System and method for remote self-enrollment in biometric databases

Abstract

A method and system is provided to provide enrollment of biometric data from individuals without the need for the enrollees to travel to a central location. The system and method provides for optionally detecting multiple types of biometric data, for example, fingerprints, facial scan, visual scan, iris scan, voice scan, or the like, to be captured at the point of enrollee use. During the biometric capture process, the biometric enrollment device monitors and establishes the identity of the enrollee and measures the quality of the biometric input as it occurs. If unacceptable quality is detected, then repeated biometric scans may be necessary, but is done at time of enrollment avoiding any need to send inaccurate information back to a service institution. When the enrollment process completes, the biometric data is encrypted, time stamped and either mailed back to the service institution or is transmitted back. The biometric device may remain with the user for subsequent use as an identification sensor which may authenticate a user with stored biometric information to authenticate a user's identity for a transaction or a request to access a service or equipment. The biometric enrollment device may also be embodied with another piece of equipment to authenticate use of that equipment.