Point of entry authorization utilizing RFID enabled profile and biometric data

Abstract

A method and system for the authentication of a user at a point of entry. Biometric data can be provided from a remote server after preliminary identification of the user based on identification information wirelessly provided from a portable electronic device carried with the user when the user is located near a point of entry, such as, for example, a border crossing or access point to a secure facility. Such a method and system can incorporate RFID tags, cellular wireless communications data and links, and / or Bluetooth communications link, etc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PATENT APPLICATION[0001]This patent application is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 321,872, entitled “Random Biometric Authentication Utilizing Unique Biometric Signatures,” which was filed on Dec. 17, 2002 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This patent application therefore claims priority to the Dec. 17, 2002 filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 321,872.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]Embodiments are generally related to user biometric authentication and methods or systems for security of or through electronic systems. Embodiments are also related to electronic systems that can be secured using biometric technology. Embodiments further relate to the use of biometric data for authenticating user identity and providing secure user access to data as well as authorizing transactions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Security for electronic and mechanical systems has rapidly become an important issue in recent years. With th...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Security for electronic and mechanical systems has rapidly become an important issue in recent years.

Pre-set codes are often forgotten, however, as users have no reliable method of remembering them.

Writing down codes and storing them in close proximity to an access control device (e.g., a combination lock) results in an insecure access control system.

Alternatively, the nuisance of trying several code variations generally renders the access control system more of a problem than a solution.

Password systems are known to suffer from other disadvantages.

Most users, being unsophisticated users of security systems, choose passwords that are relatively insecure.

Unfortunately, passwords and cards have similar drawbacks when utilized for building security, particularly with computer security.

Unfortunately, along with increased accessibility comes increased potential for security breaches.

As indicated above, however, passwords and PIN numbers may be forgotten or may fall into the wrong hands.

Additionally, using passwords and PIN numbers for security purposes places an additional burden on institutions because passwords or PIN numbers require additional machinery and human resources to deal with customers when customers forget passwords or PIN numbers, or when customers request that passwords or PIN numbers be changed.

For doorway security systems, biometric authentication systems have many known problems.

Remembering a PIN can be inconvenient and electromechanical device (e.g., keypad) needed to accept a PIN are sometimes subject to damage and failure.

The device is also an additional equipment expense for a multiple entry access system.

Because a single processor can provide processing for several doors, for a multiple doorway system, the enterprise-side deployment of multiple equipment such as a biometric reader and a PIN entry unit will result in a significant portion of the overall system maintenance and associated cost.

Typically when using a biometric information sample, a low match score results in failure to authorize an individual.

In the past, a one-to-many search of biometric information has generally been considered undesirable because security may be compromised.

Whereas 1 / 1,000,000 is generally acceptable for many applications, 1 / 25,000 is likely not as acceptable.

Further, as the number of individual templates grows, the rate of false acceptance increases; when 250 templates exist, a likelihood of about 1 / 4,000 of false acceptance exists.

In order to solve this problem, one might reduce the false acceptance rate to 1 / 10,000,000; however, this results in problems identifying some people and makes such a system inconvenient.

A system of this type is unlikely to provide consistent results and therefore, requires a security guard at least at a door to provide access for those who are not identifiable to 1 / 10,000,000.

Another potential problem with the use of biometrics is related to the unauthorized interception of a digital signal or file representing a biometric (i.e., similar to unauthorized interception of passcodes / passwords).

An unauthorized user may substitute a digital signal of a biometric attribute or template by bypassing biometric readers or scanners altogether.

Therefore, like passwords or passcodes, use of biometrics for security purposes and user authorization, verification, and identification of data is not completely full proof.

Based on the foregoing, those skilled in the art can appreciate that despite the advances in biometric authentication, most biometric authentication systems are still plagued with various physical and electronic drawbacks.

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