MOBILE APPLICATION BAR CODE IDENTIFICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM

• US 20120091202A1
• Filed: 12/29/2011
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flash Seats LLC (Anschutz Company)
• Original Assignee: Flash Seats LLC (Anschutz Company)
• Inventors: Cohen, Benjamin Charles, Rosenbaum, Andrew Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,147,191 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 20/401 Transaction verification
• 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 9/215 the system having a variable access-code, e.g. varied as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

Applicant'"'"'s Smartphone application provides ticket-holding patrons an alternative, digital means of verifying personal identification at entry to a venue or event. The Smartphone application periodically generates a unique QR code (barcode) that contains a unique identifier (i.e., mobile device ID) which prompts the venue/event entry system to recognize the patron. No barcode (serving as a ticket, or authentication/verification, or otherwise) is downloaded from the system server to the Smartphone/mobile device client in contrast to prior art systems.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of electronically authenticating a person at a venue or event entry, comprising:

in a database, electronically storing an indication of a mobile device user, including indicating a certain mobile device for that user, the database being operatively coupled to a venue or event entry subsystem;

executing a code generating program on the certain mobile device such that the mobile device locally creates and displays a bar code unique to the mobile device user, the bar code being independent of venue and event data; and

at the venue or event entry subsystem, with the mobile device user displaying the locally created bar code on the certain mobile device;

(a) electronically reading the bar code from the certain mobile device, (b) electronically decoding the bar code into a first indicator portion indicating mobile device user and a second indicator portion indicating mobile device, and (c) electronically accessing the database and comparing the decoded first indicator portion to the database stored indication of the mobile device user and comparing the decoded second indicator portion to the database stored indication of the certain mobile device,

wherein the comparing resulting in a match of the first indicator portion to the database stored indication of the mobile device user and a match of the second indicator portion to the database stored indication of the certain mobile device, then automatically positively authenticating the mobile device user at the venue or event entry.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method authenticates a person who is an account holding patron, the mobile device user being the person holding the account;

and

the database stores account information, including for each account, the database stores an indication of one mobile device associated with the person holding the account.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

per account the database stores ticket information of one or more tickets owned by the mobile device user; and

the venue or event entry subsystem further (d) retrieves ticket information after positively authenticating the mobile device user at the venue or event entry, and (e) allows the mobile device user to redeem one or more tickets.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the venue or event entry subsystem includes a gate or turnstile, and

the step of automatically positively authenticating the mobile device user further includes allowing the mobile device user to pass through the gate or turnstile.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the certain mobile device is any of a mobile phone, a PDA, a smartphone and a handheld digital processing device.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the comparing resulting in said match automatically authenticates identity of the mobile device user as an individual at the venue or event entry separate from and independent of authenticating him as a specific ticket holder.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

after said authenticating the mobile device user at the venue or event entry, obtaining from the database ticket data of said user; and

redeeming a ticket of said user.

8. An electronic authentication apparatus electronically authenticating a person at a venue or event entry, comprising:

a computer database electronically storing an indication of a mobile device user, including indicating a certain mobile device for that user, the database being operatively coupled to a venue or event entry subsystem;

a code generation member executed on the certain mobile device such that the mobile device locally creates and displays a barcode unique to the mobile device user, the barcode being independent of venue and event data; and

the venue or event entry subsystem, with the mobile device user displaying the locally created barcode on the certain mobile device;

(a) electronically reading the barcode from the certain mobile device, (b) electronically decoding the barcode into a first indicator portion indicating mobile device user and a second indicator portion indicating mobile device, and (c) electronically accessing the database and comparing the decoded first indicator portion to the database stored indication of the mobile device user and comparing the decoded second indicator portion to the database stored indication of the certain mobile device,

wherein the comparing resulting in a match of the first indicator portion to the database stored indication of the mobile device user and a match of the second indicator portion to the database stored indication of the certain mobile device, then the venue or event entry subsystem automatically positively authenticating the mobile device user at the venue or event entry.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the venue or event entry subsystem authenticates a person who is an account holding patron, the mobile device user being the person holding the account;

and

the database stores account information, including for each account, the database stores an indication of one mobile device associated with the person holding the account.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

per account, the database stores ticket information of one or more tickets owned by the mobile device user; and

the venue or event entry subsystem further;

(d) retrieves ticket information after positively authenticating the mobile device user at the venue or event entry, and (e) allows the mobile device user to redeem one or more tickets.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the venue or event entry subsystem includes a gate or turn-style, and the venue or event entry subsystem, after automatically positively authenticating the mobile device user, further allows the mobile device user to pass through the gate or turn-style.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the certain mobile device is any of a mobile phone, a PDA, a smartphone and a hand-held digital processing device.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the venue or event entry subsystem further authenticates identity of the mobile device user as an individual at the venue or event entry separate from and independent of authenticating him as a specific ticket holder.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the venue or event entry subsystem further, after said authenticating the mobile device user at the venue or event entry, obtains from the database ticket data of said user;

and

redeems a ticket of said user.

15. A computer-based electronic authentication system electronically authenticating a person at a venue or event entry, comprising:

a computer database electronically storing an indication of a mobile device user, including indicating a certain mobile device for that user;

a venue or event entry subsystem operatively coupled to the database, the subsystem;

(a) electronically reading a locally created bar code on the certain mobile device, the certain mobile device executing a code generation program and locally creating and displaying the bar code, the bar code being unique to the mobile device user, and the barcode being independent of venue and event data, (b) electronically decoding the barcode into a first indicator portion indicating mobile device user and a second indicator portion indicating mobile device, and (c) electronically accessing the database and comparing the decoded first indicator portion to the database stored indication of the mobile device user and comparing the decoded second indicator portion to the database stored indication of the certain mobile device,

wherein the comparing resulting in a match of the first indicator portion to the database stored indication of the mobile device user and a match of the second indicator portion to the database stored indication of the certain mobile device, then the venue or event entry subsystem automatically positively authenticates the mobile device user at the venue or event entry.