System and method for identity confirmation using physiologic biometrics to determine a physiologic fingerprint

Abstract

The invention provides a method for verifying a person's identity, which includes obtaining a password and/or random key from a person, and comparing the obtained password and/or random key to a plurality of known passwords and/or random keys to determine a likely identity of the person. The method further includes measuring a specific biometric of the person, the specific biometric comprising a respiratory, cardiac, or other physiologic biometric, and comparing the measured specific biometric to the known specific biometric of the person that is associated with the obtained password and/or random key to verify the likely identity of the person.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for verifying a person's identity, comprising:
 obtaining a password and/or random key from a person;   comparing the obtained password and/or random key to a plurality of known passwords and/or random keys to determine a likely identity of the person;   measuring a specific biometric of the person; and   comparing the measured specific biometric to the known baseline specific biometric of the person that is associated with the obtained password and/or random key to verify the likely identity of the person.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measured specific biometric of the person comprises a respiratory biometric. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the respiratory biometric of the person comprises a respiratory rate, a minute ventilation, a tidal volume, an inspiratory flow rate, an expiratory flow rate, a presence of cough, and presence of apnea or hypoapnea, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein measuring the respiratory biometric comprises measuring the thoracic and/or abdominal girth of the person. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the girth is measured by inductive plethysmography. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein measuring the respiratory biometric comprises:
 instructing the person to perform one or more maneuvers; and   measuring at least one respiratory pattern exhibited by the person during performance of the maneuvers, wherein the measured respiratory biometric comprises at least one measured respiratory pattern.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one respiratory pattern is measured over a period time during the performance of the maneuvers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least one maneuver comprises performing a predetermined sequence of breaths. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least one maneuver comprises performing a predetermined sequence of physical movements. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the specific biometric further comprises other physiological parameters including cardiac parameters, posture/activity parameters, temperature parameters, EEG parameters, EOG parameters, EMG parameters, vocal parameters, and gait parameters, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cardiac parameters comprise an ECG parameter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining at least one of a fingerprint, a retinal scan, an electrocardiogram, and a DNA scan from the person;   comparing the at least one obtained fingerprint, retinal scan, electrocardiogram, and DNA scan to a plurality of known fingerprints, retinal scans, electrocardiograms, and DNA scans to determine a likely identity of the person; and   comparing the measured specific biometric to the known baseline specific biometric of the person that is associated with the fingerprint, retinal scan, electrocardiogram, and DNA scan to verify the likely identity of the person.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the known baseline specific biometric comprises of range of values. 
     
     
         14 . A method for verifying a person's identity, comprising:
 providing an ambulatory measuring device to a person configured for measuring a specific biometric of the person;   measuring the specific biometric of the person; and   comparing the measured specific biometric to a database of known baseline specific biometrics to verify the identity of the person.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the specific biometric comprises a respiratory biometric. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the specific biometric comprises an ECG parameter. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the ambulatory measuring device comprises a garment that is worn by the person. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising, prior to measuring the specific biometric of the person:
 obtaining from the person at least one password, random key, and/or electrocardiogram; and   comparing the obtained at least one password, random key, and/or electrocardiogram to a known database of passwords, random keys, and/or electrocardiograms to determine a likely identity of the person;   wherein the measured specific biometric is compared a known baseline specific biometric of the person that is associated with the at least one password, random key, and/or electrocardiogram to verify the likely identity of the person.