Abstract:
In a first embodiment, a central database accessible by registered members, including merchants, will contain all of an individual&#39;s information while a smart card will store a unique id, known as an avatar, that may be utilized to access the information on the server. The central database is accessed through an authentication service to ensure smartcard validity. The unique identity information is retrieved by smartcard readers issued to registered members. In another embodiment, all the information concerning the individual is contained within the smart card itself. In a further embodiment, data on the smartcard and the central database is arranged in an access list with the more sensitive personal information being made available only to the smartcard readers having the highest level of access. At least two avatars, horizontal and vertical, are utilized with the horizontal avatar providing id that is changeable and the vertical avatar providing non-changeable id. Very low levels of identification are contained in memory on the smartcard.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application Ser. No. 09/557,240 is related to the subject matter of the following application: entitled “Multiple Aliases, Personalities and Preferences for an Individual User on a Browser in a Method, System and Program” and filed Apr. 24, 2000. The content of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to identification and in particular to restricting identification. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to personal identification utilizing a smartcard. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Smart cards are rapidly becoming the preferred means whereby identification is provided in various situations. A simple, permanent smart card may have a microprocessor with read only memory, random access memory and non-volatile memory. As is well known, a smartcard may be a plastic card and contain hardwired or fixed applications that are stored when the card is manufactured and are not changeable or movable. It is expected that within the next few years identity documents may start getting issued on smartcards in some jurisdictions. Smartcards have an advantage in that they are more or less tamper proof (at least when compared to paper documents like passports and drivers license). 
     Identification is a valued asset for an individual and should be kept private for security reasons. There are instances where different levels of identity are required, i.e., passing through customs/immigration requires a more detailed level of identity than that of presenting identification at a package liquor store. In one situation, customs; name, date of birth, address, recent photograph, etc. is required and in the other situation, package liquor store, only proof of age and photograph need be presented. Paper identity, that displays more than just the required low level of identification, presents a security hazard; that is, displaying a driver&#39;s license for identity at a package liquor store shows name, address, date of birth, picture, written description, medical conditions and driver&#39;s license number, when only proof of age is required. 
     It would be desirable therefore, to provide a system that would furnish different levels of identification. It would also be desirable to provide a method of choosing a level of identification to present that would fit the situation. It further be desirable to choose an identification that may be a false identification. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a system for providing different levels of identification. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a system for providing a fake identification. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of choosing a level of identification to fit a particular situation. 
     The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described. In a first embodiment, a central database accessible by registered members, including merchants, will contain all of an individual&#39;s information while a smart card will store a unique id, known as an avatar, that may be utilized to access the information on the server. The central database is accessed through an authentication service to ensure smartcard validity. The unique identity information is retrieved by smartcard readers issued to registered members. In another embodiment, all the information concerning the individual is contained within the smart card itself. In a further embodiment, data on the smartcard and the central database is arranged in an access list with the more sensitive personal information being made available only to the smartcard readers having the highest level of access. At least two avatars, horizontal and vertical, are utilized with the horizontal avatar providing id that is changeable and the vertical avatar providing non-changeable id. Very low levels of identification are contained in memory on the smartcard. 
     The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1A depicts a smart card in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented; 
     FIG. 1B is a high-level block diagram depicts a more advanced smart card in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a vertical avatar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a horizontal avatar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram of a combination horizontal and vertical avatar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5A illustrates a high-level block diagram illustrating authentication in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5B depicts a smart card in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates pseudocode in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 7 depicts a method for providing security and privacy in smart cards in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference to FIG. 1A, a high-level block diagram of a basic smartcard is depicted in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Smart card  100  has a microprocessor, or CPU  102 , memory  103  and I/O  110 . Memory  103  comprises read only memory (ROM)  104 , non-volatile memory (NVM)  106  and random access memory  108 . NVM  106  may be any type of writeable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, battery backed RAM or electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). ROM  104  typically stores the operating system which controls operation of CPU  102  and RAM  108  is temporary memory and all contents are lost when power is removed. NVM  106  may be utilized to store one or more applications for use in operating smart card  100 . 
     CPU  102  controls operation of smart card  100  and is typically connected to all the memories within memory system  103 . Outside access to memories of smart card  100  must be conducted through I/O  110 , which is connected to CPU  102 . There may be more than one I/O and for security reasons, CPU  102  typically authenticates and validates incoming requests. Authentication and validation may be conducted using any of a variety of security systems including cryptographic systems. 
     Referring to FIG. 1B, a high-level block diagram depicts a more advanced smart card in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Smart card  120  includes microprocessor  121  read/write memory  122 , read only memory  124  and it may have a plurality of connectors, shown as input medium  130 . The connectors provide different modes of I/O as in the basic smart card and can exchange data with a variety of external devices like Personal Computers, Bank ATM machines, Public transportation ticketing machines, etc. A Geographic Positioning System (GPS)  128  may be included in smart card  120  and can track the location of smart card  120  anywhere in the world. An additional feature would include display  126  that could display any graphics stored in ROM  124  or RAM  122  and may consist of a picture of the card holder. 
     Referring next to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a vertical avatar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. An avatar is defined as an identity assumed by the cardholder. In the present invention there are two avatars, horizontal and vertical. A vertical avatar is a permanent, non-changeable identifier such as social security number, driver&#39;s license number, etc. A horizontal avatar is information that is changeable according to user preference and mood, such as name, hobbies, preferences, etc. 
     Vertical avatar arrangement  200  is composed of multiple levels of vertical avatar. Level  1   202  is a low level avatar that would include, for instance, the name of the cardholder—John Smith and nothing else. Level  2   204  would include further information such as the complete name and the birth date of the cardholder—John Henry Smith, Aug. 13, 1999. Level n  206  is the highest level avatar and would include many details about the card holder—John Henry Smith, Aug. 13, 1999, 123 ABC Street, Austin, Texas, 70981; DL# 0811151, etc. While the example has been constructed with name, birthday, address and credit card as fields, additional fields like security clearance, employer&#39;s name, health information like blood group type, etc. can also be included 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a horizontal avatar in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Horizontal avatar arrangement  300  includes Level  1  avatar  302 , which, when queried, provides minimal identification and in this case, a false name. This level could be used as membership and means of entry to a club. Horizontal avatars are changeable so that multiple aliases may be used and different subjects concerning the identity of the cardholder may be utilized to present as an identifier. Horizontal avatars contain information that is not permanent such as, home address, mailing address, favorite movie, hobby, etc. A Level  2  avatar  304 , may include the true name (changeable with marriage and personal choice) and the current employer (changeable). People change jobs so that a current employer is typically a temporary identification feature. Credit card numbers are not permanent identifiers and may change so a Level  3  avatar  306  includes a home address and a credit card number along with the birth date of the cardholder. Either Level  2   304  or Level  3   306  may be made available to a particular level reader. 
     Referring next to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a combination horizontal and vertical avatar is illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. Both permanent and temporary identifiers are available on the same smart card. Level  1  avatar, combination horizontal and vertical avatars, of the cardholder is shown with the horizontal avatar, Batman (changeable) and the vertical avatar, John Smith (non-changeable). Level  2  avatar  404  is shown and contains variable data indicating two hobbies. Level  3  avatar  406  provides fixed data in both the John Smith vertical avatar and the Batman horizontal avatar. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5A, a high-level block diagram illustrating authentication in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. A central database stored on authentication server  504  contains all of the individual&#39;s information and smart card  500  stores a unique ID to access the information on server  504 . The cardholder is able to configure access rights of various entities that request information from smart card  500  through the use of smart card reader  502 . Access is granted based on groups (e.g., all bars have been granted access to level  2  data) or specific entities (e.g., Blue Bell Bar has been granted access to level  2  data). 
     The cardholder presents smart card  500  to a merchant and the smart card is inserted in smart card reader  502 . Smart card reader  502  transmits both the reader ID (encrypted) and the smart card ID (encrypted) to the authentication server and requests a specific level of information. Server  504  decrypts the ID&#39;s and if the reader ID is on an access control list, by group or specifically, established by the cardholder, the request is granted. Appropriate information is gathered and returned to smart card reader. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5B, a smart card in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated. Smart card  512  contains all the cardholder information. Smart card reader  514  is only able to access a pre-determined level of information. No ID&#39;s are passed in this implementation. The cardholder presents smart card  512  to smart card reader  514 . Reader  514  is identified as a specific type, or group, of merchant that is entitled to a specific level of avatar through the reader ID. Reader  514  requests the specified level of information and the appropriate information is supplied from the memory through the I/O connector on smart card  512 . There will be advances in smart cards and output can be provided in audio, text or even graphic in the form of a photograph. It is likely that the output may be received through the smart card reader, but just as likely through the smart card itself. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, pseudocode in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The layout of data will be logically implemented by a set of trees (directory structure). Each level of the tree will correspond to an access level. This is not the only method for providing different levels of access, a relational database may also be utilized. 
     Directory structures in this example use access control lists (acl). Items in italics represent data which the cardholder may change at will. Data stored in the select directory may be in XML format and that file may optionally be encrypted for added security. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, a method for providing security and privacy in smart cards in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The process begins with step  700 , which depicts a smart card being presented to a smart card reader. The process then proceeds to step  701 , which illustrates a determination of whether the smart card is valid. If the determination is made that the smart card is not valid, the process passes to step  702 , which depicts the merchant refusing the card or requiring some other form of ID. If the determination is made that the smart card is valid, the process instead proceeds to step  704 , which illustrates the reader accessing the authentication server. 
     The process continues to step  706 , which depicts the reader transmitting its own ID and the smart card ID to the server. The process then passes to step  708 , which illustrates the reader requesting a level of information. Next, the process moves to step  710 , which depicts the server decrypting the reader and smart card ID. The process then passes to step  712 , which illustrates the server determining if the smart card ID is valid. If the smart card ID is valid, the process then passes to step  714 , which depicts a determination of whether the reader has clearance for the ID level requested. If the determination is made that the reader has clearance, the process proceeds to step  716 , which illustrates the server transmitting the requested ID information to the reader. 
     If the determination is made that the reader does not have clearance for the requested information, the process proceeds instead to step  718 , which depicts the server denying the request to the smart card reader. Returning to step  712 , if the determination is made that the smart card ID is not valid the process continues to step  718 , which illustrates the server denying the request for information. 
     It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functional data processing system and/or network, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanism of the present invention is capable of being distributed in the form of a computer usable medium of instructions in a variety of forms, and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of computer usable mediums include: nonvolatile, hard-coded type mediums such as read only memories (ROMs) or erasable, electrically programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), recordable type mediums such as floppy disks, hard disk drives and CD-ROMs, and transmission type mediums such as digital and analog communication links. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.