Image analysis – Applications – Personnel identification
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-06
2001-07-03
Pan, Daniel H. (Department: 2171)
Image analysis
Applications
Personnel identification
C382S125000, C382S124000, C340S005520
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256402
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a password input apparatus, and in particular to a password input apparatus for securing a computer or a computer network.
This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 9-225710, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND ART
A password verification system which comprises a mouse tablet having a reading device for obtaining a fingerprint, a data storage device for registering data of the obtained fingerprint, a microprocessor for comparing data later inputted with the data registered in the data storage device, a display for displaying the obtained fingerprint and the comparison result, and a keyboard as an input means, has been proposed (in the Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. Hei 4-111038).
The password verification system uses a fingerprint being input to the mouse tablet as a password, thereby preventing trouble due to the password being forgotten or leaked.
A disadvantage of the prior password verification system is that it does not use existing resources, and therefore it is difficult for its use to become widespread. That is, the system which manages a fingerprint as a password is not compatible with other systems in use. When the prior system is introduced with a computer application program and a periphery device, the computer application program is necessarily supplemented or modified in order to communicate with the application program, so that the application program operating in the computer can employ the password verification system.
Another disadvantage is that the prior password verification system can handle user verification only at local systems, because the prior system managing a fingerprint as a password cannot be applied to a number of different systems through a network although it can be applied for verification for a local user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a password input apparatus compatible with existing systems and applicable to a number of different systems through a network while maintaining an advantage of preventing trouble due to the password being forgotten or leaked.
In order to accomplish the above object, a password input apparatus of the present invention comprises: a database for storing feature data of a previously registered fingerprint and a password of an authorized user in a related manner; a camera for obtaining a fingerprint being inputted from the user's finger; an extractor for extracting feature data of the fingerprint; a controller for reading the password from the database based on the feature data extracted by the extractor; and an interface for outputting the password to another device.
In another aspect of the present invention, a password input apparatus according to claim
1
, further comprises: a registration commander for requiring registration of a new password; and a random code generator for generating a random code as a new password when commanded by the registration command device, wherein the controller stores the new password and the feature data extracted by the extractor in a related manner to each other in the database when registration is commanded by the registration commander, the controller reading the password from the database based on the feature data extracted by the extractor when registration is not commanded by the registration commander.
An advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus is compatible with the existing systems and can be introduced at low costs. That is, the apparatus can be easily connected to a host device because the present apparatus uses a code password generated at random in accordance with the features of the fingerprint, and modification of the software in the host device is unnecessary because the present apparatus sends a user input which was sent from a keyboard in the prior art.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus is easily applied to user verification between a number of different systems through a network. That is, modification of software in host devices is unnecessary because the apparatus uses the code password generated at random in accordance with feature data of the fingerprint.
In another aspect of the present invention, the interface outputs the password when the fingerprint matches with the previously registered master fingerprint. The database stores a plurality of passwords for one authorized user in generation order. A password input apparatus further comprises a selection means for selecting one of the passwords. The interface is a keyboard interface connected between a keyboard and the device. The interface may be a USB interface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4471216 (1984-09-01), Herve
patent: 4728186 (1988-03-01), Eguchi et al.
patent: 5144680 (1992-09-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5493621 (1996-02-01), Matsumura
patent: 5812764 (1998-09-01), Heinz, Sr.
Abstract of Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. 4-111038 dated Apr. 13, 1992.
Abstract of Japanese Patent Application, First Publication No. 7-234837.
Abstract of Japanese Patent Application, First Publication, No. 6-102958 dated Apr. 15, 1994.
Abstract of Japanese Patent Application, First Publication, No. 2-267663 dated Nov. 1, 1990.
Chen Te Yu
NEC Corporation
Pan Daniel H.
Scully Scott Murphy & Presser
LandOfFree
Password input apparatus based on fingerprint recognition of... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Password input apparatus based on fingerprint recognition of..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Password input apparatus based on fingerprint recognition of... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2514637