Patent Publication Number: US-6987870-B2

Title: System and method for selecting a destination profile using biometrics

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention generally relates to network-connected digital scanners and, more particularly to a system and method for using personal identification data, such as biometrics, in the selection of scanned document destinations. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   There are many circumstances when the user of a digital scanner would want to send an ad-hoc scanned image to a frequently used destination. Digital scanner, as used herein, refers to a family of products such as scanners, copiers, fax machines, or multifunctional peripherals (MFPs) that record document images and represent the scanned document as a file(s) of digital information. From the file of digital information, the document is reproduced on paper, or transmitted via a digital or analog transmission means. 
   When that user walks up to such a scanner, they are conventionally faced with a menu that includes a plurality of profiles from which to choose. The user typically “pages down” the menu until the desired destination is found, and then the user selects the destination. This destination selection process is inconvenient and time consuming. 
   It would be advantageous if a user could instantly select a frequently used profile destination without reading any menus. 
   It would be advantageous if the above-mentioned instant selection process included an encryption means. 
   In mind of the above-mentioned ends it would be advantageous if a user&#39;s biometric data, such as a fingerprint, could be used to select a frequently used destination for a scanned document file. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention makes it faster and easier to use digital scanners for the ad-hoc transmission of documents. The invention reduces the need for manual keying in the selection of profiles (destinations), prior to scanning documents. The invention provides a way for the user to stamp their finger on a scanning pad, for example, and in response, the scanner associates a destination from a plurality of destinations previously entered and stored in the scanner. The scanner associates the biometric data with the selected profile (destination), so that the user is not obliged to go over menus, or to page through destinations in order to find their favorite destination. 
   Accordingly, in a digital scanner, a method is provided for selecting a destination profile using personal identification data. The method comprises: supplying personal identification data; supplying a document; scanning the document; and, sending the scanned document to a destination selected in response to the personal identification data. The personal identification data can be biometric data such as retina images, voice audio, and fingerprints, or a smart card. 
   The method typically comprises: establishing a network with a plurality of connecting destination addresses. Then, sending the scanned document includes sending the file of digital information via the network to a particular destination address. 
   Some aspects additionally comprise: creating a library of biometric data cross-referenced to destination addresses; accessing the library; searching the library for biometric data matching the supplied biometric data; and, selecting the destination address corresponding to the matching biometric data. For example, creating a library of biometric data cross-referenced to destination addresses can include: creating a library with a plurality of fingerprints for a first user; and, cross-referencing each of the first user fingerprints to a different destination address. Additionally or alternately, the library can cross-reference a different destination for each of a user&#39;s retina scans (left and right eyes), or for different words a user may speak. 
   Additional details of the above-described method, and a scanner system for selecting a destination profile using personal identification data are provided below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of the present invention scanner system for selecting a destination profile using personal identification data. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating the library of  FIG. 1  in greater detail. 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are flowcharts illustrating the present invention method for selecting a destination profile using personal identification data in a digital scanner. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of the present invention scanner system for selecting a destination profile using personal identification data. The system  100  comprises a scanner  102 , as defined above, having an input to accept documents  104  and an output on line  106  to supply scanned documents. A data reader  108  has an input to accept personal identification data, represented by reference designator  110 , and an output on line  112  to supply a digital representation of the personal identification data  110 . 
   A router  114  has an input to accept the digital representation of the personal identification data on line  112  and an input to accept the scanned document on line  106 . The router  114  analyzes the personal identification data and sends the scanned document, at an output on line  116 , to a destination selected in response to the personal identification data. 
   In one aspect of the system  100 , the data reader  108  is a biometric data reader such as a retina scanner, a microphone, or a fingerprint scanner. Then, the router  114  analyzes corresponding biometric data such as retina images, voice recognition, and fingerprints. Alternately, the data reader  108  is a smart card reader and the router  114  analyzes the data downloaded from the smart card memory. 
   As mentioned earlier, the scanner  102  records an image of the document  104  and converts the recorded image to digital information on line  106 . The router  114  sends the scanned document as a file of digital information on line  116 . Typically, the system  100  further comprises a network with a plurality of connecting destination addresses. The network is represented by line  116 . The router  114  sends the files of digital information via the network  116  to a particular destination address. Shown are destination A ( 118 ), destination B ( 120 ), and destination n ( 122 ). The present invention system  100  is not limited to any particular number of destinations. 
   In some aspects of the system  100 , the network  116  is an Internet network connected to a plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (at destinations  118 / 120 / 122 ). Alternately, the network  116  is an intranet network with connecting destinations differentiated by email, file transport protocol (FTP), or hypertext transport protocol (HTTP). The present invention system  100  is not limited to any particular network type. 
   The system  100  further comprises a library  124  of biometric data cross-referenced to destination addresses. The router  114  searches the library  124  for biometric data matching the supplied biometric data and selects the destination address corresponding to the matching biometric data. 
   The router accesses the library via line  126 . In some aspects of the system  100 , the library  124 , scanner  102 , data reader  108 , and router  114  are part of a common machine and lines  106 ,  112 , and  126  are internal to the machine. Alternately, any of the above-mentioned elements can be remotely located from the other elements, and linked to the other elements via machine external connections. In some aspects of the system  100  (not shown), these external connections are made via the network on line  116 . 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram illustrating the library  124  of  FIG. 1  in greater detail. In some aspects of the system, the library  124  includes a plurality of fingerprints for a user, where each of the user&#39;s fingerprints is cross-referenced to a different destination address. The first two entries in the library  124  are examples of cross-referencing destinations against user A&#39;s fingerprints. 
   In other aspects of the system, the library  124  includes a plurality of words in a user&#39;s voice, where each of the user&#39;s words is cross-referenced to a different destination address. Entries five and six of the library are examples of cross-referencing destinations against the voice recognition of user B uttering the words “one” or “two”. In some aspects, the library includes a right eye retina image and a left eye retina image for a user, where each of the retina images is cross-referenced to a different destination address. The third and fourth entries in the library are examples of cross-referencing destinations against user A&#39;s right and left retina images. 
   Further, as shown by the last entry, destinations can be cross-referenced against the smart cards of particular users. As shown, destination Z is referenced by the smart card of user C. It should be understood, however, that the library need not include all the above-mentioned personal identification types. Likewise, the library may include other biometric and personal identification means that are not specifically mentioned, such as personal chemistry and visual feature analyzers. 
   Returning to  FIG. 1 , the system  100  may further comprise a user interface  130  to register a new destination addresses, for example a mouse, touchscreen, keypad, or a display/keypad combination of accessible addresses. Likewise, the biometric data reader  108  can accept biometric data for registration. Then, the user interface  130  can be used to create cross-references between the registered biometric data and the registered destination address. In this manner, a user can enter new destinations against biometric data, or edit current destinations to be cross-referenced against a different type of biometric data. The library  124  accepts the created cross-reference via line  132 . 
   The biometric data reader  108  converts the registered biometric data into a file of digital information for entry into the library  124 . As shown, the entry process is via the router  114 . However, a direct connection (not shown) could be made between the data reader  108  and the library  124 . The router  114  searches the library  124  by matching biometric data files of digital information. 
   FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION 
   A user would operate the present invention scanner system as follows: 
   1. User walks up to copier with document(s) to send; 
   2. User places their thumb (for example) on a special thumb print sensor; 
   3. Fingerprint is transformed to digital data, and associated with a profile (destination); 
   4. User places at least one page on the scanner causing it to be imaged; 
   5. Document is sent via electronic means to recipient. 
     FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are flowcharts illustrating the present invention method for selecting a destination profile using personal identification data in a digital scanner. Although this method is depicted as a sequence of numbered steps for clarity, no order should be inferred from the numbering unless explicitly stated. It should be understood that some of these steps may be skipped, performed in parallel, or performed without the requirement of maintaining a strict order of sequence. The method starts at Step  300 . Step  302  supplies personal identification (ID) data. Step  304  supplies a document. Step  306  scans the document. Step  308  sends the scanned document to a destination selected in response to the personal identification data. 
   In one aspect of the method, supplying personal identification data in Step  302  includes supplying biometric data selected from the group including retina images, voice audio, and fingerprints. Alternately, Step  302  includes supplying a smart card. 
   In some aspects scanning the document in Step  306  includes substeps. Step  306   a  records an image of the document. Step  306   b  converts the recorded image to digital information. Then, sending the scanned document in Step  308  includes sending a file of digital information. 
   Some aspects of the method include a further step, Step  301   a , of establishing a network with a plurality of connecting destination addresses. Then, sending the scanned document in Step  308  includes sending the file of digital information via the network to a particular destination address. 
   In some aspects of the method, establishing a network with a plurality of connecting destination addresses in Step  301   a  includes establishing an Internet network with a plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Alternately, establishing a network with a plurality of connecting destination addresses includes establishing an intranet network with connecting destinations differentiated by email, file transport protocol (FTP), or hypertext transport protocol (HTTP). 
   Some aspects of the method include other steps. Step  301   b  creates a library of biometric data cross-referenced to destination addresses. Step  303   a  accesses the library. Step  303   b  searches the library for biometric data matching the supplied biometric data. Step  303   c  selects the destination address corresponding to the matching biometric data. 
   In some aspects, creating a library of biometric data cross-referenced to destination addresses in Step  301   b  includes substeps. Step  301   b   1  creates a library with a plurality of fingerprints for a first user. Step  301   b   2  cross-references each of the first user fingerprints to a different destination address. Alternately or additionally, creating a library of biometric data cross-referenced to destination addresses in Step  301   b  includes other substeps (not shown). Step  301   b   3  creates a library with a plurality of words in a first user&#39;s voice. Step  301   b   4  cross-references each of the first user words to a different destination address. Alternately or additionally, creating a library of biometric data cross-referenced to destination addresses in Step  301   b  includes other substeps (not shown). Step  301   b   5  creates a library with a right eye retina image and left eye retina image for a first user. Step  301   b   6  cross-references each of the first user retina images to a different destination address. 
   In some aspects, Step  310  registers biometric data or a smart card. Step  312  registers a destination address. Step  314  creates a cross-referencing between the registered biometric data (or smart card) and the registered destination address. Step  316  adds the cross-referenced biometric data to the library. 
   In other aspects, supplying biometric data in Step  302  includes converting the supplied biometric data into a file of digital information. Likewise, registering biometric data in Step  310  includes converting the registered biometric data into a file of digital information. Then, searching the library for biometric data matching the supplied biometric data in Step  303   b  includes matching biometric data files of digital information. 
   A system and method have been provided for using personal identification information in the selection of a destination for scanned documents. A few examples have been given of the kinds of biometric data that can be cross-references to destinations. However, the examples are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possibilities. Examples have been given for the manipulation, storage, and accessing of biometric data. Again, the present invention has a broader application than merely the listed examples. Other variations and embodiments of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art.