Systems and methods for authenticating an individual

Abstract

Systems and methods for employing histological and physiological biometric markers that are substantially unique to an individual in order to activate a device, participate in a transaction, or identify himself or herself, wherein at least one biometric marker is obtained by one or more electrical contacts on the surface of the skin. A biometric identification of an individual is obtained by a heartbeat waveform, which is acquired by one or more direct electrical contacts. A mechanism for biometric authentication is used that includes one or more electrodes, an electrical signal receiver, a memory module, and a processing module.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 300,659, filed Nov. 19, 2002, entitled, “Obtaining Biometric Identification Using a Direct Electrical Contact,” which in turn claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 642,459, filed Aug. 18, 2000, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Histological and Physiological Biometric Operation and Authentication,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,483,929, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to obtaining biometric identification to activate a device or authenticate a participant in a transaction using histological and / or physiological traits. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for employing histological and physiological biometric markers that are substantially unique to an individual in order to permit an individual to activate a device, participate in a transaction, or identify himself or he...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0027]Implementation of the present invention further contemplates the use of internal biometric markers that are not representative of any particular traits but are a composite of various physiological and / or histological traits. While the biometric markers of the present invention may be entirely unique to each person, markers that are not entirely unique but that are substantially unique may be used in the authentication process. In using substantially unique biometric markers, the present invention also allows a wide variety of biometric characteristics to be employed in a relatively compact and inexpensive device.

[0029]Implementation of the present invention may also avoid some of the privacy issues and other disadvantages associated with prior art biometric markers by employing unique physiological or histological biometric markers. For example, use of a physiological marker, such as piezoelectric current of the body or arterial blood pressure is less likely to raise the types of privacy issues associated with the use of fingerprints, does not require expensive scanning equipment, is not subject to behavioral variability, and does not raise issues of undesirable and potentially infectious contact with sensitive tissues.

[0032]The examples given, which are representative and are not intended to be limiting, demonstrate that histologically based biometric markers provide advantages not found in the prior art and in particular, can be used to improve security and increase the variety of applications for which biometric markers are used.

Problems solved by technology

For example, fingerprint databases may raise significant privacy issues for those whose information is entered in the system.

Hand and facial geometry recognition systems may require large scanners and / or expensive cameras.

Voice recognition devices have problems screening out background noise.

Retinal devices may require users to place their eye close to or on a scanning device, exposing the user to potential infection.

Another disadvantage of the prior art to biometric authentication is the limited number of biometric markers that are unique to each individual and that are practical for implementing in computer and electronic devices.

If the biometric marker is used to identify an individual from a large group of individuals, the computer memory storage and processing capability may also have to be sophisticated, and therefore, may be expensive.

Another disadvantage of prior art is that with relatively few truly unique biometric markers, it is likely that use of those markers, such as a fingerprint, would be widespread.

The widespread use of just one or two types of markers increases the likelihood that an unauthorized person could, by chance or otherwise, be improperly granted access.

If an unauthorized person were improperly given access, that individual may have access to numerous secured devices or accounts.

This is the same problem that exists when a person chooses the same password for all his accounts or electronic devices.

Thus, while biometric authentication techniques currently exist, challenges and / or problems are present in the available techniques.

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