Identification system and method

• US 6,220,515 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 04/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph R. Bello
• Original Assignee: Ralph R. Bello
• Inventors: Bello, Ralph R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/460,958
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 235/454, 235/487
• US Class Current: 235/487
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1083 Counting of PIN attempts

Abstract

An identification method is disclosed which comprises establishing a database or using an existing database of authorized credit card holders which is addressed by credit card identification number or other identifying nomenclature to determine the validity of a credit card account and the status thereof when the card is presented for a transaction at a transaction point. The database will contain in digital form an identification (ID) photo of the authorized credit card holder, a digital representation of the signature of the authorized card holder and other personal and physical data as well as the condition of the account i.e. transaction authorized or declined. The attendant at the transaction point will insert the credit card into a card reader together with identification of the transaction (price and/or other data) and transmit this information to the database. The ID photo and selected other data will be transmitted back to the point of transaction and viewed by the attendant on a video monitor. The attendant will then make a comparison of the card presenter with the ID photo and continue with the transaction if positive comparison is made. If the attendant is not sure of visual identification the attendant may then question the presenter regarding the personal data in order to insure positive identification of the presenter.

Claims

1. A method of identification of the presenter of a credit card where the card is presented for a transaction at a point of transaction and where the card includes identifying indicia of an account of an authorized card holder and said indicia is machine read and transmitted to a database, said indicia is used to address an account of an authorized card holder in the database, a video monitor is included at said point of transaction to display information from an addressed account in said database and at least some information in the database account is transmitted to said monitor for display at said point of transaction to authorize or decline said transaction, said method further including the steps of acquiring a digital identification photograph of an authorized card holder and adding said identification photograph to said database of said authorized card holder whereby when the card of an authorized card holder is presented for a transaction at a point of transaction and said card is read, said identification photograph is displayed on the monitor.

2. The method of claim 1 including the further step of acquiring a digital representation of the signature of the authorized card holder and adding said digital representation of the signature to the database account of said authorized card holder whereby when a card is presented for a transaction and read at a point of transaction said monitor will display said identification photograph and said representation of said signature.

3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of entering into the database account of an authorized card holder physical identifying data of the authorized card holder whereby when said card is presented for a transaction and read at a point of transaction the physical data of said authorized card holder is displayed on said monitor together with said identification photograph.