Patent ID: 8838502

Claim:
A method comprising: storing an encrypted fingerprint in a fingerprint authentication device for authenticating a user's fingerprint, the fingerprint authentication device comprising a memory for the stored encrypted fingerprint and a processor for comparing the stored fingerprint with a scanned fingerprint, the stored encrypted fingerprint remaining in the fingerprint authentication device in order to perform subsequent authentications in the fingerprint authentication device; performing a comparison of the stored fingerprint and a scanned fingerprint in the fingerprint authentication device; generating authentication information using the fingerprint authentication device when the user's fingerprint matches the fingerprint stored in the fingerprint authentication device; transmitting the authentication information to a managing entity; authenticating a user of the fingerprint authentication device based upon at least the authentication information; transmitting an authentication to at least one provider of goods or services; and in response to the authentication being valid, accessing the at least one provider of goods or services.