Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20040021552?dq=7810729
Timestamp: 2016-07-01 05:10:23
Document Index: 215021913

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 111', 'art 117', 'art 111', 'art 213', 'art 214', 'art 216', 'art 214', 'art 216', 'art 216', 'art 312', 'art 315', 'art 312', 'art 315', 'art 315', 'art 410', 'art 430', 'art 440', 'art 420', 'arts 430', 'art 431', 'art 432', 'art 431', 'art 432', 'art 422', 'art 530', 'art 530', 'art 216', 'art 216', 'art 522', 'art 523', 'art 525', 'art 530', 'art 525', 'art 522', 'art 525', 'art 525', 'art 530', 'art 214', 'art 522']

Patent US20040021552 - Method, device, and system for door lock - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsFinger print codes of administrators are registered to card keys and locks. One of the administrators assigns a card key to a lock and enables the card key. An user registers his linger print to the enabled card key. The user inputs his finger print to the card key whenever he wants to open a lock. The...http://www.google.com/patents/US20040021552?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20040021552 - Method, device, and system for door lockAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20040021552 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/343,850PCT numberPCT/KR2001/001318Publication dateFeb 5, 2004Filing dateAug 3, 2001Priority dateAug 3, 2000Publication number10343850, 343850, PCT/2001/1318, PCT/KR/1/001318, PCT/KR/1/01318, PCT/KR/2001/001318, PCT/KR/2001/01318, PCT/KR1/001318, PCT/KR1/01318, PCT/KR1001318, PCT/KR101318, PCT/KR2001/001318, PCT/KR2001/01318, PCT/KR2001001318, PCT/KR200101318, US 2004/0021552 A1, US 2004/021552 A1, US 20040021552 A1, US 20040021552A1, US 2004021552 A1, US 2004021552A1, US-A1-20040021552, US-A1-2004021552, US2004/0021552A1, US2004/021552A1, US20040021552 A1, US20040021552A1, US2004021552 A1, US2004021552A1InventorsHong-Sik KooOriginal AssigneeHong-Sik KooExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (4), Referenced by (67), Classifications (7) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod, device, and system for door lock
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0046] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail making reference to the drawings. [0047] [0047]FIG. 1a illustrates the front view of an electronic fingerprint recognition card key 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0048] The electronic card key 100 comprises on the front part (FIG. 1a) a fingerprint recognition part 111 for recognition of fingerprints; a keypad 112 for entering passwords, user information, etc.; a display unit 113 for displaying the input contents or the status of performance; a lamp 114 for visible showing of the operation signals; and an on/off power switch 115. On the rear part (FIG. 1b), the electronic card key comprises a data transceiver part consisted of a contact-type I/O terminal 116 capable of transmitting/receiving information by accessing an external device, and a RF transceiver part 117; a power supply terminal 118 for supplying power from an external device; a rechargeable drycell case 119 which charges the power from the power supply terminal 118; a speaker unit 120 for generating audio signals for the operation signals, and the like. Furthermore, although not illustrated, a cover can be added on the front part for protection of the fingerprint recognition part 111, keypad 112, display 113, etc. [0049] Moreover, it is also possible that the keypad 112 comprises only important function keys, and/or the display unit 112 or the power on/off switch 115 is omitted for convenience of the transport. FIG. 1c shows another embodiment of the electronic card key based on such omission. [0050] [0050]FIG. 2a is a block diagram showing the schematic construction of an electronic fingerprint recognition card key in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic card key 100 in accordance with the present invention comprises fingerprint recognition part 213 for recognition of the fingerprints; a data transceiver part 214 consisted of a contact-type I/O terminal capable of transmitting/receiving information by accessing an external device (external door lock device and the electronic card key administration system), and a RF transceiver part; a display unit 211; an input keypad 212; a data storage part 216; and a controller 210 for control of the above components. [0051] The controller 210 extracts the characteristics such as the ridge, valley, ending point, bifurcation point, short ridge or island, enclosure or lake, cross over, etc. of a fingerprint using the images of a recognized fingerprint; identifies a fingerprint based on the minutia of a fingerprint thus extracted; and produces a binary code (fingerprint code) peculiar to each fingerprint. This fingerprint recognition and fingerprint code production function should performed not only by the electronic card key, but also by the electronic card key administration system in which the fingerprint information of the administrators shall be inputted, as a detailed explanation thereof will follow later. The controller 210, to be composed of a 8 bit or 16 bit microprocessor equipped with a counter (or a clock), an interrupter, a serial or parallel port, etc., comprises memory components such as EPROM which stores an operating system and application programs, and a small volume data memory. [0052] The technique of extracting fingerprint images and identifying a fingerprint, being a technique widely used currently, has been disclosed inter alia by U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,133. Further, the technique of analyzing the ridge-vector of a fingerprint after scanning of the fingerprint image and producing a unique code therefore has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,002,787 (Fingerprint analyzing and encoding system). [0053] The data transceiver part 214 which is used for exchange of data with the door lock device 310 or the key administration system, may be constructed as a conventional contact-type magnetic bar, but may preferably be made as a contactless RF transceiver for convenience of the users. The data storage part 216 may be composed of a small capacity (several k-bytes) flash memory, RAM, etc. [0054] The electronic card key 100 to be used as a key in the present invention, is not limited to the function of access control, but rather, can include other functions of a conventional electronic card, e.g. a calculator, an electronic note book, a simple game machine. [0055] The information to be stored in the data storage part 216 of the electronic card key 100 comprises in the main three types as shown in FIG. 2b, namely, the reference information 220, fingerprint information of the users 230, and access information 240. [0056] The reference information 230 comprises a key administration code which is unique to each electronic card key 100, fingerprint information of the administrator, access allowed door code(s), information on the input date/time of the reference information, and an initialization completion code. The key administration code, to be stored in EPROM, etc. of the electronic card key 100, is generally set initially at the time of production, but may also be set by the administrator using, e.g. a dip switch. The fingerprint code of the administrator may be inputted directly by the administrator via the electronic card key 100, or it can also be stored by receiving the code stored in the administration system. The initialization completion code which has a value of either “0” or “1”, is used, as a detailed explanation thereon will follow, in determining as to whether various information stored in the electronic card key 100 shall be renewed (corresponding to “1”), or the user shall be recognized as identical so that the access information shall be accumulated. [0057] The user fingerprint code 230, which corresponds to the fingerprint code inputted by an authorized user in the electronic card key 100, is used for authentication of the owner of an electronic card key when a door is unlocked/locked through exchange of data between the electronic card key and the external door lock device 310. Here, the electronic card key 100 may register one or more user fingerprint code(s). [0058] The access information table 240, comprising key administration code of a user, the number of times of access of the user, access time and date, the results of the operation, etc., can be displayed upon request of the user. Further, the personal information of users can be protected if the access information is erased by the user or the administrator at the time of returning the electronic card key. [0059] [0059]FIG. 3a is a block diagram of a door lock device to be used in the access control method in accordance with the present invention. The door lock device is consisted mainly of a data transceiver part 312 for exchange of data with the electronic card key 100, a data storage part 315, a door lock controller 311, and a door lock driver 314 which locks/unlocks the door in accordance the control signal from the above controller. [0060] The door lock controller, which decides unlocking/locking of the door based on a comparison between the received information and a part of the data (the door code and the administrator code) stored in the data storage part, can use either an 8-bytes microprocessor of 8051 cores or a 16-bytes microprocessor of 6800 cores or more, equipped with a counter (a clock), an interrupter, a serial or parallel port, etc., and includes a ROM such as EPROM in which a program is stored for the operation of the processor. [0061] The data transceiver part 312, which is used for exchange of data with the electronic card key 100, may be constructed as a conventional contact-type magnetic card reader, but is preferably made as a contactless RF transceiver for convenience of the users. [0062] The data storage part, which may be composed of a small capacity (several kbytes) flash memory, RAM, etc., stores the access information (of a user) including, a door code 320, fingerprint information of the administrator 330, the number of times of access of the user, access time and date, the results of the operation, etc. as shown in FIG. 3b. [0063] The door lock driver 314 which locks/unlocks the door in accordance with the lock/unlock signal from the door lock controller, may be composed of one or more relay driver unit(s) and solenoid driver unit(s), but is not limited thereto. [0064] Moreover, the door lock device 310 may additionally include a display part using e.g. LCD for displaying the results of the operation, speakers, etc. Further, the access allowed door code(s), to be stored in EPROM, etc. of the door lock device, is generally set initially at the time of production, but may also be set by the administrator using, e.g. a dip switch. [0065] As illustrated in FIG. 3b, the data storage part 315 of the door lock device 310 stores a door code 320 of a door to be driven by the device, administrators' fingerprints code 330 inputted through the electronic card key 100, times of access per key administration codes of the electronic card keys which have effected driving of the door lock device 310, access date and time, and the results of the operation. For protection of personal information, the stored access information shall be deleted every time when the user is changed (i.e. when the initialization completion code changes from “0” to “1”) even if the key administration code remains the same. Among the data stored in the data storage part 315, the door code 320 is given initially, while the administrator fingerprint information 330 and the access information 340 shall be inputted or deleted by the electronic card key 100 any time. [0066] [0066]FIG. 4a is a block diagram showing the internal construction of an electronic card key administration system in accordance with the present invention. The electronic card key administration system 410 is composed of the main of a computer part 410, and an internal fingerprint input part 430 or an external fingerprint input part 440. The computer part 420, such as a conventional general PC, comprises a CPU 421, a data storage unit 422 such as RAM or hard disk, a display unit such as CRT monitor, a key board, a data input unit such as CD-ROM, floppy disk drive, and a power supply unit 425. [0067] The internal or external fingerprint input parts 430, 440, differing from one another dependent only on their spatial locations to the above computer part, are consisted mainly of a data transceiver part 431, 441 and a fingerprint input part 432, 442. The data transceiver part 431 or 441, which is used for exchange of data with the electronic card key 100, may be constructed as a conventional contact-type magnetic card reader, but is preferably made as a contactless RF transceiver for convenience of use. The fingerprint input part 432, 442, which functions as a kind of scanner, extracts image(s) of the fingerprint and transmits this information to the CPU 421 using an internal data bus(in case of an internal fingerprint input apparatus) or a serial port (in case of an external fingerprint input apparatus). [0068] The CPU 421 recognizes inputted fingerprint images with a program stored in it and allots a unique code to each of them, while the storage part 422 of the computer comprises key administration codes of the electronic card keys 100 administered by the computer, administrator fingerprint codes as per the key administration codes, access allowed door codes, date and time of the information inputs, initialization completion code, user information, etc., to which access information as per the key administration codes may be added. The type and structure of the data stored in the key administration system may be designed to comprise, as shown in FIG. 4b, one or more administrator fingerprint code(s) as per the key administration codes, access allowed door codes, date and time of information inputs, a table 450 including the user information, key administration codes, entered/exited doors, times of access, date and time of access, a access information table 460 including information on the entered/exited users, but not limited thereto. For example, the stored data may include only the check-in and check-out time, excluding the detailed access information, for a better protection of personal information. [0069] [0069]FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the process of the first access control method in accordance with the present invention, having application to a method using the electronic card key 100 and the door lock device 310 in accordance with the present application. [0070] The main steps of the first access control method include the step of registering administrator fingerprint in the electronic card key 100 and setting of the reference information by the administrator (S510); the step of registering user's fingerprint in the electronic card key 100 (S520); the step of user authentication and transmission of this information to the door lock device by the electronic card key (S550); and the step of door locking/unlocking by the door lock device (S570). The basic principle of operation of this method is: When a user has registered his fingerprint in an electronic card key authenticated by an administrator, upon input of the user's fingerprint, the corresponding information stored in the electronic card key 100 is transmitted to the door lock device 310, so that the information transmitted from the electronic card key 100 (access allowed door codes and administrator fingerprint codes) is compared with the information stored in the door lock device 310, on the basis of which comparison a decision for locking/unlocking of the door is made. Thus, in contrast to a conventional fingerprint recognition door lock device, the door lock device 310 of the present invention neither needs to comprise a fingerprint input part in it, nor requires an administrator to renew the user information stored in it for every change of a user. [0071] Each step in FIG. 5 is explained in detail below. In addition, FIG. 6 is a detail flowchart for the step of administrator fingerprint registration and reference information setting (S510) in FIG. 5. [0072] The administrator selects the administrator registration menu (S511) from among the usable menu of the electronic card key, and inputs his fingerprint (S512). The controller of the electronic card key 100 extracts the unique code of the inputted fingerprint and checks if an administrator fingerprint code has already been registered by searching the registered administrator fingerprint code information (S513, S514). If no registered administrator fingerprint information exists, the inputted fingerprint is registered as the initial administrator fingerprint (S518). [0073] If any registered administrator fingerprint code exists, the inputted fingerprint is checked whether it coincides with any one of the registered administrator fingerprint codes (S515). If no identical registered administrator fingerprint code exists, fingerprint input by the registered administrator is requested in order to confirm whether the person having inputted his fingerprint is authorized as a new administrator (S516). If the person who has inputted his fingerprint at step S512 is confirmed to be an authorized administrator through input of the registered administrator's fingerprint, the inputted fingerprint code is stored in the corresponding area of the electronic card key 100 (S518). After this authentication procedure, the administrator inputs the access allowed door codes in the electronic card key 100, whereupon the electronic card key 100 stores the access allowed door codes (S519, S520). Then, the administrator signalizes that the initialization of the electronic card key 100 has been completed by setting the initialization completion code of the reference information stored in the electronic card key 100 to “1” (S521). Alternatively, user information such as the user's name and the date/time of distribution of the electronic card key 100 may be inputted additionally. [0074] When the initialization completion code of an electronic card key 100 is set to “1”, the door lock device 310 recognizes a new user and erases all information (access information, user information, etc.) related to the corresponding previous card key, and changes the initialization completion code of the electronic card key 100 to “0”. The use information thereafter is stored accumulated in the door lock device 310 and the electronic card key 100 until the corresponding card key is transferred to another user and the initialization completion code is changed to “1” by the administrator. In this way, the fingerprint code of an administrator is registered in the electronic card key 100 and the electronic card key 100 is initialized by the administrator's inputting of the access allowed door codes and setting of the initialization completion code. [0075] [0075]FIG. 7, being a detail flowchart for the step of a user fingerprint registration (S530) in FIG. 5, illustrates the process of initial registration of a user fingerprint in an initialized electronic card key 100. [0076] First, the user, after having received an electronic card key 100 from the administrator, selects the user registration menu of the electronic card key 100 (S531), whereupon the electronic card key 100 checks if any stored reference information (administrator fingerprint code, user information, information on the date and time, initialization completion code) exists (S532). In case no reference information is stored in it, the electronic card key is not recognized as an authentic card key issued by the administrator, whereupon an error message is released, and the process of administrator registration as in FIG. 6 commences (S538, S539). [0077] In case the reference information is stored, the user's fingerprint is entered and a fingerprint code corresponding to the fingerprint image is extracted (S533). As next, it is checked whether any registered user exists (S534). If no registered user fingerprint code exists, the fingerprint code is registered as the initial user fingerprint code and stored (S537). If a registered user exists and the inputted fingerprint code does not coincide with that of the registered user, input of the fingerprint of the registered user is requested for confirming that the new user is a duly authorized user (S535). If the new user is confirmed as authorized by input of fingerprint of the registered user, the initially registered fingerprint code is then registered as the fingerprint code of the new user (S537). On the contrary, if the fingerprint of the registered user is not entered, an error message notifying the necessity of permission (confirming) by the registered user is released (S540). In this way, fingerprint codes of one or more user can be registered in an electronic card key 100, which registered fingerprint codes may be used as authentication for transmission of the data frames from the electronic card key 100 to the door lock device 310 as explained in detail below. [0078] [0078]FIG. 8 is a detail flowchart for the step of user authentication at the electronic card key and information transmission to the door lock device (S550) in FIG. 5. A user willing to open the door selects the door lock menu or the door lock button from the menu or the buttons, respectively, of the electronic card key 100 (S551), and inputs his fingerprint (S552). If the fingerprint code of the inputted fingerprint coincides with any one of registered user fingerprint codes, the user is recognized as an authorized user, and the data transmission to the door lock device 310 proceeds. In case the user is not authenticated, an error message is released and the process terminates without unlocking the door (S560). [0079] The data transmission to the door lock device 310 proceeds as follows: Upon authentication of a user, the electronic card key 100 sends to the door lock device 310 a transmission request asking the door lock device 310 to receive data from the card key 100 (S554). The electronic card key 100 transmits data frame consisted of the stored information comprising key administration codes, administrator fingerprint codes, access allowed door codes, etc. to the door lock device 310, if it receives a receive-ready signal from the door lock device 310 within a predetermined time limit (S555, S556). If the door has been duly opened and the results of the operation have been received within a predetermined time limit from the door lock device 310, the initialization completion code of the reference information stored in the electronic card key 100 is changed from “1” to “0” (S557, S558). This change of the initialization completion code to “0” means, as described above, that the corresponding electronic card key 100 is registered in the door lock device 310, so that the door lock device 310 stores in accumulation all access performed by the electronic card key until the electronic card key is initialized for use of another user. The final results of the operation (whether or not the door has been opened, whether or not the door could not be opened due to a non-coincidence of access allowed door code or administrator fingerprint code, etc.) are displayed to the user via the electronic card key 100 and/or the door lock device 310 (S559). [0080] If the electronic card key 100 fails to receive a receive-ready signal from the door lock device 310 within a predetermined time limit after its transmission request, or to receive the results of the operation from the door lock device 310 within a predetermined time limit, an error message is released and the operation terminates (S560). This step aims to limit the valid time of a user authentication. If, for instance, the electronic card key gets lost when an authorized user has left the door for other urgent matter, after authentication of the user in a state when a transmission request has been sent to the door lock device 310 or the data frame has been transmitted, an unauthorized person who has unduly obtained the electronic card key 100 would freely continue the opening procedure of the door to effect an unauthorized opening of the door, without such time limitation. In order to prevent such misuse, the double limitation of validity time (for receipt of the receive-ready signal after the transmission request and for receipt of the results of the operation after the transmission of the data frame) has been introduced. [0081] [0081]FIG. 9 is a detail flow chart for the step of door locking/unlocking (S570) in FIG. 5. The basic principle of the operation is to decide locking/unlocking of the door on the basis of the comparison between the “access allowed door codes” and “administrator fingerprint codes” of the data frame received from the electronic card key 100 with the “door codes” and “administrator codes”, respectively, stored in the door lock device 310. [0082] To be more in detail, the door lock device 310 determines whether its door code coincide with the access allowed door code of the electronic card key 100 after having received data frame from the electronic card key 100 as in FIG. 8. (S571, S572). In other words, the door code functions as the primary “key”. If the door codes do not coincides with each other, an error message is released (or the result is transmitted to the electronic card key 100) and the operation terminates (S577, S578). If the door codes coincide with each other, it is checked whether any administrator fingerprint code is registered in the door lock device 310 for comparison of the administrator fingerprint codes (S573). If no administrator fingerprint code has been registered, which signifies that no administrator fingerprint code has yet been registered at the door lock device 310, the administrator fingerprint code of the data frame received is registered as the initial administrator fingerprint code (S574). If any administrator fingerprint code has been registered, it is determined whether the administrator fingerprint code of the received data frame coincides with any one of the administrator fingerprints registered at the door lock device 310 (S575). In case one or more administrator fingerprint codes coincide, the administrator fingerprint codes registered at the door lock device 310 are substituted by the administrator fingerprint code(s) of the data frame (S576). Having the door codes and the administrator fingerprint codes been confirmed, the electronic card key 100 is recognized as authentic, and the door can be opened. However, prior to the opening of the door, it is confirmed whether the initialization completion code of the data frame is “1” (S579): If the initialization completion code is set to “1”, which means that the owner of the electronic card key 100 is a new user, the access information relating to the corresponding key administration code (of the previous user) stored in the door lock device 310 are erased (S580); in contrast, if the initialization completion code is set to “0”, which means continuous use of the card key by the same user, the access information is stored in accumulation (S581). After completion of the above confirmation procedures, the door lock device 310 transmits the results of the process to the electronic card key 100, and opens the door driving the door lock driver (S582, S583). [0083] The renewal of the administrator fingerprint code for each access aims to prevent unauthorized practice of an administrator's right by a person who was once an administrator, but ceased to be one. For example, if A is such a (former) administrator and the door lock device 310 stores A, B, and C as registered administrators, while A has distributed electronic card keys 100 with A's fingerprint registered as an administrator fingerprint, a user of such electronic card key 100 would be able to open the door (because both the access allowed door code and one of the administrator fingerprint codes, i.e. A's fingerprint code, match with their corresponding codes). However, this problem could be solved if the administrator fingerprints are renewed for each access. For example, if the door is opened once by an electronic card key 100 with registration of the updated administrators B, C, and D, the door lock device 310 would update the administrator fingerprint codes from A, B, and C to B, C, and D, thus would block opening of the door by an electronic card key with A registered as administrator. [0084] In this way, the present invention can achieve its objectives, since only those electronic card keys distributed by the authorized administrators and authenticated by the authorized users can open the door, without the necessity of renewing the user information at each door lock device 310 by the administrator, and without the necessity of installing a fingerprint input part in each door lock device 310. [0085] [0085]FIG. 10 is an overall flowchart for the second access control method in accordance with the present invention, wherein an electronic card key administration system is used in addition to the electronic fingerprint recognition card key 100 and the door lock device 310. [0086] The second access control method comprises in the main the steps of administrator fingerprint registration in the electronic card key system (S610), of administrator authentication and inputting use information of the electronic card key by the electronic card key administration system (S630), of reference information transmission to the electronic card key 100 by the electronic card key administration system (S650), of storing the received reference information by the electronic card key 100 (S670), of registering the user's fingerprint in the electronic card key 100 (S690), of user authentication and information transmission to the door lock device 310 by the electronic card key 100 (S700), and of locking/unlocking of the door by the door lock device 310 (S710). Since the steps of user fingerprint registration (S690), of user authentication and information transmission (S700), and of locking/unlocking of the door (S710) are identical with those of the first access control method described above in reference to the FIGS. 6 to 9, an explanation therefore is omitted here. [0087] Although basically similar to the first access control method, the second access control method differs from the first in that the electronic card key administration system as the central host is responsible for the administrator fingerprint registration and transmission of the reference information to the electronic card key, while in the first access control method the administrator directly inputs these information to the card key. [0088] [0088]FIG. 11 is a detail flowchart for the step of administrator fingerprint registration (S610) by the electronic card key administration system in FIG. 10. The administrator accesses the key administration system and registers his fingerprint (S611). The key administration system checks whether any administrator fingerprint information is registered in the system (S612), and registers the fingerprint inputted in step S611 as an administrator fingerprint, if no administrator fingerprint has been registered (S617). [0089] If any administrator fingerprint is registered in the system, it is checked whether the code of the fingerprint inputted in step S611 coincides with any one of the registered administrator fingerprint codes (S613). In case of non-coincidence, inputting of the registered administrator fingerprint is requested (S614) to confirm that the person who has inputted the fingerprint is an authorized administrator. Since the person who has inputted his fingerprint at step S611 is confirmed as an authorized administrator with input of a registered administrator's fingerprint, the inputted fingerprint is registered additionally as a new administrator fingerprint (Renewal of an administrator fingerprint; S615, S617). In case no registered administrator fingerprint is inputted or a false fingerprint is inputted, an error message stating an administrator fingerprint to be unregistrable, is released (S616). In this way, fingerprint codes of one or more authorized administrators can be registered in the electronic card key administration system. [0090] [0090]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the step of erasing a registered administrator fingerprint code stored in the electronic card key administration system. If an administrator enters his fingerprint in the key administration system, the key administration system checks whether the inputted fingerprint matches with the fingerprint code of the registered administrator, authenticates the administrator (S621, S622), and displays the information related to that administrator in a list form (S623). Then, the administrator who has accessed the key administration system selects the number of the administrator he wishes to erase from the enlisted administrators (S624), and erases the administrator fingerprint code if the selected number exists (S625, S627). In other words, any authorized administrator can access to the key administration system and proceed, after authentication by the key administration system, to erase fingerprint information of those who have ceased to be authorized administrators. [0091] [0091]FIG. 13 is a detail flowchart showing the step of administrator authentication by the electronic card key administration system and inputting the use information of the electronic card key (S630) in FIG. 10. Here, the basic process proceeds in a manner that the administrator inputs the required information in the electronic card key 100 after the administrator has accessed the electronic card key administration system and is authenticated as an authentic administrator. [0092] To be more specific, if the administrator accesses the electronic card key administration system and inputs his fingerprint (S631), the key administration system checks whether the inputted fingerprint code is that of a registered administrator (S632). After the administrator is authenticated to be an authentic administrator, the administrator inputs the use information of the electronic card key, comprising the administration code of the electronic card key 100 to be used by the key administration system, access allowed door codes, information on the key user, input date/time, etc. (S634), whereupon the key administration system stores and administers the inputted key use information as classified by the key administration codes (5635). [0093] [0093]FIG. 14 is a detail flowchart for the step of transmitting the reference information to an electronic card key (S650) as illustrated in FIG. 10. Here, the administrator can be authenticated by inputting his fingerprint after having accessed the electronic card key administration system (S651, S652). Since the administrator authentication process by the key administration system is the same as in FIGS. 12 to 13, an explanation thereof is omitted here. After the administrator authentication, the administrator connects the electronic card key 100 to be used to the key administration system through the data transceiver part of the administration system (S654). The key administration system recognizes then the accessed key administration code and displays the list of the electronic card key use information (key administration codes, access allowed door codes, user information, input date/time, etc.) stored under the corresponding key administration code (S655), whereupon the administrator selects the item of the use information to be transmitted to the electronic card key, and then, pushes the transmit button (S656). The electronic card key administration system produces a data frame comprising fingerprint code of the registered administrator, transmission date/time, an initialization completion code set to “1” in addition to the electronic card key use information and transmits the same to the electronic card key 100 (S657, S658). [0094] Here, the administrator fingerprint codes, access allowed door codes, transmission date/time (or date/time of use information input), and initialization completion code should necessarily be included in the reference information data frame, while the other information such as key administration code, user information, etc. may optionally be included. The reason why the key administration code needs not be included obligatory is that this code is included in the electronic card key 100 and the key administration system has already confirmed this fact. [0095] Although the step of inputting the electronic card key use information by the administrator and the step of reference information transmission have been explained as separate steps in the above embodiment, the two steps can also be combined to one, i.e. if the administrator requests a transmission concurrently with his input of the electronic card key use information, the key administration system produces the reference information data frame in real time and transmits the same to the electronic card key. [0096] [0096]FIG. 15 is a detail flowchart for the step of updating the reference information of the electronic card key based on the reference information data frame received by the electronic card key 100. [0097] The electronic card key 100, after having received the reference information data frame from the key administration system, searches the key administration codes in the electronic card key 100 and checks whether any key administration code coincides with the key administration code of the received data frame (S671, S672, S673). After confirming the key administration code, it is checked whether the initialization completion code of the data frame is set to “1” (S674). Since all authentic reference information data frame received shall have an initialization completion code set to “1” an error message is released to all data frames having an initialization completion code set to “0”, whereupon the operation is terminated (S675). [0098] If the initialization completion code is set to “1”, the card key is initialized by erasing all information relating to the previous user stored in the electronic card key 100, i.e. reference information (key administration codes, administrator fingerprint codes, date/time of registration, access allowed door codes, initialization completion code), user fingerprint information, and access information (S676), and then, the reference information of the newly received data frame is stored in the corresponding area of the card key (S677). Although it is desirable for protection of the personal information that the information on the previous user is deleted, it is also possible that the information deleted from the electronic card key 100 is transmitted to the electronic card key administration system and stored separately for the purpose of customer services in the future. [0099] After this procedure, the electronic card key 100 is distributed to a user and the user registers as an authorized user by inputting his fingerprint. Since the subsequent steps of user authentication and information transmission to the door lock device 310 (S700) and of locking/unlocking of the door (S710) are the same as in S550 and S570 in FIG. 5, an explanation therefore is omitted. [0100] The erasing (initialization) of the information on the previous user can be effected by transmission to an electronic card key 100 of a new data frame having an initialization completion code set to “1”, as described above. However, this can additionally be effected by a direct order of the user or the administrator to the electronic card key 100. FIG. 16 illustrates the step of erasing internal information of the electronic card key 100 by an administrator or a user. The user or administrator wishing to erase internal information selects the internal information erase (initialization) menu in the menu of the electronic card key 100 (S813). Upon input of the fingerprint by the user or administrator (S812), the electronic card key 100 checks whether the inputted fingerprint coincides with any one of the registered user or administrator (S813). If the user or administrator is authenticated, the electronic card key 100 erases all relevant information stored in it, i.e. the reference information (key administration codes, administrator fingerprint codes, access allowed door codes, date/time of registration, initialization completion code), user fingerprint codes, access information, and displays the results to the user or administrator (S815, S816). [0101] Furthermore, though not illustrated here, the electronic card key administration system as a central host and the door lock devices 310 can also be networked electrically. This embodiment has the advantage that the information stored in the door such as access information, etc. can be transmitted to the electronic card key administration system, and then, stored and administrated there. Accordingly, even when a user deletes access information of the electronic card key 100 without consent of the administrator, the access information of a door lock device 310 can be transmitted to and stored in the electronic card key administration system so that an integrated administration of the data is enabled. [0102] Now, an explanation of the method for door lock system using an electronic card key 100 in accordance with the present invention as described in FIGS. 1 and 2a, and using an electronic card key administration system as described in FIG. 4a; and the method for user identification by that system is given below. [0103] [0103]FIG. 17 illustrates the construction of a door lock system using an electronic fingerprint recognition card key 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein an electronic fingerprint recognition card key 100 as in FIGS. 1 and 2a, and an electronic card key administration system 410 as in FIG. 4a are used. [0104] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the door lock device of the present invention is consisted of an electronic fingerprint recognition card 100 which is used as the key, a door lock device 520 which is installed at the door 510, and a sensor 530. [0105] Here, an electronic card key administration system 410 can be used as a central host for general administration of locking/unlocking of the door by the door lock system and of the user confirmation, wherein the electronic card key administration system 410 administers locking/unlocking of the door as well as the user authentication as described in FIGS. 4a and 4 b. [0106] If an authorized user having an electronic card key 100 opens a door by transmitting the data frame stored in the electronic card key 100 to the door lock device 520, the sensor part 530 counts the subsequent one or more user and the door lock device 520 requests the electronic card key(s) of the user(s) 100 to transmit the data frarne(s). [0107] The door lock device 520 checks whether any user having an electronic card key 100 with no authorization or having no electronic card key 100 exists based on the data frame transmitted from the electronic card key 100 and the counting results of the sensor part 530, releases an error message if necessary, and stores the access information. [0108] As such, the electronic fingerprint recognition card key 100 used in the door lock system in accordance of another embodiment of the present invention has a construction and function as described in FIG. 2a, the controller 210 of the electronic fingerprint recognition card key 100 has additional function as stated below in the door lock system 500. [0109] The basic functions of the controller 210 in the door lock device 500 are to store the reference information after receipt thereof from the electronic card key administration system 410 or the administrator, to register user fingerprint codes, and to transmit data frame to the door lock system 500 after authentication of a user. Further, the controller 210 shall additionally function to transmit the stored reference information data frame within a predetermined time limit upon request of the door lock system 500 for data frame transmission, in order to practice the door locking/unlocking and the method of user authentication in accordance with the present invention. [0110] On the other hand, the electronic card key administration system 410, which is for general administration of the door locking/unlocking and the method of user authentication in the door lock system, includes one or more administrator fingerprint codes; stores one or more of key administration codes inputted by authenticated administrator using administrator fingerprint codes, user information code of the electronic card key, and date/time of the information input; transmits the reference information data frame comprising the above key administration code, one or more access allowed door codes, one or more administrator fingerprint codes, present time information code, and electronic card key initialization completion code in as per the order of the administrator authenticated by the administrator fingerprint, so that the information is used for administration of the electronic card key 100. In addition, it is preferable that the electronic card key administration system 410 is capable of exchanging data with all of the above door lock devices 520 and/or with the above electronic card keys 100, for general storage and administration of the access information. [0111] [0111]FIG. 18 shows the data structure used as the door lock information in the door lock system in FIG. 17 in the form of a table, which data structure is stored in the data storage part 216 of the fingerprint recognition card key 100 in the door lock system 500. [0112] As shown in FIG. 18, the data storage part 216 of the fingerprint recognition card key 100 in the door lock system 500 comprises reference information 1810, user fingerprints information 1820, and access information 1830, [0113] While the reference information 1810 and user fingerprints information 1820 are consisted of the same information as in FIG. 2b, the access information 1830 is consisted of the following information: [0114] The access information 1830 in the door lock system 500 may comprise user information, date/time of access, access door codes, and results of the operation. The results of operation may be classified to one of the items: “user authenticated and the door initially opened” for the cases when a user of an electronic card key 100 has first opened an allowed door; “accompanied access (unauthorized access) for the cases when an owner of an electronic card key 100 has entered/exited a space not allowed to him in accompany of an authorized person; and “accompanied access (authorized access) for the cases when a user of an electronic card key 100 has entered/exited a space allowed to him in accompany of an authorized person, etc. The situations under which the above items occur are explained below making reference to FIG. 22. The above results of operation can be displayed upon request of the user. [0115] [0115]FIG. 19a is a detail block diagram for the door lock device of the door lock system in FIG. 17. [0116] As shown in FIG. 19a, the door lock device 520 in the door lock system 500 comprises a door lock controller 521, a data transceiver part 522 for exchange of data with the electronic card key 100, a power supply part 523, a door lock driver 524 which locks/unlocks the door based on the control signal from the door lock controller 521, and a data storage part 525. The sensor part 530 which is consisted of one or more sensors fixed at the door or adjacent thereto, counts the number of the persons access the door based on the sensed signals and then transmits by wire or wireless the results of the counting to the door lock controller 521. Alternatively, the sensed signal as such can be transmitted to the door lock controller 521, instead of the counted number of the persons. [0117] The door lock controller 521 which determines whether or not to lock/unlock the door by comparing the information received from the electronic card key 100 with a part of the data (the door codes and the administrator fingerprint codes) stored in the data storage part 525, and confirms authorizations to access the door after having identified and counted the users, comprises a counter (or a clock), an interrupter, any one of 8 bit microprocessor of 8051 cores or more, or 16 bit microprocessor of 68000 cores or more having a serial or parallel port, etc., and a ROM, such as EPROM which stores the program for basic operation of the processor. [0118] The data transceiver part 522, which is used for exchange of data with the electronic card key 100, may be constructed as a conventional contact-type magnetic card reader, but is preferably made as a contactless RF transceiver for convenience of the users. However, for the signal transmission between the sensor part and the controller, other means including wired communication such as RS-232C may be used. [0119] The data storage part, which may be composed of a small capacity (several k-bytes) flash memory, RAM, etc., stores the entrance/exit information 1930 including its own door code (1910), fingerprint codes of the registered administrators (1920), dates/time of locking/unlocking as classified by the key administration code which has initially opened the door, the total number of entered/exited persons, key administration codes of each entered/exited user, names of the entered/exited users, the results of operation, remarks, etc. The access information under reference number 1931 shows that the door was initially opened by a user, “K. D. Hong” using an electronic card key with the administration code no. 515234, and that a total of four person have passed the door while it was open, with the confirmation that the four persons consisted of the initial opener, “K. D. Hong”, an authorized card key owner, “C. S. Kim”, an unauthorized card key owner, “Y. H. Kim”, and an unknown card key non-owner. An additional information that an audio error message has been released alerting the entrance of the two unauthorized persons (“Y. H. Kim” and the unknown person), is given under the column, “Remarks”. The total number of access persons is sensed by the sensor part while the authentication of a card key owner is made based on the data frame exchange between the card key and the door lock device, an explanation thereof follows in reference to FIG. 6 later. [0120] For protection of the personal information, the access information stored in the data storage part 525 shall be deleted every time when the user is changed (i.e. when the initialization completion code changes from “0” to “1”) even if the key administration code remains the same. However, since it is desirable that access information is administrated by the administrator and/or the key administration system 410, it is preferable that the access information is transmitted to the linked key administration system and stored there prior to its erase. Among the data stored in the data storage part 525, the door code 1919 is given initially, while the administrator fingerprint information 1920 and the access information 1930 shall be inputted or deleted by the electronic card key 100 any time. [0121] The door lock driver 524 which locks/unlocks the door in accordance with the lock/unlock signal from the door lock controller 521, may be composed of one or more relay driver unit(s) and solenoid driver unit(s), but is not limited thereto. [0122] Moreover, the door lock device 520 may additionally include a display part using e.g. LCD for displaying the results of operation, an audio output unit for releasing audio error message comprising speakers and ARS, etc. Further, the access allowed door code(s), to be stored in EPROM, etc. of the door lock device, is generally set initially at the time of production, but may also be set by the administrator using, e.g. a dip switch. [0123] The sensor part 530, to be composed of one or more contactless infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, weight sensors, or optical sensors installed on any part of the frame of the door 510, can be so designed that its output (voltage or current) is directly inputted in the door lock controller 521, or as a sensor module capable of independently functioning to confirm and count the number of the persons based on the signals of the sensor. The sensor can be one or more light block type sensors to be installed two or more dimensionally, or one or more contactless infrared sensors such as thermopile, but is not limited thereto, insofar as it can sense the number of the users, like a CCD camera. However, since the sensor must also sense a continuous entering of the users, it is preferable that the response time of the sensor is very short, i.e. it should not exceed several milliseconds. [0124] [0124]FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the first door lock method and user confirmation method of the door lock system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [0125] As shown in FIG. 20, the first door lock method and user confirmation method comprise basically the steps of registering the administrator fingerprint at the electronic card key 100 by the administrator and fixing the reference information (S2010); of registering the user fingerprint at the electronic card key 100 (S2020); authenticating the user and transmitting this information to the door lock device 520 by the electronic card key 100 (S2030); locking/unlocking of the door by the door lock device 520 (S2040); and confirming the authorization of the users as well as the number of the users who have passed the door after the door has been opened, and storing the access information (S2050). The basic principle of operation of this method is: When a user has registered his fingerprint in an electronic card key authenticated by an administrator, upon input of the user's fingerprint, the corresponding information (data frame for unlocking the door) stored in the electronic card key 100 is transmitted to the door lock device 520, so that the information transmitted from the electronic card key 100 (access allowed door codes and administrator fingerprint codes) is compared with the information stored in the door lock device 520, on the basis of which comparison a decision for locking/unlocking of the door is made, and in case the door 510 has been opened, the total number of persons passing the door is counted by the sensor 530 and authorizations of the accompanying persons are checked by data exchange with the electronic card key 100. [0126] The present invention, being an invention concentrating in the user authentication and administration after opening of the door, may use the above described methods for the steps up to the opening of the door, i.e. for the steps of administrator fingerprint registration and setting the reference information (S2010), of user fingerprint registration (S2020), of information transmission to the door lock device (S2030), and of door locking/unlocking (S2040). [0127] [0127]FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the second door lock method and user confirmation method of the door lock system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [0128] As shown in FIG. 21, the second door lock method and user confirmation method comprise basically the steps of administrator fingerprint registration in the electronic card key system 410 (S2110), of administrator authentication and inputting the use information of the electronic card key 100 by the electronic card key administration system 410 (S2120), of reference information transmission to the electronic card key 100 from the electronic card key administration system 410 (S2130), of storing the received reference information by the electronic card key 100 (S2140), of registering the user's fingerprint in the electronic card key 100 (S2150), of user authentication and information transmission to the door lock device 520 by the electronic card key 100 (S2160), of locking/unlocking of the door by the door lock device 520 (S2170), and of confirming the authentications as well as the number of persons passing the door and storing the access information (S2180). [0129] Although basically similar to the first door lock method described in FIG. 20, the second door lock method and user confirmation method differs from the first in that the electronic card key administration system 410 as the central host is responsible for the administrator fingerprint registration and transmission of the reference information to the electronic card key 100, while in the first method the administrator directly inputs these information to the card key. However, the steps of user authentication, confirmation of the number of persons passing the door after opening thereof, and access information storing (S2180), which constitute the essence of the present embodiment, are the same as those in the above first method. In addition, the steps up to the opening of the door are also the same as those in the above first method. [0130] [0130]FIG. 22 is a detail flowchart showing the steps of user authentication as well as confirming the number of the persons passing the door, and storing the access information after opening of the door in accordance with the above first and second methods as described in FIGS. 20 and 21, respectively. [0131] As shown in FIG. 22, when the door is duly opened (S2211) after the steps of user authentication and of locking/unlocking of the door, the door lock device 520 stores the initial opening time of the door (S2212). Then, the door lock device 520 requests one or more electronic card keys 100 of the users including the user who initially opened the door to transmit the data frame for authentication (key administration codes, administrator fingerprint codes, access allowed door codes, initialization completion code, etc.) (S2213). Such request for data frame can be received also by electronic card keys 100 which are relatively distant from the door lock device 520, because the request is transmitted to the data transceiver part 214 of the electronic card key 100 from the data transceiver part 522 of the door lock device 520. Simultaneously with the request for transmission of the data frame, the number of the persons passing the door is counted by the sensor 530 and the last access time is updated (S2214). [0132] If the data frame has been received from the electronic card key 100 within a predetermined time limit after the last access time, an owner of the electronic card key 100 is authenticated by confirming whether any access allowed door code of the data frame coincides with the its door codes (S2215, S2216). In case the sensor part senses additional passage within a predetermined time limit after the last access time (S2218), the electronic card key 100 of this user is requested to transmit the data frame, the number of the persons passing the door is counted, and the last access time is updated (S2213, S2214). In case the user is a non-owner of the electronic card key 100, no data frame is received within a predetermined time limit, and the next step of confirming additional person passing the door begins (S2218), after the above user is recorded as unidentified person who has passed the door without authorization. [0133] In case no additional access has been sensed within a predetermined time limit, it is determined that all users have entered/exited, and the numbers of the data frame received finally as well as of the persons entered/exited are confirmed (S2219). If these numbers do not coincide with each other, the difference is recognized as the number of non-owner of the electronic card key 100 with no authorization to access, so that an error message is released and the access information is stored (S2220, S2221). The error message can be released after completion of all passages, or it can also be released for each unauthorized passage. If authentication of each user in real time is not easy, the data frames received from the electronic card keys 100 upon request therefor can be stored until all the users have passed the door, and then, an error message can be released after the data frames and the number of the passages have been processed. [0134] The final results of the processing can be stored as access information as in FIG. 3b, or, if necessary, in the electronic card key 100 as in FIG. 2b. The access information (process results) thus stored can subsequently be transmitted to the linked electronic card key administration system 410 to be stored and administered there, or can be checked directly by the administrator. [0135] Here, not only identification of persons passing the door without authorization based on the stored and administered access information (in case the corresponding persons own the electronic card key 100), but also confirming of the persons with no electronic card key just accompanying the user who has initially opened the door, are possible by asking the user. Accordingly, an integrated administration of the access information as well as maintenance of access security are enabled so that theft, etc. can be prevented. [0136] Although not illustrated, a step of confirming the administrator fingerprint code can also be added to the step of confirming the access allowed door codes of the data frame received from the electronic card key 100 during a user authentication such as for the initial opening of a door. [0137] After the access information (the results of the operation) is stored (S2221), the door lock device 520 locks the door 510 (S2222) and transmits the results to the corresponding electronic card key 100 and/or electronic card key administration system 410, for storage and administration there (S2223). Industrial Applicability [0138] As explained above, the present invention resolves the problems related to the conventional lock/unlock devices utilizing metallic keys or passwords, such as loosing of the key or leakage of the passwords, by using fingerprint information as a key. [0139] On the other hand, the present invention introduces an electronic card key capable of recognizing fingerprints in order to overcome the following disadvantages of the conventional fingerprint recognition lock/unlock devices using the users' fingerprints as keys: i) The fingerprint input part to be installed at the door lock device can easily be damaged due to its external exposure; ii) Since the fingerprint information stored in the door lock device needs to be updated by the administrator for each change of the allowed user, it is not practical in use for doors with frequent change of users; iii) Since the access information stored in the door lock device is available to the administrator at any time, the personal information stored is not sufficiently protected; and so further. [0140] In the present invention, the administrator fingerprint is first registered in order to secure that only the administrator has the right to update the information in the fingerprint recognition card (access allowed door codes), and then, fingerprint of a user is registered in an electronic card key duly distributed by the administrator. If a user has been authenticated after inputting his fingerprint for each access of the door, the electronic card key transmits the corresponding information stored in it to the door lock device, whereupon the door lock device locks/unlocks the door only when the access allowed door code and the administrator fingerprint information transmitted from the electronic card key correspond with the corresponding door code and the administrator fingerprint code, respectively, stored in it. The access information is automatically deleted if a new user of the electronic card key is registered. [0141] The access thus controlled, the disadvantage with the conventional lock/unlock device described above under ii) can be removed, since an administrator of a lodging institution with frequent change of the users does not require to access each door and update information, but rather simply to distribute electronic card keys containing the basic information. [0142] Further, since a fingerprint input part is installed in the electronic card key only, not at the door lock device to be exposed externally, according to the present invention, the disadvantage mentioned above under i) is also removed. [0143] In addition, since the access information and the user information stored in the electronic card key and the door lock device are automatically erased by each change of the user according to the present invention, leakage of personal information can be prevented, and thus, the disadvantage mentioned above under iii) is removed. [0144] To summarize, the electronic fingerprint recognition card key, external door lock device and/or the door lock method and method for confirming persons passing the door using the electronic card key administration system in accordance with the present invention enables to fundamentally resolve the problem of loosing the key or leakage of the passwords related with the conventional lock/unlock devices which use metallic keys or passwords, by utilizing fingerprints as keys; is not likely to be damaged in contrast to the conventional fingerprint recognition lock/unlock devices where the fingerprint input part is exposed externally; enables easy administration of the keys even for doors with frequent change of the users; and can effectively prevent leakage of personal information. [0145] In addition to these advantages, the present invention enables better administration of the user and maintenance of security for each door by confirming the number of persons having passed the door after initial opening of the door and confirming of the authentication of one or more users passing the door, which functions were not provided by the conventional access control method using electronic card keys. Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4006459 *May 25, 1973Feb 1, 1977Mardix, Inc.Method and apparatus for controlling the passage of persons and objects between two areasUS5903225 *May 16, 1997May 11, 1999Harris CorporationAccess control system including fingerprint sensor enrollment and associated methodsUS6314196 *Mar 7, 1997Nov 6, 2001Fujitsu Denso Ltd.Fingerprint registering method and fingerprint checking deviceUS6408330 *Oct 13, 1998Jun 18, 2002Delahuerga CarlosRemote data collecting and address providing method and apparatus* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7314164 *Jul 1, 2004Jan 1, 2008American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.System for biometric security using a smartcardUS7337469 *Aug 30, 2001Feb 26, 2008Alpha CorporationMethod and system for unlocking doorwayUS7341181 *Jul 1, 2004Mar 11, 2008American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Method for biometric security using a smartcardUS7508958Jun 30, 2005Mar 24, 2009Fujitsu LimitedIC card access control method for biometrics authentication, biometrics authentication method, and biometrics authentication deviceUS7668750Feb 23, 2010David S BonalleSecuring RF transactions using a transactions counterUS7690577Apr 6, 2010Blayn W BeenauRegistering a biometric for radio frequency transactionsUS7705732Dec 9, 2004Apr 27, 2010Fred BishopAuthenticating an RF transaction using a transaction counterUS7725427Sep 28, 2004May 25, 2010Fred BishopRecurrent billing maintenance with radio frequency payment devicesUS7793845Aug 3, 2009Sep 14, 2010American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Smartcard transaction system and methodUS7814332Oct 12, 2010Blayn W BeenauVoiceprint biometrics on a payment deviceUS7886157Feb 8, 2011Xatra Fund Mx, LlcHand geometry recognition biometrics on a fobUS7889052Jan 10, 2003Feb 15, 2011Xatra Fund Mx, LlcAuthorizing payment subsequent to RF transactionsUS7893811 *Aug 1, 2006Feb 22, 2011Scheidt & Bachmann GmbhMethod for automatically ascertaining the number of people and/or objects present in a gateUS7959075 *Jun 14, 2011Fujitsu LimitedFraud registration preventing apparatus, fraud registration preventing method, computer-readable recording medium in which fraud registration preventing program is stored, and fraud registration preventing systemUS7969285 *Jun 28, 2011International Business Machines CorporationManagement of badge access to different zonesUS7988038Aug 2, 2011Xatra Fund Mx, LlcSystem for biometric security using a fobUS8001054Aug 16, 2011American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.System and method for generating an unpredictable number using a seeded algorithmUS8016191Sep 13, 2011American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Smartcard transaction system and methodUS8029368 *Oct 4, 2011Game Truck Licensing, LlcMethod of entertaining using a mobile entertainment environmentUS8074889Dec 13, 2011Xatra Fund Mx, LlcSystem for biometric security using a fobUS8214299Aug 18, 2010Jul 3, 2012American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactionsUS8224034 *Jul 17, 2012NL Giken IncorporatedBiometrics system, biologic information storage, and portable deviceUS8279042Oct 2, 2012Xatra Fund Mx, LlcIris scan biometrics on a payment deviceUS8284025Oct 9, 2012Xatra Fund Mx, LlcMethod and system for auditory recognition biometrics on a FOBUS8289136Oct 16, 2012Xatra Fund Mx, LlcHand geometry biometrics on a payment deviceUS8294552Sep 6, 2007Oct 23, 2012Xatra Fund Mx, LlcFacial scan biometrics on a payment deviceUS8423476Apr 16, 2013American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactionsUS8433658Apr 30, 2013American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactionsUS8461987 *Jun 11, 2013Theodosios KountotsisSystem and method for performing chemical analysis of fingerprints for providing at least one responseUS8489513Apr 13, 2011Jul 16, 2013American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactionsUS8548927Mar 26, 2004Oct 1, 2013Xatra Fund Mx, LlcBiometric registration for facilitating an RF transactionUS8913796 *Jul 14, 2012Dec 16, 2014NL Giken IncorporatedBiometrics system, biologic information storage, and portable deviceUS8924310Jun 15, 2012Dec 30, 2014Lead Core Fund, L.L.C.Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactionsUS8938402Jun 15, 2012Jan 20, 2015Lead Core Fund, L.L.C.Methods and apparatus for conducting electronic transactionsUS8972741 *Jan 24, 2006Mar 3, 2015Fujitsu LimitedMethod of modification of authorization details for a biometrics authentication device, biometrics authentication method, and biometrics authentication deviceUS9024719Oct 15, 2004May 5, 2015Xatra Fund Mx, LlcRF transaction system and method for storing user personal dataUS9031880Oct 25, 2006May 12, 2015Iii Holdings 1, LlcSystems and methods for non-traditional payment using biometric dataUS9336634Sep 21, 2012May 10, 2016Chartoleaux Kg Limited Liability CompanyHand geometry biometrics on a payment deviceUS20040078579 *Aug 30, 2001Apr 22, 2004Shunichi OsadaMethod and system for unlocking doorwayUS20040233039 *Mar 26, 2004Nov 25, 2004American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.System for registering a biometric for use with a transponderUS20040236699 *Mar 26, 2004Nov 25, 2004American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Method and system for hand geometry recognition biometrics on a fobUS20040236701 *Mar 26, 2004Nov 25, 2004American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Method and system for proffering multiple biometrics for use with a fobUS20060000891 *Jul 1, 2004Jan 5, 2006American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.System for biometric security using a smartcardUS20060016871 *Jul 1, 2004Jan 26, 2006American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Method and system for keystroke scan recognition biometrics on a smartcardUS20060170531 *Feb 2, 2005Aug 3, 2006International Business Machines CorporationNext generation vehicle keysUS20060193500 *Jun 30, 2005Aug 31, 2006Fujitsu LimitedIC card access control method for biometrics authentication, biometrics authentication method, and biometrics authentication deviceUS20060237528 *Nov 18, 2005Oct 26, 2006Fred BishopSystems and methods for non-traditional paymentUS20060245626 *Apr 25, 2006Nov 2, 2006Jeyeefox Innovative Design International Ltd.Fingerprint identifying entrance guard deviceUS20070022303 *Jan 24, 2006Jan 25, 2007Fujitsu LimitedMethod of modification of authorization details for a biometrics authentication device, biometrics authentication method, and biometrics authentication deviceUS20070096868 *Sep 19, 2006May 3, 2007International Business Machines CorporationManagement of badge access to different zonesUS20070177771 *Jan 27, 2007Aug 2, 2007Masahide TanakaBiometrics System, Biologic Information Storage, and Portable DeviceUS20070197261 *Mar 16, 2005Aug 23, 2007Humbel Roger MMobile Telephone All In One Remote Key Or Software Regulating Card For Radio Bicycle Locks, Cars, Houses, And Rfid Tags, With Authorisation And Payment FunctionUS20080013796 *Sep 25, 2007Jan 17, 2008American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.System for biometric security using a smartcardUS20080041939 *Feb 22, 2007Feb 21, 2008Fujitsu LimitedFraud registration preventing apparatus, fraud registration preventing method, computer-readable recording medium in which fraud registration preventing program is stored, and fraud registration preventing systemUS20080072065 *Sep 26, 2007Mar 20, 2008American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.Method and system for smellprint recognition biometrics on a smartcardUS20080308322 *Aug 1, 2006Dec 18, 2008Scheidt & Bachmann Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter HaftungMethod For Automatically Ascertaining the Number of People and/or Objects Present in a GateUS20090029774 *Jul 24, 2007Jan 29, 2009The Game Truck, LlcMethod of entertaining using a mobile entertainment environmentUS20120119906 *Nov 17, 2010May 17, 2012Theodosios KountotsisSystem and method for performing chemical analysis of fingerprints for providing at least one responseUS20120125999 *May 28, 2010May 24, 2012International Frontier Technology Laboratory, Inc.Keycard and keycard-lockUS20120280785 *Nov 8, 2012NL Giken IncorporatedBiometrics System, Biologic Information Storage, and Portable DeviceUS20130113602 *May 9, 2013The Gilbertson Group, Inc.System, method and apparatus for creating and maintaining biometric secure safe deposit boxes, and similar containers and facilitiesUS20130185782 *Feb 21, 2013Jul 18, 2013Xceedid CorporationSystems and methods for dual reader emulationUS20140059676 *Mar 19, 2013Feb 27, 2014Xceedid CorporationSystems and methods for dual reader emulationUSRE43157Feb 7, 2012Xatra Fund Mx, LlcSystem and method for reassociating an account number to another transaction accountUSRE45416Jun 15, 2012Mar 17, 2015Xatra Fund Mx, LlcProcessing an RF transaction using a routing numberWO2011150426A2 *May 31, 2011Dec 1, 2011Suridx, Inc.Wireless encrypted control of physical access systemsWO2011150426A3 *May 31, 2011Mar 1, 2012Suridx, Inc.Wireless encrypted control of physical access systems* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification340/5.53, 340/5.65, 340/5.61International ClassificationG07C9/00, E05B49/00Cooperative ClassificationG07C9/00087European ClassificationG07C9/00B6D4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services