Use of a Biometric Image for Authorization

Abstract

A second user can authorize a first user to take or complete an online action by submitting one or more biometric images. For example, the second user can authorize a purchase by the first user on an online store. The second user can submit the one or more biometric images on the electronic device being used by the first user, or the second user can submit the biometric image or images remotely using another electronic device.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for a first user to complete a purchase on an online store, the method comprising:
 receiving, from a fingerprint sensing device, a first fingerprint image associated with a second user to authorize the purchase on the online store by the first user;   countersigning, by a processing device, an online account token with user identifier data when the first fingerprint image matches a first reference fingerprint image associated with the second user, wherein the online account token is associated with an account of the first user on the online store and the countersigned online account token indicates the purchase on the online store is to be completed; and   transmitting the countersigned account token to the online store.   
     
     
         22 . The method as in  claim 21 , further comprising:
 prior to countersigning the online account token, determining if a second fingerprint image associated with the first user matches a second reference fingerprint image associated with the first user.   
     
     
         23 . The method as in  claim 21 , prior to receiving the first fingerprint image associated with the second user, providing a notification regarding the need to authorize the purchase on the online store. 
     
     
         24 . The method as in  claim 23 , wherein the notification comprises an identity of the online store. 
     
     
         25 . The method as in  claim 23 , wherein the notification comprises a monetary amount of the purchase on the online store. 
     
     
         26 . The method as in  claim 23 , wherein the notification is configured to permit the second user to limit an amount of money the first user can spend in the purchase. 
     
     
         27 . The method as in  claim 23 , wherein the notification is configured to permit the second user to limit an amount of time the first user can spend on the online store. 
     
     
         28 . The method as in  claim 23 , wherein the notification comprises an identity of a content of the purchase on the online store. 
     
     
         29 . The method as in  claim 23 , further comprising the first user submitting the purchase on the online store on a first electronic device. 
     
     
         30 . The method as in  claim 29 , wherein providing the notification regarding the need to authorize the purchase on the online store comprises providing the notification regarding the need to authorize the purchase on the online store on a second electronic device. 
     
     
         31 . The method as in  claim 21 , wherein the user identifier data comprises a universally unique identifier associated with the fingerprint sensing device. 
     
     
         32 . The method as in  claim 21 , wherein the user identifier data comprises a directory services identification associated with the online store. 
     
     
         33 . A system, comprising:
 a processing device;   a memory operatively connected to the processing device, wherein the memory is configured to store an online account token associated with an account of a first user on an online store; and   a fingerprint sensing device operatively connected to the processing device,   wherein the processing device is configured to:
 receive a first fingerprint image associated with a second user from the fingerprint sensing device to authorize a purchase on the online store by the first user; and 
 countersign the online account token with user identifier data when the first fingerprint image received from the second user matches a first reference fingerprint image associated with the second user, wherein the countersigned online account token indicates the purchase on the online store is to be completed. 
   
     
     
         34 . The system as in  claim 33 , wherein the processing device and the fingerprint sensing device are included in a single electronic device. 
     
     
         35 . The system as in  claim 33 , wherein the processing device is included in a first electronic device and the fingerprint sensing device is included in a second electronic device. 
     
     
         36 . The system as in  claim 33 , wherein the processing device comprises a secure processing device. 
     
     
         37 . The system as in  claim 33 , wherein the user identifier data comprises a universally unique identifier associated with the fingerprint sensing device. 
     
     
         38 . The system as in  claim 33 , wherein the user identifier data comprises a data set identification associated with the online store. 
     
     
         39 . The system as in  claim 33 , wherein the processing device is adapted to receive a second fingerprint image associated with the first user from the fingerprint sensing device and countersign the online account token with the user identifier data only when the first fingerprint image received from the second user matches the first reference fingerprint image and the second fingerprint image received from the first user matches a second reference fingerprint image associated with the first user. 
     
     
         40 . A method for a first user to complete a purchase transaction on an online store, the method comprising:
 receiving, from a first biometric sensing device in a first electronic device, a first biometric image associated with the first user;   determining, by a processing device in the first electronic device, if the purchase by the first user requires authorization from a second user;   if authorization is required, receiving, from a second biometric sensing device in a second electronic device, a second biometric image associated with the second user; and   countersigning, by the processing device, an online account token with user identifier data when an identity of the first user and an identity of the second user are confirmed based on the first and second biometric images, wherein the online account token is associated with an online account of the first user on the online store and the countersigned online account token indicates the purchase on the online store is to be completed.   
     
     
         41 . The method as in  claim 40 , further comprising transmitting the countersigned account token to the online store. 
     
     
         42 . The method as in  claim 40 , further comprising prior to receiving the second biometric image, providing a notification regarding the need to authorize the purchase on the online store. 
     
     
         43 . The method as in  claim 42 , wherein the notification comprises at least one of the following:
 an identity of the online store;   a monetary amount of the purchase on the online store;   an input that permits the second user to limit an amount of money the first user can spend in the purchase; and   an input that permits the second user to limit an amount of time the first user can spend on the online store.   
     
     
         44 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the user identifier data comprises a directory services identification associated with the online store. 
     
     
         45 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the user identifier data comprises a universally unique identifier associated with the fingerprint sensing device. 
     
     
         46 . The method as in  claim 40 , wherein the first and second biometric sensing devices each comprise a fingerprint sensing device and the first and second biometric images each comprise a fingerprint image.