Anonymous association system utilizing biometrics

Abstract

Various exemplary embodiments relate to an anonymous database system. The system includes a plurality of biometric nodes in communication with one another. Each of the plurality of biometric nodes includes a biometric input that receives biometric data from a user. The system also includes at least one central database in communication with the plurality of biometric nodes; and a plurality of institution databases in communication with the plurality of biometric nodes. A first node of the plurality of biometric nodes is configured to receive a message from a second node of the plurality of biometric nodes, the message requesting authorization of data access by the second node. Various embodiments relate to a method for performing an action requiring multiple levels of authentication using an anonymous database system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An anonymous database system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of biometric nodes in communication with one another, each of the plurality of biometric nodes comprising a biometric input that receives biometric data from a user;   at least one central database in communication with the plurality of biometric nodes; and   a plurality of institution databases in communication with the plurality of biometric nodes,   wherein a first node of the plurality of biometric nodes is configured to receive a message from a second node of the plurality of biometric nodes, the message requesting authorization of data access by the second node.   
     
     
         2 . The anonymous database system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one central database comprises a database that stores a set of data, each entry in the set of data comprising biometric data and a key identifying a corresponding user. 
     
     
         3 . The anonymous database system of  claim 2 , wherein the key is generated during a first enrollment process independently of the biometric data and stored in association with the biometric data. 
     
     
         4 . The anonymous database system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one central database comprises a database that stores a set of data, each entry in the set of data comprising a key identifying a user and a corresponding alphanumeric code. 
     
     
         5 . The anonymous database system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one central database comprises a database that stores a set of data, each entry in the set of data comprising a key identifying a user, an identifier uniquely identifying an institution, and an identifier uniquely identifying the user at the institution. 
     
     
         6 . The anonymous database system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one central database comprises a database that stores a set of data, each entry in the set of data comprising an identifier uniquely identifying an institution, a name of the institution, and a digital address identifying the location of an associated institution database. 
     
     
         7 . The anonymous database system of  claim 6 , wherein each entry in the set of data further comprises: security clearance information for the user at the institution. 
     
     
         8 . The anonymous database system of  claim 7 , wherein the security clearance information for the user at the institution includes a biometric random key of a second user required to authorize an action. 
     
     
         9 . A method for performing an action requiring multiple levels of authentication, the method comprising:
 receiving a request to perform an action from a first user operating a first biometric node;   receiving biometric data from the first user;   determining, using the biometric data, whether additional authorization is required to allow the requested action to proceed;   sending a request for additional authorization to a second biometric node when additional authorization is required;   receiving authorization data at the second biometric node; and   allowing the requested action to proceed.   
     
     
         10 . The method for performing an action requiring multiple levels of authentication according to  claim 9 , where the requested action is selected from the group consisting of aggregating data associated with the first user, gaining access to a restricted area, and transferring funds. 
     
     
         11 . The method for performing an action requiring multiple levels of authentication according to  claim 9 , further comprising accessing security clearance information to identify the second biometric node that will receive the request for additional authorization. 
     
     
         12 . The method for performing an action requiring multiple levels of authentication according to  claim 9 , wherein the authorization data is second biometric data obtained from a second user. 
     
     
         13 . The method for performing an action requiring multiple levels of authentication according to  claim 9 , wherein the authorization data is received from a card inserted into a card slot of the second biometric node. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of determining, using the biometric data, whether additional authorization is required comprises:
 querying a database with the biometric data to obtain a biometric random key, the biometric random key generated during a first enrollment process independently of the biometric data and stored in association with the biometric data; and   retrieving security clearance information for the requested action based on the biometric random key.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the authorization data comprises second biometric data and the method further comprises:
 querying the database with the second biometric data to obtain a second biometric random key, the second biometric random key generated during a first enrollment process independently of the second biometric data and stored in association with the second biometric data; and   determining whether the second biometric random key matches the security clearance information.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the security clearance information comprises a biometric random key of a second user required to provide authorization.