Personal identification devices and access control systems

Claim 2

A personal identification device comprising a store of personal identity statements and a store of complex images including key complex images linked with personal identity statements and false complex images not associated with personal identity statements, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 3

A personal identification device according to claim 1 including an optical disk having a section on which both stores are encoded.

Claim 4

A personal identification device according to claim 1 including a digital storage device in which both stores are encoded.

Claim 5

Personal identification apparatus comprising a personal identification device comprising a store of personal identity statements and a store of complex images including key complex images linked with specific personal identity statements and false complex images not associated with personal identity statements, in combination with data processing apparatus provided with means for receiving a personal identity statement, means for reading the personal identification device, and means for displaying from the personal identification device at least one key complex image that is linked with the personal identity statement received, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 6

Personal identification apparatus comprising a personal identification device comprising a store of personal identity statements and a store of complex images including key complex images linked with specific personal identity statements and false complex images not associated with personal identity statements, in combination with data processing apparatus provided with means for receiving a personal identity statement, means for reading the personal identification device, and means for displaying from the personal identification device at least one key complex image that is linked with the personal identity statement received, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 4 including means for displaying a plurality of false complex images from the device in addition to the said key complex image, means for receiving an image statement, and means for determining whether or not a received image statement corresponds to a key complex image.

Claim 10

A method according to claim 6 wherein the key complex image is displayed as part of a displayed set of stored complex images, and the user is required to identify the key complex image by selecting it correctly from the set.

Claim 11

A method according to claim 7 including the steps of retrieving a plurality of key complex images linked with the identity statement and a plurality of false complex images from the stored complex images; displaying an array of assorted retrieved key and false images to the user for a limited time; accepting image statements identifying images selected from the array by the user; determining whether the image statements match the displayed key complex images linked with the identity statement; and if so, permitting access.

Claim 12

A method according to claim 8 wherein the array is a matrix of images of which only some are displayed initially, and others are progressively added until the matrix is complete; and the display is terminated before the image statements are accepted from the user.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 6 wherein the key image is an image of an authorised user, and the user is required to correctly identify that image by offering his own real time image for matching with the key image.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 10 wherein the real time image is derived from a video camera and is both stored and displayed adjacent the key image for visual matching.

Claim 15

A method according to claim 6 wherein access is permitted by setting a lock to an open state.

Claim 16

A method of controlling access by a human user to a controlled objective according to claim 6 wherein the complex images are images of human faces.

Claim 17

A lock capable of a closed state in which one of physical and logical means denies human access to an objective and an open state in which such access is permitted, and provided with control means adapted to receive a request for access, to determine whether access is to be permitted; and to control the state of the lock accordingly; wherein the control means comprises: a) a store of authorized users; b) a store of complex images including key complex images linked with authorized users; a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description, c) means for receiving a personal identity statement and determining whether it relates to an authorized user from the user store; d) means for displaying a set of complex images, including a key complex image set uniquely linked with the authorized user identified by means (c); e) means for receiving an image statement; f) means for comparing the image statement with the unique set of images in the displayed set; and g) means for setting the state of the lock to open only when the image statement matches the unique set.

Claim 18

A lock capable of a closed state in which one of physical and logical means denies human access to an objective and an open state in which such access is permitted, and provided with control means adapted to receive a request for access, to determine whether access is to be permitted; and to control the state of the lock accordingly; wherein the control means comprises: a) a store of authorized users; b) a store of complex images including key complex images linked with authorized users; a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description, c) means for receiving a personal identity statement and determining whether it relates to an authorized user from the user store; d) means for displaying a set of complex images, including a key complex image set uniquely linked with the authorized user identified by means (c); e) means for receiving an image statement; f) means for comparing the image statement with the unique set of images in the displayed set; and g) means for setting the state of the lock to open only when the image statement matches the unique set.

Claim 21

A method according to claim 15 wherein steps (f) and (g) are repeated sequentially whereby to increase the probability that a successful request for access is not due to a chance result.

Claim 24

An identification system comprising a store of identity statements for identifying respective users and a store of complex images, at least some of which are key complex images which are associated, respectively, with predetermined different ones of the identity statements and are for selection by respective users to verify their respective identities, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 25

An identification system comprising a store of identity statements for identifying respective users and a store of complex images, at least some of which are key complex images which are associated, respectively, with predetermined different ones of the identity statements and are for selection by respective users to verify their respective identities, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 26

A payment card comprising a personal identification device comprising an optical disk having a section in which both a store of personal identity statements and a store of complex images including key complex images linked with specific personal identity statements and false complex images not associated with personal identity statements are encoded, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 27

A payment card comprising a personal identification device comprising an optical disk having a section in which both a store of personal identity statements and a store of complex images including key complex images linked with specific personal identity statements and false complex images not associated with personal identity statements are encoded, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 28

A payment card according to claim 19 wherein the complex images are images of human faces.

Claim 29

Personal identification apparatus, according to claim 19 wherein the complex images are images of human faces.

Claim 30

A lock capable of a closed state and an open state and having control means for controlling the state of the lock, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving an identity statement from a user, means for displaying a key complex image linked with that identity statement, and means for setting the state of the lock to open in response to correct identification of the key complex image by the user, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 31

A lock capable of a closed state and an open state and having control means for controlling the state of the lock, wherein the control means comprises means for receiving an identity statement from a user, means for displaying a key complex image linked with that identity statement, and means for setting the state of the lock to open in response to correct identification of the key complex image by the user, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 32

A lock according to claim 22 wherein the complex images are images of human faces.

Claim 33

A personal identification device according to claim 1, wherein the complex images are images of human faces.

Claim 34

Personal identification apparatus comprising a payment card having a personal identification device comprising an optical disk having a section in which both a store of personal identity statements a store of complex images including key complex images linked with specific personal identity statements and false complex images not associated with personal identity statements are encoded, in combination with data processing apparatus provided with means for receiving a personal identity statement, means for reading the personal identification device, and means for displaying at least one key complex image from the personal identification device that is linked with the identity statement received, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.

Claim 35

Personal identification apparatus comprising a payment card having a personal identification device comprising an optical disk having a section in which both a store of personal identity statements a store of complex images including key complex images linked with specific personal identity statements and false complex images not associated with personal identity statements are encoded, in combination with data processing apparatus provided with means for receiving a personal identity statement, means for reading the personal identification device, and means for displaying at least one key complex image from the personal identification device that is linked with the identity statement received, a complex image being an image that is recognizable when already known but not readily capable of unique description to a person to whom it is not known so that when a particular complex image is included in a set of similar but not identical complex images, the particular complex image is distinguishable from other complex images in the set, by the human senses of a person familiar with the particular complex image, within a predetermined time interval when the whole set is displayed, but it is not readily possible to describe the particular complex image in terms which are sufficiently precise that another human being unfamiliar with the particular complex image can subsequently identify it among other complex images of the set using normal unaided human senses to discern the particular image, and within a time interval similar to the predetermined time interval, and provided that reference to and comparison with other complex images of the displayed set is not permitted as part of a description.