Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2004-03-02
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
C235S382000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06698653
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Our present invention relates to an identification method, especially for airport security and the like which can be used for passenger identification, baggage/passenger matching, neonate identification, weapons identification, visa and passport applications, events security at sports events, conventions, amusement parks and theme parks, access control in a variety of facilities and for driver licenses, vehicle registration and the like and even for rapid ticketing, especially for airports and the like.
More particularly, the invention relates to an identification method utilizing facial image features and capable of registering a facial image with a minimum of data in or on any card, document, object or thing for association thereof with an individual and enabling an accurate data base storage for a stored image of that individual for comparison of registered images for a variety of purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various identification projects have been proposed heretofore for baggage management and like purposes and, for example, it is common practice to require matching of stubs carried by passengers with baggage tags at airports and other transportation facilities, to require individuals to identify themselves with photo I.D.s at airport check-in facilities and to require individuals to provide identifying fingerprints, hand prints and the like for access to facilities.
While all of these techniques have been used successfully, there remains a need for greater security at airports and other transportation facilities, at sensitive buildings and wherever association of an individual with an object, article, background or document is required.
The aviation industry has been facing increasing pressure from governmental regulatory authorities and the U.S. political leadership to bring their outdated airport security systems into the 21st century, especially after the terrorist bombing of Pan Am 103 and the crash of TWA Flight 800. The 1997 White House Commission Report on Aviation Safety and Security, chaired by Vice-President Al Gore, emphasized the need for the FAA to establish new security standards as defined by Federal Aviation Agency Regulations. The Commission proclaimed that an issue of high priority should be the development of an automated system to provide Positive Passenger Baggage Matching (PPBM) incorporating automated passenger baggage matching technology and automated passenger profiling that eliminates the possibility that any passenger can check baggage onto a flight that they themselves do not take.
In addition, in other fields there is a need for positive identification of an individual with an object or other individuals which can utilize more or less remote identifications, i.e. the detection of identifying data at a location spaced from the object on which that data is stored. For example, it is often important to ensure that a child or an infant is associated with the individual accompanying him or her upon leaving a hospital, school, theme park or the like so as to be certain that the child is not being abducted and for that purpose positive identification of the accompanying adult with the child may be essential.
Furthermore, with respect to the ownership and possession of hand guns and long guns, it may be important to be certain of the owner or the identity of the individual found in possession of the weapon and to provide an immediate identification which can be cross-checked with central facilities.
It is always important for immigration and transportation facilities to be able to verify the individual carrying a passport, identity card, visa or the like and even a travel document, driver's license or like card or paper. Furthermore, positive identification of individuals can include the matching of individuals to their possessions or baggage, the matching of individuals to tickets or the like sold to such individuals, the ability to control access to all kinds of facilities to authorized individuals, and the ability to police airports and the like to be certain that access has not been afforded to individuals who are suspected of criminal or terrorist activities. Finally, it is desirable to provide rapid identification of a possession analogous to that which obtains with the use of a photo I.D., to improve the efficiency of checking at transportation facilities and the like.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved identification method which will overcome the disadvantages of the earlier approaches and facilitate rapid and accurate identification of individuals, objects with individuals, individuals with documents and documents or objects with one another.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved airport security system which will provide assurance that only baggage associated with an actual passenger is placed aboard an aircraft which can provide positive identification of a passenger to prevent substitution or fraud or criminal or terrorist activity, to ensure positive baggage identification upon termination of a flight and to ensure security within the airport at all stages from entry into the facility through check-in, boarding and baggage retrieval.
It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved method of document and object identification whereby drawbacks with earlier document and object identification can be avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These objects are attained, in accordance with the invention in an identification method which, in its broadest terms, comprises the steps of:
(a) at a first location, acquiring an image of a face of an individual, scanning a characteristic portion of the acquired image, and generating digital data representing a compressed image of the face of the individual;
(b) storing the image in a database;
(c) recording the digital data representing the compressed image on a first readable medium moving independently of the individual;
(d) at another location, reading the digital data recorded on the first readable medium, and selectively:
(d1) comparing the read digital data with images stored in the database, and displaying a stored image matching the read data to verify a relationship between the individual and the first readable medium at the other location, and
(d2) comparing the read digital data with digital data representing another stored image on a second readable medium corresponding to the first readable medium but capable of moving independently of the first readable medium.
In particular, the method of the invention can comprise the steps of:
(a) at a first location, acquiring an image of a face of an individual, scanning a characteristic portion of the acquired image, and generating digital data representing a compressed image of the face of the individual;
(b) storing the image in a database;
(c) recording the digital data representing the compressed image on a single-use disposable chip carried by the individual; and
(d) at another location, reading the digital data recorded on the chip, comparing the read digital data with images stored in the database, and displaying a stored image matching the read data to verify a relationship between the individual and chip at the other location.
Alternatively, the method can comprise the steps of:
(a) at a first location, acquiring an image of a face of an individual, scanning a characteristic portion of the acquired image, and generating digital data representing a compressed image of the face of the individual;
(b) storing the image in a database;
(c) recording the digital data representing the compressed image on a first single-use disposable chip carried by the individual and on a second single-use chip on an object moving independently from the individual; and
(d) at another location, reading the digital data recorded on the first and second chips, comparing the read digital data and authenticating a relationship between the individual and the object.
The invention has also been found to be particularly advantage
Diamond Mel
Renouf Raymond R.
Dubno Herbert
Lee Michael G.
Nowlin April
LandOfFree
Identification method, especially for airport security and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Identification method, especially for airport security and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Identification method, especially for airport security and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3215895