Abstract: A system for checking the right to access to sensitive information is described, said checking being based on current biometric data of a person whose right to access to the sensitive information is to be checked. The system comprises a data carrier and a processing unit. The data carrier comprises a memory containing sensitive information, a signal processing means and a communication means. The processing unit is adapted to receive the current biometric data from the person and comprises a memory, a signal processing means and a communication means. The process of the processing unit preprocesses the current biometric data and transfers the same to the processor of the data carrier via the communication means. The process of the data carrier compares the received preprocessed biometric data with biometric reference data stored in advance in the memory of the data carrier to determine whether the right to access to the sensitive information exists.

Abstract: A fingerprint identification/verification system using bitmaps of a stored fingerprint to correlate with a bitmap of an input fingerprint, wherein an accurate reference point is located and selected two-dimensional areas in the vicinity of the reference point of the input image of the fingerprint are correlated with stored fingerprint recognition information to determine if the input fingerprint image and the stored fingerprint recognition information are sufficiently similar to identify/verify the input fingerprint.