System and method for verifying identity during data entry with a barcode scanner

• US 7,878,409 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2005
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shoplogix, Inc. (Constellation Software Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Shoplogix, Inc. (Constellation Software Incorporated)
• Inventors: Celestini, Stefano
• Primary Examiner(s): FRANKLIN, JAMARA ALZAIDA
• Application Number:
  US11/297,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20070131774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.45, 235/462.48, 235/472.01, 235/462.13
• US Class Current: 235/472.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners

Abstract

A hand-held barcode scanner includes a fingerprint reader for reading fingerprint data from a digit of an operator of the barcode scanner. Preferably, an operator'"'"'s digit can be comfortably placed on the fingerprint reader while the operator is scanning barcodes. This type of barcode scanner may be used with a system or method for verifying identity during data entry. A system includes the barcode scanner with fingerprint reader; a database storing identification data and fingerprint data for users; and a controller, which is in communication with the scanning element, the fingerprint reader and the database, that compares fingerprint data from a digit placed on the fingerprint reader with the database to obtain an identity of a user and then associates the identity of the user with barcodes scanned by the barcode scanner. The system may activate an alarm if the identity of the operator is not an authorized user.

Claims

1. A system for verifying identity during data entry, said system comprising:

a barcode scanner for scanning barcodes for data entry;

a fingerprint reader fixedly attached to said barcode scanner;

an activator for causing said barcode scanner to scan a barcode, wherein said fingerprint reader is positioned on said barcode scanner such that a digit is placed on said fingerprint reader while said activator is operated by an operator;

a database comprising identification data for barcode scanner users and fingerprint data for said users; and

a controller, which is in communication with said barcode scanner, said fingerprint reader and said database, that compares fingerprint data from the digit placed on said fingerprint reader with fingerprint data for said operator in said database to obtain identification data of said operator and then associates the identification data with the barcode scanned by said barcode scanner for further analysis, wherein the barcode scanned by said barcode scanner is different from the identification data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said fingerprint reader is positioned on said activator.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller controls said barcode scanner such that said barcode scanner will not operate unless said identity of said operator matches with an entry in said database.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller controls said fingerprint reader and said barcode scanner such that said barcode scanner will not operate unless a digit is placed on said fingerprint reader.