Method of encoding identification cards and verifying such encoded identification cards, and apparatus for carrying out such a method

• US 5,825,005 A
• Filed: 01/04/1996
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alfons Behnke
• Original Assignee: Alfons Behnke
• Inventors: Behnke, Alfons
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Douglas X.
• Application Number:
  US08/569,224
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/382, 902/3, 382/115, 382/116, 382/124, 382/127
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass

Abstract

A method of codifying and comparing an identification card includes imprinting the identification card with a selected fingerprint of the owner which upon match with a corresponding natural fingerprint of the owner opens the access to a terminal that stores another fingerprint of the owner. If a comparison of this stored fingerprint matches also the corresponding natural fingerprint of the owner, the identification card is cleared for use.

Claims

1. A method of verifying the authenticity of a person using an identification card, comprising the steps of:

scanning and storing a plurality of fingerprints of a person by a fingerprint sensor;

selecting at least one of the fingerprints for use as a key code for storage on the identification card and registration in a storage unit;

selecting at least one of the remaining fingerprints for use as identification code and registration in the storage unit;

upon insertion of the identification card in a terminal, comparing in a first verification phase the key code with the registered fingerprint in the storage unit for initiation of an identification process when a positive match is determined by the terminal; and

reading a fingerprint of the person for comparison in a second verification phase with the registered identification code for authentication of the identification card when a positive match is determined between the fingerprint and the identification code.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said scanning step includes scanning all fingers of both hands of the person.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the key code is based on selection of a plurality of specific fingers of the person.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the identification code is stored in the storage unit in the form of a central database which is connected on-line to a fingerprint sensing and comparing device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the key code is stored in a hologram.

6. A method of identifying the owner of an article such as painting, porcelain, valuable prints and other objects of art;

comprising the steps of;

scanning and storing a plurality of fingerprints of the owner by a fingerprint sensor;

selecting at least one of the fingerprints for use as a key code for storage on the article and registration in a storage unit;

selecting at least one of the remaining fingerprints for use as identification code and registration in the storage unit;

comparing in a first verification phase the key code with the registered fingerprint in the storage unit for initiation of an identification process when a positive match is determined; and

reading a fingerprint of a person for comparison in a second verification phase with the registered identification code for determination of existence of a positive match between the person'"'"'s fingerprint and the identification code.

7. Apparatus for verifying the authenticity of a person using an identification card, comprising:

a fingerprint sensor for scanning and storing a plurality of fingerprints of a person;

a storage unit registering at least one of the fingerprints selected as a key code and printed on an identification card, and registering at least one of the remaining fingerprints for use as identification code; and

a comparator for comparing in a first verification phase the key code with the registered fingerprint in the storage unit for initiation of an identification process when a positive match is determined by the terminal, and reading a fingerprint of the person for comparison in a second verification phase with the registered identification code for authentication of the identification card when a positive match is determined between the fingerprint and the identification code.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the sensor has a main body formed with an arched sensor surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the sensor surface is drum-shaped and rotatable.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the sensor surface is made of a band-shaped transparent film.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, and further comprising a cleaning bath, said sensor surface of the main body traveling through the cleaning bath after taking of the fingerprints.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, placed in a room with an entrance being lockable by a signal as soon as one of the first and second verification phases results in a mismatch of fingerprints.