GB2382207A

GB2382207A - Fingerprint recognition

Info

Publication number: GB2382207A
Application number: GB0127639A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Muhammad Alhamdani
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-19
Filing date: 2001-11-19
Publication date: 2003-05-21
Also published as: GB0127639D0

Abstract

The fingerprint is encoded onto a programmable magnetic strip on the back of a Credit card. A Credit Card reader is equipped with a fingerprint scanner. A simultaneous activation of the fingerprint scanner and the swiping of the programmed magnetic strip would act as an identification tool indicating a match or mis-match.

Description

"Project CCFC" A process aimed at eliminating losses incurred to banks, consumers and retailers alike through the effective and technological use of the one human trait unique to each individual, i. e. fingerprints in conjunction with existing Credit Card systems.

Description Background of Invention Increased use of Credit Cards and the introduction of use of credit cards online; to access specialized services such as E-commerce, has revolutionized the spending habits of consumers world-wide. Whilst issuers, retailers and the internet companies have quadrupled their profits in the past decade, Credit Card losses due to fraud are on the increase. It is imperative to recognize the fact that fraud losses are not only through the physical use of Credit Cards but millions of dollars are reported lost through the increased use of online shopping in recent times. Use of plastic as well as the continued advancement in technology means that Credit Card fraud will be rampant in the future.

The aim of this paper is to propose a solution to eliminate losses incurred to banks, consumers and retailers alike through the effective and technological use of the one human trait unique to each individual, i. e. fingerprints.

Current personal identity verification tools used by Credit Card issuers range from photographs to signatures. Personalization as field experts define it, can take place by means of physical personalization e. g. embossing or laser engraving. Banks usually use the magnetic strips to program codes.

It has been proven as discussed earlier that despite these identification methods, use of pin numbers, secret codes, personal details such as birth dates, address, mother's name etc have not helped prevent Credit Card fraud. For example, according to the media sources"organized crimes have acquired the technology that allows them to"skim"data contained on magnetic stripes, manufacture phony cards and overcome such protective features such as holograms".

Fraud occurring through the physical use of Credit Cards as well as over the internet have both been addressed and a fraud prevention scheme is proposed.

Miracles of Fingerprints According to some historians, though interest in fingerprinting dates back to prehistoric times, it was as recent as 1856, when an English Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in Jungipoor, India, first used fingerprints on native contracts. It has been a proven fact since that no two sets of fingerprints were the same, in fact not only were the fingerprints unique to the individual, but remained permanent throughout that individual's life. Many studies have been conducted and books authored on the wondrous natural phenomena of the individuality and permanence of fingerprints.

Fingerprinting as a means of identifying criminals is widely used by Law Enforcement Agencies. Figures and statistics are available showing the development of the niche fingerprinting authentication market. As technology and research has advanced in this area costs associated with research into the use of fingerprinting verification and transmission of data are on a steep decline.

Industry experts are of the opinion that it will not be long before software

developers and solution providers integrate this into everyday world.

Who Benefits ? The Issuers & the Users Credit Card Frauds have a multiple affect in modem day society. The objective of Project CCFC is not aimed at a single segment, with a narrow objective. The rationale and the means of eliminating Credit Card Frauds are aimed to have far reaching consequence.

The Issuers-Major Global banks and other Financial Institutions. As Credit Card usage

and issuance is on the increase, more and more financial institutions globally are using this effective and convenient mode of conducting financial transactions. Localized banks are issuing cards used only in their home countries whilst sophisticated upcoming institutions offer wider geographical usage.

The Customers-Individuals are more and more using Credit Cards to conduct day to day transactions as well as to lock themselves into longer term credit facilities. Cards in circulation vary from high credit limit Premium Cards (Platinum, Gold etc) to Corporate Cards to smaller limit cards, depending on the financial ! credit history and standing of the individual. It is a known fact that most individuals have an average of 2-4 cards issued in their name.

The Retailers-Businesses spanning from Gas stations, to the Grocer, the fashionable boutiques, airlines, hotels, universities, to name a few, all accept major recognized Visa, Master, Delta cards.

On-line shopping retailers- This has been classified as a separate category to the one mentioned above as the trend to shop on-line gains momentum. Convenience at the touch of the button attracts many shoppers, and major retail conventional outlets, hotels, airlines so as not to loose business are or have set-up dedicated web-sites accepting credit card orders, bookings, reservations etc.

Credit Agencies-Increased frauds through identity thefts have resulted in major claims.

These agencies, as result of the controls and checks using Fingerprinting as a verification tool, will be able to chum more accurate reports.

Law Enforcement Agencies- subject to local Regulations and the Confidentiality covenants, this could serve as an added tool to monitor illegal activities such as money

laundering, terrorist activities etc.

The Technicians-A focused objective with the support and buy-in of the major users e. g. banks of Project CCFC would facilitate the Software Technicians, the Computer Gurus, the manufacturers (designers and producers of the equipment; Card Readers, ATM Machines, Scanners etc).

Brief Summary of the Invention Section I 1. The Fingerprint The fingerprint will be encoded onto a programmable Magnetic Strip (Figure 1). This metb will facilitate the use of the existing Credit Card format as it is today.

[Alternatively, as technology advances and new and innovative micro chip designs are brought to the market, such as smart chip modules can be used to load on the personalized fingerprint format.] Use of Fingerprints as an identification mechanism may however cause some resistance from the general public and authorities, and would require banks to ensure that their systems are upgraded to store such strategic information. Additionally investment in software and special scanning devices and printing material would be required.

However these initial costs and resistance are miniscule when compared to the advantages. Most importantly this may actually serve as part of the Financial Institutions' current campaign against money laundering and terrorist related cash-flows as well as eradication at best of Credit card fraud.

It is worth introducing this system step-by-step. Premium upper end of the clientele should be targeted first, such as the Platinum, Gold, Premium Card holders as well as Corporate Card holders (example Diners Corporate Card etc).

Shopping On-line-E-Commerce ; Project CCFC I As has already been discussed E-Commerce is the future of conducting financial transactions over the internet. Advanced technology and innovative solutions means that more and more businesses are resorting to on-line sites. Businesses conducted fall in one of the following categories;

i), Business to business-involving transactions between two or more companies, ii). Business to consumer-selling of goods and services to individual customers, iii). Business to mobile-i. e. buying through your mobiles.

Some of the most lucrative and widely used outlets on-line include; travel arrangements; including ticket purchase, hotel reservations, car hires etc, books, brokering, computer hardware/software purchase (downloading software), adult sites etc.

On-line shopping sites and other related sites which require the usage of Credit Cards and disclosure of personal details have been set-up to ensure the highest level of security to the site visitors and users. Most sites utilize a secure server for credit card transactions.

Despite stringent security measures it has been reported that on-line Credit Card frauds are on the increase. In fact one study has shown that the retailers and not the consumers bear the brunt of losses on account of Credit Card frauds.

Project CCFC I takes exiting technology into account and offers an improvement over the existing security measures. The following processes can be adopted, please note that the core concept i. e. fingerprinting as a verification tool, is used in conjunction with the existing processes.

Description of the Process/Invention i). Entering the Web-site : The desired web-site will be accessed in the standard manner. ii). Placing a purchase or service order : As is customary the consumer will go through a "Secure Line", and the subsequent steps i. e. providing personal details, credit card number etc will be as normal. At this point two small icons with the prompt"Proceed"or "Exit"will appear.

In the event the"Proceed"option is selected, the final crucial phase will be activated. iii) Verification Tool : It is at this crucial point in the entire transaction chain that the "Fingerprint as the vital identification tool"will be introduced.

Having crossed into the"Secure Line" (a zone that is relatively free from"Hackers") for confirmation and authorization of payment, a simultaneous identity verification mechanism will be activated.

A full or partial window with a touch screen option will appear. The screen will be preloaded with a"Fingerprinting ; Recognition and Transmission"Program. (Depending on cost factors the written Program could use either"Scanning"or"Laser"elements).'I'his window ill also have a drop-do\\11 menu which will confirm the Country of issuance.

In order to ensure consumer confidentiality, it is recommended that the installed Program does not have a memory to store the imprint for longer than is necessary. iv). The Process-The Consumer will be required to touch the screen to scan his fingerprint. On scanning the print the image will automatically be transmitted to the main-frame computer. The main-frame computer will on verification of the Fingerprint match to the one in its database will send back a"Verification Signal".

The Retailer on receiving an"Authorization"and"Verification"signal will complete the transaction.

Please note that this process initially would only work for Cards issued by specific jurisdictions covered by the database and have a"Fingerprint"activated magnetic strip.

Section II A customer is required to type in their personal security pin number to access their accounts and make necessary transactions including but not limited to cash withdrawals.

It is a fact that the existing method, though aimed at providing the customers maximum security against theft and illegal withdrawals, has limitations. In order to restrict losses some banks have a ceiling on the per withdrawal transaction. Personalized Pin Numbers are issued, which are required to be punched in at the time of the transaction. Some screens are equipped with touch screens enabling customers to select the service required.

Though an effective mode Pin Numbers can either be intercepted in the mail, at the place of issuance, or at the place of use i. e. machine sites.

Description of the Process/Invention

ATMMachines ; Project CCFC II i). The System- The "Fingerprint Scanner" will be added to the existing ATM machine design. The Scanner will be mounted on top of the Credit Card Feeder. The Scanner will be equipped with a system to scan the fingerprint and create an image.

The built in Card Reader will be equipped with a mechanism that will read the encoded "Fingerprint"on the magnetic strip and translate it into an image.

Should the two images match-a localized process, the second phase would be activated.

Please note that I am recommending that the matching image acts as an authorization to the second phase replacing the"Pin Number".

OMM o MMOy"M < /McA"-The touch screen option to"Re-try"or"Exit"will appear. ii). The Process-For double security and to ensure that the card is not a counterfeit two forms of information will travel to the main-frame; a). The Credit Card details will travel to the main-frame, as is currently done to check for balances etc. b). Simultaneously the image will be transmitted to a main-frame to verify the Fingerprint image and other related information. iii). In case the main-frame rejects the image the card will be swallowed by the ATM.

Drawing-Please see Figure II

Section III Physical Use of Credit Cards : Project CCFC I The Card Reader Matching of the Credit Card programmed print to the card presenter's fingerprint can be done locally.

It is suggested that the Card Reader is a variation of the existing machine design. The Card Reader would have a live-scan unit mounted in the front. The system would serve a two-fold purpose; i). Processing of the Transaction-The Card will be swiped for authorization, and the process will be the same as the existing process. ii). Fingerprint Matching-The Card Reader will have a live-scan unit mounted in the front. ("a"of Figures III, IV & V). Additionally there will be a red and a green light at the back of the machine (facing the retailer/card receiver) which will signal matching ("green"-"b"in Figures III, IV & V) or not matching ("red"-"c"in Figures III, IV & V) of the fingerprint.

The Process-The machine will be equipped with an internal memory disc (a temporary short term memory) which will enable the system to match the print read from the magnetic tape to the image scanned from the live-scan unit.

The Card owner on presenting his card will be required to wave his"Right Thumb"in front of the scanner. Should the red light blink in the first instance; indicating a mismatch, no images will be stored in the system. The card presenter will be asked to wave his finger in front of the scanner again, simultaneously the cashier will swipe the card through.

Should the"red"light blink again, the image will automatically be stored and the following method will be activated; i). The image along with the Credit Card details will automatically be transmitted to a main-frame that will collect all fraudulent transactions/details under the proposed process and the card will automatically be blocked.

Designs of the 21st Century Compact Card Reader- Figures III, IV & V

Claims

CLAIMS 1. The design of the three card reader machines as illustrated in Figure in, IV and V. 2. Design of the ATM machine with the live-scan unit.

1. A Credit Card, with the Fingerprint encoded on the programmable "Magnetic Strip"at the back of the card. The encoded Magnetic Strip (Figure I) will be swiped through the Credit Card reader (Figure III, IV and V) or fed into the ATM machine (Figure II) and a built in mechanism would read the"Fingerprint"and translate it into an image.

2. The use of localized"Fingerprinting"images as a replacement to"Pin Numbers", and the use of"Fingerprinting"as a verification tool in ATM machines. The Card reader and the ATM machines will be equipped with a

live-scan/laser unit, that will scan and create an image of the Fingerprint of the Credit card presenter. A matching of the encoded"Fingerprint"and the fingerprint image of the card presenter shall activate authorisation.

3. The Credit Card reader loaded into the ATM machine will be equipped with an internal memory disc (a temporary short term memory) which will enable the system to match the print read from the magnetic strip to the images scanned from the live-scan unit.

4. Use of on-screen"Fingerprinting"as a verification tool, in on-line shopping, achieved by activating a touch screen option pre-loaded with a "Fingerprinting, Recognition and Transmission"Program.

5. The "Fingerprinting" program will only be activated once the user has crossed the"Secure line".

6. The three parts of the Project involve the transmission of two types of data to two separate main-frames; i). For authorisation, checking of balances etc as is currently done, and ii). Transmission of the"Fingerprint"image to the main data-bank for verification.