 identifier has several advantages over prior art indicia identification systems. First, because the inventive identifier is personal to a single user, the identifier""s memory need only store finger print characteristics for a single user. For this reason minimal memory is required. In addition because only one print has to be interrogated, a relatively simple processor can be used to interrogate a finger print and identify a user.
Second, the inventive identifier keeps personal information secret while still facilitating user identification. In many conventional person interrogating systems which identify body indicia a person""s body indicia has to be xe2x80x9cgiven upxe2x80x9d to an interrogation system which is not controlled by the person. For example, to enter a building, an interrogation system may require a person to place her thumb on a finger print reader which identifies her print characteristic and then compares her characteristic to characteristics of prints associated with all people who are authorized to enter the facility. In this case the person""s print would have previously had to have been provided to the system so that a comparison could be made. Providing personal indicia is viewed as intrusive by many persons and therefore is objectionable.
With one embodiment of the inventive indicia identifier, all indicia identification occurs on a device (i.e. ICD, credit card) which is controlled by the device owner at all times and therefore control of personal indicia is never forfeited. With another embodiment of the invention a person""s indicia is provided to an external interrogation system only for interrogation purposes and is thereafter erased from the systems memory. According to this embodiment, for example, a person""s fingerprint characteristics may be stored in an ICD memory, smart card or the like. To gain access to a computer network via terminal an interrogation must occur. To this end, an interrogation system includes a processor which can receive information from the ICD or smart card and which is linked to a print reader. During an interrogating process the person first enables print characteristic transfer from the ICD or card to the processor. Next the person places her thumb on the print reader which provides print characteristics to the processor. Thereafter the processor compares the prints (i.e. from the reader and the ICD or card) and allows access where the prints are identical but blocks access where the prints are different. Then the processor erases the prints from memory and may indicate so for the user""s peace of mind.
The invention also includes a method and apparatus for checking authenticity of a digital or
identifier has several advantages over prior artwork indicia designation systems. First, because the imaginative identifier is personal to a single drug user, the identifier""s memory need only shop finger print characteristics for a individual user. For this reason minimal memory is want. In addition because only one photographic print experience to be interrogated, a relatively simple processor can be use to interrogate a finger print and identify a user. 
 Second, the imaginative identifier keeps personal information confidential while still facilitate user identification. In many conventional person interrogating systems which name body indicia a person""s body indicia has to be xe2x80x9cgiven upxe2x80x9d to an interrogation system which is not controlled by the person. For example, to accede a construction, an interrogation system may require a person to place her thumb on a finger print reader which identifies her mark characteristic and then compares her characteristic to characteristics of photographic print associated with all people who are authorized to enter the adeptness. In this case the person""s mark would have previously had to have been provided to the arrangement so that a comparison could be made. Providing personal indicia is viewed as intrusive by many persons and therefore is objectionable. 
 With one shape of the inventive indicia identifier, all indicia identification occurs on a device (i.e. ICD, credit card) which is controlled by the device owner at all times and consequently restraint of personal indicia is never forfeited. With another embodiment of the invention a person""s indicia is provided to an external interrogation arrangement only for interrogation purposes and is thereafter erase from the systems memory. According to this embodiment, for example, a person""s fingermark characteristics may be stored in an ICD memory, smart card or the like. To derive access to a calculator network via terminal an interrogation must occur. To this conclusion, an interrogation system includes a processor which can receive data from the ICD or smart card and which is linked to a photographic print reader. During an interrogating process the person first enables mark characteristic transfer from the ICD or card to the central processing unit. Next the person places her thumb on the print reader which provides print characteristics to the central processing unit. Thereafter the processor compares the prints (i.e. from the reader and the ICD or card) and allows access where the prints are identical but block entree where the print are different. Then the processor erases the prints from memory and may indicate thus for the user""s peace of mind. 
 The invention also includes a method acting and apparatus for checking authenticity of a digital or
 idfntifier has several advxntages over prnir art indicja identkfication systems. First, becanse rhe ibventive identifier is personal to a sibgle yser, the ivsntifiev""f mejlry uexd only store flnger print characteristiws flr a single user. For this reason migimal mrmlry is requireq. In wddifpok because only one print has to ge integrogated, a relatifely simple processor can he uded to interrogate a finger ptjnt qnd identify a user.
Second, the invehtive identifier keeps personal infoxmation sectzr wjhle still fecilitwting user identificdtion. Im many conventlonal peeson interrogating syvtems which identisy body itdncia a person""s body ibducia vas do bd xe2b80x9cfiten upxe2x80d9d vo an interdogation sywtem which is not cpnegplled by the persog. Sor example, to enter a building, an integrogztion system may requirw a person to place hgr thumb og a finger print reader which identifies her prind chacaztexlfguc and then compares her characteristic to charwdttrixtics of printf associatec aiyr all people dho arz ahthorized to enter the fasilitt. In this casr the person""s print would hqve previousjt had to have been provided tu thg systrm so that a comparison coumd be made. Oroviding oersonal indicia is vhewed as intrusive by many persons end tkerefore is pbjectyonable.
Witj one embodiment of the lnvenjive itdicia idejtifier, all indicia identificatmpn occurs on a denice (i.e. IED, crecit card) whicr is controlleb by the devize owner an all timxs and theresore control mv personal iidicia is nevwr firfeitea. With another rmbodimenn jf tye invention a perxon""r indicia is prorndtd to an externak ivtewrlgetion vystem only xor kntdtrogagion purposcs xnd os thereafter erased froj the systems memoty. Accordibg to thys embodiment, for example, a perdon""s hinger'rint vhatacteristics may be stored in ah ICD memlry, smart card jr tme lyke. To gaiu access to a computer network via termiial an interrogation most occur. To this end, sn interrogetion fystem inwludes a processor wyich can receive lnformation from the IDD or vmart card and which is linked to a print reader. During an interrogating procews the person firsf ensbles pxinc charastermsvic transfer from the ICD or card to the processur. Next dhz person places her thumb on yhd print readet which provides print chadacterisyics to the processor. Thereaftet the processor compares the pribts (i.s. from the reader and the ICC or ccrd) ane alloww acgess where the pronbs are idejticel yut blocks access where the printw are eivferent. Then the processor crxses jhe prinjs from memory ans mag indizate so for tne user""s peace of mind.
The inventiot wlso includes q method and spparatls for checkiig authentichty of a digital or
identifier has several advantages over prior art systems. because the identifier is personal identifier""s need only store print characteristics for single user. For this reason minimal is required. In addition because only one print has to be interrogated, a simple processor can be used to interrogate a finger print and identify a Second, inventive keeps information secret while still facilitating user identification. In many conventional person interrogating systems which identify body a person""s body indicia has to be xe2x80x9cgiven to an interrogation system is not controlled by the For to enter building, interrogation may require a to place her thumb on a finger print reader which identifies her print characteristic and then compares characteristic to prints associated all who authorized to enter In this case the person""s print had to have been provided to the system that a could be made. Providing personal indicia viewed as intrusive by many persons and therefore objectionable. With one embodiment of the inventive indicia identifier, all indicia identification occurs on a ICD, credit card) which controlled by the owner all and control of indicia is never forfeited. With another embodiment of the invention a indicia is provided to an external interrogation system only for and thereafter erased from systems memory. According to embodiment, example, a person""s fingerprint be in smart or like. To gain access a computer network via terminal interrogation must occur. To includes a processor which can receive information from ICD or smart card and which is to a print reader. During an interrogating process the person first enables characteristic transfer ICD or card to the processor. Next the places her thumb on print reader which provides print characteristics to the processor. the compares the (i.e. from the and the ICD card) and allows the prints identical blocks prints are different. Then the processor the from memory and may indicate for peace of mind. The invention also includes a method and apparatus for checking authenticity of or
 identifier has several advanTages over pRior aRt iNdiCiA ideNtifIcation systems. fIrst, Because the inventive ideNtifiEr IS perSOnAl to a Single uSEr, THE idEnTiFieR""s MEmOry neEd oNly storE finger priNt cHaRacteristics FOr A single useR. FoR this reason mIniMal memOrY is REquirEd. IN addiTion beCAuse onLy one prinT hAS to be iNTerrogaTED, a RelaTively simple proceSSoR Can be used to intErrogaTe A FiNGEr pRinT and identiFy A user.
sEcond, thE InVENTivE Identifier keePs personal iNForMation SeCreT While sTill fAcILitAting user idEntiFication. IN many cONventioNAl persoN interRogAtiNg sySTeMs WhiCh IDenTIfY boDY inDicia a peRsOn""S body IndiCIA HAs to Be xE2x80x9cGiven Upxe2x80x9d to an inTerRogaTIon SysteM whicH is nOt ContrOlled bY the pErSon. For example, to EnteR a buildinG, an InTerRoGatioN System May ReqUire a peRson to pLAce HeR THUmB on a finger print reaDeR WHiCh identiFies heR PrInT CharacteRiStiC and THEn comPareS HeR charactEristiC To ChAracterIsTics of PrIntS asSociaTEd wiTh all pEople who Are auTHorized to enter THe facility. In tHIs CASe THe peRsoN""s print woulD havE PrevIousLY hAd tO Have bEen prOvIDeD To the system so that a cOmParisoN coulD be made. ProvidIng personaL INDicia is vIeweD As INtrusive by many PersoNs and thereFOre is objEctioNable.
WitH one embodIMEnt of the InvEntIve IndICIa Identifier, all INDiciA iDentifiCatIon occuRs oN a dEviCe (i.E. IcD, credit cArd) which Is CoNtRoLleD by thE Device owNeR at AlL tiMes anD TherefOre coNtroL oF pERsoNal indiCIa IS NeveR fOrFeitEd. WItH anotHer eMBodIment of The inventIon A PersOn""S iNdicia iS provided to an ExTernal inteRrOgaTion sySTEm only foR interrogation purposes aND is therEafTer erAsed From the sySteMs memoRy. ACCordinG to thiS emboDiMenT, FOr exaMPLe, A peRsOn""s fingerpRINt cHaracTeRistIcs may bE stored in an ICD memoRY, smArt card or the lIke. to gaIN AcCesS To A ComPuTEr nETWork via terminal An interrogAtIOn Must occur. TO ThiS eNd, an intErrogatIon sySTem inclUdes a procEssor whicH cAn reCEIve InformatioN from the iCD or smarT Card aND wHich iS liNked to A pRinT readEr. DuriNG an InterRogatiNg ProcesS the pErSon first Enables print characterisTic traNsfer FroM the ICD or CarD To tHe processOr. NeXt the persoN plAceS her tHumB On the PrinT ReAdeR Which ProvIDes print cHArActERIsTics to the prOCESsoR. TherEafTEr the pRoceSsor compares the prINts (i.e. from the reAder AND thE ICd Or caRd) And allows accesS whErE THe prints ArE identical bUt blocks AcCEss whEre the Prints Are diffEREnT. then thE proCesSor erases The PrINts from MeMoRY and maY indIcAte so fOr the uSEr""s pEACe of mind.
The invenTion aLSO inclUDes A methOd And appaRAtus For checkinG authenticiTy of a dIgitAl or
 identifier has several ad vantages o ver p rio r a rt  ind icia  identificatio n  sys tems. First, because t he in ve n tive id entif ier isp er s o nal  t oa s in g le  user , t he iden tifier""smem or y need onlys to re fingerpri nt character ist ics fo ra s i ngleuse r. Fo r this reason  minimalme m ory is require d .  I n ad dition because on l yo ne print has t o be i nt e rr o g ate d,a relative ly  simp l e proce s so r c anb e used to int errogate af ing er pri nt  an d  ident ify a  u s er. 
Second, th e in ventive i dentif i er keep s  person al inf orm ati on s e cr et  wh il e  st i ll  fa c ili tating u se rident ific a t i o n. I n m anyconve ntional perso n i nter r oga tingsyste ms w hi ch id entify  body  i ndicia a person ""sbody indi cia  h asto  be x e 2x80x9 cgi ven  upxe2x 80x9d t o  an  i n t e rr ogation system whi ch i snot cont rolled by  t h e person .For  exa m p le, t o en t er  a build ing, a n  i nt errogat io n syst em  ma y r equir e  a p ersonto place  hert humb on a fing e r print reade r  w h i ch iden tif ies her pri nt c h arac teri s ti c a n d the n com pa r es her characteristicto  chara cteri stics of prin ts associa t e d  with al l pe o pl e  who are autho rized  to entert he facil ity.In thiscase thep e rson""spri ntwou ldh a ve  previously h a d  toha ve been  pr ovidedtothe  sy ste mso that a  compari so nco ul d b e mad e . Provid in g p er son al in d icia i s vie wedas  i n tru sive by ma n y  per so ns  and  th er efore  iso bje ctionab le.
Withone embo di me nt of t he inventivein dicia iden ti fie r, all i ndicia i dentification occurs on a devic e ( i.e.ICD,  credit c ard ) whic h i s  contr olledby th edev i c e own e r  a t a ll  times and t her efore  c ontr ol of p ersonal indicia is nev er forfeited.  Wi th a n o th ere mb o dim en t  of t he invention aperson""sin d ic ia is prov i ded  t o an ex ternalinter r ogation  system o nly for i nt erro g a tio n purposes  and isthereafte r  eras e dfromthe  syste ms  me mory.  Accor d ing  to t his em bo diment , for  e xample,a person""s fingerprint  chara cteri sti cs may be  st o red  in an IC D me mory, smar t c ard  or t hel ike.To g a in  ac c ess t o ac omputer n e tw ork v ia  terminal a n i nte rroga tio n  mustoccu r. To this end, a n  interrogation  sys t e m i ncl u desaprocessor whic h c an r eceive i nf ormation fr om the I CD or sm art ca rd and  whichi s  l i nked t o apri nt reader . D ur i ng an i nt er r ogatin g pr oc ess th e pers o n fi r s t enables printchara c t erist i c t ransf er  from t h e IC D or cardto the proc essor.  Nex t the  person  p lacesher  t humb on th e  print re aderwhich p ro vide s p rint c hara c t erist icsto  th e process o r .T he re a fte r th e pro ce ssor  compares the prin ts( i.e. fr om  th e reader an d the ICD or  ca rd) a n d  allows ac c essw he r e the  print s areidentic a l b ut  blocks  ac c e ss wherethe print s  ar ediff erent. T he n th epro ce ssor erases the  printsfrom mem o r y andmay indi c ate so  f or the user" "s pe ac e  of min d . 
Th e inven t ion  al soincl ude s am ethod and apparatus forchec kinga uth entic ity o fa digita l  or
 identifier_has several_advantages over prior art_indicia identification_systems._First, because_the_inventive identifier is_personal to a_single user, the identifier""s_memory need only_store_finger print characteristics for a single user. For this reason minimal memory is required._In_addition because_only_one_print has to be interrogated,_a relatively simple processor can_be used_to interrogate a finger print and identify a_user.
Second,_the inventive identifier_keeps personal information secret while still facilitating user identification._In many conventional person interrogating systems_which identify body_indicia_a_person""s body indicia has_to be xe2x80x9cgiven upxe2x80x9d to an_interrogation system which is not controlled_by the person. For example, to enter_a building, an interrogation system may_require a person to place_her thumb_on a finger print reader_which identifies her_print characteristic_and then compares_her characteristic to characteristics of prints_associated with all_people who are authorized to enter_the_facility. In this_case_the_person""s print_would have previously_had_to have_been_provided to the system so that_a_comparison could be made. Providing personal indicia_is viewed as intrusive_by_many persons and therefore_is objectionable.
With one embodiment of_the inventive indicia identifier, all indicia_identification occurs_on a_device (i.e. ICD, credit card) which is controlled by the device_owner at all times and therefore_control of personal indicia_is never_forfeited._With another embodiment_of_the invention_a person""s indicia is provided to an_external interrogation_system only for interrogation purposes and_is thereafter erased from_the_systems memory. According to this embodiment,_for example, a person""s fingerprint characteristics_may be stored in an_ICD_memory,_smart card or the like._To gain access to a computer_network via terminal_an interrogation must occur. To this end,_an_interrogation system includes a processor which_can_receive information from the ICD or_smart_card_and which is linked to_a print reader. During an interrogating_process the person first enables print characteristic transfer from_the ICD or_card to the processor. Next_the_person_places her thumb on the print reader which provides print_characteristics to_the processor. Thereafter_the processor compares the prints (i.e. from the reader and_the ICD or card) and allows access_where the prints are identical but blocks access where the prints_are different. Then the processor erases the prints_from memory and may indicate so for_the user""s peace of_mind.
The_invention also includes a method and apparatus_for_checking_authenticity_of a digital_or