Biometric-based authentication in a nonvolatile memory device
US7389425B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 17, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V10/94
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A biometric-based security circuit in which the user database, processor, and biometric map generation functions are all located on the same integrated circuit whose secure contents are inaccessible from external to the integrated circuit. Biometric data, such as a fingerprint, retina scan, or voiceprint, is taken from a user requesting access to restricted resources. The biometric data is transferred into the integrated circuit, where it is converted to a biometric map and compared with a database of biometric maps stored in a non-volatile memory in the integrated circuit. The stored maps represent pre-authorized users, and a match triggers the security circuit to send a signal to a host processor authorizing the host processor to permit the requesting user access to the restricted resources. The integrated circuit essentially serves as a write-only memory for the secure data, because the secure data and security functions in the integrated circuit are not directly accessible through any pin or port, and therefore cannot be read or monitored through a dedicated security attack. A second non-volatile memory, accessible from external to the integrated circuit, can also be provided i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.