Fingerprint sensor with feature authentication

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing user access to a secured application. In one exemplary embodiment, a detector apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor having a receiving portion that is configured to accept an authentication article. The fingerprint sensor detects one or more predetermined features of the authentication article and reads at least a portion of a fingerprint of a user. The authentication article may include a precious gem such as a diamond. The detector apparatus may further comprise a feature detection sensor in operative relation with the fingerprint sensor. The feature detection sensor detects the one or more of the predetermined features. The fingerprint sensor may be detachably coupled to a portable device having an interface for operably communicating with a computer system to determine an identity of the user. A method, comprising: reading the fingerprint of a user with a fingerprint sensor; detecting one or more features of an authentication article with the fingerprint sensor; analyzing at least a portion of the fingerprint to derive a first indication for verifying an identity of the user; analyzing at least one of the one or more features of the authentication article to derive a second indication for authenticating the fingerprint; and combining the first and second indications for selectively providing access to the secured application to the user.

1 . A detector apparatus, comprising: 
 a fingerprint sensor having a receiving portion that is configured to accept an authentication article, the fingerprint sensor detecting one or more predetermined features of said authentication article and reading at least a portion of a fingerprint of a user.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a feature detection sensor, in operative relation with the fingerprint sensor, that detects one or more than one of the predetermined features.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is detachably coupled to a portable device comprising: 
 an interface for operably communicating with a computer system; and    a verification engine for operably communicating with the computer system for determining the identity of a the user.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an interface for operably communicating with a computer system.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a verification engine in operative relation with the computer system, the fingerprint sensor, and the feature detection sensor for determining an identity of the user, wherein the fingerprint sensor provides: 
 a first signal to the verification engine, the first signal being derived from the portion of the fingerprint, and the feature detection sensor provides:    a second signal to the verification engine, the second signal being derived from at least one of the one or more predetermined features of the authentication article.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the verification engine comprises: 
 a database having a user storage, an authorization profile storage, and an audit log storage; and    a comparator engine for comparing: 
 the first signal indicative of the at least portion of the fingerprint with a first authentication signal corresponding to a stored compy of the fingerprint within the database, and  
 the second signal indicative of the at least one of the one or more predetermined features of the authentication article with a second authentication signal corresponding to a stored copy of the one or more predetermined features of the authentication article within the database to provide an authorization signal for a secured application which is communicatively coupled to the computer system.  
   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the authorization signal selectively provides and access to the secured application to the user.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the verification engine comprises: 
 a database having a user storage, an authorization profile storage and an audit log storage.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the portable device comprises a smart card.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is removably attached to a computer mouse having an interface for operably communicating with a computer system.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is removably attached to a trackball having an interface for operably communicating with a computer system.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is detachably coupled to a camera.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is detachably coupled to a telephone.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the authentication code comprises a precious gem.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the precious gem comprises a diamond and the one or more predetermined features are selected from a group consisting of: 
 a weight of said diamond;    a size of said diamond; and    an exterior surface profile of said diamond.    
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is coupled to a smart card having an interface for operably communicating with a computer system.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the fingerprint sensor is coupled to a verification engine for operatively communicating with the computer system for determining an identity of the user bearing the smart card.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the verification engine comprises: 
 a database having a user storage, an authorization profile storage, and an audit log storage.    
   
   
       20 - 34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . A detector apparatus, comprising: 
 a fingerprint sensor disposed at a location such that when operationg said apparatus in a normal manner, a user's finger of a user's hand rests in proximity to and readable by said fingerprint sensor for reading a user's fingerprint; and    a feature detection sensor in operative relation with the finger print sensor and having a housing that is configured to receive an authentification article, the feature detection sensor being configured to detect one or more predetermined features os said authentication article,    wherein the detector apparatus identifies the user according to the fingerprint and at least one of the one or more predetermined features from the authentication article.    
   
   
       36 . A method for providing user access to a secured application, comprising: 
 reading the fingerprint of a user with a fingerprint sensor;    detecting one or more features of an authentication article with the fingerprint sensor;    analyzing at least a portion of the fingerprint to derive a first indication fro verifying an identity of the user;    analyzing at least one of the one or more features of the authentication article to derive a second indication for authenticating the fingerprint; and    combining the first and second indications for selectively providing access to the second application of the user.    
   
   
       37 . A method, comprising: 
 reading a fingerprint of a user;    detecting one or more features of a precious gem;    analyzing the fingerprint to derive a first indication;    analyzing the one or more features of the precious gem to derive a second indication; and    combining the first and second indications for verifying an identity of a user.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the reading the fingerprint includes: 
 plugging in a fingerprint sensor having a first surface into a smart card; and    positioning a finger proximal to the first surface of said fingerprint sensor.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the detecting one or more features includes: 
 positioning the precious gem into a slot located proximal to the first surface f the fingerprint sensor; and    reading a featureprint of the precious gem to derive the one or more features of the precious gem.