Smart wallet

A smart wallet that can only be exclusively opened by an authorized individual through biometric authentication is disclosed. The smart wallet also has a security system associated therewith to prevent the smart wallet from being lost or stolen. The system comprises a fob key configured to send periodic wireless transmissions to the smart wallet device having the ability for approximate range detection. Various embodiments include audible, visual and vibrational indications for authentication, battery power and range detection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to wallets or billfolds with improved security features. More specifically, the present invention pertains to systems and methods for securing wallets while employing electronic features. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a smart wallet system and method with advanced features including biometric authentication and an ability to transmit and receive electronic signals.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In an age where electronic devices and transactions are prevalent, safe-guarding data has become an important issue, thus giving rise to a myriad of security systems. Two of the common security systems used are password and personal identification (PIN) systems. Password systems require a user to provide the authentication system with a username and a password (both of which are unique to the user). PIN systems on the other hand usually require a user to provide a code, usually referred to as the PIN code, for authentication purposes. Both the password and the PIN system can prove to be a nuisance to users in the event they forget their password or PIN code. Moreover, a user A can easily impersonate another user B if user A happens to get a hold of the password or PIN code (given either voluntarily or exploited through other means) of user B. One way to avoid such breaches of security is to implement a user-based physiological or behavioral characteristic as a means for authentication. This is the general idea behind biometrics.

Biometrics is the study of measurable biological characteristics. In computer security, biometrics refers to authentication techniques that rely on measurable physiological (e.g. face, fingerprint, hand, iris, or DNA) or behavioral (e.g. keystrokes, signature, or voice) characteristics that can be automatically checked.

In the above description, authentication is usually accomplished via a biometric device. A general description of the functionality of a biometric device now follows. First, the biometric device captures a profile of the characteristic and next, a comparison of the acquired profile is made with a stored profile or template. Lastly, upon successful matching of the captured and stored profile, the user is interfaced with the application system requesting authentication.

Authentication based on fingerprint: One of the most common biometric techniques is the fingerprint, wherein users scan in a copy of their fingerprint and a comparison is performed by the authentication device as to whether or not the input fingerprint matches that of a stored fingerprint corresponding to the same person. Some fingerprint authentication devices further provide a step of checking for a pulse to combat problems posed by false-authentication via fingerprints that are not real.

Authentication based on hand geometry: An authentication querying system captures the physical characteristics of a user's hand and fingers via a scanner and is matched with a stored template of the same user. Upon successful authentication, an action (like opening a secure door) is performed by the querying system.

Authentication based on retinal scanning: A scanner scans at close range a user's retina (the image forming innermost coat of the black part of the eye ball) using a low intensity light, creating an eye signature. The image is further matched to a stored retinal template, and a specific action is performed upon successful authentication. It should however be noted that failure of a user to focus correctly may provide an inaccurate result.

Authentication based on iris scanning: An iris scanner scans unique random patterns of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and authenticates users based on comparing the consistency of the acquired pattern with that of stored patterns. Unlike retinal scanning, close range interaction is not required.

Authentication based on facial recognition: A facial recognition system scans (the features of a users face) and captures an image of the user's face and compares it to a stored static facial image of the same user. Upon successful authentication, a specific action is performed by the facial recognition system.

Authentication based on signature verification: This authentication technique utilizes a pressure sensitive pen and a tablet to record a user's signature. The system then compares it against stored samples of signatures corresponding to the same user, and upon authentication, performs a specific action.

Authentication based on voice recognition: Authentication in this technique is based on recognizing voice and speech characteristics (associated with a user) that are imperceptible and hence not replicable. Voice recognition systems typically require more memory for storing voice templates of users.

Therefore, biometrics are beginning to play a critical role in authentication and security. Biometrics authenticate the user not based on what he can remember (like passwords, PIN's, etc.), but rather use the user's characteristics (or who the user is) to perform authentication.

Also recently, improvements in electronic tracking and inventory systems have been proposed that take advantage of the latest short range, low power technologies such as Bluetooth and ZigBee. However, no similar proposals have been made that specifically address a person's wallet providing biometric authentication and electronic tracking.

In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Smart Wallet, or an iWallet, that proposes a biometric based authentication module to prevent a non-owner from accessing the device. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a secure wallet that is tamper resistant and water resistant. It is still further an object of the present invention to provide a smart wallet with electronic transmission and receiving capability to provide, for example indication when a secure wallet and a corresponding fob key are taken out of a preselected range. It is yet still further an object of the present invention to provide either a fob key device configured to fit onto or into a cellular telephone device, or alternatively configured to a key chain. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a secure wallet with a USB port so that data can be retrieved, stored and programmed to the device via a personal or laptop computer. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a Smart Wallet system and method that is simple to use, yet easy to implement and comparatively cost effective.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies, more specifically, the present invention is directed to a smart wallet comprising: an open position; a secure position; and a biometric reader wherein the biometric reader provides biometric authentication allowing the wallet to transition from the secure position to the open position.

The smart wallet, in a first aspect, is further characterized as having a left-hand side; and a right-hand side, the left and right-hand sides connected by hinges. A preferred embodiment also has an LED indicating a relative battery strength. Additionally, the smart wallet comprises a plastic support clip on an interior of the wallet, the plastic support clip configured to receive personal business cards.

The smart wallet is also a part of a smart wallet tracking system. For this, the smart wallet comprises a first RF unit; and the tracking system further includes a fob comprising a separate a second RF unit, the first and second RF units configured to send and receive electronic transmissions from each of said units, the fob providing audible indication when the fob and smart wallet are separated by a predetermined range.

Yet another physical feature of the smart wallet is that an interior portion of the wallet includes a base relief to facilitate extraction of bills and credit cards. Also, the interior portion includes a card holder for storage of business cards or credit cards and the card holder includes an angular offset to facilitate extraction of said cards. It is further contemplated that the smart wallet comprises polycarbonate-ABS blend; and styrene-acrylonitrile material.

In a second aspect, the present invention is a method of securing a wallet, the method comprising: providing a wallet having electronic transmitting and receiving capability; providing a fob key transmitting and receiving electronic signals from the wallet; determining whether the wallet is within a predetermined distance from the fob key using the transmitting and receiving electronic signals; and indicating audibly if the fob key and the wallet are detected as being beyond the predetermined distance.

The method herein additionally comprises latching the wallet in a closed position; controlling the latching electronically via control signals; and authenticating the controlling the latching biometrically.

In a third aspect, the present invention is a system for securing a wallet comprising: a fob key maintained separately from the wallet, wherein the wallet and fob key are able to transmit and receive electronic signals with one another and wherein an approximate distance can be determined between the wallet and the fob key; and audible indication to alert a user when the approximate distance exceeds a predetermined distance.

The system of the present invention additionally characterized in that the wallet further comprises an open position; a secure position; and a biometric reader wherein the biometric reader provides biometric authentication allowing the wallet to transition from the secure position to the open position.

The fob key of the present invention comprises a battery compartment, the battery compartment including a screw type lid. Additionally, self-adhesive is provided for affixing the fob to a cellular phone. As an alternative, all hardware components of a fob key of the present invention are incorporated into a cellular phone design. In yet another alternative, the fob further comprises a loop for attaching to a key chain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a smart wallet tracking system100is illustrated. First, a smart wallet111is provided having relatively low power, relatively short range, wireless transmission115capability. Second, an electronic fob112is provided also having wireless transmission capability configured to transmit and receive signals from the smart wallet111. As an example, the fob key can be mated to a key chain114via loop113, or alternatively, the fob key112could also be configured into or onto a cell phone690as illustrated inFIGS. 6A through 7C, for example.

System100is still further configured so that when wallet111and fob112are separated by a predetermined distance, for example ten (10) feet, the system100will provide audio and/or vibrational indication to both the wallet111and the fob112. The audio indication could be provided, for example, by a sound generator201,211, such as a buzzer or a speaker. Further, the vibrational indication could be provided by, for example, a miniature motor configured with a weight imbalance to cause vibration. The audio indication principle purpose is to alert an owner when the wallet111has been stolen, and further, the direction the wallet relative to the owner in the moments after a suspected theft.

As another alternative, fob112is configured with wireless transmission ability while the wallet itself includes only passive RFID; and therefore only the fob key112would alert a user when the wallet111goes out of range. In a preferred embodiment, the wallet111and fob key112range determination is achieved approximately by a relative signal strength detected by a receiver from either or both of the fob key112and the wallet111.

Referring toFIG. 2A, a block diagram200of exemplary hardware components is shown. In a preferred embodiment, a biometric reader is realized as fingerprint module203. Microprocessor204controls the actions of the range detection, for example with sound generator201and vibrator202, and also with authentication of the user via the fingerprint module203. A Security Parameter Index (SPI) is associated with a wallet owner's biometric signature. Microprocessor204communicates to wireless module205via a General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO), for example, and includes antenna206. It is preferred that both processor204and wireless module205are low power consuming and concurrent with the latest advancements in such electronics. Further, wireless module205is configured, according to for example, short range low power protocols as defined by either Bluetooth, ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or Ultra-Wideband (UWB).

FIG. 2Billustrates a fob key hardware block diagram210wherein a microprocessor215is integrated with a wireless module. Similarly, the integrated processor and wireless module215control sound generator211and vibrator212, and is electronically connected to antenna216.

FIG. 2Cshows software block diagram230for the smart wallet111of the present invention. It230comprises applications including registration, login, authentication, range detection231, wireless stack233, security library232, biometric middleware234, operating system235, and device drivers236. The operating system235includes all the services such as interprocess communications, memory management, clock, and file system. Device drivers236include wireless, flash, I/O ports, timers, fingerprint reader, and others. Sitting on top of the OS235are the wireless communication stack233, biometric library (middleware)234, and security library232. The application layer231includes applications such as sync, user registration, user authentication, and range detection, for example.

FIG. 2Dillustrates software block diagram240for the fob key112of the present invention. It240comprises applications including pairing and range detection241, communications stack242, system services and device drivers243. Software on the electronic fob key112is simpler than software on the smart wallet111. According, no full featured operating system is provided but instead a simple round-robin loop, where each software module241242,243is given a time slice of a CPU.

Another embodiment300of a smart wallet is illustrated inFIG. 3Ain a closed or secure position. As shown, biometric reader310is configured to scan a fingerprint of a person attempting to access the wallet300. LED320is designed to emit green when processor204recognizes the fingerprint as the owner of smart wallet300. Also, a chime is emitted from sound generator201when a successful authentication is received. Additionally, LED320is designed to emit red light, and sound generator201will emit a warning buzzer, when the biometric reader310scans a fingerprint other than what the processor204recognizes as the owner. Still further, LED32is designed to emit amber light when battery power for the wallet300is below a threshold level and also sound generator201will emit an intermittent beeping sound. In a preferred embodiment, recharging of wallet battery power can be achieved via mini USB port330to a charger that plugs into an AC power supply. Alternatively, a separate port for an AC adapter can be provided as a design choice.

Wallet300may be described as similar a cigarette case that is tamper resistant and opens up only biometrically, for example by fingerprint. Wallet300can only be opened by the owner himself; and therefore, children, a spouse, roommates, etc. are denied access to contents thereof while the owner of the wallet is for instance sleeping, or in the bathroom.

FIG. 3Aalso shows antenna340and mini USB port330.FIGS. 3B through 3Dfurther illustrate wallet300in various views. Wallet300in an open position is shown inFIG. 3B. An interior of the smart wallet300presents on its left side a plastic support clip360where one can put for instance, personal business cards361. On an opposing right side, a leather compartment is provided with inner351and outer sections353. Inner section351is designed to receive paper money352as shown inFIG. 3C. Outer section353is designed to receive credit cards, or similar items as shown inFIGS. 3B and 3D. Also illustrated is a latch370used to secure wallet300. In a preferred embodiment, latch370is controlled by a motor actuator; however other type actuators may be employed. Whatever choice of actuator, it is designed to de-energize shut, therefore, smart wallet300locking mechanism defaults into locked state when power is lost or in standby mode. In a preferred embodiment, battery power is minimized because latch control power is only applied to unlatch.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bfurther illustrate a smart wallet embodiment111as originally shown inFIG. 1. Here, an alternative latch470embodiment has been illustrated. Also, this embodiment111differs from the smart wallet300shown inFIG. 3Ain that two LEDs415,420are provided. A first LED420can be dedicated to battery power indication and a second LED415provides indication of biometric access. Other physical features to note are antenna440and USB port430. Also to note, card holder469for receiving cards461and plastic clip460for retaining paper money452. Importantly, this embodiment111includes base relief455to assist in extraction of bills452; as well as base relief456to assist in the extraction of cards at an interior portion of wallet111. Further, the interior of the wallet111is exposed about hinges480.

Yet further, another embodiment500of a smart wallet according to the present invention is shown inFIGS. 5A through 5C. Similarly, it500comprises LED520, USB port530and antenna540joining biometric reader510. Also similarly, an interior portion of wallet500includes clip560for securing paper money552having base relief555to facilitate extraction thereof. The interior portions are formed about hinges580. However, this embodiment500is unique in that card holder569retains cards561at a slight tilt as illustrated inFIGS. 5B and 5C.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate yet another embodiment600for a fob key of the present invention, however, this solution pairs the fob600to a cellular telephone690via a suitable adhesive787(FIG. 7C). Fob600, has a speaker616, an LED620and also contains a battery compartment686and battery compartment cover685. As stated herein, system100provides that when fob600and a smart wallet111,300,500of the present invention are outside approximately a predetermined range, fob600will provide audible indication via speaker616, as well as visual indication620.

Still further, another fob key embodiment700is realized inFIGS. 7A through 7C. As shown, fob700comprises sound generator716, LED720, as well as battery compartment786with cover785.FIG. 7Billustrates fob700affixed to a cellular phone790according to the present invention.FIG. 7Cshows a perspective view of fob700from a vantage point that is underneath the fob700. Also according to a preferred embodiment, a first side of self-adhesive787that mates with fob700comprises a relatively high strength bonding material; and a second side of self-adhesive787comprises a relatively low strength bonding material. It is yet still further contemplated that the fob key applicable hardware components could be incorporated into existing cellular phones wherein only required software is needed to instruct the fob key to work as such according to the present invention.

As stated, smart wallet111,300,500is an electronic personal vault that can communicate wirelessly115to another small key chain fob device112or cellular phone fob600,700to monitor their co-location and alert a user when the two are separated. In a preferred embodiment, electronic fob key600,700has a small sleek design where it can be attached to a cellular handset690,790. Further in a preferred embodiment, smart wallet111,300,500is water-resistant and could be further improved to be a water-tight device. Still further in a preferred embodiment, sensors associated with the biometric input can determine if wallet111,300,500is forced to an open position without biometric authentication. Therefore, if the wallet is pried open with a screwdriver an alarm will sound via sound generator201.

Construction materials contemplated by the present invention include titanium for the wallet111,300,500. Further, covers585,685,785for battery compartments686,786may be comprised of polycarbonate-ABS blend. Also in a preferred embodiment, LEDs320,420,520,620,720are contain of translucent plastic (SAN) styrene-acrylonitrile material for covers thereof.

Additional aspects of the present invention considered herein include a bypass function comprising a pin, for example, to allow access to the wallet111,300,500if battery power is no longer available. Also, USB port330and430can be used to set up, program and monitor the system100of the invention when coupled to a computer device; and also in this way the system can provide a log of biometric attempts to access the wallet111,300,500.