Systems and methods utilizing biometric data

Abstract

Systems and methods perform access control and mobile identity verification utilizing a memory, maybe on a handheld device, that stores at least biometric data, such as minutia. The handheld device may also store other data, such as a threshold value and Wiegand data. The data may be stored in a memory, a magnetic strip, a code, a bar code, or in all of these devices associated with the handheld device. The handheld device may be a SmartCard or the like. The threshold value may be a required value or parameter generated from input criteria based on biometric data read and extracted by an extracting system during an enrolling process. The threshold value is used during extracting, matching, or both, to most accurately determine the identity and characteristics of an individual wanting access to an accessed system or being questioned by law enforcement in the field.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 125,650, filed Apr. 19, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is directed to the field of access control and remote identity verification, in particular, utilizing biometric technology. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] Access control systems are used to limit access to selected individuals. Some of these systems use biometric technologies to determine whether access for an individual will be granted or denied. A biometric is a unique, measurable characteristic or trait of a human being for automatically recognizing or verifying identity. For instance, fingerprint biometrics are largely regarded as an accurate method of biometric identification and verification. See, e.g., Roethenbaugh, G. Ed., Biometrics Explained (International Computer Security Association: Carlisle, Pa....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a system including an enrollment system that controls storing of biometric data. The system further includes an access control system that reads the stored biometric data, an extracting system coupled to the access control system that extracts live biometric data, and a matching system coupled to the access control system that compares the stored biometric data to the live read biometric data to generate a matching result that is transmitted to the access control system. The system further includes an accessed system coupled to the access control system into which admittance is either allowed or denied based on the matching result. The system may also include a threshold controller that determines and generates a threshold value to be used during extracting, matching, or both. Using the threshold value increases the number of enrollees successfully managed by an access control system, and reduces the number of false rejections of entry. Thresholds can also provide more data with which to make an access control decision rather than mere presentation of a biometric input. These thresholds are individualized and help to make a more informed security decision that, among other things, reduces the rejection of more difficult to read fingerprints.

[0009] According to a further feature, processing is distributed across a networked system. In one embodiment, extraction is carried out remotely over a network. In another embodiment, matching is carried out remotely over a network. In this way, an access control reader or panel need not perform extraction and matching, which reduces processing requirements at the access control reader or panel. Processing of extraction and matching is more efficiently managed at the remote sites, for example different extraction or matching algorithms, or changes thereto, can be more easily implemented. Further, the system is more scalable as additional, cheaper access control readers and panels utilizing biometric data can be easily added.

[0010] According to a further feature, in one embodiment the access control system is easily installed as an upgrade to an existing Wiegand panel through the use of a live access control reader, which acts as an interface to a Wiegand panel.

[0011] Some advantages of the system and method may be that they provide an access control system and method that utilizes a device allowing for data to be stored for an unlimited number of enrollees allowing easy scalability. Also, a system and method are provided that utilize a device requiring little, if any, updating time to keep current stored biometric information for all enrollees.

Problems solved by technology

Eventually, this will become a prohibitive aspect of access control because of the cost, both in equipment and updating time, required to maintain an ever increasing amount of stored biometric data.

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