Random biometric authentication methods and systems

Abstract

Methods and systems for biometrically securing access to electronic systems. A user prompted to input to the electronic system at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from a user profile containing biometric attributes of the user. A user may be prompted to input such a biometric sample through a user interface integrated with the electronic system. A user may be permitted to perform a user-desired activity, such as accessing an ATM machine, particular data, or entry to a secure area, if at least one biometric attribute input by the user to the electronic system matches at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from the user profile. A user profile may be generally accessible from a server through the electronic system. A user profile may also be accessible from a biometric broker through the electronic system over a secure network connection. A user profile may also be accessible from a hand held device, such as a smart card, wireless PDA or wireless communication device.

1 . A method for biometrically securing access to an electronic system, said method comprising the steps of: 
 prompting a user to input to said electronic system at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from a user profile containing biometric attributes of said user; and    permitting said user to perform a user-desired activity, if at least one biometric attribute input by said user to said electronic system matches said at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said user profile is accessible from a server through said electronic system.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said user profile is accessible from a biometric broker through said electronic system over a secure network connection.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining at least one biometric attribute from said user for compilation in a user profile;  
 compiling said user profile; and  
 storing said user profile in a location accessible by at least one electronic system.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of: 
 permitting said user to modify said user profile, in response to approval of a request by said user.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 comparing at least one biometric attribute input by said user to said electronic system with said at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of: 
 subsequently prompting a user to input to said electronic system at least one additional biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile, if at least one biometric attribute previously input by said user to said electronic system does not match said at least one biometric attribute previously randomly selected from said user profile.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electronic system comprises at least one wireless device that operates with a wireless network.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electronic system comprises at least one computer workstation operable over an associated network.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electronic system comprises an automated teller machine.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electronic system comprises a secured entry system to a secured environment.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electronic system comprises a wireless network.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electronic system comprises a computer network.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said electronic system comprises a wireless device.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 identifying at least one defective biometric attribute associated with said user; and  
 thereafter prompting a user to input to said electronic system at least one additional biometric attribute randomly selected from a user profile containing biometric attributes of said user.  
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said user-desired activity comprises a financial transaction.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said user-desired activity comprises an ATM transaction.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said user-desired activity comprises access to a secure area.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said user-desired activity comprises access to data from said electronic system.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said user-desired activity comprises execution of a mechanical activity.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 initiating access to said electronic system utilizing only one biometric attribute input to said electronic system.  
 
     
     
         22 . A method for biometrically securing access to an electronic system, said method comprising the steps of: 
 prompting a user to input to said electronic system at least two biometric attributes randomly selected from a user profile containing biometric attributes of said user; and    permitting said user to perform a user-desired activity, if biometric attributes input by said user to said electronic system matches said at least two biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile.    
     
     
         23 . A system for biometrically securing access to an electronic system, said system comprising: 
 module for prompting a user to input to said electronic system at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from a user profile containing biometric attributes of said user; and    module for permitting said user to perform a user-desired activity, if at least one biometric attribute input by said user to said electronic system matches said at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile.    
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user profile is accessible from a server through said electronic system.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user profile is accessible from a biometric broker through said electronic system over a secure network connection.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23  wherein: 
 at least one biometric attribute is obtained from said user for compilation in a user profile; and  
 said user profile is stored in a location accessible by at least one electronic system.  
 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user is permitted to modify said user profile, in response to approval of a request by said user.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 23  further comprising: 
 module for comparing at least one biometric attribute input by said user to said electronic system with said at least one biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile.  
 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  further comprising: 
 module for subsequently prompting a user to input to said electronic system at least one additional biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile, if at least one biometric attribute previously input by said user to said electronic system does not match said at least one biometric attribute randomly previously selected from said user profile.  
 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said electronic system comprises at least one wireless device that operates with a wireless network.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said electronic system comprises at least one computer workstation operable over an associated network.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said electronic system comprises an automated teller machine.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said electronic system comprises a secured entry system to a secured environment.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said electronic system comprises a wireless network.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said electronic system comprises a computer network.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said electronic system comprises a wireless device.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 23  further comprising the steps of: 
 module for identifying at least one defective biometric attribute associated with said user; and  
 wherein said user is thereafter prompted to input to said electronic system at least one additional biometric attribute randomly selected from a user profile containing biometric attributes of said user.  
 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user-desired activity comprises a financial transaction.  
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user-desired activity comprises an ATM transaction.  
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user-desired activity comprises access to a secure area.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user-desired activity comprises access to data from said electronic system.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 23  wherein said user-desired activity comprises execution of a mechanical activity.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 23  wherein access to said electronic system is initiated utilizing only one biometric attribute input to said electronic system.  
     
     
         44 . A system for biometrically securing access to an electronic system, said system comprising: 
 module for prompting a user to input to said electronic system at least two biometric attributes randomly selected from a user profile containing biometric attributes of said user; and    module for permitting said user to perform a user-desired activity, if biometric attributes input by said user to said electronic system matches said at least two biometric attribute randomly selected from said user profile.