Fingerprint Emulator

Abstract

An access key for a device having a fingerprint activated lock includes an electrically conductive member having surface features formed on a surface thereof that can be recognized by the fingerprint activated lock as a unique fingerprint. A second electrically conductive member is electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive member. The second electrically conductive member is electrically coupled to the body of a user such that the sensor recognizes the first electrically conductive member as a fingerprint. The second electrically conductive member is preferably a ring, stylus or gripping portion upon which the first electrically conductive member is mounted. The electrically conductive member is preferably constructed from a capacitive elastomer such as an electrically conductive silicone. The access key functions as a synthetic fingerprint to limit access to a system to a possessor of the key. Access to the system provided by key can be limited to a predetermined period of time or a selected geographic area.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.