Biometric-based encryption and selection of user-associated data items

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product for biometric-based encryption and selection of user-associated data items. A biometric feature of a user, such as a fingerprint, is obtained. Based on the biometric feature, a data item is selected from a plurality of data items of the user, wherein each item in the plurality of data items of the user is associated with a different biometric feature and potentially encrypted thereby. The data item is used, such as in a program. The encrypted data item is decrypted using the biometric feature prior to being used.

1 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium retaining program instructions, which program instructions when read by a processor, cause the processor to perform:
 in response to a copy operation performed by a user, obtaining a data item to be retained in a clipboard;   obtaining a fingerprint from a fingerprint scanner;   selecting a selected clipboard from a plurality of clipboards based on the fingerprint, wherein each clipboard of the plurality of clipboards is associated with a different fingerprint of a plurality of fingerprints; and   storing the data item in the selected clipboard.   
     
     
         51 . The computer program product of  claim 50 , wherein each of the plurality of clipboards is associated with a different fingerprint of the user, whereby the user selects a clipboard by selecting a finger for scanning. 
     
     
         52 . The computer program product of  claim 50 , wherein said obtaining the data item comprises:
 receiving a user selection of the data item; and   retrieving the data item.   
     
     
         53 . The computer program product of  claim 50 , wherein the program instructions, when read by the processor, cause the processor to perform:
 in response to an instruction to perform a paste operation,
 obtaining a second fingerprint from the fingerprint scanner; 
 selecting the selected clipboard from the plurality of clipboards based on the second fingerprint; and 
 providing the data item stored in the selected clipboard for performing the paste operation. 
   
     
     
         54 . The computer program product of  claim 53 , wherein the program instructions, when read by the processor, cause the processor to perform:
 receiving the instruction to perform the paste operation;   receiving a user selection of a location to paste the data item to during the paste operation; and   performing the paste operation using the data item by pasting the data item to the location.   
     
     
         55 . The computer program product of  claim 53 , wherein the fingerprint and the second fingerprint are scanned fingerprints of a same finger of the user. 
     
     
         56 . A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium retaining program instructions, which program instructions when read by a processor, cause the processor to perform:
 in response to an instruction to perform a paste operation,
 obtaining a fingerprint from a fingerprint scanner; 
 selecting a selected clipboard from a plurality of clipboards based on the fingerprint, wherein each clipboard of the plurality of clipboards is associated with a different fingerprint of a plurality of fingerprints; and 
 providing a data item stored in the selected clipboard for performing the paste operation. 
   
     
     
         57 . The computer program product of  claim 56 , wherein the program instructions, when read by the processor, cause the processor to perform:
 receiving a user selection of a location for pasting the data item, wherein the user selection is performed prior to an instruction to perform the paste operation; and   performing the paste operation by pasting the data item to the location.   
     
     
         58 . A method comprising:
 obtaining a data item previously selected by a user to be copied;   obtaining a fingerprint scan from a fingerprint scanner, wherein the fingerprint scan is a scan of a fingerprint of the user;   selecting a selected clipboard from a plurality of clipboards based on the fingerprint scan, wherein each clipboard of the plurality of clipboards is associated with a different fingerprint of a plurality of fingerprints; and   storing the data item in the selected clipboard.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising:
 obtaining a second fingerprint scan from the fingerprint scanner, wherein the second fingerprint scan is a scan of the fingerprint of the user;   selecting, from the plurality of clipboards, and based on the fingerprint, the selected clipboard; and   retrieving the data item from the selected clipboard to be utilized in a paste operation.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the paste operation is associated with a location for pasting, wherein the location is determined based on a user instruction performed prior to said obtaining the second fingerprint scan. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 59  further comprising performing the paste operation using the data item, wherein said storing the data item in the selected clipboard is performed by a first mobile device, and wherein said performing the paste operation is performed by a second mobile device, whereby a user performs a copy-paste operation using two different mobile devices. 
     
     
         62 . An apparatus comprising:
 a fingerprint scanner configured to scan fingerprints of users;   a memory retaining a plurality of clipboards, wherein each clipboard in the plurality of clipboards is associated with a different fingerprint of a plurality of fingerprints, wherein each clipboard in the plurality of clipboards is configured to retain a data item in response to a copy operation and to provide the data item for performing a paste operation;   a processor configured to perform the copy operation by:
 obtaining a first data item to be copied; 
 obtaining a fingerprint from said fingerprint scanner; 
 selecting a first clipboard of the plurality of clipboards based on the obtained fingerprint; and 
 retaining the first data item in the first clipboard; and 
   wherein said processor is further configured to perform the paste operation by:
 obtaining a paste location; 
 obtaining a second fingerprint from said fingerprint scanner; 
 selecting a second clipboard, from the plurality of clipboards, that is associated with the second fingerprint; 
 retrieving a second data item from the second clipboard; and 
 pasting the second data item to the paste location. 
   
     
     
         63 . A system comprising:
 a first mobile device; and   a second mobile device;   wherein said first mobile device comprising a first processor and a first memory unit, wherein said first mobile device is configured to:
 obtain a data item selected by a user for copying; 
 obtain a first fingerprint scan, wherein the first fingerprint scan is a scan of a fingerprint of the user; 
 select a clipboard from a plurality of clipboards based on the first fingerprint scan, wherein each clipboard of the plurality of clipboards is associated with a different fingerprint from a plurality of fingerprints; 
 store the data item in the clipboard; and 
 transmit a content of the clipboard to said second mobile device; 
   wherein said second mobile device comprising a second processor and a second memory unit, wherein said second mobile device is configured to:
 receive the content of the clipboard from said first mobile device; 
 receive a user instruction to perform a paste operation; 
 obtain a second fingerprint scan, wherein the second fingerprint scan is a scan of the fingerprint of the user; 
 select the clipboard from the plurality of clipboards based on the second fingerprint scan; and 
 in response to the selection of the clipboard, perform the paste operation using the content of the clipboard. 
   
     
     
         64 . A method of using a computerized apparatus for copying data, the method comprising:
 for each fingerprint of a plurality of fingerprints of a user:
 receiving a data item that has been copied by the user, 
 obtaining the fingerprint from a fingerprint scanner, and 
 storing the data item in a clipboard that is associated with the fingerprint; and 
   for any selected fingerprint of the plurality of fingerprints:
 obtaining the selected fingerprint from the fingerprint scanner, and 
 providing the data item stored in the clipboard that is associated with the selected fingerprint, for pasting by the user.