Biometric smart card transaction device

Abstract

The invention relates to a biometric device (10) for carrying out electronic transactions, comprising, on the one hand, a smart card (12) having a card body integrating a microelectronic module including a microprocessor and memory for storing identification information of the smart card holder, characterized in that it also comprises, on the other hand, a card holder (11) configured to receive said smart card (12), and said card holder (11) comprising a biometric sensor (13) capable of capturing biometric information from a user of the device (10), and a communication interface configured to transmit said biometric information to the microelectronic module (3) of the smart card. Figure for the abstract: Figure 5B

Description

Title of the invention: Biometric smart card transaction device

[0001] The invention relates to systems for carrying out electronic transactions by smart card secured by biometric information of the smart card holder. The electronic transactions concerned may be of any nature, such as payment transactions, money or value transfer transactions, physical access or digital identification transactions, but by way of non-limiting example, the invention will be described more particularly in connection with electronic payment transactions by smart card, whether it is a smart card operating by contact with a smart card reader, a smart card operating without contact, or a dual smart card operating with mixed contact and contactless operation. State of the art

[0002] Most known contactless smart cards or dual smart cards with mixed contact and contactless operation comprise a card body, an electronic module inserted in a cavity of the card body and provided with a microelectronic chip, and an antenna arranged in the card body. This is either galvanically connected to output pads of the microelectronic chip, or inductively coupled to a smaller antenna directly integrated into the electronic module of the smart card. In both configurations, the antenna of the card body allows radio frequency communication with the antenna of a smart card reader.

[0003] Alternatively, there are chip cards that operate purely by contact, and whose card body or electronic module does not include an antenna.

[0004] In a number of applications, it has become necessary to integrate into the smart card one or more electronic modules complementary to the main module, for example for the integration of biometric sensors capable of collecting biometric information and transmitting it to the main module for the purpose of biometric identification of the user of the smart card.

[0005] This is particularly true in the area of ​​bank card payments, which require advanced security through strong two-factor authentication in order to minimize fraudulent payments.

[0006] In the case of contact payment with detection of a “Card Present” (CP) in the reader, a PIN code stored in the card is used, which makes it possible to secure contact transactions. With regard to contactless transactions, the security method currently used is the request to enter a PIN code. only from a certain number of transactions or from a transaction amount ceiling (set at €50 in France), which limits the financial impact of any potential fraud. The fraud rate observed in contact payment is around 0.01% of transactions, while that observed for contactless transactions is higher, around 0.02%.

[0007] In order to limit cases of fraud in contactless payment transactions using traditional chip cards, new bank cards have been introduced, namely biometric bank cards with a biometric sensor. These biometric cards meet the need for strong two-factor authentication and can remove the ceiling limiting the amount of transactions.

[0008] However, the addition of this biometric function in smart cards leads to increased complexity in the structure of these cards and their use, much greater than that of traditional smart cards.

[0009] Thus, the introduction of the biometric function has required until now the integration into the card body of a biometric module separate from the main module, in particular a fingerprint sensor, as well as a signaling interface, for example in the form of LEDs to guide the user of the card in the context of the execution of a transaction secured by the biometric function. This integration of a biometric module results in an additional cost and may restrict the reliability of the smart card over time.

[0010] Furthermore, it has been proven that the performance and security of the system depend on the surface area of ​​the fingerprint sensor. The larger this surface area, the more reliable the recognition of minutiae. This performance is expressed using two error rates, namely FAR and FRR, acronyms for "False Acceptance Rate" and "False Rejection Rate" in English terminology.

[0011] The FAR rate is the percentage of identification in which unauthorized persons are incorrectly accepted for the execution of a transaction with the biometric smart card.

[0012] The FRR rate is the percentage of identification in which normally authorized persons are incorrectly rejected for the execution of a transaction. These two rates vary in opposite ways, when FAR decreases, FRR increases.

[0013] According to the ISO 17839 standard, the biometric sensor must have a minimum surface area of ​​169 mm2 (13x13 mm2) to ensure correct accuracy of the biometric print, but it cannot have too large a surface area for reasons of assembly of the biometric sensor on the card and compliance with the standards of resistance of the smart card to bending, which in practice limit the surface area of ​​the biometric sensor.

[0014] The use of such a biometric card with a fingerprint sensor in accordance with the state of the art is then as follows.

[0015] The first operation that the user must carry out when he receives his biometric card is the so-called biometric enrollment operation, namely the secure capture and storage of his fingerprint which will serve as a reference print in transactions with the biometric card.

[0016] For this, four options are currently offered, namely enrollment within a bank branch, or on a payment terminal at a merchant's, or at home with specific electronic enrollment equipment such as a reader supplied with the smart card, or enrollment using an application on a smartphone compatible with the NFC protocol. The PIN code of the smart card is then necessary during the first payment to activate biometrics.

[0017] All of these enrollment options with known biometric cards have drawbacks, some of which are discussed below.

[0018] Thus, enrollment in a bank branch requires the cardholder to go to the branch during its opening hours. This is time-consuming, and furthermore is not possible for online banks that do not have branches.

[0019] Enrollment on a payment terminal requires placing a finger several times on the biometric sensor of the chip card inserted in the payment terminal. This can therefore take several minutes, whether it is enrollment at home on a personal terminal, or enrollment on a merchant's terminal. In the latter case, this enrollment operation can in particular generate a queue at the checkout in the event of a busy time.

[0020] Home enrollment using dedicated electronic equipment that is only used once poses environmental problems, as this single-use equipment is then lost. If the user has several payment cards, they will receive as many enrollment devices as payment cards, which will increase the environmental impact of the problem.

[0021] Finally, enrollment using a smartphone application in NFC connection with the biometric card requires on the one hand the installation of a specific application, with which not all smartphones are compatible, and on the other hand requires repeated manipulations of the smartphone and the biometric card in order to read the details of the fingerprint several times. Purpose of the invention

[0022] A general aim of the invention is therefore to propose a new biometric device for carrying out transactions using a chip card, in particular payment transactions, which is capable of eliminating the drawbacks associated with known biometric chip cards.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to propose a biometric device using smart cards that are as reliable and inexpensive as known contact, contactless or dual smart cards.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to propose a biometric device with which the operation of enrolling the user's biometric fingerprint is much simpler than with known biometric chip cards.

[0025] Another object of the invention is to propose a biometrically secure transaction device that is scalable and easy to adapt to a wide variety of use cases. Summary of the invention

[0026] In principle, the invention consists of relocating the biometric sensor of the smart card, in particular the bank card, to an additional object, namely a card holder provided with a contact or contactless means of communication with the smart card. This biometric card holder therefore allows the enrollment and securing of contactless card payment transactions while retaining a traditional smart card without any biometric sensor, i.e. a contact, contactless, or dual contact and contactless smart card.

[0027] The card holder device therefore has two functions in relation to a transaction, namely the enrollment of the carrier's biometrics in the smart card, and the strong authentication of the carrier by biometrics during the transaction, in particular a payment transaction.

[0028] The invention therefore relates to a biometric device for carrying out electronic transactions, comprising on the one hand a smart card provided with a card body integrating a microelectronic module comprising a microprocessor and a memory for storing identification information of the holder of the smart card, characterized in that it also comprises a card holder configured to receive said smart card, and said card holder comprising a biometric sensor capable of capturing biometric information from a user of the device, and a communication interface configured to transmit said biometric information to the microelectronic module of the smart card. The biometric fingerprint capture function is therefore transferred to the card holder, which in particular makes it possible to increase its size, performance and reliability over time.

[0029] According to a basic embodiment, said card holder comprises a microcontroller receiving the biometric information from the biometric sensor, a user interface capable of indicating to the user the status of the information exchanges between said smart card and said card holder, and a power source electrically supplying the biometric sensor, the microcontroller, and the user interface.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the smart card is a contact card provided with a contact interface according to the ISO 7816-1 standard and the card holder comprises a contact interface capable of galvanically engaging the contacts of the contact interface of the smart card.

[0031] According to an alternative embodiment, the smart card is a card with contactless operation or with dual contact and contactless operation, comprising an antenna connected to a contactless communication interface of the microelectronic module, and the card holder comprises an antenna connected to the microcontroller of the card holder and which is capable of being positioned in inductive coupling with the antenna of the smart card.

[0032] According to embodiment options, the energy source of the card holder is taken from a battery or a super capacitor capable of being wired to an external power supply device, or a photovoltaic cell, or an antenna capable of being inductively coupled to an external contactless power supply device.

[0033] Preferably, in order to easily position the smart card on the card holder, the latter has on its front face a means for guiding or retaining the smart card.

[0034] According to one embodiment, said means for guiding or retaining the smart card consists of a cover delimiting a slot into which the smart card is inserted, and the biometric sensor is located on the external face of said cover.

[0035] According to an alternative embodiment, said means for guiding or retaining the smart card is constituted by a peripheral slide arranged on at least two sides of the card holder and into which the smart card is inserted, and the biometric sensor of the card holder is in this case located on the rear face of the card holder.

[0036] Preferably, the useful surface area of ​​the biometric sensor of the card holder is greater than 169 mm2.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the card holder is attached to several smart cards hinged together in a fan shape and hinged relative to the card holder.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the card holder is configured in the form of a wallet, or is integrated into an accessory such as a mobile phone case.

[0039] According to one embodiment, at least one of the faces of the card holder includes an advertising or decorative marking.

[0040] According to a more advanced variant of the biometric device, the card holder further comprises a radiofrequency communication module capable of establishing a BLE type link between the card holder and a remote computer or smartphone, or with another biometric device of the same type.

[0041] According to another embodiment, the card holder further comprises a secure memory capable of storing a wallet of electronic currencies or securities.

[0042] The invention also relates to the use of a system consisting of a biometric device as described above and a contactless smart card reader, in which said contactless reader is used to electrically power a contactless smart card by inductive coupling between the contactless reader and said smart card, and to electrically power the card holder by galvanic contact between the smart card and the card holder.

[0043] The invention also relates to the use of a system consisting of a biometric device as described above and a contactless smart card reader, in which said contactless reader is used to electrically power a contactless smart card and the card holder by inductive coupling between the contactless reader, the card holder and the smart card.

[0044] The invention finally relates to a method for carrying out by a user an electronic transaction between an NFC reader of a smart card transaction system and a biometric device as described above, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - in a preliminary user enrollment phase, positioning a smart card of the user on the card holder, placing a finger of the user on the biometric sensor of the card holder so as to capture by the card holder a reference biometric fingerprint of the user, then transmitting this reference biometric fingerprint from the card holder to the smart card and storing it in a memory of the smart card; - in a phase of execution of an electronic transaction, position on the card holder the smart card containing the reference biometric fingerprint and a microprogram for executing electronic transactions, then place the user's finger on the biometric sensor of the card holder so as to capture and transmit to the smart card a biometric transaction fingerprint; - compare the reference biometric fingerprint and the transaction biometric fingerprint by the smart card firmware, and if the two biometric fingerprints match, authorize the execution by the smart card firmware of the electronic transaction between the smart card and the NFC reader.

[0045] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description given in the context of the application of the invention to a smart card, and the appended drawings in which: - [Fig. 1] schematically represents a biometric smart card conforming to the state of the art. Figures 2A to 2E show several views of the components of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. Figures 3A, 3B, 3C respectively represent plan, sectional and perspective views of a device according to the invention, formed by a smart card inserted into the card holder. [Fig.4A] shows a top view of a first embodiment of the card holder of the device according to the invention. [Fig.4B] shows a bottom view of a second embodiment of the card holder of the device according to the invention. Figures 5A and 5B show in perspective view two embodiments of the device according to the invention. [Fig.6] represents a comparison of the operations to be carried out within the framework of a payment transaction with a biometric chip card conforming to the state of the art, and with a payment device conforming to the invention. [Fig.7A] schematically represents a basic version of the device according to the invention, in the enrollment phase, before insertion of a contact smart card into the card holder reader. [Fig.7B] shows the device of [Fig.7A], after partial insertion of the smart card into the card holder. [Fig.7C] represents a variant of the device of [Fig.7B]. [Fig.8A] represents a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the use phase for carrying out a payment transaction between a bank card and an external reader. [Fig.8B] represents a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the use phase for carrying out a payment transaction between a bank card and an external reader. [Fig.9A] represents a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the use phase for carrying out a payment transaction between a bank card and an external reader. [Fig.9B] represents a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the use phase for carrying out a payment transaction between a bank card and an external reader. [Fig. 10] represents an embodiment of the device according to the invention, suitable for carrying out payment transactions in CNP (“Card Not Present”) mode using a “Bluetooth” or equivalent type connection between the biometric device according to the invention and a remote computer or smartphone. - [Fig. 11] schematically represents the use of two devices according to the invention, to carry out a transaction for transferring money or values ​​between two smart cards. - [Fig. 12] represents an embodiment of the device according to the invention, suitable for carrying out transactions between a secure electronic wallet and a computer or smartphone. Detailed description

[0046] The same elements are designated by the same references in the different figures.

[0047] Reference is made to [Fig.l], which represents a schematic view of a known smart card 1 with mixed contact and contactless operation. This smart card 1 comprises a card body 2, a first electronic module 3 provided with contacts standardized according to the ISO 7816-1 standard and an antenna, and a second electronic module 4, which notably comprises a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor. The first electronic module 3 comprises a microelectronic chip (not shown) which securely stores identification information of the cardholder, in particular reference biometric fingerprints of the cardholder.The smart card 1 further comprises a printed circuit PCB carrying a set of discrete components 5 such as resistors or capacitors for shaping the analog signal from the biometric sensor 4, and conductive tracks 6 for interconnecting the various electronic components of the biometric smart card 1.

[0048] In order to authorize a transaction with the smart card 1, the user must submit his biometric fingerprint to the second electronic module 4, and this fingerprint is secured and transmitted to the electronic module 3 where it is compared to a reference biometric fingerprint stored during the enrollment of the smart card by its holder, for example the minutiae of a fingerprint.

[0049] As can be seen, this smart card 1 comprising two electronic modules 3, 4, and other electronic components 5 and tracks 6 forms a complex structure, difficult to manufacture, having a high cost, and likely to present reliability problems over time, in particular due to the repeated bending to which it is subjected during its life cycle. In this known configuration, the surface area of ​​the biometric sensor 4 is limited so as not to penalize the reliability of the card, which does not make it possible to optimize the FAR and FRR error rates mentioned above.

[0050] The biometric device 10 according to the invention, shown diagrammatically in Figure 2, takes the opposite approach to the known approach. Instead of integrating both a security module 3 and a biometric module 4 in the same smart card, the device 10 according to the invention combines on the one hand a conventional chip card 12 shown diagrammatically in [Fig.2B], and on the other hand a card holder 11 shown diagrammatically in figures 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E.

[0051] The conventional smart card 12 may be contact, contactless, or dual contact and contactless. It contains, in a known manner, a microprogram configured to control the execution of a transaction with a smart card reader, for example a payment transaction.

[0052] The card holder 11 can in certain cases of use also act as a card reader. According to the invention, it comprises in all cases a biometric sensor 13, so that the biometric function of the biometric device 10 is offset in the card holder 11. The biometric sensor 13 is arranged on one of the faces of the card holder 11. It can be larger and more efficient than the biometric sensor 4 of the biometric smart cards 1 known in the state of the art. In particular, it is not subject to the drastic size and bending resistance standards imposed on standardized smart cards.

[0053] Optionally, the face of the card holder 11 which has the biometric sensor 13, in particular a fingerprint sensor, further comprises an area 14 provided with printed text or an image, for example to explain the mode of use of the biometric device 10.

[0054] Advantageously, the other visible portions of the card holder 11 may include decorative or advertising motifs, company logos, for example the logo of a bank issuing the bank chip card, or any other useful marking.

[0055] Advantageously, the card holder 11 of the biometric device 10 according to the invention comprises means for guiding or retaining the chip card 12, so as to facilitate the presentation of the entire device 10 in front of a merchant's chip card reader for the execution of a transaction.

[0056] According to an embodiment shown in figures 2 and 3, this guide means is constituted for example by a cover 15 secured to the body of the card holder 11 and delimiting with the latter a slot 16 situated on the front face of the card holder 11 (i.e. the one on which the chip card 12 is placed) and into which the chip card 12 is inserted. In figure 3, the biometric device 10 according to the invention is shown in the position of use, when the chip card 12 is positioned in the card holder 11.

[0057] According to a variant not shown, the means for guiding the smart card 12 may consist of a slide extending over several sides of the card holder, with the exception of one side without a slide and left free to allow the introduction of the smart card into the card holder 11. In this case, the biometric sensor 13 will be positioned on the rear face of the card holder 11.

[0058] To allow the use of contact smart cards 12, the identification module 3 of which has galvanic contacts such as the contacts standardized according to the ISO 7816 standard, the card holder 11 comprises contacts 3' ([Fig.3B]) homologous to the contacts of the module 3 of the smart card 12 and arranged so as to be opposite the contacts of the smart card when the latter is inserted into the card holder. The contacts 3' of the card holder 11 may therefore in particular be usefully located on the internal face of the cover 15, or on the front face of the card holder, facing the cover 15 of the card holder 11.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the biometric sensor 13 of the card holder 11 can be arranged on the external face of the cover 15 ([Fig.4A]), or on the rear face of the card holder 11 ([Fig.4B]), namely the face opposite that intended to receive the smart card 12.

[0060] Depending in particular on the permissible thickness for the card-card 11, other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0061] In a very practical version, the card holder has substantially the length and width of a smart card, and a thickness slightly greater than that of the smart card, for example less than three times the thickness of a standardized smart card, so that the entire biometric transaction device 10 can still be inserted into a wallet. Such a card holder 11 can easily be produced in the form of a plastic housing injected around a printed circuit PCB carrying the electronic components of the card holder.

[0062] In [Fig.5A], the card holder 11 is in the form of a parallelepiped box provided on one face with a biometric sensor 13, and on one side with a slot for inserting the smart card 12.

[0063] In [Fig.5B], the card holder 11 has a cover 15 provided with a biometric sensor 13, and lateral guide slides 17 facilitating the guiding of the smart card 12 towards the slot 16 of the card holder for easy insertion of the smart card 12 into the card holder.

[0064] In another possible variant (not shown), the card holder may comprise a body provided with a hinge connection configured to receive several smart cards 12 arranged in a fan shape and hinged relative to the card holder. It will then be sufficient to choose a given card 12 and place it in position opposite the card holder reader to carry out a transaction between a smart card 12 and an external card reader.

[0065] Alternatively, the card holder 11 may be directly integrated into a wallet or into an accessory such as a protective cover for a mobile phone, thus making it possible to carry out a transaction between a smart card 12 and an external reader (not shown) without having to remove the bank card from its wallet or from the accessory.

[0066] In all of these configurations, the surface area of ​​the biometric sensor 13 of the card holder 11 may be substantially greater than the surface area of ​​169 mm2 typically used for sensors of biometric cards according to the state of the art. This makes it possible to increase the reliability and speed of reading the biometric fingerprint of the user of the device 10 according to the invention.

[0067] [Fig. 6] represents a comparison of the steps for implementing biometric cards according to the state of the art (left part of the figure), and according to the invention (right part of the figure). As can be seen, the steps of use are comparable, except that in the case of known biometric cards, they use an enrollment device (enroller) which is often disposable and single-use, while in the case of the invention, the biometric enrollment is carried out using the card holder 11, which is not thrown away but reused in the context of carrying out payment transactions. In addition, this card holder 11 is scalable depending on the applications, as will appear in the use cases described in relation to FIGS. 7 to 12.

[0068] Figures 7A to 7C schematically show a basic version of the biometric device 10 according to the invention. In this case, the card holder 11 comprises several integrated components, namely a biometric sensor 13, in particular a fingerprint sensor, a power source 18 which supplies each of the other components via a power line 20 which is represented by a solid line, a microcontroller 19, and a user interface 22. The broken line 21 represents the data communication channel between the different components.

[0069] The electrical power source 18 of the components of the card holder reader 11 can also be produced in different ways, either by a battery or a supercapacitor integrated into the card holder (FIGS. 7A, 7B), or by means of a USB socket integrated into the card holder ([Fig. 7C]) in cases where the latter can have a thickness compatible with the integration of such a socket, or even by means of an antenna 23 capable of capturing by induction the energy from a contactless smart card reader 30 or a contactless card during a payment transaction (FIGS. 8A, 9).

[0070] In order to guide the user during the performance of the steps of a transaction with an external reader 30, the card holder 11 will preferably be provided with a user interface 22 for signaling or control purposes. The user interface 22 can be implemented in different ways, ranging from simple visual signaling LEDs, to a display screen integrated in the card holder 11, and possibly provided with control buttons for entering, for example, the amount of a transaction to be executed.

[0071] The biometric device 10 according to the invention allows great flexibility of implementation and a great wealth of use cases, depending in particular on the type of smart card 12 used. A few non-exhaustive examples of implementation and implementation will be described below, without any limiting character.

[0072] Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figures 7A to 7C, biometric enrollment requires the positioning of the smart card 12 in the card holder 11 (Figures 7B, 7C). The power supply of the card holder 11 is provided by its battery 18 ([Fig.7B]) or by a USB socket powered by an external USB cable ([Fig.7C]). The power supply of the smart card 12 and the communication between the smart card 12 and the card holder 11 are then provided directly by the card holder 11 via the galvanic contacts of the module 3 if it is a smart card with contacts.

[0073] In figures 8A, 8B there are shown use cases corresponding to a payment operation in CP mode (acronym for “Card Present”) between a contactless chip card 12 and a contactless reader 30.

[0074] In [Fig.8A], the card holder 11 comprises an antenna 23 for capturing energy by inductive coupling, and for powering the card holder 11. The reader 30 electrically powers the smart card 12 by inductive coupling. The smart card 12 is a dual-function contact and contactless smart card. It in turn powers the card holder 11 by inductive coupling between the antenna 23 of the card holder and the antenna (not shown) of the smart card 12. Communication between the smart card 12 and the card holder 11 also passes through the contacts of the module 3.

[0075] Alternatively, as shown in [Fig.8B], the dual smart card 12 is powered by the reader 30 by inductive coupling, and the smart card 12 then charges the battery 18 of the card holder 11 via the contacts of its electronic module 3.

[0076] In the embodiment of [Fig.9A], the card holder 11 is provided with an antenna 23 and the smart card 12 is a dual-function card. The reader 30 electrically powers the card holder 11 directly via an inductive coupling between its antenna and the antenna 23 of the card holder. It also powers the smart card 12 via an antenna (not shown) connected to the electronic module 3. Data communication between the smart card 12 and the card holder 11 takes place via the contacts of the module 3.

[0077] The variant of [Fig.9B] differs from that of [Fig.9A] in that the data communication between the dual chip card 12 and the card holder 11 is done in contactless mode.

[0078] In the embodiment of [Fig. 10], the biometric device 10 according to the invention is suitable for carrying out a payment transaction in CNP mode (acronym for “Card Not Present”) with a remote device such as a computer. portable 26 or a smartphone 27. For this purpose, a communication component 24, for example of the BLE type (acronym for "Bluetooth Low Energy"), has also been integrated into the card holder 11. In the example shown, the power supply for the card holder 11 is a battery 18, but it would be possible (version not shown) to use a power supply and the data communication by another means, for example by means of a USB interface. The communication of the biometric data between the card holder 11 and the smart card 12 is done in contact mode via the ISO contacts of the electronic module 3 of the smart card and the homologous contacts (not shown) of the card holder 11.

[0079] In the embodiment of [Fig. 11], the simultaneous use of two biometric devices 10a, 10b similar to the biometric device 10 of [Fig. 10] is shown, to carry out a payment or value transfer transaction (credits, tokens, etc.) directly between the two biometric devices 10a, 10b. In the schematic case, each of the biometric devices 10a, 10b is powered by a battery 18, but one or the other could be powered differently, in particular from the outside for example via a USB cable. The communication of each smart card 12a, 12b with its respective card holder 11a, 11b is done via the contacts of the electronic modules 3 of the smart cards, but one or the other of the devices 10a, 10b could use communication by inductive coupling between its smart card and its card holder.

[0080] In this mode of use, each user will simply have to position their smart card 12 in their card holder reader 11, position a finger on their fingerprint sensor 13 to identify themselves strongly with respect to their own smart card 12, then bring the two biometric devices 10 closer together at a distance less than the range of an NFC or Bluetooth connection, and the transfer of value or payment will be made from card to card via the respective card holder readers 11.

[0081] In the embodiment of [Fig. 12], there is shown yet another evolution of the biometric device 10 according to the invention, adapted to the realization of a secure electronic wallet function (also called “Cold Wallet” in English terminology). In this case, the card holder 11 further comprises a secure memory 27, also called “Secure Element” in English terminology, and known per se. This secure memory 27 makes it possible, for example, to store a wallet of cryptocurrencies on board the card holder 11, which can then be used for transactions with a remote computer 26 or smartphone 27 which communicate in contactless mode with the card holder 11 via the BLE module 24.

[0082] Ultimately, the card reader 11 of the biometric device 10 according to the invention has two basic functions, namely the enrollment of the user's biometrics in the bank card 12, and strong authentication by biometrics of the user when carrying out a transaction, in particular a banking transaction.

[0083] Other functions can be added to these two basic functions provided that the card reader 11 is enhanced and that it is developed into a multifunctional object that multiplies the uses of the bank card, as described in relation to the examples in FIGS. 9 to 12. Advantages of the invention

[0084] Ultimately, the invention meets the set objectives.

[0085] The biometric sensor 13 remote in the card holder reader 11 makes it possible to increase the size of the biometric sensor and consequently the ease of enrollment and the reliability of biometric recognition. Enrollment is carried out via the card holder 11 which contains a biometric sensor. The biometric information captured by the card holder 11 is then stored in the secure memory of the smart card 12, as known per se.

[0086] The fact of being able to use a surface area of ​​the biometric sensor 13 larger than that of a biometric bank card also makes it possible to improve the resolution and the FAR and FRR error rates and therefore the security of the system while preserving the user experience.

[0087] Furthermore, the device 10 according to the invention allows the use of standard bank cards, whether contact, contactless, or dual. This preserves the reliability and lifespan of the bank card. In addition, no re-certification of the chip card will be necessary, unlike a biometric bank card.

[0088] Furthermore, the invention does not interfere with the usual uses of the standard bank card, such as payments at a point of sale, cash withdrawals from ATMs, or the use of the magnetic stripe.

[0089] Finally, retaining the card holder 11 for both biometric enrollment and subsequent transaction operations is better from an ecological point of view than known disposable enrollment devices.

Claims

Claims

1. Biometric device (10) for carrying out electronic transactions, comprising on the one hand a smart card (12) provided with a card body integrating a microelectronic module (3) comprising a microprocessor and a memory for storing identification information of the holder of the smart card, and comprising on the other hand a card holder (11) ensuring the enrollment of the biometrics of the holder in the smart card and the strong authentication of the holder by biometrics during a transaction, said card holder (11) being configured to receive said smart card (12), and comprising a biometric sensor (13) capable of capturing biometric information of a user of the device (10) and a communication interface configured to transmit said biometric information to the microelectronic module (3) of the smart card,and said card holder (11) further comprising a microcontroller (19) receiving the biometric information from the biometric sensor (13), a user interface (22) capable of indicating to the user the status of the information exchanges between said smart card (12) and said card holder (11), characterized in that the useful surface area of ​​the biometric sensor (13) of the card holder (11) is greater than 169 mm2, and in that said card holder (11) comprises a power source (18) electrically powering the biometric sensor (13), the microcontroller (19), and the user interface (22), said power source (18) of the card holder (11) being taken from a battery or a super capacitor capable of being wired to an external power supply device, a photovoltaic cell, or an antenna (23) capable of being inductively coupled to an external contactless power supply device.,

2. Biometric device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the smart card (12) is a contact card provided with a contact interface according to the ISO 7816-1 standard and in that the card holder (11) comprises a contact interface capable of galvanically engaging the contacts of the contact interface of the smart card (12).

3. Biometric device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the smart card (12) is a contactless or dual contact and contactless card, comprising an antenna connected to a contactless communication interface of the microelectronic module (3), and in that the card holder (11) comprises an antenna connected to the microcontroller (19) of the card holder (11) and capable of being positioned in inductive coupling with the antenna of the smart card (12).

4. Biometric device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the card holder (11) has on its front face a means (15) for guiding or retaining the chip card (12).

5. Biometric device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said means (15) for guiding or retaining the smart card (12) is constituted by a cover (15) delimiting a slot (16) into which the smart card (12) is inserted, and in that the biometric sensor (13) is located on the external face of the cover (15).

6. Biometric device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that said means (15) for guiding or retaining the smart card (12) consists of a peripheral slide arranged on at least two sides of the card holder and into which the smart card (12) is inserted, and in that the biometric sensor (13) of the card holder (11) is located on the rear face of the card holder (11).

7. Biometric device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card holder (11) is fixed to several chip cards (12) hinged together in a fan shape.

8. Biometric device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the card holder (11) is configured in the form of a wallet or is integrated into an accessory such as a mobile phone case.

9. Biometric device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card holder (11) further comprises a radiofrequency communication module (24), capable of establishing a BLE type link between the card holder (11) and a remote computer (26) or smartphone (27), or with another biometric device (10).

10. Biometric device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a secure memory (27) capable of storing a portfolio of electronic currencies or securities.

11. Use of a system consisting of a biometric device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims and a contactless smart card reader (30), wherein said contactless reader (30) is used to electrically power a contactless smart card (12) by inductive coupling between the contactless reader (30) and said smart card, and to electrically power the card holder (11) by galvanic contact between the smart card (12) and the card holder (11).

12. Use of a system consisting of a biometric device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a contactless smart card reader (30), wherein said contactless reader (30) is used to electrically power a contactless smart card (12) and the card holder (11) by inductive coupling between the contactless reader (30), the card holder (11) and the smart card (12).

13. Method for carrying out by a user an electronic transaction between an NFC reader (30) of a smart card transaction system and a biometric device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: - in a preliminary phase of enrolling the user, positioning a smart card (12) of the user on the card holder (11), placing a finger of the user on the biometric sensor (13) of the card holder (11) so as to capture by the card holder (11) a reference biometric fingerprint of the user, then transmitting this reference biometric fingerprint from the card holder (11) to the smart card (12) and storing it in a memory of the smart card (12);- in a phase of execution of an electronic transaction, positioning on the card holder (11) the smart card (12) containing the reference biometric fingerprint and a firmware for executing electronic transactions, then placing the user's finger on the biometric sensor (13) of the card holder (11) so as to capture and transmit to the smart card (12) a transaction biometric fingerprint; - comparing by the firmware of the smart card (12) the reference biometric fingerprint and the transaction biometric fingerprint, and in the event of correspondence of the two biometric fingerprints, authorizing the execution by the firmware of the smart card (12) of the electronic transaction between the smart card (12) and the NFC reader (30).;

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