System and method for secure biometric identification

Abstract

A system and method for secure biometric identification. The inventive system includes a mobile unit and a server. The mobile unit is adapted to receive biometric input and provide a first signal in response thereto. In the illustrative implementation, the mobile unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and the biometric input is provided by a fingerprint sensor mounted thereon. A first transceiver is mounted on the PDA for transmitting the first signal and receiving a second signal in response thereto. The PDA is adapted to encrypt the first signal and decrypt the second signal. A secure device is mounted at the PDA. The secure device has two modes of operation: a first locked mode by which access thereto is prohibited and a second unlocked mode by which access thereto is enabled on receipt of the second signal. In the illustrative implementation, the secure device is an encrypted database for which the second signal is a decryption key. The server unit includes a second transceiver for receiving the first signal transmitted via the wireless link. The first and second transceivers are adapted to operate in accordance with the Bluetooth specification. The server is equipped with a system for authenticating the biometric data and providing the second signal in response thereto. The second signal is then communicated to the mobile unit where it is utilized to access the secure device, e.g., encrypted database.

1 - 59 . (canceled)  
   
   
       60 . A mobile wireless communications device, comprising: 
 a biometric sensor that is part of a card that is received by the mobile wireless communications device    a processor operatively coupled to the biometric sensor; and    an encrypted database operatively coupled to the processor,    wherein the mobile wireless communications device wirelessly transmits biometric information,    wherein the mobile wireless communications device wirelessly receives a cryptographic key in response to the transmitted biometric information, and    wherein the cryptographic key is used to decrypt at least a portion of the encrypted database.    
   
   
       61 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 60 , wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint sensor.  
   
   
       62 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 61 , comprising: 
 control software running on the processor.    
   
   
       63 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 60 , wherein the processor comprises a central processing unit.  
   
   
       64 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 62 , comprising: 
 a wireless transceiver operatively coupled to the processor.    
   
   
       65 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 64 , comprising: 
 encryption circuitry operatively coupled to the processor.    
   
   
       66 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 65 , comprising: 
 a working database operatively coupled to the processor.    
   
   
       67 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 65 , wherein the biometric information is derived from information generated by the biometric sensor.  
   
   
       68 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 67 , wherein the mobile wireless communications device is part of a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
   
   
       69 . The mobile wireless communications device according to  claim 67 , wherein the wireless transceiver comprises a Bluetooth-enabled wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       70 . A system for secure identification, comprising: 
 a first handheld wireless communications device comprising a biometric sensor, a first processor, a secure device and a first wireless transceiver, the biometric sensor being part of a card, the card being received by the handheld wireless communications device, the first processor being in communication with the biometric sensor and the first wireless transceiver; the secure device storing an encrypted database, and    a second communications device in communication with the first handheld wireless communications device, the second communications device comprising a second processor, a second transceiver and software, the second processor being operatively coupled to the second transceiver, the software authenticating a signal transmitted by the first wireless transceiver and received by the second transceiver and providing a cryptographic key in response to the authenticated signal,    wherein the cryptographic key is used by the first handheld wireless communications device to decrypt at least a portion of the encrypted database.    
   
   
       71 . The system according to  claim 70 , wherein the cryptographic key comprises a public key.  
   
   
       72 . The system according to  claim 70 , wherein the first handheld wireless communications device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).  
   
   
       73 . The system according to  claim 70 , wherein the first wireless transceiver comprises a Bluetooth-enabled wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       74 . The system according to  claim 73 , wherein the second transceiver comprises a second Bluetooth-enabled wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       75 . The system according to  claim 73 , wherein the second wireless communications device comprises an access point.  
   
   
       76 . The system according to  claim 70 , wherein the first handheld wireless communications device and the second communications device communicate via a local area network.  
   
   
       77 . The system according to  claim 70 , wherein the first handheld wireless communications device and the second communications device communicate via a wide area network.  
   
   
       78 . The system according to  claim 70 , wherein the first handheld wireless communications device and the second communications device communicate via an access point.  
   
   
       79 . The system according to  claim 70 , wherein the first handheld wireless communications device comprises a mobile wireless communications device.