Patent ID: 6219439
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: G06F,G06K,G06Q,G07C,G07F

Abstract:
A biometric authentication apparatus, comprising:a smart card having:a computer chip storing data corresponding to a biometric feature of a card user, the smartcard adapted for providing the biometric feature data for comparison to the biometric feature of the card user,a non-biometric identifier corresponding to the card user; anda portable reader having:a housing, the housing having an inlet constructed and arranged for releasably receiving the smart card at the housing,a biometric scanner mounted to the housing and accessible to the biometric feature of the card user,a central processing unit (CPU) mounted to the housing, the CPU adapted for comparing at the portable reader the biometric feature at the scanner with the biometric feature data stored on the computer chip of the smart card for generating a first comparison signal representing the authentication status of the card user, and for providing a second comparison when the first comparison signal indicates positive authentication of the user, the second comparison between the non-biometric identifier of the smart card and other user data stored remote from the smart card to further determine authentication status of the user and generate a second comparison signal;a control chip associated with the CPU at the portable reader, the control chip preventing communication with the authentication apparatus until positive authentication of the user is complete; andan indicator assembly adapted for receiving the first and second comparison signals generated to indicate the authentication status of the card user.