Patent Publication Number: US-2005125679-A1

Title: Identification verification system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention generally relates to identification systems. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a system for instantly and easily confirming the identification of pre-registered individuals.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Recently, identity theft has become a major problem, resulting in monetary losses in the millions. This criminal phenomenon also results in countless hours of time needed to repair credit records and restore financial reputations. For this reason alone, a portable device utilized to instantly provide verification of an individual&#39;s identity would certainly be a welcome addition to the art. Such a device would also be invaluable in areas such as health care, workforce identification, child protection, etc., to insure proper identification of patients, health care personnel and business employees.  
      There are a plethora of devices in the related art utilized for confirming the identification of individuals. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,977 (Scott et al.) is drawn to a portable fingerprint transmitter that operates to take the image of a fingerprint and transmit the image to a receiver having previously stored fingerprint images so as to cause a comparison between the image taken and the image stored for purposes of unlocking a security area.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,642 (Merjanian) relates to a portable system that includes an ergonomic fingerprint reader that is both a fingerprint acquisition and an account identification device.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,083 (Elmes) shows a method and non-portable apparatus for fingerprint verification and identity of a person presenting a credit card.  
      U.S. Patent Application Publication numbered 2001/0031074 A1 (Yamazika et al.) refers to a system for identifying an individual using a portable communication device with a sensor-incorporated display. The display reads biological information of an individual, and based on the read information, identifies the individual.  
      U.S. Patent Application Publication numbered 2003/0028811 A1 (Walker et al.) shows a method apparatus and system for authenticating fingerprints. The system is concealed in a hand-held module and allows medical professionals to initiate and perform a plurality of actions by using a fingerprint-induced command.  
      None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a portable fingerprint scanner as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention comprises a portable, heat sensitive scanner unit capable of electronic communication with a central database storage facility via a computer unit (laptop or desktop PC) with online capability. The scanner unit has an area on its top surface to receive biometric information from an individual. As contemplated, the biometric data will be in the form of a fingerprint or thumb print. A toe print may also be utilized if necessary (infants and hand loss victims). The scanned biometric data is to be compared with data previously obtained from the individual, which data has been stored in the central database. When identification is to be verified, the individual positions his/her finger on the scanning area. An indicator (yellow light) is activated on the scanner to confirm that the individual&#39;s finger has been properly placed on the scanner and that verification is in process. If identification is verified and approved without any restrictions, a signal having a positive connotation is returned, which signal activates a green light on the unit. If identification is not verified and approved or there are restrictions, a signal having a negative connotation is generated and a red light will be activated on the scanner unit to alert officials that further processing of the individual must be made.  
      Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an identification verification system predicated on individual biometric data.  
      It is another object of the invention to provide an identification verification system based on the electronic comparison of an individuals fingerprint with data stored in a central facility.  
      It is a further object of the invention to employ a portable, heat sensitive scanner in an identification verification system.  
      Still another object of the invention is to employ a portable, heat sensitive scanner in an identification verification system, which scanner is connected to a central storage facility via a desktop PC or laptop.  
      It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.  
      These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a portable fingerprint scanner according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an identification verification system according to the present invention. 
    
    
      Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Attention is first directed to  FIG. 1 , wherein a portable scanner unit is indicated at  10 . The top surface of unit  10  is provided with a scanning area  12 , which area is heat sensitive and will electronically record biometric data sensed from a fingerprint or thumbprint placed thereon. The scanner  10  is conventional and may take on a form of many of well known scanners available in the related art. Unit  10  incorporates means  14  for connecting the unit to a desktop PC or laptop computer unit. Unit  10  has three indicator lights of different colors  16 ,  18 , and  20 .  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic of a system whereby the biometric data obtained from unit  10  is employed to verify the identity of an individual. As seen in the schematic, the individual&#39;s biometric data as scanned by unit  10  is transmitted electronically to a remote central database storage facility  22  via a computer  24 . An indicator  16  (yellow light) is activated on the scanner to confirm that the individual&#39;s finger has been properly placed on the scanner and that verification is in process. If identification is verified and approved without any restrictions, a signal is returned, which signal activates a green light  18  on the unit. If identification is not verified and approved or there are restrictions, a red light  20  will be activated on the scanner unit to alert officials that further processing of the individual must be made.  
      It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.