Biometric Device Utilizing Finger Sequence for Authentication

Abstract

A system and method for enhancing biometric security utilizing a fingerprint sequence authentication process. The method comprising, during an enrollment period for an electronic transaction system, obtaining a set of fingerprint templates associated with a registering user; storing the fingerprint templates on a memory of the electronic transaction system; determining an verification sequence unique to the registering user, wherein the verification sequence comprises a pattern of entering fingerprint images; and associating the verification sequence with the stored set of fingerprint templates to be used for a subsequent authentication of the registering user.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of enhancing biometric security, comprising;
 during an enrollment period for an electronic transaction system, obtaining a set of fingerprint templates associated with a registering user;   storing the fingerprint templates on a memory of the electronic transaction system;   determining an verification sequence unique to the registering user, wherein the verification sequence comprises a pattern of entering fingerprint images; and   associating the verification sequence with the stored set of fingerprint templates to be used for a subsequent authentication of the registering user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of fingerprint templates are generated from a plurality of fingerprint images entered by the registering user via a fingerprint scanner. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fingerprint images were entered by the registering user during the enrollment period. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of fingerprint images were entered by the registering user prior to the enrollment period. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the verification sequence is determined based on an order in which the plurality of fingerprint images were entered by the registering user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the verification sequence is determined after the plurality of fingerprint images were obtained during the enrollment period. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the verification sequence is specified by the registering user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the verification sequence is specified by the electronic transaction system. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fingerprint scanner used to obtain the plurality of fingerprint images is embedded on a smart card, and the set of fingerprint templates is stored in a memory of the smart card. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising storing the verification sequence in the memory of the smart card. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fingerprint scanner used to obtain the plurality of fingerprint images is included in a terminal connected to the transaction system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the memory of the transaction system comprises a memory of the terminal connected to the transaction system. 
     
     
         13 . A method of authenticating a registered user in an electronic transaction system, comprising:
 obtaining one or more fingerprint templates associated with a party requesting a new transaction, the one or more fingerprint templates associated with the party generated from one or more fingerprint images entered by the party in a first sequence;   comparing the one or more fingerprint templates associated with the party to one or more fingerprint templates associated with a registered user and a second sequence, the set of fingerprint templates generated from a set of fingerprint images entered by the registered user during an enrollment process; and   determining whether there is a match between the first sequence and the second sequence.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the party requests the new transaction using a smart card comprising one or more processing modules and a memory, and the smart card is in communication with the electronic transaction system through a terminal connected to the electronic transaction system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fingerprint scanner is embedded on the smart card. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more fingerprint templates associated with a registered user is stored on the memory of the smart card. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the determining step is performed at the terminal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fingerprint scanner is part of the terminal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the determining step is performed at the smart card, and the one or more fingerprint images entered by the party in a first sequence are entered via the fingerprint scanner at the terminal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the determining step is performed at the terminal, and the method further comprising accessing the memory on the smart card and retrieving the one or more fingerprint templates associated with a registered user.