United States Patent [19]
`Lane
`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll 1111111111111111111111111111111 11111111 1111
`US005623552A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`5,623,552
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`[54] SELF-AUTHENTICATING IDENTIFICATION
`CARD WITH FINGERPRINT
`IDENTIFICATION
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: William F. Lane, Wilson, N.C.
`
`[73] Assignee: CardGuard International, Inc.,
`Wilson, N.C.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 515,151
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Aug. 15, 1995
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 184,q86, Jan. 21, 1994, abandoned.
`Int. Cl.6
`....................................................... G06K 9/00
`U.S. CI . ...................... 382/124; 340/825.34; 235/492
`Field of Search ............................. 3821124; 235/380,
`235/492; 902/3, 4, 5; 340/825.34
`
`[51]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,673,331
`3,812,461
`3,940,795
`4,202,120
`4,253,086
`4,256,955
`4,353,056
`4,455,083
`4,471,343
`4,575,621
`4,582,985
`4,614,861
`4,667,087
`4,677,657
`
`6/1972 Hair et al. ............................. 179115 B
`511974 Lemelson ............................ 340/149 A
`2/1976 Lemelson ................................ 360/101
`5/1980 Engel ........................................ 356171
`2/1981 Szwarcbier ................................ 356/71
`3/1981 Giraud et al ............................ 235/380
`10/1982 Tsikos .............................. 340/146.3 E
`6/1984 Elmes ........................................ 356171
`9/1984 Lemelson ................................ 340/571
`3/1986 Dreifus ........................... ; ........ 235/380
`4/1986 Lofberg .............................. 340/825.34
`9/1986 Pavlov et al ............................ 235/380
`5/1987 Quitana ................................... 235/380
`6/1987 Nagata et al. ..................... 340/825.34
`
`7/1988 Fukaya .................................... 235/379
`4,760,245
`4,782,455 11/1988 Morinouchi et al. ................... 235/380
`4,802,218
`1/1989 Wright et al. ............................. 380/23
`9/1989 Imran et al ............................. 235/492
`4,864,115
`5/1990 Benton et al ........................... 364/408
`4,926,325
`111991 Froelich .................................... 356171
`4,983,036
`4,995,086
`2/1991 Lilley et al. ....................... 340/825 .34
`5,321,765
`6/1994 Costello ...................................... 382/4
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0313288 12/1988
`Japan ......................................... 902/3
`Primary Examiner-Jose L. Couso
`Assistant Examiner-Anh Hong Do
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A self-authenticating identification card includes a finger(cid:173)
`print sensor for authenticating the identity of a user. An ID
`card memory permanently stores information related to a
`fingerprint of the card user. An on-card authenticator com(cid:173)
`pares information related to a sensed fingerprint with the
`stored fingerprint information and produces an authentica(cid:173)
`tion signal if the sensed fingerprint information matches the
`stored fingerprint information. An audio generator is pref(cid:173)
`erably included in the card for transmitting a predetermined
`audio signal to a speaker if a match is sensed. A second
`memory, in the form of a programmable magnetic stripe,
`may be included on the card for storing account information
`related to the card user. A magnetic stripe programmer is
`then used for loading predetermined account information
`into the programmable magnetic stripe if the sensed finger(cid:173)
`print information matches the stored fingerprint information.
`Account information is automatically cleared from the pro(cid:173)
`grammable magnetic stripe after a predetermined elapsed
`time.
`
`29 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`FINGERPRINT
`SENSOR
`102
`
`!.----=-----~
`
`: DISPLAY
`! '----1=0""'5;.;A===C...._~
`,.-----------.
`: SPEAKER
`! ,___ ...... 1.,.1 __ 1 __ ~
`! ..---A-U__._D_I 0-~
`! GENERATOR
`! ..._ __ 1_0_8 __ __,
`
`I
`
`L------------r-----~
`
`105_/
`
`ACTIVATOR
`1Q4
`
`MEMORY
`103
`
`CONTROLLER
`106
`AUTHENTICATOR
`107
`
`MAGNETIC STRIPE
`PROGRAMMER 110
`MAGNETIC STRIPE Jilli
`
`IPR2017-00430
`UNIFIED EX1011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 1of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`100
`
`101
`
`/
`
`100
`
`101
`
`/
`
`102
`
`111
`
`FIG. 1 A.
`
`Fl { \
`I G. 1 B.
`
`I ACTIVA.TOR I
`104 l __
`
`MEMORY
`103
`
`~------------------~
`
`i--t----1
`
`CONTROLLER
`106
`_AUTHENTICATOR
`107
`
`FINGERPRINT
`SENSOR
`102
`! ~D-IS-P-LA-Y~_,
`:
`105A-C
`j SPEAKER
`:
`111
`i
`T
`:
`AUDIO
`i
`J GENERA TOR -f-
`1 OS
`J r---"M_A_G_N_E-Tl_._C_S_T_R_I P-E~
`2. L-------1-0-S~T------' M:;NoEGT~~Ms~~~Pff og
`FIG. - - - - -
`
`I
`
`J
`
`USER
`INPUT 124
`MAGNETIC STRIPE
`READER 121
`AUDIO RECEIVER
`122
`
`TRANSMITTER
`123
`CONTROLLER
`128
`RECEIVER
`126
`
`APPROVAL
`CENTER
`125
`
`/
`
`FIG. 3.
`
`)
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 2of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`\
`
`\
`
`FIG. 4.
`
`102
`
`115
`
`THUMB
`
`FIG. 5.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 3of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`117
`
`FIG. 6.
`
`141 b
`
`141 i
`
`141 h
`
`141 c
`
`l
`>----- COMPUTER -- 141 g
`t
`
`PIXEL
`141 a
`
`141 d
`
`141 e
`
`141 f
`
`Fl G. 7.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 4of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`PIXEL
`COMPUTER
`141 a
`
`141 e
`
`141f
`
`w
`f--
`<(
`f--c.n
`0:::
`0
`m
`I
`(_'.)
`w
`z
`
`__J w x -o_o
`
`2
`
`5
`7
`6
`4
`3
`PIXEL NEIGHBOR
`NUMBER
`FIG. 8.
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 5of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000001111111111110000000000000000
`000000000000000000001111111111111111111111110000000
`00000 1 111111 1 11 1 100 11 1 11111 11 111 111111 11 1 1 11 1110000
`0000 1111111111 11 11111111111111111111111111111111000
`000111111111111111111111000000000011111111111111000
`001111111111111111111000000000000000000000011110000
`001111111000000111110000000001111000000000000000000
`001111110000001111100000000011111110000000001100000
`001111110001111111000000000111111111111111111110000
`001111110011111110000000001111111111111111111111000
`001111100011111100000000011111000111111111111111000
`001111000011111000000000111110000011111111111110000
`001111000111110000000000111100000000000000000000000
`000110001111110000000000111100000000000000000110000
`000000001111110001100000111100001111111111111111000
`000000001111000011110000111100011111111111111111000
`000000011111000011110001111000011111111111111110000
`000000011110000011110001111000011111111111100000000
`000000011110000111110001111000111110000000000000000
`000000111110000111100001111000111100000000000000000
`000000111100000111100001111000111100000000000000000
`000000111100000111100001111000111110000000000000000
`000001111100000111100001111000011110000000000000000
`000001111000000111100001111000011110000000000000000
`000001111000000111100001111000011111000000000000000
`000001111000000111100001111100001111100000000000000
`000001111000000111100001111100001111100000000000000
`000011111000000111100011111100000111100000000000000
`000011110000000111100011111110000111111100000000000
`000011110000000111100011111110000011111111111000000
`000011110000001111100011111110000001111111111100000
`000011110000001111000011111110000000111111111110000
`000011110000001111000011111110000000000111111110000
`000011110000011111000011111111000000000000001100000
`000111110000011110000011111111100000000000000000000
`000111100000011110000011110111110000000000000000000
`000111100000111110000011110011111000000000000000000
`001111100001111100000011110001111100000000000000000
`001111100001111000000011110000111111100111111110000
`001111100001111000000111110000011111111111111111000
`001111000011111000001111100000001111111111111111000
`000110000011110000011111000000000111111111111110000
`000000000001100000011110000000000000111100000000000
`000000000000000000001100000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`FIG. 9.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 6of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`PIXEL
`NO
`i-.----iv ALUE == 1
`
`'?
`
`YES
`COUNT PULSES
`
`SET PIXEL VALUE -
`
`0
`
`FIG. 10.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 7of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000001111111111110000000000000000
`000000000000000000001111000000000011111111110010000
`00000000111J111100011000000000000000000000011110000
`000000011000000100110000000000000000000000000000000
`000000010000000101100000000000000000000000000000000
`000000010000000111000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000110000001100000000000000000000000000000010000
`000001100000011100000000000001111110000000000110000
`000001000000010000000000000011000011111111111100000
`000011000000010000000000000110000000000000000000000
`000000000000110000000000000100000000000000000000000
`000000000001100000000000000100000000000000000010000
`000000000001000000000000000100000000000000000110000
`000000000001000000000000000100000000000000111100000
`000000000011000000000000001100000011111111100000000
`000000000010000000000000001000000010000000000000000
`000000000010000001000000001000000110000000000000000
`000000000110000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000000100000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000000100000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000001100000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000001000000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000001000000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000001000000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000001000000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000011000000001000000001000000100000000000000000
`000000010000000001000000001000000110000000000000000
`000000010000000001000000001000000011000000000000000
`000000010000000011000000001000000001100000000000000
`000000010000000010000000001000000000111100000000000
`000000010000000010000000001000000000000111111100000
`000000010000000110000000001000000000000000000000000
`000000110000000100000000011100000000000000000000000
`000000100000000100000000010110000000000000000000000
`000000100000001100000000010011000000000000000000000
`000000100000011000000000010001100000000000000000000
`000000100000010000000000010000110000000000000000000
`000001100000010000000000110000011000000000000000000
`000011000000110000000001100000001100000000000010000
`000000000001100000000011000000000111100111111110000
`000000000000000000000110000000000000111100000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`Fl G. 11 .
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 8of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`YES
`COUNT PULSES
`
`YES
`STORE BRANCH
`LOCATION
`
`FIG. 12A.
`
`YES
`COUNT PULSES
`
`YES
`STORE END
`LOCATION
`
`FIG. 128.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 9of11
`
`5,623,552
`
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000100000000000000000000000000000000000 .
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000001000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000·
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
`FIG. 13.
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`5,623,552
`
`204
`
`SENSE
`FINGERPRINT
`205
`
`211
`IS
`DISPLAY NO THERE A
`NO MATCH
`FINGERPRINT
`-RED LED
`MATCH
`?
`
`210
`
`206
`
`207
`
`208
`
`YES
`PRODUCE·
`AUTHENTICATION
`SIGNAL-GREEN
`LED
`
`PRODUCE
`CODE TONE
`
`PROGRAM.
`MAGNETIC
`STRIPE
`START TIMER
`
`201
`SENSE
`FINGERPRINT
`
`STORE
`FINGERPRINT
`INFORMATION
`IN MEMORY
`
`PRODUCE
`VERIFICATION
`SIGNAL
`-YELLOW
`LED
`
`202
`
`203
`
`FIG. 1 4.
`
`YES
`CLEAR
`MAGNETIC
`STRIPE
`
`209
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 22, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`5,623,552
`
`. 220 ~
`
`AUTHORIZATION DEVICE
`SENSES MAGNETIC
`STRIPE DATA
`
`'
`'
`
`AUTHORIZATION DEVICE
`221 ~
`TRANSMITS MAGNETIC STRIPE
`DATA TO APPROVAL CENTER
`
`222
`~ AUTHORIZATION DEV1CE
`SENSES AUDIO SIGNAL DATA
`t
`AUTHORIZATION DEVICE
`223 ~
`TRANSMITS AUDIO SIGNAL
`DATA TO APPROVAL CENTER
`t
`APPROVAL CENTER
`224
`~ TRANSMITS APPROVAL
`SIGNAL TO AUTHORIZATION
`DEVICE
`
`FIG. 15.
`
`

`

`5,623,552
`
`1
`SELF-AUTHENTICATING IDENTIFICATION
`CARD WITH FINGERPRINT
`IDENTIFICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 5
`08/184,686, filed Jan. 21, 1994, now abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`operate them, dramatically increase the costs and complex(cid:173)
`ity associated with an identification card system. In addition,
`security can still be breached, either by scanning a magnetic
`stripe or recording the account information printed on the
`card. Thus, even with identity proving features, many credit
`cards may still be used fraudulently over the telephone or for
`other electronic purchases.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to the field of identification cards, 10
`and more particularly to a self-authenticating identification
`card.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`l5
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`an identification card which does not require external equip(cid:173)
`ment for identity verification.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide an
`identification card that can protect account information.
`These and other objects according to the invention ·are
`Proving one's identity is necessary for a variety of rea-
`provided by a self-authenticating identification card which
`sons. Drivers licenses, social security cards, employee iden-
`allows the card itself to authenticate the identity of the user.
`tification cards, and credit cards are all designed for par-
`The card includes a fingerprint sensor for authenticating the
`ticular Uses. In many instances, however, multiple forms of
`identity of a user. An ID card memory permanently stores
`identification are necessary. For example, when cashing a 20
`information related to a fingerprint of the card user. Prefer-
`check, one may be required to show a drivers license and a
`ably, an activator is electrically connected to the fingerprint
`major credit card. Multiple ID requirements illustrate the
`sensor and the memory for initiating the storage of infor-
`nature of a significant problem, identification cards as a
`mation related to a fingerprint in the card memory. A
`whole are not always trustworthy. Unfortunately, picture
`bearing identification cards are only as effective as the 25 verification device on the card may then indicate that the
`picture they bear. An identification card may be rejected and
`fingerprint information has been successfully stored in the
`prove itself useless, if one grows a full beard, otherwise
`memory. In an alternative embodiment, the memory can be
`changes a hair style, loses weight, gains weight, etc.
`preloaded with a user's fingerprint information.
`In addition, many identification cards have no picture or
`A self-authenticating identification card also preferably
`other authentication means. For most cards without a pie- 30
`contains an authenticator, electrically connected to the fin(cid:173)
`ture, merely bearing and presenting the card is identification
`gerpaint sensor and the memory, for comparing information
`enough. However, identification cards of this type are woe(cid:173)
`related to a sensed fingerprint from the on-card fingerprint
`fully inadequate. The credit card industry, for example, loses
`sensor, with the stored fingerprint information, and for
`tens of millions of dollars every year in credit card fraud.
`producing an authentication signal if the sensed fingerprint
`Thieves wreak havoc when credit cards, welfare cards, or 35
`information matches the stored fingerprint information.
`other account bearing cards are stolen.
`The identification card may include a visual display,
`It is known to use fingerprints in conjunction with an
`responsive to the verification device, for visually indicating
`identification card to verify ownership of the card at the
`that the information related to a fingerprint has been suc(cid:173)
`point of said. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,086 to
`cessfully stored in the memory. The visual display may also
`40 be responsive to the authentication signai for indicating that
`Szwarcbier discloses a credit card having a fingerprint stored
`the sensed fingerprint information matches the stored fin(cid:173)
`thereon for later verification that the holder is indeed the true
`owner of the card. The fingerprint may be recorded using
`gerprint information.
`mechanical steps wherein the fingerprint is first taken using
`A speaker may also be included, responsive to the veri(cid:173)
`a stamp pad and paper. The image is then enlarged, retraced
`fication device, for audibly indicating that the fingerprint
`to form clean lines, reduced to its normal size, and stored On 45
`information of the ID card user has been successfully stored
`the identification card, preferably in mirror reverse form. A
`in the memory. The speaker is also preferably responsive to
`fresh print is compared to the stored master print using a
`the authentication signal for indicating that the sensed
`viewer projector, episcope, or computer.
`fingerprint information matches the stored fingerprint infor-
`mation. An audio generator is preferably included in the card
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,621 to Dreifus discloses an identifi- 50
`cation card having a programmable data processor, a fixed
`for transmitting a predetermined audio signal to the speaker
`memory to store various information, and light emitting
`if the sensed fingerprint information matches the stored
`diodes (LEDs) for optically communicating with a corre(cid:173)
`fingerprint information.
`sponding terminal. The memory may include retinal patterns
`A second memory, preferably in the form of a program(cid:173)
`or fingerprints for comparison to user characteristics by a 55
`mable magnetic stripe, may be included on the card for
`terminal at the point of sale.
`storing account information related to the card user. A
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,036 to Froelich discloses a "smart"
`magnetic stripe programmer is then used for loading prede(cid:173)
`credit card which may include the complete records of an
`termined account information into the programmable mag(cid:173)
`netic stripe if the sensed fingerprint information matches the
`individual's bank balance, and their transactions, so that a
`stored fingerprint information. A clearing circuit is prefer(cid:173)
`merchant can confirm a balance based on the information 60
`stored on the card itself. The card includes a fingerprint
`ably included for automatically clearing account informa-
`exemplar which is compared with a print taken on a treated
`tion from the programmable magnetic stripe after a prede(cid:173)
`termined elapsed tiip.e.
`paper carrier. The two images are optically compared in a
`reader using autocorrelation to confirm a match.
`The invention permits the permanent encoding of one's
`fingerprint onto an identification card in an uncomplicated
`The above cited references using fingerprint identification 65
`fashion. At a subsequent point in time, the card can recog(cid:173)
`need to operate in conjunction with some form of separate
`nize the stored fingerprint in order to ensure that only a
`fingerprint scanner. Separate scanners, and the knowledge to
`
`

`

`5,623,552
`
`5
`
`4
`rization device then transmits the sensed data to an approval
`center. The approval center may then transmit an approval
`signal for a transaction to the authorization device, upon
`approval of the transaction.
`The identification card and the associated approval system
`thus protects the individual card holder, any sales establish(cid:173)
`ment, and the organization which sponsors the card. Card
`holders would have no interest in retaining their card if
`approached by a thief, and thieves would have less motiva-
`tion to practice their trade if they knew the results of their
`work would likely be for naught. For their part, stores and
`credit companies would finally have a stable mode of
`compensation for their goods and services. Accordingly,
`security of accurate identification and the protection of
`15 account information is profoundly increased.
`
`10
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`35
`
`3
`rightful holder uses the card. Only upon the production of an
`authentication signal will the preferred card load account
`information into the card's programmable magnetic stripe.
`Any other fingerprint will fail in an attempt to obtain a
`verification or authentication signal. Thus, positive identi-
`fication with one identification card is now available. In
`addition, the same card protects valuable account informa(cid:173)
`tion.
`An identification card authorization device, for use with a
`self-authenticating ID card according to the invention,
`includes a magnetic stripe reader, an audio receiver, and a
`transmitter. The magnetic stripe reader scans the magnetic
`stripe of an identification card and generates a magnetic
`stripe signal. The audio receiver receives an audio signal
`from the speaker of an identification card. The transmitter is
`electrically connected to the magnetic stripe reader and the
`audio receiver for transmitting both the magnetic stripe
`signal and the audio signal to an approval center, typically
`over telephone lines. The authorization device preferably
`includes a user input device for entering a transaction 20
`amount. The transmitter is also responsive to the user input
`for transmitting a transaction amount to the approval center
`with the magnetic stripe signal and the audio signal. The
`authorization device may also include a receiver for receiv(cid:173)
`ing a verification signal from an approval center and an 25
`indicator for signifying that an identification card has been
`approved for a transaction.
`An approval system, for approving a transaction involv(cid:173)
`ing a self-authenticating ID card, includes a central approval
`center and an identification card authorization device, as 30
`described herein. The central approval center includes an
`approval system for receiving signals from a card authori(cid:173)
`zation device and for approving transactions. Thus, the
`approval system transmits an authorization signal to the
`authorization device upon authorization.
`Accordingly, a preferred method of using an identification
`card includes the steps of sensing information related to a
`fingerprint which is impressed upon the identification card,
`electronically storing information related to the sensed fin(cid:173)
`gerprint, and producing a verification signal indicating that
`the sensed fingerprint information has been successfully
`electronically stored. The step of producing a verification
`signal may include displaying a visual verification signal or
`generating an audible verification signal.
`After a user stores fingerprint information, or if finger-
`print information has been preloaded into the card memory,
`a preferred method of self-authentication includes the steps
`of sensing information related to a fingerprint which is
`impressed upon the identification card, comparing the
`sensed fingerprint information with the electronically stored
`fingerprint information, and producing an authentication
`signal if the information related to the sensed fingerprint
`matches the electronically stored fingerprint information.
`The step of producing an authentication signal may include
`displaying a visual authentication signal or generating an
`audible authentication signal. An audible authentication
`signal may be a predetermined coded audio signal.
`If the identification card includes a programmable mag(cid:173)
`netic stripe, then the authentication signal is preferably 60
`followed by the step of loading predetermined account
`information into the programmable magnetic stripe. The
`account information is later cleared from the magnetic stripe
`after a predetermined elapsed time to prevent unauthorized
`use.
`The authorization device senses magnetic stripe data and
`audio signals from a self-authenticating ID card. The autho-
`
`FlGS. lA & 1B illustrate top and bottom vi~ws of a
`self-authenticating identification card according to the
`invention.
`FlG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a self-authenticating
`ID card according to the invention.
`FlG. 3 illustrates an identification card authorization
`device and an approval center according to the invention.
`FlG. 4 illustrates a fingerprint sensor for the identification
`card of FlG. 1.
`FlG. 5 illustrates fingerprint ridge detectors for the fin(cid:173)
`gerprint sensor of FlG. 4.
`FlG. 6 illustrates "line endings" and "branches" of a
`fingerprint.
`FlG. 7 illustrates a pixel computer according to the
`invention.
`FlG. 8 illustrates a "waveform" generated by a pixel
`computer.
`FlG. 9 illustrates simulated fingerprint data including line
`endings and branches.
`FlG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the pixel
`40 computer of FlG. 7.
`FlG. 11 illustrates the outcome of manipulating the data
`illustrated in FlG. 9 by the operations illustrated in FlG. 10.
`FlGS. 12A and 12B are flowcharts illustrating operations
`of a pixel computer for determining the locations of "line
`endings" and "branches".
`FlG. 13 illustrates the locations of branches found after
`manipulating the simulated data shown in FlG. 11 under the
`operations illustrated in FlG. 12.
`FlG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using a
`self-authenticating ID card according to the invention.
`FlG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a method of approving
`a self-authenticating ID card according.to the invention for
`a transaction.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention will now be described more fully
`hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.
`Although the term "identification card" is used throughout
`the specification, this term is meant to include both cards
`whose purpose is purely identification, such as drivers
`licenses, and diverse other cards used for additional pur(cid:173)
`poses as well, such as credit cards. This invention may,
`however, be embodied in many different forms and should
`
`65
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`

`

`5,623,552
`
`5
`not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
`herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
`disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully
`convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
`Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
`An identification card according to the invention, referred
`to generally by 100, is illustrated in FIGS. lA & 1B and FIG.
`2. A card body, or substrate 101, carries a fingerprint sensor
`102 and a memory 103 for storing information related to a
`fingerprint of the card user. As shown in FIG. 4, the 10
`fingerprint sensor 102 senses information related to a fin(cid:173)
`gerprint using a multitude of small capacitors to detect the
`ridges and valleys of a fingerprint. One sensor of this type
`is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,056 to Tsikos, the
`disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by 15
`reference. The operation of the fingerprint sensor 102 is
`discussed in greater detail below. The memory 103 is
`contained within the substrate 101 and is electrically con(cid:173)
`nected to the fingerprint sensor 102. An embedded fiat
`battery (not shown) supplies power to the card.
`An activator 104 is electrically connected to the finger(cid:173)
`print sensor 102 and the memory 103 for initiating finger(cid:173)
`print information storage upon activation thereof. The acti(cid:173)
`vator 104 may be a separate pressure sensitive pad, as shown
`in FIG. lA, or it may be incorporated in the fingerprint 25
`sensor 102, so that placing a finger 115 on the fingerprint
`sensor 102 triggers the identification card 100. A verification
`device 105 is electrically connected to the memory 103, as
`_shown in FIG. 2, for indicating that the information related
`to a fingerprint has been successfully stored in the memory 30
`103. The verification device 105 may include a visual
`display 105A, such as a yellow LED. The verification device
`may also include a speaker 111 for audibly indicating, i.e.
`with a simple tone, that the information related to a finger(cid:173)
`print of the identification card user has been successfully 35
`stored in the memory 103.
`An authenticator 107 is electrically connected to the
`fingerprint sensor 102 and the memory 103 for comparing
`information related to a sensed fingerprint with the stored
`fingerprint information and for producing an authentication
`signal if the sensed fingerprint information matches the
`stored fingerprint information. The authenticator 107 may be
`triggered by the card activator 104, a separate switching
`mechanism (not shown), pressure on the fingerprint sensor
`102, or other triggers well known to those having skill in the
`art. Controller 106 controls operations of the card as will be
`described below.
`The verification device 105 may be responsive to the
`authentication signal for visually indicating that the sensed
`fingerprint information matches the stored fingerprint infor(cid:173)
`mation, for example with a green LED 105B. Similarly, the
`speaker 111 may be responsive to the authentication signal
`for audibly indicating that the sensed fingerprint information
`matches the stored fingerprint information. In some appli(cid:173)
`cations, it may be desirable for an audio generator 108 to be
`electrically coupled to the speaker 111 and responsive to the
`authentication signal for transmitting a predetermined audio
`signal to the speaker 111 if a match occurs. A coded audio
`signal may be one way to transmit a security code or account
`information.
`For credit-type cards, a second memory, preferably in the
`form of a magnetic stripe 109, may be carried by the
`substrate 101 for stor