Abstract: A method and system for generating random numbers is disclosed wherein an array of imaging sensors while not in normal use, captures ambient light and back scattered light. These light sources vary naturally over a range of intensities. Intensity values above and below a threshold value are decoded as “1” and “0” bits, respectively. The resulting values, based on noise within the array signal, are single bit values or n bit values. A preferred imaging sensor array is a charge coupled device. Other imaging sensor arrays such as capacitive fingerprint imagers may also be used for this purpose when sufficient noise exists within the imaging sensor array signal.

Abstract: A method and a system for disabling execution of a software application stored within a computer absent data indicative of an authorized use of the software application are disclosed. At start up or during execution of a software application a user is prompted for user authorization information. Using a processor within a smart card the received user authorization information is compared with user authorization information stored in memory of the smart card to produce a comparison result. If the comparison result is indicative of an authorized user of the software application, then data indicative of the authorized use of the software application is provided from the smart card to the computer. Upon receipt of the data indicative of the authorized use of the software application execution of the software application is continued. When the data is not data indicative of the authorized use of the software application further execution of the software application is disabled.

Abstract: An optical imaging device such as a fingerprint imager is disclosed that has an array of micromirrors that allows sequential scanning of areas of a platen in steps. The scanned areas of the platen are transmitted to an image sensor and a composite image constructed from the scanned areas. By transmitting scanned areas of the platen in sections, the image sensor area required is reduced in contrast to prior art optical images that scan the whole platen in a single step.

Abstract: A method of enhancing network security is provided for a communication session initiated between a first computer and a second other computer. From the first computer to the second computer in communications therewith a process for securing communications therebetween is transmitted. One such process is a biometric characterisation process for characterising fingerprints. The process is for execution on the second computer and is selected to be compatible therewith. Communications from the second computer to the first computer are secured using the transmitted process on the second computer and using, on the first computer, a compatible process to the transmitted process. The host computer can modify or replace the process or data particular to the process before each session, during a session, or at intervals.

Abstract: An optical imaging device such as a fingerprint imager has a prism or another light transmitting element, a light source for illuminating a finger placed on the prism, and a CCD image sensor for receiving a light beam reflected from the finger-contacted surface. A modified optical lens is used to focus and redirect the reflected light beam. The lens has a relatively small reflective coating in the middle of its back surface, the reflective coating constituting an optical iris. The modified lens is effective to partly correct for peripheral aberration, perspective distortion and depth-of-field image distortion of the device and gives rise to a compact design of the device.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensing device and recognition system includes a capacitive array of sense elements in conjunction with a means of determining motion of a surface being imaged. A plurality of images is combined to form a composite image having an area that is greater than the area of a single captured image. The sensing device is disposed between protective surfaces and supported by a flexible structure.

Abstract: A method of registering biometric data is disclosed wherein a number of instances of input biometric data are accepted from a new user during a registration process. Each of these data samples are compared against existing templates to identify those templates posing a significant risk of confusion with a data sample. Those templates are identified and information relating to those templates is stored with the enrolled template of the new user. When a user is identified as the new user, the system automatically verifies that the data sample does not also result in identification as one of the identified templates.

Abstract: A method and system of generating random numbers using imaging transducers of a charge coupled array. Noise signals detected by a first and a second imaging transducers of the array are processed together to yield a first value; noise signals detected by a third and a fourth imaging transducers are processed together to yield a second value; the first and second values are processed together to yield the random number.

Abstract: A record-playback attack on a security system involves recording authorisation information such as passwords and playing them back to the server at a later time to unlawfully access a system. A method is disclosed for detecting record-playback of biometric information. When biometric information is provided to a server, it is always slightly different due to the nature of human input, health, etc. When two biometric input samples are substantially identical, a record-playback attack on system security is suspected and access is denied.

Abstract: A method of enhancing network security is provided for a communication session initiated between a first computer and a second other computer. From the first computer to the second computer in communications therewith a process for securing communications therebetween is transmitted. One such process is a biometric characterisation process for characterising fingerprints. The process is for execution on the second computer and is selected to be compatible therewith. Communications from the second computer to the first computer are secured using the transmitted process on the second computer and using, on the first computer, a compatible process to the transmitted process. The host computer can modify or replace the process or data particular to the process before each session, during a session, or at intervals.

Abstract: In the past, user authorization based on biometric information was conducted by correlating a single instance of biometric information against a template. By using this method, a percentage of the population is difficult to authenticate. Further, due to skin damage and injuries, sometimes biometric information is not suited to identification. A sore throat affecting voice information and scraped finger tips affecting fingerprint information are two examples of common problems with authorization in dependence upon biometric information. A method of authenticating a user in dependence upon biometric input information is disclosed. The method allows a user to select biometric information sources and a number of repetitions for each source in order to customize the process of biometric user authentication.

Abstract: In the past, contact imaging devices were large and costly. It has been proposed that for contact imaging device adoption for the personal computing market, cost and size must be reduced. In an attempt to address these concerns, a biometric pointing device such as a mouse is presented incorporating therein a contact imager. The contact imager fits within a small enclosure. Further, data transmission means within the mouse provides a signal to a single port on a computer indicative of the output data from both the contact imaging means and the pointing device.

Abstract: A transducer is provided with an integral smart card reader. For security applications the transducer is a biometric information input device. The device provides co-operative operation of the smart card and the transducer to provide user specific processing of biometric information provided by the user. Because of the integral smart card reader, tampering and monitoring of security operations is prevented.

Abstract: An optical imaging device such as a fingerprint imager has a platen formed of a plurality of parallel prisms and a light source for illuminating a portion of the platen. An optical sensor is disposed so as to receive light from the light source reflected off a surface of the platen and directed toward the optical sensor. The platen is mounted moveable relative to the sensor so as to allow scanning of a fingertip in contact with the platen during relative motion of the platen and the sensor. Preferably, the platen is formed of a microprism structure.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensing device and recognition system includes an array of closely spaced apart semiconductor dies bonded to a substrate. The dies are spaced with a minimal space that will ensure that adjacent edges of the dies do not wipe against one another when a finger is pressed upon them. Each die includes an row/column array of sense elements that are coupled to a drive circuit and a sense circuit by sets of row and column conductors, respectively. The sense elements are actively addressable by the drive circuit. Capacitances resulting from individual finger surface portions in combination with sense electrodes are sensed by the sense circuit by applying a potential to the sense electrodes and measuring charging characteristics.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for restricting the use of a vehicle such as an automobile to a person or persons whose fingerprints match biometric data stored within a memory in the vehicle's control system. A user's digitized fingerprints are stored in a non-volatile permanent ROM in the BIOS of a microcontroller on in a ROM accessed by a microprocessor. The microprocessor's primary task is that of executing instructions related to the operation of the vehicle, such as regulating the fuel flow rate, and performing other such tasks. Before the microprocessor can execute its instructions related to its primary task it, must complete and exit a conditional loop of instructions that relate to validating a user's "real-input" biometric data. Real scanned fingerprints must be compared with fingerprint(s) stored in ROM. If the result of the compare is a true, i.e. is a match, then the conditional loop is satisfied and the microprocessor can execute its instructions relating to operating the vehicle.

Abstract: An optical imaging device such as a fingerprint imager or a CCD camera, has a reduced size due to the provision of multiple lenses which are associated with respective CCDs. The optical path between the lenses and the CCDs is shortened. In a fingerprint version of the device, a staircase-shaped prism is advantageously used in combination with the multiple lens and multiple CCD arrangement. An alignment means is provided to facilitate the reconstructing the image out of partial images created by separate CCDs.

Abstract: A method of configuring and reconfiguring a computer system based on user authorization is presented wherein at least some users perceive themselves and available system resources as the entirety of the computer system. The resources are configured through use of virtual resources providing predetermined access privileges and configurations for some users. In another aspect, a method is provided of configuring and reconfiguring a computer system based on biometric user input wherein at least some user biometric input is necessary in order to gain authorized access to a system and to configure the system based on the authorized user. The configuration is, preferably, transparent to the user.

Abstract: A method and a system for disabling execution of a software application stored within a computer absent data indicative of an authorized use of the software application are disclosed. At start up or during execution of a software application a user is prompted for user authorization information. Using a processor within a smart card the received user authorization information is compared with user authorization information stored in memory of the smart card to produce a comparison result. If the comparison result is indicative of an authorized user of the software application, then data indicative of the authorized use of the software application is provided from the smart card to the computer. Upon receipt of the data indicative of the authorized use of the software application execution of the software application is continued. When the data is not data indicative of the authorized use of the software application further execution of the software application is disabled.