Dynamic information radio-frequency identification (rfid) card with biometric capabilities

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention implement dynamic elements within a RFID card. Specifically, the embodiments update card information dynamically, using a biometric image scanner (e.g., for scanning a fingerprint passively). The scanner is activated only when a user intends to use it with a designated reader by bringing the RFID card within the reader RF field range, thus preventing unauthorized reader's RFID scan. Even if an unauthorized reader comes into contact with the RFID card, the reader cannot read the user's biometric information, unless the user holds the card for use by the reader. Thus, unauthorized biometric information scanning is effectively prevented. The medium owned and controlled by the user collects a biometric fingerprint image for safety and security. When a card is swiped by the user, the biometric imaging array sensor captures user fingerprints and transfers the corresponding image data to a verification system to match and track user biometric information with a predefine accuracy, and track changes of repeated uses.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dynamic information radio-frequency identification (RFID) card, comprising:
 a RFID card medium; and   a biometric scanner positioned on the card medium for receiving a biometric reading from a user, and for authenticating the user based on the biometric reading.   
     
     
         2 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 1 , further comprising a RFID chip positioned in the RFID card medium for enabling RFID-based authentication of the user. 
     
     
         3 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 2 , further comprising a smart chip positioned in the RFID card medium for enabling further authentication of the user based on data stored in the smart chip. 
     
     
         4 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 1 , the biometric scanner comprising:
 a sensor array for capturing analog biometric image data;   a controller for processing the analog biometric image data into digital biometric image data; and   an RF block and an antenna for communicating the digital biometric image data for authentication.   
     
     
         5 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 4 , the sensor array comprising a series of addressable sensor elements in a column-row format. 
     
     
         6 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 5 , the sensor array being coupled to a set of decoders for decoding the biometric reading. 
     
     
         7 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 1 , the RFID card medium comprising a credit card. 
     
     
         8 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 1 , the biometric reading comprising a fingerprint. 
     
     
         9 . A dynamic information radio-frequency identification (RFID) card, comprising:
 a RFID card medium;   a RFID chip positioned in the RFID card medium for enabling RFID-based authentication of a user; and   a biometric scanner positioned on the card medium for receiving a biometric reading from the user, and for authenticating the user based on the biometric reading, the biometric scanner comprising a sensor array for capturing analog biometric image data;   
     
     
         10 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 9 , further comprising a smart chip positioned in the RFID card medium for enabling further authentication of the user based on data stored in the smart chip. 
     
     
         11 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 9 , the biometric scanner further comprising:
 a controller for processing the analog biometric image data into digital biometric image data; and   an RF block and an antenna for communicating the digital biometric image data for authentication.   
     
     
         12 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 9 , the sensor array comprising a series of addressable sensor elements in a column-row format. 
     
     
         13 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 9 , the sensor array being coupled to a set of decoders for decoding the biometric reading. 
     
     
         14 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 9 , the RFID card medium comprising a credit card. 
     
     
         15 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 9 , the biometric reading comprising a fingerprint. 
     
     
         16 . A dynamic information radio-frequency identification (RFID) card, comprising:
 a RFID card medium;   a RFID chip positioned in the RFID card medium for enabling RFID-based authentication of a user;   a smart chip positioned in the RFID card medium for enabling further authentication of the user based on data stored in the smart chip; and   a biometric scanner positioned on the card medium for receiving a biometric reading from the user, and for authenticating the user based on the biometric reading, wherein the biometric scanner comprises a sensor array for capturing analog biometric image data, and wherein the sensor array comprises a series of sensor elements arranged in a column-row format.   
     
     
         17 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 16 , the biometric scanner further comprising:
 a controller for processing the analog biometric image data into digital biometric image data; and   an RF block and an antenna for communicating the digital biometric image data for authentication.   
     
     
         18 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 17 , the sensor array being coupled to a set of decoders for decoding the biometric reading. 
     
     
         19 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 16 , the RFID card medium comprising a credit card. 
     
     
         20 . The dynamic information RFID card of  claim 16 , the biometric reading comprising a fingerprint.