Patents by Inventor Fred Kiefer

Fred Kiefer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7773780
    Abstract: Systems and methods of authorizing an activity, such as a financial transaction, are disclosed. Authorizing the activity may be accomplished by comparing a biometric sample to a biometric specimen. The sample is stored in a database and includes biometric information corresponding to two physiologically distinct portions of an individual. When that individual later is a person desiring to authorize an activity, he provides a specimen that includes biometric information corresponding to two physiologically distinct portions of his person. A comparison between the sample and the specimen is performed, and if a match is determined then the activity is authorized. If the comparison is performed and a match is not determined, then the activity is not authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Ultra-Scan Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Schneider, Fred Kiefer, Jack Kitchens
  • Publication number: 20080104006
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method of deciding whether a data set is acceptable for making a decision. A first probability partition array and a second probability partition array may be provided. One or both of the probability partition arrays may be a Copula model. A no-match zone may be established and used to calculate a false-acceptance-rate (“FAR”) and/or a false-rejection-rate (“FRR”) for the data set. The FAR and/or the FAR may be compared to desired rates. Based on the comparison, the data set may be either accepted or rejected. The invention may also be embodied as a computer readable memory device for executing the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Fred Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20080025572
    Abstract: Systems and methods of authorizing an activity, such as a financial transaction, are disclosed. Authorizing the activity may be accomplished by comparing a biometric sample to a biometric specimen. The sample is stored in a database and includes biometric information corresponding to two physiologically distinct portions of an individual. When that individual later is a person desiring to authorize an activity, he provides a specimen that includes biometric information corresponding to two physiologically distinct portions of his person. A comparison between the sample and the specimen is performed, and if a match is determined then the activity is authorized. If the comparison is performed and a match is not determined, then the activity is not authorized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: John Schneider, Fred Kiefer, Jack Kitchens
  • Publication number: 20060280345
    Abstract: Methods and systems according to the invention may compare a large-area biometric specimen and a small-area biometric sample. For example, a large-area plain surface fingerprint image may be stored in a fingerprint database as a specimen, and then a small-area plain surface fingerprint image may be acquired as a sample. The small-area image sample may be submitted to a fingerprint matching system for comparison with a large-area image specimen from the database. A determination may be made as to whether the small-area image matches a portion of the large-area image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: John Schneider, Fred Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20060260988
    Abstract: The invention includes methods, systems and devices for authenticating transactions. A method may begin by enrolling at least two biometric specimens to a database. A false acceptance ratio (“FAR”) is determined for each of the specimens, and authorization options are identified. A cost value is calculated for at least one of the options to provide a calculated cost value (“CCV”). The CCV may be a function of the FAR(s) of the specimen(s) corresponding to the option. An acceptable cost value range (“ACV range”) may be identified, and compared to the CCV. If it is determined that the CCV is in the ACV range, then the option is selected. If the CCV is in the ACV range, then a set of biometric samples is provided (the “sample set”). The sample set is compared to the biometric specimens, and it is determined whether the biometric samples match the biometric specimens. If the biometric samples match the biometric specimens, then the transaction is authorized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: John Schneider, Fred Kiefer, Leonard Pratt, James Baker
  • Publication number: 20060204049
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method of deciding whether a data set is acceptable for making a decision. A first probability partition array and a second probability partition array may be provided. A no-match zone may be established and used to calculate a false-acceptance-rate (“FAR”) and/or a false-rejection-rate (“FRR”) for the data set. The FAR and/or the FAR may be compared to desired rates. Based on the comparison, the data set may be either accepted or rejected. The invention may also be embodied as a computer readable memory device for executing the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: John Schneider, Fred Kiefer, James Baker