DE2533699A1 - Security block for data telephone terminal - prevents unauthorised use of terminal by comparing finger print with stored print - Google Patents

Abstract

The security block is for use with data telephone terminals or expensive voice connections or in a data processing network where unauthorised persons need to be prevented from using the terminals. An input identification code -- fed in by the user -- is compared with a stored code. If the two are identical the terminal is released for use. The input identification code is the user's finger print. The finger print is scanned by a reader and salient characteristics picked out for comparison with finger prints on file as 'authorised persons'. As an additional precaution the user also has to enter the code number of the location of his own finger print. This is a then called up and compared.

Description

Arrangement for checking the authorization of Bernmelde, in particular Telephone subscribers.

A subscriber terminal in telecommunication systems, especially Bern intercom systems usually has a number switch or a keypad or others Keys with which specific commands can be entered so that they become a these commands are transmitted to the device executing these commands. If such subscriber terminals are accessible to a larger group of people, it must be prevented that everyone can also give these commands.

This is to prevent, for example, certain intercom connections from For example, expensive professional connections made by unauthorized persons. There are also memories from which e.g. important data can be read out, For example, prices, sales figures, personal data, account balances, etc., which only one may be accessible to a limited group of people.

In this way, Berasteuerungen can also be made that to query stored messages in answering machines, to control locks, can be used to open safes or for military purposes. In all in these cases, to which any number of others can be added only one authorized person can send the corresponding commands from the subscriber terminal.

There are already a number of known circuit arrangements that lead to Beginning of each use of the subscriber terminal the authorization of this connection for consider such measures. However, since this TCilee terminal point is not only available to the authorized X but is also accessible to other people, abuse cannot be completely avoided exclude.

There are also already known arrangements in which the authorization the respective person is checked. For example, from the German Offenlegungsschrift 2 323 663 a telephone set is known that only unlocks with the help of a key must become. According to DAS 1 762 432, the name is included in an identification card compared to a stored target set and only when the Participant set unlocked. In the communications journal 25 (1972) 3, pages 124-128, a data telephone is described which has an ID and Includes card reader for checking authorization. Have the ID cards to be read here a corresponding perforation that is scanned.

For all these authorization checks, the participant must have a key, have a punch card or similar ID with you that has been stolen can then abuse him.

As soon as, on the other hand, the present authorization ID fails is at hand, the required switching command can also be issued in the event of the greatest urgency not be given.

From the German federal patent 1 100 712 it is known a to choose secret code. Such a number is not a physical authorization ID, which one can lose, but it could, especially if it is more complicated, forgotten or swapped. In addition, it is not certain whether it is not an unauthorized person in some way the key figure learns, especially if it is written down somewhere is. In addition, there is also the risk that an incorrect keying error will occur Switching action is initiated.

The invention thus relates to an arrangement for checking the authorization of telecommunication subscribers, in particular telephone subscribers to establish certain connections, to retrieve data and / or to initiate remote controls from a subscriber terminal from which the identification data entered by the participant with the corresponding saved Compares nominal data, and if the entered actual data agree with the nominal data releases the subscriber station for further actuation.

The object of the invention is to provide an arrangement with which Help without ID cards, keys, secret codes, etc. the identity of an authorized person Participant can be proven.

In particular, no object may be used that is stolen, lost or not at hand at the crucial moment. aside from that The naming must not be copied, researched or abused by any unauthorized person to be used.

The invention solves the problem set in that the arrangement has a fingerprint reader for checking the authorization, the characteristic Points of the print pattern scanned and used for the comparator for further processing transmits.

By having a fingerprint of the participant as proof of authorization is used, it is ensured that this evidence is never stolen, can be lost or forgotten.

Also, nobody is able to fake it or go unnoticed in his To get possession. Because of the large number of fingerprint variants, there is none Fear of confusion with someone else, even if not the entire fingerprint should be scanned, but only part of it. This is what this test setup does safer than any other known. In addition, everyone has the opportunity to use the Increase the number of variants by using any one of the ten fingers of the authorized person can be used for the purpose according to the invention. With particularly important Messages or e.g. opening safes in banks can also have two authorized People give their ID at the same time.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the participant also has to name a key figure. This code gives the number of the stored target print sample which must match the fingerprint. This is an extra control which increases the security of the authorization checker.

An example of the invention is shown in the drawing.

While an arrangement for checking the authorization is shown in FIG which is located in the immediate vicinity next to the subscriber terminal is a circuit arrangement with an interposed switching network is described with reference to FIG.

According to FIG. 1, the subscriber terminal E consists of a subscriber set T and from a reader A for fingerprints. While from apparatus T via a line L commands are transmitted to a device to be controlled G, the reader A is used to to determine the authorization of the respective participant from his fingerprint. This reader can, for example, be a recording camera that shows the pattern of the whole Fingerprint or part of it. A few may be enough characteristic points of the print pattern, for example one or a few lines, and to transfer it to the test facility P. The participant must first have a A sample of a fingerprint is taken, which is then stored in the memory S of the testing device P is stored. Which of the fingers is also determined at the same time the authorized person should use it for the authorization check.

So that the fingerprint is scanned in the correct position as soon as possible can be, the reader A contains a limit or a stop to which the the respective finger is to be applied.

In the case of calls requiring authorization, reader A will now read the characteristic points of the print pattern are scanned and transmitted to the comparator V. This moves the recorded print sample electronically in such a way that that a standardized position of the finterprint is achieved. Then he looks out of the Memory S out a target pattern that matches the one just recorded. If he finds this pattern, the comparator V releases an evaluator R, which the Line L unlocked and allows the transmission of commands or messages.

But it is also possible that the subscriber on set T before a Authorization check keys his own code into the device T and thus tells the comparator which target data correspond to this participant with which the scanned imprint pattern must match. This key figure can be, for example be a two-digit number and need not necessarily be the full number of the Should be pattern.

The subscriber terminal E of FIG. 2 also contains a subscriber set T and a reader A. The data of the subscriber set and the reader arrive here However, via the switch W1 on the same line to transfer to the test device P. to become.

Located between the subscriber terminal E and the test facility P. Here there is still a switching center or a coupler K, via which several subscriber terminals Have access to controlled devices G. However, this coupler K is also to be arranged in such a way that that several subscriber terminals E have access to several devices G.

This is for example for the activation of alarm devices, Traffic lights or monitoring equipment required.

The data scanned by the reader A now arrive via the switch Wl and via the exchange K to a Which W2 in the test device P, where the two Signals, i.e. the control signal to device G and that from the subscriber via the reader A entered characteristic data, must be separated from each other. The comparator V represents Now, as already described, the identity of this entered data of the fingerprint with the stored nominal data of the memory S.

In this case, the switch W2 also takes on the task of the evaluator R and, if necessary, releases the line to the controlled device G so that the from Control commands sent to the apparatus T can operate the apparatus G.

The individual facilities previously described are for and for the expert tekami-, so that e @ 9wOt erüorrgt. here on circuit details enter into.

Claims (2)

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. Arrangement for checking the authorization of telecommunications, in particular Telephone subscribers to establish certain connections, to retrieve data and / or to initiate remote controls from a subscriber terminal, the characteristic data entered by the participant with the corresponding stored nominal data compares, and if the entered actual data match the target data, the Releases subscriber terminal for further actuation, d u r c h e k e n n indicates that the arrangement for checking the authorization has a reader (A) for Has fingerprints that scans characteristic points of the print pattern and to the comparator (V) for further processing. 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h -n e t that the subscriber over the device (2) of the subscriber terminal (E), over which the controllable device (G) is operated, enters its code, with the help of which the comparator (V) selects the nominal data from the memory (S) in order to compare them with the Compare actual data recorded by the reader (A).