Apparatus, system and method for storing passport information

• US 7,975,914 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2009
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MiNiT IP Holding LLC.
• Original Assignee: The F3m3 Companies Inc.
• Inventors: Daniel, Isaac S.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US12/584,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20110057029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/382, 235/385, 235/379, 705/5
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07372 by detecting tampering with the circuit

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus, system and method for storing passport information on a reusable immigration customs visa card for use as valid identification and proof of authorized entry within a country'"'"'s borders. The immigration customs visa card is configured for being accessed by a passport card application program executable on a computer, where the card is configured for receiving a selection of passport information from a passport holder'"'"'s passport via a passport reader or computer, when issued by an authorized institution. Once the immigration customs visa card has been issued, the card may be used as valid proof of authorized entry into the issuing country'"'"'s borders.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising of:

(a) a reusable immigration customs visa card, which includes an electronic data card configured for storing a passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information that may be erased for reissue of the immigration customs visa card to another passport holder and wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for being accessed by a passport card application program executable on a computer;

(b) said immigration customs visa card configured for receiving, through said passport card application program, a selection of said passport information from a passport reader or computer when issued by an authorized institution;

(c) said immigration customs visa card configured for automatically providing at least one of said selection of said passport information stored thereon in response to a request for said at least one of said selection of said passport information when read by a passport reader; and

(d) a microprocessor configured for automatically generating an electronic alarm signal that is transmitted remotely to an authorized institution when said immigration customs visa card is tampered with.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card is a functional component of a system, said system comprising of:

(i) said computer;

(ii) said passport card application program executable on said computer; and

(iii) said passport reader connected to said computer and configured for reading passport information from a passport, and also configured for reading and writing said passport information to said immigration customs visa card, wherein said computer is configured with Internet connectivity for receiving reports on use activity of said immigration customs visa card from at least one third-party passport reader.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for being activated by an authorized institution of an issuing country to authorize use by recipient of immigration customs visa card as proof of identification or valid authorized entry within the issuing country'"'"'s borders.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for displaying at least one passport information stored thereon in response to a request for said passport information from a third-party passport reader.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said passport information may comprise of any one or more of the following:

photograph, issuing country, passport number, surname, given names, address, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, sex, race, height, color of eyes, date of issue, passport expiration date, occupation, place of issue, authority or endorsement.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card includes an identifier programmed to be stored in correlation to at least one passport holder'"'"'s passport information.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card is selected from the group of electronic devices consisting essentially of smart cards, memory cards, and microprocessor cards.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card includes location determining means for determining the location of said immigration customs visa card with means for encoding said location into an electronic signal, which is transmitted to an authorized institution where said transmitted electronic signal is decoded and the location of said immigration customs visa card or use activity may be monitored in real-time.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the immigration customs visa card has external markings that may include but is not limited to any one or more of the following:

issuing country'"'"'s name, country'"'"'s insignia, emblem, logo, drawings, characters, endorsement, card number, instructions.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the immigration customs visa card may include an embedded hologram.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for being remotely disabled by an electronic signal upon detection that said immigration customs visa card was tampered with.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said immigration customs visa card comprises of:

mesh conductive wires interconnected with each other and an electronic circuit, where the electronic circuit includes a circuit board having a battery and a microprocessor positioned thereon and connected to communication means, wherein said microprocessor generates an electronic signal for an alarm providing the generated electronic alarm signal to said communication means for transmission of the electronic alarm signal to or from the authorized institution.

13. A system, comprising of:

(a) a computer;

(b) a passport card application program executable on said computer;

(c) a passport reader connected to said computer and configured for reading passport information from a passport, and also configured for reading and writing said passport information to a reusable immigration customs visa card; and

(d) said reusable immigration customs visa card, which includes an electronic data card configured for storing a passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information that may be erased for reissue of the immigration customs visa card to another passport holder and also configured for;

(i) being accessed by a passport card application program executable on a computer;

(ii) receiving, through said passport card application program, a selection of said passport information from the passport reader or computer when issued by an authorized institution;

(iii) automatically providing at least one of said selection of said passport information stored thereon in response to a request for said at least one of said selection of said passport information when read by a passport reader; and

(iv) automatically generating an electronic alarm signal that is transmitted remotely to an authorized institution when said reusable immigration customs visa card is tampered with.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said computer is configured with Internet connectivity for receiving reports on use activity of said immigration customs visa card from at least one third-party passport reader.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for being activated by an authorized institution of an issuing country to authorize use by recipient of immigration customs visa card as proof of identification or valid authorized entry within the issuing country'"'"'s borders.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for displaying at least one passport information stored thereon in response to a crequest for said passport information from a third-party passport reader.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein said passport information may comprise of any one or more of the following:

photograph, issuing country, passport number, surname, given names, address, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, sex, race, height, olor of eyes, date of issue, passport expiration date, occupation, place of issue, authority or endorsement.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said immigration customs visa card includes an identifier programmed to be stored in correlation to at least one passport holder'"'"'s passport information.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein said immigration customs visa card is selected from the group of electronic devices consisting essentially of smart cards, memory cards, and microprocessor cards.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein said immigration customs visa card includes location determining means for determining the location of said immigration customs visa card with means for encoding said location into an electronic signal, which is transmitted to an authorized institution where said transmitted electronic signal is decoded and the location of said immigration customs visa card or use activity may be monitored in real-time.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the immigration customs visa card has external markings that may include but is not limited to any one or more of the following:

issuing country'"'"'s name, country'"'"'s insignia, emblem, logo, drawings, characters, endorsement, card number, instructions.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the immigration customs visa card may include an embedded hologram.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for generating an electronic signal for an alarm providing the generated electronic signal to communication means for transmission thereof to the authorized institution.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said immigration customs visa card comprises mesh conductive wires interconnected with each other and an electronic circuit, where the electronic circuit includes a circuit board having a battery and a microprocessor positioned thereon and connected to communication means, wherein said microprocessor generates an electronic signal for an alarm providing the generated electronic alarm signal to said communication means for transmission of the electronic signal to or from the authorized institution.

25. A method, comprising of:

(a) providing a reusable immigration customs visa card, which includes an electronic data card configured for storing a passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information that may be erased for reissue of the immigration customs visa card to another passport holder and wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for being accessed by a passport card application program executable on a computer;

said immigration customs visa card configured for receiving, through said passport card application program, a selection of said passport information from a passport reader or computer when issued by an authorized institution; and

said immigration customs visa card configured for automatically providing at least one of said selection of said passport information stored thereon in response to a request for said at least one of said selection of said passport information when read by a passport reader; and

(b) generating an electronic signal for an alarm providing the generated electronic signal to communication means for transmission thereof to an authorized institution when the immigration customs visa card is tampered with.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

(i) providing said computer;

(ii) providing said passport card application program executable on said computer; and

(iii) providing said passport reader connected to said computer and configured for reading passport information from a passport, and also configured for reading and writing said passport information to said immigration customs visa card.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said computer is configured with Internet connectivity for receiving reports on use activity of said immigration customs visa card from at least one third-party passport reader.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for being activated by an authorized institution of an issuing country to authorize use by recipient of immigration customs visa card as proof of identification or valid authorized entry within the issuing country'"'"'s borders.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said immigration customs visa card is configured for displaying at least one passport information stored thereon in response to a request for said passport information from a third-party passport reader.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein said passport information may comprise of any one or more of the following:

photograph, issuing country, passport number, surname, given names, address, nationality, date of birth, place of birth, sex, race, height, color of eyes, date of issue, passport expiration date, occupation, place of issue, authority or endorsement.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein said immigration customs visa card includes an identifier programmed to be stored in correlation to at least one passport holder'"'"'s passport information.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein said immigration customs visa card is selected from the group of electronic devices consisting essentially of smart cards, memory cards, and microprocessor cards.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein said immigration customs visa card includes location determining means for determining the location of said immigration customs visa card with means for encoding said location into an electronic signal, which is transmitted to an authorized institution where said transmitted electronic signal is decoded and the location of said immigration customs visa card or use activity may be monitored in real-time.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the immigration customs visa card has external markings that may include but is not limited to any one or more of the following:

issuing country'"'"'s name, country'"'"'s insignia, emblem, logo, drawings, characters, endorsement, card number, instructions.

35. The method of claim 25, wherein the immigration customs visa card may include an embedded hologram.

36. The method of claim 25, wherein said immigration customs visa card comprises mesh conductive wires interconnected with each other and an electronic circuit, where the electronic circuit includes a circuit board having a battery and a microprocessor positioned thereon and connected to communication means, wherein said microprocessor generates an electronic signal for an alarm providing the generated electronic alarm signal to said communication means for transmission of the electronic signal to or from the authorized institution.

37. An apparatus for storing passport information on an immigration customs visa card as implemented by a computer comprising:

(a) means for enabling the immigration customs visa card to receive a passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information from a passport via a passport reader from an authorized institution that is connected to said computer for use by said passport card application program, executable on a computer, wherein said passport card application program is configured for accessing said immigration customs visa card in response to establishing connectivity between said immigration customs visa card and said computer;

(b) means for receiving said passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information from said passport card application program, or computer;

(c) means for writing a selection of passport information to said immigration customs visa card by detecting at least one data structure field adapted for receiving passport information in response to said selection or as a default setting;

(d) means for encrypting and storing said temporary passport information on said immigration customs visa card, or said computer, or a combination of said computer and said immigration customs visa card, wherein said passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information may be erased for reissue of the immigration customs visa card to another passport holder;

(e) means for automatically providing at least one of said selection of said passport information stored thereon in response to a request for said at least one of said selection of said passport information when read by a passport reader; and

(f) means for automatically generating an electronic alarm signal that is transmitted remotely to an authorized institution when said immigration customs visa card is tampered with.

38. A method of storing passport information on an immigration customs visa card as implemented by a computer comprising:

(a) reading a passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information from a passport via a passport reader connected to said computer at an authorized institution;

(b) enabling the immigration customs visa card to receive said passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information from a passport via a passport reader connected to said computer for use by said passport card application program, executable on a computer, wherein said passport card application program is configured for accessing said immigration customs visa card in response to establishing connectivity between said immigration customs visa card and said computer;

(c) receiving said temporary passport information from said passport card application program, or computer;

(d) writing a selection of passport information to said immigration customs visa card by detecting at least one data structure field adapted for receiving passport information in response to said selection or as a default setting; and

(e) encrypting and storing said temporary passport information on said immigration customs visa card in said data structure field, or said computer, or a combination of said computer and said immigration customs visa card wherein said passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information may be erased for reissue to another passport holder;

(f) generating an electronic alarm signal that is transmitted remotely to an authorized institution when said immigration customs visa card is tampered with.

39. A system for storing passport information as implemented by a computer comprising:

(a) a memory device; and

(b) a computer disposed in communication with said memory device, the computer including instruction code, configured to;

(i) read temporary passport information from a passport via a passport reader connected to said computer at an authorized institution;

(ii) enable the immigration customs visa card to receive said temporary passport information from said passport via said passport reader connected to said computer for use by said passport card application program, executable on said computer, wherein said passport card application program is configured for accessing said immigration customs visa card in response to establishing connectivity between said immigration customs visa card and said computer;

(iii) receive said temporary passport information from said passport card application program, or computer;

(iv) write a selection of said passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information to said immigration customs visa card by detecting at least one data structure field adapted for receiving passport information in response to said selection or as a default setting;

(v) encrypt and store said temporary passport information on said immigration customs visa card, or said computer, or a combination of said computer and said immigration customs visa card wherein said passport holder'"'"'s temporary passport information may be erased for reissue to another passport holder;

(vi) generate an electronic signal for remotely disabling said immigration customs visa card upon receiving an electronic signal that said immigration customs visa card was tampered with.