GB2400344A

GB2400344A - Personal biometric identity verification system

Info

Publication number: GB2400344A
Application number: GB0308066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Annan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-08
Filing date: 2003-04-08
Publication date: 2004-10-13
Also published as: GB0308066D0

Abstract

Personal identity verification system to identify passengers from check-in to the point of boarding an aircraft, comprises the means of capturing a digital image and manually entered text, writing the digital information to a smart, IC or chip based boarding card via an input terminal, and reading the information on the card via an output terminal. Preferably the digital information written to and read from the card is respectively compressed and/or encrypted and decrypted and/or de-compressed. May enable biometric verification of a passenger's identity during transit without the need for a centralised database or external verification facilities. The boarding card may be re-cycled.

Description

Title of Invention.

"Personal Biometric Identity Verification System"

1. Background

Following the events of September 11th 2001 the positive identification and tracking of individuals in transit has become a major concern, particularly in the case of international carriers. As a result it has become generally accepted that some form of personal Biometrics, incorporated in the standard travel documentation is the only positive means by which this can be achieved.

Although current technology provides the basis for a variety of solutions to the problem, there are three major and decisive factors that determine the solution; implementation cost, operational eff ciency and public acceptance.

2. Problem's 2.1 Implementation Cost A major portion of the Implementation Cost is with regards to the Biometrics method/s employed, since each method requires specialized peripherals for both the initial enrolment, and operational interrogation functions. Therefore minimising the sophistication/cost of these elements is essential, and is an attribute of this patent application.

2.2 Operational Efficiency The prime object of these systems is to provide the service of verifying an individual's identification, in public domain high volume environments, with the minimum of delay and it is therefore essential to minimise the verification processing time. However, the verification function generally involves some form of Computer analysis program which may be Token, Local Terminal or Remote Host resident, each of which contribute by varying degrees to the processing overhead.

Therefore minimising the processing overhead elements is essential, and is an attribute of this patent application.

2.3 Public Acceptability Field trials carried out to date clearly indicate reluctance on the part of the general public to Biometrics, by a varying degree dependent upon the method employed. The least obtrusive, being Photo Image which is an attribute of this patent application.

3. Solution The Airline Passenger - Smart Boarding Card System design as described herein provides a solution by: À Eliminating the need for pre use enrolment À Implementing the minimum obtrusive Biometrics method À Eliminating the need for central database facility À Minimising the Issuing Terminal Cost À Minimising the Issuing Processing Overhead À Minimising the Interrogation Terminal Cost À Minimising the Verification Processing ()verhead À Enabling the Smart Boarding Card to be re-cycled 4. Features.

The main features of the invention include: 4.1 Check-In Terminal. (See Figure 1/2) À Desk mounted Digital Camera À Smart Card Acceptor Device À Standard PC Terminal 4.2 Boarding Gate. (See Figure 3/4) À Smart Card Acceptor Device À Standard PC Terminal 5. Optional Features À Additional Biometrics methods may be supported, including Finger Print, Voice Print, and Handwriting.

À Portable "hand-held" Smart Card Acceptor Device for random interrogation.

6. Functional Description.

6.1 General.

The purpose of proposed system design is to enhance the existing Airline Check-in process, which in general follows a standard routine based on the IATA agreed ticket format and recommended security procedures, by providing the means of positive identification of the individual passenger during transit from Check-in to the point of departure. 3.

6.2 Check-in.

Following the standard procedure, the Check-in Clerk will request the passenger to look into the viewing field of the Camera, the image being simultaneously displayed on the Check-in terminal screen, and when in focus, capture the image (See Fig.2). The image is then digitised and stored as part of the individual record. Upon completion of the procedure, selected text data may be outputted to either or both the attached Ticket Printer and Smart Card Acceptor, and the digitised image data to the Smart Card Acceptor only (See Fig.111/21314. The Smart Card Acceptor will automatically encrypt and "Write" the selected data to the Smart Card Chip (See Fig. 114151617).

6.3 Boarding.

At the point of boarding the passenger will present the Smart Boarding Card to the Airline representative, which is inserted into the Boarding Terminal connected Smart Card Acceptor. Automatically both text and digitised image is "Read" from the Smart Card (See Fig.311/2/3/4151617), automatically decrypted and displayed on the Terminal screen (See Fig.4). The individuals Identity is then "verified", by comparing the Photo Image, Passport Photo with the Individual.

The Smart Boarding Card is then retained by the Airline representative, and re- cycled for subsequent operation.

6.4 In Transit.

During the transit period, an Airline representative, or an official Security agent, may challenge an Individual to verify their identity by presenting their Smart Boarding Card. Which is inserted into the "handheld" portable Smart Card Acceptor to "Read" and display the text and image data. 4e

Claims

Claims.

I. A Personal identity Verification System to provide the means of positive Passenger Identification from Check-in to the point of Boarding, comprising both, an "Input Terminal", incorporating the means of capturing both manually entered Text and Digital Image, the means of Writing this digital information to, and Reading this digital information from a "Smart Card / Integrated Circuit Card / Chip Card" based Boarding Card facility, as described herein and illustrated conceptually in the accompanying drawings, an "Output Terminal" incorporating the means of Reading this digital information from a "Smart Card / Integrated Circuit Card / Chip Card" based Boarding Card facility, and to display the combined information in human readable form, as described herein and illustrated conceptually in the accompanying drawings.
2. A system as described in Claiml, where the digital information written to, and read from the "Smart Card / Integrated Circuit Card / Chip Card" is respectively Compressed / Encrypted and Decrypted / De-compressed.
3. A system as in Claim 1, which enables the Biometrics Verification of a Passenger's identity during transit.
4. A system as in Claim 1, which eliminates the need for a centralised Biometrics Reference database facility.
5. A system as in Claim 1, which eliminates the need for external Verification Processing facilities.
6. A system as in Claim 1, which minimises the Administration, and Operational processing overhead.
7. A system as in Claim 1, which enables the Boarding Card media to be recycled.