U.S. patent application number 11/900940 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for electronic data storage medium with fingerprint verification capability.
Invention is credited to Ming-Shiang Shen.
Application Number | 20080005584 11/900940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21654985 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080005584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shen; Ming-Shiang |
January 3, 2008 |
Electronic data storage medium with fingerprint verification
capability
Abstract
An electronic data storage medium is adapted to be accessed by a
data terminal, and includes a processing unit connected to a memory
device that stores a data file and security reference data
possessed by a person authorized to access the data file, and an
input-output interface circuit activable so as to establish
communication with the data terminal. The processing unit is
operable selectively in a programming mode and a data retrieving
mode. The electronic data storage medium also includes a function
key set for manually switching the electronic data storage medium
between the programming mode and the data retrieving mode.
Inventors: |
Shen; Ming-Shiang; (Taipei
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BLAKELY SOKOLOFF TAYLOR & ZAFMAN
1279 OAKMEAD PARKWAY
SUNNYVALE
CA
94085-4040
US
|
Family ID: |
21654985 |
Appl. No.: |
11/900940 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11624667 |
Jan 18, 2007 |
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11900940 |
Sep 13, 2007 |
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09478720 |
Jan 6, 2000 |
7257714 |
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11624667 |
Jan 18, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
713/186 ;
711/E12.098 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 9/00087 20130101;
G06F 21/78 20130101; G07C 9/257 20200101; G06F 12/1416 20130101;
G06K 19/07 20130101; G06F 21/32 20130101; G06K 19/07354
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/186 |
International
Class: |
H04K 1/00 20060101
H04K001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 19, 1999 |
TW |
88217720 |
Claims
1. An electronic data storage medium adapted to be accessed by a
data terminal motherboard, said electronic data storage medium
comprising: a non-volatile memory device for storing data file and
fingerprint reference data obtained by scanning a fingerprint of a
person authorized to access the data file, wherein the data file
and fingerprint reference data are stored and located in different
sectors of said non-volatile memory device, wherein said
non-volatile memory device is a flash memory, which includes both
single-level-cell (SLC) and multi-level-cell (MLC) flash memory
devices; a fingerprint sensor adapted to scan a fingerprint of a
user of said electronic data storage medium and to generate
fingerprint scan data; an input/output interface circuit activable
so as to establish communication with the data terminal
motherboard, wherein said input/output interface circuit is a card
reader interface circuit which comprises of a Universal Serial Bus
interface circuit; a processing unit connected to said non-volatile
memory device, said fingerprint sensor, and said input/output
interface circuit; means for controlling said processing unit in a
programming mode, wherein said processing unit activates said
input/output interface circuit to receive the data file and the
fingerprint reference data from the data terminal motherboard and
to store the data file and the fingerprint reference data in said
non-volatile memory device; means for controlling said processing
unit in a data retrieving mode, which is performed subsequent to
the programming mode, wherein said processing unit receives the
fingerprint scan data from said fingerprint sensor, compares the
fingerprint scan data with the fingerprint reference data in said
non-volatile memory device to verify if the user of said electronic
data storage medium is authorized to access the data file stored in
said non-volatile memory device, and activates said input/output
interface circuit to transmit the data file to the data terminal
motherboard upon verifying that the user of said electronic data
storage medium is authorized to access the data file stored in said
non-volatile memory device; and a card body usable as a substrate
on which said non-volatile memory device, said fingerprint sensor,
said input/output interface circuit, and said processing unit are
mounted and packaged as a subsystem of a data terminal.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application for "ELECTRONIC DATA STORAGE MEDIUM WITH FINGERPRINT
VERIFICATION CAPABILITY", U.S. application Ser. No. 11/624,667,
filed Jan. 18, 2007, which is a divisional of U.S. patent
application for "ELECTRONIC DATA STORAGE MEDIUM WITH FINGERPRINT
VERIFICATION CAPABILITY", U.S. application Ser. No. 09/478,720,
filed Jan. 6, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to an electronic data storage medium,
more particularly to an electronic data storage medium with a
fingerprint verification capability.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] At present, confidential data files are stored in floppy
disks or are delivered via networks that require passwords or that
use encryption coding for security. Confidential documents can be
sent by adding safety seals and impressions during delivering.
However, the aforesaid are exposed to the risks of breaking of the
passwords, encryption codes, safety seals and impressions, thereby
resulting in unsecure transfer of information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
an electronic data storage medium with a fingerprint verification
capability for security during the transfer of information.
[0007] According to the present invention, an electronic data
storage medium is adapted to be accessed by a data terminal. The
electronic data storage medium includes a memory device, a
fingerprint sensor, an input-output interface circuit and a
processing unit.
[0008] The memory device stores a data file and fingerprint
reference data obtained by scanning a fingerprint of a person
authorized to access the data file.
[0009] The fingerprint sensor is adapted to scan a fingerprint of a
user of the electronic data storage medium and to generate
fingerprint scan data.
[0010] The input/output interface circuit is activable so as to
establish communication with the data terminal.
[0011] The processing unit is connected to the memory device, the
fingerprint sensor and the input/output interface circuit. The
processing unit is operable selectively in a programming mode,
where the processing unit activates the input/output interface
circuit to receive the data file and the fingerprint reference data
from the data terminal, and to store the data file and the
fingerprint reference data in the memory device, and a data
retrieving mode, where the processing unit receives the fingerprint
scan data from the fingerprint sensor, compares the fingerprint
scan data with the fingerprint reference data in the memory device
to verify if the user of the electronic data storage medium is
authorized to access the data file stored in the memory device, and
activates the input/output interface circuit to transmit the data
file to the data terminal upon verifying that the user of the
electronic data storage medium is authorized to access the data
file stored in the memory device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating the
preferred embodiment of an electronic data storage medium according
to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, an electronic data storage medium is
adapted to be accessed by an external computer 9, and is shown to
include a card body 1, a processing unit 2, a memory device 3, a
fingerprint sensor 4, an input/output interface circuit 5, a
display unit 6, a power source 7, and a function key set 8.
[0015] The memory device 3, such as a flash memory device, is
mounted on the card body 1, and stores a data file, a reference
password, and fingerprint reference data obtained by scanning a
fingerprint of a person authorized to access the data file in a
known manner therein. The data file can be a picture file or a text
file.
[0016] The fingerprint sensor 4 is mounted on the card body 1, and
is adapted to scan a fingerprint of a user of the electronic data
storage medium and to generate fingerprint scan data. One example
of the fingerprint sensor 4 that can be used in the present
invention is that disclosed in a co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,130,
entitled "INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CARD WITH FINGERPRINT VERIFICATION
CAPABILITY", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference.
[0017] The input/output interface circuit 5, such as a PCMCIA or
RS232 interface, is mounted on the card body 1, and is activable so
as to establish communication with the external computer 9.
[0018] The processing unit 2 is mounted on the card body 1, and is
connected to the memory device 3, the fingerprint sensor 4 and the
input/output interface circuit 5. The processing unit 2 is operable
selectively in: a programming mode, where the processing unit 2
activates the input/output interface circuit 5 to receive the data
file and the fingerprint reference data from the external computer
9, and to store the data file and the fingerprint reference data in
the memory device 3 in a compressed format to increase storage
capacity of the memory device 3; a data retrieving mode, where the
processing unit 2 receives the fingerprint scan data from the
fingerprint sensor 4, compares the fingerprint scan data with at
least a segment of the fingerprint reference data in the memory
device 3 to verify if the user of the electronic data storage
medium is authorized to access the data file stored in the memory
device 3, and activates the input/output interface circuit 5 to
transmit the data file to the external computer 9 upon verifying
that the user of the electronic data storage medium is authorized
to access the data file stored in the memory device 3; and a data
resetting mode, where the data file and the finger reference data
are erased from the memory device 3.
[0019] The power source 7 is mounted on the card body 1, and is
connected to the processing unit 2 for supplying electrical power
thereto.
[0020] The function key set 8, which is mounted on the card body 1,
is connected to the processing unit 2, and is operable so as to
initiate operation of the processing unit 2 in a selected one of
the programming, data retrieving and data resetting modes. The
function key set 8 is operable to provide an input password to the
processing unit 2. The processing unit 2 compares the input
password with the reference password in the memory device 3, and
initiates operation in the data resetting mode upon verifying that
the input password corresponds with the reference password.
[0021] The display unit 6 is mounted on the card body 1, and is
connected to and controlled by the processing unit 2 for showing
the data file exchanged with the external computer 9 and the
operating status of the electronic data storage medium thereon.
[0022] Preferably, the processing unit 2 automatically initiates
operation in the data resetting mode upon detecting that a preset
time period has elapsed since storage of the data file and the
fingerprint reference data in the memory device 3.
[0023] The following are some of the advantages of the present
invention:
[0024] The electronic data storage medium has a small volume but a
large storage capability in a compressed format, thereby resulting
in convenience during data transfer.
[0025] Since everyone has a fingerprint different from that of the
others, the electronic data storage card medium only permits
authorized persons to access the data files stored therein, thereby
resulting in enhanced security.
[0026] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *