Multi-input access device and method of using the same

• US 20050021365A1
• Filed: 08/13/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flash Seats LLC (Anschutz Company)
• Original Assignee: Flash Seats LLC (Anschutz Company)
• Inventors: Nakfoor, Brett A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,346,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/33 using certificates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/30 not involving the use of a pass

Abstract

Certain embodiments of a multi-input access device and method for using which allow access to an event or venue include a detector for detecting authentication data for a person and a processor for authenticating the authentication data to verify that the person is allowed to access the event. The authentication data includes at least paperless authentication data for the person. The authentication data may include a printed ticket, a magnetic strip, a bar code, a credit card, an identification card, a smart card, a radio frequency identifier, an electronic device, biometric data, a signal, and/or other authentication data. The access device may include an access gate, a turnstile, a handheld access device, a retrofit unit, and/or other access device. In an embodiment, the access device includes a verification module generating access verification data for the person.

Claims

1. An access system for allowing access to a venue, said access system comprising:

authentication data identifying a patron having access to a venue, wherein said authentication data comprises at least paperless data; and

an access device allowing said patron access to said venue based on said authentication data, wherein said access device verifies said patron'"'"'s access to said venue based on said authentication data for said patron.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said access device accepts a plurality of forms of said authentication data to allow access to said venue.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said access device comprises an access gate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said access device comprises a handheld access device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said authentication data comprises at least one of paper-based authentication data and paperless authentication data.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said access device generates access verification for said patron.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said access device grants access to said venue by verifying said authentication data with data in a database.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transfer event for access to said venue from an owner to said patron using patron ownership information.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said authentication data is based on said patron ownership information.

10. A method for accessing a venue using authentication data, said method comprising:

obtaining access to a venue;

associating paperless authentication data with authorization for a patron to access said venue; and

authorizing access to said venue based on said paperless authentication data.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said authorization data comprises printed authentication data and non-printed authentication data.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said authorizing step further comprises authorizing access to said venue by verifying said authentication data with data at a database.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting said authentication data to a processing system for verification of access by said patron.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating access verification for said patron at said venue.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising transferring a right to access said venue from a prior owner to said patron.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein said authorizing step further comprises authorizing access to said venue based on said authentication data using an access device capable of accepting multiple forms of paper and paperless authentication data.

17. A multi-input access device allowing access to an event, said access device comprising:

a detector for detecting authentication data for a person, wherein said authentication data comprises at least paperless authentication data for said person; and

a processor for authenticating said authentication data to verify that said person is allowed to access said event.

18. The access device of claim 17, wherein said authentication data comprises at least one of a printed ticket, a magnetic strip, a bar code, a credit card, an identification card, a smart card, a radio frequency identifier, a mobile device, a wireless device, a signal, an electronic device, and biometric data.

19. The access device of claim 17, further comprising a verification module generating access verification data for said person.

20. The access device of claim 17, wherein said access device comprises at least one of an access gate, a turnstile, a handheld access device, and a retrofit unit.