GB2465584A

GB2465584A - Venue access security system and/or method for securing the access of a venue

Info

Publication number: GB2465584A
Application number: GB0821293A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Lee Hammond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-11-21
Filing date: 2008-11-21
Publication date: 2010-05-26
Also published as: GB0821293D0

Abstract

A venue access security system includes a database for storing signals representative of identities of individuals; a database for storing signals representative of venues; an interface to allow individuals to purchase (e.g, via the internet) a ticket for access to a venue. The tickets are stored in a database. A venue access security interface obtains signals representative of said individual from the individual (e.g. by measuring biometrics) or from an article carried by the individual (e.g. magnetic swipe card, smart card, barcode, proximity tag). The obtained signals are compared with signals stored in said database to allow access to said venue. A card with a photograph of a user and an individual identity number may be obtained from a system operator in response to receiving customer details (eg via the internet or by mail). Once obtained the customer may order the tickets online.

Description

VENUE ACCESS SECURITY SYSTEM AND/OR METHOD FOR SECURING THE ACCESS OF A

VENUE

Field of the nvention

The invention relates to venue access security systems and methods for securing the access of a venue.

Background to the nvention

Access to a venue is usually allowed by obtaining a paper ticket or by printing off a paper confirmation which is then taken to the access point of a venue for assessment. Current systems require the tickets to have increased [ev&s of sophistication by the incorporation of features which are difficult to copy such as holograms. The sophistication of the current ticket is particularly expensive requiring advanced printing techniques and often extensive levels of administration and postage. Despite their levels of sophistication, these are often not securely assigned to the individual who will in fact access the venue.

The invention aims to address at east the following prob'ems: * how to avoid having to print and increase the sophistication of paper tickets; * how to increase the speed of access at venues whilst improving the security; * how to achieve identification more rapidly and reliably; * how to ensure that the person accessing a venue corresponds to the person having purchased the ticket; and * how to store tickets in a more compact form.

Summary of the Invention

n a first broad independent aspect, the invention provides a venue access security system comprising a database for storing signals representative of identities of individuals; a database for storing signals representative of venues; an interface allowing individuals, to load for display, signals representative of venues; said interface being configured to allow individuals to purchase a ticket for access to a venue; said ticket being stored as signals representative of said ticket in a database; a venue access security interface allowing signals representative of said individual to be obtained by an interaction of said individual with said interface or an interaction of an article carried by said individual with said interface; and processing means for comparing said obtained signals with signals stored in said database to allow access to said venue.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because it will accelerate the identification process at the venue access point. It may avoid entirely any use of paper since the ticket may be only stored as signals representative of said ticket in a database. ft improves the compactness of tickets since several tickets may relate to an individual's card. It avoids the practical problems associated with expensive ticket designs, printing, distribution and administration. It also allows a ticket to be personalised in order to only allow access to the person having purchased the ticket.

In a subsidiary aspect, said venue access security interface incorporates a magnetic stripe reader and said article carried by said individual is a card incorporating a magnetic stripe and a photograph; said processing means being configured to compare signals such as a string of numbers or symbols derived from said magnetic stripe with signals such as a string of numbers stored in said database. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows the security to be further improved by allowing the comparison between an uploaded image obtained from the system and a photograph on an article. It also allows numbers relating to an individual to be used for confirmation of identity and ticket purchase in what would be preferably a simultaneous step.

in a further subsidiary aspect, said venue access security interface incorporates a barcode reader and said article carried by said individual incorporates a barcode; said processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said barcode with signals stored in said database. This configuration further improves the security of the system. it also allows the use of existing equipment to achieve improvement in security access.

in a further subsidiary aspect, said venue access security interface incorporates a smart chip reader and said article carried by said individual incorporates a smart chip; said io processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said smart chip with signals stored in said database. This configuration allows the ticket purchase and the identity to be confirmed in a single step.

in a further subsidiary aspect, said venue access security interface incorporates a signal receiver and said article carried by said individual incorporates a tag which when placed in sufficient proximity to said receiver allows a signal to be received by said receiver without necessarily contacting said tag with said signal receiver; said processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said receiver with signals stored in said database. This configuration allows the comparison and confirmation of identity and ticket purchase to take place virtually simultaneously thus accelerating the process of security clearance for access. It avoids having to necessarily touch the article on a receiver which further reduces the obstacles for assessment of identity and ticket purchase.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said venue access security interface incorporates a reader for recording one or more biological properties of an individual and said processing means are configured to compare several recorded biological properties with signals stored in said database. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it avoids entirely having to obtain physical tickets or articles so that the presence of an individual for assessment by an appropriate reader such as a retina scanner or a fingerprint assessment device is all that is required for the confirmation of identity and ticket purchase. The number of components in order to achieve secured access to a venue is therefore reduced.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said database for storing signals representative of identities of individuals incorporates signals which when loaded for display form a photograph of an individua' and said venue access security interface incorporates a disp'ay for disp'aying said photograph, This configuration is particu'arly advantageous because it allows the identity of an individual to be assessed by comparing a loaded picture with an individual's appearance.

a second broad independent aspect, the invention provides a method for securing the access of a venue comprising the steps of: obtaining and storing signals representative of identities of individuals; and obtaining and storing signals representative of venues; and thereafter: allowing individuals to purchase a ticket for access to a venue; storing said ticket as signals representative of said ticket in a database; allowing signals representative of said individual to be obtained by an interaction of said individual with an interface at the venue or an interaction of an article carried by said individual with an interface at the venue; and processing said signals to compare said obtained signals with signals stored in said database to allow access to said venue.

This method improves the speed at which access to venues may be achieved whilst further improving the security of access.

Brief Description of the Figure

Figure 1 shows a flow chart of the process for admitting entry of a customer to a venue.

Detailed Description of the Figure

A customer suppfles a number of details to a system operator. The details supplied include for example: their title, names, age, gender, address, date of birth, contact information such as home phone, mobile phone or email, an official identity document with its number such as a passport, driving licence, Prove-it card, Validate UK card, payment details, and a photograph to comply with a number of strict criteria. The operating system stores the various details and a photograph. The customer may supply his/her details by any appropriate known methods such as mail, in person, or over the internet. The system incorporates a module for assigning an individual number to a customer which will be held on the magnetic stripe of a swipe card.

The card preferably displays on one of its faces a photograph, the name of the customer and the card number as well as a membership number. The numbers may be symbols or alphanumerical in nature. Instead of a card with a magnetic stripe the card may include a chip or other appropriate tag to contain the card number or membership number. Once the customer is a member, tickets for specific venues may be ordered online at an appropriate website. The website may provide a display of a number of venues. Once a ticket has been booked, signals for recording the booking are held in a secure database in association with the specific member number so that when the customer hands over his/her card at a venue access point the system looks up the booked venues relevant to a particular member and if these correspond to the venue for which access is desired, access is permitted.

At the access point of a venue, the access method is selected from a number of preferred options: barcode, biometric (fingerprint/iris recognition technology, magnetic stripe, smart chip and contactless technology). Once the system matches the identity with a purchased ticket stored remotely, access to a venue is permitted. The system may be configured to allow multiple ticket numbers to be associated with a particular member so that in effect multiple tickets are held on a card.

The term signal" may be interpreted as data packets, code, numbers, symbols, alphanumeric symbols, computer-readable information, electronically transmittable and receivable elements.

Besides the technical advantages discussed above a number of commercial advantages arise from the use of the system: * the use of magnetic stripe technology to act as a ticket; * to be able to book a ticket and not to wait for a paper ticket to be delivered or have to pick it up; * allowing only people of the relevant age to book a ticket; * to be able to prove the identity of the customer at every stage from booking to entry; * to be able to ban certain people, i.e. troublemakers from buying tickets; * to be able to completely stop people buying tickets and then selling them for a profit (ticket touts); * the speeding up of entries to venues; * the photographs of customers may be used by the police to identify troublemakers; * there is no need for complex ticket design, printing, administration and postage; and * customer peace of mind whilst using the system.

Claims

CLA MS1. A venue access security system comprising a database for storing signals representative of identities of individuals; a database for storing signals representative of venues; an interface allowing individuals, to load for display, signals representative of venues; said interface being configured to allow individuals to purchase a ticket for access to a venue; said ticket being stored as signals representative of said ticket in a database; a venue access security interface allowing signals representative of said individual to be obtained by an interaction of said individual with said interface or an interaction of an article carried by said individual with said interface; and processing means for comparing said obtained signals with signals stored in said database to allow access to said venue.
2. A venue access security system according to claim 1, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a magnetic stripe reader and said article carried by said individual is a card incorporating a magnetic stripe and a photograph; said processing means being configured to compare signals such as a string of numbers derived from said magnetic stripe with signals such as a string of numbers stored in said database.
3. A venue access security system according to either of the preceding claims, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a bar code reader and said article carried by said individual incorporates a barcode; said processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said barcode with signals stored in said database.
4. A venue access security system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a smart chip reader and said article carried by said individual incorporates a smart chip; said processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said smart chip with signals stored in said database.
5. A venue access security system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a signal receiver and said article carried by said individual incorporates a tag which when placed in sufficient proximity to said receiver allows a signal to be received by said receiver without necessarily contacting said tag with said signal receiver; said processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said receiver with signals stored in said database.
6. A venue access security system according to any of the preceding daims, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a reader for recording one or more biological properties of an individual and said processing means are configured to compare said recorded biological properties with signals stored in said database.
7. A venue access security system according to any of the preceding daims, wherein said io database for storing signals representative of identities of individuals incorporates signals which, when oaded for display, form a photograph of an individual and said venue access security interface incorporates a display for displaying said photograph.
8. A venue access security system substantially as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.
9. A method for securing the access of a venue comprising the steps of: obtaining and storing signals representative of identities of individuals; and obtaining and storing signals representative of venues; and thereafter: allowing individuals to purchase a ticket for access to a venue; storing said ticket as signals representative of said ticket in a database; allowing signals representative of said individual to be obtained by an interaction of said individual with an interface at the venue or an interaction of an article carried by said individual with an interface at the venue; and processing said signals to compare said obtained signals with signals stored in said database to allow access to said venue.
10. A method for securing the access of a venue substantially as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A venue access security system comprising a database for storing signals representative of identities of individuals; a database for storing signals representative of venues; an interface allowing individuals, to Load for display, signals representative of venues; said interface being configured to allow individuals to purchase a ticket for access to a venue; said ticket being stored as signals representative of said ticket in a database; a venue access security interface allowing signals representative of said individual to be obtained by an interaction of an article carried by said individual with said interface; and processing means for comparing said obtained signals with signals stored in said database to allow access to said venue; wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a signal receiver and said article carried by said individual incorporates a tag which when placed in sufficient proximity to said receiver allows a signal to be received by said receiver without necessarily contacting said tag with said signal receiver; said processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said receiver with signals stored in said database; and said database for storing signals representative of identities of individuals incorporates signals which, when loaded for display, form a photograph of an individual and said venue access security interface incorporates a display for displaying said photograph.2. A venue access security system according to claim 1, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a magnetic stripe reader and said article carried by said individual is a card incorporating a magnetic stripe and a photograph; said processing means being configured to compare signals such as a string of numbers derived from said magnetic stripe with signals such as a string of numbers stored in said database.S* .: *. 3. A venue access security system according to either of the preceding claims, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a bar code reader and said article carried by said individual incorporates a barcode; said processing means being configured to compare S * * signals derived from said barcode with signals stored in said database.4. A venue access security system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a smart chip reader and said article carried by said individual incorporates a smart chip; said processing means being configured to compare signals derived from said smart chip with signals stored in said database.5. A venue access security system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said venue access security interface incorporates a reader for recording one or more biological properties of an individual and said processing means are configured to compare said recorded biological properties with signals stored in said database.6. A venue access security system substantially as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.7. A method for securing the access of a venue comprising the steps of: obtaining and storing signals representative of identities of individuals; and obtaining and storing signals representative of venues; and thereafter: allowing individuals to purchase a ticket for access to a venue; storing said ticket as signals representative of said ticket in a database; allowing signals representative of said individual to be obtained by an interaction of an article carried by said individual with an interface at the venue; receiving a signal from a tag carried by an individual as the tag is placed in sufficient proximity to a signal receiver without necessarily contacting said tag with said receiver; loading signals which form a photograph of an individual; displaying a photograph at the access of a revenue; and processing said signals to compare said obtained signals with signals stored in said database to allow access to said venue; *:1* 8. A method for securing the access of a venue substantially as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.S ** ** * S * *I