AU2014100797A4 - Driver licence and other identification card and identity verification system - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of identification systems. In particular, this invention is drawn to a system and method for real-time identification verification. A typical identification (ID) card includes information about the cardholder such as name, address, a physical description, and picture. Most ID cards also contain some sort of machine-readable identifier such as a magnetic stripe, a bar-code, a smart chip, etc. The ID card may also contain stored biometric information of the card holder. ID cards are typically used to restrict access to areas or products to unauthorized cardholders. An apparatus of the invention is provided for verifying the validity of federally or state issued identification (ID) cards, such as state issued driver's licenses, ID cards, passports, etc, with a remote database, such as, the issuing authority's database of recorded information, utilizing a card reading or scanning device and data sent over a network. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of verifying that the holder of the ID card is the same person as the information that is stored on the ID card using biometric data captured using biometric scanning devices such as finger print recognition devices. Biometric information from an ID card holder is compared with the biometric information stored on the ID card to verify that a person presenting an ID card matches the biometric information stored on the ID card and/or the remote database.

Description

1 DRIVER LICENCE AND OTHER IDENTIFICATION CARD VERIFICATION SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the field of identification systems. In particular, this invention is drawn to a system and method for real-time identification verification. A typical identification (ID) card includes information about the cardholder such as name, address, a physical description, and picture. Most ID cards also contain some sort of machine-readable identifier such as a magnetic stripe, a bar-code, a smart chip, etc. The ID card may also contain stored biometric information of the card holder. ID cards are typically used to restrict access to areas or products to unauthorized cardholders. For example, laws in Australia require a person to be at least a minimum age to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. Similarly, a patron must be at least a minimum age to enter a bar. Typically, to verify that a person meets age requirements, the person must present an ID card prior to purchasing products or prior to being admitted to an establishment having age requirements. [0002] There are numerous problems with using ID cards for the purposes mentioned above. One problem relates to fake or altered ID cards. It is very common for under age people to obtain fake or altered ID cards that show that the cardholder meets a minimum age requirement. In addition, it is common for under age people to use a valid ID card belonging to someone else. The quality of many fake or altered ID cards is such that it is extremely difficult to distinguish or determine the validity of an ID card. Another problem relating to ID cards is that it is cumbersome to verify their authenticity. For example, when a law enforcement officer verifies the validity of an ID card, the officer typically gets on a radio and reads the ID number to a remote person who has the ability to verify the validity of the ID. This procedure is labour intensive and time-consuming for the officer. There is therefore a need for a system that quickly and easily verifies the validity of ID cards.

2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] An apparatus of the invention is provided for verifying the validity of federally or state issued identification (ID) cards, such as state issued driver's licences, ID cards, passports, etc, comprising: a web-enabled cellular telephone; a magnetic stripe reader connected to the cellular telephone for reading ID numbers from ID cards; and software installed in the cellular phone to facilitate the transmission of ID numbers to a remote database and the reception and display of information relating to the transmitted ID numbers. [0004] Another embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for verifying the validity of ID cards comprising: an ID card input device for receiving an ID number from an ID card; a wireless transceiver for transmitting messages to a remote database and receiving replies from the remote database; and a display for displaying information relating to the replies. [0005] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of verifying the validity of ID cards comprising the steps of: providing a card reading device; providing a remote database containing ID information; reading an ID card using the card reading device; sending a message to the remote database; querying the database for a match to the read ID card; and in response to the message, sending a reply message back to the card reading device, wherein the reply message contains information about the read ID card. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below. [0006] Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of verifying that the holder of the ID card is the same person as the information that is stored on the ID card using biometric data. When issued, an ID card may have biometric information stored on the card such as, finger print recognition, retina scans, facial or palm recognition scans. Prior to 3 reading an ID card, biometric information from an ID card holder is compared with the biometric information stored on the ID card to verify that a person presenting an ID card matches the biometric information stored on the ID card. This can also be matched with biometric information stored in the service provider's database where available. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0007] In general, the present invention provides a real-time identification verification system and method that can be used to verify the validity of an ID, as well as help to verify that the ID belongs to the ID holder. The present invention has various optional features, as well as various uses, examples of which are described below. The present invention may be used in numerous environments. [0008] An ID card reading device may be in communication with a database via the Internet or some other manner (e.g., phone lines, etc.) as shown in figure 1 of the drawings page 1/4. The card reading device may communicate with the database wirelessly (e.g., via a cellular network, WiFi (802.1 1b), radio, etc.), over a network, or in any other desired way. The ID card may include at least one of the following: an ID number, a PIN number, a magnetic stripe, a smart chip, a bar code (1 -dimensional, 2-dimensional, etc.), biometric data, and/or a photograph. The ID card reading device is capable of reading (via a magnetic stripe reader, bar-code scanner, smart card reader, text recognition system, voice recognition system, biometric scanning recognition system, optical card reader system, keypad for manual entry, querty keyboard, and/ or any other desired device) the ID card presented by an ID holder. [0009] The present invention has many uses. Following is one example of a use of the identification verification system of the present invention as shown in figure 2 of the drawings page 1/4. When an ID holder desires to enter an establishment or purchase a product that has age restrictions, the process begins where the ID card reading device reads the ID card. Next, the device sends an ID number (or other read information) to the database of a service provider. Next, the database is then queried where the process determines 4 whether a match was found. If there is no match in the database, then a rejection message is sent back to the device. If a match was found, the process proceeds to determine whether the ID is valid. If the ID is not valid, then a rejection message is sent back to the device. [0010] For a valid ID, the service provider responds to the request by sending back ID information to the device. The ID information sent back to the ID reading device may include any desired information, such as a valid/invalid message, a name, an address, a photo, a physical description of the ID holder, etc. [0011] In one example, biometric information is stored on an ID card as shown in figure 5 of the drawings page 3/4. Prior to reading an ID card, biometric information from an ID card holder is compared with the biometric information stored on the ID card to verify that a person presenting an ID card matches the biometric information stored on the ID card and/or biometric information stored in the service provider's database. Once a match is made, the process described above continues. [0012] The biometric information referred to above includes biometric information available on checking ID, and to be used in conjunction, when technology permits, with biometric scanning technology such as those listed below: a) Finger Print Recognition - the patron's finger print is scanned and compared with the information stored on the ID card which may then also be matched with that stored on the service provider's database if the information is available. b) Retina Scans - a scan is performed on the patron's retina and compared with the information stored on the ID card which may then also be matched with that stored on the service provider's database if the information is available. c) Facial Recognition - a facial recognition scan is performed and compared with the information stored on the ID card which may then also be matched with that stored on the service provider's database if the information is available.

5 d) Palm Recognition - a palm recognition scan is performed and compared with the information stored on the ID card which may then also be matched with that stored on the service provider's database if the information is available. [0013] If desired, the card reading device can selectively display or store various information. For example, a listing of the IDs read during a particular time period can be read. Also, if desired, the card reading device can provide a listing of patrons in an establishment which can be used for things such as running promotions, marketing, building customer data bases, etc. Similarly, data can be stored at the database for similar uses. [0014] In one example, the present invention provides a Web enabled database system as a tool to combat ID fraud and underage use of alcohol and tobacco. The invention enables bars, restaurants, package stores, convenience stores and all other retailers of alcohol and tobacco products, as permitted users of this type of restricted data, to verify the age of an individual and the validity of a state driver's license, passport or other ID card presented as proof of age and/or identification. [0015] In one example of the database of the present invention, the database contains all federally or state issued ID cards such as current state drivers licenses, passports, and identification cards, obtained from the relevant departments (e. g., the RMS in NSW). The database may include data from multiple states, or from a national database as shown in figure 6 of the drawings page 3/4. The database is loaded onto servers linked to the Internet. The database may be updated as frequently as desired, or as frequently as the data is available from states. In addition, the database may contain state license/permit information that entities must have to sell liquor, tobacco, etc. For example, for a database in NSW, the database may contain all Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing ("OLGR") license/permit information ("OLGR Permit Number") available from OLGR. A Web site may be provided on the Internet, allowing permitted users to have encrypted access to the database.

6 [0016] A licensed establishment ("customer"), as a permitted user of the invention for verification purposes, could use the invention to check both the age of an ID holder and the validity of an ID, including whether the ID belongs to the holder as shown in figure 5 of the drawings page 3/4. This occurs when an individual presents the ID to the customer (by typing in the Driver's License or ID number as shown in figure 7 of the drawings page 4/4, and/or by scanning the information from the card with a machine-readable or biometric scanning device as shown in figure 4 of the drawings page 2/4). The customer will be able to choose the input device from a range of equipment, including, but not limited to, computers, PDA's, Wireless devices including cell phones, tablets, networked cash registers, etc. [0017] In one embodiment, the chosen equipment includes a Web-enabled browser. One suitable input device is comprised of a combination 3G/4G cell phone/PDA that receives an ID identification number (from a card reading device or from a manual entry) and generates the appropriate requests to be sent to the service provider. Other devices may also be used, such as Palm Pilots, Compaq IPAC's, Tablets, or a Blackberry, etc. The cell phone may include voice capabilities, but such capabilities are not required. The PDA cell phone includes conventional features such as a display, keypad, processor, transceiver, etc as shown in figure 3 of the drawings page 2/4. Attached to the phone (via connector and cord) is a magnetic stripe reading device which is capable of reading the magnetic stripe on an ID card when the card is swiped through the slot. [0018] In some configurations, the magnetic stripe reading device may be integrated into the cell phone/PDA case itself. Thus, no wires will be visible or present. The functions of the card reading device are implemented using software applications. For example, in the example of the PDA 3G/4G phone, Java applications can be stored in the phone to execute the necessary functions. Of course, many desired computer languages can be used (e. g., C++ for Microsoft platforms). [0019] In addition to, or in place of the display, the card-reading device can use other user perceivable devices to convey received information to a user. In one example, one or more 7 lights can be provided to convey certain information as shown in figure 3 of the drawings page 2/4. For example, When an ID is invalid or a person is underage, a red light could be activated. Similarly, When an ID is valid and/or a person is not underage, a green light could be activated. [0020] In another example, a speaker or headphone jack can be used to provide audio information to a user through the speaker output as shown in figure 3 of the drawings page 2/4. In this example, the device may also include recorded speech or a text to speech processor to generate verbal messages (e.g., "ID valid", "ID not valid", "underage", "legal age", "arrest warrant outstanding", "error reading ID", "re-enter ID", etc.) to a user, which would allow a user to receive information without having to read a display. In another example, an infrared signal could be sent to a printing device and a ticket or authorization card could be given to a patron or a visitor. [0021] Referring back to the example above, after a patron's ID is entered, the device will transmit the ID number to the data base server of a service provider as shown in figure 2 of the drawings page 1/4. The server will then compare the ID number to the driver's license and ID database. If the ID number is invalid, that information will be returned to the customer's device for display to the customer. If the ID is valid, the server will return to the customer's device, the patron's name, birth date, calculated age and, if available in the database, the patron' s physical description, biometric data, or photograph as stored in the database as shown in figure 5 of the drawings page 3/4. The customer can then compare that information to the presented ID and also to the presenter, to be certain that the person presenting the ID is the person whose description appears on the ID. [0022] In another example, when the server receives the information, a record is inserted into the database archive, including the permit number, the driver's license or ID number, and a date and timestamp. This information is available to the customer to answer inquiries made by state authorities relating to an infraction of a rule or law. Any desired information relating to the transaction can be saved in the database. In the example, no information is saved other 8 than that created by the time stamp procedure, and that information is erased from the data base if not used within the time period specified by state or commonwealth law. [0023] This feature of the invention has numerous applications. For example, a customer can use the stored information to help reduce liability in the event that the customer is accused of some infraction of the law relating to the sale of alcohol or tobacco (i.e., the invention can be used to verify performance of age-compliance checks). In another example, a customer may be able to use the fact that the information is archived to reduce the cost of liability insurance. In another example, the time stamped information that is stored can be cross-referenced with time stamped video surveillance records in a case.

Claims (4)

1. A system and method for real-time identification and verification of federally or state issued identification (ID) cards with a remote database, such as the issuing authority's database of recorded information over a connected network, utilizing a card reading, scanning device, manual input, or other connectable device.

2. A system according to claim 1 that collects the data from the card reading, scanning device, or other means and sends this data to the remote database over a network via a wirelessly or other network connected means where the process determines whether a match was found, and if so, to determine whether the ID is valid.

3. The system according to the above claims where biometric information from an ID card holder is captured using biometric scanning devices, such as finger print recognition, retina scans, or other means, and compared with the biometric information stored on the ID card to verify that a person presenting an ID card matches the biometric information stored on the ID card and/or the remote database.

4. The system according to the above claims where the user is able to receive the information matched with the remote database over the connected network to verify the identity of the person presenting the ID card.