Patent Abstract:
The invention is directed to a method and system for securing the visual identity of a traveler to their travel documents. The method includes the steps of receiving a picture based form of identification from a traveler requesting travel documents, visually verifying the traveler matches the identification, obtaining the traveler&#39;s travel documents and subsequently, or simultaneously with obtaining the traveler&#39;s travel documents, then securing the picture based identification or an image of the traveler to the travel documents. Securing can be accomplished by physically securing the picture identification to a common holder which holds both the picture based identification card and the travel documents, or physically securing a reproduction of the picture based identification or a portion thereof to the travel documents themselves, physically securing a currently captured picture of the verified traveler to the travel documents themselves, or electronically storing for subsequent retrieval at security checkpoints an image of the picture based identification or a portion thereof or a currently captured picture of the verified traveler whereby said picture is indexed in a database and linked to the travel documents by a unique identifier.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    (none)  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FED SPONSORED R &amp; D  
         [0002]    (none)  
         FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the travel industry and more particularly to methods and systems for verifying the identity of travelers and that travelers are in possession of travel documents in which they are the named traveler.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The travel industry has an increasing need to ensure the identity of a traveler and to prevent the use of tickets and boarding passes, herein also referred to as travel documents, by persons other than the ticketed passenger. Current methods are insufficient in that the travel documents only identify the ticketed passenger by name and possibly other textual information. When the traveler checks in at the ticket counter, FAA regulations and airline personnel have long required the traveler to present a picture based form of identification, such as a passport or driver&#39;s license, in order that they may visually verify the traveler&#39;s identity prior to issuing their boarding passes. However, after a traveler leaves the ticket counter, it is possible for someone other than the ticketed passenger to come into possession of the issued travel documents. Due to increased occurrences and threats of terrorism related to air travel, much of the airport premises and all commercial passenger aircraft are restricted to only ticketed passengers and authorized support personnel. Accordingly, airport and airline security operations now have multiple security check points at which travelers are required to present picture based forms of identification along with their travel documents. Airport and airline security personnel review the picture based forms of identification to visually verify the identities of the travelers presenting the identification cards and travel documents and to verify that the names on the identification cards and travel documents are the same. Albeit necessary, this requirement and associated process creates both delays in airport and airline operations and is an inconvenience to travelers.  
           [0005]    The repeated storage and retrieval of the separate identification card and travel documents cause much of the delay and inconvenience. Travelers are commonly carrying bags, wallets or purses, cellular phones and other items. Accordingly, they find it difficult to consistently and quickly store and retrieve the separate identification cards and travel documents. Furthermore, as travelers search for the required identification cards and travel documents there can be considerable confusion which detracts from an orderly screening of travelers and their identification cards and documents by airport and airline security personnel. In addition, the separate handling of the identification card and travel documents does not provide a consistent spatial orientation of the two items, making it difficult for airport and airline security to quickly and consistently review the items and perform the necessary verifications. It is therefore desirable to have a method, apparatus and system for securing a picture based form of identification to travel documents which easily allows the consistent presentation of the picture based identification and travel documents to airport and airline security personnel.  
           [0006]    Ticket folders are currently employed by the travel industry to retain travel documents. Ticket folders have been contemplated which provide additional functionality such as those described by Zoland in U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,722 and Alford, Jr. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,332. Zoland describes a ticket folder whereby a time wheel is included in the folder for time zone conversion by the traveler. Alford, Jr. teaches an airline ticket folder in which the ticket folder provides a plurality of folded panels which contain travel information pertaining to the destination of the traveler. While the ticket folders currently employed and those described by Zoland and Alford, Jr. provide for the retention of travel documents, they do not provide for the retention of a picture based form of identification. Therefore the current forms of travel documents in use as well as the current forms of ticket folders in use do not provide for the securing of a picture based form of identification to the travel documents. Alternatively, identification card holders have long been used for security purposes. These card holders allow a person to visibly display their identification by wearing the holder containing the identification in a prominent location. Such card holders are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,00,570, 4,305,215, 4,869,004, 6,025,564, and 6,226,905. While these card holders serve to enable the validation that a person wearing an identification card possesses a card, and a verification that their likeness matches the picture contained on the card, there are no means provided to present associated travel documents and to facilitate their review by security personnel.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is recognized that the travel industry likely has a sizable inventory and order commitments for the currently employed ticket folders. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus to utilize currently employed ticket folders to secure a picture based identification card to the ticket folder, thereby also securing the identification card to travel documents retained in the ticket folder.  
           [0008]    It is also recognized that the cost to secure an identification card to travel documents would optimally be minimal. Another object of the present invention is to provide a new ticket and identification card folder which utilizes cost effective methods of manufacture.  
           [0009]    It is also recognized that travelers may want to own a reusable picture based form of identification and travel document holder which facilitates the review of the identification card and travel documents by airport and airline security personnel. Another object of the invention is to provide an identification and travel document holder which facilitates the review of the identification and travel documents by airport and airline security personnel and which is fashioned in a durable material such as leather.  
           [0010]    It is further recognized that airport and airline security operations would be greatly enhanced by providing a verified photograph of the traveler non-removably attached directly to the travel documents. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for capturing and non removeably attaching a verified photograph of the traveler on the travel documents.  
           [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for capturing a current, verified photograph of the traveler, associating a unique identifier to the photograph for later retrieval of the photograph, storing the photograph of the traveler in a database indexed by the unique identifier and encoding the unique identifier on the travel document in machine readable form and to further provide for the retrieval of the current photograph of the traveler at the various security checkpoints by reading the unique identifier on the travel document and retrieving the photograph from the database for viewing and confirmation by security personnel.  
           [0012]    A method and system for securing the visual identity of a traveler to their travel documents in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of receiving a picture based form of identification from a traveler requesting travel documents, visually verifying the traveler matches the identification, obtaining the traveler&#39;s travel documents and subsequently, or simultaneously with obtaining the traveler&#39;s travel documents, then securing the picture based identification or an image of the traveler to the travel documents. Securing can be accomplished by physically securing the picture identification to a common holder which holds both the picture based identification card and the travel documents, or physically securing a reproduction of the picture based identification or a portion thereof to the travel documents themselves, physically securing a currently captured picture of the verified traveler to the travel documents themselves, or electronically storing for subsequent retrieval at security checkpoints an image of the picture based identification or a portion thereof or a currently captured picture of the verified traveler whereby said picture is indexed in a database and linked to the travel documents by a unique identifier.  
           [0013]    Apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides for the retention of at least one picture based form of identification together with at least one travel document or facilitates the rapid modification of a conventional ticket folder to accomplish the same.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 depicts a conventional ticket folder;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 illustrates the conventional ticket folder of FIG. 1 modified in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 depicts another style of conventional ticket folder;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 illustrates the conventional ticket folder of FIG. 3 modified in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 depict picture based identification card holders. Each figure contains subfigures A-D whereby subfigure A shows a horizontal orientation of the holder in exploded view, subfigure B shows a vertical orientation of the holder in assembled view, subfigure C shows a horizontal orientation of the holder in assembled view with a card inserted and subfigure D shows a vertical orientation of the holder in assembled view with a card inserted;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a ticket folder which has an integral picture based identification card holder in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a combination travel document and picture based identification holder in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a system block diagram representative of some of the embodiments of the present invention in which an image of the visual identity of a traveler is captured and attached to travel documents of the traveler;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 illustrates a boarding pass in accordance with some of the embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 illustrates a boarding pass in accordance with some of the embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is a system block diagram representative of some of the embodiments of the present invention in which an image of the visual identity of a traveler is captured and associated to travel documents of the traveler for retrieval of the image at security checkpoints;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a system block diagram of a security checkpoint representative of some of the embodiments of the present invention for use in conjunction with the system of FIG. 13. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]    Methods, systems and apparatus for securing the visual identity of a traveler to their travel documents are disclosed. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments given will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is intended to be accorded the widest scope consisted with the principles and features disclosed herein.  
         [0027]    Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an example of a conventional ticket folder representative of those in use by the airlines. Ticket folder  100  is constructed of paper stock which is generally printed, cut, folded and glued to create the ticket folder. This example of a conventional ticket folders provides pockets  110  and  120  for retention of the travelers travel documents. Travel documents inserted into pocket  110  are done so through slot  115 . Pocket  110  is designed to leave a substantial portion of the travel document exposed. This pocket is generally used for retaining boarding passes  180 . Text  185  contained on boarding passes  180  can be quickly examined for travel details such as the passenger name, flight number, and scheduled flight departure time. Pocket  120  is designed to retain documents using two methods. In one of the two methods, the pocket receives the travel document through slot  125 . Documents thus inserted are substantially covered by pocket  120 . This method is generally used to store tickets. In the other of the two methods, the pocket receives the travel documents through slot  130 . Documents  190  thus inserted are substantially exposed allowing text  195  to be readily examined. Multiple boarding passes can be retained by folder  100  in either pockets  110  or  120  or a combination thereof. Ticket folder  100  is closed about fold  105  to further retain and protect the travel documents contained therein.  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the conventional ticket folder of FIG. 1 is shown modified in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 2, ticket folder  140  has been modified to include pocket  145 . Pocket  145  is constructed of a substantially transparent plastic material, is designed to receive a picture based identification card  160  in slot  150  and serves to securely retain the identification card. Picture based identification cards are placed in pocket  145  as indicated by arrow  155  and are readily visible either by way of the exposed portion of the card or through the substantially transparent plastic. The rear surface of pocket  145  is coated with an adhesive for readily attaching pocket  145  to ticket folder  100  to form ticket folder  140 . As in FIG. 1, also shown in FIG. 2 are boarding passes  180  and  190 . Boarding pass  180  is inserted in pocket  110 . Boarding pass  190  is inserted in pocket  120  through slot  130 . Preferably and as depicted in FIG. 2, the traveler names  185  and  195  that are respectively contained on boarding passes  180  and  190 , are advantageously spatially oriented to the name  170  contained on identification card  160  and thus can be readily verified to match. Picture  165  is also presented in an advantageous orientation for examination.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 depicts another type of a conventional ticket folder representative of those currently used by airlines. Ticket folder  200  shown in FIG. 3 has pocket  210  accessed through slot  215  for retention of travel documents, generally boarding passes  205 . A portion of boarding pass  205  thus inserted is exposed for access and viewing of text  230  containing travel details. Boarding pass  205  and text  230  contained thereon can be accessed from the outside of the ticket folder when the ticket folder is closed in the direction indicated by arrow  220  about fold  240 . Pocket  210  is also accessible from the opposite side from slot  215  through slot  225 . Slot  225  is indicated by a dotted line. Slot  225  runs substantially parallel and relatively close to fold  240  and is accessible when ticket folder  200  is opened in the opposite direction from that indicated by arrow  220  about fold  240 . Tickets are generally inserted in slot  225  and are fully or largely enveloped by pocket  210 .  
         [0030]    Ticket folder  200  when modified in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen in FIG. 4, ticket folder  250  has been modified to include pocket  255  for securely retaining a picture based identification card  265 . Pocket  255  is located near the exposed portion of boarding pass  205  and text  230 . Picture based identification card  265  is inserted into pocket  255  through slot  280  in the direction indicated by arrow  275 . The orientation of picture based identification card  265  when placed in pocket  255  and the orientation of boarding pass  205  are preferably the same to facilitate reading and matching of the names contained in text  260  and  230 . Picture  270  is also thus presented in an advantageous orientation for examination.  
         [0031]    Various embodiments of picture based identification card holders can be used to provide pockets for securing picture based identification card to a ticket folders. FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 depict various embodiments of picture based identification card holders. Holders  300 ,  330 , and  360  respectively in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are shown when constructed in horizontal and vertical orientations and are shown with and without identification cards inserted. Four depictions are therefore provided for each of the three holders  300 ,  330  and  360 . Only the horizontal orientation without an identification card is numbered for detailed discussion, but the discussion applies equally to each of the four depictions. Holders  300 ,  330  and  360  are constructed of substantially clear plastic thereby providing for viewing of picture based identification cards places therein. Holder  300  shown in FIG. 5 consists of front wall  303  and rear wall  306  which are attached along perimeter  309  from point  312  to point  315 . Attachment is commonly done by the application of heat or by sonic welding. Rear wall  306  is slightly larger than a picture based identification card. Front wall  303  is shorter in height than rear wall  306  and stops at slot  321 . Picture based identification cards are inserted into the pocket created by front wall  303  and rear wall  306  through slot  321 . Rear wall  306  can have a weak adhesive applied in the area indicated by hash marks  318  for additional retention cards placed in holder  300 . The majority of the card is captured in the pocket. A portion of the card is exposed for access to remove the card. The rear surface of rear wall  306 , which can also be referred to as the rear surface of holder  300 , is coated with an adhesive for attaching holder  300  to a ticket folder. The adhesive coating would normally be covered with what is commonly referred to in the art as a release backing until use. This release backing prevents the adhesive from reacting with air and the holder from adhering to unwanted items prior to use. To attach the holder  300  to a ticket folder, the release backing is pealed off of the adhesive coated rear surface of holder  300  and holder  300  is then placed onto the ticket folder.  
         [0032]    Holder  330  shown in FIG. 6 has front walls  333  and  336  and a rear wall  339  attached at perimeter  342 . Perimeter  342  runs the length of all four sides of rear wall  339 . Front walls  333  and  336  are separated by slot  345 . The height of front wall  333  is slightly larger than the height of picture based identification cards, thereby allowing a card to be inserted downwardly into slot  345  and into the pocket formed by front wall  333  and rear wall  339 . Front walls  333  and  336  elastically separate and close about slot  345  as the card is inserted. Once elastically closed, slot  345  serves to prevent the card from inadvertently falling out of holder  330 . Holder  330  has adhesive and release backing applied to its rear surface as described for holder  300 .  
         [0033]    Holder  360  shown in FIG. 7 has a front wall  363 , rear wall  366  and flap  378 . Rear wall  366  is slightly larger than a picture based identification card. Front wall  363  is shorter in height than rear wall  366  and stops at slot  390 . Picture based identification cards are inserted into the pocket created by front wall  363  and rear wall  366  at slot  390 . The majority of the card is captured in the pocket. A portion of the card is exposed for access to remove the card. Flap  378  and rear wall  366  are either formed from a common piece of substantially transparent plastic and are differentiated by the fold at edges  381  and  384  or are two separate pieces of substantially transparent plastic attached at edges  381  and  384 . Flap  378  elastically opens and closes about the fold or attachment as the card is inserted. Once elastically closed, flap  378  serves to prevent the card from inadvertently falling out of holder  360 . To further secure the card from falling out, flap  378  can be of sufficient length to be partially inserted into the pocket at slot  390 . Alternatively, flap  378  can have adhesive applied on the surface indicated by hash marks  387  to adhere it to front wall  363 . Holder  360  has adhesive and release backing applied to its rear surface as described for holder  300 . Descriptions of holders  300 ,  330  and  360  are provided for illustrative purposes and significant variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0034]    Card holders  300 ,  330  and  360  can be designed to include indications of a particular status of the traveler. For example, the border or a strip portion of the holder could be color coded to indicate a particular elite level of a frequent travel program. In addition, the card holders could include an additional portion of space for advertisements printed thereon or for advertisements printed on paper where the paper is subsequently attached on the additional space or inserted into an additionally provided pocket contained in the additional space. Alternatively the pocket for the identification card could be for advertisements. For example, the holder could have an advertisement printed on the front face of the rear wall of the card holder. This advertisement would be in conspicuous view and visible through the front wall of the holder as the card is removed. Alternatively, the advertisement could be contained on a piece of paper situated behind the identification card. Again, this advertisement would be in conspicuous view and visible through the front wall of the holder as the card is removed. Advertisements such as those for a car rental agency, hotel or restaurant would be some of those that can be envisioned to beneficially use the holder for such a form of advertising.  
         [0035]    Ticket folder  400  shown in FIG. 8 is designed to securely retain a picture based identification card in addition to retaining travel documents. This ticket folder can be manufactured at a lower cost than the total cost of combining a conventional ticket jacket with a plastic card holder as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Ticket folder  400  can be manufactured from a single sheet of paper stock which is printed, die cut, applied with adhesive in selective locations thereon, and be folded. Folder  400  is shown with folds partially completed for illustrative purposes.  
         [0036]    The left side of folder  400  consists of walls  403  and  406  which meet at fold  409 . When completely folded in the direction indicated by arrow  412 , the lower portions of walls  403  and  406  are adhered together with adhesive applied in the region indicated by hash marks  415  and thereby create a pocket. Edge  418  of wall  406  creates a slot, herein after referred to as slot  418 , for access to the pocket for retaining tickets. Slot  424  in wall  406  provides for additional storage for travel documents in the pocket where a portion of the travel documents remains exposed.  
         [0037]    The right side of folder  400  consists of walls  430 ,  433  and  436 . Walls  430  and  433  meet at fold  427 . Walls  433  and  436  meet at fold  439 . Wall  433  has a portion removed to form window  457  and cuts to form flap  460 . Adhesive is applied to the rear side of wall  433  in the location indicated by dotted hash marks  448  for adhering wall  436  to wall  433  when completely folded about fold  439  in the direction indicated by arrow  442 . The adhesive is not applied within the area just outside the window as defined by the window and dotted line  454 . The substantially rectangular region defined by dotted line  454  and flap fold  413  is slightly larger than a picture based identification card. This region represents a pocket having a window where the pocket is formed by walls  433  and  436  and allows insertion of a card therein through flap  460 . The majority of window  457  can be enclosed in substantially transparent cellophane or similar material by adhering the material to the rear of wall  433 . This would provide for additional retention of cards placed in the pocket and also allow the window to be as large or larger than the card. After walls  433  and  436  are folded and adhered together, they are collectively folded about fold  427  in the direction indicated by arrow  445 . The bottom of wall  430  and the collective walls  433  and  436  are adhered together by adhesive applied in the area indicated by hash marks  451  thereby forming a pocket. Edge  466  of wall  433  and fold  439  collectively form creates a slot, herein after referred to as slot  466 , into which boarding passes can be retained and partially exposed for viewing.  
         [0038]    Folder  400  therefore enables boarding passes to be inserted into  424  and  466  and picture based identification cards to be inserted into the slot defined by flap  460  where the boarding passes and identification card have the same orientation thereby facilitating quick verification that names contained thereon match. In addition, the picture on the identification card is advantageously oriented for examination.  
         [0039]    Paper based ticket folders are generally intended for single or very limited use. FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of the present invention that is reusable. This reusable embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter referred to as the “document traveler”, and is fashioned in a durable material such as leather. Document traveler  500  could be purchased by the traveler or possibly given to the traveler as part of an airline frequent traveler elite level program.  
         [0040]    Document traveler  500  has three main walls  505 ,  510  and  515  attached at spine  520 . Holder  530  on wall  510  is designed for insertion of the first page of a passport through slot  525 . The first page of the passport contains the picture and name of the passport holder which is viewable through the substantially transparent plastic face on holder  530 . Flap  535  of wall  505  then covers the balance of the passport protecting and retaining the remaining pages. Alternatively a card form of picture based identification can be inserted into slot  560  of holder  540  co-located on holder  530  where the card is viewable through the substantially transparent plastic forming holder  540 . In this construction, the portion of the passport under holder  540  is viewed through two layers of plastic, one layer being the face of holder  540  and the other layer being holder  525 . Slot  550  in wall  505  provides for insertion of boarding passes, into the pocket contained in wall  505 . Boarding passes thus inserted are partially exposed. Document traveler  500  therefore allows boarding passes and picture based identification to be held in common orientation in walls  505  and  510  facilitating quick confirmation that names contained thereon match. The picture on the identification is also advantageously oriented for examination. Alternatively slot  550  can receive a paper based ticket folder, arranged in a manner to properly expose the boarding pass contained therein after insertion of the ticket folder into slot  550 . Wall  510  can be equipped with slots  555  for credit or other cards. The opposing sides off wall  510  and  515  can be equipped with additional pockets, not shown, for additional travel documents or with slots, pockets and/or pouches, not shown, such as those common in wallets for storing paper currency, coin currency, writing instruments, pictures, paper, receipts and/or additional cards.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 10 is a block diagram of further embodiments of the present invention which are methods and systems to capture the image of the visual identity of the traveler and to secure the captured image directly on the traveler&#39;s travel documents. These embodiments thereby relieve security personnel from having to verify that names on picture based identification matches those on travel documents. Various embodiments of system  600  shown in FIG. 10 are provided by the present invention. In one embodiment, the captured image is secured to the travel documents by printing the image directly thereon. In another embodiment, the captured image is first printed on labels which are then non removabley attached to the travel documents. Another variant of the embodiments of system  600  is that the captured image can be that of the picture based form of identification or a portion thereof, or the captured image can be that of the traveler themselves. The later image has the benefit of being a current image of the traveler, including their current hair styling and dress. System  600  can be implemented to provide any combination of the variants including those that provide the capability to print both on labels and directly on travel documents and/or to capture both the image of traveler and the image of the picture based form of identification.  
         [0042]    System  600  contains image capture device  605  for capturing the image. For an embodiment where the image to be captured is a picture based form of identification or a portion thereof, the image capture device would be an image scanner or digital camera. For an embodiment where the image to be captured is that of the traveler, the image capture device would be a digital camera. Data representing the image is communicated to ticket counter data processing equipment  610  and is optionally communicated between ticket counter data processing equipment  610  and database server  615  for storage for future retrieval and audit. For systems which print the image directly on the travel document two alternatives are provided. In one version the travel document is printed with the image by document printer  620 . In this version, ticket counter data processing equipment  610  retrieves traveler travel document information sends the travel document data and image data to document printer  620  for printing. In the other version, the travel document is first printed without the image by document printer  620  and the image is subsequently printed on the travel document by image printer  625 . In this second version, ticket counter data processing equipment  610  first retrieves traveler travel document information and sends to ticket printer  620  for printing. The resulting travel document is then loaded in image printer  625  and ticket counter data processing equipment  610  sends image data to image printer  625  for printing of the image on the travel document.  
         [0043]    For systems which print the image on a label for attachment to the travel document, ticket counter data processing equipment  610  sends the image data to label printer  625  for printing and the traveler travel document data to ticket printer  620  for printing. Labels are printed for each boarding pass printed. As the boarding passes and labels are finishing printing or after they complete printing, the labels are attached to the boarding passes. Preferably the label would have some form of watermarking scheme, hologram or other method to indicate its authenticity and would provide visible evidence when tampered with.  
         [0044]    It can be readably envisioned by those skilled in the art that the image capture and image printing devices could be implemented as a separate system where said system is not operatively connected to the ticket counter data processing system. This separate image capture and printing system can be a self contained device which accepts the picture based form of identification, image scans the identification, optionally displays the scan for acceptance by the operator, receives a quantity and print command from the operator and prints the requested number of labels or prints the requested number of images on travel documents. Alternatively, this separate system can comprise separate components including an image scanner a data processing unit and an image printer.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 shows boarding pass  630  with the image of a picture based form of identification  640  printed on boarding pass  630  or attached to the boarding pass by use of the label. The image or the picture based form of identification captured at the ticket counter may require cropping to provide the most effective use of the space provided for the image on the travel document. Accordingly, image  640  can be a cropped image that contains a portion of the full image of the picture based form of identification. Systems can be implemented to provide operator assisted cropping or automated cropping based on image recognition and processing algorithms.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 12 shows boarding pass  660  with the image of traveler  670  printed on boarding pass  660  or attached to the boarding pass by use of the label. Image  670  can be a portion of the image of a picture based form of identification cropped only to include the image of the traveler or image  670  can be a current image of the traveler taken at the ticket counter. The current image of the traveler captured at the ticket counter may require cropping to provide the most effective use of the space provided for the image on the travel document. Accordingly, image  670  can be a cropped image that contains a portion of the original image of the traveler captured at the ticket counter. Systems can be implemented to provide operator assisted cropping or automated cropping based on image recognition and processing algorithms.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the present invention which is a method and system to capture the image of a picture based form of identification or the image of the traveler at the ticket counter and to display the image at security checkpoints. System  700  contains image capture device  705  for capturing the image. For an embodiment where the image to be captured is a picture based form of identification or a portion thereof, the image capture device would be an image scanner or digital camera. For an embodiment where the image to be captured is that of the traveler, the image capture device would be a digital camera. Data representing the image is communicated to ticket counter data processing equipment  710 . The captured image can be cropped so that the cropped image contains a portion of the full image of the picture based form of identification or the traveler. Systems can be implemented to provide operator assisted cropping or automated cropping based on image recognition and processing algorithms. Ticket counter data processing equipment  710  then assigns a unique index number to the image. This unique index number can preferably be the document number or document numbers for which the image is captured. It is recognized that more than one document number can be associated with the current travel. The image is mapped or indexed under each such associated travel documents. The image data and index data are then communicated between ticket counter data processing equipment  710  and database server  715  through network  720  for storage of the image data in a database location mapped to the one or more index numbers associated with the current travel for future retrieval and audit.  
         [0048]    The unique index numbers associated with the image are encoded onto their corresponding documents and preferably done so in the same operation as the printing of the document to avoid printing or encoding the index on the wrong travel document. However, systems in accordance with the present invention could alternatively encode the index numbers in steps separate from the printing of the travel documents. Preferably the index is encoded onto the document in machine readable form. One method for encoding the index numbers in a machine readable form is to encode the numbers in a barcode which can be printed onto the document. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 have barcodes  645  (FIG. 11) and  675  (FIG. 12) for reading by a barcode reader. Another method for encoding the index numbers in a machine readable form would be to encode the index numbers in a magnetic stripe on the document for reading by a magnetic stripe reader.  
         [0049]    One or more security checkpoints are connected to the network. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 13 shows security checkpoints  725 ,  730  and  735  connected to network  720 . The topology of network  720  can be considered to span multiple airports. Therefore checkpoints  725 ,  730  and  735  can be associated with the current airport or other airports interconnected with network  720 . FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the security checkpoint system  750  for use with the system of FIG. 13. Also shown for clarity in FIG. 14 are network  720  and database server  715 . As the traveler moves through the security checkpoints at current or subsequent airports, the traveler presents the relevant boarding pass for the current airport. In accordance with the present invention security checkpoint system  750  contains index reader  755  which reads the index number on the boarding pass presented by the traveler, checkpoint data processing equipment retrieves the image by using the index number to index the image stored in database server  715  and the retrieved image is displayed on image display  775  for visual verification of the traveler by security personnel. Systems  750  can also be networked to communicate with airline data processing equipment (not shown). In such configurations, where the index number is the same as the document number, the index number can also be used to access the airline database and confirm that the boarding pass is pertinent to the current airport and date of travel as an additional security measure. Systems within the scope of the present invention can also use facial recognition based biometric algorithms to automate or enhance the effectiveness of the security checkpoint. In this embodiment, a digital camera (not shown) would be connected to checkpoint data processing equipment  760  for capture of the image of the traveler presenting the boarding pass at the security checkpoint. The image data captured at the checkpoint would be algorithmically compared to the image data retrieved from the database for verification of a match. A match or failure to match would be indicated on image display  775 .  
         [0050]    A variation of systems  700  and  750  can be used in which the image of the traveler itself in encoded on the travel document rather than or in addition to the database index for the image. In this variation, security checkpoints could read the encoded image, decode the image and display the image without accessing the network or database. This variation is useful for configurations where the database and network infrastructure are not present or are not accessible.  
         [0051]    It can be envisioned by those skilled in the art how the present invention could be applied to forms of travel other than the airline industry. The foregoing detailed description should be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting and the appended claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1