method for verifying identity for a payment, the method comprising:

a. initiating the processing of a payment for goods or services, confirmation of the payment requiring a user signature image, the user signature image being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;

b. capturing the user signature image that is generated;

c. capturing a user fingerprint image, the user fingerprint image being captured by touching the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus used to generate the user signature image being used to capture the user fingerprint image;

d. comparing the user fingerprint image to a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration; and

e. comparing the user signature image to a first reference signature image, the first reference signature image being captured during the registration;

whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the first reference fingerprint image, and the comparison of the user signature image to the first reference signature image are used to verify user identity; and

whereby processing of the payment proceeds once the user identity is verified.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein payment processing is denied absent a match between the user fingerprint image to the first reference fingerprint image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein payment processing is denied absent a match between the user signature image and the first reference signature image.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing the user fingerprint image to a second reference fingerprint image, the second reference fingerprint image being captured during another registration, whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the second reference fingerprint image is used to verify user identity.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing another user biometric image to another reference biometric image, the another reference biometric image being captured during a registration, whereby the comparison of the another user biometric image to the another reference biometric image is used to verify user identity.

6. A method for verifying identity for request, the method comprising:

a. initiating the processing of the request, confirmation of the request requiring a user signature image, the user signature image being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;

b. capturing the user signature image that is generated;

c. capturing a user fingerprint image, the user fingerprint image being captured by touching the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus used to generate the user signature image being used to capture the user fingerprint image;

d. comparing the user fingerprint image to a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration; and

e. comparing the user signature image to a first reference signature image, the first reference signature image being captured during the registration;

whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the first reference fingerprint image, and the comparison of the user signature image to the first reference signature image are used to verify user identity; and

whereby processing of the request proceeds once the user identity has been verified.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein payment processing is denied absent a match between the user fingerprint image to the first reference fingerprint image.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein processing of the request is denied absent a match between the user signature image and the first reference signature image.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising comparing the user fingerprint image to a second reference fingerprint image, the second reference fingerprint image being captured during another registration, whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the second reference fingerprint image is used to verify user identity.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising comparing another user biometric image to another reference biometric image, the another reference biometric image being captured during a registration, whereby the comparison of the another user biometric image to the another reference biometric image is used to verify user identity.

11. A method for verifying identity for a request, the method comprising:

a. initiating the processing of the request, confirmation of the request requiring a user signature image and a first user primary identifier, the user signature image being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;

b. capturing a user fingerprint image, the user fingerprint image being captured by touching the first fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus used to generate the user signature image being used to capture the user fingerprint image;

c. capturing a user primary identifier;

d. comparing the user fingerprint image and to a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration; and

e. comparing the user primary identifier to a first reference primary identifier, the first reference primary identifier being captured during the registration;

whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image and the reference fingerprint image, and the comparison of the user primary identifier with the first reference primary identifier are used to verify user identity; and

whereby processing of the request proceeds once the user identity has been verified.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising comparing the user fingerprint image to a second reference fingerprint image, the second reference fingerprint image being captured during a second registration, whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the second reference fingerprint image is used to verify user identity.

13. The Method of claim 11, further comprising comparing the first user primary identifier to a second reference primary identifier, the second reference primary identifier being captured during a registration process.

14. The method of claim 11, the primary identifier is an imprinted name on a card, an imprinted PAN on a card, information stored in a magnetic stripe of a card, or information stored in a smart card.

15. A method for verifying identity for a request, the method comprising:

a. initiating the processing of the request, confirmation of the request requiring a user signature image, the user signature image being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;

b. capturing a user fingerprint image, the user fingerprint image being captured by touching the fingerprint sensor in the stylus;

c. capturing a first user metric, the first user metric being captured while the user signature image is being generated, the stylus being used to generate the user signature image being used to capture the user fingerprint image;

d. comparing the user fingerprint image to a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration; and

e. comparing the first user metric to a first reference metric, the first reference metric being captured during the registration;

whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the first reference fingerprint image, and the comparison of the first user metric to the first reference metric are used to verify user identity; and

whereby processing of the request proceeds once the user identity has been verified.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising comparing the user fingerprint image to a second reference fingerprint image, the second reference fingerprint image being captured during another registration, whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the second reference fingerprint image is used to verify user identity.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising comparing the first user metric to a second reference metric, the second reference metric being captured during another registration, whereby the comparison of the first user metric to the second reference metric is used to verify user identity.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first user metric is stroke speed, time duration, deceleration, or point pressure.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising capturing a second user metric while the user signature image is being generated, comparing the second user metric to a second reference metric, the second reference metric being captured during the registration, the comparison of the second user metric to the second reference metric being used to verify user identity.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the request is for payment of goods or services.

21. A method for verifying identity for a request, the method comprising:

a. initiating the processing of the request, confirmation of the request requiring a user signature image, the user signature image being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;

b. capturing a user fingerprint image, the user fingerprint image being captured by touching the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus used to generate the user signature image being used to capture the user fingerprint image;

c. capturing first user biometric image, the first user biometric image being different from the fingerprint image, the first user biometric image being captured while the request is being submitted;

d. comparing the user fingerprint image to a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration; and

e. comparing the first user biometric image to a first reference biometric image, the first reference biometric image;

being captured during the registration;

whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the first reference fingerprint image, and the comparison of the first user biometric image to the first reference biometric image are used to verify user identity; and

whereby processing of the request proceeds once the user identity has been verified.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising comparing the user fingerprint image to a second reference fingerprint image, the second reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration, whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the second reference fingerprint image is used to verify user identity.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising comparing the first user biometric image to a second reference biometric image, the second reference signature image being captured during a registration, whereby the comparison of the user signature image to the second reference signature image is used to verify user identity.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the request is for payment of goods or services.

25. A method for verifying identity for a request, the method comprising:

a. initiating the processing of the request, confirmation of the request requiring a user signature image and a first user PIN or password, the user signature image being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;

b. capturing a user fingerprint image, the user fingerprint image being captured by touching the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus used to generate the user signature image being used to capture the user fingerprint image;

c. capturing the first user PIN or password;

d. comparing the user fingerprint image to a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration; and

e. comparing the first user PIN or password to a first reference PIN or password, the first reference PIN or password being captured during the registration;

whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the first reference fingerprint image, and the comparison of the first user PIN or password to the first reference PIN or password are used to verify user identity; and

whereby processing of the request proceeds once the user identity has been verified.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising comparing the user fingerprint image to a second reference fingerprint image, the second reference fingerprint image being captured during a second registration, whereby the comparison of the user fingerprint image to the second reference fingerprint image is used to verify user identity.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising comparing the first user PIN or password to a second reference PIN or password, the second reference PIN or password being captured during a registration process.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the request is for payment of goods or services.