Transmitter for transmitting a secure access signal

Abstract

A transmitter for transmitting a secure access signal to a system for providing secure access to a controlled item is disclosed. The access is dependent on information contained in the secure access signal. The transmitter comprises a biometric sensor for receiving a biometric signal and a processor for matching the biometric signal against members of a database of biometric signatures. The transmitter comprises enabling means 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 upon the inductive circuit being placed within range of a radio frequency field emitted by the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cellular telephone configured to perform secure operations, the cellular telephone comprising:
 a biometric sensor;   a display; and   at least one proximity circuit;   a controller configured to:
 receive a first biometric signal; 
 perform a matching process, thereby to seek matching of the received first biometric signal with a predefined biometric signature contained in memory of the cellular telephone, wherein the predefined biometric signature is generated based on input received via the biometric sensor; and 
 in the case that the matching is successful, configuring the at least one proximity circuit to transmit a secure signal conveying information to a payment terminal to provide payment information to a payment terminal when the proximity circuit is placed within range of a radio frequency field emitted by the payment terminal, thereby to enable a secure payment transaction; 
   wherein the controller is additionally configured to:
 receive a second biometric signal; 
 perform a matching process, thereby to seek matching of the received second biometric signal with a predefined biometric signature contained in memory of the cellular telephone, wherein the predefined biometric signature is generated based on input received via the biometric sensor; and 
 in the case that the matching is successful, configuring the at least one proximity circuit to transmit a secure signal conveying information to an automobile to unlock a locking system of the automobile when the proximity circuit is placed within range of a radio frequency field emitted by the automobile. 
   
     
     
         2 . A cellular telephone according to  claim 1 , wherein the first biometric signal and the second biometric signal are successfully matched to the same predefined biometric signature contained in memory of the cellular telephone. 
     
     
         3 . A cellular telephone according to  claim 1 , including a proximity circuit arrangement configured to present to a payment terminal as a first proximity circuit and present to a vehicle locking system as a second proximity circuit. 
     
     
         4 . The cellular telephone according to  claim 1 , wherein the biometric sensor is configured to receive a biometric signal in one of the following forms: retinal pattern, iris pattern, face pattern, and palm configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         6 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , further comprising a second proximity circuit including at least one coil. 
     
     
         7 . The cellular telephone of  claim 5 , wherein said second proximity circuit further comprises an inductor and a capacitor. 
     
     
         8 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , wherein said biometric sensor is further configured to allow the user to gain access to an application. 
     
     
         9 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to generate passwords for use by the user. 
     
     
         10 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , wherein said cellular telephone stores encrypted information identifying the financial account. 
     
     
         11 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , wherein said payment information provided to the payment comprises terminal encrypted information identifying a financial account associated with the user. 
     
     
         12 . The cellular telephone of  claim 11 , wherein the encrypted information identifying the financial account associated with the user comprises a token generated by the cellular telephone. 
     
     
         13 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , further comprising at least infrared emitter. 
     
     
         14 . The cellular telephone of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one proximity circuit is configured to provide functionality of a plurality of distinct proximity circuits corresponding to respective financial accounts. 
     
     
         15 . A method for operating a cellular telephone configured to perform secure operations, method including:
 receiving a first biometric signal;   performing a matching process, thereby to seek matching of the received first biometric signal with a predefined biometric signature contained in memory of the cellular telephone, wherein the predefined biometric signature is generated based on input received via the biometric sensor;   in the case that the matching is successful, configuring the at least one proximity circuit to transmit a secure signal conveying information to a payment terminal to provide payment information to a payment terminal when the proximity circuit is placed within range of a radio frequency field emitted by the payment terminal, thereby to enable a secure payment transaction;   receiving a second biometric signal at a subsequent time;   perform a matching process, thereby to seek matching of the received second biometric signal with a predefined biometric signature contained in memory of the cellular telephone, wherein the predefined biometric signature is generated based on input received via the biometric sensor; and   in the case that the matching is successful, configuring the at least one proximity circuit to transmit a secure signal conveying information to an automobile to unlock a locking system of the automobile when the proximity circuit is placed within range of a radio frequency field emitted by the automobile.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the first biometric signal and the second biometric signal are successfully matched to the same predefined biometric signature contained in memory of the cellular telephone. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the first biometric signal and the second biometric signal are successfully matched to the same predefined biometric signature contained in memory of the cellular telephone. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the cellular telephone includes a proximity circuit arrangement configured to present to a payment terminal as a first proximity circuit and present to a vehicle locking system as a second proximity circuit. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the biometric sensor is configured to receive a biometric signal in one of the following forms: retinal pattern, iris pattern, face pattern, and palm configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising at least one light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising a second proximity circuit including at least one coil. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein said second proximity circuit further comprises an inductor and a capacitor. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said biometric sensor is further configured to allow the user to gain access to an application. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the cellular trephine further comprising a processor configured to generate passwords for use by the user. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said cellular telephone stores encrypted information identifying the financial account. 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said payment information provided to the payment comprises terminal encrypted information identifying a financial account associated with the user. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 26 , wherein the encrypted information identifying the financial account associated with the user comprises a token generated by the cellular telephone. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising at least infrared emitter. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one proximity circuit is configured to provide functionality of a plurality of distinct proximity circuits corresponding to respective financial accounts.