Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh

Albert Mödl

Robert Müller

Elmar Stephan

The present invention relates to devices and a method for biometric authentication by means of reference data stored in a memory of a portable data carrier. For biometric authentication methods to make their final breakthrough with respect to more widespread use, there is a need for standardized generation of reference data for the particular biometric features used for authentication. Different suppliers of methods and devices for biometric authentication have hitherto used algorithms for generating the reference data which normally lead to different reference data which are not interchangeable. This limits the employability of biometric methods to the supplier's particular system. The present invention avoids this problem by storing several sets of biometric reference data, thereby increasing the likelihood of the evaluation of at least one set of stored biometric reference data being possible. Thus, the desired system-independent authentication can be attained.

Devices and methods for biometric authentication

A data carrier has stored thereon a secret code and a user's biometric data. In using the data carrier, a data carrier terminal is first authenticated for access to data stored in the data carrier by reading a secret code from the data carrier in a manner known only to an authorized terminal, and then displaying the read secret on the data carrier terminal. If the user determines that the displayed secret code is correct, the user then presents a biometric feature which is read and compared to the biometric data stored on the data carrier. If the read biometric data matches the stored biometric data, then the user is authorized for further use of the data carrier on the data carrier terminal.

Method, data carrier and system for authentication of a user and a terminal

A method, apparatus and system for biometric authentication of a person are proposed. Since the detection of biometric data never matches 100 percent, authentication is already effected when the detected data exceed a defined threshold value in comparison to stored reference data. In order to increase security, the invention provides that information about the person's individual properties influencing the biometric data is stored and taken into account in the authentication process. For example, the threshold value is set low upon comparison of a fingerprint only if the person has exceptionally dry or moist skin. On the other hand, the sensor for detecting the biometric data of the fingerprint can also be set to be more sensitive or less sensitive depending on the stored information.

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Gersthofen, Germany

Albert Mödl