Apparatus for preventing unauthorized access to computer files and for securing medical records

Abstract

Apparatus for identifying a person who wishes to receive information, where identifying information for each of a plurality of registered individuals is stored in a database, calls for capturing images of an individual requesting information, and determining whether this individual is the same as one of the registered individuals. The stored identifying information includes images of a unique, observable biologic identifier on a body portion of each registered individual. The specificity of the identification process is enhanced by storing registered examples of altered biological information in the database, by allowing the information provider to induce an alteration in a biologic identifier of a requesting person at the time of the request, and by comparing the altered requesting person information to stored information. Further identification enhancement is obtained by rapidly altering the visual environment of the requesting person, and by providing the requested information to the retina of the requesting person.

1 .- 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A method for identifying the presence of a particular human, at a given location, the method comprising:
 (a) storing, in a database, a first digital file including (1) information representing a plurality of registered images of a body part displaying a unique biologic feature of a registered human, and (2) alphanumeric information pertaining to said registered human;   (b) receiving, by a processor, a request to identify a putative human as the registered human;   (c) based on receiving the request, generating, by the processor, at least one first code, said code comprising information, and providing a first code signal representing said first code to each of (1) a code display device and (2) the database; wherein said code display device is located in the vicinity of said putative human;   (d) receiving, by the database, the first code signal; and storing by the database, information representing said first code;   (e) receiving, by the code display device, the first code signal;   (f) in response to the received first code signal, producing, by the code display device, a code screen image representing the first code signal;   (g) capturing, by a digital camera, a plurality of composite images, each image including both (1) a body part image including a visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, and (2) at least a portion of the code screen image; and providing a camera signal representing said composite images to said processor;   (h) based on the received camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the putative human body part with (2) the stored information representing the registered human body part, and determining a match between the received information representing the putative human body part and the stored information representing the registered human body part;   (i) based on the received camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the received code screen image with (2) the stored information representing the first code, and determining a match between the received code screen image information and the stored first code; and   (j) generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said comparing steps (h) and (i).   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said step (h) further comprises determining a likelihood of a match between the putative human body part image and the stored registered human body part image. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said step (i) further comprises determining a likelihood of a match between the code screen image and the stored first code. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein, based on determining said match in each of said step (h) and said step (i), said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said providing of access is limited to a period of time following a determination of said match. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said providing of access comprises granting permission to retrieve said secure information. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said providing of access comprises granting permission to alter said secure information. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said providing of access comprises granting permission to input secure information to said digital memory. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein said access comprises granting permission to delete secure information from said digital memory. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said step (b) further comprises inputting, to said processor, alphanumeric information pertaining to said putative human. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein
 said step (c) comprises repeatedly generating said first code signal, wherein each first code signal may differ from a previously generated first code signal;   said steps (d) through (j) are each sequentially performed, following each performance of said step (c)   and wherein, based on determining said match in both of said repeated steps (h) and (i), said repeated step (j) further comprises continued providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to said secure information.   
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein, upon a failure to determine a match in a particular step (h) or a particular step (i), said step (j) further comprises halting of access to said secure memory. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said body part displaying a unique biologic feature of a registered human is selected from the group consisting of:
 (A) a pattern of an iris of an eye;   (B) a pattern of retinal veins of an eye;   (C) a pattern of blood vessels of a sclera of an eye;   (D) a facial image;   (E) a fingerprint;   (F) a palm print; and   (G) a pattern of blood vessels of a hand.   
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein
 said step (a) further comprises storing, in the database, a second digital file including (1) information representing a plurality of registered images of a second body part displaying a second unique biologic feature of the registered human, and (2) alphanumeric information pertaining to the registered human;   said step (g) further comprises capturing, by a second digital camera, a plurality of second composite images, each second image including both (1) a second body part image including a second visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, and (2) at least a second portion of the code screen image; and providing a second camera signal representing said second composite images to said processor;   said step (h) further comprises, based on the received second camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the putative human second body part with (2) the stored information representing the registered human second body part, and determining a match between the putative human second body part image and the stored registered human second body part image;   and said step (j) further comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said comparing step (i) and each of said comparing steps (h); and based on determining a match in each of said step (i) and both of said steps (h), said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein
 said step (a) further comprises storing, in the database, a second digital file including (1) information representing a plurality of registered images of a second body part displaying a second unique biologic feature of the registered human, and (2) alphanumeric information pertaining to the registered human;   said step (g) further comprises capturing, by a second digital camera, a plurality of second composite images, each second image including both (1) a second body part image including a second visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, and (2) at least a second portion of the code screen image; and providing a second camera signal representing said second composite images to said processor;   said step (h) further comprises, based on the received second camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the putative human second body part with (2) the stored information representing the registered human second body part, and determining a match between the putative human second body part image and the stored registered human second body part image;   and said step (j) further comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said comparing step (i) and each of said comparing steps (h); and based on determining a match in each of said step (i) and at least one of said steps (h), said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein
 said step (a) further comprises storing, in the database, an additional first digital file including (1) information representing a second plurality of registered images of the body part displaying the unique biologic feature of the registered human, said second plurality comprising images obtained from at least one viewing angle differing from the viewing angle pertaining to said plurality of registered images; and (2) alphanumeric information pertaining to the registered human;   said step (g) further comprises capturing, by an additional digital camera arranged to image said putative human from an angle differing from that of said digital camera, a plurality of additional composite images, each additional image including both (1) an additional body part image including said visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, and (2) at least an additional portion of the code screen image; and providing an additional camera signal representing said additional composite images to said processor;   said step (h) further comprises, based on the received additional camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the putative human body part imaged by said additional camera, with (2) the stored second plurality of registered images, and determining a match;   and said step (j) further comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said comparing step (i) and each of said comparing steps (h); and based on determining a match in each of said step (i) and both of said steps (h), said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein
 said step (a) further comprises storing, in the database, an additional first digital file including (1) information representing a second plurality of registered images of the body part displaying the unique biologic feature of the registered human, said second plurality comprising images obtained from at least one viewing angle differing from the viewing angle pertaining to said plurality of registered images; and (2) alphanumeric information pertaining to the registered human;   said step (g) further comprises capturing, by an additional digital camera arranged to image said putative human from an angle differing from that of said digital camera, a plurality of additional composite images, each additional image including both (1) an additional body part image including said visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, and (2) at least an additional portion of the code screen image; and providing an additional camera signal representing said additional composite images to said processor;   said step (h) further comprises, based on the received additional camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the putative human body part imaged by said additional camera, with (2) the stored second plurality of registered images, and determining a match;   and said step (j) further comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said comparing step (i) and each of said comparing steps (h); and based on determining a match in each of said step (i) and at least one of said steps (h), said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said step (h) further comprises generating, by said processor, information representing calculated registered images, based on the information representing the stored plurality of registered images, and utilizing said calculated registered images to determine said match. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein said step (h) further comprises generating, by said processor, information representing calculated putative human body part images, based on the received information representing the putative human body part, and utilizing said calculated registered images to determine said match. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the method of generation of each first code is selected from the group consisting of:
 (A) generation of at least one pseudorandom number, and   (B) generation of at least one random number.   
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein one of said at least one first code comprises a message to said putative human. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein
 said step (c) further comprises generating, by the processor, at least one first security code, said first security code comprising information, and providing a first security code signal representing said first security code to each of (1) a first security code display device and (2) the database; wherein said first security code display device is attached to a housing of said digital camera;   said step (d) further comprises receiving, by the database, the first security code signal; and storing, by the database, information representing said first security code;   said step (e) further comprises receiving, by the first security code display device, the first security code signal;   said step (f) further comprises producing by the first security code display device, in response to the received first security code signal, a first security code screen image representing the first security code signal;   said step (g) further comprises capturing, by a security camera, at least one first security image including at least a portion of said first security code screen image, and providing a first security camera signal representing said at least one first security image to said processor;   said step (i) further comprises comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the received first security code screen image, based on the received first security camera signal, with (2) the stored information representing the first security code, and determining a match between the received first security code screen image information and the stored first security code; and   said step (j) comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said comparing step (h) and each of said two comparing steps (1).   
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein, based on determining said match for each of
 (1) said step (h) pertaining to said body part information,   (2) said step (i) pertaining to said first code information, and   (3) said step (i) pertaining to said first security code information,   said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein
 said step (g) further comprises capturing, by said security camera, at least one composite first security image including both (1) a body part image including a visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, and (2) at least a portion of said first security code screen image, and providing a composite first security camera signal representing said at least one composite first security image to said processor;   said (h) further comprises, based on the received composite first security camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the putative human body part with (2) the stored information representing the registered human body part, and determining a match between the received information representing the putative human body part and the stored information representing the registered human body part; and   said step (j) comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of each of said two comparing steps (h) and each of said two comparing steps (1).   
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein, based on determining said match for each of
 (1) said step (h) pertaining to said body part information of said composite images,   (2) said step (h) pertaining to said body part information of said composite first security images,   (3) said step (i) pertaining to said first code information, and   (4) said step (i) pertaining to said first security code information,   said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein
 said step (g) further comprises capturing, by said security camera, at least one additional composite first security image including both (1) at least a portion of said code screen image, and (2) at least a portion of said first security code screen image, and providing an additional composite first security camera signal representing said at least one additional composite first security image to said processor;   said step (i) further comprises comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the received first security code screen image, based on the received first security camera signal, with (2) the stored information representing the first security code, and determining a match between the received first security code screen image information and the stored first security code; and   said step (i) still further comprises comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the received code screen image, based on the received first security camera signal, with (2) the stored information representing the first code, and determining a match between the received code screen image information and the stored first code;   said step (j) comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said step (h) and each of said three comparing steps (i).   
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein, based on determining said match for each of
 (1) said step (h) pertaining to said body part information of said composite images captured by said digital camera,   (2) said step (i) pertaining to said first code information, of said composite images captured by said digital camera,   (3) said step (i) pertaining to said first code information of said at least one additional composite first security image, captured by said security camera, and   (4) said step (i) pertaining to said first security code information of said at least one additional composite first security information, captured by said security camera,   said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 91 , wherein
 said step (c) further comprises generating, by the processor, at least one second security code, said second security code comprising information, and providing a second security code signal representing said second security code to each of (1) a second security code display device and (2) the database; wherein said second security code display device is attached to a housing of said security camera;   said step (d) further comprises receiving, by the database, the second security code signal; and storing, by the database, information representing said second security code;   said step (e) further comprises receiving, by the second security code display device, the second security code signal;   said step (f) further comprises producing by the second security code display device, in response to the received second security code signal, a second security code screen image representing the second security code signal;   said step (g) further comprises capturing, by the digital camera, a plurality of supplemental composite images, each of said images including each of (1) a body part image including a visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, (2) at least a portion of the code screen image, and (3) at least a portion of said second security code screen image; and providing a supplemental camera signal representing said supplemental composite images to said processor;   said step (i) still further comprises comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the received second code screen image, based on the received supplemental camera signal, with (2) the stored information representing the second security code, and determining a match between the received second code screen image information and the stored second first code;   said step (j) comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said step (h) and each of said two comparing steps (i).   
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97 , wherein, based on determining said match for each of
 (1) said step (h) pertaining to said body part information of said supplemental composite images, captured by said digital camera,   (2) said step (i) pertaining to said first code information, of said supplemental composite images captured by said digital camera,   (3) said step (i) pertaining to said second security code information of said supplemental composite images, captured by said digital camera, and   (4) said step (i) pertaining to said first security code information of said at least one first security image, captured by said security camera,   said step (j) further comprises providing, by said processor, of access, for said putative human, to secure information in a digital memory.   
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising:
 (g2) following said step (g) based on receiving the request, generating, by the processor, at least one prompt, said prompt comprising information, and providing a prompt signal representing said prompt to a prompt producing device;   wherein said prompt device is located in the vicinity of said putative human and arranged to provide said prompt to said putative human;   wherein said prompt causes a visible change in the appearance of said unique biologic feature of said putative human;   (g3) following said step (g2) receiving, by the prompt producing device, the prompt signal;   (g4) following said step (g3) in response to the received prompt signal, producing, by the prompt device, a prompt;   (g5) following said step (g4) capturing, by the digital camera, a plurality of post-prompt composite images, each image including both (1) a body part image including the visible unique biologic feature of the putative human, and (2) at least a portion of the code screen image; and providing a post-prompt camera signal representing said post-prompt composite images to said processor; and   (g6) following said step (g5) based on the received post-prompt camera signal, comparing, by the processor, (1) information representing the post-prompt appearance of the putative human body part with (2) the stored information representing the registered human body part, and determining a match between the received post-prompt information representing the putative human body part and the stored information representing the registered human body part;   wherein said step (j) further comprises generating, by the processor, an output indicating a result of said comparing step (g6).   
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein said prompt causes an involuntary change in the appearance of a body part of the putative human. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 100 , wherein said step (a) comprises storing, in said database, a plurality of registered images of an iris or a registered human, said plurality including images including images obtained under a plurality of ambient light conditions;
 said step (g2) comprises providing said prompt signal to an electronically controllable light source, arranged to cause a light output to be directed to a least one iris of an eye of said putative human;   said step (g3) comprises receiving said prompt signal by said light source;   said step (g4) comprises producing, by said light source, a light output specified by said prompt signal; and   said step (g6) includes comparing post-prompt iris image information provided by said post-prompt camera signal to post-prompt iris image information stored in said database.   
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 99 , wherein said prompt is an instruction requesting a voluntary action by the putative human.