Imaging method and device using biometric information for operator authentication
AssigneeApplied Minds, LLC
InventorsBran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis, Clinton Blake Hope
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Abstract
Essentially coincident with the capture of an image by the imaging device, biometric information indicating the identity of the operator of the device is obtained from at least one biometric sensor. The biometric information and captured image are then stored in a manner reliably associating each with the other. At a later time, biometric information is obtained from a supposed operator of the imaging device. By comparing this candidate biometric information with the stored biometric information, the supposed operator may be authenticated as the operator of the imaging device at the time of capture of the stored image.
Claims18
An apparatus for authenticating an imaging device operator's identity comprising:
- at least one biometric sensor for obtaining, at a first point in time, biometric information indicating said operator's identity;
- a processor for monitoring said operator's custody of said imaging device between said first point in time and a second point in time at which said imaging device captures an image;
- and
- said processor determining when said operator maintains custody of said imaging device between said first point in time and said second point in time and, upon such determination, storing said biometric information together with said stored image.
A method for authenticating an imaging device operator's identity, comprising the steps of:
- retrieving an image captured at a point in time by said image device;
- retrieving biometric information obtained at another, different point in time, from at least one biometric sensor, wherein said biometric information was stored together with said stored image if and only if said operator maintains custody of said imaging device between both said points in time;
- obtaining candidate biometric information indicating the identity of a supposed operator of said imaging device;
- comparing said candidate biometric information and said stored biometric information;
- and
- authenticating said supposed operator as said imaging device operator at the time of capture of said image if said stored biometric information substantially matches said candidate biometric information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.