Anonymous biometric verification
The present invention discloses an anonymous biometric verification system and method. In an embodiment of the invention, the system comprises a non-anonymous sector that retrieves biometric data (probes) by using biometric client(s). A unique identifier (“token”) is retrieved from a database that contains biographic and demographic data associated to the token, but without comprising the biographic or demographic data. The biometric data in form of template(s) along with the token are then sent via a cloud network to an anonymous sector. A query router, located at the non-anonymous sector may receive probes with the token and send them to one or more biometric query engine(s), wherein query engine(s) may either work in stripped or mirrored operation mode. Query engine(s) may search for location of template(s) in a templates database linked to a query search engine.
1. A method of biometrically verifying identification of an individual anonymously, the method comprising:
receiving, at a query engine in an anonymous biometric identity management sector, a biometric probe from the individual and a token associated with the individual, wherein the anonymous biometric identity management sector has no knowledge of or access to any biographic, demographic, or identifying information of the individual;
retrieving, at the query engine, a biometric template corresponding to the token, wherein the biometric template is retrieved from a template database in the anonymous biometric identity management sector;
comparing the biometric probe to the biometric template;
computing a score based on the comparing;
wherein the token is a unique identifier which carries no demographic or biographic information of the individual, and further comprising
receiving by a query router at least one biometric probe and a token;
selecting a query engine;
transmitting the biometric probe to the query engine;
receiving the score from the query engine;
determining a verification result from the score; and
transmitting the verification result to a non-anonymous biometric identity management sector.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric probe and the biometric template are based on facial recognition.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric probe and the biometric template are based on iris recognition.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric probe and biometric template are based on fingerprint recognition.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric probe and biometric template are based on hand geometry recognition, ten finger live scan, palm recognition, full hand recognition, signature recognition, ear recognition, finger vein recognition, retina recognition, voice recognition, or DNA-based recognition.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving by a query router comprises receiving a second biometric probe associated with the token;
said method further comprising
selecting a second query engine,
transmitting the biometric probe to the second query engine;
receiving a second score from the second query engine;
wherein the verification result is also determined based on the second score.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
biometrically capturing the at least one biometric probe by a biometric client;
retrieving the token associated with the individual;
transmitting the biometric probe and the token to the query router;
receiving a verification score from the query router; and
granting or denying access based on the verification score.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
biometrically capturing the at least one biometric probe by a biometric client;
retrieving the token associated with the individual;
transmitting the biometric probe to the query router;
receiving a verification score from the query router; and
granting or denying access based on the verification score.
9. An anonymous biometric verification system for biometrically verifying identification of an individual, the system comprising:
an anonymous biometric identity management sector comprising a query engine and a template database, wherein the anonymous biometric identity management sector has no knowledge of or access to any biographic, demographic, or identifying information of the individual, the query engine comprising:
a first processor;
a first communications interface; and
a first memory comprising first instructions;
wherein the first instructions cause the first processor to:
receive through the first communications interface a biometric probe from the individual and a token associated with the individual;
retrieve a biometric template corresponding to the token from the biometric template database in the anonymous biometric identity management sector;
compare the biometric probe to the biometric template; and
compute a score based on the comparing;
wherein the token is unique identifier which carries no demographic or biographic information of the individual, and
a query router comprising:
a second processor;
a second communication interface; and
a second memory comprising second instructions;
wherein the second instructions cause the second processor to:
receive through the second communications interface the biometric probe and the token;
select a query engine;
transmit through the second communications interface the biometric probe to the query engine;
receive through the second communications interface the score from the query engine;
determine a verification result from the score; and
transmit through the second communications interface the verification result to a non-anonymous biometric identity management sector.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the biometric probe and the biometric template are based on facial recognition.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the biometric probe and the biometric template are based on iris recognition.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the biometric probe and biometric template are based on fingerprint recognition.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the biometric probe and biometric template are based on hand geometry recognition, ten finger live scan, palm recognition, full hand recognition, signature recognition, ear recognition, finger vein recognition, retina recognition, voice recognition, or DNA-based recognition.
14. A non-transient computer readable storage medium comprising:
a template manager comprising instructions that cause a processor to:
receive through a communications interface a biometric probe from an individual and a token associated with the individual;
retrieve a biometric template corresponding to the token from a template database in an anonymous biometric identity management sector, wherein the anonymous biometric identity management sector has no knowledge of or access to any biographic, demographic, or identifying information of the individual,;
compare the biometric probe to the biometric template;
compute a score based on the comparing;
wherein the token is a unique identifier which carries no demographic or biographic information of the individual, and
request router logic comprising instructions that cause a process to:
receive at least one biometric probe and a token;
select a query engine;
transmit the biometric probe to the query engine;
receive the score from the query engine;
determine a verification result from the score; and
transmit the verification result to a non-anonymous biometric identity management sector.
15. The medium of claim 14 further comprising a plug-in based on facial recognition.
16. The medium of claim 14 further comprising a plug-in based on iris recognition.
17. The medium of claim 14 further comprising a plug-in based on fingerprint recognition.
18. The medium of claim 14 further comprising a plug-in based on hand geometry recognition, ten finger live scan, palm recognition, full hand recognition, signature recognition, ear recognition, finger vein recognition, retina recognition, voice recognition, or DNA-based recognition.