Method for identity verification
The method for identity verification employs biometric technology. Positioned at the center of the system is a stylus with any of a number of biometric properties or their combination or with one or more metric sensors, while the customer uses the stylus to sign his/her name, or even for writing anything. The identity verification system is used at point-of-sale terminals, in various closed environments, to access a computer network, in applications involving pen-based computers and smart-pens, and for e-commerce. When fingerprint sensors are used, the sensors are positioned in the stylus grip, one sensor for the index finger, and a second sensor for the thumb. In one variation, one-to-one biometric matching is used. Each participant carries on his/her person a device that includes an encrypted biometric for reference purposes to gain access Into the system. Processing is simplified since the system need only make a “MATCH” or “NO MATCH” decision. In a second variation that is particularly useful in closed environments, one-to-many biometric matching is used. During each event access request, the community of reference prints is searched for a match with the applicant. Each member of the community need carry nothing on his/her person to participate in the system. In either variation, the stylus is either attached to each site or is portable, one such stylus being carried by each participant.
1. A method for verifying user identity, the method comprising:
a. processing a written request, the written request including a writing, the writing being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;
b. capturing a first user fingerprint image, the first user fingerprint image being captured upon a touching of the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus being used to generate the writing also being used to capture the first user fingerprint image; and
c. comparing the first user fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration;
whereby identity verification is determined by the comparison of the first user fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image; and
whereby the written request is denied absent a match of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image.
2. A method for verifying user identity to process a payment, the method comprising:
a. processing a payment request, the payment request involving a writing, the writing including a signature, the signature being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;
b. capturing a first user fingerprint image, the first user fingerprint image being captured upon a touching of the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus being used to generate the signature also being used to capture the first user fingerprint image; and
c. comparing the first user fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration;
whereby identity verification is determined by the comparison of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image; and
whereby the payment request is denied absent a match of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image.
3. A method for processing a written request, the processing requiring identity verification, the method comprising:
a. processing the written request, the written request including a signature, the signature being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;
b. capturing a first user fingerprint image, the first user fingerprint image being captured upon a touching of the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus being used to generate the signature also being used to capture the first user fingerprint image; and
c. comparing the first user fingerprint image and a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint image being captured during a registration;
whereby identity verification is determined by the comparison of the first user fingerprint image and the first reference fingerprint image; and
whereby the written request is denied absent a match of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image.
4. A method to access secure data, verification of user identity being needed to access the secure data, the method comprising:
a. requesting access to the secure data through a pen-based computer, the pen-based computer having a stylus, a fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus, the access request being submitted by use of the stylus;
b. capturing a first user fingerprint image, the first user fingerprint image being captured upon a touching of the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus used to generate the access request also being used to capture the first user fingerprint image; and
c. comparing the first user fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint being captured during a registration;
whereby identity verification is determined by the comparison of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image; and
whereby access to the secure data is denied absent a match of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image.
5. A method for verifying user identity to process a payment, the method comprising:
a. processing a payment request, the payment request involving a writing, the writing being generated by use of a stylus, a fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus, the payment request being submitted by use of the stylus;
b. capturing a first user fingerprint image, the first user fingerprint image being captured upon a touching of the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus being used to generate the writing also being used to capture the first user fingerprint image; and
c. comparing the first user fingerprint image with a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint being captured during a registration;
whereby identity verification is determined by the comparison of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image; and
whereby the payment request is denied absent a match of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image.
6. A method for processing a written request, the processing requiring identity verification, the method comprising:
a. processing a written request, the written request including a writing, the writing being generated by use of a stylus, a first fingerprint sensor being disposed in the stylus;
b. capturing a first user fingerprint image, the first user fingerprint image being captured upon a touching of the fingerprint sensor in the stylus, the stylus being used to generate the writing also being used to capture the first user fingerprint image;
c. comparing the first user fingerprint image and a first reference fingerprint image, the first reference fingerprint being captured during a registration; and
d. comparing the first user fingerprint image with a second reference fingerprint image, the second reference fingerprint being captured during a registration process;
whereby identity verification is determined by the comparison of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image or the first user fingerprint image with the second reference fingerprint image.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the written request includes a signature.
8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising denying the payment request absent a match of the first user fingerprint image with the first reference fingerprint image or the first user fingerprint image with the second reference fingerprint image.