Transmitter For Transmitting A Secure Access Signal

Abstract

A transmitter ( 116 ) for transmitting a secure access signal to a system ( 117 ) for providing secure access to a controlled item ( 111 ) is disclosed. The access is dependent on information contained in the secure access signal. The transmitter ( 116 ) comprises a biometric sensor ( 121 ) for receiving a biometric signal and a processor ( 1005 ) for matching the biometric signal against members of a database ( 105 ) of biometric signatures. The transmitter ( 116 ) comprises enabling means (e.g., 127 ) for enabling an inductive circuit, based on the matching of the biometric signal, to transmit the secure access signal conveying the information to the system ( 117 ) upon the inductive circuit being placed within range of a radio frequency field emitted by the system ( 117 ).

1 . A transmitter for transmitting a secure access signal to a system for providing secure access to a controlled item, said access being dependent on information contained in the secure access signal, the transmitter comprising:
 a biometric sensor for receiving a biometric signal;   a processor for matching the biometric signal against members of a database of biometric signatures; and   enabling means for enabling a communications interface, based on the matching of the biometric signal, to transmit the secure access signal conveying the information to the system, via the communications interface, using a radio frequency field emitted by the system.   
     
     
         2 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory containing the database of biometric signatures. 
     
     
         3 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the database of biometric signatures is located in the system for providing secure access to the controlled item. 
     
     
         4 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inductive circuit. 
     
     
         5 . The transmitter according to  claim 4 , wherein the inductive circuit further comprises a capacitor. 
     
     
         6 . The transmitter according to  claim 4 , wherein the inductive circuit further comprises an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the secure access signal is transmitted via an inductive circuit. 
     
     
         8 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a display for displaying information stored on the transmitter. 
     
     
         9 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory for storing a value. 
     
     
         10 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein a stored value is decremented by an amount depending on the information. 
     
     
         11 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter further comprises means for populating the database of biometric signatures. 
     
     
         12 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the biometric sensor is responsive to one of voice, retinal pattern, iris pattern, face pattern, and palm configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlled item is a locking mechanism of a door. 
     
     
         14 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlled item is an electronic lock on a Personal Computer (PC). 
     
     
         15 . The transmitter according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is incorporated within a fob. 
     
     
         16 . A method of transmitting a secure access signal to a system for providing secure access to a controlled item, said access being dependent on information contained in the secure access signal, the method comprising:
 receiving a biometric signal;   matching the biometric signal against members of a database of biometric signatures; and   enabling a communications interface, based on the matching of the biometric signal, to transmit the secure access signal conveying the information to the system, via the communications interface, using a radio frequency field emitted by the system.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of storing a value associated with the communications interface. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of decrementing a stored value by an amount depending on the information. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of providing conditional access to the controlled item dependent upon said information. 
     
     
         20 . A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for transmitting a secure access signal to a system for providing secure access to a controlled item, said access being dependent on information contained in the secure access signal, the program comprising:
 code for receiving a biometric signal;   code for matching the biometric signal against members of a database of biometric signatures; and   code for enabling a communications interface, based on the matching of the biometric signal, to transmit the secure access signal conveying the information to the system, via the communications interface, using a radio frequency field emitted by the system.   
     
     
         21 . A system for providing secure access to a controlled item, the system comprising:
 a database of biometric signatures;   a transmitter sub-system comprising:
 a biometric sensor for receiving a biometric signal; 
 means for matching the biometric signal against members of the database of biometric signatures; and 
 means for enabling a communications interface, based on the matching of the biometric signal, to transmit a secure access signal conveying information, via the communications interface, using a radio frequency field; and 
   a receiver sub-system comprising;
 means for emitting the radio frequency field; 
 means for receiving the transmitted secure access signal upon the radio frequency field being emitted; and 
 means for providing conditional access to the controlled item dependent upon said information. 
   
     
     
         22 - 52 . (canceled)