Abstract:
A credential management system which obviates the need to design, produce and distribute one-time printed passes to individuals authorized to be present at an event such, for example, as cast members, stage crew, security details and staff, important guests, performers, players, officials and many others. Electronic credential passes are distributed to invitees of an events such as a sporting event, a concert, a large social gathering, or filming of a movie or TV show. Each reusable pass is operative to display an image containing indicia representative of an event descriptor and an access level descriptor, whereby one can quickly and easily ascertain whether an individual seeking access to a particular area, during an event, is in fact authorized to do so. Optionally, the image displayed by each reusable pass can further include a photo of the bearer, a UPC bar code, and one or more logos corresponding to event sponsors.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and techniques for distinguishing between authorized and unauthorized individuals and, more particularly, to the distribution and presentation of articles having visible indicia thereon to establish the authorized status of individuals seeking access to an area or event. 
     2. Discussion of the Background Art 
     There are many situations where it is necessary to distinguish between those individuals with permission to enter a particular area or building. Where the number of individuals to be recognized is relatively small, the turnover among them is low, and the security workforce stable, it may be possible to rely solely on recognition of each individual based on their physical appearance (i.e., “by sight”). Where the number of individuals having authority to enter secure areas and/or facilities is too large or is subject to a higher rate of turnover, or where the security staff itself is subject to turnover, however, it is not feasible to rely upon recognizing individuals by sight alone. It has therefore become commonplace to rely upon such identification systems as wearable badges in conjunction with a method of uniquely associating each badge with the individual wearing it. Frequently, the method for associating the badge with the individual wearing it includes a photograph, a signature, a fingerprint, an RFID tag, or even some combination of these. Specially designed doors equipped to admit only one person at a time, and only upon recognition of an appropriate code (whether by keypad entry, passive RFID detection, biometric scanning, etc.) are also commonplace. 
     While the aforementioned identification systems are now ubiquitous in the workplace, there are certain limitations which make them unsuitable for certain situations such, for example, as where one or more groups of individuals have only a transient need to enter a specific building, facility, or area thereof. By way of illustration, a professional football team may play eighteen games, with half of these being at a local or “home” stadium and the other half of the games being “away games” played at the home stadium of an adversary. A professional baseball team may play almost ten times as many games as a football team, but with a similar distribution of local and away games. In each of these cases, there are team members, supporting staff and other employees that all require a way of documenting their authority to enter a stadium on the day of an event (whether it be a practice session, a pre-season game, a regular season game, or a post season game). A musician or band may play at a large number of venues during a single tour, while a movie or television show may require filming at a number of different locations, with a concert or filming session at each discrete location also constituting an “event”. 
     In all of the foregoing situations, it has been customary to issue individuals who are authorized to be present at an event—whether they are attending as a member of the audience or in a supporting capacity—a discrete, temporary printed admission pass good only for the day of the event, after which it is to be discarded and cannot be used for admission to a subsequent event. The printed passes are expensive to produce, and each must be distributed to every authorized individual at some point prior to the applicable event(s). As the number of individuals with a need or desire to be present at multiple events grows, the cost and inefficiency of the approach quickly becomes apparent. While it would be possible to print and distribute a multiple use pass, the risk of unauthorized duplication and/or use, already quite high, increases dramatically. 
     A need therefore exists for a credential management system which obviates the need to design, produce and distribute one-time printed passes to individuals authorized to be present at an event such, for example, as cast members, stage crew, security details and staff, important guests, performers, players, officials and many others. 
     A further need exists for a credential management system which minimizes the risks of unauthorized use or duplication. 
     Still another need exists for a credential management system having an optional location tracking capability whereby the whereabouts of each person to whom a reusable pass is issued can be remotely monitored during an event. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are addressed, and an advance is made in the art, by a system for allocating access privileges to event invitees which comprises a plurality of reusable passes, with each pass including a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and an electronic display. The system further includes a credential management system that is operative to store at least one event descriptor and at least one access level descriptor. Each of the reusable passes is responsive to information received from the credential management system to display an image that contains indicia representative of the event descriptor and the first access level descriptor. 
     For purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “event descriptor” is intended to include the identity of a musician or band, the identities of individual athletes competing in a match, the identities of sports teams competing in a game, the identity of a film studio, production company, or designation of a movie or television show being filmed, and, optionally, the date of the performance, match, game, or filming session as the case may be. 
     The phrase “access level descriptor” is intended to encompass the capacity in which the wearer of the pass is attending the event. By way of illustrative example, the access level descriptor may take the form of a logo or corporate identifier signifying the employer of the wearer—as in the case of a television network or a professional sports organization (e.g., “FOX” or “NFL”), the role of the wearer (e.g. “STAFF”, “SECURITY”, etc.), the status of the wearer (“VIP”), or the area(s) to which the wearer is permitted access if less than full access is contemplated (e.g., a stadium skybox or a specific assigned seat). 
     In accordance with a modified embodiment of the invention, each reusable pass further includes a respective global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver operative to obtain location data and a corresponding wireless network transceiver for establishing a telecommunications link with a network node, whereby identifying data and position data from each reusable pass can be transmitted to a remote monitoring station for tracking the whereabouts of each reusable pass during an event. By way of illustrative example, the wireless network transceiver may be a cellular network transceiver and the network nodes may be base stations of a cellular network. Advantageously, the location and identification data may be relayed to the remote monitoring station in the form of an SMS or MMS message. 
     A method for allocating access privileges to event invitees comprises operating a credential management system to store an event descriptor and an access level descriptor applicable to a group of individuals eligible to be present at an event identified by the event descriptor. A reusable pass distributed to a plurality of the event invitees includes a communication interface, a memory, a processor, and an electronic display under the control of the processor. Information representative of the event descriptor and access level descriptor are received at the communication interface of each reusable pass. The method further includes displaying, on a reusable pass worn by a first member of the group of individuals eligible to be present at an event identified by the event descriptor, an image containing indicia representative of the event descriptor and the first access level descriptor. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, the credential management system and reusable badges are programmed to establish two or more levels of access privileges. To this end, the credential management system is operated to store first and second access level descriptors, wherein each communication interface of a first group of reusable passes receives information representative of the event descriptor and a first access level descriptor and each communication interface of a second group of reusable passes receives information representative of the event descriptor and a second access level descriptor. By way of illustration, the first access level descriptor is representative of the role of each member of a first group of pass wearers and the second access level descriptor is representative of the areas of a facility to which members of the second group of pass wearers are to be permitted access. By way of alternate illustration, the first access level descriptor is representative of the employer of each member of a first group of pass wearers and the second access level descriptor is representative of the status of each member of a second group of pass wearers. 
     In a modified embodiment of the present invention, the credential management system is operated to store a plurality of sponsor logos in association with the event identified by the event descriptor. Information corresponding to the logo(s) of one or more event sponsor is received by a plurality of the reusable passes, and an image containing indicia representative of the event descriptor, the access level descriptor, and at least one of the plurality of sponsor logos is displayed. In accordance with a first illustrative example of the modified embodiment, a plurality of logos are pre-stored in each pass and the associated communication interface receives an instruction to display a sequence of logos in a prescribed order and synchronously with other passes identified by a common access level descriptor, whereby a member of an event&#39;s security detail can assess whether the pass is an authorized device. In accordance with an alternative example of the modified embodiment, the communication interface is a wireless interface and each pass receives an instruction to display a sequence of logos in a random manner but synchronously with other passes identified by a common access level descriptor. 
     In a modified embodiment of the present invention, the credential management system is operated to store a plurality of UPC symbols each associated with a corresponding individual to whom a pass may be issued, and to store personal data to be used in validating the authorization of each such individual to receive a respective pass. An instruction to display a respective UPC symbol is received by each corresponding pass, and an image containing indicia representative of the event descriptor, the access level descriptor, and at the corresponding UPC symbol is displayed is displayed by each pass. 
     Reuse of a pass is accommodated by updating the event descriptor and/or the access level descriptor, in advance of the next event at which it will be used. The pass may either remain in the possession of the individual to which it is initially issued, or it may be collected at the conclusion of each event. In the former case, the pass may be configured with a log-in screen and a USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or other wireless network interface to permit remote updating at the initiation of an authorized user. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of the elements of an access allocation system constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the system including a pass, one or more administrator workstations, and a database server; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view depicting an alternate embodiment of an access system constructed in accordance with the present invention, and exemplifying the display of image containing an event descriptor, an access level descriptor, and an additional image field such as a corporate logo; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart depicting an illustrative sequence of operation for the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicate like elements in the drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, elements are not drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an access allocation system constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the system including a plurality of wearable, reusable passes (only one of which, indicated generally at reference numeral  10  is shown), and a credential management system indicated generally at reference numeral  30 . Each wearable electronic pass as pass  10  is preferably worn on a lanyard (not shown) so that it can be seen easily and quickly at a glance by security staff during an event. It will be readily appreciated, however, that other provisions may be made to accommodate wearing of the passes including, for example, the inclusion of a clip structure (not shown) for securing pass  10  to the clothing of a user. 
     In any event, and with continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that pass  10  includes an on/off slide switch  12  for energizing and de-energizing pass  10 , and optionally, a display screen select pushbutton indicated generally at  14  for allowing the user to toggle between a first image displayed on display  16 , and one or more additional images. Exemplary uses of such a toggling capability will be described in greater detail shortly. For now, it suffices to say that user controls such as pushbutton  16  may be incorporated to enable a user to scroll through menus, control the brightness of display or otherwise invoke the functions of pass  10 . Alternatively, of course, such user input capability may be omitted altogether in situations where it is deemed unnecessary or undesirable to enable the user to control the operation of pass  10 . 
     Within the housing of each pass  10  is disposed a processor  18 , a memory  20  for storing the operating system and application software for driving the various functions of pass  10 , a display screen controller  22 , and a communication interface  24 . In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , pass  10  further includes an optional global positioning satellite receiver indicated generally at  26 . Power for the aforementioned components is supplied by an internal battery (not shown). 
     Display screen  16  is of sufficient size to display text and graphics in an easily viewable manner. In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , display screen  16  is an LCD screen, such as a TFT or OLED screen. A primary purpose of communication interface  24  is to receive information from credential management system  30 . To this end, communication interface  24  may comprise a USB connection, a wireless transceiver such as an IEEE 802.11, a Bluetooth wireless, an infra-red, or a cellular network transceiver, or any other link as appropriate. 
     With continuing reference to the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that credential management  30  comprises one or more administrator workstations (only one which, indicated generally at reference numeral  32 , is shown) adapted to exchange information with each pass as pass  10  via a communication interface (not shown). While it is contemplated by the inventor herein that an administrator workstation as workstation  32  may have stored in local memory all of the information needed to validate and upload the appropriate data to each pass,  FIG. 1  depicts an arrangement in which a single database hosted at a remotely situated server  34  is employed. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that it allows information relating to many individual users to be stored and updated at a centralized office location, while the administrator workstations may be distributed at various entrances of a building or facility. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the database of server  34  contains, for each event to be supported, a plurality of event records wherein each event record includes identifying information for a corresponding individual, one or more event descriptors associated with the event(s) to which an individual is to have access, and an access level descriptor. 
     By way of example, the identifying information for a given individual may include one or more of the following: the name, gender, age, telephone number, driver&#39;s license number and issuing jurisdiction, a photograph, a fingerprint or other biometric identifier, and a UPC code that has been pre-assigned to the individual. Each event descriptor may include a designation of one or more of the following: the name of the event (e.g., a particular match or game between individual athletes or group of athletes, a musician or band giving a concert), the sponsor(s) or host(s) of the event (e.g., the host of a large social gathering), the location of the event (e.g., a particular stadium, arena, building, field, or other facility), the purpose of the event, and the date of the event (if, for example, there will be multiple occurrences at a single location or facility). Examples of access level descriptors include a designation of the role of an individual (staff, security detail, performer, office personnel), a designation of the areas of a facility to which an individual is authorized to enter and be present, a designation of an individual&#39;s status (e.g., “V.I.P.” or “Guest”), and a designation of a company with which an individual is affiliated or by which an individual is employed (e.g., a professional athletic organization, a television or radio network or other media outlet, a press agency, or an event sponsor). 
     As will be readily ascertained by those skilled in the art, it is necessary to download information corresponding to the appropriate event and access level descriptors to a pass before it can be used by an individual to gain admission to and/or move about permitted areas during an event. Such a transfer is achieved, in a conventional manner, via communication interface  24  of pass  10  and a corresponding communication interface (not shown) of credential management system  32 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a slightly modified access allocation system, in which credential management system  30  includes, in addition to workstation  32 , a file server  36  and web server  38  whereby the administrative functions of creating and modifying event records can still be performed locally at workstations as workstation  32  distributed at a number of geographically distributed facilities, but the storage and back-up functions are handled on a remote, centralized basis. It will be further seen that display  16  of pass  10  is operative to display an image containing indicia representative of the event descriptor, indicated generally at reference numeral  40 , indicia representative of the access level descriptor, indicated generally at reference numeral  42 , and optionally, indicia  44  representative of a corporate logo, an assigned seat or seating area, and/or special areas to which only certain individuals are to be admitted. Illustratively, the indicia representative of the event descriptor may comprise text, graphic artwork, or some combination thereof. To render the image visible even in settings of low ambient light, operating software within pass  10  is preferably configured to operate a light source (not shown) to ensure that display  16  is backlit for at least the duration of an applicable event. 
     Returning briefly to  FIG. 1 , it will be recalled that the inventor herein contemplates that exemplary embodiments of pass  10  may be configured with a GPS receiver and application software executable to use GPS position data, in a conventional manner, to establish its location in three dimensional space. Such position data may be transmitted, via communication interface  24 , either to a cellular communications network (if pass  10  is equipped with a suitable transceiver). Alternatively, pass  10  may be equipped with an RF transponder beacon (not shown) whereby the location of each pass wearer can be established by a plurality of RF receivers or transceivers in accordance with conventional triangulation techniques. Moreover, pushbutton  12  may be actuated so as to cause the image displayed on screen  16  to toggle between primary event credentials images (that includes indicia designating an event descriptor and corresponding access level descriptor), and one or more secondary images which may include, for example, a map display of a facility and the user&#39;s location within it and/or a text message display corresponding to a page of the user received via communication interface  24 . 
     For added security, and to prevent unauthorized users from duplicating a primary credentials image being displayed, each pass as pass  10  in use during a particular event may be programmed, via workstation  32 , to synchronously display on display screen  16  a specific visible sequence of sponsor logos or other indicia. The timing between such indicia may be varied to further limit opportunities for unauthorized reproduction. By way of alternate example, instructions to synchronously display a particular logo or other indicia—along with an image of the indicia itself—may be sent wirelessly to communication interface  24  of each pass during the event. It suffices to say that with such synchronized operation, the members of a facility&#39;s or event&#39;s security detail can readily ascertain, at a glance, whether an individual is wearing an authentic pass as pass  16  or merely an unauthorized duplicate. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated an exemplary process for operating a credential management system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The process is entered at start block  50  and proceeds to block  52 , at which event records are created, transferred, or otherwise stored in a credential management system (CMS) database. The event records include information for authenticating individuals to who are to gain admission to an event and/or access to particular areas of a facility, to which individuals a credentials pass will be issued in accordance with the present invention, as well, one or more event descriptors designating an event or facility to which individuals wearing a credentials pass are to be admitted, and one or more access level descriptors associated with each individual. At block  54 , any images or indicia an event organizer wishes to associate with a particular event descriptor or access level descriptor is transferred or uploaded to, or stored within a CMS workstation or database. At block  56 , information representative of the event descriptor and access level descriptor, which may include any uploaded images and indicia associated therewith, are uploaded to a plurality of credentials passes to be issued at an individual. Other information, such as respective photos, fingerprints, or UPC symbols unique to each corresponding individual may be uploaded at this time. At block  58 , passes are distributed to designated individuals, and at decision block  59 , a decision is made to whether an individual is wearing a pass or not. If yes, the process proceeds to step  60 , whereupon the individual is admitted to the event. If no, the process proceeds to decision block  62 , whereupon a determination is made whether the individual can be authenticated based, for example, upon information contained in the event records database. If yes, the process reverts to block  58  and a properly configured pass is distributed to the user. If no, then the process proceeds to block  64  and the individual is denied entry to the event or admission to particular area within the facility at which the event is being held. At the conclusion of an event, the credentials passes may either be returned or retained, depending upon whether the user may be attending future events. The process terminates at termination block  66 . 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.