(12) United States Patent
`Hamid et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,877,097 B2
`Apr. 5, 2005
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 111111111111111 1111111111 1111111111 111111111111111111
`
`
`
`
`
`US006877097B2
`
`(54) SECURITY ACCESS METHOD AND
`APPARATUS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Larry Hamid, Ottawa (CA); Derek
`Bouius, Ottawa (CA); Albert Hum,
`Ottawa (CA)
`
`(73) Assignee: ActivCard, Inc., Fremont, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 913 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/812,833
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 21, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0138767 Al Sep. 26, 2002
`
`Int. Cl.7 . ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... . H04L 9/32
`U.S. Cl. ....................... 713/186; 713/200; 713/202;
`713/182; 713/185; 382/115; 382/124; 382/116;
`382/125; 340/5.8; 340/5.82; 340/10.42;
`340/523; 340/541; 340/572.4; 902/3; 705/5;
`705/54; 707/3; 707/6
`Field of Search ................................. 713/186, 185,
`713/200, 201, 202, 182; 382/115, 116,
`124, 125; 340/5.8, 5.82, 10.42, 541, 572.4,
`572.7, 523; 902/3; 707/3, 6; 705/54, 5
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,047,281 A * 4/2000 Wilson et al.
`707/3
`.................
`6,122,394 A * 9/2000 Neukermans et al. ....... 382/124
`6,219,439 Bl * 4/2001 Burger
`.......................
`382/115
`6,311,272 Bl * 10/2001 Gressel .......................
`713/186
`
`6,317,544 Bl * 11/2001 Diehl et al. ................. 385/115
`6,320,974 Bl * 11/2001 Glaze et al. ................ 382/115
`6,327,376 Bl * 12/2001 Harkin
`.......................
`382/124
`6,484,260 Bl * 11/2002 Scott et al. ................. 713/186
`6,628,810 Bl * 9/2003 Harkin
`.......................
`382/116
`6,720,874 B2 * 4/2004 Fufido et al. ............... 340/541
`6,751,734 Bl * 6/2004 Uchida .......................
`713/186
`6,798,898 Bl * 9/2004 Patton et al.
`............... 382/128
`* cited by examiner
`
`V. Hua
`Primary Examiner~y
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Freedman & Associates
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A portable biometric device enables a designated person to
`unlock any one portal exclusive of other portals of a secure
`entity and or a secure service by choosing which of their
`personal biometric characteristics is presented to the por(cid:173)
`table biometric device. The portable biometric device
`includes a biometric sensor such that a biometric character(cid:173)
`istic of a person for example a finger pattern is read
`dependent upon the person presenting the biometric char(cid:173)
`acteristic to the biometric sensor. The reading is encoded in
`order for a processor to determine if the biometric charac(cid:173)
`teristic has been predesignated for access via a predesig(cid:173)
`nated one of the plurality of portals. If so, the processor
`selects an appropriate authorization code which is commu(cid:173)
`nicated by wireless transmission for unlocking the predes(cid:173)
`ignated one of the portals, to the exclusion of any other of
`the portals. In an alternate example the processor is a central
`controller remote from the biometric device. The central
`controller is responsive to a wireless transmission of the
`encoded reading, from the portable biometric device, for
`determining which one if any of the predesignated portals is
`to be unlocked.
`
`24 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`52
`
`T
`R
`A
`N
`s
`C
`I
`E
`V
`E
`R
`
`56
`ENCODER
`~
`57
`RAM
`~
`I / 0 PORT
`
`(54
`
`DATA BUFFER
`
`~50
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`59
`
`p
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,877,097 B2
`
`.........
`....... .. .
`······· ... .
`........ .. , .. .
`
`49
`
`41
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`44
`
`22_)
`13
`Fig. 1
`
`Fig. 2a
`
`12
`-14
`
`32
`
`34
`
`52
`
`Fig. 2
`
`T
`R
`A
`N
`56
`ENCODER
`s
`~ C
`I
`5~
`RAM
`E
`V
`E
`R
`\_58
`
`I/ 0 PORT
`
`~54
`
`DATA BUFFER
`
`~50
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`F;9 . 3
`
`59
`
`p
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 5, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 6,877,097 B2
`
`DOOR 2
`
`0
`
`DOOR 1
`
`0
`
`DOOR 3
`
`0
`
`Fig. 4
`
`61
`
`DOOR 2
`
`DOOR 3
`
`(L2a
`0 G-
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`DOOR 1
`
`rl1a
`0 0--
`
`DISPLAY &
`KEYBOARD
`I
`PROCESSOR
`I
`ADMINISTATIOI
`I / 0 PORT
`
`f f\
`
`rL3a 63
`0 0-
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`Fig. 4a
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 5, 2005
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 6,877,097 B2
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`START RESPONSIVE TO USER ACTION
`
`79~--'----.-t
`.----------~
`
`,,,,---71
`CAPTURE A BIOMETRIC INFORMATION
`
`72
`ENCODE THE BIOMETRIC INFORMATION
`
`,,,,---73
`COMPARE THE ENCODED BIOMETRIC INFORMATION
`WITH A PREDEFINED DATA
`
`IS THERE A
`MATCH WITH A
`PREDEFINED
`DATA?
`
`Fig. 5
`
`,,,,---77
`,-----,..............,
`END
`
`TRANSMIT A CORRESPONDING AUTHORIZATION SIGNAL
`
`YES
`
`75
`
`-79
`
`END
`
`76
`
`NO
`
`Fig. Sa
`
`78
`
`T LEAST
`CRIBED NU
`CODED BIO
`FORMATIO
`
`YES
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 5, 2005
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 6,877,097 B2
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`Associate biometric characteristic
`with Function
`
`l ____
`r----
`1 wireles s Data I
`sfer
`:
`tran
`- - - -- _____
`
`l
`
`I
`I
`J
`
`Provide biometric chorocteristic(s)
`I
`-----------
`----------------
`: Process biometric characteristtc(s) to dete~i;;:
`associated Function
`•
`---------------r---------------
`
`:
`
`----1
`r----
`, wireless Data •
`I
`transfer
`,
`----------J
`
`l~iti~tio~ -c;d; -:
`:-P~~d; F~~ctt~~
`----------'
`~-- -------
`
`Execute Function
`
`END
`
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`US 6,877,097 B2
`
`1
`SECURITY ACCESS METHOD AND
`APPARATUS
`
`The present invention is in the field of machine auto(cid:173)
`mated security for permitting access to a service or a 5
`predefined area by a designated person or persons. More
`particularly
`the invention relates to a portable security
`device being responsive to a biometric characteristic of the
`designated person for communicating with a facility for
`permitting such access.
`
`2
`her finger on a plate or platen mounted on or nearby the door.
`A scanner scans the finger's print and if it matches prede(cid:173)
`posited information in the computer's memory, the door is
`unlocked.
`One disadvantage of biometric security systems is that the
`improved security offered by such systems is often over(cid:173)
`shadowed by the capital cost associated with purchase
`installation and administration. As such biometric security
`systems are typically limited to use in high-security areas,
`10 such as nuclear power plants and the like. Such systems are
`economically impractical for security in relation to small
`facilities such as multiple unit dwellings, or an individual
`residence, for example.
`Another disadvantage of all the security access systems so
`15 far reviewed is that of being vulnerable to being rendered
`inoperative by vandalism. For example, a keyway or card
`slot may be filled with some foreign substance rendering the
`lock inoperative and denying access to all. Furthermore any
`mounted publicly accessible card reader, keypad, keyboard,
`20 or platen of a biometric characteristic
`reader, may be
`smashed with a heavy instrument or otherwise rendered
`inoperative.
`One solution to the problem of vandalism has been to
`provide each user with a hand-held portable fingerprint
`recognition and transmission device, for example as dis(cid:173)
`closed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,977 to Scott et al. Their device
`includes a fingerprint scanner that encodes a fingerprint and
`sends the encoded fingerprint, via an infrared or a radio
`30 frequency transmitter, to a receiver in the secure item,
`facility or area. It is nonetheless necessary to have a central
`computer that analyzes the encoded fingerprint to allow
`recognition and authorization of an individual. The finger(cid:173)
`print scanner functions in conjunction with a keypad with
`35 several push buttons for selecting specific operations. By
`way of illustration one may consider for example, in com(cid:173)
`bination with the correctly acceptable fingerprint, one push
`button will open all the doors of a car, while another push
`button opens only the car's trunk. The keypad may also be
`40 used for activating the fingerprint scanner.
`The fingerprint scanner may be provided by a mechanism
`having a prism and a light source for reading the print of a
`finger or a thumb. The prism has a first or platen surface
`upon which a finger is placed. A second surface is disposed
`at an acute angle to the first surface to pass light reflected
`from the finger. A light is directed into the prism through a
`third or illuminated surface to illuminate the finger. Various
`examples of finger print reading devices using prisms are
`disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,109,427 and 5,187,482 and
`5,187,748 and 5,233,404.
`A capacitive array fingerprint sensor is disclosed in U.S.
`Pat. No. 4,353,056 issued to Tsikos on Oct. 5, 1982. The
`described sensor has a two dimensional, row and column,
`array of capacitors, each comprising a pair of spaced
`electrodes, carried in a sensing member and covered by an
`insulating film. The sensors rely upon deformation to the
`sensing member caused by a finger being placed thereupon
`so as to vary
`locally
`the spacing between capacitor
`electrodes, according to the ridge and trough pattern of the
`60 finger, and hence, the capacitance of the capacitors. In one
`arrangement, the capacitors of each column are connected in
`series with the columns of capacitors connected in parallel
`and a voltage is applied across the columns. In another
`arrangement, a voltage is applied to each individual capaci(cid:173)
`tor in the array. Sensing in the respective two arrangements
`is accomplished by detecting the change of voltage distri-
`bution in the series connected capacitors or by measuring the
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`A secure area or service is that to which a designated or
`authorised person is permitted to have entrance or access.
`One of the most reliable means for ensuring that access to a
`particular area or facility is limited to only those persons of
`proper authorization is that of operating a manned security
`station, for human recognition and verification of persons
`designated for entry and or egress. Operating a manned
`security stations is very expensive. Of lesser degrees of
`expense are other mechanical and or electrical locking
`devices intended to prevent a door or other object from being
`opened, moved, or operated.
`The oldest key-operated lock still in existence was found
`in the citadel of King Sargon II. The citadel was built in the 25
`Assyrian capital of Khorsabad in the late 700's B.C. Similar
`locks are shown in Egyptian art dating from about 2000 B.C.
`Akey-operated lock opens after a person inserts and turns
`the correct key. Such keys may be lost and such locks are
`sometimes of little deterrent to a practised and determined
`intruder.
`A combination lock is opened by pressing a series of
`buttons on a keypad or by turning a dial to the correct
`sequence of numbers or letters. However entry codes or
`combinations are often forgotten, as users have no reliable
`method of remembering them. A written record of a preset
`code, particularly if kept in close proximity to a keypad,
`tends to be self-defeating. Regular code changes may
`improve security but the nuisance for both users and admin(cid:173)
`istrators discourages such precaution.
`A password lock is similar to a combination lock but
`usually permits a user to determine their personal password.
`Most users choose passwords, which are easily remembered
`such as a birthday, a name of a pet or a nickname. A potential 45
`intruder with a little research into the backgrounds of a few
`designated users may derive a short list of potential pass(cid:173)
`words and hence many password systems may be accessed
`through a simple trial and error process.
`Some electronic locks are opened by inserting a specially 50
`coded "key card", that is cards or keys that have their codes
`on a microchip or a magnetic strip. A device reads the code
`and sends the information to a computer. If the code matches
`the one in the computer's memory, the locking mechanism
`is released. A potential intruder is usually discouraged by a 55
`key card reading security system, unless the intruder is in
`possession of a card which may have been sold, lost or
`stolen. Further, when there is no human monitored security
`at a particular portal, the unauthorized use of a key card is
`not detectable posing a significant security threat.
`Some other electronic locks are opened after a computer
`has identified a biometric feature of the person desiring
`access. A biometric characteristic security system identifies
`a person by using a computer to compare the unique features
`of a fingerprint, palm, foot, voice, eye, signature or the like, 65
`with the a one in its memory. In a fingerprint system, for
`example, a person who wants to open a door, places his or
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`US 6,877,097 B2
`
`3
`voltage values of the individual capacitances resulting from
`local deformation caused by the surface of the finger.
`From a users viewpoint the hand-held security device
`disclosed by Scott et al is relatively bulky as compared to a
`key or a coded card and it may be misplaced lost or stolen.
`From a manufactures viewpoint, reliability of the keypad
`in the hand-held security device is somewhat proportional to
`the expense of providing it. Although it is desirable to be
`able to provide an inexpensive mass producible the hand(cid:173)
`held portable device, inexpensive key pad push buttons and
`the like are well known to become unreliable with frequent
`use. One possible modification of the Scott et al device is to
`eliminate the push buttons, however it is at least inconve(cid:173)
`nient and possibly a security risk to have all the car doors
`and the trunk unlock together, at the same time.
`It is an object of the instant invention to enable a person
`to unlock any one portal exclusive of other portals by
`choosing which of their personal biometric characteristics is
`presented to a portable biometric device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A portable biometric device, in accordance with the
`invention, is for use by a designated person in combination
`with a secure entity and or a secure service, which is
`accessible via a plurality of portals, each of which is
`exclusively operable in response to a wireless transmission
`of a corresponding authorization code which is selected by
`the designated person choosing which of a plurality of their
`predesignated biometric characteristics is presented to the
`portable biometric device.
`A portable biometric device in accordance with an aspect
`of the invention is used by a designated person in combi(cid:173)
`nation with a secure entity and or a secure service, which is
`accessible via a plurality of portals, each of which is
`exclusively operable in response to a corresponding autho(cid:173)
`rization code. The portable biometric device includes a
`biometric sensor for reading a biometric characteristic of a
`person dependent upon the person presenting said biometric
`characteristic to the biometric sensor; a digital encoder for 40
`encoding a reading of the biometric characteristic, from the
`biometric sensor, to provide an encoded description of the
`biometric characteristic; a processor
`responsive
`to the
`encoded description of the presented biometric characteris-
`tic for determining if the biometric characteristic is predes-
`ignated for access via a predesignated one of the plurality of
`portals, and if so, selecting the authorization code for
`unlocking said predesignated one of the portals; and a
`wireless transceiver for transmitting the selected authoriza(cid:173)
`tion code to the secure entity and or service; whereby said 50
`designated person, exclusive of an other person, is able to
`choose which of the plurality of portals is to be unlocked for
`their access.
`In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, in the
`portable biometric device the biometric sensor is for reading 55
`a sequence of presented biometric characteristics; the digital
`encoder provides an encoded description of the sequence of
`biometric characteristics; the processor includes at least a
`plurality of predefined data each representative of a predes(cid:173)
`ignated one of the biometric characteristics of the designated 60
`person, and said selection, of said corresponding authoriza(cid:173)
`tion code, is contingent upon the processor detecting a
`substantial match between the encoded description of the
`sequence of biometric characteristics and a similar sequence
`of ones of the plurality of predefined data.
`In accordance with a yet further aspect of the invention,
`in the portable biometric device the processor includes at
`
`65
`
`4
`least a plurality of predefined data, at least a first one of
`which is representative of a predesignated one of the bio(cid:173)
`metric characteristics of a first one of designated persons,
`and at least a second one of which is representative of a
`5 predesignated biometric characteristic of a second one of the
`designated persons, and said selection, of said corresponding
`authorization code, is contingent upon the processor detect(cid:173)
`ing that the first and second predefined data are a substantial
`match with
`two encoded descriptions
`of biometric
`10 characteristics, whereby the portal unlocked is that which
`requires the presentation of predesignated biometric char(cid:173)
`acteristics of two designated persons.
`In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention,
`in the portable biometric device the processor includes at
`15 least a plurality of predefined data, at least a first one of
`which is representative of a predesignated one of the bio(cid:173)
`metric characteristics of a first one of designated persons,
`and at least a second one of which is representative of a
`predesignated biometric characteristic of a second one of the
`20 designated persons, and said selection, of said corresponding
`authorization code, is contingent upon the processor detect(cid:173)
`ing that a sequence of the first and second predefined data
`are a substantial match with a sequence of presentation of
`two encoded descriptions of the predesignated biometric
`25 characteristics of the first and second persons; whereby the
`portal unlocked is that which requires the presentation of
`predesignated biometric characteristics of two designated
`persons in a prescribed sequence.
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention a
`30 portable biometric device is for use by a person having been
`designated with predefined data stored
`in a central
`controller, and corresponding to biometric characteristics of
`the person, wherein the central controller is operative for
`selectively unlocking any one of a plurality of portals,
`35 exclusive of any other one of the plurality of portals, for
`permitting access into and or egress from a secure entity in
`response to receiving a signal being representative of one of
`the biometric characteristics of the designated person. The
`portable biometric device comprising:
`a biometric sensor for reading a biometric characteristic
`having been chosen and made available for reading by
`a person;
`a digital encoder for encoding a reading of the biometric
`characteristic, from the biometric sensor, to provide an
`encoded description of the biometric characteristic;
`a processor for encrypting the encoded description to
`provide an encrypted description in accordance with a
`predefined encryption key;
`a wireless
`transceiver for transmitting
`description to the central controller;
`whereby the central controller is responsive to the bio(cid:173)
`metric characteristic having been made available to the
`biometric sensor by said designated person for unlock(cid:173)
`ing one of the portals.
`In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a
`security system provides for security of an entity and or a
`service from indiscriminate access. The security system
`comprising:
`a central controller for permitting access, via a portal of
`a plurality of portals, to the secure entity and or service,
`contingent upon a representation of a biometric char(cid:173)
`acteristic having been transmitted thereto and substan(cid:173)
`tially matching with a preregistered data, of a plurality
`of preregistered data being representative of biometric
`characteristics
`including said transmitted biometric
`characteristic, and, for selecting, from within said plu-
`
`the encrypted
`
`45
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`US 6,877,097 B2
`
`6
`subsequently, dependent upon a designated person pre(cid:173)
`senting their portable biometric device with a biometric
`characteristic, performing a wireless information signal
`transmission of any predetermined frequencies within a
`range including infrared through radio frequency; and
`in an instance wherein information signal is representative
`of information corresponding substantially to one of the
`assigned
`ones of
`the plurality
`of biometric
`characteristics, causing the respective portal to be
`exclusively available for entry and or egress.
`Further to this supplementary aspect of the invention the
`method comprises the further steps of:
`personalizing the said portable biometric device by reg(cid:173)
`istering the assigned plurality of biometric character(cid:173)
`istics of a designated person in their portable biometric
`device; and
`contingent upon the presented biometric characteristic
`matching substantially with one of the assigned ones of
`the plurality of biometric characteristics, performing
`said wireless information signal transmission wherein
`the signal information is an authorization signal for
`causing the respective portal to be exclusively available
`for entry and or egress.
`
`20
`
`10
`
`5
`rality of portals, a portal being associated with said
`matched preregistered data; and
`at least one portable biometric device including a wireless
`transmitter for transmitting a representation of a bio(cid:173)
`metric characteristic having been made available by a 5
`person;
`whereby a designated person is permitted entry and or
`egress via the selected portal in accordance with having
`made the designated biometric characteristic available
`to portable biometric device.
`In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a
`security system provides for security of an entity and or a
`service from indiscriminate access. The security system
`comprising:
`a plurality of portals each being locked by a respective 15
`one of a plurality of locks, each lock being exclusively
`responsive to reception of one of a similar plurality of
`authorization codes for unlocking the portal;
`at least one portable biometric device comprising:
`a biometric sensor for reading a biometric characteristic
`of a person dependent upon the person presenting said
`biometric characteristic to the biometric sensor;
`a digital encoder for encoding a reading of the biometric
`characteristic, from the biometric sensor, to provide an
`encoded description of the biometric characteristic;
`a processor responsive to the encoded description of the 25
`biometric characteristic for determining if the biomet-
`ric characteristic is one of a similar plurality of bio(cid:173)
`metric characteristics predesignated
`for access via
`respective one of the plurality of portals, and if so,
`selecting the authorization code for unlocking said 30
`predesignated one of the portals;
`a wireless transceiver for transmitting the selected autho(cid:173)
`rization code;
`whereby upon presentation of the predesignated biometric
`characteristic of personal choice the corresponding
`portal is unlocked.
`In accordance with an additional aspect of the invention,
`a method for providing access to a secure entity or service
`by a designated person, via one of plurality of portals, each
`of which functions to open in response to a unique autho- 40
`rization signal, comprises the steps of:
`initiating a portable biometric device with a plurality of
`predefined data representative of a plurality of biomet-
`ric characteristic and each of which being designated
`for access via a respective one of the plurality of
`portals;
`capturing a biometric information representative of a
`biometric characteristic in response a person presenting
`said information to the portable biometric device;
`comparing the captured biometric information with said
`plurality of predefined data and;
`if a substantial match with a one of the predefined data is
`detected, transmitting the unique authorization signal
`from the portable biometric device, whereby
`the 55
`respective portal is unlocked exclusive of any other
`portal in the plurality of portals.
`aspect of the
`In accordance with a supplementary
`invention, a method for permitting entry and or egress
`exclusively via one of a plurality of portals of a secure entity 60
`and or a secure service, comprises the steps of:
`providing each person in a population of designated
`persons with a portable biometric device operable to
`read a biometric characteristic presented thereto;
`assigning a plurality of biometric characteristics of each 65
`designated person to respective portals of the plurality
`of portals; and
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1, labeled "PRIOR ART", shows a general example
`of previously known hand-held fingerprint security devices;
`FIGS. 2 and 2a are each a pictorial illustration of a
`portable fingerprint security device for use with a security
`system in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram illustrating an
`example of functional electronic elements for providing a
`portable fingerprint security device as illustrated in FIGS. 2
`35 and 2a;
`FIGS. 4 and 4a are block schematic diagrams of security
`systems wherein the portable fingerprint security devices
`illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2a are useful;
`FIGS. 5 and Sa are flow diagrams of methods of operation
`of the portable fingerprint devices illustrated in FIGS. 2 and
`2a used in conjunction with the security system in FIGS. 4
`and 4a; and,
`FIG. 6 is a simplified flow diagram of a broad embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the invention.
`
`45
`
`REVIEW OF THE ILLUSTRATED PRIOR ART
`In FIG. 1, the hand-held fingerprint security device
`resides in a housing 12, which is about the size of a cigarette
`package or a deck of playing cards. The housing 12 includes
`50 a front wall 13 and an upper surface 14 with a fingerprint
`recognition area 16 having a transparent surface 18. A
`keypad is provided by push switches 20 in the upper surface
`14. A wireless
`transceiver,
`for transmitting
`fingerprint
`information, is housed hidden beneath the upper surface 14
`and includes transmit and receive ports at openings 22 in the
`front wall 13. The hand-held fingerprint security device
`overcomes the problem of destructive vandalism sometimes
`suffered by permanently mounted restrictive entry devices,
`however as previously mentioned, the hand-held security
`device is bulky. If it is made much smaller the push switches
`20 become difficult to selectively operate as a persons finger
`will span several of them. Furthermore although it is desir(cid:173)
`able to provide an inexpensive mass producible hand-held
`portable device, reliable push switches are relatively expen(cid:173)
`sive. If the push switches 20 are eliminated, the user no
`longer has control over which doors or portals can be
`opened. It is all or nothing.
`
`IPR2022-00602
`Apple EX1019 Page 8
`
`

`

`US 6,877,097 B2
`
`7
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The term, secure entity, as used herein includes any of a
`large, small or remote facility, building, area, personal
`residence, installation, warehouse and the like, for which
`indiscriminate personal access is not intended. The term,
`secure service includes any of a communication function,
`automated teller, electronic commerce, electronic data base
`information deposit, manipulation or retrieval and the like of
`which indiscriminate personal usage is not intended.
`In FIG. 2, the portable finger print device is housed in an
`ubiquitous object 30, for example in a decorative pendent. In
`another example the object 30 may be housed in combina(cid:173)
`tion with a time piece, either in the form of a pendent or a
`pocket watch. Whatever push buttons are required for the
`time piece function are small, infrequently used, and hence
`may be inexpensively provided. The upper surface of the
`object 30 is a transparent material which serves as a platen
`32 for a transparent fingerprint scanner. The platen 32 allows
`the scanner to read a fingerprint, which is analyzed by a
`processor, not shown. The processor communicates via a
`transceiver, not shown, coupled through an infrared port 34.
`In FIG. 2a, the portable fingerprint device is housed in an
`ubiquitous object, in this example within a housing 40 of a
`functional wristwatch which is typically secured to a per(cid:173)
`son's wrist by a watch band 41. A front face of the housing
`40 is a transparent platen 42 which provides a view of an
`underlying timepiece display, not shown, as well as carrying
`a biometric sensor in the form of capacitive array for sensing
`biometric characteristics of any of a person's digit tips. A
`fingertip 49 is shown positioned against the platen 42, as it
`would be for sensing of the finger's print. A processor, not
`shown, analyzes the finger print and may cause an authori(cid:173)
`zation signal to be transmitted through an infrared port 44.
`In a different arrangement an antenna may be combined with
`the wrist strap 41 for radio frequency transmission of the
`authorization signal. A push switch 46 is shown as an
`example of push switches normally associated with a digital
`wrist watch, however the push switch 46 may also provide
`a security function.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a sensor array or scanner unit 52, for
`sensing a fingertip pattern or some other biometric
`characteristic, is coupled with a scan/sensor buffer 51 which
`is responsive to a processor 50 for operating the unit 52. In
`this example the scan/sensor buffer 51 receives an analog
`signal representation of a finger tip pattern and after trans(cid:173)
`fers the captured signal to an encoder 53 which digitizes or
`otherwise converts the analog signal into a signal format
`which provides an encoded description of the biometric
`characteristic, suitable for processing. In one example the
`fingertip pattern is delivered from the scan unit 52 in an
`analog raster scan format of rows and columns. The encoder
`53 digitizes the signal differentially. That is to say that as a
`row signal is sampled, the first sample is encoded as a zero.
`If the next sample is the same or less it is encoded as a zero
`but if it is more it is encoded as a one. The next sample is
`also encoded as a one unless it is less than the previous
`sample. The result is in binary code which is received by and
`stored in a data buffer 54, preparatory to signal processing
`by the processor 50. The processor 50 operates as directed
`by an instruction set maintained in a random access memory
`(RAM) 56. The RAM 56 has also been written with a record
`of a finger print characteristic of the intended user. In
`operation the processor 50 fetches a segment representative
`of a central row portion of the finger print characteristic from
`the RAM 56 and progressively compares the segment with
`
`8
`a serial nondestructive row by row readout from the data
`buffer 54. The processor 50 keeps a running record of where
`in the serial readout any substantial matches are found.
`Subsequently in reference keyed to a position of either the
`5 best substantial row match or as an alternative the most
`central of a plurality of substantial row matches, the finger
`print characteristic from the RAM 56 is compared row
`segment after row segment from beginning to end with the
`binary code stored in a data buffer 54 to recognize any
`10 apparent corresponding segments. This process may be
`repeated several times, each by passing the binary code
`stored in a data buffer 54 keyed with a different apparent
`reference position until in any one such pass a sufficient
`number of row segments with apparent matches are realized
`15 to warrant a transmission of a predetermined authorization
`signal. If there are an insufficient number of apparently
`matching segments, transmission of an authorization signal
`is unwarranted. In a different example the Ram 56 is utilized
`with appropriate memory management performed by the
`20 processor 50 to provide the functions of the data buffer 54.
`The encoding and matching operation described in the
`forgoing is not essential. Other known methods may be
`found to be more convenien