VIRTUAL BADGE, DEVICE AND METHOD

• US 20130048720A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disaster Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: PathFinders International, LLC
• Inventors: Lewis, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,129,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A system, method, and device comprising a virtual badge are disclosed. A virtual badge can be displayed on a cell phone or in another linked portable device, and for security purposes, has images which can be scanned, and the capability to alternate colors and/or self-destruct on a pre-set schedule. Whether for after a disaster or for daily use, the system uses cell phones or mobile devices loaded with specialized software. Using plugin technologies, the system optionally can enable field collected photos and notes on customizable forms to be mapped, tracked, and time/date stamped—including in a 100% disconnected environment. A modifiable virtual badge can aid in inventory, accountability, organization, and efficiency. The system can be employed by the “Whole Community”—citizens, businesses, not-for-profits, and government agencies—for social media, business, cleanup, insurance adjusters, or personnel focused on day to day operations or on mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Claims

1. A method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge comprising:

establishing a customizable set of data to be included in an electronic identification system database for identifying one or more individuals from a user group using a virtual badge;

identifying at least one individual that requires electronic identification using said virtual badge;

providing an electronic profile for said individual;

creating a virtual badge based on said electronic profile;

said virtual badge having information, images, indicia, or combinations thereof which identify said individual;

providing each said individual access to said virtual badge; and

downloading said user'"'"'s virtual badge to a first display device.

2. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 1 further including the step of displaying said virtual badge on a first display device.

3. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 1 wherein said electronic display unit is adapted for GPS positioning functionality.

4. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 1 wherein said virtual badge includes a photo of said individual, a pictorial image, text, optical machine readable representations of data, or combinations thereof.

5. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 1 wherein said access to said virtual badge is through a web based portal, a laptop server, or combinations thereof.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of associating a pre-programmed, timed, self-destruct mechanism or expiration code into said first display device to render said virtual badge unusable after a prescribed time period.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of associating a color stripe or background into the virtual badge in said first display device.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7 wherein said color stripe or background is pre-programmed to change to a second color after a prescribed time period.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of preprogramming said first display device to include a sleep mode.

10. The method in accordance with claim 2 further including the step of linking said virtual badge image displayed on said first display device to a second display device.

11. The method in accordance with claim 3 further including the step of mapping, tracking, or combinations thereof, said virtual badge downloaded on said first display device.

12. The method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said virtual badge device is tracked using RFID or NFC.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of determining a location of said virtual badge;

and transmitting said location to a display unit controlled by an administrator of said system.

14. The method according to claim 11 wherein said location of said virtual badge is displayed on a map.

15. The method in accordance with claim 3 further including the step of determining at least one location of said virtual badge;

and storing said location within said first display device.

16. The method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said data received by said first display device is transferred to at least one data storage device controlled by said an administrator.

17. A method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge comprising:

establishing an administrative entity for administering an electronic identification system using a virtual badge;

identifying at least one user group to be registered with said administrative agency, said user group having at least one individual member requiring the use of said virtual badge;

said administrative entity establishing a customizable set of data to be included in an electronic identification system database for identifying one or more individuals from a user group using a virtual badge;

each said individual member registering with said administrative entity, said registration including providing information which identifies said individual;

creating said virtual badge for each said individual of said user group, said virtual badge having one or more identifying indicia unique to each said individual;

storing said virtual badge on a server administered by said administrative agency

providing each said individual of said user group access to said virtual badge; and

displaying said virtual badge on a first electronic display unit.

18. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 17 wherein said virtual badge includes a photo of said individual, a pictorial image, text, or combinations thereof.

19. The method in accordance with claim 17 further including the step of tracking said a virtual badge.

20. The method in accordance with claim 17 further including the step of tracking said virtual badge downloaded or displayed on said first electronic display unit.

21. The method in accordance with claim 17 further including the step of associating a pre-programmed expiration code into said first electronic display unit to render said virtual badge unusable after a prescribed time period.

22. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 17 further including the step of providing a second electronic display unit, said second electronic display unit operatively coupled to said first display unit, whereby displaying of said virtual image on said first display unit displays said image on said second electronic display unit.

23. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 22 wherein said second electronic display unit is operatively coupled to said first display unit using wireless technology.

24. The method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said virtual badge device is tracked using RFID or NFC.

25. The method in accordance with claim 19 further including the step of determining a location of said virtual badge;

and transmitting said location to a remote display unit.

26. The method according to claim 19 wherein said location of said virtual badge is displayed on a map.

27. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 17 further including the step of determining if said individual from said user group is eligible to participate in said electronic identification system using a virtual badge.

28. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 27 wherein said determination step includes determining if said individual has been charged or convicted of a crime, reviewing said user'"'"'s financial history, or combinations thereof.

29. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 17 wherein said virtual badge contains one or more security features.

30. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 29 wherein said security features includes colored backgrounds, images, or watermarks, or combinations thereof.

31. A method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area comprising:

establishing an administrative entity for administering an electronic identification system using a virtual badge for access to a predetermined area, said administrative entity registering and issuing said virtual badge to an individual authorized to receive said virtual badge;

providing an individual to be registered with said administrative agency;

establishing a database having indentifying information related to said individual, said data stored on a remote server controlled by said administrative entity;

creating a virtual badge for said individual, said virtual badge having one or more identifying indicia unique to each said individual, one or more information identifying said administrative agency, or combinations thereof;

providing said individual with electronic access to said virtual badge;

displaying said virtual badge on a first display unit, and

providing an on-site administrator for verifying the contents displayed on said virtual badge.

32. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 31 wherein said first display unit has GPS location functionality.

33. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 32 further including the steps of tracking said virtual badge prior to arrival at said pre-determined site.

34. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 32 further including the step of tracking said virtual badge when said badge is located within said predetermined area.

35. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 34 wherein said electronic device is tracked using RFID technology.

36. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 35 further including the step of providing at least one RFID reader, at least one NFC reader, or combinations thereof, within said predetermined area for tracking said virtual badge displayed on said electronic device.

37. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 31 further including a verification process, said verification process including the steps of:

prior to entry within said predetermined area, having said individual present said virtual badge to said on site administrator;

accessing data obtained from said administrative agency database;

obtaining data related to said individual user; and

confirming said data displayed on said virtual badge matches said data in said administrative agency database.

38. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 37 wherein said accessing data obtained from said administrative agency database includes at lest one device which is connected to said agency database through a server.

39. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 37 wherein said accessing data obtained from said administrative agency database includes at lest one device which is disconnected from said database.