A self-service terminal (12) having a wireless communication port (28) for interacting with a user's portable device (60 or 70) is described. The terminal (12) may be an ATM, and includes a biometric device (35) for capturing biometric data from a user at the terminal (12). The terminal (12) is operable to receive biometric data from portable devices (60 or 70) within the vicinity (76) of the terminal (12), and compares the received biometric data with data captured by the biometric device (35) to determine which portable device (60 or 70) is associated with the user at the terminal (12). A method of executing a transaction at a self-service terminal (12) having a wireless communications port (28) is also described.

A method, apparatus and system for biometric authentication of a person are proposed. Since the detection of biometric data never matches 100 percent, authentication is already effected when the detected data exceed a defined threshold value in comparison to stored reference data. In order to increase security, the invention provides that information about the person's individual properties influencing the biometric data is stored and taken into account in the authentication process. For example, the threshold value is set low upon comparison of a fingerprint only if the person has exceptionally dry or moist skin. On the other hand, the sensor for detecting the biometric data of the fingerprint can also be set to be more sensitive or less sensitive depending on the stored information.

In an authentication apparatus, coordinates input from a coordinate detector via a plurality of discontinuous holes or openings, cutouts or marks provided on a member which is used to specify the coordinates are detected, and an authentication is made based on a comparison result of the detected coordinates and a plurality of registered coordinates.

In a system (e.g., debit card) where a PIN is entered as verification, the PIN and biometric information, which is free of being stolen or faked, are combined to realize secure user verification. The leakage and the theft of a PIN is reliably prevented, thereby realizing a high security ability. To-be-verified biometric feature data is transmitted from first transceiving interface (205) of data processing device (200) to portable electronic device (300). Biometric feature data verifying section (306) of portable electronic device (300) compares the to-be-verified biometric feature data, which has been received by second transceiving interface (301), with valid biometric feature data. If a predetermined matching condition between the to-be-verified biometric feature data and the valid biometric feature data is satisfied, a PIN stored in portable electronic device (300) is transmitted from second transceiving interface (301) to management device (400) via first transceiving interface (205) of data processing device (200).