Method and system for airport and building security

• US 6,674,367 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2001
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pathunt IP Management Limited
• Original Assignee: Clifford Sweatte
• Inventors: Sweatte, Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): TWEEL JR, JOHN ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US10/023,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20030214407A1
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/539, 340/506, 340/573.4, 340/10.42, 340/10.6, 455/88, 455/100, 235/384
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/10 using wireless transmission systems G08B25/009 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A method and system for airport or other building security where passengers or persons entering a building approach a check-in point or check-in counter and must undergo a positive identification (ID) by fingerprint scan, retinal or iris scan, face feature scan, or an other means of positive identification. A digital photograph can then be taken of the person. This data plus the positive ID data and optional data about the person including a scan of a government supplied ID like a drivers license or passport is entered in a database and checked against various law enforcement databases such as FBI or others for law enforcement interest in the person. The person is given an electronic card that has wireless capability. The person carries the card while in the airport or building. The system is notified when the person enters a secure gate area, boards or leaves an aircraft, etc. In addition, the system can determine if a person is carrying more than one card or if a card has been abandoned. The system detects and tracks any undesirable person in the airport or building an provides a means for apprehending the person by security or law enforcement personnel. In addition, immigration or customs can be notified about any undesirable person arriving in an airport or building. The system can track a passenger through airports and aircraft in the world air transportation system.

Claims

1. A security system comprising:

a positive identification means yielding a positive identification of an individual;

a database;

a check means for checking said positive identification against said database for law enforcement interest;

a wireless electronic card means capable of being located within a building by wireless methods, said wireless electronic card means carried by said person within said building;

a law enforcement detention means for performing a stop of said person if said check means indicates law enforcement interest in said person, said wireless electronic card means locating said person within said building for said stop.

2. The security system of claim 1 wherein said positive identification means is a face features scan.

3. The security system of claim 1 wherein said positive identification means is a fingerprint scan.

4. The security system of claim 1 wherein said wireless means is bluetooth technology.

5. The security system of claim 1 wherein said wireless means is a wireless wide-area-network.

6. The security system of claim 1 wherein said wireless means is a wireless local-area-network.

7. A method of building personnel security management comprising the steps of:

acquiring physical positive identification data on each person entering building complex;

performing an identity verification by checking positive identification data acquired against stored identification data in at least one database;

notifying law enforcement officials upon identification of any person entering said building complex of law enforcement interest;

issuing each person entering said building complex a wireless identification unit, said wireless identification unit kept on said person while said person is in said building complex;

tracking a location of said wireless unit while said person is in said building complex.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said building complex is an airport.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said building complex is an office building.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said wireless identification unit communicates via a wireless local-area-network.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said wireless identification unit communicates via Bluetooth.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of comparing said person against said database a second time when said person exits said building complex.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein acquiring said positive identification data is by taking a fingerprint.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein acquiring said positive identification data is by face feature scan.

15. The method of claim 7 further comprising locating said wireless identification unit if said unit is removed from said person.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of notifying law enforcement officials when said wireless identification unit is determined to have been removed from said person.

17. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of requiring said person to show a government generated ID card.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of notifying law enforcement officials when said government generated ID card does not match said positive identification data.

19. A method of security comprising the steps of taking positive identification data from a person entering a restricted area, comparing said positive identification data against at least one database, notifying an enforcement authority when said positive identification compared against said database indicates at least one of:

said positive identification does not match a government issued ID card or said comparing of said positive identification against said database indicates law enforcement interest, and issuing said person a wireless unit said unit able to be tracked in said restricted area.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said wireless unit reports a location to a central control point while in said restricted area.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said wireless unit communicates via a wireless local-area-network.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein said wireless unit contains a transponder.