Abstract:
A method for authenticating an identity involves a computing device receiving a first credential over a first communications channel, and determining a second communications channel from a comparison between the first received credential and a first reference credential provisionally associated with the first credential. The computing device opens the second communications channel and receives second credential over the second communications channel, and the identity is authenticated based on a verification of the second credential. The computing device authenticates the identity by generating a first identity proof score from a correlation between the first received credential and the first reference credential, generating a second identity proof score from a correlation between the second received credential and a second reference credential, and generating an ultimate identity proof score from the first identity proof score and the second identity proof score.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/331,862 (filed Jan. 13, 2006, entitled “MULTI-MODE CREDENTIAL AUTHENTICATION”, and presently pending). 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention described herein relates to a mechanism for credential-based authentication. In particular, the invention relates to a method and system for authenticating an identity using biometric credentials. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The state of the art is replete with mechanisms for authenticating the identity of an individual using biometric credentials. 
         [0004]    For instance, Chainer (U.S. Pat. No. 6,957,337) teaches a method for authenticating a user using one or more biometrics. The method begins with a received biometric being compared against a stored biometric. If the received biometric does not match a stored biometric, the user is prompted to provide another biometric which, in turn, is compared against a stored biometric. The method repeats until a received biometric matches a stored biometric, whereupon the user is authenticated. 
         [0005]    Maskativa (U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,394) teaches a method for authorizing a customer to perform transactions with a self-service device. The method involves extracting a first biometric set of text data from a verification instrument, and extracting a second biometric set directly from the customer. The biometric sets are then compared to determine whether they are derived from the same individual. 
         [0006]    Hoffman (U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,376) teaches a method for tokenless authorization of a commercial transaction, that begins with the buyer accepting a seller&#39;s offer by providing the buyer&#39;s personal identification number (PIN) and at least one biometric sample to a computer server. The computer system uses the PIN to locate a previously-provided biometric, and then compares the received biometric with the previously-provided biometric. The computer system then authorizes the transaction based on the result of the comparison. 
         [0007]    Hoffman (U.S. Pat. No. 6,920,435) teaches a method for tokenless authorization of an electronic transaction, that begins with the computer system comparing a received biometric with a previously-provided biometric. If the received biometric matches the previously-provided biometric, a transaction processor is selected for completion of the transaction. A stored audio signature associated with the transaction processor is then sent to the user to thereby identify the transaction processor that conducted the electronic transaction. 
         [0008]    Kramer (U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,849) teaches a method for authorizing a commercial transaction that begins with the service provider establishing a telephone link with an authorization provider. If the telephone link has been previously authorized, the service provider accepts the link, and then requests the customer to provide an identifier and a biometric sample over the link. The authorization provider authorizes the transaction if the correspondence between the biometric sample and a stored biometric exceeds a threshold value. 
         [0009]    Gudorf (US 2002/0133708) teaches a method for authenticating an e-commerce transaction that involves receiving from a user a transaction request, and personal information associated with the user. The personal information includes a biometric, and an address to which a permission request can be sent. The permission request includes a request for permission to provide additional information to the user. Upon verification of the personal information, the permission request is issued to the user at the specified address. The additional information is delivered to the user if the user grants permission in response to the permission request. 
         [0010]    In each of these proposed solutions, the authentication of the user is determined by a comparison of a biometric sample with a previously-supplied biometric. As a result, the solutions are prone to fraud to the extent that the credentials can be duplicated by unscrupulous parties. 
         [0011]    Further, the solutions rely heavily on the ability of the computer system to match a biometric sample with a saved biometric. As a result, the outcome of the match is limited by the consistency by which the user can duplicate the saved biometric. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The invention authenticates the identity of a person, based on received credentials. A first credential acts as a provisional indication of the person&#39;s identity, and is used to select a communications channel over which to receive a second credential. The provisional identity is authenticated by verifying the second received credential. In the context of this invention, a credential is something that is uniquely associated with the person, and includes both non biometric credentials (e.g. name, address) and biometric credentials (e.g. facial features, voiceprint, fingerprint). 
         [0013]    The invention may be used to facilitate a transaction where proof of identity of an individual is required. The transaction may include, for example, a financial lending transaction, and/or an identity authentication transaction. The identity authentication transaction typically effects issuance of an instrument of identification or entitlement to a good or service, such as a passport, a driver&#39;s license, or a Health card. Further, at least one of the credentials may include a biometric credential. 
         [0014]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for authenticating an identity, that involves a computing device receiving a first credential over a first communications channel, and determining a second communications channel from a comparison between the first received credential and a first reference credential. The second communications channel is provisionally associated with the first credential and is different from the first communications channel. The computing device opens the second communications channel and receives a second credential over the opened second communications channel. The computing device authenticates the identity by generating a first identity proof score from a correlation between the first received credential and the first reference credential, generating a second identity proof score from a correlation between the second received credential and a second reference credential, and generating an ultimate identity proof score from the first identity proof score and the second identity proof score. 
         [0015]    The first identity proof score is indicative of a first correlation level between the first received credential and the first reference credential, the second identity proof score is indicative of a second correlation level between the second received credential and the second reference credential, and the ultimate identity proof score is indicative of a confidence level in a correlation between the received credentials and the identity. 
         [0016]    In one implementation, the first received credential comprises a first received biometric credential and a first received non-biometric credential, the first reference credential comprises a first reference biometric credential and a first reference non-biometric credential, and the first identity proof score generating comprises generating the first identity proof score from a comparison between the first received biometric credential and the first reference biometric credential and a comparison between the first received non-biometric credential and the first reference non-biometric credential. 
         [0017]    The second communications channel may be uniquely associated with the first reference non-biometric credential, and the communication channel determining may comprise the computing device determining the second communications channel from a comparison between the first received non-biometric credential and the first reference non-biometric credential. The second received credential may comprise a second received biometric credential, the second reference credential may comprise a second reference biometric credential, and the second identity proof score generating may comprise generating the second identity proof score from a comparison between the second received biometric credential and the second reference biometric credential. 
         [0018]    In another implementation, the second communications channel opening comprising the computing device initiating communication at a predetermined time to a communications address that is uniquely associated with the first reference credential. The predetermined time may be associated with the first reference credential. The predetermined time may comprise a predetermined elapsed time after receipt of the first received credential. The second communications channel may comprise a telephone network channel, the communications address may comprise a telephone number, and the communication initiating may comprise the computing device initiating a telephone call to the telephone number at the predetermined elapsed time. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an identity proofing system that includes a credential management facility retaining reference credentials, a first credential sample acquisition procedure, a second credential sample acquisition procedure, and an identity proofing procedure that is in communication with the sample acquisition procedures and the credential management facility. The first credential sample acquisition is configured to receive a first credential over a first communications channel and to determine a second communications channel from a comparison between the first received credential and a first reference credential. The first credential is provisionally associated with an identity. The second communications channel is provisionally associated with the first credential and is different from the first communications channel. The second credential sample acquisition procedure is configured to receive a second credential over the second communications channel by opening the second communications channel and receiving the second credential over the opened second communications channel. 
         [0020]    The identity proofing procedure provided is configured to authenticate the identity by generating a first identity proof score from a correlation between the first received credential and the first reference credential, generating a second identity proof score from a correlation between the second received credential and a second reference credential, and generating an ultimate identity proof score from the first identity proof score and the second identity proof score. The first identity proof score is indicative of a first correlation level between the first received credential and the first reference credential, the second identity proof score is indicative of a second correlation level between the second received credential and the second reference credential, and the ultimate identity proof score is indicative of a confidence level in a correlation between the received credentials and the identity. 
         [0021]    In one implementation, the first received credential comprises a first received biometric credential and a first received non-biometric credential, the first reference credential comprises a first reference biometric credential and a first reference non-biometric credential, and the identity proofing procedure is configured to generate the first identity proof score from a comparison between the first received biometric credential and the first reference biometric credential and a comparison between the first received non-biometric credential and the first reference non-biometric credential. 
         [0022]    The second communications channel may be is uniquely associated with the first reference non-biometric credential, and the second credential sample acquisition procedure may be configured to determine the second communications channel from a comparison between the first received non-biometric credential and the first reference non-biometric credential. The second received credential may comprise a second received biometric credential, the second reference credential may comprise a second reference biometric credential, and the identity proofing procedure may be configured to generate the second identity proof score from a comparison between the second received biometric credential and the second reference biometric credential. 
         [0023]    In another implementation, the second credential sample acquisition procedure is configured to open the second communications channel by initiating communication at a predetermined time to a communications address uniquely associated with the first reference credential. The predetermined time may be associated with the first reference credential. The predetermined time may comprise a predetermined elapsed time after receipt of the first received credential. The second communications channel may comprise a telephone network channel, the communications address may comprise a telephone number, and the second credential sample acquisition procedure may be configured to initiate the communication by initiating a telephone call to the telephone number at the predetermined elapsed time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an identity proofing system, according to the invention, in communication with a financial transaction executive facility; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of one of the credential sample acquisition facilities of the identity proofing system depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the identity scoring facility of the identity proofing system depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting a method of authorizing a financial lending transaction from an identity proof score, provided by the identity proofing system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart depicting, by way of overview, a method of generating an identity proof score from the identity proofing system; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting a method of registering with the identity proofing system; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart depicting, in detail, the method of identity proof score generation depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Financial Transaction Authorization System  100   
       [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a financial transaction authorization system, denoted generally as  100 , is shown comprising an identity proofing system  120 , and a financial transaction executive facility  500  in communication with the identity proofing system  120 . 
         [0033]    As will be described, when used in the context of the financial transaction authorization system  100 , the identity proofing system  120  provides an identity confidence level which the financial transaction executive facility  500  uses (typically amongst other parameters) to authorize a financial lending transaction. However, the invention is not limited to this context, but instead may be used in other environments where a confidence level of the identity of a user is desired. By way of example, the identity proofing system  120  may be configured to provide an identity confidence level for use in the context of approving a passport application, a driver&#39;s license application, or providing access to a secure database, a web site, or a communications device. 
         [0034]    The identity proofing system  120  comprises a credential management facility  200 , a plurality of credential sample acquisition facilities  300 , an identity scoring facility  400 , a personal communications device  102 , a primary network  104 , and a secondary network  106 . Although the financial transaction authorization system  100  is shown including two credential sample acquisition facilities  300 , the financial transaction authorization system  100  may instead include more than two credential sample acquisition facilities  300 , or only one credential sample acquisition facility  300 . 
         [0035]    Preferably, the credential management facility  200 , the credential sample acquisition facilities  300 , and the identity scoring facility  400  are deployed on distinct computer servers. However, one or more of these facilities may be integrated onto a common computer server. 
         [0036]    The personal communications device  102  typically comprises a wireless or wired telephone handset. However, other forms of communications devices are contemplated, including a personal computer, and a personal data assistant (PDA), provided that the communications device allows the user thereof to provide a biometric sample. 
         [0037]    The primary network  104  interconnects, and facilitates communication between, the financial transaction executive facility  500  and the identity scoring facility  400  of the identity proofing system  120 . The primary network  104  also interconnects, and facilitates communication between, the credential management facility  200 , the credential sample acquisition facilities  300 , and the identity scoring facility  400 . Preferably, the primary network  104  comprises an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network. However, the primary network  104  is not limited to any particular form of network, as long as the primary network  104  facilities communication between the facilities  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 . 
         [0038]    The secondary network  106  interconnects, and facilitates communication between, the identity scoring facility  400 , one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300 , and the personal communications device  102 . Preferably, the secondary network  106  comprises a telephony network. However, are network forms are contemplated, including IP-based network, provided that the secondary network  106  facilities communication between the identity scoring facility  400 , the credential sample acquisition facility  300  and the personal communications device  102 . 
       Credential Management Facility  200   
       [0039]    The credential management facility  200  is a computer server repository having a database of reference credential records  202  for all the users registered with the financial transaction authorization system  100 . As will be explained, the identity scoring facility  400  uses the reference credential records  202  to verify the identity of a user of the financial transaction authorization system  100 . 
         [0040]    Each credential record  202  is uniquely associated with a specific registered user, and includes both non-biometric credential data and biometric credential data. Preferably, the non-biometric credential data of each credential record  202  includes the user&#39;s name, mailing address, and one or more network addresses at which the user can be contacted via the personal communications device  102 . Alternately, the non-biometric credential data may specify that the user will initiate communication with one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300  using the personal communications device  102  at the specified network address. The network addresses are uniquely associated with the registered user, and will typically include a telephone number, a pager number, an e-mail address, a dedicated IP address, and/or a SMS address assigned to the registered user. 
         [0041]    In addition, the non-biometric credential data may also include the day/time (specified either as an absolute time or a relative time) at which the user can be contacted at each network address (or from which the user will contact the credential sample acquisition facility  300 ); the number of contact attempts for each network address; and/or a secret question and answer (known to the user). 
         [0042]    Preferably, the biometric credential data of each credential record  202  includes a digitized human-verifiable biometric, and one or more digitized electronically-verifiable biometrics. However, the invention is not limited to this number of biometrics. Accordingly, each credential record  202  can include more or less than the foregoing number of biometrics, provided that the credential record  202  includes at least one electronically-verifiable biometric. Typically, the human-verifiable biometric is a digitized picture of the registered user, and the electronically-verifiable biometrics include a digitized fingerprint and a digitized voice-sample of the registered user. 
         [0043]    Ideally, the biometric credential data of each credential record  202  includes an index that is uniquely associated with the electronically-verifiable biometrics. Preferably, the index is generated using a suitable hash algorithm which has, as its inputs, several artifacts (points of interest) of the respective electronically-verifiable biometrics. 
       Credential Sample Acquisition Facilities  300   
       [0044]    The credential sample acquisition facilities  300  are configured to acquire and/or provide credential samples of a user of the financial transaction authorization system  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , preferably each credential sample acquisition facility  300  is provided as an electronic data terminal, and comprises a display device  302 , and a data processing unit  306  connected to the display device  302 . 
         [0045]    The data processing unit  306  includes a primary network interface (not shown) that interfaces the credential sample acquisition facility  300  to the primary network  104 , and a secondary network interface (not shown) that interfaces the credential sample acquisition facility  300  to the secondary network  106 . 
         [0046]    In addition, preferably the credential sample acquisition facility  300  includes one or more non-biometric sample acquisition devices and one or more biometric sample acquisition devices connected to the data processing unit  306 . In  FIG. 2 , the non-biometric sample acquisition devices include a keyboard  304 , and a Smartcard reader  316 ; and the biometric sample acquisition devices include a digital camera  308 , a fingerprint scanner  310 , an optical image scanner  312 , and a microphone  314  (or other similar voice-sample recording device). 
         [0047]    As will become apparent, the credential sample acquisition facility  300  acquires credential samples from the non-biometric and biometric sample acquisition devices over a communications channel that is local to the data processing unit  306 . The credential sample acquisition facility  300  acquires credential samples from the personal communications device  102  over a communications channel that is remote from the data processing unit  306 . 
       Identity Scoring Facility  400   
       [0048]    The identity scoring facility  400  interfaces with the credential management facility  200  and the credential sample acquisition facilities  300  over the primary network  104 , and is configured to provide the financial transaction executive facility  500  with an indication (ultimate identity proof score) of the level of confidence in the alleged identity of a user of the financial transaction authorization system  100 . However, as discussed above, the identity scoring facility  400  is not limited for use in authorizing a financial transaction, but may be deployed in other environments where a confidence level of the identity of a user is desired. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the identity scoring facility  400  is provided as a computer server, and comprises a data processing unit  402 , and a network interface  404  that interfaces the data processing unit  402  to the primary network  104 . The data processing unit  402  includes a non-volatile memory (ROM)  406 , a volatile memory (RAM)  408 , and a central processor (CPU)  410  coupled to the ROM  406  and the RAM  408 . The ROM  406  includes computer processing instructions which, when loaded into the RAM  408  and executed by the CPU  410 , define in the RAM  408  a first credential sample acquisition procedure  412 , a second credential sample acquisition procedure  414 , and an identity proofing procedure  416 . 
         [0050]    The first credential sample acquisition procedure  412  configures the identity scoring facility  400  to receive from a user of the financial transaction authorization system  100  a first credential over a first communications channel, and to determine a second communications channel that is different from the first communications channel and is provisionally associated with the first credential. The first credential is provisionally associated with an identity. Preferably, the first credential includes a first biometric. 
         [0051]    The second credential sample acquisition procedure  414  configures the identity scoring facility  400  to receive a second credential over the second communications channel. The second received credential includes a second biometric. 
         [0052]    The identity proofing procedure  416  is in communication with the sample acquisition procedures and the credential management facility, and configures the identity scoring facility  400  to authenticate the provisional identity of the user in accordance with a verification of the second credential. 
         [0053]    To do so, the identity proofing procedure  416  generates a first identity proof score from the first received credential and a first reference credential stored in the credential management facility  200 , generates a second identity proof score from the second received credential and a second referenced credential stored in the credential management facility  200 , and generates an ultimate identity proof score from the first identity proof score and the second identity proof score. 
         [0054]    The first identity proof score is indicative of a first correlation level between the first credential and the first reference credential. The second identity proof score is indicative of a second correlation level between the second biometric credential and the second reference biometric. The ultimate identity proof score is indicative of a confidence level in a correlation between the received credentials and the provisional identity of the user. Depending on the configuration, the identity proofing procedure  416  may generate the second identity proof score either subsequently or concurrently with the first identity proof score. 
         [0055]    The operation of the first credential sample acquisition procedure  412 , the first credential sample acquisition procedure  414 , and the identity proofing procedure  416  will be discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
       Financial Transaction Executive Facility  500   
       [0056]    The financial transaction executive facility  500  interfaces with the identity proofing system  120 , and receives the ultimate identity proof score from the identity scoring facility  400  via the primary network  104 . Preferably, the financial transaction executive facility  500  is provided as a computer server that is operated by a financial institution, and is used by the financial institution to assist with the authorization of a financial lending transaction requested by the user. To assist with the authorization step, the financial institution will use the ultimate identity proof score received from the identity scoring facility  400 . However, as will be apparent, typically the financial institution will base the transaction authorization step on a number of factors in addition to the ultimate identity proof score, including (but not limited to) credit rating, type of transaction (e.g. secured, unsecured), and monetary sum involved in the transaction. 
       Method of Authorizing Financial Lending Transaction—Overview 
       [0057]    The method by which the financial transaction authorization system  100  authorizes a financial lending transaction will now be discussed generally first, with reference to  FIG. 4 , followed subsequently by a more detailed explanation with reference to  FIG. 7 . As will be apparent, the following method is not limited to the authorization of financial lending transactions, but can be applied to other scenarios where proof of identity of an individual is required. 
         [0058]    At step  502 , the first credential sample acquisition procedure  412  of the identity scoring facility  400  receives a first credential from a user of the financial transaction authorization system  100  (via one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300 ). Typically, the first received credential includes a first biometric. 
         [0059]    At step  504 , the second credential sample acquisition procedure  414  of the identity scoring facility  400  receives a second credential from the personal communications device  102  (via one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300 ). Typically, the second received credential includes a second biometric. 
         [0060]    At step  506 , the identity proofing procedure  416  of the identity scoring facility  400  generates a first identity proof score from the first received credential and a first reference credential reference credential stored in the credential management facility  200 . The identity proofing procedure  416  also generates a second identity proof score from the second received credential and a second reference credential stored in the credential management facility  200 . 
         [0061]    The first identity proof score is indicative of a first correlation level between the first credential and the first reference credential. The second identity proof score is indicative of a second correlation level between the second biometric credential and the second reference biometric. The identity scoring facility  400  may generate the second identity proof score either subsequently or concurrently with the first identity proof score. 
         [0062]    At step  508 , the identity proofing procedure  416  generates an ultimate identity proof score from the first identity proof score and the second identity proof score. The ultimate identity proof score is indicative of a confidence level in a correlation between the received credentials and the provisional identity of the user. 
         [0063]    At step  510 , the financial transaction executive facility  500  either authorizes or disallows the financial lending transaction based on at least the ultimate identity proof score. As discussed above, typically the financial transaction executive facility  500  will base the transaction authorization step on a number of factors in addition to the ultimate identity proof score, such as credit rating, type of transaction, and monetary sum. 
       Method of Identity Authentication—Overview 
       [0064]    The method by which the identity scoring facility  400  authenticates the identity of a user of the identity proofing system  120  will now be discussed generally with reference to  FIG. 5 , followed subsequently by a more detailed explanation with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0065]    At step  520 , the first credential sample acquisition procedure  412  of the identity scoring facility  400  receives a first credential over a first communications channel, and determines a second communications channel provisionally associated with the first credential. The second communications channel is different from the first communications channel, and the first credential is provisionally associated with the user. 
         [0066]    At step  522 , the second credential sample acquisition procedure  414  of the identity scoring facility  400  receives a second credential over the second communications channel. 
         [0067]    At step  524 , the identity proofing procedure  416  authenticates the identity of the user in accordance with a verification of the second credential. 
         [0000]    Method of Registration with Identity Proofing System  120   
         [0068]    To authenticate the identity of a user, the user must first register with the identity proofing system  120 . The method by which a user registers with the identity proofing system  120  will now be discussed in detail, with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0069]    A prospective user initiates registration with the identity proofing system  120  by attending at the premises of an authorized human agent, and providing the agent with a first reference credential (comprising non-biometric credential data and biometric credential data). Initially, the prospective user will be asked to provide the non-biometric credential data, at step  600 . For this purpose, preferably the prospective user provides the agent with the user&#39;s name, mailing address, and one or more network addresses at which the user can be contacted via the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  (such as the user&#39;s telephone number, e-mail address, dedicated IP address, and/or SMS address). Alternately, the prospective user provides the agent with one or more network addresses from which the user will initiate communication with one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300 . 
         [0070]    As will be discussed, each network address will be used to establish a communications channel with the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  over which the prospective user will provide a second credential sample. Further, preferably each network address is such that communication between the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  and the credential sample acquisition facilities  300  does not occur at the premises of the authorized human agent, but instead occurs at a location other than the agent&#39;s premises. 
         [0071]    Further, preferably the prospective user also provides the agent with the day/time (specified either as an absolute time or a relative time) at which the user can be contacted at each network address (or from which the user will contact the credential sample acquisition facility  300 ), and the number of contact attempts for each network address, a secret question and answer (known to the user). The agent typically inputs this reference data into the credential sample acquisition facility  300  via the keyboard  304  or the Smartcard reader  316 . 
         [0072]    The credential sample acquisition facility  300  then prompts the prospective user to provide the biometric credential data of the first reference credential via one or more of the biometric sample acquisition devices. Preferably the biometric credential data includes a digitized human-verifiable biometric. Accordingly, at step  602  preferably the credential sample acquisition facility  300  prompts the prospective user to provide the agent with a human-verifiable biometric. Typically, the human-verifiable biometric is a picture of the prospective user, which the agent digitally captures using the digital camera  308 , or the optical image scanner  312  (if the image is provided on a government-issued instrument of identification, such as a driver&#39;s license or passport). 
         [0073]    After the credential sample acquisition facility  300  has acquired the human-verifiable biometric, the credential sample acquisition facility  300  prompts the prospective user to provide the agent with a second reference credential (comprising one or more digitized electronically-verifiable biometrics). Accordingly, at step  604  the credential sample acquisition facility  300  prompts the prospective user to provide the agent with one or more biometrics via one or more of the biometric sample acquisition devices. 
         [0074]    Typically, the electronically-verifiable biometrics include a fingerprint and/or a voice-sample of the prospective user, which the agent digitally captures using the fingerprint scanner  310  and the microphone  314 , respectively. Alternately, the user may provide the electronically-verifiable biometric from a communications device over a communications channel that is separate from the data processing unit  306 , but while the user is still in the presence of the agent. For instance, the user may provide a voice sample from the agent&#39;s telephone, which communicates with another credential sample acquisition facility  300 . 
         [0075]    After the credential sample acquisition facility  300  has acquired the electronically-verifiable biometrics, the credential sample acquisition facility  300  opens a first communications channel with the identity scoring facility  400  via the primary network  104 , and transmits the first and second reference credentials to the identity scoring facility  400  over the first communications channel. In effect, the first communications channel is established between the biometric sample acquisition devices and the identity scoring facility  400 , with the credential sample acquisition facility  300  acting as a buffer or intermediary between the biometric sample acquisition devices and the identity scoring facility  400 . 
         [0076]    The identity scoring facility  400  then queries the credential management facility  200  to verify that the credential management facility  200  does not include an existing reference credential record  202  for the identified user. To do so, at step  606  preferably the identity scoring facility  400  generates a search key that is uniquely associated with the electronically-verifiable biometrics that were acquired by the credential sample acquisition facility  300  at step  604 . Preferably, each search key is generated using a suitable hash algorithm which has, as its inputs, several artifacts (points of interest) of the respective electronically-verifiable biometrics. 
         [0077]    The identity scoring facility  400  then queries the credential management facility  200  with the search key, at step  608 . If credential management facility  200  contains a reference credential record  202  whose index key matches the search key (i.e. the user has already registered with the identity proofing system  120 ), at step  610  the identity scoring facility  400  notifies the agent accordingly by causing the credential sample acquisition facility  300  to display a suitable message on the display device  302 . 
         [0078]    However, if the user has not already registered, at step  612  the identity scoring facility  400  then commands the credential management facility  200  to verify that the user&#39;s non-biometric credentials (e.g. name/address combination and network addresses) are uniquely associated with the user (i.e. the credential management facility  200  does not include any credential records  202  having the specified non-biometric credentials). If one or more of the non-biometric credentials are already included in the credential management facility  200 , the identity scoring facility  400  notifies the agent accordingly, at step  610 . 
         [0079]    If the user has not already registered, and the specified non-biometric credentials are not already included in the credential management facility  200 , at step  614  preferably the identity scoring facility  400  then opens a second communications channel by causing one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300  to initiate communication (over the secondary network  106 ) with the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  at the network address specified in the non-biometric credential data. Alternately, depending on the configuration, the identity scoring facility  400  may configure one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300  to accept a communication on the second communications channel (over the secondary network  106 ) from the personal communications device  102  at the specified network address. 
         [0080]    For instance, if the network address is the user&#39;s telephone number, the identity scoring facility  400  communicates with the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  either by initiating a telephone call to the specified telephone number, or by receiving a telephone call from the specified telephone number. 
         [0081]    Further, if included in the non-biometric credential data, the credential sample acquisition facility  300  initiates (or recognizes) this communication only at the specified day/time or the predetermined elapsed time after the identity scoring facility  400  receives the first and second credential. 
         [0082]    After the second communications channel is opened (either by the identity scoring facility  400  or the user&#39;s personal communications device  102 ), a human agent of the identity proofing system  120  (not necessarily the same agent referenced in steps  600  to  610 ) speaks through the microphone  314  of the credential sample acquisition facility  300 , prompting the user for the user&#39;s name, mailing address, and optionally the answer to the user&#39;s secret question. If correct, the agent inputs a confirmation message into the credential sample acquisition facility  300  via the keyboard  304 , which prompts the user to provide one or more samples of the second credentials via the user&#39;s personal communications device  102 , at step  616 . Typically, the user will provide a voice-sample, however if the personal communications device  102  includes a fingerprint scanner, the user may instead provide a fingerprint sample. 
         [0083]    The credential sample acquisition facility  300  then transmits the electronically-verifiable biometric sample (received at step  616 ) to the identity scoring facility  400  via the primary network  104 . Accordingly, in effect, the second communications channel is established between the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  and the identity scoring facility  400 , with the credential sample acquisition facility  300  acting as a buffer or intermediary between the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  and the identity scoring facility  400 . 
         [0084]    Upon receipt of the electronically-verifiable biometric sample(s), at step  618  the identity scoring facility  400  electronically compares the received biometric sample(s) against the electronically-verifiable reference biometric(s) previously acquired by the credential sample acquisition facility  300  at step  604 . 
         [0085]    If the received electronically-verifiable biometric sample(s) does not correlate with the previously-received electronically-verifiable reference biometric(s) within a predetermined tolerance, at step  620  the identity scoring facility  400  notifies the agent by causing the credential sample acquisition facility  300  to display a suitable message on the display device  302 . 
         [0086]    However, if the received electronically-verifiable biometric sample(s) does correlate with the previously-received electronically-verifiable reference biometric(s) within the predetermined tolerance, at step  622  the identity scoring facility  400  completes the registration process by transmitting the received first and second credentials data (acquired at steps  600  to  604 ) to the credential management facility  200 , together with the index key (if generated), and causing the credential management facility  200  to create a reference credential record  202  containing the credential data and the associated search key. 
         [0087]    Then, at step  624 , the identity scoring facility  400  notifies the agent that registration was successful by causing the credential sample acquisition facility  300  to display a suitable message on the display device  302 . 
         [0000]    Method of Authorization with Identity Proofing System  120   
         [0088]    The method by which the identity scoring facility  400  authenticates the identity of a user of the identity proofing system  120  will now be discussed in detail, with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0089]    At step  700 , a user seeking to initiate or complete a financial lending transaction with the financial transaction authorization system  100  attends at the premises of an authorized human agent of the identity proofing system  120 , and provides the agent with a first credential (comprising a non-biometric credential data sample and a biometric credential data sample). At this point, the first credential is only “provisionally” associated with the identity of the user, in the sense that subsequent validation steps must be performed to validate the association between the first credential and the identity. 
         [0090]    Initially, the user provides the agent with the non-biometric credential data sample. For this purpose, preferably the user provides the agent with the user&#39;s name, and mailing address. The agent typically inputs this data sample into the credential sample acquisition facility  300  via the keyboard  304  or the Smartcard reader  316 . 
         [0091]    At step  702 , the credential sample acquisition facility  300  then opens a first communications channel with the identity scoring facility  400  via the primary network  104 , and transmits the received non-biometric credential data sample to the identity scoring facility  400  via the first communications channel. 
         [0092]    At step  704 , the first credential sample acquisition procedure  412  on the identity scoring facility  400  receives the non-biometric credential data sample, and then queries the credential management facility  200  (typically using the user&#39;s name/address combination) for an existing reference credential record  202  for the specified user. If the credential management facility  200  does not include a matching credential record  202  for the specified user, at step  706  the identity scoring facility  400  notifies the agent by causing the credential sample acquisition facility  300  to display a suitable message on the display device  302 . 
         [0093]    However, if the credential management facility  200  includes a matching credential record  202  for the specified user, at step  708  the credential management facility  200  transmits the located credential record  202  to the identity scoring facility  400 . At step  710 , the identity scoring facility  400  transmits a suitable message back to the credential sample acquisition facility  300  via the primary network  104 , which causes the credential sample acquisition facility  300  to prompt the user to provide the biometric credential data sample (of the first credential) via one or more of the attached biometric sample acquisition devices. 
         [0094]    Preferably the biometric credential data sample requested from the user includes a digitized human-verifiable biometric. Further, preferably the message transmitted from the identity scoring facility  400  to the credential sample acquisition facility  300 , at step  710 , includes the human-verifiable biometric that was stored in the corresponding credential record  202 . 
         [0095]    The credential sample acquisition facility  300  displays the human-verifiable biometric on the display device  302 , which prompts the agent to ask the user to provide the agent with the human-verifiable biometric. Typically, the human-verifiable biometric is a picture of the prospective user. 
         [0096]    At step  712 , the agent manually compares the human-verifiable biometric displayed on the display device  302  against the corresponding biometric provided by the user attending at the agent&#39;s premises (typically the user&#39;s face), and generates a numeric certainty factor indicative of the degree of similarity (in the opinion of the agent) between the displayed human-verifiable biometric and the corresponding biometric of the user attending at the agent&#39;s premises. The agent inputs the numeric certainty factor into the credential sample acquisition facility  300  (via the keyboard  304 ), which in turn transmits the numeric certainty factor to the identity scoring facility  400 . 
         [0097]    Upon receipt of the numeric certainty factor, at step  714  the identity proofing procedure  416  on the identity scoring facility  400  generates a first identity proof score from the numeric certainty factor, and from the degree of correspondence between the non-biometric credential data sample provided by the user at step  702  and the non-biometric credential data received at step  708 . The first identity proof score is indicative of a first correlation level between the first (non-biometric and biometric) credential and the first reference credential (as identified in the located credential record  202 ). 
         [0098]    After the credential sample acquisition facility  300  transmits the non-biometric credential data sample to the identity scoring facility  400  at step  704 , at step  716  the first credential sample acquisition procedure  412  on the identity scoring facility  400  determines the second communications channel over which it should receive the second credential, and then waits for receipt of the second credential over the second communications channel. 
         [0099]    Step  716  can occur either prior or subsequent to step  714 . However, preferably, the second communications channel is not established contemporaneously with steps  700  to  712 , but is instead established significantly after step  712  (e.g. at least one hour after step  712 ), as determined by the non-biometric credential data of the credential record  202  that was received at step  708 . Further, as discussed above, for enhanced security preferably the communication over the second communications channel does not occur at the premises of the authorized human agent, but instead occurs at a location other than the agent&#39;s premises. 
         [0100]    To determine the appropriate second communications channel, the first credential sample acquisition procedure  412  extracts the network address from the non-biometric credential data of the credential record  202  that was received at step  708 . As will be apparent, the second communications channel is uniquely associated with the non-biometric credential data of the received credential record  202 . However, at this stage, the second communications channel is only “provisionally” associated with the first credential, in the sense that the association between the second communications channel and the first credential is not yet confirmed. 
         [0101]    Preferably, the second credential sample acquisition procedure  414  then opens the second communications channel by causing one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300  to initiate communication (over the secondary network  106 ) with the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  at the specified network address. Alternately, depending on the configuration, the identity scoring facility  400  may configure one of the credential sample acquisition facilities  300  to accept a communication on the second communications channel (over the secondary network  106 ) from the personal communications device  102  at the specified network address. 
         [0102]    For instance, if the network address is the user&#39;s telephone number, the second credential sample acquisition procedure  414  communicates with the user&#39;s personal communications device  102  either by initiating a telephone call to the specified telephone number, or by receiving a telephone call from the specified telephone number. 
         [0103]    Further, if included in the non-biometric credential data of the located credential record  202 , the credential sample acquisition facility  300  initiates (or recognizes) this communication only at the specified day/time or a predetermined elapsed time after the identity scoring facility  400  receives the first credential. 
         [0104]    After the second communications channel is opened (either by the identity scoring facility  400  or the user&#39;s personal communications device  102 ), the credential sample acquisition facility  300  prompts the user to provide the second credential. In contrast to the first credential, the second credential includes only a biometric sample. Further, in contrast to the human-verifiable biometric of the first credential, the second biometric credential is provided via one or more of the attached biometric sample acquisition devices. Therefore, the second biometric credential will be digitized by the biometric sample acquisition devices and will, therefore, by electronically verifiable. Typically, the user will provide a voice-sample, however if the personal communications device  102  includes a fingerprint scanner, the user may instead provide a fingerprint sample. 
         [0105]    At step  718 , the personal communications device  102  transmits the electronically-verifiable biometric sample to the credential sample acquisition facility  300  over the second communications channel. The credential sample acquisition facility  300  then transmits the electronically-verifiable biometric sample (received at step  718 ) to the identity scoring facility  400 . Therefore, in effect, the second communications channel is established between the personal communications device  102  and the identity scoring facility  400 , with the credential sample acquisition facility  300  acting as a buffer or intermediary between the personal communications device  102  and the identity scoring facility  400 . 
         [0106]    Upon receipt of the electronically-verifiable biometric sample, at step  720  the identity proofing procedure  416  on the identity scoring facility  400  generates a second identity proof score from the degree of correlation between the electronically-verifiable biometric sample provided by the user at step  718  and the corresponding digitized reference biometric in the credential record  202  returned at step  708 . The second identity proof score is indicative of a second correlation level between the biometric sample received at step  718  and the reference biometric included in the located reference credential record  202 . 
         [0107]    The identity proofing procedure  416  on the identity scoring facility  400  then generates an ultimate identity proof score from the first and second identity proof scores, at step  722 . The ultimate identity proof score is indicative of a confidence level in the correlation between the identity of the user, and the first and second received credentials. 
         [0108]    The ultimate identity proof score can be calculated using any suitable algorithm that provides an indication in the degree of confidence that the located credential record  202  was created for the same user that attended at the premises of the agent at step  700 . Suitable algorithms for generation of the ultimate identity proof score include a simple average, and weighted computation involving consideration of the inherent reliability of the first and second identity proof scores. For instance, a fingerprint biometric might be weighted more heavily than a voiceprint biometric, which in turn might be weighted more heavily than a picture biometric. Alternately, a voiceprint biometric received by a wired personal communications device  102  might be weighted more heavily than a wireless personal communications device  102 . 
         [0109]    The identity scoring facility  400  then transmits the ultimate identity proof score to the financial transaction executive facility  500  via the primary network  104 . The financial transaction executive facility  500  then either authorizes or disallows the financial lending transaction, at step  724 , based on at least the received ultimate identity proof score. 
         [0110]    This invention is defined by the claims appended hereto, with the foregoing description being merely illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Persons of ordinary skill may envisage certain modifications to the described embodiment which, although not explicitly suggested herein, do not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.