Computer terminals biometrically enabled for network functions and voice communication

摘要

The invention provides a handset that includes a finger-image sensor that provides finger-image-related signals or data for authentication purposes and functions as a telephone handset for use with a computer terminal. A system, including handsets and computer terminals, enables the terminal and/or the handset to access or otherwise participate in at least one network-related function and voice communication in response to authentication of finger-image data provided by the handset. The handset includes an elongated housing having opposed major sides and opposed ends. A speaker is positioned in the vicinity of a first end of the handset to transmit sound from a first major side of the handset, and a microphone is positioned in the vicinity of a second end of the handset to receive sound from a first major side of the handset. A finger-image sensor is positioned in the vicinity of and spaced from the second end of the handset to sense a finger-image from a second major side of the handset, and a contoured surface is provided leading to the finger-image sensor. Circuitry for performing voice functions and finger-image functions are associated with separate USB ports, which are coupled to a USB hub of the handset.

主权项

1. A system for enabling a plurality of computer terminals in a plurality of networks to participate in a voice communication function over the plurality of networks, the system comprising:
a plurality of computer terminals each comprising: a microphone and a speaker coupled to provide signals to and receive signals from a respective computer terminal for voice communication; a finger-image sensor coupled at least to provide signals to the respective computer terminal relating to a finger-image sensed by the finger-image sensor; means for electronically authenticating a first finger-image sensed by a first finger-image sensor associated with at least a first computer terminal of the plurality of computer terminals in at least a first network of the plurality of networks and a second finger image sensed by a second finger-image sensor associated with at least a second computer terminal of the plurality of computer terminals in at least a second network of the plurality of networks based on finger-image-related signals provided to the first computer terminal by the first finger-image sensor and the second computer terminal by the second finger-image sensor; and a host computer, responsive to the means for electronically authenticating, to enable: the first computer terminal and the second computer terminal to participate in the voice communication function with each other over respective networks only if the first finger image was authenticated by the host computer for the first computer terminal and the second finger image was authenticated by the host computer terminal for the second computer terminal, and the first computer terminal to access over the first network at least one function that is not related to and does not depend upon participation by the first computer terminal in the voice communication function, wherein the first computer terminal is configured to: determine that an intended recipient is present at the second computer terminal based on the second finger image sensed by the second finger-image sensor associated with the second computer terminal; and in response to determining that the intended recipient is present at the second computer terminal, initiating the voice communication function with the second computer terminal.