Abstract: A method, a memory data carrier (30) as well as a terminal (10) are proposed for accessing a portable memory data carrier (30) having a standardized memory element (34) and an additional module (40). The method permits a data transmission selectively to the memory element (34) or to the additional module (40). According to the method application data intended for the additional module (40) are generated, routing information for the application data, with information about the application data, is generated and added to the application data (108), the resulting data stream is embedded in data blocks according to a transmission protocol adapted to the memory element (34) and transmitted, it is determined by the memory data carrier (30) whether a received data block contains routing information, and the data contained in the data block are routed to the additional module (40) if the data block contains routing information.

Abstract: A portable device for activating access in or over a computer network that is connectable to a terminal, which is connected to the computer network at least temporarily. The portable device is configured to be insertable into a communication path between the terminal and the computer network, for authenticating a user, and for providing access data for activating access.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for recording and digitizing intensity profiles (IP) of the papillary structure of the skin with high intensity resolution using sensors S with low intensity resolution. For this purpose, a plurality of digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2) of an identical subarea e.g. of a fingerprint are recorded, whereby the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint is scanned in different intensity resolutions, and/or different portions (A1, A2) of said continuous intensity domain (KI) are mapped to discrete intensity domains of the single digital image signals (DS, D1, DS2). By the pixelwise combination of all digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2), a digital fingerprint image signal (PS) is finally produced whose discrete intensity domain (DI) represents a larger portion of the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint and/or has a higher resolution intensity than each single one of the digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2).

Abstract: A method, a memory data carrier (30) as well as a terminal (10) are proposed for accessing a portable memory data carrier (30) having a standardized memory element (34) and an additional module (40). The method permits a data transmission selectively to the memory element (34) or to the additional module (40). According to the method application data intended for the additional module (40) are generated, routing information for the application data, with information about the application data, is generated and added to the application data (108), the resulting data stream is embedded in data blocks according to a transmission protocol adapted to the memory element (34) and transmitted, it is determined by the memory data carrier (30) whether a received data block contains routing information, and the data contained in the data block are routed to the additional module (40) if the data block contains routing information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device (2) for activating access in or over a computer network (4). A terminal (1) is connected to the computer network (4) at least temporarily. The portable device (2) has functionalities implemented therein for inserting the portable device (2) into a communication path between the terminal (1) and the computer network (4), for authenticating a user, and for providing access data for activating access.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for recording and digitizing intensity pro-files (IP) of the papillary structure of the skin with high intensity resolution using sensors S with low intensity resolution. For this purpose, a plurality of digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2) of an identical subarea e.g. of a fingerprint are recorded, whereby the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint is scanned in different intensity resolutions, and/or different portions (A1, A2) of said continuous intensity domain (KI) are mapped to discrete intensity domains of the single digital image signals (DS, D1, DS2). By the pixelwise combination of all digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2), a digital fingerprint image signal (PS) is finally produced whose discrete intensity domain (DI) represents a larger portion of the continuous intensity domain (KI) of the fingerprint and/or has a higher resolution intensity than each single one of the digital image signals (DS, DS1, DS2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and a method for biometric authentication by means of reference data stored in a memory of a portable data carrier. For biometric authentication methods to make their final breakthrough with respect to more widespread use, there is a need for standardized generation of reference data for the particular biometric features used for authentication. Different suppliers of methods and devices for biometric authentication have hitherto used algorithms for generating the reference data which normally lead to different reference data which are not interchangeable. This limits the employability of biometric methods to the supplier's particular system. The present invention avoids this problem by storing several sets of biometric reference data, thereby increasing the likelihood of the evaluation of at least one set of stored biometric reference data being possible. Thus, the desired system-independent authentication can be attained.

Abstract: A data carrier has stored thereon a secret code and a user's biometric data. In using the data carrier, a data carrier terminal is first authenticated for access to data stored in the data carrier by reading a secret code from the data carrier in a manner known only to an authorized terminal, and then displaying the read secret on the data carrier terminal. If the user determines that the displayed secret code is correct, the user then presents a biometric feature which is read and compared to the biometric data stored on the data carrier. If the read biometric data matches the stored biometric data, then the user is authorized for further use of the data carrier on the data carrier terminal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for biometric authentication of a person are proposed. Since the detection of biometric data never matches 100 percent, authentication is already effected when the detected data exceed a defined threshold value in comparison to stored reference data. In order to increase security, the invention provides that information about the person's individual properties influencing the biometric data is stored and taken into account in the authentication process. For example, the threshold value is set low upon comparison of a fingerprint only if the person has exceptionally dry or moist skin. On the other hand, the sensor for detecting the biometric data of the fingerprint can also be set to be more sensitive or less sensitive depending on the stored information.

Abstract: It is proposed to combine the advantages of PIN-based protection systems and biometry-based protection systems and avoid the disadvantages of the respective systems by generating the PIN biometrically uniquely. For this purpose it is provided that only characteristic data that are uniquely reproducible are derived from the determined biometric raw data. On the basis of these uniquely reproducible characteristic data a key record is then generated that either constitutes the PIN code or is used to generate the PIN code. The PIN code is thus always reproducible uniquely on the basis of the biometric data. The user need no longer remember the PIN code, and the PIN code cannot be passed on to third parties.

Abstract: It is proposed to combine the advantages of PIN-based protection systems and biometry-based protection systems and avoid the disadvantages of the respective systems by generating the PIN biometrically uniquely. For this purpose it is provided that only characteristic data that are uniquely reproducible are derived from the determined biometric raw data. On the basis of these uniquely reproducible characteristic data a key record is then generated that either constitutes the PIN code or is used to generate the PIN code. The PIN code is thus always reproducible uniquely on the basis of the biometric data. The user need no longer remember the PIN code, and the PIN code cannot be passed on to third parties.