Patent ID: 8776198

Claim:
A machine-implemented method, comprising: receiving multiple sets of biometric data, each set of biometric data received from one of multiple different biometric devices associated with a user, each set of biometric data represented as a separate template of a plurality of templates, wherein each template comprises a plurality of metrics, the metrics concerning physical characteristics represented by a received set of biometric data of a represented scan from a particular one of the multiple different biometric devices and wherein the plurality of metrics of each template standing alone is considered to be non-unique for establishing an electronic identity for the user; normalizing each template, wherein normalizing each template comprises normalizing one or more of the plurality of metrics in the template making the set of biometric data of the represented scan of the template invariant across each of the multiple biometric devices; calculating an intersection of the multiple biometric data based on the normalized plurality of templates, wherein the intersection of the multiple biometric data is considered to be a unique factor in establishing the identity for the user; acquiring a plurality of answers to a plurality of questions from the user, some of the answers to some of the questions supplied by the user and others of the questions and the answers supplied by an administrator; and registering the intersection of the multiple biometric data and the answers to the questions as a mechanism to subsequently authenticate the user and establish the identity for the user for access to a secure resource over a network.