Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EMBEDDED DATA DNA SEQUENCE SECURITY SYSTEM
This International Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application claims the
benefit
of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 60/818,113, filed June 30,
2006,
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
1. TECHNICAL FIELD
An embedded data DNA sequence security system which utilizes an embedded
data DNA sequence to differentiate each of a plurality of identifiable
objects.
II. BACKGROUND
Existing computer and internet security such as cryptographic processes,
tokens,
dongles, so-called "uncopyable media," passwords, and various executable
software
protection schemes fail to prevent identity fraud. Such methods are incapable
of ensuring
that the person or entity at each end of a transaction is who he says he is.
At the center of
the problem are those individuals who steal other persons' identities so as to
perform
fraud, pranks, vandalism, espionage and other illegitimate activities. Thus, a
predominant
security issue is identity authentication.
While authentication takes various forms, authentication of the individual is
particularly desirable. That is authentication directed to verifying that the
individual
seeking a benefit or pursuing a transaction is in fact who that individual
claims to be, and
not an impersonator. This authentication relies on verification being
performed at or
above a predetermined minimum level of confidence.
Traditional methods of authenticating individuals have relied primarily on
secret
passwords, identification cards, photographic identification, or the like.
Password-only
authentication can be implemented entirely in software. However, password-only
authentication has a number of disadvantages. For example, a password's
viability is
enhanced, among other ways, by increasing its length, by controlling its
composition and
by it being frequently changed. This, however, is cumbersome and,
additionally,
passwords can be lost or stolen, particularly written passwords. Passwords can
be
inadvertently disclosed to crackers via various ploys, such as observing the
password's
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entry on a keyboard. Moreover, passwords can be intercepted as they are
transported from
the user to a desired computer server. Consequently, password-only
authentication fails to
provide adequate security. The shortcomings inherent with the conventional
security
measures have prompted an increasing interest in biometric security
technology. That is,
verifying a person's identity by personal biological characteristics, such as
voice printing,
finger printing, iris scans, or deoxyribonucleic acid ("DNA") sequence
matching.
Surprisingly, even though numerous patents and patent applications include the
term DNA as a biometric identifier (see for example United States Patent
Application No.
6,871,287 which utilizes the term "DNA mapping" once but does not enable DNA
mapping as a biometric to verify the identity of a person), it appears that a
significant
number of problems remain with respect to defining, obtaining and using DNA as
a
biometric identifier to verify the identity of a person.
A significant problem with using DNA as a biometric identifier can be that no
attempt is made to cross-reference the user's alphanumeric identity data
(i.e., name,
address, Social Security number, etc.) against a database of identities which
can
determine, to a high degree of certainty, whether the alphanumeric identity
data being
offered with the biometric identity data is suspicious or subject to fraud.
Without such
cross-checking, a person submitting a biometric exemplar together with stolen
alphanumeric identity data cannot be recognized as the fraud that he is by the
anonymous
computer systems which are so prevalent today.
Another significant problem with using DNA as a biometric identifier can be
that
no standardized region of the human genome has been identified which can be
amplified
using a limited set of DNA primers which generates an amplified DNA region of
sufficiently high degree of variability ainong persons to allow identity
verification with
one-hundred percent certainty.
Another significant problem with using DNA as a biometric identifier can be
that
no method of personal identification includes a DNA as a biornetric identifier
to verify
the familial connection to maternal relations with one hundred percent
certainty.
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Another significant problem with using DNA as a biometric identifier can be
that
no method of personal identification includes a DNA biometeric identifier
which allows
differentiation and identification of identical twins.
The inventive personal identity security system described herein addresses
each of
these problems.
111. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Accordingly, a broad object of the invention can be to provide an
identification
element which can be generated in a sufficiently large number of permutations
and
combinations to allow a plurality of identifiable objects(s) to be
differentiated.
Additionally, the identification element can contain an amount of identifiable
object data
sufficient to verify identification of each member of the plurality of
identifiable objects
even when the plurality of identifiable objects contains two or more
substantially identical
members, as a non-limiting example, identical twins in a population.
Another broad object of the invention can be to provide an embedded data DNA
sequence as a particular embodiment of the identification element which can be
utilized
in whole or in part to differentiate and verify identity as to each of a
plurality of
identifiable objects. As to certain embodiments of the invention the embedded
data DNA
sequence can be utilized as part of an embedded DNA sequence security system
to verify
identity of a person authorized to access an amount of data embedded in the
embedded
data DNA sequence or correspondingly matched to the embedded data DNA sequence
or
to the person whose identity can be verified with the embedded data DNA and
stored in
any of a numerous and varied remote databases which can contain without
limitation
health information, financial information, security information, or the like.
The term "identifiable object(s)" as used herein broadly encompasses any
object
including, without limitation, a person, an animal, a plant, or any isolated
part or
collection thereof such as an organ(s), a tissue(s), a cell(s) or cell
line(s); a biological
particle such as a virus, a bacteria, a clone, a prion, or any isolated part
or collection
thereof; an article of manufacture or any isolated part or collection thereof,
or any other
isolatable object or collection of objects whether tangible or intangible for
which it may
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be desirable to associate an identifier for the purpose of differentiation.
The term "identifiable object data" as used herein broadly encompasses any
manner of data relatable to the identifiable object which can be encoded by
use of an
algorithm to produce a linear sequence of data elements such as digital code
and decoded
by use of a corresponding algorithm to produce the original identifiable
object data which
can include without limitation "DNA sequence data" of a single gene or a
plurality of
genes, in part or in whole, obtained from a person, animal, organ, tissue,
cell or cell line,
bacteria, virus, or other biological particle containing DNA and specifically
DNA regions
of sufficiently high degree of variability to allow identity verification
among a plurality of
objects with substantially one-hundred percent certainty whether obtained from
the
identifiable object or another source and can be as to certain embodiments of
the
invention the genes which encode for ribosomal ribonucleic acids or
mitochondrial
ribonucleic acids; biometric data such as face recognition, fingerprints, hand
geometry,
iris recognition, voice dynamics, signature, keystroke dynamics, hand vein
recognition,
ear recognition, facial thermogram, palm prints, or,like; parametric data such
as the name,
age, hair color, social security number, mother's maiden name, or the like;
data relating to
an article of manufacture without limitation the material, material
dimensions, method of
manufacture, method of use, or the like; health information; financial or
credit card
information; transaction information; image representations, document
representations;
DNA or RNA on magnetic strips of credit cards, ATM cards, and card based
identification documents; or the like.
The term "embed" or "embedded" or "embedding" broadly encompasses
generating one linear sequence of data elements from a plurality of
identifiable object
data fragments, as further described below. While typically each of the
plurality of
identifiable object fragments are oriented in the embedded sequence in the
same reading
direction as in the linear sequence of data elements from which the plurality
of
identifiable object data fragments was generated, one or more of the plurality
of
identifiable object fragments can be embedded in reverse of the original
reading direction.
Specifically, as to those embodiments of the invention which generate one
linear
sequence of DNA data elements from one or more than one plurality of DNA
fragments
with one or more of the DNA fragments established in the 3' to 5' orientation
or one or
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more of the DNA fragments established in the 5' to 3' orientation random
combination to
generate one linear sequence of DNA elements (A, G, C, T in combinations and
permutations which represent the primary structure of DNA molecules or are
utilized to
encode other identifiable object data as further discussed below).
The term "embedded DNA sequence" broadly encompasses any DNA sequence
generated by "embedding" one or more than one plurality of DNA fragments
regardless
as to whether any plurality of DNA fragments is generated by fragmenting an
amount of
DNA sequence representing the primary structure of a DNA molecule in whole or
in part
by or fragmenting a linear sequence of data elements corresponding to an
amount of
identifiable object data whether biometric data, parametric data, or other
manner of data
and translating such plurality of identifiable object data fragments (or
translating the a
linear sequence of data elements corresponding to an amount of identifiable
object data
prior to translation) to generate a plurality of DNA fragments.
Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughout other
areas of
the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 provides a block diagram of the hardware and software components of a
particular embodiment of the inventive embedded data DNA sequence security
system.
Figure 2 provides a block diagram which shows a particular method of producing
an embodiment of the inventive embedded data DNA sequences.
Figure 3 provides a block diagrain which shows a particular method of
producing
DNA sequence fragments.
Figure 4 provides a block diagram which shows a particular method of producing
DNA sequence fragments.
Figure 5 provides a block diagram which shows a particular method of producing
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DNA sequence fragments.
Figure 6 provides an example of an embedded data DNA sequence which can be
utilized as an identification element of an identifiable object.
Figure 7 provides the example of an embedded data DNA sequence indicating the
DNA sequence fragments generated in Figure 3 in regular type font, the DNA
sequence
fragments generated in Figure 4 set out in bold type font, and the DNA
sequence
fragments generated in Figure 5 in italics.
V. MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
According to various embodiments of the invention, the shortcoinings of
conventional information security systems are addressed by providing a
computer-based
embedded data DNA sequence security system and methods of making and using
embedded data DNA sequences and embedded data DNA sequence security systems.
The present inventive embedded data DNA sequence security system may be
described herein in terms of functional block components, screen shots,
optional
selections and various process steps. It should be appreciated that such
functional blocks
may be realized by any number of hardware or software components configured to
perform the specified functions. For example, the present invention may employ
various
integrated circuit components which function without limitation as memory
elements,
processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may
carry out a
variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other
control
devices.
Similarly, the software elements of the present invention may be implemented
with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, COBOL,
assembler,
PERL, Labview or any graphical user interface programming language, extensible
markup language (XML), Microsoft's Visual Studio NET, Visual Basic, or the
like, with
the various algorithms or Boolean Logic being implemented with any combination
of data
structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements.
Further, it should
be noted that the present invention might employ any nuinber of conventional
techniques
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for data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the
like.
It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown and
described
herein are illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not
intended to otherwise
limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Indeed, for the sake of
brevity,
conventional data networking, application development and other functional
aspects of
the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the
systems) may
not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in
the various
figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional
relationships
and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted
that many
alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may
be present
in a practical electronic security system.
As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the present
invention
may be embodied as a method, a data processing system, a device for data
processing, a
computer program product, or the like. Accordingly, the present invention may
take the
form of an entirely software embodiment, an entirely hardware embodiment, or
an
embodiment combining aspects of both software and hardware. Furthermore, the
present
invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-
readable
storage medium having computer-readable program code means embodied in the
storage
medium. Any suitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized,
including hard
disks, CD-ROM, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, ROM, flash
RAM, or
the like.
The present invention may be described herein with reference to screen shots,
block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of the embedded data DNA sequence
security
system or embedded data DNA sequence security computer programs, applications,
or
modules which can be utilized separately or in combination with such embedded
data
DNA sequence security system in accordance with various aspects or
embodiinents of the
invention. It will be understood that each functional block of the block
diagrams and the
flowchart illustrations, and combinations of functional blocks in the block
diagrams and
flowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computer program
instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto a general
purpose
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computer, special purpose computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or
other
programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the
functions
specified in the flowchart block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable
memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the
computer-readable
memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which
implement
the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks. The computer program
instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data
processing
apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the
computer or other
programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the
instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus
provide
steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or
blocks.
Accordingly, functional blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart
illustrations
support combinations of means for performing the specified functions,
combinations of
steps for performing the specified functions, and program instruction means
for
perfonning the specified functions. It will also be understood that each
functional block
of the block diagrains and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of
functional blocks
in the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by
either special
purpose hardware based computer systems which perform the specified functions
or
steps, or suitable combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions.
Now referring primarily to Figure 1, which shows a block diagram of a non-
limiting
embodiment of a computer which can be utilized to implement embodiments of the
embedded data DNA sequence security system including, without limitation, a
server
computer (1) having at least one processing unit (2), a memory element (3),
and a bus (4)
which operably couples components of the computer (1), including, without
limitation the
memory element (3) to the processing unit (2). The server computer (1) may be
a
conventional computer, a distributed computer, or any other type of computer;
the
invention is not so limited. The processing unit (2) can comprise without
limitation one
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central-processing unit (CPU), or a plurality of processing units which
operate in parallel
to process digital information, or a digital signal processor (DSP) plus a
host processor, or
the like. The bus (4) can be without limitation any of several types of bus
configurations
such as a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using any
of a variety of bus architectures. The memory element (3) can without
limitation be a read
only memory (ROM) (5) or a random access memory (RAM)(6), or both. A basic
input/output system (BIOS)(7), containing routines that assist transfer of
data between the
components of the computer (1), for example during start-up, can be stored in
ROM (5).
The computer (1) can further include a hard disk drive (8) for reading from
and writing to
a hard disk (not shown) a magnetic disk drive (9) for reading from or writing
to a
removable magnetic disk (10), and an optical disk drive (11) for reading from
or writing
to a removable optical disk (12) such as a CD ROM or other optical media.
The hard disk drive (8), magnetic disk drive (9), and optical disk drive (10)
are
connected to the bus (4) by a hard disk drive interface (13), a magnetic disk
drive
interface (14), and an optical disk drive interface (15), respectively. The
drives and their
associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-
readable
instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the server
computer (1).
It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any type of computer-
readable media
that can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic
cassettes, flash
memory cards, digital video disks, Bez-noulli cartridges, random access
memories
(RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may be used in the exemplary
operating environment.
The computer (1) can further include an operating system (16) and an embedded
data DNA sequence security application (17). The particular non-limiting
embodiment of
the embedded data DNA sequence security application (17) as shown in the
Figure and
described below includes application modules that provide: a random number
generator
(44), a DNA sequence buffer (45), a DNA sequence generator (46), a DNA
sequence
fragment generator (47), a parametric sequence buffer (48), a parametric
sequence
generator (49), a parametric sequence fragment generator (50), a biometric
sequence
buffer (51), a biometric sequence generator (52), a biometric sequence
fragment generator
(53), a sequence translator (54), an embedded sequence generator (55), a
sequence
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compressor-decompressor (56), an embedded sequence buffer (57), a vector
configuration generator (58), and a sequence counter (59), each described in
greater detail
below, may be stored on or in the hard disk, magnetic disk (10), optical disk
(12), ROM
(5), in RAM (6) as shown by the particular embodiment of Figure 1, or
alternately the
functionalities of the embedded data DNA sequence application (17) may be
implemented as an application specific integrated chip (ASIC) or file
programmable gate
array (FPGA), or the like.
A computer user (22) can enter commands and information into the server
computer
(1) through input devices such as a keyboard (23) and pointing device such as
a mouse
(24). Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game
pad,
satellite dish, scanner, magnetic strip of a credit card, ATM card, or other
form of identity
card, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing unit
(2) through a serial port interface (25) that can be coupled to the bus (4),
but may be
connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port, or a
universal serial bus
(USB). A monitor (26) or other type of display device can also be connected to
the bus
(4) via interfaces such as a video adapter (27), or the like. In addition to
the monitor (24),
the server computer (1) can further include other peripheral output devices
(28), such as
speakers and printers.
A "click event" occurs when the computer user (22) operates at least one
function of
the embedded data DNA sequence security application (17), or other program or
other
application function, through the use of a command which for example can
include
pressing or releasing the left mouse button (29) while a pointer (30) is
located over a
control icon (31) displayed on the monitor (26). However, it is not intended
that a "click
event" be limited to the press and release of the left button (29) on a mouse
(24) while a
pointer (30) is located over a control icon (31). Rather, the term "click
event" is intend to
broadly encompass a command by the computer user (22) through which a function
of the
operating system (16) or an application such as the embedded data DNA sequence
security application (17) is activated or performed, whether through clickable
selection of
one or a plurality of control icon(s) (31) or by computer user (22) voice
command,
keyboard stroke(s), mouse button, touch screen, or otherwise. It is further
intended that
control icons (31) can be configured without limitation as a point, a circle,
a triangle, a
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square (or other geometric configurations or combinations or permutations
thereof), or as
a check box, a drop down list or other index containing a plurality of
identifiers, an
information field which can contain or which allows input of a string of
alphanumeric
characters such as a street address, zip code, county code, or natural area
code, or by
inputting a latitude/longitude or projected coordinate X and Y, or other
notation, script,
character, or the like.
The server computer (1) may operate in a networked environment using logical
connections (33)(34) to one or a plurality of remote server computers (35).
These logical
connections (33)(34) are achieved by a communication device (36)(41) coupled
to or a
part of the server computer (1); the invention is not limited to a particular
type of
communications device (36)(41). Each remote server computer (35) can include a
part or
all of the elements above-described as included in the server computer (1)
although only a
single box has been illustrated in Figure 1 for the remote server computer
(35). The
remote server computer (35) can provide a searchable database (37) in which
embedded
data DNA sequences (38) of clients (39) can be retrievably stored. The logical
connections (33)(34) depicted in Figure 1 can establish a local-area network
(LAN) or a
wide-area network (WAN). Such networking environments are commonplace in
offices,
enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet (42). Similarly,
each of the
plurality of remote server computers (35) can operate in the networked
environment using
similar logical connections (42)(43) to communicate with one or a plurality of
client
computers (40). Each client computer (40) can include a part or all of the
elements
described herein for the server computer (1).
When used in a LAN-networking environment, the server computer (1) can be
connected to the local network (33) through a network interface or adapter,
which is one
type of communications device (41). When used in a WAN-networking environment,
the
server computer (1) typically includes a modem (36), a type of communications
device,
or any other type of communications device for establishing communications
over the
wide area network, such as the Internet (42). The modem (36), which may be
internal or
external, is connected to the bus (4) via the serial port interface (25). In a
networked
environment, the embedded data DNA sequence security application (17), or
portions
thereof, may be stored in the remote server computer (35) or in the client
computer (40).
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It is appreciated that the logical connections (33)(34)(42)(43) shown are
exemplary
and other hardware means and communications means for establishing a
communications
link between the server computer (1) and one or a plurality of remote server
computers
(35) and between each one of the plurality of remote server computers (35) and
each of a
plurality of client computers (40) can be utilized.
While the computer means and the network means shown in Figure l can be
utilized to practice preferred embodiments of the invention including the best
mode, it is
not intended that the description of the best mode of the invention or any
preferred
embodiment of the invention be limiting with respect to the utilization of a
wide variety
of similar, different, or equivalent computer means or network means to
practice
embodiments of the invention which include without limitation hand-held
devices, such
as personal digital assistants or camera/cell phone, multiprocessor systems,
microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, PLCs, or the like.
Now referring primarily to Figures 1-7, a particular method of generating an
identification element (19)(see Figure 1) and specifically an embedded data
DNA
sequence (38)(see Figures 1, 6 and 7) which can be utilized for
identification,
authentication, verification, or differentiation of each of a plurality of
identifiable objects
(60), as above described is shown. While a particular method of producing an
identification element (19) or an embedded data DNA sequence (38) is shown and
described as a plurality of consecutive steps, it is not intended that the
steps to make and
use embodiments of the invention be performed in the consecutive order shown
and
described. Rather, the particular method of generating an identification
element (19) or
an embedded data DNA sequence (38) as shown and described is intended to
provide an
example of how to make and use certain elements and functions of the invention
which
can be ordered in numerous and varied ways whether in serial or in parallel to
generate
the embedded data DNA sequence (38) or the identification element (19)
utilizing a fewer
or greater steps whether in the same or different order than those shown or
described to
generate an embedded data DNA sequence (38).
Now referring primarily to Figure 2, in a first step (61), a cell sample
(62)(the
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term "cell sample" broadly encompassing any, sample regardless of the source
(for
example, human, animal, plant, bacteria, virus, or the like) which can be
manipulated by
one or more procedures to yield an amount of DNA sequence data (64)(also
referred to as
DNA sequence data) represented by a linear sequence of DNA data elements
including
A, G, C, and T in various permutations and combinations to encode each of
Adenosine,
Guanine, Cytosine, and Thymine. As to certain example of a non-limiting
embodiment of
the invention the cell sample (62) can be obtained from a person (63) by
performing a
buccal swab which engages a cotton swab with the cheek inside the mouth of the
donor
(63). The buccal swab collects epitheliall cells off the cheek inside the
mouth of the
person (63). Because all nucleated cells of a person (63) have the same DNA,
the
epithelial cells collected on the swab will contain DNA suitable use in the
method of
producing of embedded data DNA sequence (38). However, it is not intended that
the
invention be limited to collection of the cell sample (62) by a buccal swab.
Rather it is to
be understood that the cell sample (62) can be obtained from the person
(63)(or animal,
plant, cell, clone, bacteria, or other DNA containing particle) through a
variety of
procedures all of which may suitable for processing to obtain an amount of DNA
sequence data (64).
One inanner of obtaining an amount of DNA sequence data (64) can be to amplify
target regions of DNA isolated from the cell sainple (62) using polymerase
chain reaction
("PCR"). See for example, White, Bruce A., ed. PCR Cloning Protocols: From
Molecailar Cloning to Genetic Engineering. Methods in Molecular Biology,
Volume 67.
Totowa: Humana Press Inc (1997), hereby incorporated by reference herein. The
target
regions of the DNA to be amplified can be selected by utilizing short DNA
oligonucleotide primers that are complimentary to and anneal with the DNA
sequences
flanking the genes which encode ribosomal ribonucleic acids ("rRNAs") or other
genes or
regions of the chromosome which separately or in combination can provide
sufficient
variability as above-described. PCR allows extension of the annealed primers
to include
about eight kilobases of the target region of the DNA.
rRNAs contain regions in which the primary sequence can be highly variable as
well as short regions of primary sequence which is universally conserved.
These highly
variable regions of the amplified rRNA coding regions of chromosomal and
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mitochondrial DNA (or other DNA sequences having a similar level of sequence
variability) can be utilized in the production of embedded data DNA sequence
(38) or
other identification elements (19).
The DNA sequence data (64) of the amplified target regions of the DNA obtained
from the person (63) can be analyzed utilizing the chain-termination method
developed
by Frederick Sanger and coworkers in 1975. See DNA Sequeneing With Chain-
.Terminating Inhibitors, Proe. Natl. Acad. Sci. 74(12): 5463-5467 (1977),
hereby
incorporated by reference herein. However, it is to be understood that any
manner of
obtaining an amount of DNA sequence data (64) of the DNA target regions can be
utilized to provide the amount of DNA sequence data (64) for use in the
production of
embedded data DNA sequence (38) or other identification element (19). As to
certain
embodiments of the invention, the DNA sequence data (64) obtained can be
stored in the
memory element (72) of the DNA sequence buffer (45) and can be retrieved by
operation
of the DNA sequence generator (46).
Certain embodiments of the invention can utilize the DNA sequence data (64)
corresponding to variable regions of rRNA genes for the production of embedded
data
DNA sequence (38) or identification elements (19). An advantage of utilizing
rRNA
genes for the production of identification elements (19) or embedded data DNA
sequence
(38) can be that the variable regions of the rRNA genes exhibit a high degree
of base
pairing important in secondary and tertiary conformers of the rRNA molecule.
As such,
when two bases in the same rRNA molecule are involved in base pairing or
higher order
secondary or tertiary interactions, a base substitution at one position
involved in the
interaction can be indicative of necessary corresponding substitutions at
other positions in
the molecule. Analysis of these base substitutions and the corresponding
substitutions at
remote locations in genes which encode for the rRNA can provide a unique tool
for
identifying the person (63). Additionally, an amount of DNA sequence data (64)
when
obtained from a mitochondrial DNA can provide a maternal identifier sequence
which
can be used to establish a level of familial relatedness between the person
(63) and other
persons similar to the use of the "mother's maiden name" as a personal
identifier except
that the maternal identifier sequence will be entirely unique to the person.
In a second step (65), biometric data (66) such as face recognition,
fingerprints,
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hand geometry, iris recognition, voice dynamics, signature, keystroke
dynamics, hand
vein recognition, ear recognition, facial thermogram, palm prints, or the
like, can be
utilized in the production of embedded data DNA sequence (38) or other
identification
elements (19). As to certain embodiments of the invention, the biometric data
(66)
obtained can be stored in the memory element (74) of the biometric sequence
buffer (51)
and can be retrieved by operation the biometric sequence generator (51).
Similarly, as to other embodiments of the invention relating to the
differentiation,
identification, authentication, or verification of any of the plurality of
identifiable objects
(60) which cannot yield DNA from a biological source or biometric data from a
biological entity (such as articles of manufacture, documents, or the like)
parametric data
(67) only can be obtained which can be utilized in the production of embedded
data DNA
sequence, even as to those embodiments of invention in which the first step
(61) is not
incorporated or where no DNA sequence is obtained from a cell sample (62). As
to
certain enibodiments of the invention, the parametric data (67) obtained can
be stored in
the memory element (73) of the parametric sequence buffer (48) and can be
retrieved by
operation of the parametric sequence generator (49).
As but one example of biometric data (66) which can be obtained in the second
step (65), a linear array of sites on the amplified DNA can be recognized and
cleaved by
specific restriction endonucleases to generate a set of DNA fragments that
contain the
highly variable regions of the amplified DNA unique to the identified person
(63). The
set of DNA fragments containing the unique variable regions can be separated
by
electrophoresis in an agarose gel to generate a DNA fragment pattern (DNA
fingerprint)
unique to the person (63) which can be visualized under UV illumination and
images of
the pattern produced by photographic or digital means. The DNA fingerprint can
be used
to identify the person (63) with a certainty on the order of 99.9% even in the
case when
the person (63) is one of identical twins.
As to certain embodiments of the invention, only one of the DNA sequence
generator (46), the parametric sequence generator (49), or the biometric
sequence
generator (52) may be provided along with the corresponding function, or
alternately the
respective functions of these plurality of sequence generators may be combined
into a
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single sequence generator. Additionally, certain embodiments of the invention
may
include each one of: the DNA sequence generator (46), the parametric sequence
generator
(49), or the biometric sequence generator (52) but only one may be utilized
depending on
the particular application. Moreover, as to certain embodiments of the
invention, the order
in which the DNA sequence generator (46), parametric sequence generator (49),
biometric sequence generator (52) are activated or function may vary depending
upon the
application. To broadly describe each of these alternate embodiments of the
invention in
generic fashion, these components may also be referred to as: a first linear
sequence
generator, a second linear sequence generator, and a third linear sequence
generator each
of which can function in serial or in parallel can correspondingly generate a
first linear
sequence of data elements, a second linear sequence of data elements, and a
third linear
sequence of data elements corresponding to a first amount of identifiable
object data, a
second amount of identifiable object data, and a third amount of identifiable
object data,
and so forth.
In a third step (68), a sequence translator (54) of the embedded DNA sequence
security application (17) can function to encode each of the first linear
sequence of data
elements, the second linear sequence of data elements, or the third linear
sequence of data
elements into a corresponding linear sequence utilizing the characters A, G,
C, and T in
combinations or permutations which can be decoded to generate the original
linear
sequence of data elements. For example, in the embodiment of the invention
shown by
Figures 1 and 2, a sequence translator (54) can translate an amount of
parametric data
(67) and an amount of biometric data (66) to a corresponding amount of
parametric data
sequence (69) and amount of biometric data sequence (70) each including the
characters
A, G, C, and T in serial linear combinations or permutations which can be
decoded to
generate the original amount of parametric data (67) or the original amount of
biometric
data (66). The DNA sequence data (64) from biological sources being already
obtained
in the prior first step (61).
In a fourth step (71), the DNA sequence data (64) and the parametric data
sequence (69) and the biometric data sequence (70) are each separately stored
into the
respective memory elements (72)(73)(74) of the DNA sequence buffer (45), the
parametric sequence buffer (48), and the biometric sequence buffer (51) of the
embedded
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data DNA sequence security application (17).
In a fifth step (75), the random number generator (44) of the embedded data
DNA
sequence security application (17) generates sets of random numbers such as a
first set of
random numbers (RL1=RL1 i, RL12 ...)(76), a second set of random numbers
(RL2=RL2i,
RL2,,.,)(77), and a third set of random numbers ( RL3=RL31, RL32 ,.,)(greater
or fewer
sets of random numbers can be generated depending on the embodiment of the
invention).
The random number generator (44) can utilize any algorithm which generates a
sufficient
degree of randomness in the sets of random numbers (76)(77)(78). As but one
example
without limitation, the random number generator (44) can be a CryptGenRandom
random
number generator function included in Microsoft Corporation's Cryptographic
Application Programming Interface, or similar random number generator
function. As to
a particular embodiment of the invention, the random number generator (44)
generates
the first set of random numbers (76) which can be utilized by the DNA sequence
buffer
(45) and the second set of random numbers (77) which can be utilized by the
parametric
sequence buffer (48) or the biometric sequence buffer (51) as further
described below. ln
a second embodiment of the invention, the random number generator (44) can
further
generate a third set of random numbers (78) utilized by either the parametric
sequence
buffer (48) or the biometric sequence buffer (51).
Now referring primarily to Figures 1, 2, and 3, in a sixth step (79), the DNA
sequence generator (46) of the DNA sequence buffer (45)(or the first linear
sequence
generator) functions to retrieve the DNA sequence data (64) prior stored
corresponding to
the cell sample (62) obtained from the person (63). The DNA sequence fragment
generator (47) of the DNA sequence buffer (45)(or the first sequence fragment
generator)
can function to fragment the DNA sequence(s)(64) to establish a plurality of
DNA
sequence fragments (80)(or first plurality of DNA sequence fragments) based
upon the
first set of random numbers (76). As shown in Figure 3, the first set of
random numbers
(RL 1=RL 11. RL 12 ,.)(76) can be applied to the DNA sequence data (64) such
that where
RL1 1= 20 the first 20 consecutive positions of the DNA sequence data (64) are
isolated as
a first DNA fragment (D l). Where RL 1 z= 34 the next 34 consecutive positions
of the
DNA sequence data (64) are isolated as the second DNA fragment (D2), and so
forth.
Now referring primarily to Figures 1, 2 and 4, in a seventh step (83) the
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parametric sequence generator (49) of the parametric sequence buffer (48)(or
the second
linear sequence generator) can function to retrieve the parametric data
sequence (69)
which corresponds to the person (63) or the identifiable object (60). The
parametric
sequence fragment generator (50) of the parametric sequence buffer (48) (or
second
sequence fragment generator) can function to fragment the parametric data
sequence (69)
into a plurality of parametric data sequence fragments (82)(or second
plurality of DNA
sequence fragments) based on the second set of random numbers (77). As shown
in
Figure 4, the second set of random numbers (RL2=RL2,_ RL22 ...)(77) can be
applied to
the parametric data sequence (69) such that where RL211= 8 the first 8
consecutive
positions of the parametric data sequence (69) are isolated as a first
parametric data
sequence fragment (P 1). Where RL22 = 12 the next 12 consecutive positions of
the
parametric data sequence (69) are isolated as the second parametric data
sequence
fragment (P2), and so forth.
Now referring primarily to Figures 1, 2, and 5, in an eighth step (84) the
biometric
sequence generator (52) of the parametric sequence buffer (51) (or third
linear sequence
generator) can function to retrieve the biometric data sequence (70) which
corresponds to
the person (63). The biometric sequence fragment generator (53) of the
biometric
sequence buffer (51) (or third sequence fragment generator) can function to
fragment the
biometric data sequence (70) into a plurality of parametric data sequence
fragments
(85)(or third plurality of DNA fragments) based on the third set of random
numbers (78).
As shown in Figure 5, the third set of random numbers (RL3=RL3,, RL32 ._.)(78)
can be
applied to the biometric data sequence (70) such that where RL3,= 15 the first
15
consecutive positions of the biometric data sequence (70) are isolated as a
first biometric
data sequence fragment (B1). Where RL32 = 7 the next 7 consecutive positions
of the
biometric data sequence (70) are isolated as the second biometric data
sequence fragment
(B2), and so forth.
Now referring primarily to Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7, in a ninth step (86) an
embedded
sequence generator (55) can function to generate an identification element
(19) by
generating one linear sequence of data elements from a plurality of
identifiable object
data fragments assembled or coupled end to end in random order. While
typically each of
the plurality of identifiable object fragments are oriented in the embedded
sequence in the
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same reading direction as in the linear sequence of data elements from which
the plurality
of identifiable object data fragments was generated, one or more of the
plurality of
identifiable object fragments can be embedded in reverse of the original
reading direction.
Specifically, as to those embodiments of the invention which include a
sequence
translator (54) the embedded sequence generator (55) can function to generate
one linear
sequence of DNA data elements from a first plurality of DNA fragments by
random
combination end to end typically with the DNA fragments established in the 3'
to 5'
reading'direction in random combination; however, this does not preclude one
or more of
the DNA fragments being established in the 5' to 3' reading direction in the
random
combination, to generate one linear sequence of DNA data elements. In an
alternate
embodiment, the embedded sequence generator (55) can function to generate an
embedded data DNA sequence (38) having a singular sequence of DNA sequence
data
elements from more than one plurality of DNA fragments (such as first
plurality and a
second plurality of DNA fragments or a first plurality, a second plurality and
a third
plurality of DNA fragments) by coupling the first plurality of DNA sequence
fragments,
the second plurality of DNA sequence fragments, the third plurality of DNA
sequence
fragments (if a third plurality of DNA sequence fragments are generated) by
random
combination end to end with one or more DNA fragments established in the 3' to
5'
reading direction. Again, this does not preclude a 5' to 3' reading direction
with regard to
a part of the embedded data DNA sequence (38). The einbedding process can
function to
intercalate an amount of DNA sequence data (64) obtained from biological
sources such
as a person (63) with an amount of DNA sequence data (64) obtained by
translating an
amount of identifiable object data such as an amount of parametric data (67)
or an amount
of biometric data (66). Various commercially available string insertion,
deletion, and
extraction algorithms can be modified to perform the functions of the encoding
and
decoding functions to embed an amount of DNA sequence data (64), biometric
data
sequence (70), parametric data sequence data (69) into a linear sequence of
DNA
elements.
Now referring primarily to Figures 1 and 2, in a tenth step (87), a vector
configuration generator (58) can function along with the sequence translator
(54) to
configure dynamic values (88)(values which can change) such as time, date,
geographic
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coordinates of the person (63), or the like, as vector data sequences (89) and
embed one
or a plurality vector data sequence(s) (89) as part of the embedded data DNA
sequence
(38).
Now referring primarily to Figure 1, the inventive embedded data DNA sequence
security application (17) can further include a sequence compressor-
decompressor (56)
which utilizes an algorithm to store the embedded data DNA sequence (38)
utilizing less
space in the memory elements (72)(73)(74) or other similar memory element.
Again referring primarily to Figure 1, the inventive embedded data DNA
sequence
security application (17) can further include an embedded sequence buffer (57)
which
functions to provide temporary storage of the embedded data DNA
sequence(s)(38),
sequence compressor-decompressor (56), and the embedded sequence generator
(55). In
addition, the embedded sequence buffer (57) can further function to validate
the
embedded data DNA sequence (38). In this regard, the embedded sequence buffer
(57)
can include data communication error recognition algorithms such as cyclic
redundancy
checksum, frame checksum or Forward Error Correction and can further function
to
coinpare embedded DNA sequence(s)(38) against invalid DNA sequences. As but
one
non-limiting example, if the received DNA sequence received contained all A's,
T's, C's
or G's (for example, the DNA Sequence ={AAAAAAAA....... A} ) such DNA
sequences would be considered invalid DNA sequences.
Again referring primarily to Figure 1, the inventive embedded data DNA
sequence
security application (17) can further include a sequence counter (59) which
can function
to track all statistics and counters during generation of the embedded data
DNA
sequence(s) (38).
Again referring primarily to Figure 1, the inventive embedded data DNA
sequence
security application (17) can function to allow a client (39) which may be a
patient
requiring access to medical information from a remote location by utilization
of one of a
plurality of client computers (40). The server computer (1) can serve a
graphic user
interface module (91) to each one of the plurality of client computers (40)
through the
WAN utilizing the Internet (42) which can function by operation of the client
computer
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(40) to generate a graphic user interface (90) which allows the client (39) to
enter by click
event either manually or from diskette (10), computer disk (12) or other
memory, or by
obtaining DNA sequence data (64) by DNA sequence analysis as above-described
of a
cell sample (62) obtained from the client (39), or other data entry method or
combination
of data entry methods, the embedded data DNA sequence (whether in whole or in
part)
into the client computer (40) to identify the client (39). Identification of
the client (39)
can authorize client (39) access to one or more of the plurality of remote
server
computers (35) and retrieve data such as medical records correspondingly
matched to the
embedded data DNA sequence in the searchable database (37) of the remote
server
computer (35) or to have the embedded DNA sequence decoder (92) function to
decode
portions of the embedded data DNA sequence (38) to retrieve and display in
whole or in
part DNA sequence data (64), biometric data (66) or parametric data (67).
Understandably, the embedded data DNA sequence (38) can be used in a variety
of applications to allow identification of the client (39) to provide access
to a numerous
and wide variety of searchable databases (37) of a correspondingly numerous
and wide
variety of remote server computers (37) used to store as examples without
limitation:
health information, security information, financial and credit card
infonnation, terrorist
information, manufacturing and product information.
As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the
present
invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. The invention involves
numerous and
varied embodiments of an embedded data DNA sequence security system and
methods of
making and using ernbedded data DNA sequences and embedded data DNA sequence
security systems As such, the particular embodiments or elements of the
invention
disclosed by the description or shown in the figures accompanying this
application are not
intended to be limiting, but rather exemplary of the numerous and varied
embodiments
generically encompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with
respect to any
particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description of a single
embodiment or
element of the invention may not explicitly describe all embodiments or
elements
possible; many alternatives are implicitly disclosed by the description and
figures.
It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each step of a
method
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may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Such terms can be
substituted
where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this
invention is
entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all steps of a
method may be
disclosed as an action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which
causes that
action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed as the
physical element
or the action which that physical element facilitates. As but one example, the
disclosure
of an "embedded sequence generator" should be understood to encompass
disclosure of
the act of "generating an embedded sequence" ..whether explicitly discussed or
not ..and,
conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of "generating an
embedded
sequence", such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of
an
"embedded sequence generator" and even a "means for generating an embedded
sequence." Such alternative terms for each element or step are to be
understood to be
explicitly included in the description.
In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its
utilization in
this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary
definitions
should be understood to be included in the description for each term as
contained in the
Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definition
hereby
incorporated by reference.
Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) each of the
embedded data DNA sequence security systems herein disclosed and described,
ii) the
related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even
implicit
variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative
embodiments which
accomplish each of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) those
alternative
designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are
implicit to
accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component,
and step
shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced
by the
various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced
by such
systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantially as described
hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, x) the
various
combinations and permutations of each of the previous elements disclosed.
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The background section of this patent application provides a statement of the
field
of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This section may also incorporate
or contain
paraphrasing of certain United States patents, patent applications,
publications, or subject
matter of the claimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or
concerns
about the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. It is
not intended
that any United States patent, patent application, publication, statement or
other
information cited or incorporated herein be interpreted, construed or deemed
to be
admitted as prior art with respect to the invention.
The claims set forth in this specification are hereby incorporated by
reference as part
of this description of the invention, and the applicant expressly reserves the
right to use
all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional
description to
support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and
the applicant
further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the
incorporated
content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the
description into the
claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is
sought by
this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-
in-part
application thereof or to obtain any benefit of reduction in fees pursuant to,
or to comply
with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such
content
incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this
application
including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part
application
thereof or any reissue or extension thereon. *
In addition, the claims set forth below are intended describe the metes and
bounds of
a limited number of the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to
be
construed as the broadest embodiment of the invention or a complete listing of
embodiments of the invention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive
any
right to develop further claims based upon the description set forth above as
a part of any
continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similar application.
23
