Method for verifying the identity of a passenger

• US 6,137,895 A
• Filed: 01/30/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Travel Photo LLC
• Original Assignee: Victor H. Shear
• Inventors: Al-Sheikh, Zaher
• Primary Examiner(s): Couso, Jose L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Duy M.
• Application Number:
  US09/016,099
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/118, 382/100, 235/384, 235/375, 235/376, 364/607, 364/401, 364/463, 283/86, 283/77, 283/93
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/42 Devices for identifying luggage; Means for attaching same
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/06 Picture of the user
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/20 characterised by a particular use or purpose
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person

Abstract

A conveyance boarding pass includes a human cognizable image of a passenger as well as the travel itinerary details. The human cognizable image is collected using a device capable of generating an electronic image at a time when the identification of the passenger is verified. Upon presenting the boarding pass the identity of the bearer is checked against the human cognizable image on the boarding pass to maintain the security of the transport system. The electronic image optionally is stored in a computer database in combination with the travel itinerary details for further security and other uses.

Claims

1. A method for encoding an aircraft boarding pass with an image of a passenger to facilitate identity verification of the passenger at the time of aircraft boarding, comprising the steps of:

verifying the identity of the passenger prior to the boarding of the said aircraft and at a location beyond a security perimeter surrounding said aircraft;

taking an electronic image of the passenger with a camera capable of generating a computer-storable image output;

associating said computer-storable image output with individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger, said details comprising passenger name, passenger destination, aircraft flight number, aircraft departure time and passenger seat assignment;

printing a human-cognizable image of the passenger directly onto a boarding pass, the boarding pass comprising;

a self-supporting substrate having a detachable perforation line transecting said substrate;

a blank conveyance form printed on said substrate, said form having an open section, and blank sections proportioned for individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger; and

said image of the passenger printed in the open section of said form; and

comparing the human-cognizable image on said boarding pass with the passenger presenting said boarding pass at the tire of boarding of said aircraft and at a location within said security perimeter isolating said aircraft.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

printing a second human-cognizable image of the passenger onto said boarding pass such that the perforation line is between said human-cognizable image and said second human cognizable image.

3. The method of claim 2 further including the step of:

dividing said substrate along the perforation line into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions having printed thereon individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger comprising;

passenger name, passenger destination, and passenger seat assignment.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

retrieving, in combination, said itinerary details and said computer-storable image output from a computer database in which said details and said output are stored.

5. A travel boarding pass for verifying the identity of the bearer, the boarding pass comprising:

a self-supporting substrate having a detachable perforation line transecting said substrate;

a blank conveyance form printed on said substrate, said form having an open section, and blank sections proportioned for printing individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger; and

a human cognizable image of the passenger printed in the open section of said form wherein said image is in electronic representation, printed directly onto said substrate.

6. The boarding pass of claim 5 further comprising a second image of the bearer such that the perforation line is between said image and said second image.

7. The boarding pass of claim 6 wherein said substrate is divisible along the perforation line into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions having printed thereon individualized conveyance details of the bearer including the bearer name, destination, departure time, and seat assignment.

8. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is accepted for aircraft travel.

9. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is accepted for cruise ship travel.

10. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is accepted for ski-lift travel.

11. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is accepted for rail travel.

12. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is accepted for bus travel.

13. The boarding pass of claim 5 further comprising a database from which said itinerary details in said human-cognizable image of the bearer are retrievable in combination.

14. A method for encoding an aircraft boarding pass with an image of a passenger to facilitate identity verification of the passenger at the time of aircraft boarding, comprising the steps of:

verifying the identity of the passenger prior to the boarding of the said aircraft and at a location beyond a security perimeter surrounding said aircraft;

taking an electronic image of the passenger with a camera capable of generating a computer-storable image output;

associating said compute-storable image output with individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger;

printing a bar code onto a boarding pass, said bar code referencing said computer-storable image output within a computer, the boarding pass comprising;

a self-supporting substrate having a detachable perforation line transecting said substrate;

a blank conveyance form printed on said substrate, said form having an open section, and blank sections proportioned for individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger; and

said bar code printed in the open section of said form;

reading said bar code with a bar code scanner to said computer database;

recalling a human-cognizable image of the passenger from said computer-storable image output, said computer-storable image output referenced to said bar code with said computer database;

displaying said human-cognizable image on a monitor interfaced with said computer database; and

comparing the human-cognizable image on said monitor with the passenger presenting said boarding pass at the time of boarding of said aircraft and at a location within said security perimeter isolating said aircraft.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

printing a second bar code referencing said computer-storable image onto said boarding pass such that the perforation line is between said bar code and said second bar code.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

retrieving, in combination, said itinerary details and said computer-storable image output from said computer database in which said details and said output are stored.