Real-time remote image capture system

• US 7,627,143 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2002
• Issued: 12/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Abebe, Muguleta S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carter; Aaron W
• Application Number:
  US10/126,868
• Time in Patent Office: 2,783 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115, 382/116, 382117-127, 235/380, 235/382, 235/382.5, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340 58- 586, 340/5.52, 340/5.53, 902 3- 6, 283/68, 283/69, 283/78, 713/186
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration

Abstract

Systems for remotely verifying the identity of an image include an identity capture device adapted to communicate with a computing device and a database. The identity capture device captures an image, and the computing device searches the database for information to authenticate and verify the image. For remotely connected computing devices, a communications network provides communication between the computing devices and the database. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for remotely verifying the identity of an unidentified image, comprising:

an identity capture device affixed to a badge operatively coupled to at least one computing device, the identity capture device adapted to capture the image;

a database accessible by the at least one computing device, the database having information for identifying the image by comparing the image against a plurality of records maintained in the database and finding a match amongst the plurality of records; and

a communications network operatively coupled to the at least one computing device, the communications network providing communication between the at least one computing device and the database,

wherein in response to finding the match amongst the plurality of records, the identity capture device provides its location, obtained using a Global Positioning System (GPS), to a monitoring center.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitting device operatively coupled to the identity capture device for sending the image to the at least one computing device and a receiving device operatively coupled to the at least one computing device for receiving the image sent from the transmitting device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the identity capture device further comprises a display device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the display device further comprises a touch-screen.

5. A method for verifying an unidentified image, comprising:

capturing the image using an identity capture device affixed to a badge;

accessing a database having information for identifying the image;

comparing the image captured by the identity capture device with the information in the database for a plurality of records maintained in the database to attempt to find a match amongst the plurality of records; and

in response to finding the match amongst the plurality of records, sending a location of the badge, obtained using a Global Positioning System (GPS), to a monitoring center.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising notifying a user of results of the comparing the image captured by the identity capture device with the information in the database.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining whether there is a match between the image and the information in the database.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising confirming an identity associated with the image when a match occurs between the image and the information in the database.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising re-capturing the image when a match does not occur between the image and the information in the database.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising rejecting the image when a match does not occur between the image and the information in the database.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein capturing the image using an identity capture device further comprises applying pressure to the identity capture device by placing a finger on the identity capture device.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein capturing the image using an identity capture device further comprises applying pressure to the identity capture device by writing on the identity capture device using a writing instrument.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein applying pressure to the identity capture device by writing on the identity capture device using a writing instrument further comprises providing a signature by signing a name on a display device.

14. A method for identifying an identity of an unknown person, comprising:

applying an identity capture device affixed to a badge to at least one monitored device, the at least one known monitored device associated with a known location;

sensing a touching of the identity capture device by the unknown person;

capturing an image of the unknown person;

comparing the image to records having identification information stored in a database for a plurality of persons; and

determining whether a match exists between the image and the records stored in the database and notifying authorities of an identity and a location of the touched identity capture device when a match occurs.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein applying an identity capture device to a monitored device is performed by applying the identity capture device to at least one of a safe, firearm, identification card, or cash register.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting a signal containing the image to a receiving device.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising saving the image as a record in the database when a match does not occur between the image and the record.

18. A system for verifying an identity of an unidentified image, comprising:

an identity capture device affixed to a badge adapted to capture the image;

a computing device operatively coupled to the identity capture device; and

a database operatively coupled to the computing device, the database having information for identifying the image by comparing the image against a plurality of records maintained in the database and finding a match amongst the plurality of records,

wherein in response to finding the match amongst the plurality of records, the identity capture device provides its location, obtained using a Global Positioning System (GPS), to a monitoring center.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second computing device coupled to a communications network, the second computing device adapted to communicate with the computing device.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the identity capture device further comprises a transmitting device for transmitting the image to a receiving device coupled to the computing device.

21. The system of claim 18, further comprising a communications network coupled to the database for providing remote access from the computing device to the database.

22. The system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of processing devices for processing information between the computing device, database and second computing device.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the identity capture device comprises a display device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the display device comprise a touch-screen.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the display device is configured to capture the image using a writing instrument that depresses the display device.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein the database further comprises fingerprint records.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein the database further comprises credit card authorization information.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein the database further comprises personnel information.