Handheld system and method for age verification

• US 7,152,787 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beacon Communications KK (Publicis Groupe SA)
• Original Assignee: Beacon Communications KK (Publicis Groupe SA)
• Inventors: Cheng, Russel C. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US11/161,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20060231610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A handheld computer enables an operator to authenticate an ID, determine if an ID holder is above a minimum age, and enables the collection of data about the ID holder if the ID holder is determined to be above the minimum age. The computer also displays an optional video after the age verification process is completed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

scanning an ID of an ID holder into an image, including a photo of the ID holder on the ID;

directly imaging a face of the ID holder;

comparing the scanned photo with the directly imaged face;

translating text from the image into computer editable text including a birth date of the ID holder;

determining if the ID holder is above a minimum age for usage of an age-restricted product based on the birth date and the current date; and

displaying an indication if the ID holder is not above the minimum age or if the directly imaged face does not correspond with the scanned photo.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the product includes a cigarette.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting answers to marketing questions from the ID holder and storing the answers from the ID holder.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating the ID.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the authenticating includes checking ink color and ink density.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the authenticating includes checking the thickness of the ID, reflective-abilities and paper quality.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the authenticating includes identifying security patterns on the ID.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiring biometric data of the ID holder and comparing the acquired biometric data with biometric data from the ID to verify the ID holder matches the biometric data from the ID.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising encrypting the translated text and storing the encrypted translated text into memory.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a video related to the product.

11. A system, comprising:

means for scanning an ID of an ID holder into an image, including a photo of the ID holder on the ID;

means for directly imaging a face of the ID holder;

means for comparing the scanned photo with the directly imaged face;

means for translating text from the image into computer editable text including a birth date of the ID holder;

means for determining if the ID holder is above a minimum age for usage of an age-restricted product based on the birth date and the current date; and

means for displaying an indication if the ID holder is not above the minimum age or if the directly imaged face does not correspond with the scanned photo.

12. A system, comprising:

a scanner capable of scanning an ID of an ID holder into an image, including a photo of the ID holder on the ID;

a biometric reader capable of directly imaging a face of the ID holder;

a biometric engine, communicative coupled to the reader and the scanner, capable of comparing the scanned photo with the directly imaged face;

an OCR engine capable of translating text from the image into computer editable text including a birth date of the ID holder;

an age engine, communicatively coupled to the OCR engine and the biometric engine, capable of determining if the ID holder is above a minimum age for usage of an age-restricted product based on the birth date and the current date; and

a display, communicatively coupled to the age engine, capable of displaying an indication if the ID holder is not above the minimum age or if the directly imaged face does not correspond with the scanned photo.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the product includes a cigarette.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a GUI, communicatively coupled to the age engine, capable of collecting answers to marketing questions from the and storing the answers ID holder.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising an authentication engine, communicatively coupled to a scanner engine that is communicatively coupled to the scanner, capable of authenticating the ID.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the authentication engine authenticates by identifying security patterns on the ID.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the authentication engine authenticates by checking ink color and ink density.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the authentication engine authenticates by checking the thickness of the ID, reflective-abilities and paper quality.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the biometric reader is further capable of acquiring biometric data of the ID holder and comparing the acquired biometric data with biometric data from the ID to verify the ID holder matches the biometric data from the ID.

20. The system of claim 12, further comprising an encryption engine, communicatively coupled to the OCR engine, capable of encrypting the translated text and storing the encrypted translated text into memory.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the display is further capable of displaying a video related to the product.