Prior art

Based on a technical analysis of the prior art cited in US Patent 9,665,705, the following references are identified as most relevant to the claims of the patent. The analysis focuses on potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102, which requires a single prior art reference to disclose every element of a claimed invention.

A key inventive concept in claim 1 of US Patent 9,665,705 appears to be the method of enrolling new users. Specifically, the claim requires that the transmitter sub-system can "populate the data base" by receiving "a series of entries of the biometric signal, said series being characterised according to at least one of the number of said entries and a duration of each said entry" which is then mapped "into an instruction." This describes using the biometric sensor itself as an input device for administrative commands (e.g., a specific sequence of long and short presses) to enter an enrollment mode.

While several prior art references describe a similar overall system architecture, they typically rely on a separate physical button or a software interface on a host computer to initiate the enrollment process, rather than using the biometric sensor for command input.

Most Relevant Prior Art

1. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0230810 A1 (Fingar et al.)

• Full Citation: US 2004/0230810 A1, "Biometric Fob," filed May 14, 2003.
• Description: Fingar discloses a portable security device, or "fob," containing a biometric sensor (e.g., a fingerprint scanner), a processor, memory, and a wireless transmitter. The fob is designed to authenticate a user's identity by matching their biometric data against a template stored in the fob's memory. Upon successful authentication, the fob transmits a secure signal to a reader, which can grant access to a physical location (like a building) or a logical system (like a computer network). This architecture is highly analogous to the transmitter sub-system described in patent '705.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Fingar discloses a system with a transmitter sub-system (the fob) that contains a biometric sensor, performs matching against a local database, and emits a secure wireless signal to a receiver sub-system to control access. This appears to teach most elements of Claim 1.
  • However, Fingar does not appear to anticipate the specific enrollment method claimed in US 9,665,705. In paragraph, Fingar describes its enrollment process: "To enroll, the user may depress a small recessed button on the fob... The user is then prompted, e.g., via a small LED, to swipe his/her finger...". This method requires a dedicated, separate button to initiate enrollment. It does not describe using a series of entries on the biometric sensor itself (e.g., taps or presses of varying duration) to generate an enrollment command, as required by Claim 1. Therefore, Fingar does not fully anticipate this claim.

2. U.S. Patent No. 6,959,387 B2 (Sato et al.)

• Full Citation: US 6,959,387 B2, "Fingerprint-based authentication device and method," filed November 21, 2002.
• Description: Sato describes a portable fingerprint authentication device that can communicate wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth) with a host apparatus like a PC. The device includes a fingerprint sensor, a processor, and memory to store fingerprint data. Authentication is performed locally on the portable device, which then transmits the result to the host to unlock it or grant access. The device is self-contained and handles the biometric processing and secure communication.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Sato teaches a system comprising a portable transmitter with a biometric sensor and local database, which communicates a secure signal to a receiver to control access to a controlled item (a host PC). This maps closely to the core system architecture of Claim 1.
  • The enrollment method in Sato, however, differs from that claimed in patent '705. As described in the detailed description (column 8, lines 35-41), the user must "presses the enrollment button... provided on the housing of the fingerprint authentication device" to enter the enrollment mode. This reliance on a separate, dedicated button for enrollment means Sato does not teach the specific limitation of Claim 1 requiring the use of a series of biometric signal entries on the sensor itself to create an instruction for populating the database.

3. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0078174 A1 (Sako)

• Full Citation: US 2006/0078174 A1, "Information processing apparatus and method," filed October 5, 2005.
• Description: Sako discloses a portable authentication device with a biometric sensor (fingerprint). The device can store user biometric information and, after authenticating the user, transmit a signal to unlock a target device, such as a vehicle, a PC, or a door. The system is designed for high security and user convenience, with the authentication logic contained within the portable device.
• Potential Anticipation Analysis:
  • Sako describes the key components of the system in Claim 1: a portable transmitter sub-system with a biometric sensor and local authentication, and a receiver sub-system for granting access to a controlled item.
  • Regarding enrollment, Sako's method does not align with the specific language of Claim 1. Paragraph states that an "enrollment mode" can be entered by operating a "button or a switch of the portable device 2." This explicit disclosure of a separate mechanical input for initiating enrollment means that Sako fails to teach the claimed method of using the biometric sensor itself to generate administrative commands based on the number or duration of entries. Thus, Sako does not anticipate Claim 1.