# US 10,313,501 B2 · Computer terminals biometrically enabled for network functions and voice communication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,313,501 B2 - Document ID: US10313501B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/876,735 - Filed: 2018-01-22 - Published: 2018-05-24 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2002-02-21 - Assignees: Bloomberg Finance L.P. - Applicants: Bloomberg Finance L.P. - Inventors: Michael R. Bloomberg; John D. Waanders; Helmars Ericks Ozolins - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10313501B2 ## CPC - H04M 1/2473: {Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) (details of API H04M7/0021)} - G06F 21/32: using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints - H04M 1/06: Hooks; Cradles - H04M 1/67: by electronic means - H04M 3/53308: {Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party} - H04M 1/724: User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones - H04M 2203/6054: Biometric subscriber identification - H04M 2250/12: including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract The invention provides a handset that includes a finger-image sensor that provides finger-image-related signals or data for authentication purposes and functions as a telephone handset for use with a computer terminal. A system, including handsets and computer terminals, enables the terminal and/or the handset to access or otherwise participate in at least one network-related function and voice communication in response to authentication of finger-image data provided by the handset. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system comprising: a first computer terminal comprising a finger image sensor; a second computer terminal; and a host computer configured to perform operations comprising: determining that an intended recipient is present at the first computer terminal based on a finger image sensed by the finger image sensor of the first computer terminal, receiving a request from the second computer terminal to initiate a communication function with the first computer terminal based on the intended recipient being present at the first computer terminal, and initiating the communication function between the first computer terminal and the second computer terminal in response to the request. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, the operations further comprising: enabling the first computer terminal to access a function that is not related to and does not depend upon participation by the first computer terminal in the communication function. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, the operations further comprising: authenticating the finger image sensed by the finger image sensor of the first computer terminal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the authenticating is performed each time the intended recipient present at the first computer terminal initiates a particular function. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the authenticating is performed at a periodic time interval. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second computer terminal is an unauthenticated computer terminal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, the operations further comprising: authenticating a second finger image sensed by a second finger image sensor of the second computer terminal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein determining that an intended recipient is present at the first computer terminal based on a finger image sensed by the finger image sensor of the first computer terminal comprises: determining that the first computer terminal is a last computer terminal at which the finger image was sensed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second computer terminal comprises: a display device configured to display an indication that the intended recipient is present at the first computer terminal. ### Claim 10 A host computer comprising: a processor; and a memory to store computer program instructions, the computer program instructions when executed on the processor cause the processor to perform operations comprising: determining that an intended recipient is present at a first computer terminal based on a finger image sensed by a finger image sensor of the first computer terminal, receiving a request from a second computer terminal to initiate a communication function with the first computer terminal based on the intended recipient being present at the first computer terminal, and initiating the communication function between the first computer terminal and the second computer terminal in response to the request. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The host computer of claim 10, the operations further comprising: enabling the first computer terminal to access a function that is not related to and does not depend upon participation by the first computer terminal in the communication function. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The host computer of claim 10, the operations further comprising: authenticating the finger image sensed by the finger image sensor of the first computer terminal. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The host computer of claim 12, wherein the authenticating is performed each time the intended recipient present at the first computer terminal initiates a particular function. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The host computer of claim 12, wherein the authenticating is performed at a periodic time interval. ### Claim 15 A method comprising: determining that an intended recipient is present at a first computer terminal based on a finger image sensed by a finger image sensor of the first computer terminal, receiving a request from a second computer terminal to initiate a communication function with the first computer terminal based on the intended recipient being present at the first computer terminal, and initiating the communication function between the first computer terminal and the second computer terminal in response to the request. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: enabling the first computer terminal to access a function that is not related to and does not depend upon participation by the first computer terminal in the communication function. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the second computer terminal is an unauthenticated computer terminal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: authenticating a second finger image sensed by a second finger image sensor of the second computer terminal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein determining that an intended recipient is present at a first computer terminal based on the finger image sensed at the first computer terminal comprises: determining that the first computer terminal is a last computer terminal at which the finger image was sensed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: sending, to the second computer terminal, an indication that the intended recipient is present at the first computer terminal for displaying at the second terminal.