Abstract:
A conveyance boarding pass includes a human cognizable image of a passenger as well as the travel itinerary details. The human cognizable image is collected using a device capable of generating an electronic image at a time when the identification of the passenger is verified. Upon presenting the boarding pass the identity of the bearer is checked against the human cognizable image on the boarding pass to maintain the security of the transport system. The electronic image optionally is stored in a computer database in combination with the travel itinerary details for further security and other uses.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/060,817 filed Oct. 1, 1997 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method for verifying the identity of a passenger, more particularly the invention involves printing a human cognizable image of the passenger on a conveyance ticket so as to facilitate rapid and repeated security verification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Concerns over the ever-increasing sophistication of terrorism and drug trafficking have prompted transportation networks to utilize increased security procedures, in order to keep pace. Traditional security protocols dictate heightened security perimeters surrounding sensitive areas, as one approaches those areas. For example, the sensitive area of an airport is the aircraft itself. While runways and secure aircraft service areas are protected by a badge and uniform system by which only authorized personnel are permitted access to various secure areas, this system is not amenable to controlling aircraft access by passengers. Current security doctrine involves allowing access to airport terminals to the public upon passing a metal detector screening. Upon presenting a ticket and perhaps a form of photo-identification, a passenger is issued a boarding pass which designates the flight particulars of the passenger. The issuance of a boarding pass may occur on either side of the metal detection screening. The present system fails in that there are no means available to verify whether the passenger presenting a boarding pass upon gaining access to the aircraft, is in fact the passenger of record. In this way, the secure nature of the aircraft to only authorized passengers is compromised. 
     The weaknesses of the conventional security systems in regard to the presentation of a boarding pass by a person other than the passenger of record are not practically solved with existing methods. The addition of a passenger identification checkpoint using picture identification at the point of gateway embarkation is not feasible, owing to the time-consuming nature of a checkpoint. A checkpoint procedure under ideal conditions requires about thirty seconds per passenger and results in delays in loading the aircraft. This process is further slowed by passengers fumbling for picture identification stored in baggage, purses, wallets and the like. Thus, there exists a need for a method of verifying a passenger&#39;s identity at the time of boarding the transport that does not involve the use of a separate piece of picture identification. 
     Security at airports, passenger ships, train and bus stations, as well as other central transportation sites is a concern for all who utilize conveyances such as airplanes, trains and buses. Various systems are utilized to verify the identity of a passenger prior to boarding such a conveyance. For example, the identity of the passenger is typically verified at the time the ticket is purchased, at the time the boarding pass is issued or during passenger check-in. Because the identity of a passenger is not typically verified after the purchase of the ticket or after the issuance of the boarding pass, there is an opportunity for a ticket purchased by one passenger to be utilized by another passenger. Thus, there remains a need for a simple system which will permit the verification of the identity of a passenger at the time of boarding the particular conveyance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention satisfies this need by providing a method for verifying the identity of a passenger at the time of boarding. The method includes the steps of initially verifying the identity of a passenger prior to the time of boarding. For example, the identity of the passenger may be verified at the travel agent or airline counter when the ticket is purchased and travel arrangements are made. Alternately, the identity of the passenger may be verified upon check-in at the transportation site. Next, a photographic image of the passenger who has purchased the ticket is taken with a device capable of generating and outputting an electronic image. The photographic image is taken in a manner that prevents the passenger from changing places with another person following identity verification. A variety of digital cameras are available which enable an electronic image to be taken of an individual and which output an electronic image. Illustratively, devices capable of generating an electronic image include charged coupled device (CCD) arrays and video analog camera/video frame grabber systems. It is appreciated that a relatively low quality image is sufficient for operation of the instant invention. For instance a 256 gray scale image renders comparison possible without consuming undue computer storage space. Higher quality images including color are also operative herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a conveyance ticket of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 2 depicts a flow chart of operative steps of an embodiment of the instant invention for verifying the identity of a passenger through the printing of a human cognizable image on a boarding pass. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The instant invention is discussed herein in reference to passenger aircraft transportation, not as a means of limitation, but rather is intended to be exemplary of the invention utility. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate the applicability of the instant invention to passenger identification in the transportation contexts illustratively including: cruise ships, ski-lifts, rail- and bus-lines. 
     Upon purchase of a conveyance ticket or at the time travel arrangements are made, the identity of the passenger is verified 21 and an electronic image of the purchasing passenger is taken, with a device capable of generating an electronic image 23 of FIG. 2. Alternatively, the passenger identity is verified upon check in at the transportation site. Illustratively, devices capable of generating an electronic image include charged coupled device (CCD) arrays and video analog camera/video frame grabber systems. 
     The electronic image is input to a printer which prints a human-cognizable image of the passenger 24 onto a boarding pass 10 which is depicted in FIG. 1. Any dissimilarity between the person requesting a boarding pass and the passenger of record thus becomes obvious to the issuing agent by visual comparison of the printed image 2 and the person requesting the pass. Upon a passenger presenting a conveyance ticket, a boarding pass of the instant invention is then issued. Owing to relatively low quality of the image 2, such as a 256 gray scale image, the printing of the human cognizable image does not significantly decrease the speed at which an agent distributes passes. It is appreciated that a higher quality image in terms of gray scale tones or color is also operative herein. Preferably, the information on the travel itinerary 4 of the passenger is also printed onto the boarding pass at this time, although the electronic image may be printed onto a boarding pass already containing such information. It is further appreciated that a conveyance ticket itself is amenable to use a substrate for the printing of a human cognizable image of the instant invention, especially in instances where a boarding pass separate from the ticket is not issued. 
     An additional human-cognizable image 6 may be printed on the boarding pass, thus enabling an image to be printed on passes having several separable portions. The retention of a portion of the pass having the passenger&#39;s image thereon optionally allows for additional verification stages following boarding. 
     The boarding pass substrate 12 is generally composed of a semi-rigid rectilinear portion of paper or cardboard. Preferably, the substrate 12 has a perforation line 14 transecting the substrate. The substrate being printed with a blank conveyance form (not shown). The form is formatted to accept individualized travel itinerary details 4 of the passenger within blank sections thereof The individualized travel details illustratively including: passenger name, passenger destination, transport designation, departure time, arrival time, seat assignment, travel class, transport tariff and the like. In particular to aircraft transport the details may include flight number and meal selection information. A portion of the blank form being open for the printing of the human cognizable image of the passenger. 
     The passenger then proceeds to the boarding site with the boarding pass. At the time of boarding, or upon arrival at the boarding site, the human-cognizable image on the boarding pass is compared with the passenger presenting the boarding pass 25 to ensure that the passenger who purchased the ticket is the same passenger who is boarding the conveyance. 
     The security of the transport is enhanced by passenger verification occurring at the time of boarding. The identity verification method of the instant invention is considerably quicker than that using picture identification because the verifying agent merely glances at the face of the passenger and their presented boarding pass. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the electronic image of the passenger is associated with the travel arrangements of the passenger 26 and stored in a centralized database 27. The database storage of a passenger image with travel arrangements provides for subsequent security monitoring 28 and for the tracking of criminal suspects traveling with counterfeit identification. Furthermore, image data coupled with travel itinerary data is optionally utilized outside of a security setting to provide demographic passenger information, for targeting transport promotional offers, and verification of non-transference of special fares and benefits extended to particular passengers. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the human-cognizable electronic image, and other individualized travel details, illustratively including: passenger name, passenger destination, departure time, arrival time, seat assignment, travel class, transport tariff, et al., are tied electronically to a unique alphanumeric code, printable in alphanumeric and in bar code format. 
     All pertinent text-based individualized travel details then are printed upon the boarding pass, along with the unique alphanumeric code, in alphanumeric and bar code format. Upon boarding, or at any other prior or subsequent security checkpoint, the bar code is read with a bar code scanner, which then causes the individualized travel details to be referenced, and the human-cognizable digital image to be displayed upon a video screen interfaced with the bar code scanner at the security checkpoint. This image is then compared with the individual presenting the boarding pass. 
     The unique alphanumeric code also is provided in alphanumeric format to enable manual entry of the code in the event of difficulty reading the printed bar code. It is appreciated that the alphanumeric and bar code formatted information is optionally printed in duplicate on separable portions of the boarding pass. 
     In still another embodiment, the camera taking the image of the passenger may directly apply the image to the boarding pass by using either photosensitive material in at least a portion of the boarding pass in a Polaroid-type system or by directly transferring the electronic image created by a digital camera to the boarding pass. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and provide the applications mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Modifications and variations within the spirit of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.