Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-08-07
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral monitoring
C710S120000, C355S405000, C382S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272562
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to the field of access control and, in particular, to access control with biometric technology.
2. Related Art
Access control systems are used to limit access to selected individuals. Some of these systems use biometric technologies to determine whether access for an individual will be granted or denied. A biometric is a unique, measurable characteristic or trait of a human being for automatically recognizing or verifying identity. For instance, fingerprint biometrics are largely regarded as an accurate method of biometric identification and verification. See, e.g., Roethenbaugh, G. Ed.,
Biometrics Explained
(International Computer Security Association: Carlisle, Pa. 1998), pages 1-34, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Access control units (ACUs) may be placed locally to perform a biometric analysis on the individual, and determine whether access will be granted or denied. Additionally, if required, an ACU may be used to document images of the access applicant. When an access applicant has been denied access, images of an access applicant may be desirable to determine whether the system is being tested for breach. Furthermore, images of an access applicant may be desirable when an access applicant has been accepted and is being granted access (i.e., the door is open), in order to determine whether an access applicant is gaining access and passing it to another (“pass forward”), whether multiple people are obtaining access, or whether property is being improperly transported through the door.
An access control unit takes a live scan of an individual's fingerprint with a fingerprint scanner. A host processor processes the detected fingerprint image. Such live scan ability is an important tool for access control, allowing for rapid capture and transmission of fingerprints, and rapid fingerprint identification. Prior to the present invention, however, the host processor in an ACU was limited to a customized piece of logic, such as, an application specific-integrated circuit (ASIC) or a digital signal processor (DSP). An ACU was also not a generally compact device.
What is needed is a compact ACU interface which is compatible with a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processor, such as, a PENTIUM processor. Such a COTS processor is more likely to be familiar to an ACU customer, and able to operate a common commercial operating system such as WINDOWS or LINUX, thereby increasing customer acceptance throughout the life of the ACU from the time of purchase through installation and maintenance. A COTS processor may be more widely available at an overall competitive price and performance compared to customized logic. A compact ACU also allows it to be incorporated into a wider range of access control applications, such as, prison security points and entry/exit locations in a secure building or area, and allows it to be integrated more easily with existing computer systems. Furthermore, it is desirable to have an ACU that is compatible with a broader range and variety of communications interfaces. The placement of intelligence in a small package at access points enables local and distributed alarms for tamper detection and breach.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an access control unit interface between a fingerprint scanner, a camera, and peripherals, and a host processor. A daughter card is coupled between the fingerprint scanner and the host processor. The daughter card handles real-time and interactive access control events. The host processor can be any commercially available processor.
In one embodiment, the daughter card has an access control interface processor. The access control interface processor includes a display interface module, a keyboard module, a Wiegand interface module, a finger detect interface module, a LED interface module, and a serial communication module.
The present invention further provides for a very compact design configuration. The daughter card and host processor may be coupled in a compact stacked configuration. This allows the access control unit to be installed in a variety of environments without using a great deal of space. User enrollment and access control are provided for in a convenient package.
Furthermore, the present invention provides an access control interface between a fingerprint scanner, camera, and peripherals, and any commercially available (COTS) host processor. This provides for greater flexibility in access control system design and implementation. Various commercially available processors can be chosen to meet different performance and/or cost needs. For example, familiar, low-cost host processors may be chosen to lower overall system cost. Off-the-shelf processors may be available in large quantities to support large production runs.
According to a further feature, the present invention provides for interconnection with a number of interface types, including a Wiegand interface, a serial port interface, and an Ethernet port interface. This provides for flexibility in interconnection environments. Interfacing directly with Ethernet provides for high rates of fingerprint data transfer.
Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present inventions, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Brunell David
Kahn Matthew
McClurg George William
Scott Walter Guy
Cross Match Technologies, Inc.
Elamin Abdelmoniem
Lee Thomas
Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox PLLC
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