Virtual badge, device and method

• US 9,129,230 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disaster Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: PathFinders International, LLC
• Inventors: Lewis, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TU T
• Application Number:
  US13/661,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20130048720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A system, method, and device comprising a virtual badge are disclosed. A virtual badge can be displayed on a cell phone or in another linked portable device, and for security purposes, has images which can be scanned, and the capability to alternate colors and/or self-destruct on a pre-set schedule. Whether for after a disaster or for daily use, the system uses cell phones or mobile devices loaded with specialized software. Using plugin technologies, the system optionally can enable field collected photos and notes on customizable forms to be mapped, tracked, and time/date stamped—including in a 100% disconnected environment. A modifiable virtual badge can aid in inventory, accountability, organization, and efficiency. The system can be employed by the “Whole Community”—citizens, businesses, not-for-profits, and government agencies—for social media, business, cleanup, insurance adjusters, or personnel focused on day to day operations or on mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Claims

1. A method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge comprising:

identifying at least one individual that requires electronic identification using a virtual badge;

providing an electronic profile to be displayed on a screen of a wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device for each said individual identified as requiring a virtual badge;

said electronic profile comprising at least one pictorial image, text, optical machine readable representations of data, and at least one color indicating display, said at least one pictorial image, text, optical machine readable representations of data, or at least one color indicating display to be displayed on said screen of said wearable electronic device configured to be altered or deactivated after a prescribed time period or upon a command.

2. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 1 further including the step of providing a wearable GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device having a screen for displaying said electronic profile.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 further including the step of linking said electronic profile downloaded or displayed on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device to a second electronic device having a screen for displaying said electronic profile.

4. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 1 further including the step of providing access to said electronic profile through a web based portal, a laptop server, or combinations thereof.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of associating a color stripe or background with said electronic profile displayed on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 wherein said color stripe or background is pre-programmed to change to a second color.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 further associating a sleep mode with said electronic profile.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of mapping, tracking, or combinations thereof, said electronic profile downloaded or displayed on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said location of said electronic profile downloaded or displayed on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device is displayed on a map on a second, independent electronic device.

10. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said electronic profile is tracked using GPS, RFID or NFC.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of determining a location of said electronic profile downloaded or displayed on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device;

and transmitting said location to a second independent electronic device.

12. The method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of determining at least one location of said electronic profile downloaded or displayed on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device;

and storing said location within said device.

13. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system according to claim 1 further including the step of providing a second electronic display unit, said second electronic display unit wirelessly coupled to said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device whereby displaying or downloading of said virtual badge electronic profile on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device displays said profile on said second electronic display unit.

14. A method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge comprising:

providing an administrative entity for administering an electronic identification system using a virtual badge;

identifying at least one user group to be registered with said administrative agency, said user group having at least one individual member requiring the use of said virtual badge;

said administrative entity establishing a customizable set of data to be included in an electronic identification system database for identifying one or more individuals from a user group using a virtual badge;

creating said virtual badge for each said individual of said user group, said virtual badge comprising an electronic profile to be displayed on a screen of a wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device electronic device;

said electronic profile comprising at least one pictorial image, text, optical machine readable representations of data, and at least one color indicating display, said at least one pictorial image, text, optical machine readable representations of data, or at least one color indicating display to be displayed on a screen of a wearable electronic device can be altered or rendered unusable after a prescribed time period or upon command from said administrative entity;

storing said virtual badge electronic profile on a server administered by said administrative agency

providing each said individual of said user group access to said virtual badge electronic profile whereby each said individual can download or transfer said electronic profile to said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14 further including the step of tracking said virtual badge electronic profile.

16. The method in accordance with claim 15 wherein said virtual badge electronic profile is tracked using GPS, RFID or NFC.

17. The method in accordance with claim 15 further including the step of determining a location of said virtual badge electronic profile;

and transmitting said location to a remote display unit.

18. The method according to claim 15 wherein said location of said virtual badge electronic profile is displayed on a map.

19. The method in accordance with claim 14 further including the step of tracking said virtual badge electronic profile downloaded or displayed on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device.

20. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 14 further including the step of providing a second electronic display unit, said second electronic display unit wirelessly coupled to said, wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device whereby displaying or downloading of said virtual badge electronic profile on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device displays said profile on said second electronic display unit.

21. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 20 wherein said second electronic display unit is operatively coupled to said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device using wireless technology.

22. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 14 further including the step of determining if said individual from said user group is eligible to participate in said electronic identification system using a virtual badge.

23. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 22 wherein said determination step includes determining if said individual has been charged or convicted of a crime, reviewing said user'"'"'s financial history, or combinations thereof.

24. The method of identifying an individual using an electronic identification system utilizing a virtual badge according to claim 14 wherein said virtual badge electronic profile includes colored backgrounds, images, or watermarks, or combinations thereof.

25. A method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area comprising:

providing an administrative entity for administering an electronic identification system using a virtual badge for access to a predetermined area, said administrative entity registering and issuing said virtual badge to an individual authorized to receive said virtual badge;

identifying an individual to be registered with said administrative agency;

establishing a database having identifying information related to said individual, said data stored on a server controlled by said administrative entity;

providing a virtual badge for said individual, said virtual badge comprising an electronic profile to be displayed on a screen of a wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device;

said electronic profile comprising at least one pictorial image, text, optical machine readable representations of data, and at least one color indicating display, said at least one pictorial image, text, optical machine readable representations of data, or at least one color indicating display to be displayed on a screen of said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device can be altered or inactivated after a prescribed time period or upon a command;

providing said individual with electronic access to said virtual badge whereby said individual can download or transfer said virtual badge electronic profile to said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device; and

providing an on-site administrator for verifying the contents of said virtual badge displayed by said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device.

26. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 25 wherein said on-site administrator provides a wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device.

27. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 25 further including the steps of tracking said virtual badge prior to arrival at said pre-determined site.

28. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 25 further including the step of tracking said virtual badge when said badge is located within said predetermined area.

29. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 25 further including the step of providing at least one RFID reader, at least one NFC reader, at least one reader for reading optical machine readable representations of data, or combinations thereof, within said predetermined area for tracking said virtual badge displayed on said electronic device.

30. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 25 further including a verification process, said verification process including the steps of:

prior to entry within said predetermined area, having said individual present said virtual badge to said on site administrator;

accessing data obtained from said administrative agency database;

obtaining data related to said individual user; and

confirming said data displayed on said virtual badge matches said data in said administrative agency database.

31. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 30 wherein said step of accessing data obtained from said administrative agency database includes at least one electronic device which is connected to said agency database through a server.

32. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 30 wherein said step of accessing data obtained from said administrative agency database includes at least one device which is disconnected from said database.

33. The method of providing a virtual identification badge to an individual for providing access to a predetermined area according to claim 25 further including the step of providing a second electronic display unit, said second electronic display unit wirelessly coupled to said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device whereby displaying or downloading of said virtual badge electronic profile on said wearable, GPS or radio frequency enabled electronic device displays said profile on said second electronic display unit.