Biometric assurance device and method
The invention may be embodied as an identity assurance system or method. A system according to the invention may have a biometric sensor capable of providing static biometric indications, a strap capable of positioning the sensor on an organism, and a computer in communication with the sensor. The computer may have software running on the computer in order to (a) cause the computer to determine whether there is a match between a subsequent static biometric indication and an initial static biometric indication, and (b) cause the computer to send a signal indicating whether a match was determined in order to assure the identity of the organism.
1. An assurance system, comprising:
a biometric sensor capable of providing an initial static biometric indication and capable of providing a subsequent static biometric indication;
a strap capable of fixing the sensor on an organism at a location from which the static biometric indications will be obtained; and capable of fixing the sensor for a period of time extending between taking the initial and subsequent static biometric indications; and
a computer in communication with the sensor, and having software running thereon for:
(a) causing the computer to determine whether there is a match between the subsequent static biometric indication and the initial static biometric indication, and
(b) in response to a determination that the initial static biometric indication does not match the subsequent static biometric indication, causing the computer to send a signal indicating that the location of the sensor has changed.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap has an adjustable length.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap includes a hook-and-loop fastener for closure.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap includes a snap fastener for closure.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a first strap and a second strap, wherein the first strap and the second strap are capable of connecting to each other for closure.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the strap is an elastomeric band.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an array of pressure-sensitive devices.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor includes a thin-film transistor array.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an array of conductivity-sensitive devices.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a receiver and a transmitter, and wherein the computer is in communication with the sensor via a wireless communication system established between the receiver and the transmitter.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer is in communication with the sensor via a wired communication system.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the software instructs the computer to send an alarm signal when the subsequent static biometric indication does not match the initial static biometric indication.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is a human being.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is an animal other than a human being.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is dead.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is a plant.
17. An assurance method, comprising:
providing a biometric sensor;
securing the sensor to an organism's body at a location where static biometric indications will be obtained from the organism's body using the sensor, and the sensor being in contact with the organism's body for a period of time extending between taking an initial static biometric indication of the location and a subsequent static biometric indication;
using the sensor to obtain the initial static biometric indication of the location;
storing the initial static biometric indication;
using the sensor to obtain the subsequent static biometric indication;
comparing the subsequent static biometric indication to the initial static biometric indication;
determining whether the difference between the subsequent static biometric and the initial static biometric indication exceed a predetermined variance threshold;
in response to a determination that the difference between the subsequent static biometric indication and the initial static biometric indication exceeds a predetermined variance threshold, providing a signal that the location of the sensor has changed.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the signal is provided if the variance threshold is met.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing a signal that the location of the sensor has not changed in response to a determination that the difference between the subsequent static biometric indication and the initial static biometric indication is below a predetermined variance threshold.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the organism is a human being.
21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the organism is an animal other than a human being.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the organism is dead.
23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the organism is a plant.