System for vending products and services using an identification card and associated methods
First Claim
1. A method for determining a potential match between a target image and one or more of a plurality of template images, wherein the target image and the plurality of template images comprise a plurality of pixels, the method comprising in no particular order:
- (a) creating a first electronic file from at least a portion of the target image, the first file being indicative of the contrast between different pixels in the target image;
(b) creating a plurality of second electronic files from at least a portion of the plurality of template images, each of the second files being indicative of the contrast between different pixels in the corresponding template image; and
(c) electrically comparing the first file with each of the plurality of second files to determine a plurality of match errors between the first file and the plurality of second files, and storing the match errors in memory.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a highly integrated and flexible system for vending products and services to consumers. The system receives information in advance of the vend by having the consumer insert an identification (ID) card, preferably a driver'"'"'s license, into a point-of-purchase terminal (referred to as an OSU device). The OSU device preferably contains an Optical Scanning Unit (OSU), capable of scanning the textual information on the ID card. In one embodiment, the scanned information is compared against optical templates present in the system to discern or verify the information on the ID card, and is then used by the system to enable or disable the vending transaction, and/or to allow access to several preregistered system accounts.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for determining a potential match between a target image and one or more of a plurality of template images, wherein the target image and the plurality of template images comprise a plurality of pixels, the method comprising in no particular order:
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(a) creating a first electronic file from at least a portion of the target image, the first file being indicative of the contrast between different pixels in the target image;
(b) creating a plurality of second electronic files from at least a portion of the plurality of template images, each of the second files being indicative of the contrast between different pixels in the corresponding template image; and
(c) electrically comparing the first file with each of the plurality of second files to determine a plurality of match errors between the first file and the plurality of second files, and storing the match errors in memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of creating a data structure for an electronic image having pixels, where each pixel represents an intensity level, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a target pixel within the image, wherein the target pixel has a coordinate;
(b) calculating at least one value indicative of the relationship of the intensity level between the target pixel and at least one neighboring pixel;
(c) electronically storing the at least one value in the data structure at the same coordinate as the target pixel; and
(d) choosing another target pixel within the image and repeating steps (a) through (c) for the another target pixel. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for scanning a form containing an optically variable element, comprising:
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(a) illuminating incident first radiation onto the form;
(b) detecting reflected first radiation from the form to create a first image, wherein the incident first radiation and the reflected first radiation define a first angle;
(c) illuminating incident second radiation onto the form;
(d) detecting reflected second radiation from the form to create a second image, wherein the incident second radiation and the reflected second radiation define a second angle different from the first angle; and
(e) comparing the first and second images to create a third image of the optically variable element. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for scanning a form containing an optically variable element, comprising:
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(a) illuminating incident first radiation onto the form;
(b) detecting reflected first radiation from the form to create a first image;
(c) illuminating incident second radiation onto the form, wherein the second radiation comprises a wavelength different from the first radiation; and
(d) detecting reflected second radiation from the form to create a second image, wherein the optically variable element is substantially imaged only in the second image. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification