Patent Publication Number: US-2017372541-A1

Title: Method and System for Implementing User Biometrics as a Boarding Pass for Public Transportation

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to boarding management systems for public transportation. More specifically, the present invention is a boarding management system which utilizes biometrics of an individual as a boarding pass. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Currently, boarding management system utilizes a physical boarding pass in conjunction with personal identification documents to identify and authenticate passengers. Such systems are implemented in various public transportation modes including, but not limited to, planes, trains, busses, ships, and other shared passenger transport services. Safety, security, and efficiency are of high importance for the aforementioned transportation modes since these services are provided for the general public. Current boarding management systems provide safety and security but are often times inefficient as a result. One way to ensure the safety and security of passengers is to authenticate each passenger credentials prior to boarding. Current boarding management systems focus quite heavily on this aspect and thus ensure safety and security for the travelers. This is achieved through the use of checkpoint personnel whose sole job is to authorize each and every individual based on acceptable credentials. While this method is effective, it is inefficient for the travelers due to the time consuming process. 
     The present invention is an alternative boarding management system which solves the aforementioned problems through the use of biometric boarding passes. More specifically, the present invention utilizes an individual&#39;s biometrics as the boarding pass at an access gate in order to quickly and efficiently authenticate the individual&#39;s identity, travel privileges, and other relevant boarding information. Types of biometrics that may be used include, but are not limited to, fingerprints, face recognition, palm veins, retina recognition, hand geometry, ear lobe recognition, and other distinctive and measurable characteristics of the individual. The biometric boarding pass is tied to the individual&#39;s boarding-pass data. This allows the biometric boarding pass to be used to authorize the passenger&#39;s identity and to validate his or her boarding-pass data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a system diagram of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart depicting the overall process of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting the process if shared scheduling data does not meet the set of scheduling requirements. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart depicting the steps necessary to register an individual&#39;s fingerprints. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart depicting the steps necessary to register an individual&#39;s facial biometrics. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting the steps necessary to receive boarding-pass data through the registration kiosk. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart depicting the steps necessary to validate the identity of the individual registering at the registration kiosk. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting the steps necessary to check if the matching account meets one of the scheduling requirements. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart depicting the steps necessary to check if the matching account meets one of the scheduling requirements. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The present invention is a method for an alternative boarding management system. More specifically, the present invention is a boarding management system for public transportations that utilize an individual&#39;s biometrics as a boarding-pass. Biometrics are associated with human physical and/or behavioral characteristics. Biometrics are used to verify an identity of an individual because these physical and/or behavioral characteristics are unique to each person. Types of biometrics that may be used for the present invention include, but are not limited to, fingerprint characteristics, face geometry, earlobe geometry, voice print, vein configurations, retina geometry, and other distinctive and measurable characteristics. The present invention associates the individual&#39;s boarding-pass information to his or her biometrics. Resultantly, all that is required during boarding procedures is to capture the individual&#39;s biometrics, thus decreasing the boarding time required per passenger without compromising the overall safety and security. The present invention may be used for a variety of transportation services including, but not limited to, planes, trains, busses, ships, and other shared passenger transport services. 
     The present invention comprises a system and a method that provide a novel boarding management system. The method is a software application executed by the system of the present invention for a plurality of user accounts. Each of the user accounts represents a passenger and is associated with authentic biometric data and boarding-pass data (Step A). The authentic biometric data corresponds to the physical and/or behavioral characteristics of the corresponding passenger. The boarding-pass data includes particulars of the passenger and the route such as seat, row, route number, vehicle type, confirmation number, passenger name, amount paid, and other similar information. Additionally, each of the plurality of user accounts is provided with user identification (ID) information. The user ID information includes, but is not limited to, name, address, contact information, and other similar information. The user ID information is entered by the passenger when he or she purchases their ticket, essentially creating a user account with the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the system of the present invention comprises the physical components required to execute the method. One of the main components is an at least one access gate. The access gate refers to the system(s) and apparatuses used to process individuals prior to boarding, which may include a physical gate/door. Processing may include, but is not limited to, verifying boarding ticket/information, verifying personal identity, and performing other similar pre-traveling processes. The access gate may be automatic or manned by security personnel. Additionally, the access gate includes an at least one scanning device and is associated with a gate itinerary and a set of scheduling requirements (Step B). The scanning device is used to scan/capture the individual&#39;s biometrics. A variety of devices may be used for the scanning device including, but not limited to, a digital camera, a fingerprint reader, and other similar devices. The gate itinerary includes information about the transportation services offered at the access gate such as vehicle type, departure times, arrival times, vehicle identification, operating identify, and other pertinent information related to the transportation services. Two import pieces of information included in the gate itinerary are a departure time for a scheduled transport route and route ID data for said scheduled transport route. Route ID data may be implemented in the form of a number, a word, a sentence, lettering, or a combination thereof. The scheduled transport route refers to a route or a flight that is being offered by the transportation services utilizing the present invention. The set of scheduling requirements is a multitude of criteria that a user account from the plurality of user accounts must meet in order to pass the access gate. Other main components include an at least one remote server and a registration kiosk. The remote server manages the gate itinerary and the plurality of user accounts (Step C). The remote server is communicably coupled to the access gate and the registration kiosk. The registration kiosk allows passengers to register and enter biometrics. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the overall process of the present invention begins with the access gate receiving entrant biometric data through the scanning device (Step D). This step represents an entrant individual submitting his or her biometrics to the access gate, thus requesting passage through the access gate. The entrant biometric data is then sent from the scanning device to the remote server for authentication and analysis (Step E). The remote server compares the entrant biometric data against the authentic biometric data for each of the user accounts in order to identify a matching account from the plurality of user accounts (Step F). This step is implemented in order to authenticate the identity of the entrant individual, one of the main purposes of a boarding management system. In one embodiment, due to natural inconsistencies, a complete identical match for the biometric data is not required to identify the matching account, but instead a minimum similarity threshold is required; the minimum similarity threshold is pre-set by the managing entities of the transportation services. If the identity of the entrant individual validates, i.e. the matching account is identified, within the overall process of the present invention, the boarding-pass data associated with the matching account is also get authenticated. 
     The boarding-pass data of the matching account is compared to the gate itinerary with the remote server in order to identify shared scheduling data between the boarding-pass data of the matching account and the gate itinerary (Step G). The shared scheduling data is a set of similar elements between the boarding-pass data of the matching account and the gate itinerary. Examples of similar elements include, but are not limited to, route number, departure time, gate number, and other similar information. In general, step G ensures that the matching account bought a ticket for the correct scheduled transport route. If the shared scheduling data meets the set of scheduling requirements, then a confirmation notification is sent from the remote server to the access gate (Step H). The set of scheduling requirements is determined by the scheduled transport route that is currently boarding at the access gate when the entrant individual requests permission to pass. The confirmation notification is sent to the access gate in order to grant passage for the entrant individual through access gate. Alternatively, if the shared scheduling data does not meet the set of scheduling requirements, then an error notification is sent from the remote server to the access gate (Step I) as seen in  FIG. 3 . The error notification signals to the access gate to not allow the entrant individual to pass through the access gate. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the access gate is fully automated and does not require an operator. In this embodiment, if the confirmation notification is sent from the remote server to the access gate, then the access gate physically opens and allows a single individual to pass through. Alternatively, if the error notification is sent from the remote server to the access gate, then the access gate does not open and displays an error message. In another embodiment of the present invention, the access gate is managed by an operator. In this embodiment, the access gate displays either the confirmation notification or the error notification and the operator acts accordingly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , one of the scheduling requirements is a matching transport route. More specifically, the route from the boarding-pass data of the matching account matches the route from the gate itinerary. First, the route ID for the scheduled transport route is extracted from the boarding-pass data of the matching account. Next, the route ID data of the matching account is compared to the route ID of the gate itinerary. If the route ID data of the gate itinerary matches the route ID data of the matching account, then the route ID data of the matching account and the route ID data of the gate itinerary are designated as the shared scheduling data during Step G. The shared scheduling data is then analyzed to ensure that all the necessary scheduling requirements are met. If the route ID data of the matching account and the route ID data of the gate itinerary are designated as the shared scheduling data, then one of the scheduling requirements is fulfilled, more specifically the matching transport route requirement. In the simplest embodiment of the present invention, this is accomplished through a single number, word, or variable that is compared during Step G. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , another scheduling requirement is a matching timeframe. In general, the matching timeframe checks that the entrant individual arrives on time and for the correct departure time. Information necessary to check this requirement includes a departure time for the scheduled transport route within the boarding-pass data of the matching account and a departure time for the scheduled transport route within the gate itinerary. First, a current timestamp is recorded during Step D. Next, the system generates an acceptable tardiness window relative to the current timestamp in order to allow for a certain degree of lateness. If the departure time of the matching account occurs before or during the acceptable tardiness, and if the departure time of the gate itinerary occurs before or during the acceptable tardiness window, then the departure time of the matching account and the departure time of the gate itinerary are designated as the shared scheduling data during Step G. If the departure time of the matching account and the departure time of the gate itinerary are designated as the shared scheduling data, then one of the scheduling requirements is fulfilled, more specifically the matching timeframe requirement. 
     Prior to boarding procedures at the access gate, each of the user accounts is required to register with the present invention. Registration includes submitting the required biometrics and entering/submitting boarding-pass data. In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the user accounts is allowed to register through the registration kiosk. The registration kiosk may be equipped with a fingerprint reader, a digital camera, and a barcode scanner. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the registration process begins with the registration kiosk prompting an arbitrary account from the plurality of user accounts to scan a boarding-pass ticket. The arbitrary account is used as a proxy in order to represent any one of the plurality of user accounts. This process is similar to any modern barcode systems as the individual simply positions a barcode of the boarding-pass ticket in front of the scanner. Next, the registration kiosk receives boarding information through the barcode scanner, wherein the boarding information is encoded on the boarding-pass ticket. Boarding information includes, but is not limited to, route number, confirmation number, identity of passenger, seat number, departure time, and any other information regularly used by transportation services. The boarding information is then stored by the remote server as the boarding-pass data associated with the arbitrary account. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the boarding information is also used to retrieve user ID information associated with the arbitrary account from the remote server. More specifically, the user ID information that is entered and used to purchase the associated boarding-pass ticket. To validate the identity of the individual that is registering, the individual is prompted by the registration kiosk to scan/enter a registered ID document such as a passport or a driver&#39;s license. Once the individual scans/enters the registered ID document, scanned ID information is retrieved from the registered ID document through the registration kiosk. The scanned ID information is then compared to the user ID information for each of the user accounts in order to verify the user ID information of the arbitrary account with the scanned ID information. In one embodiment of the present invention, the registration kiosk is managed by an operator that validates the identity of the arbitrary account as well for additional security. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the process for obtaining biometrics begins with the registration kiosk as it prompts the arbitrary account to enter authentic biometrics during Step C. One of the main biometrics that may be used by the present invention is an individual&#39;s fingerprints. Once prompted, the individual places his or her fingers onto the fingerprint scanner. This allows the present invention to receive a fingerprint image through the fingerprint reader. Next, unique fingerprint identifiers are extracted from the fingerprint image with the registration kiosk. Unique fingerprint identifiers comprise the position, orientation, and the shape of ridges, valleys, as well as the physical difference between the two. A variety of methods may be used to extract the unique fingerprint identifiers. Once extracted, the unique fingerprint identifiers are stored, by the remote server, as the authentic biometric data associated with the arbitrary account. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , another main biometric that may be used by the present invention is facial geometry. Similar to the fingerprint biometric process, the arbitrary account is first prompted, by the registration kiosk, to enter authentic biometrics during Step C. Once prompted, the user positions his or her face directly in front of the digital camera and stand still until a picture is taken. This allows the present invention to receive a facial digital image through the digital camera. Next, unique facial identifiers are extracted from the digital image with the registration kiosk. Unique facial identifiers comprise various variables of a person&#39;s face, such as length and width of the nose, cheek shape, depth of eye sockets, lip width and length, and other similar features. The unique facial identifiers are then stored, by the remote server, as the authentic biometric data associated with the arbitrary account. In alternative embodiments, the registration kiosk is equipped with the necessary devices to measure and receive alternative types of biometrics including, but not limited to, earlobe geometry, voice print, vein configurations, and retina geometry. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.