User authentication in a communication system utilizing biometric information
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorWilliam John Baumann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for authenticating subscriber units (30) and users (25) in a communications system includes a communications node (200) which receives biometric information describing a user (25), and measures an RF signature of the subscriber unit (30). The biometric information and RF signature are compared against a valid user profile to determine authenticity of the user (25) and the subscriber unit (30). The biometric information can include retinal scan data, fingerprint data, or other data. The RF signature can include spectral content, phase or frequency characteristics, or other identifying features.
Claims14
A communications system comprising:
- at least one subscriber unit associated with a biometric sensor for measuring biometric information of a user
- a transmitter capable of transmitting a signal with a unique signature of said at least one subscriber unit;
- a register which has a pre-stored user profile including a valid signature and valid biometric information;
- a communications node which receives said biometric information and said signal from the at least one subscriber unit and receives said pre-stored user profile from said register, said communication node evaluating a probability that said biometric information and said unique signature substantially match said pre-stored user profile and providing access to said user if said probability is greater than a threshold and denying access to said user if said probability is less than a threshold.
A user authentication apparatus in a communications system, said user authentication apparatus comprising:
- a subscriber unit having:
- a biometric sensor for measuring biometric information of a user;
- a processor in communication with said biometric sensor, said processor formatting said biometric information and producing formatted biometric information;
- and
- a transmitter in communication with processor, said transmitter receiving said formatted biometric information and preparing said formatted biometric information for transmission as a signal having said biometric information;
- a communication node receiving said signal and a pre-stored user profile and said signal, said communication node evaluating a probability that said signal having said biometric information substantially matches said pre-stored user profile and authenticating access of said user if said probability is greater than a threshold and failing to authenticate access of said user if said probability is less than a threshold.
A method of authenticating access for a user of a subscriber unit in a communications system, said method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining biometric information of said user;
- measuring a signal characteristic of said subscriber unit to obtain a signature;
- comparing said biometric information and said signature against a pre-stored user profile;
- evaluating a probability that said biometric information and said signature substantially match said pre-stored user profile;
- providing access to said communications system if said probability is above a threshold;
- and
- denying access to said communications system if said probability is below said threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.