WO2013155040A1

WO2013155040A1 - Smart connect devices for the interconnectivity of data cards with computing devices to enable the performance of various functions upon authentication by a user's fingerprint and/or a user's photograph

Info

Publication number: WO2013155040A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/035720
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chaya Coleena HENDRICK
Original assignee: Hendrick Chaya Coleena
Priority date: 2012-04-12
Filing date: 2013-04-09
Publication date: 2013-10-17

Abstract

A connector device for connecting a computing device, mobile telephone or cellular telephone to a memory device, said connector device permitting the flow of data to and from said computing device, mobile telephone, or cellular telephone and to and from said memory device, with fingerprint scanning and verification on any combination of computing device, datacard, connecting device or wireless connectivity between datacard and computing device that may include combined fingerprint scanning and image capture and matching for secure authentication. Image capture may be done by image capturing capabilities built into a computing device combined with fingerprint scanning on the connecting device, datacard or computing device with the authentication process requiring combined matching of image/ fingerprint.

Description

SMART CONNECT DEVICES FOR THE INTERCONNECTIVITY OF DATA CARDS WITH COMPUTING DEVICES TO ENABLE THE PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS FUNCTIONS UPON AUTHENTICATION BY A USER'S FINGERPRINT AND/OR A USER'S PHOTOGRAPH

This application is a continuation-in-part of U. S, patent application serial number 13/445,608, filed April 12, 2012, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We hereby incorporate here by reference that entire application as though fully set forth here.

This invention relates to connectors for connecting a data card, smart card or other memory device such as a banking, debit, or credit card to a telephone, such as a mobile/cellular telephone, or to a portable computing device such as an iPad, or to smart phones such as Apple iPhones, Android smart phones, and Galaxy computing pads. This connector device is inserted into, or otherwise connected, e.g. wirelessly, to such a memory device and is also inserted into, or otherwise connected to a telephone, such as a mobile/cellular telephone, or to a portable computing device such as an iPad, or to smart phones such as Apple iPhones, Android smart phones, and Galaxy computing pads. Some connector devices may include an internal reading interface for an IC chip in or on the memory device, allowing the connector to be used to read data from the memory device via this chip. Pin or other connectors on the memory device may allow for the connection and bi-directional flow of power and/or digital data from a mobile phone through to the attached memory device. Insertion of/connection of the connector device to/into a computing device, e.g., a telephone, such as a mobile/cellular telephone, or to a portable computing device such as an iPad, or to smart phones such as Apple iPhones, Android smart phones, and Galaxy computing pads, may establish an electrical link and/or a data link among the three devices. Such an electrical link between the connector and the phone or computing device may permit electrical power to flow from the

phone/computing device to the connector, and/or from the phone/computing device through the connector to the memory device, where the memory device, connector device, and the phone are connected or linked, as by RF or RFID systems, to one another. In some embodiments, such a data link may permit bi-directional flow of digital data to/from the phone/computing device, to/from the connector, and/or to/from the memory device, where the memory device is connected to/linked to the connector, and the connector is connected at the same time to the phone/computing device.

Various data applications, stored on the memory device, the connector, or the phone/computing device, function only after all three devices are connected to one another. Payments from a memory device or from a connector for goods and/or services may be made using various banking processes, such as systems referred to as electronic purse functions, stored value functions, and/or other electronic data financial transactions. These applications may permit payments from a memory device or from a connector device, to flow through or from a connector to a connected phone/computing device, to mobile phone resident- or nonresident-electronic commerce applications, and may pay for theatre tickets, cinema tickets, stock purchases, auction site purchases, clothes, utility bills, and food. Funds/money transfer from a memory device through a connector, controlled by an application resident on a phone/computing device, or on a memory device, may also be made, wirelessly or otherwise, from one person's memory device, e.g., a data card, or a smart card, to another person's memory device of the same kind, or of a different kind, through such applications.

In some of these embodiments, such transactions may only take place after fingerprint activation. Fingerprint activation obviates the need for a user to remember and use a password. Thus, in some embodiments, data and/or electrical power may flow only after the phone/computing device, the memory device and/or the connector device have been activated by a fingerprint scanner in/on one or more of them. Such activation may be effected as follows: 1. a user touches a fingerprint scanning sensor on the surface of one or more of these devices; 2. the sensor transmits fingerprint data to an internal processor and memory of one or more of the devices; and 3. the user's fingerprint is compared to one or more stored fingerprint databases in one or more of these devices. If comparison produces a match between the sensed fingerprint and a stored fingerprint, activation occurs, and data, power, or both, flow between and among the memory device, the connector, and the phone/computing device. Connection between fingerprint- activated devices may be wireless, USB, or otherwise, e.g. by male or female contact connectors that fit into a portable computing device.

Security access software, e.g. a program, may reside on the connecting device or on the computing device. Such a program may be initiated when a connecting device is attached by contact through electrical connectors, or is brought within range of a wireless connecting device for a computing device.

Such a program may be initiated/activated by a program start instruction where a user interacts with a graphical user interface on a computing device.

In some embodiments, a connecting device or a computing device may have memory or other storage for a photograph/image of a person or another image. A computing device, e.g., a telephone or portable computer, may include an attached camera or a built-in camera to capture such an image. When a connecting device is in communication with a computing device, an image of a person or something else may be taken with the computing device's camera. This newly-taken image is processed by software on the computing or connecting device and tested for matching with previously-stored images on one or more devices. Computer coding may control such testing, e.g., photographic recognition software. Upon a match, an instruction may be sent from a computing device or a connecting device to grant access to one or more prescribed functions, e.g., giving access to one or more programs on a computing device, confirming identity in a financial transaction on a computing device or on a connecting device.

In other embodiments, two-factor match/authentication between a

connecting device and a computing device may be called for. Here, a fingerprint scanner may be in/on a connecting device. A user touches a sensor on such a connecting device to read a person's fingerprint, followed by comparison with previously-stored fingerprints. The same user may also undergo picture capture and matching. Both fingerprint and picture are compared with stored fingerprints and stored pictures. If a match of both fingerprint and picture occurs, then prescribed functions may be activated on a connected computing device.

Alternatively, in a single-factor match/verification, only one of a fingerprint match or a photograph match may be required.

In some embodiments, a contactless transaction card, e.g. a

banking/credit/debit card, bearing an RFID or other wireless chip, is moved near to an RFID or other wireless reader in/on the connector device. Connected to the device, e.g. an iPad, is an adapter that connects with/interfaces with a cable interface, e.g. at the bottom of this device, or with a wireless interface. This adapter device sends a signal to the RFID or other wireless device in/on a transaction card, to read the device's data. The adapter device may be fingerprint- activated, as described above. Some contactless cards may connect to iPads and iPhones, with the width of the connector end wider than the USB, but flatter.

Other connectors may be thin and about 2 inches wide. Any of these connectors may include a fingerprint swipe sensor.

In some embodiments, a transaction contact data card may be read by insertion of the card into a connector device. Insertion causes contact between a surface-mounted device, e.g. chip on the card, and reading contacts inside the connector device. Communication ensues after fingerprint recognition/activation, as described above. These cards may be used with a reading device to make financial transactions, such as those done at ATM machines, e.g. transfer of money onto a prepaid card.

Some connector embodiments may include a USB male/female electrical connection with a fingerprint sensor included in/on a connector device. Mounted in/on a connector device is a microprocessor to process fingerprint capture from the sensor for matching of the fingerprint. Upon a fingerprint match/verification, a connector device communicates with a connected computer device, and allows prescribed functions to occur from programs on the computer device, on the connector device, and/or on the data card.

In some embodiments, a person's pre-captured fingerprint may be an algorithmic representation of the fingerprint, or may be an image of a person's fingerprint that is stored inside the connector device. In other embodiments, a pre- captured fingerprint, or an algorithmic representation of a fingerprint, may be stored on a data card. Various kinds of encryption may be used for a stored fingerprint in/on a memory of a connector device, of a computing device, and/or of a data card. Other embodiments may include a data card with a person's

fingerprint stored in/on the card. Such embodiments may include a swipe fingerprint sensor on the card, on a data card connecting device, or on a computing device.

These embodiments may include a smart card with a person's fingerprint stored on the smart card IC, or a data card with a sensor to read a person's fingerprint for biometric authenticated computer login, and a device such as a connector device. Other embodiments may have such a sensor, a surface IC, and an internal memory. This internal memory may be used, e.g. for medical records. Other embodiments may have a fingerprint sensor on the card reader connector, and, instead of the USB connection, an iPad - iPhone connector, for example, or any other kind of connection that may allow a connector device to connect with a computing device. In some embodiments, fingerprint sensor activated connector cards, and/or fingerprint-activated connector devices should work with EMV cards and data cards. The connector devices may have a fingerprint reading sensor on the connector device, and data stored in/on the connector. A connecting device or a data card with a fingerprint reading sensor may include a display screen. In some embodiments, a fingerprint reading connector may have a screen for displaying information stored in a connector and/or in a data card, displayed only after fingerprint verification/activation.

In some embodiments, the connector may store all data, and need not connect to a data card, but may display information on the connector's display screen, if any, after fingerprint verification. Such connectors may, but need not be, connected to a portable computing device. Some connector embodiments may display health records information on a connector display screen after fingerprint verification. Such connectors may have an internal power supply, allowing for device activation and user access to data when the device is unconnected to a computing device. Upon fingerprint verification, access to data in the device may be granted for a desired period of time, allowing a user to link the activated device to a computer and read/display data stored inside the device. Some connectors may need to be attached to a computing device to draw power for a connector device and/or for a data card.

Other embodiments of a connector device may have an in-built data card reader that reads a chip in/on a data card and compares/matches the fingerprint scanned on such a connector device with a pre-stored user's fingerprint stored on the data card. The data card connects to a connector device with contact or contactless connectivity. The data card may have an embedded fingerprint sensor. Alternatively, a fingerprint sensor may be on a connector device or on a computing device.

Other embodiments may have a connector device with a display screen that connects either physically or through a wireless connection with a computing device and allows data to flow from the connector device to the computing device only after a fingerprint sensor scans a person's fingerprint with the fingerprint sensor in/on a connecting device, on a computing device, or, if a data card is connected to a connecting device or to a computing device, in/on a data card.

A transaction data card may be inserted into a connector/reading device. A user touches a fingerprint sensor on the card, or on the connecting device. The connecting device may have internal power, e.g. battery power, that provides power to the electronics in/on a data card, and/or in/on the data card reader and, upon fingerprint verification, activates access to data held in a card-reading device and/or in a card. A card reading device or a data card's internal power supply allows for fingerprint verification while a connector device or data card is unattached/unconnected to a computing device. Some data cards with an inbuilt fingerprint sensor may also have a display screen built into the surface of the data card. Accessing a patient's medical history, for example, stored on the device and/or a data card may be controlled by fingerprint verification.

In other embodiments, a data card may include an on/off switch, a chip or other data storage device and an inbuilt fingerprint sensor. Such cards may wirelessly auto connect to an authorized Wi-Fi connected device, using such a device with an appropriate application as an access point to communicate over the web, e.g., to perform a transaction such as a purchase, bank deposit/withdrawal, or refilling a pre-paid card. The data from the card passes through, but does not reside on the connected device, and is on the connected device only for the time needed to perform the transaction, minimizing data theft opportunities. Wi-Fi connection of such cards is initiated only after user fingerprint verification.

Two or more of such cards may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with one another, or to transfer funds between them upon user activation of sender and recipient cards. Such transfers may also take place between a card and a mobile device, or between two mobile devices that can connect to such cards.

Identity data cards may include a chip or other data storage device and an inbuilt fingerprint sensor or image sensor user verification, or both, and, in some embodiments, a display screen. Such screens may display information stored in/on the card, but only after fingerprint, image or both fingerprint and image user verification/activation.

In other embodiments, no fingerprint comparison, scanning or recognition takes place. Data and/or power flows between and among the memory device, the connector, and the phone/computing device upon connection of/linkage of these devices to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention, but the claims are not limited to these embodiments. These drawings include:

Figures 1A, IB, 1C, and ID show connector device embodiments connected to a data card and to a computing device;

Figure 2A and 2B show two fingerprint-activated connector display embodiments;

Figure 3 shows a data card reader embodiment for connection to a data card and to a computing device;

Figure 4 shows connector device embodiments connected to a data card and to a computing device where the computing device includes a camera and image recognition/verification system for comparing a prospective user's face to images stored in a suitable database, and also includes, in some cases, a fingerprint recognition/verification system; Figure 5 shows a data card embodiment for wirelessly communicating with an authorized Wi-Fi connected device; and

Figure 6 shows data cards that can communicate with one another, or with one or more mobile devices connected to such cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A shows connector 10 connected to data card 11 and, wirelessly, to computing device 12. Connector 10 includes display screen 13 and fingerprint scanner 14. To read information from card 11, a user passes his fingerprint over scanner 14, and a processor on connector 10, or on card 11, compares the user's fingerprint to a database, in memory on the card 11, or on connector 10, of stored, known fingerprints. If a match to an authorized user's fingerprint occurs, card 11 is activated, and data can flow to/from the computing device 12 and to/from card 11 through connector 10. Power may also flow from device 12 to card 11 through connector 10.

Figure 1B shows connector 10 with side slot 15 for insertion and connection of card 11 to connector 10. Connector 10 includes on/off switch 16 to

activate/deactivate data display screen 13 on connector 10. Connector 10 also includes fingerprint match/no match lights 17 and 18 to signal a match or a failure to match a user's fingerprint, as described above. Data is displayed on screen 13 with or without connection to computing device 12. Data for display may be read from memory from card 11 and/or from connector 10. Connector 10 has an onboard battery with a power management system to provide power to display screen 13 at any time.

Figure 1C shows connector 10, with fingerprint scanner/reader 14, connected to wireless data card 23, with RFID or other wireless chip 24, and also connected to computing device 12. To activate card 23, a user runs his fingerprint over scanner 14 on connector 10, and a processor on card 23, connector 10, or computing device 12, compares the scanned user's fingerprint to a database, in memory, on card 23, or on connector 10, or in computing device 12, of stored, known fingerprints. Connector 10 includes on/off switch 16 to activate/deactivate data display screen 13 on connector 10. Connector 10 also includes fingerprint match/no match lights 17 and 18 to signal a match or a failure to match a user's fingerprint, as described above. If a match to an authorized user's fingerprint occurs, card 23 is activated, and data can flow to/from the computing device 12, and to/from card 23, through connector 10. Power may also flow from computing device 12 to card 23 through connector 10.

Figures 2A and 2B show memory device 50 that includes data display screen 51 and fingerprint sensor 52. Upon a user's fingerprint verification, which may ensue from a prospective user touching his fingertip to sensor 52, and sensor 52 comparing this fingerprint to fingerprints of authorized users stored on device 50, data stored on device 50 may be displayed on screen 51. Device 50 includes USB connector 53 for connecting device 50 to a computing device as a power source, for data transfer, or for alternative data display. Memory device 50 may be made with various physical or wireless connectors for connection to various kinds of computing devices. Connector 53 allows connection to a computing device, as described.

A person's medical records may be stored inside memory device 50 and upon turning ON the on/off switch 54, partial medical information may be displayed on display screen 51. Such partial medical information may be, for instance, a person's name, name of illness, blood type and list of medications and dosage information. Device 50 therefore allows access to vital information during a medical emergency while restricting access to a person's complete medical files without appropriate authentication.

Memory device 50 may include internal memory to store, for example, a person's complete medical records. Access to these records may be controlled by fingerprint sensor 52. When a user is authenticated using sensor 52, then access to these records may be granted for a time, allowing, for instance, a medical provider to connect device 50 to a computing device, and to display, on the computing device, any/all of these records. Figure 3 shows connector 62 with fingerprint sensor 65 connected to data card 63, and includes plug 64 for connection to a computing device. Data card 63 includes IC chip 66. To activate card 63, a user touches his fingerprint to sensor 65, and a processor in device 62 compares the user's print to a database, in memory on card 63, or on connector 62, of stored, known prints. If a match to an authorized user's print occurs, card 63 is activated, and data can flow to/from data card 63 and/or connector 62. Connector 62 has its own internal power source. Power may also flow from a computing device to card 63 through connector 62.

Figures 4 shows connector 72 for use with data card 73 and computing device 74. Card 73 may include fingerprint sensor 75, or, alternatively, computing device 74 may include fingerprint sensor 76. Device 74 may also include imaging camera 77. A person's photograph and fingerprint may be stored on connector 72 or on computing device 74, and a match with both a user's fingerprint and photograph must occur to allow access to data on card 73, connector 72, or both. A user's fingerprint, photograph, or both may be stored on computing device 74, connector 72 or card 73.

Figure 5 shows data card 100 carrying data storage chip 101 and user fingerprint verification sensor 102. Card 100 may be a credit card, a debit card, or a pre-paid card. Card 100 may connect wirelessly, on paths 103, 104, 105 and 106 to an Internet connected device 107, to an Internet connected phone 108, to an Internet access point 109, or to a PAD/computer 110, and to the Internet/web/cloud 115 on paths 111, 112, 113, and 114 for device 107, phone 108, access point 109, or PAD/computer 110. Internet connection 115 then provides access to banks 116, merchants 117 and others, such as pre-paid card refill 118, to fulfill a desired transaction.

Card 100 may auto-connect to an authorized wi-fi connected device to make the device an access point for communication over the web, and to perform a desired transaction. In this way, user data from the card need not be stored on the device. The device may query the card to obtain user data for such a transaction. In some embodiments, fingerprint identification/verification of a user may be needed to initiate a transaction. In some embodiments, the transaction may include, or consist of, transfer of money/money tokens from one card to another. One or more of the cards in such a transaction may reside inside/on a computing device. Such cards, in/on mobile devices or not, may include a storage chip for information to send/receive from another card, in/on a mobile device or not.

Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C show data card 200 carrying data storage chip 201, on/off switch 203, and user fingerprint verification sensor 202. Such data cards, after user verification, may communicate wirelessly with one another, for data or funds transfer, as Figure 6A shows. Such cards, after user verification, may also communicate wirelessly with a mobile device such as a phone, as shown in Figure 6B. If such a card is connected/inserted into one or more mobile devices, two or more such devices, after user verification, may also communicate wirelessly with one another, as shown in Figure 6C.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A connector device for connecting, wirelessly or by contact, a computing device, mobile telephone or cellular telephone to a memory device/data card, said connector device permitting the flow of data to and from said computing device, mobile telephone, or cellular telephone and to and from said memory device/data card, said connector device optionally including a display screen with an ON/OFF switch, a fingerprint scanning authorization/user verification system, an onboard processor, onboard memory, and an onboard power source, said memory device/data card optionally including onboard memory, an onboard processor, and an onboard fingerprint scanning authorization/user verification system,

2. The connector device of claim 1 wherein said connector device also permits the flow of electrical power from said computing device, mobile telephone or cellular telephone to said memory device through said connector device.

3. The connector device of claim 1 further comprising memory storage, a data processor, or both, in/on said connector device.

4. The connector device of claim 3 further comprising an application that effects transfer of funds/money to or from said memory device to said computing device, mobile telephone, or other portable computing device.

5. The connector device of claim 1 further comprising an application that effects transfer of funds/money or storage/transfer of medical information to or from said memory device to said computing device, mobile telephone, or other portable computing device.

6. The connector device of claim 1 wherein said memory device is a data card.

7. The connector device of claim 1 wherein said connecting is

contactless.

8. The connector device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said connector device, said memory device/data card and said computing device, mobile

telephone or cellular telephone requires fingerprint scanning authorization/user verification system, image scanning authorization/user verification, or both, before permitting said dataflow.

9. The connector device of claim 8 wherein fingerprint scanning authorization/user verification system, image scanning authorization/user

verification, or both, is made through fingerprint sensors and image capture, and a comparison/matching program on/in said connector device, said memory

device/data card, or said computing device/mobile telephone/cellular telephone.

10. The connector device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said connector device orsaid memory device includes a display screen for data stored

thereon/therein.

11. A connector device for use with/without a data card that optionally includes memory, a processor, said connector device including a power source and a system for fingerprint scanning authorization/user verification system.

12. The connector device of claim 11 further comprising a display screen with an ON/OFF switch, said memory including confidential patient medical data, financial data, or both, accessible only upon fingerprint scanning authorization/user verification.

13. The connector device of claim 11 further comprising a display screen with an ON/OFF switch, said memory including at least some information available for display whenever said switch is ON.

14. The connector device of claim 11 further comprising a display screen with an ON/OFF switch, said memory including at least some information available for display whenever said switch is ON, said memory also including confidential patient medical data accessible only upon fingerprint scanning authorization/user verification.

15. The connector device of claim 8 including a dual authorization process using a fingerprint sensor for matching a user's fingerprint and a camera on said device to capture a user's image for comparison with pre-stored

images/ fingerprints.

16. The connector of claim 15 wherein fingerprint scanning takes place on the same device as image capturing, and wherein fingerprint scanning is done with a scanner device, or on a data card connected to said device.

17. The connector device of claim 1 wherein said data card effects connection with a computing device using radio frequency communication.

18. A data card including a data storage chip and a user fingerprint verification sensor, said card being adapted for wireless communication through Internet connected devices and access points to merchants and financial

institutions.

19. A data card including a data storage chip and a user fingerprint verification sensor, said card being adapted for wireless communication with other such cards, or with one or more mobile devices upon user verification by sender and recipient cards, devices or both.

20. An identity card including a chip or other data storage device and an inbuilt fingerprint sensor or image sensor user verification, or both.

21. The card of claim 20 further comprising a display screen for displaying information stored in/on said card after fingerprint, image or both fingerprint and image user verification/activation.