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

• US 20070131774A1
• Filed: 12/09/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.450
• 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 hand-held barcode scanner comprising:

a fingerprint reader for reading fingerprint data from a digit of an operator of the barcode scanner;

a scanning element for scanning a barcode to generate barcode data; and

a processing system for processing said fingerprint data and said barcode data.

2. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 1, wherein said fingerprint reader is positioned on said barcode scanner such that said digit can be held on said fingerprint reader while said barcode scanner is operated.

3. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 1, further comprising an activator for causing said scanning element to scan a barcode, wherein said fingerprint reader is positioned on said barcode scanner such that said digit can be placed on said fingerprint reader while said activator is operated by said operator.

4. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 1, further comprising an activator for causing said scanning element to scan a barcode, wherein said fingerprint reader is positioned on said activator.

5. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 1, wherein said processing system comprises a communication subsystem for sending said fingerprint data and said barcode data to an external device.

6. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 5, further comprising a memory, wherein said processing system stores said fingerprint data and said barcode data in said memory before said communication subsystem sends said fingerprint data and said barcode data to said external device.

7. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 1, further comprising a memory and a database of user identification data and associated fingerprint data stored in said memory wherein said processing system compares said read fingerprint data to entries in said database to determine identification data for said operator, and, if identification data is available, said processing system processes said identification data in association with said fingerprint data and said barcode data.

8. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 7, wherein said processing system controls said barcode scanner such that said barcode scanner will not operate unless said identification data is indicated as an authorized user of said barcode scanner.

9. The hand-held barcode scanner of claim 1, wherein said fingerprint reader and said barcode scanner are controlled by said processing system such that said barcode scanner will not operate unless a digit is placed on said fingerprint reader.

10. 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;

a database comprising identification data for 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 a digit placed on said fingerprint reader with said database to obtain identification data of a user and then associates the identification data with barcodes scanned by said barcode scanner.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said fingerprint reader is positioned on said barcode scanner such that said digit can be placed on said fingerprint reader when said barcode scanner is operated.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising 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 can be placed on said fingerprint reader can be placed on said fingerprint reader while said activator is operated by said operator.

13. The system of claim 10, further comprising an activator for causing said barcode scanner to scan a barcode, wherein said fingerprint reader is positioned on said activator.

14. The system of claim 10, 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.

15. The system of claim 10, 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.

16. A method for verifying identity during data entry with a barcode scanner, said method comprising:

monitoring for placement of a digit on a fingerprint reader by an operator of said barcode scanner;

reading fingerprint data of said operator with said fingerprint reader;

determining identification data representing an individual based on said fingerprint data; and

recording said identification data, if any, in association with data entered using said barcode scanner.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining if said fingerprint data matches that of an authorized user; and

allowing data to be entered using said barcode scanner only if said fingerprint data matches that of an authorized user.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising activating an alarm when said fingerprint data does not match that of an authorized user.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said activating an alarm comprises notifying a supervisor.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said activating an alarm comprises locking said barcode scanner to prevent further data entry until an unlocking code is entered.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising notifying the operator to undertake an error handling process when said fingerprint data does not match that of an authorized user.