MXPA97004172A - System to verify the use of a decredit / identification card including registration of physical phrases of users does not authorize - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card comprising the steps of: inserting the card in an apparatus having a plurality of scanning stations, the card includes a surface having a strip in the same that has information relative to the owner of the card, such as an identification number and other personal data and at least a fingerprint of the owner of the card on it, explore the strip of the card in a scanning station of the strip of information of the device to verify the information of the card that includes the identification number, compare the information stored in the strip of the card with information of the owner stored in at least one database accessible in communication with the device, the The device retains the user's card if the information on the card does not correspond to the relative information to the owner of the card that is stored in the database, to scan the surface of the card in a graphics scanning station of the device that digitizes the surface of the card forming an image of each line of it, converting the image of the card surface of the card to a digital numerical sequence: compare the surface of the card scanned by the graphics scanning device and converted to a digital number sequence to a digital numerical sequence stored in the database to determine if the card has been altered , the device retains the user's card if the surface of the card does not correspond to the surface of the card stored by the database, obtain a fingerprint of the user, scan the fingerprint of the user in a fingerprint scanning station and compare the user's fingerprint with the fingerprint of the card and with a fingerprint of the owner If the card in the database is used to guarantee the authorized use of the card, the device retains the user's card if the fingerprint scanned by the fingerprint scanning device does not correspond to the fingerprints of the card and in the database, whereby, by matching the fingerprints of the user with the fingerprints of the card and in the database to ensure that the user of the card is the owner of the card, the device allows the user to use the card. card for a desired purpose, the method that also includes the step of registering the fingerprint of the user of the card in case the user's fingerprint does not correspond to the fingerprint of the card or the fingerprint of the owner

Description

SYSTEM TO VERIFY THE USE OF A CARD CREPITO / IDENTIFICATION INCLUDING REGISTERING PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF UNAUTHORIZED USERS BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for verifying an authorized user of a credit and / or identification card, and more particularly to a method and apparatus that uses a plurality of scanning stations to verify the authorized user of the card. Recently, attempts have been made to develop systems to prevent the unauthorized use of credit cards. These systems usually use several devices to authenticate the identity of the user of said cards. One such system has been to provide on the front of the card a fingerprint of the owner of the card where the fingerprint of the user has to be equal to the fingerprint of the card. The concept of using fingerprint identification as verification of the authenticity of a credit / identification card is well known. The Patents of E.U.A. Nos. 4,582,985 (Lofberg) and 5,180,901 (Hiramatsu) each describe a normal identification system. However, the identification of the fingerprint required by the user's fingerprint to be compared with a fingerprint of the owner on the card has the disadvantage that the credit card can be easily altered eg the fingerprint of the user. user is replaced by the fingerprint of the unauthorized user. Other methods to identify authorized card users also have problems of the same disadvantage. For example, the Patent of E.U.A. No. 4,995,086 (Lilley et al.) Discloses a verification system by which a bar code is provided on the card that has information about the card's owner and compared with the information contained in a database that communicates with the card. the system. Like the identification of the fingerprint, you can alter the barcode that is applied on the surface of the card. At present, there is a need for a method and apparatus for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card that can detect if the card has been altered in such a way as to prevent an unauthorized user from using the card. Among the different objectives of the present invention are the provision of an improved method for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card that is capable of detecting whether the card has been altered or changed; the provision of said improved method having several cross-review steps that substantially ensure the authorized use of the card; the provision of said method capable of verifying whether a fingerprint of the user of a card is equal to a digital fingerprint of the user of the card, the provision of said method capable of verifying whether a voice recording of the user of the card is equal to a voice recording of the owner of the card; the provision of said method capable of verifying whether a retina print of the user of the card is equal to a retina print of the owner of the card; the provision of such method protects the card from an unauthorized user; and the provision of said method which is capable of registering a digital hue of an unauthorized user. Also among several objects of the present invention are the provision of an improved apparatus for verifying to an authorized user of a credit / identification card the provision of said apparatus that is capable of detecting whether the card has been tampered with. the provision of said apparatus having several scanning devices to substantially ensure the authorized use of the card; the provision of said apparatus having a fingerprint scanning device and associated means for verifying whether a fingerprint of the card user is equal to a fingerprint of the card owner; the provision of said apparatus having a microphone and associated means for verifying whether a voice impression of the user of the card is equal to a voice printout of the owner of the card; the provision of said apparatus having a retinal scanning device and associated means for verifying whether a retinal print of the card user is equal to a retina print of the card owner; the provision of said apparatus that protects the card of an unauthorized user, the provision of said apparatus that is capable of registering a fingerprint of an unauthorized user; and the provision of said apparatus that encodes data transmission when communicating with a central database. In general, a method for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card comprises the steps of: (a) inserting the card into an apparatus having a plurality of scanning stations, the card including a surface having a pulls in it, which has information related to the owner of the card, such as an identification number and other personal data and, at least, a fingerprint on it from the owner of the card; (b) scanning the card strip at a scan station of the apparatus information strip to verify the card information including the identification number, (c) comparing the information stored on the card strip for information of the card. owner stored in, at least, a database accessible in communication with the device, the device protecting the user's card if the information on the card is not equal to the information related to the owner of the card that is stored in the database; (d) scanning the surface of the card in a graphics scanning station of the apparatus that digitizes the surface of the card by forming an image each line thereof (e) converting the image of the card surface to a digital numerical sequence; (f) comparing the surface of the card scanned by the graphics scanning device and converted to a digital number sequence with a digital numerical sequence stored in the database to determine if the card has been altered, the device protecting the card of the user if the surface of the card is not equal to the surface of the card stored by the database; (g) obtain a fingerprint of the user; (h) scanning the user's fingerprint in a fingerprint scanning station; and (i) compare the fingerprint of the user with the fingerprint of the card and with a fingerprint of the owner of the card in the database to ensure the authorized use of the card, the device protecting the user's card if the scanned fingerprint of the fingerprint scanning device is not the same as the fingerprints of the card and in the database, therefore, since the fingerprint of the user is the same with the fingerprints on the card and in the database to ensure that the user of the card is the owner of the card, the device allows the user to use the card for a desired purpose. An apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention comprises an information strip scanning device for scanning the information strip of the card and means for comparing the information contained in the strip with the stored owner information, for example. at least in a database accessible in communication with the device. The apparatus protects the user's card if the information on the card is not equal to the information in relation to the owner of the card which is stored in the database The device and the database includes coding means for coding Transmissions of data between the device and the database. A graphics scanning device scans the surface of the card in which the graphics scanning device digitizes the surface of the card forming an image of each line thereof. Suitable means convert the image of the surface of the card to a numerical sequence and the means compare the surface of the card as it is ejected by the graphics expiration device and convert the digital numerical sequence by the conversion means to a digital numerical sequence stored in the database to determine if the card is has altered The device protects the card of the user if the surface of the card is not equal to the surface of the card stored by the database. A fingerprint scanning device having a pad over which the user of the card presses with a finger to obtain a digital fingerprint from the user, scans the digital fingerprint of the user and the appropriate means compares the fingerprint of the user with the footprint digital card and a fingerprint of the owner of the card in the database to ensure the authorized use of the card. The device protects the user's card if the fingerprint scanned by e! The fingerprint scanning device is not equal to the fingerprints on the card and in the database. Therefore, by matching the digital fingerprint of the user with the fingerprints on the card and in the database to ensure that the user of the card is the owner of the card, the device allows the user to use the card for a desired purpose Other objectives, aspects and advantages of the invention will be evident as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with illustrative appended drawings Brief Description of Drawings: In the drawings illustrating the best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the present invention Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method for verifying an authorized user of a credit card and / or identification of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for carrying out the method of the present invention; Figure 3 is a credit card of the present invention Figure 4 illustrates the reverse side of the credit card shown in Figure 3 The corresponding reference numbers designate the corresponding parts through the different views of the drawings Detailed Description of the Preferred Modality: Referring now to the drawings, a method (illustrated in Figure 1) is generally indicated at 10 to verify the authorized user of a credit and / or identification card (illustrated in Figure 3), generally indicated at 12. Preferably, the card 12 must include a surface 14 having at least one fingerprint 18 printed thereon, of the owner of the card 12. The card preferably has a reverse side 15 (Figure 4) having an information strip 16 , such as a bar code or magnetic strip, printed thereon, which has information related to the owner of the card, such as identification number and other personal data. The information strip 16 and fingerprint 18 can be printed directly on the card 12 and can be protected by any suitable laminar material, as is well known in the art. As illustrated in Figure 3, card 12 has two fingerprints 18 of the owner of the card printed on surface 14. Card 12 may also include other information, such as a photograph 20 of its owner and the name and address of the owner. It should be understood that the method 10 of the present invention can be applied to any situation where it is desired to verify or authenticate that the user of the card 12 is the owner of the card. The method of the present invention is especially suitable for verifying users of credit cards. Method 10 can also be used to verify the identity of authorized persons who wish to have access to a restricted area (eg, hospitals, corporate research facilities, etc.). Figure 2 illustrates an apparatus generally indicated at 22 for carrying out the method of the present invention, apparatus 22 being described in detail after the description of method 10 of the present invention. Referring now to Figure 1, method 10 comprises first step of inserting card 12 into an apparatus, such as apparatus 22, having a plurality of scanning stations namely, a scanning station of the information strip 30, a graphics scanning station 32, a fingerprint scanning station 34, a voice recording station 36, a retinal expiration station 38, and a photograph scanning station 40. As will be described in more detail later, the apparatus 22 may model any number of designs, as long as it is capable of performing the respective verification steps of the method 10. After being inserted into the apparatus 22, the card 12 enters an information strip scanning station 30 for to explore strip 16 of card 12, in order to verify the information of card 12, including the identification number. This information is sent to a microprocessor 42 (FIG. 2) which compares the information stored in the information strip 16, to include the identification number of the owner of the card, with the information of the owner stored at least in one. accessible database 44 (Figure 2) in communication with the microprocessor 42 of the apparatus 22 In order to ensure complete security of data transmissions between the apparatus and the database, both the apparatus and the database preferably includes coding devices for encoding and decoding data transmission. If the information in strip 16 of card 12 is equal to the information stored in database 44 for that particular card, card 12 is examined by the next station (i.e., the chart scanning station 32). ). Nevertheless, the device 22 protects the card 12 of the user if the information on the card is not equal to the information related to the owner of the card that is stored in the database 44. The card 12, if confiscated, can be stored in any suitable compartment of the apparatus 22 until service to the apparatus in which the cards 12 presented by unauthorized users and confiscated by the apparatus 22, can be properly directed. As illustrated in Figure 1, the card 12 is then examined by a fingerprint scanning station 34. This method step 10 requires the user of the card 12 to provide a fingerprint 18 which is compared to the fingerprint 18 on the card 12 and with a digital fingerprint of the owner of the card in the database mentioned above 44, or a separate accessible database in communication with the microprocessor 42 of the apparatus 22. to ensure the authorized use of the card 12. As with the graphics information and scanning strip station 30, 32, the apparatus 22 protects the user's card 12 if the fingerprint scanned by the fingerprint scanning station is not equal to the digital strikes in the card and in the database 44. If the user's fingerprint is equal to the fingerprints of the card 12 and in the database 44, the device 22 may allow the user to use the card 12 for a desired purpose, or, as illustrated in Figure 1, card 12 may be examined by subsequent stations if a more accurate level of verification is required. In the event that the user is not equal to the fingerprint 8 on the card 12 or the fingerprint of the owner of the card stored in the database 44, the method of the present invention also includes the step of recording the fingerprint user's digital The purpose of this additional step is to obtain evidence that could possibly be used to identify the unauthorized user of the card. The registered fingerprint of the unauthorized user can be compared to fingerprints stored in other databases, such as databases of criminal files, employee databases, etc. As mentioned above, if further verification is necessary, the card 12 can be examined by the voice recording recording station 36, the retinal scanning station 38 and the photograph expiration station 40. It should be understood that any of these Additional scanning steps may be performed separately or in any combination and still be within the scope of the present invention. Referring still to Figure 1, method 10 of the present invention may require the user of card 10 to speak in a voice recording station 36 of apparatus 22 to obtain a voice recording of the user. This voice recording is digitized and sent to the microprocessor 42 where it is compared to a voice print of the owner of the card 12 which is stored in the database 44, or a separate accessible database in communication with the microprocessor 42. As with the other stations, if the user's voice print is not the same as the owner's voice print stored in the database 44, the apparatus 22 protects the card 12 until it is properly discarded. Otherwise, the apparatus 22 may allow the user to use the card 12 for a desired purpose or the card 12 may be examined by subsequent stations if a more accurate level of verification is required. Accordingly, the method 10 may also require the user of the card 12 to look at a retinal scanning station 38 of the apparatus 22 to obtain a retina print of the user. This retinal print is then sent to the microprocessor 42 where it is compared to a retinal print of the user of the card which is stored in the database 44, or a separate accessible database in communication with the microprocessor 42. As with the other stations, if the user's retina print is not the same as the owner's retina print stored in the database 44. the device 22 confiscates the card. If the user's retina print is equal to the owner's retina print stored in the database 44, the apparatus 22 may allow the user to use the card 12 for a desired purpose, or the card 12 may be examined by the user. Scanning station of photographs 40 subsequent. In the photograph expiration station 40, photograph 20 of the card 12 is expired and compared with a photograph of the owner of the card is stored in the database 44 to make sure further that the card 12 has not been altered. This expiration station 40 is preferably more sensitive than the graph scanning station 32, since the latter is designed to locate the different components of the card 12 instead of the details of the owner's photograph. Therefore, if the photograph 20 of the owner of the card 12 has been replaced by a photograph of the user and the card passes through the graphics scanning station 32 without being confiscated, the microprocessor 42 will recognize that the photographs are not the same as the apparatus 22 confiscates the card 12 of the user. If the photographs are the same, the apparatus will allow the user to use the card for a desired purpose and the verification process is completed. Turning now to FIG. 2, the apparatus 22 of the present invention, which comprises a information scan 50, a graphics scanning device 52. a fingerprint scanning device 54 a microphone 56 and means 58 for digitalizing a person voice, a retinal scanning device 60 and a photography scanning device 62 The microprocessor 42 obtains the information gathered by these devices and compares it with the information stored in the database 44, or, as mentioned above, a plurality of separate databases in communication with the microprocessor 42. The apparatus 22 and databases 44 preferably include coding devices 63 for encoding and decoding data transmissions between them. The coding devices 63 effectively prevent someone from tampering with telephone lines to illegally steal or copy digital transmissions during the verification process. The coding devices 63 of the type contemplated and manufactured by Datotek Inc. of Dallas, TX. The apparatus 22 can modalize different forms. however, it is envisioned that it could be similarly constructed with any automatic answering machine ("MCA") or similar, which is designed to receive and process cards. More specifically, the information strip scanning device 50 is provided to scan a bar code or magnetic strips of the card 12. As illustrated, the microprocessor 42 includes means 64 for comparing the information contained in the strip 16 of the card 12. (to include the identification number of the owner of the card) with the information of the owner stored in the database 44 If the information on the card 12 is not equal to the information in the database 44, the apparatus 22 confiscates the card 12. The expiration device of the information strips 50, can be any of the scanners to scan barcodes, such as an explorer sold by Symbol Technologies, Inc., Bohemia, NY, under model no. PDF 417. The graphics scanning device 52 scans the surface 14 of the card 12 to determine whether the card 12 has been physically altered. A converter 66 (widely "converting means") is provided to convert the surface image 14 of card 12 to a digital number sequence. This digital number sequence is sent to the microprocessor 42 which also includes means 68 for comparing the surface 14 of the card 12 as expired by the graphics expiration device 52 and converted to a digital digital sequence by the converter 66 with a digital numerical sequence stored in database 44 (or in another database in communication with microprocessor 42) to determine if card 12 has been optimized. If the digital number sequence representing the surface 14 of the card 12 is not equal to the digital number sequence of the database 44, the apparatus 22 protects the card 12. The graphics scanning device 52 and the converter 66 can be any of the commercially available scanners and graphics converters. such as an explorer manufactured by Hewlett-Packard Corporation of California. The digital strike scanner 54 has a pad (not shown) on which the user of card 12 presses with his finger to obtain a digital fingerprint from the user. The fingerprint scanning device 54 scans the fingerprint of the user as obtained by the pad and sends it to the microprocessor 42 which includes means 70 for comparing the digital fingerprint of the user with the fingerprint 18 on the card 12 and with a fingerprint of the owner of the card in the database 44. If the fingerprint 18 of the user of the card is not equal to the fingerprint 18 on the card 12 or the fingerprint in the database 44, the device 22 protects the card. The fingerprint scanning device 54 may also include a registration feature (not shown) in which the fingerprint of the unauthorized user is recorded for later use, as compared to digital fingerprints in other databases. The fingerprint scanning device 54 may be any of the digitally available scanning scan systems, such as a digital fingerprint scanner sold by Electronic Data Systems Corp., Dallas, TX or the fingerprint scanners described in the Lofberg. and Hiramatsu patents. The apparatus 22 described so far is capable of integrating the method 10 of the present invention, that is, capable of comparing the information on the strip 16 of the card 12 with the information about the owner in the database 44, determining whether card 12 has been altered and the fingerprint of the user compared with the fingerprint 18 on the card 12 and the fingerprint in the database 44. The device 22 can also include the aforementioned microphone 56 and associated means 58 for recording the voice of the user, the retinal scanning device 60 and the photograph scanning device 62 to increase the level of verification, it should be understood that the apparatus 22 can include each of these additional devices or any combination thereof depending on the desired level of verification The microphone 56 is for receiving the voice of the user when the user had in ei. A recorder 58 (widely recorded means) records the user's voice after the user has spoken into the microphone 56 and converts the analog signals to digital signals to obtain a recording of the user's voice. The voice recording is sent to the user. microprocessor 42 including means 72 for comparing the voice recording of the user with a voice recording of the owner of the card which is stored in the database 44, or in another accessible database. card 12 is not equal to voice recording in database 44, device 22 confiscates user card 12 Microphone 56, recorder 58 and speech recognition software, can comprise any speech recognition system commercially available, such as a speech recognition system sold by Texas Instruments of Daiias, TX.The retinal scanning device 60 is for obtaining a retinal impression of the user. After the user looks into the retinal scanning device 60, the retinal print is sent to the microprocessor 42 and includes means 74 for comparing the user's retina print with a print of the retina of the owner of the retina. card 12, which is stored in the database 44, or in another accessible database. If the printing of the retina of the user of the card 12 is not equal to the printing of the retina in the database, it is not necessary to use the card., the apparatus 22 protects the card 12 of the user. The retinal scanning device 60 can be purchased from Ophthalmic Imaging Systems, Inc. of Sacramento CA. Finally, the apparatus 22 includes the photo expiration device 62 which is for scanning photograph 20 on card 12. This scanning device 62 is preferably more sensitive than the graphics scanning device 54, since the latter is designed to locate the main components of the card instead of the details of the photograph of the owner of the card. This information is sent to the microprocessor 42 which includes means 76 for comparing the photograph 20 as scanned by the scanning device 62 with a foiography of the owner of the card 12 that is stored in the database 44, or in another database accessible, to ensure that the card 12 has not been replaced by the user's photograph, if the photograph 20 has not been replaced by the user's photograph. If the photograph 20 on the card 12 is not the same as the photograph in the database 44, or on another accessible data table, to ensure that the card 12 has not been altered, namely, that the photograph 20 has not been replaced by the photograph of the user, if the photograph 20 on the card 12 is not the same as the photograph in the database 44 the apparatus 22 protects the user's card. The photography scanning device 62 can also be purchased from Hewieit-Packard Corporation. The microprocessor 42 of the apparatus 22 may be chosen from any of the available commercially available microprocessors wherein the software may comprise a menu system such as a system designed by Galacticomm, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdaie, Fi. This menu system is intended to be verifies the authorized use of the card, allows the user of the card to choose among many options such as credit card, bank, money transfer, hospital or health care, etc. In connection with this, the software may also be designed to be used for a single purpose, for example, a hospital may require authorization of health care before admission or treatment. Software of the system could be designed specifically to access and store appropriate data for billing, such as date, type of treatment, location of the installation, etc. Other end-of-pipe applications such as bank ATMs may have access to and store different information related to the purpose. It is also contemplated that a machine code number and location could be encoded in a bar-code format and posted on the device, wherein a separate bar code reader (not shown) could read the bar code and store that information with other information relating to each card transaction. It should be noted that method 10 and apparatus 22 of the present invention are capable to verify the authorized user of a credit / identification card and determine if the card has been altered. While some specific structure that modalizes the invention is shown and described in the present, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts can be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the outstanding inventive concept and that same is not limited to particular forms shown and described herein except as to what is indicated by the scope of the appended claims

Claims (46)

1. CLAIMS 1. a method for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card, comprising the steps of: inserting the card in an apparatus having a plurality of scanning stations, the card including a surface having a strip therein which has information related to the owner of the card, such as an identification number and other personal data and, at least, a fingerprint on it of the owner of the card; scanning the card strip in a scan station of the apparatus information strip to verify the card information including the identification number, compare the information stored in the card strip for owner information stored in, at least, a database accessible in communication with the device, the device protecting the user's card if the information on the card is not equal to the information related to the owner of the card that is stored in the database; To explore the surface of the card in a graphical scanning station of the apparatus that digitizes the surface of the card by forming an image each line of the same to convert the image of the surface of the card to a digital numerical sequence, compare the surface of the card scanned by the graphics expiration device and converted to a digital number sequence with a digital numerical sequence stored in the database to determine if the card has been tampered with, the device protecting the user's card if surface of the card is not equal to the surface of the card stored by the database; get a digital fingerprint from the user; scanning the user's fingerprint in a fingerprint scanning station; and compare the digital fingerprint of the user with the fingerprint of the card and with a digital fingerprint of the card owner in the database to ensure the authorized use of the card, the device protecting the user's card if the fingerprint The scanning of the fingerprint scanning device is not equal to the digital strikes of the card and in the database, therefore, since the fingerprint of the user is the same with the fingerprints on the card and in the database To ensure that the user of the card is the owner of the card, the device allows the user to use the card for a desired purpose; said method further comprising the step of registering the fingerprint of the user of the card in the event that the user's fingerprint is not equal to the fingerprint on the card or the fingerprint of the card owner. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: requiring the user of the card to speak into a microphone of the apparatus to obtain a voice recording of the user, and comparing the voice recording of the user with a voice recording of the owner of the card that is stored in the database, the device protecting the user's card if the user's voice is not equal to the voice recording of the owner stored in the database. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of obtaining an impression of the user's retina at a queen expiration station; and comparing the user's retina impression with a retina print of the owner of the card that is stored in the database, the apparatus protecting the user's card if the user's retina print is not equal to the impression of the retina. of the owner stored in the database. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of scanning a photograph of the user on the card in a photography scanning station; compare the photograph scanned by the photograph scanning station with a photograph of the owner of the card that is stored in the database to ensure that the card has not been altered, the apparatus protecting the user's card if the photograph on the card is not equal to the photograph recorded in the database. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the steps of obtaining an impression of the retina of the user in a retinal scanning station, and comparing the user's retina print with a retina print of the owner of the card that is stored in the database, the apparatus protecting the user's card if the user's retina print does not it is equal to the owner's retina print stored in the database 6 The method according to claim 3 further comprising the steps of scanning a photograph of the user on the card in a photograph scanning station, comparing the scanned photograph for the photo scan station with a photograph of the owner of the card that is stored in the base to ensure that the card has not been tampered with, the device protecting the user's card if the photograph on the card is not the same as the photograph stored in the database 7 An apparatus for verifying an authorized user of a credit card / identification, including a surface attached has a strip on it, which has information with reference to the owner of the card, such as an identification number and other personal data and, at least, a fingerprint on it from the owner of the card. the card, said apparatus comprising: an expiration device of the information strip for scanning the card information strip; means for comparing the information stored in the card strip for owner information stored in, at least, an accessible database in communication with the device, the device protecting the user card if the information on the card does not it is equal to the information related to the owner of the card that is stored in the database; a graphics expiration device for scanning the surface of the card, said graphics scanning device scanning the surface of the card forming an image of each line thereof; means for converting the image of the surface of the card to a digital number sequence; means for comparing the surface of the card scanned by the graphics scanning device and converted to a digital number sequence with a digitized digital sequence stored in the database to determine if the card has been altered, the device protecting the card from user if the surface of the card is not equal to the surface of the card determined by the database; a fingerprint scanning device having a pad on which the user of the card presses with a finger to obtain a fingerprint from the user, said fingerprint scanning device scanning the fingerprint of the user in a scanning station of the fingerprint scanner; Fingerprints; and means for comparing the digital fingerprint of the user with the fingerprint of the card and with a fingerprint of the owner of the card in the database to ensure the authorized use of the card, the device protecting the user's card if the The scanned fingerprint of the fingerprint scanning device is not equal to the digital fingerprint of the card and in the database. Therefore, since the fingerprint of the user is the same with the fingerprints on the card and in the database to ensure that the user of the card is the owner of the card, the device allows the user to use the card to a desired purpose said apparatus further comprising the step of registering the fingerprint of the user of the card in the event that the user's fingerprint is not equal to the fingerprint on the card or the digital hue of the owner of the card. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a microphone; means for recording the voice of the user of the card after the user has spoken into the microphone to obtain a voice recording of the user; and means for comparing the voice recording of the user with a voice recording of the owner of the card which is stored in the database, the device protecting the user's card and the voice of the user is not equal to the voice recording of the user. owner stored in the database. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising; a retinal scanning device for obtaining a retinal recording of the user after the user looks at the retinal scanning device; and means for comparing the user's retina print with a retina print of the owner of the card that is stored in the database, the apparatus protecting the user's card if the user's retina print is not equal to the printing of the owner's retina stored in the database 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a scanning device for scanning a photograph of the user on the card; and means for comparing the photograph scanned by the scanning device with a photograph of the owner of the card which is stored in the database to ensure that the card has not been tampered with, the apparatus protecting the user's card if the photograph in the card is not equal to the photograph stored in the database 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an expiration device for scanning a photograph of the user on the card, and means for comparing the photograph scanned by the scanning device with a photograph of the owner of the card that is stored in the database to ensure that the card it has not been altered, the apparatus protecting the user's card if the photograph on the card is not the same as the photograph stored in the database, said means of comparison of voice recording, retinal printing and photography comprising a microprocessor 12. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a retinal scanning device for obtaining a retinal recording of the user after the user looks at the retinal scanning device, and means for comparing the retinal impression of the retina. user with a retina print from the owner of the card that is stored in the database, and device protecting the user's card if the user's retina print is not the same as the owner's retina print stored in the database 13 The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a scanning device for scanning a photograph of the user on the card, and means to compare the photograph scanned by the expiration device with a photograph of the owner of the card which is stored in the database to ensure that the card has not been tampered with, the device protecting the card of the user if the photograph on the card is not the same as the photograph stored in the database. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a coding device for encoding and decoding data transmissions between said apparatus and said database, said database including a corresponding coding device. 15. A method for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card comprising the steps of: reading a strip of information on the card, said strip of information having information relative to the owner of the card: comparing said information with a corresponding group of information stored in a remote database, so that said card is protected if said information is not equal to said corresponding group of information stored in the remote database; obtain a digitized image of a surface of said card; comparing said digitized image obtained from said card with a corresponding digitized image of said card stored in said remote database, whereby said card is protected if said digitized image obtained is not equal to said corresponding digitized image stored in said database remote; obtain an image of a physical attribute of the user of the card; comparing said image obtained from said physical attribute of said user to a corresponding image of said physical attribute of said owner stored in said remote database, or that said card is protected if said image obtained from said physical attribute is not equal to Furthermore, said image obtained from said physical attribute is recorded if said image obtained from said physical attribute is not equal to said stored image of said physical attribution, said user being allowed to carry out a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from said physical attribute of said user is equal to said stored image of said physical attribute of said owner. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said physical attribute comprises a fingerprint. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein said physical attribute comprises a voice recording. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein said physical attribute comprises a retinal print. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of obtaining an image of a second physical attribute of said user and comparing said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user with a corresponding image of a second physical attribute of said owner. stored in said remote database, whereby said card is retained if such an image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to the corresponding correlated image of said second physical attribute, and also wherein said image obtained from said second physical attribute it is recorded if said image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to said corresponding stored image of said second physical attribute, said user being allowed to perform a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user is equal to the aimacenada image of said second physical attribute of such owner. 20. The method of claim 19. wherein said second physical attribute comprises a voice recording. The method of claim 19, wherein said second physical attribute comprises a retinal print. 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of encoding transmissions of said information and said remote database. 23. Apparatus for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card comprising: A method for verifying an authorized user of a credit / identification card comprising the steps of: means for reading a strip of information on the card, said strip of information having information relative to the owner of the card; means for communicating with a remote database having a corresponding group of information related to said owner of said card; means for comparing said information with a corresponding group of information stored in a remote database, so that said card is protected if said information is not equal to said corresponding group of information stored in the remote database; means for obtaining a digitized image of a surface of said card; means for comparing said digitized image obtained from said card with a corresponding digitized image of said card stored in said remote database, whereby said card is protected if said digitized image obtained is not equal to said corresponding digitized image stored in said base. remote data; means for obtaining an image of a physical attribute of the user of the card; means for comparing said image obtained from said physical attribute of said user with a corresponding image of said physical attribute of said owner stored in said remote database, whereby said card is protected if said image obtained from said physical attribute is not equal. to such stored image of said physical attribute; and means for registering said image obtained from such a physical attribute is not equal to said stored image of said physical attribute, said user being allowed to carry out a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from said physical attribute of said user is equal to said stored image of such attributed physical owner mentioned. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said physical attribute comprises a fingerprint. The method of claim 23, wherein said physical attribute comprises a voice recording. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein said physical attribution comprises a retinal print. The method of claim 24, further comprising means for obtaining an image of a second physical attribute of said user and means for comparing said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user with a corresponding image of a second physical attribute of said user. owner stored in said remote database, said card is retained if the image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to said corresponding stored image of said second physical attribute, said apparatus even comprising means to register said image obtained from said second attribute physical is recorded if said image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to said corresponding stored image of said second physical attribute, said user being allowed to perform a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user is equal to the stored image of said second to physical tribute of the owner. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said second physical attribute comprises a voice recording. 29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said second physical attribute comprises a retinal print. 30. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising the step of encoding transmissions of said information and said remote database. 31. A method for carrying out a secure electronic transaction using a credit / identification card comprising the steps of: reading a strip of information on the card, said strip of information having information relating to the card owner; comparing said information with a corresponding group of information stored in a remote database, whereby said card is protected if said information is not equal to said corresponding group of information stored in the remote database; obtaining a digitized image of a surface of said card: comparing said image obtained from said physical attribute of said user with a corresponding image of said physical attribute of said owner stored in said remote database, whereby said card is retained if said The image obtained from such a physical attribute is not equal to said stored image of said physical attribute and furthermore that such image obtained from said physical attribute is recorded if said image obtained from such physical attribute is not equal to said stored image of such physical attribute.; and selecting a desired electronic transaction from a predetermined menu system, said user being allowed to carry out a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from such physical attribute of said user is equal to said stored image of the physical attributed attribute of the said owner 32 The method of claim 31, wherein said physical attribute comprises a fingerprint. 33. The method of claim 31, wherein said physical attribute comprises a voice recording. The method of claim 31, wherein said physical attribute comprises a retinal print. The method of claim 32, further comprising the step of obtaining an image of a second physical attribute of said user and comparing said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user with a corresponding image of a second physical attribute of said stored owner. in said remote database, whereby said card is retained if said image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to said corresponding stored image of said second physical attribute, and further wherein said image obtained from said second physical attribute is records whether said image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to said corresponding stored image of said second physical attribute, said user being allowed to perform a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user is equal to the stored image of said second physical attribute of such owner. 36. The method of claim 35. wherein said second physical attribute comprises a speech recording 37 The method of claim 35, wherein said second physical attribute comprises a retina print 38 The method of claim 31, further comprising the step to encode transmissions of said information and said remote database. Apparatus for carrying out a secure electronic transaction using a credit / identification card comprising: means for reading a strip of information on the card, said strip of information having information relating to the owner of the card, means for communicating with a base of remote data having a corresponding group of information related to said owner of said card, means for comparing said information with a corresponding group of information stored in a remote database, whereby said card is protected if said information is not equal to said corresponding group of information stored in the remote database; means for obtaining an image of a physical attribute of the user of the card; means for comparing said image obtained from said physical attribute of said user with a corresponding image of said physical attribute of said owner stored in said remote database, whereby said card is protected if said image obtained from said physical attribute is not equal to the aimacended image of said physical attribute; and means for recording said image obtained from such a physical attribute is not equal to said stored image of said physical attribute, said user being allowed to carry out a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from said physical attribute of said user is equal to said stored image of said physical attribute of the mentioned owner 40 The method of claim 39, wherein said physical attribute comprises a digital finger 41 The method of claim 39, wherein said physical attribute comprises a voice recording 42 The method of the claim 39, wherein said physical attribute comprises a retina print 43. The method of claim 40, further comprising means for obtaining an image of a second physical attribute of said user and means for comparing said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user with a corresponding image of a second physical attribute of said stored owner. in said remote database, said card is retained if said image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to said corresponding stored image of said second physical attribute, said apparatus even comprising means for registering said image obtained from said second physical attribute. records whether said image obtained from said second physical attribute is not equal to said corresponding stored image of said second physical attribute, said user being allowed to perform a desired electronic transaction if said image obtained from said second physical attribute of said user is equal to the aimacenada image of said second atribu physical of such owner. 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said second physical attribute comprises a voice recording. 45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said second physical attribute comprises a retinal print. 46. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising the step of encoding transmissions of said information and said remote database.