Abstract:
The identification, registration, and recordation of individuals are facilitated by allowing the authorities (federal, state, or local law enforcement) and first responders (fire, rescue, hazmat personnel) to collect data at the point of response utilizing a portable computer and suitable software. The portable computer may be equipped with peripherals such as a camera, a biometric collection unit (e.g., fingerprint scanner), a smart card reader, and a GPS receiver to facility gathering and entry of data in the computer. The identity of individuals being questioned by the authorities can be confirmed at the point of questioning with an electronic repository to which the portable computer may be connected.

Description:
FIELD  
       [0001]     This invention generally relates to mobile computers. More specifically, this invention relates to the collection of information utilizing mobile computers.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Over the past several years, security concerns have become unavoidable. Those in the position of being first responders and security personnel whether it be civilian (e.g. fire, police, emergency rescue), governmental (e.g. border patrol, customs), or military, are at the greatest risk and need updated and correct information instantly. Traditionally, those first responders and security personnel who are responsible for international entry points such as border and harbor must inspect both cargo and personnel and need correct information instantly before allowing cargo or personnel to enter the country.  
         [0003]     Conventionally, first responders and security personnel use a paper based system for collecting information about suspicious individuals, typically recording information such as name, social security number, height, weight, etc. This information must be collected and, then, manually entered into a computer database. Also, the collection of biometric information of the individual such as fingerprint and photographs occurs later at a security station. Under this procedure, the information collected by the first responder and security personnel will not become available in real-time. Further, the first responder and security personnel cannot compare the collected information with records regarding security threats. Because of this, the first responder and security personnel may be unable to stop security threats at international entry points.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     One aspect of the present invention is a method for identifying a entity, comprising, under control of a first computer: inputting data identifying the entity into the first computer, and transmitting matched information, wherein the matched information comprises a portion of the data matched with a corresponding information field identifier; under control of a second computer: receiving the matched information from the first computer; analyzing the matched information; and generating a profile of the entity based on the analysis; wherein the profile is available to the first computer to identify the entity.  
         [0005]     Another aspect of the present invention is a system for identifying an entity, comprising, a first computer comprising: a means for inputting data identifying the entity into the first computer, a means for storing at least a portion of the data identifying the entity, and a means for transmitting matched information, wherein the matched information comprises the data and a corresponding information field identifier; a second computer comprising: a means for analyzing the matched information and generating a profile based on the analysis, a means for storing the matched information and the profile, and a means for communicating with the first computer to receive the matched information from the first computer and to transmit the profile to the first computer.  
         [0006]     Still another aspect of the present invention is a method for interviewing an entity comprising: identifying information about the entity; inputting the information about the entity into a portable device; arranging the information inputted into the portable device in a organized manner to form organized information; transferring the organized information to a computer; analyzing the organized information at the computer to generate a profile of the entity; transferring the profile from the computer to the portable device.  
         [0007]     A further aspect of the invention is a method of identification of at least one entity, comprising: collecting data at a point of inspection related to the at least one entity; entering the data into a first computer; transmitting the data to a second computer, wherein the second computer includes storage device, the storage device containing a database of information relating to a plurality of entities; comparing the data with the database of information stored in the storage device; generating an individual profile based at least on part of the comparison of the data; transmitting the profile from the second computer to the first computer.  
         [0008]     A still further aspect of the invention is a system for identifying an entity, comprising, a first computer comprising: a first communication bus, a first processor coupled to the first communication bus, an input device coupled to the first communication bus for inputting information about the entity into the first computer, a first storage device coupled to the first communication bus for storing at least a portion of the information and a program to categorize the information, and a first communication device coupled to the first communication bus and in communication with a network; a second computer comprising: a second communication bus, a second processor coupled to the second communication bus, a second storage device coupled to the second communication bus for storing a program to perform an analysis on the information input into the first computer and generate a profile, and a second communication device coupled to the second communication bus and in communications with the network, wherein the profile is available to the first computer via the network.  
         [0009]     The foregoing and additional aspects of the invention together with the structure characteristics thereof, which is only briefly summarized in the foregoing passages, becomes more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description and exemplary embodiments, which follow in this specification, taken together with the illustration thereof presented in the representative accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a top view a device consistent with aspects related to the present invention  
         [0011]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of a device consistent with aspects related to the present invention  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a device consistent with aspects related to the present invention  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary Field Interrogation Card consistent with aspects related to the present invention  
         [0014]      FIG. 4A  illustrates another exemplary Field Interrogation Card consistent with aspects related to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4B  illustrates another exemplary Field Interrogation Card consistent with aspects related to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a system for gathering information on a person of interest consistent with aspects related to the present invention  
         [0017]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a method for gathering information on a person of interest consistent with aspects related to the present invention  
         [0018]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a method for gathering information on a person of interest consistent with aspects related to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a top view of device  100  for collecting and analyzing information consistent with aspects related to the present invention. Device  100  may be a thin client computer, a dual use computer, a user-supported computer which may be activated or operated, in part, with a user&#39;s voice, or a stand-alone computer such as pen tablet computer or laptop computer. Device  100  may also be computers similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244, U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 (“824 patent”), U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,232, or a combination of these computers. These three U.S. patents mentioned above are all owned by the assignee of the present application, Xybernaut Corporation, and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present disclosure. Device  100  is composed of an enclosure  102  and display screen  104 . The display screen  104  may be responsive to input and activation from stylus  108 . For example, display screen  104  may be a touch screen enabled liquid crystal display. Other mechanisms of input and activation of the device  100  through the display screen  104  include touch activation (not shown) or through control buttons  110 ,  112 , and  114  located on the enclosure  102 .  
         [0020]     Device  100  contains the standard components of a computer. Device  100  may include a processor, memory, buses, video hardware, sound hardware, and input output ports. The processor may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro-controller unit (MCU), digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. The memory may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a memory with other access options. The memory may be physically implemented by computer-readable media, such as, for example; magnetic media, such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, or other magnetic disk, a tape, a cassette tape; optical media, such as optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD); semiconductor media, such as DRAM, SRAM, EPROM, EEPROM, or memory stick. Further, portions of the memory may be removable or non-removable.  
         [0021]     The memory may store and support modules such as, for example, a basic input output system (BIOS), an operating system (OS), a program library, a compiler, an interpreter, a text-processing toot and other programs such as database, word-processor, web-browser, and voice-recognition  
         [0022]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an exemplary side view of device  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , device  100  includes expansion card slots  116 , peripheral ports  118  and  120 , and a stylus holder  122 . Expansion card slot  116  allows an expansion card to be inserted into and function with device  100 . Examples of expansion cards that can be used with device  100  include PC cards (Type I, II, or III), small PC Cards, Miniature Cards, SmartMedia Cards, Multimedia Cards, and CompactFlash. The functions that these types of cards perform range from memory (nonvolatile and volatile), storage, and I/O. The device is also shown with peripheral ports  118  and  120  which can include but are not limited to serial ports such as USB and IEEE 1394 (“Firewire”) and video ports such as digital visual interface (“DVI”), VGA input, and VGA output.  FIG. 1B  illustrates device  100  having all peripheral ports on one side of the device  100 ; however, peripheral ports may be located on any surface of device  100 . Device  100  is also shown with stylus holder  122  that allows the stylus  108  to be stored inside enclosure  102 .  
         [0023]     In an exemplary embodiment, device  100  may be a thin client computer or dual-use computer. In this exemplary embodiment, device  100  would have dimensions of approximately H×W×D: 7.9″ (200 mm)×9.4″ (240 mm)×0.7″ (18 mm) and a weight of approximately 1.8 lbs. (840 g), including battery. In this exemplary embodiment, device  100  would include a processor such as a TRANSMETA CRUSOE Processor, volatile memory such as SDRAM, non-volatile memory such as Flash Memory; input ports such as PC Card (CardBus Type II) CompactFlash Type II (CF-IO), USB 2.0, audio hardware such as integrated 16-bit Stereo Audio System, Stereo Speakers, Headset Jack. In this exemplary embodiment, display screen  104  would be an 8.4 inch touch screen enabled TFT-Transmissive liquid crystal display. In this exemplary embodiment, programs stored in the volatile and nonvolatile memory include, but not limited to, MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP Embedded, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 WINDOWS MEDIA Player 8 Sun JAVA 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Ed. 1.4, RDP and ICA Clients for Microsoft Terminal and CITRIX METAFRAME Servers.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates another exemplary top view of device  100 . Device  100  shown in the form of a portable tablet-style computer includes a camera  124  which may be selectively detachable from the enclosure  102  of the device  100 . Camera  124  may be a video camera, a still image camera, or a mixture of video or still camera. Camera  124  may be connected to enclosure  102  by a movable joint such that the camera can tilt to increase the field of view of the camera. Camera  124  may be powered by power supply of the device  100 , either AC or DC power, or by its own internal power supply. For example, camera  124  may be integrated with an expansion card to allow the camera to be connected to device directly at expansion slot  116 . Additionally, camera  124  may be integrated into device  100  such that it is part of the housing of device  100 . Alternatively, camera  124  may be a separate device which can be carried by the user.  
         [0025]     Device  100  may also include a biometric collection unit  126 . Biometric collection unit  126  may collect biometric information such as fingerprint, iris, voice, and handwriting information. For example, biometric collection unit  126  may be any fingerprint reader which can attach to device  100  or be transported by a user and connected to device  100 . The fingerprint reader may be an optical scanner or a capacitive scanner. An optical scanner would contain a charged-coupled device (CCD) for capturing an image of the fingerprint. A capacitive scanner would include semiconductor circuitry and conductor plates for detecting fingerprint detail.  
         [0026]     Biometric collection unit  126  may be connected to device  100  through a PC card or other suitable peripheral connectors. Biometric collection unit  126  may be physically attached to device  100  as show in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, biometric collection unit  126  may be integrated into device  100  such that it is part of the housing of device  100 . Alternatively, biometric collection unit  126  may be a separate device which can be carried by the user. Biometric collection unit  126  may be powered by power supply of the device  100 , either AC or DC power, or by its own internal power supply.  
         [0027]     Device  100  may utilize camera  124  as the biometric collection unit  126 . The camera  124  may collect biometric information such as photos and iris scans. The camera  124  is equipped to illuminate and capture iris image.  
         [0028]     Device  100  may also include a magnetic or smart card reader  130 . Magnetic or smart card reader  130  may be integrated into device  100  or connected to the device  100  through a peripheral connector. Magnetic or smart card reader  130  contains the standard components of a conventional reader which extracts data from a magnetic media or integrated circuit (IC) chip media. Magnetic or smart card reader  130  may be physically attached to device  100  as show in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, magnetic or smart card reader  130  may be integrated into device  100  such that it is part of the housing of device  100 . Alternatively, magnetic or smart card reader  130  may be a separate device which can be carried by the user. Magnetic or smart card reader  130  may be powered by power supply of the device  100 , either AC or DC power, or by its own internal power supply.  
         [0029]     Device  100  may also include a GPS receiver  132 . GPS receiver  132  may be integrated into device  100  or connected to the device  100  through a peripheral connector. GPS receiver  132  includes the standard components of a conventional GPS device. The standard components may include, for example, an antenna, clock, and processor. GPS receiver  132  may be physically attached to device  100  as show in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, GPS receiver  132  may be integrated into device  100  such that it is part of the housing of device  100 . Alternatively, GPS receiver  132  may be a separate device which can be carried by the user. GPS receiver  132  may be powered by power supply of the device  100 , either AC or DC power, or by its own internal power supply.  
         [0030]     Device  100  may be utilized by law enforcement agents, border patrol agents, custom agents, transportation security agency agents, and harbor patrol agents (hereinafter generally referred to as “agents”). Device  100  allows these various agents to efficiently collect and categorize data on particular entities of interest (e.g., persons, vehicles, buildings, or places) such as interviewing persons of interest. The data collected by the agents utilizing device  100  may include biometric information such as behavioral or physiological characteristics to determine or verify identity. Examples of common biometric information that can be captured with device  100  using biometric collection unit include fingerprint, photos, iris, voice, and handwriting. Further, by linking device  100  with at least one computer  504  (described below in relation to  FIG. 5 ), various agents can immediately upload data on these entities of interest and receive any known information about these entities from the computer  504 .  
         [0031]     Agents are able to categorize, arranged, and collect information about an entity of interest using various Field Interrogation Cards (“FIC” or “cards”) which are used in connection with device  100 . Cards are data arrangement structures which allow agents to enter and categorize data about an entity of interest on device  100 . These cards normally would comprise a series of fields in which the agent could enter the information about an entity of interest. Each field would have a specific designation for receiving particular information about an entity of interest. Each field of the card may have a unique field identifier. The field identifier would be matched with the information in that particular field. Therefore, when data is transmitted between device  100  and computer  504 , the data and field identifier may be sent together to allow the data to be displayed in an organized manner.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrated exemplary cards for collecting and categorizing information about an entity of interest. The exemplary cards illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are not intended to be limiting of the types of cards used by device  100 . Device  100  may utilize any type of card which is capable of collecting and categorizing information. Further, the exemplary cards illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and other types are not intended to be static. Any of the cards may be modified and changed by an agent or other person in the event a different field is need to collect and categorize information about an entity of interest. Data can be inputted into FIC utilizing a variety of input mechanism including keyboard, pen input utilizing handwriting recognition software, voice input, or through reading a magnetic storage card with card reader  130 . It is not necessary that all fields of the FIC be filled out at the time of questioning, but enough that a record of the entity being questioned is created.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary template for a Field Interrogation Card (FIC) which will be accessible on device  100 . Name of the person being questioned, preferably in the format last, first, and middle name, is inputted into Field  302 . If the person has any known aliases, this information can be inputted into Field  304 . The birth date, preferably in the format of month, day, and year, is entered into Field  306 . The age of the person being questioned is inputted into Field  308 .  
         [0034]     The current martial status (single, separated, widowed, married, or divorced) of the person being questioned is inputted into Field  310 . The sex (Field  312 ), hair color/condition (balding) (Field  314 ), eye color (Field  316 ), complexion (Field  318 ), height (Field  320 ), weight (Field  322 ) can all be inputted into their respective fields. Also, each of the Fields  312  to  322  may be enhanced through use of drop down menus. For example, when the agent touches or activates Field  312 , choices such as male, female, and other appear. Further, for Field  316 , choices such as blue, brown, hazel, grey, and green appear. This will facilitate entry of data into the FIC. Field  324  allows the agent to specify any identifiable scars, marks, and/or tattoos. Field  326  is File Number which, preferably, would update each time the FIC was opened such that each new case would have a unique File Number.  
         [0035]     Fields  328  to  338  are for questions related to the employment of the person being questioned. Field  328  allows entry of the name of last/current U.S. employer of the person being questioned. Field  330  is for the address of the U.S. employer and Field  332  is for the type of employment of the person being questioned. Field  334  is for entry of the salary or range in salary and Fields  336  and  338  is for the dates of employment.  
         [0036]     Field  340  allows the agent to enter the date at which the current questioning is taking place. Alternatively, this field may auto populate with the current date and time when the FIC is opened. The FIC may copy the current date and time from the system clock of the device  100 .  
         [0037]     Fields  342  to  352  are for questions related to the residence of the person being questioned. Field  342  is for the physical residence or P.O. Box. Field  344  is for the city or county and Field  346  is for the state of residence. Field  346  may include Canadian providences and Mexican states.  
         [0038]     Fields  354  to  366  relate to questions concerning the country of origin of the person being questioned. Field  354  is for city of birth, Field  356  is for the state/province of birth, and Field  358  is for the country of birth. Field  360  is for the country in which the person being quested is currently a citizen. Additionally, Field  360  can be populated with multiple countries, if the person being question has dual citizenship. Field  362  is for the passport number, Field  364  is for the country that issued the passport, and Field  366  is for the status of the passport such as valid or expired.  
         [0039]     Fields  368  to  372  are related to illegal entry of the person being questioned into the country. Field  368  is for the date, place, time and manner of last entry or attempted entry. Field  370  is for the status of the entry, such as successful or failed. Field  372  is for the length of time the questioned person has been illegally in the country.  
         [0040]     Fields  374  to  381  relate generally to a current or previous foreign residence. Field  374  is for the street name, Field  376  is for the city, Field  378  is for the state/province, and Field  380  is for the country of current or previous foreign residence. Field  381  is for the country from which the questioned person previously arrived.  
         [0041]     Fields  382  to  388  relate generally to the questions concerning the current state and vehicle of the questioned person. Field  382  is for the monies in possession which could be in either foreign currency or an estimate of equivalent U.S. dollars. Field  383  is for the vehicle license plate number, Field  384  is for the make of the vehicle, Field  385  is for the model of the vehicle, and Field  386  is for the year of the vehicle. Fields  387  and  388  is for the name of the person who apprehended the questioned person and the date and hour of the apprehension, respectively.  
         [0042]     Fields  389  to  392  relate generally to information of the questioned person&#39;s visa and social security card. Field  389  is for the visa number and Field  390  is for the date the visa was issued and the country of issuance. Fields  391  and  392  are for the name of the social security card and the social security number, respectively.  
         [0043]     Fields  393  to  397  relate generally to questioned person&#39;s relatives. Field  393  is for the name of the spouse including maiden name, if appropriate. Fields  394 ,  395  and  396  relate to the address of the spouse, nationality of the spouse, and number and nationality of the minor children, respectively. Fields  397  are for the father&#39;s and mother&#39;s names, nationality and addresses, if currently known by the questioned person.  
         [0044]     Fields  351  to  355  relate generally to the criminal record, immigration, and F.B.I number, respectively. Field  351  allows for entry of whether or not the questioned person has a criminal record. If the questioned person has a criminal record, the agent may enter the nature of the criminal activity in the notes area. Field  353  allows for entry of whether or not the questioned person has an immigration record. If the questioned person has an immigration record, the agent may enter the nature of the immigration activity in the notes area. Field  355  allows for entry of an F.B.I. number, if appropriate.  
         [0045]      FIG. 4A  illustrates another exemplary Field Interrogation Card  400  which may be used in a border patrol setting. FIC  400  includes several categories for gathering information about person of interest: situation, subject, associates, and vehicles. In the first category, an agent can collect information about the situation in which the person of interest was interviewed and enter the information into various Fields  401 - 408 . Field  401  concerns the activity the person of interest was engaged in such as driver, passenger, guide, informant, suspect, and other. Field  402  concerns the involvement of the person of interest such as narcotics, aliens, weapons, currency, stash house operations, and other. Field  403  concerns the date on which the person of interest was interviewed. Field  404  concerns the station such as border patrol station at which or near to the person of interest was interviewed. Field  406  concerns the location of the activity such as the map description. Fields  407  and  408  concern the coordinates of the activity, latitude and longitude, respectively.  
         [0046]     The subject category in FIC  400  allows the agent to enter personal and identity information of the person of interest in Fields  410 - 422 . Field  410  concerns the full name of the person of interest such as title, given name, surname, and middle name. Field  411  concerns any alias the person of interest may use. Fields  412 ,  413 ,  414 ,  415 ,  416 , and  417  concern physical and personal characteristics: sex, height, weight, hair, eye, and date of birth, respectively. Field  418  concerns the full address of the person of interest such as street number and name, city, state, province, country, and zip code. Field  419  concerns the driver&#39;s license number or identification number of the person of interest. Field  420  concerns the state of residence of the person of interest Field  421  concerns the social security number of the person of interest.  
         [0047]     The associates category of FIC  400  allows the agent to enter information about the associates of the person of interest. Field  423  concerns the name of the associate of the person of interest. Field  424  concerns the date of birth of the associate of the person of interest. Field  425  concerns the relationship of the person of interest to the associate such as wife, brother, sister, friend.  
         [0048]     The vehicles category of FIC  400  allows the agent to enter information regarding the vehicle of the person of interest. Fields  426 - 432  concern the physical characteristics and registration information of the vehicle. Field  426  concerns the year the vehicle was produced. Field  427  concerns the type of vehicle such as car or truck. Field  428  concerns the make of the vehicle, for example, Ford. Field  429  concerns the model of the vehicle, for example, Mustang. Field  430  concerns the color of the vehicle. Field  431  concerns the license plate number of the vehicle. Field  432  concerns the state or country in which the vehicle is registered. Field  433  concerns the vehicle identification number (“VIN”) of the vehicle. Field  434  concerns the name of the registered owner of the vehicle which may be the same as the person of interest or different. Field  434  concerns the address of the registered owner of the vehicle which may be the same as the address of the person of interest or different.  
         [0049]     The last category includes narrative and notes Field  436  in which the agent may enter any information not included in any of the other field or further elaboration on the other fields.  
         [0050]      FIG. 4B  illustrates another exemplary Field Interrogation Card  440  which may be used by fire inspection agents. FIC  440  includes several categories for gathering information about place of interest: inspection information, business information, building information, and other information. In the first category, an agent can collect information about the site being inspected and can enter this data into various Fields  441 - 454 . Field  442  concerns file number. Field  443  concerns the name of the area inspector. Field  444  concerns the station or division of the area inspector. Field  445  concerns the nature of the inspection whether it is a self-inspection. Field  446  concerns the name of the inspector. Field  447  concerns the work shift of the inspector, such as first shift, second shift, or third shift. Field  449  concerns the location of the fire district. Field  450  concerns the start date of the inspection. Field  451  concerns the frequency of the inspection, such as semi-annually or annually. Field  452  concerns the next inspection date for the fire department.  
         [0051]     The business information category in FIC  440  allows the agent or inspector to enter business information of the location being inspected in Fields  455 - 472 . Field  455  concerns the name of the business or d/b/a (doing business as). Fields  456  and  457  concern the business phone and fax number, respectively. Field  458  concerns the complex name, if any, that the location is apart. Field  459  concerns an email address of the business. Fields  460 - 462  concern the name of the business owner, home phone number, and cell phone number, respectively. Fields  463 - 465  concern the name of the emergency contact for the business, phone number, and cell phone number, respectively. Fields  466 - 467  concern the name of the inspection contact for the business and phone number, respectively. Fields  468 - 469  concern the business license information and expiration date of the license, respectively. Field  472  concerns the business type, such as government or private.  
         [0052]     The building information category in FIC  440  allows the agent or inspector to enter building-related information of the location being inspected in Fields  473 - 494 . Fields  473 - 475  concern the information related to the name of the property owner, phone number and address, respectively. Field  476  concerns the FDC (Fire Department Company) location. Field  477  concerns the gate access code. Field  478  concerns the fire alarm code. Field  480  concerns the construction type of the building, such as wood or brick. Field  481  concerns the number of stories in the building. Field  482  concerns the square footage of the building. Fields  483  and  484  concern the square footage of the units making up the building and the number of units in the building, respectively. Field  485  concerns the roof type of the building. Field  486  concerns the number of employees working in the building. Field  487  concerns number and location of the sprinklers. Field  488  concerns information related to five year test of the sprinklers. Field  489  concerns the supervisory alarm system. Field  490  concerns information related to any protection systems in the building. Fields  491 - 493  concern hydrants in or near the building. Field  491  concerns information related to two year hydrant test. Field  492  concerns buildings lacking a private hydrant. Field  493  concerns information related to a four year hydrant test. Field  494  concerns the water district of the building.  
         [0053]     The other information category in FIC  440  allows the agent or inspector to enter other type information of the location being inspected in Field  495 . The types of other information include visits, lock boxes, special information, responding unit comments, permit information, and violation history.  
         [0054]     Fields  496 - 498  concern the name of the inspector, employee number, and date of the inspection, respectively.  
         [0055]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary system  500  in which various agents utilize device  100  shown in  FIG. 1  or  2  and Field Interrogation Card  300  shown in  FIG. 3 . The use of Field Interrogation Card  300  in the following examples is for convenience and is not intended to limit the invention. Any Card including the Cards illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  and described above may be used with or in replacement of Card  300 . In system  500 , the various agents (law enforcement agents, border patrol agents, custom agents, transportation security agency agents, and harbor patrol) utilize device  100  in the interviewing of entities of interest. These agents may be in various settings such as a port or dock (setting  506 ), an international border (setting  508 ), a traffic stop (setting  510 ), and an airport (setting  512 ). Devices  100  at the setting  506 ,  508 ,  510 , and  512  may be connected to each other via a network  502 .  
         [0056]     Network  502  may be any local area network or wide area network such as the Internet or any other type of structure to interconnect devices  100  and computer  504 . Network  502  may comprise at least one or more communication systems. Communication systems include both the hardware (e.g., network cards) and software for device  100  and computer  504  to interact and communicate data. The types of communication systems that device  100  and computer  504  may communicate through include “communication means” as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 which has been previously incorporated by reference in its entirety. In particular, the 824 patent discloses in columns 7-9 various “communication means” including cellular telephone, hardwire telephone, radiofrequency, infrared, and fiber optic communication. Additionally a wired connection in the path of network may be used. Also, device  100  and computer  504  may communicate using different communications systems including different channels, protocols, or types of communication networks through network  502 . For example, device  100  may transmit information to computer  504  using one communications path and computer  504  may transmit information to device using a different communications path. The types of communications paths which may be used include wired, satellite, cellular, radio frequencies including WiFi (802.11 a, b, g), or any other current or future wired or wireless protocols.  
         [0057]     Computer  504  may contain one or more centrally located or distributed computer systems (not illustrated) for processing, storing, and analyzing information from devices  100 . The distributed computer system may be located at the same location or distributed geographically in different locations and communication via network  502 . The computer  504  may include a conventional personal computer (PC), a desktop and hand-held device, a multiprocessor computer, a mainframe computer, a server, a personal mobile computing device, a mobile phone, a portable or stationary personal computer, or any of these computers working in combination Computer  504  may also be computers similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244, U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,824 (“824 patent”), U.S. Pat. No. 6,421,232, or a combination of these computers which have been previously incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. The computer system would contain the conventional components of a computer system such as a processor, memory, storage such as magnetic or optical storage, and input/output hardware.  
         [0058]     Computer  504  may receive information from device  100  such as FIC  300  and store the information. Computer  504  may also process the data sent by device  100  and send information back to device  100  via network  502 . Computer  504  allows an agent using device  100  to transmit information to computer  504  in order to process and store the information about the entity of interest in real time. As the agent collects information or after the collection of information, device  100  may transmit the information to computer  504 .  
         [0059]     After receiving the information about the entity of interest, computer  504  may store the information locally or perform analysis on the information. The computer performs analysis on the data using any number of law enforcement data analysis programs. The data analysis programs may be stored in the storage device at the computer  504  and executed by the processor of computer  504 . For example, if device  100  transmits fingerprint information of the person of interest to computer  504 , the computer may run a fingerprint analysis program. The computer would store the fingerprint information in a storage device at the computer. Then, the computer would load the fingerprint program, execute the program, and begin the analysis on the fingerprint information. The fingerprint program would access the stored fingerprint information and determine the characteristic of the fingerprint characteristics. Then, the fingerprint analysis program access a database of known fingerprints to compare the determined characteristics with the database of known fingerprints. The database of known fingerprints may be stored at the computer or at any other remote storage device. If the fingerprint analysis program matches the fingerprint characteristic with a known fingerprint in the database, the identity of the matched fingerprint would be stored at the computer  504  with the information received from device  100 . The example above describes an analysis of a fingerprint. Computer  504  may perform a similar analysis on any information transmitted from device  100 . For example, personal information of an entity of interest may be compared with a database of outstanding warrants, most wanted list, and terrorist watch lists.  
         [0060]     Once computer  504  has analyzed any information the results of the analysis may be transmitted back to device  100  for use by the agent. As described above, computer  504  may transmit information to device  100  along a different communication system than was used for the transmission of information from device  100  to computer  504 . The different types of communication systems include satellite, cellular, WiFi, wired, or any other current or future wired or wireless communication method. For example, if the computer  504  was analyzing identity information and fingerprint information computer  504  may transmit the results of a comparison of the identity information with the fingerprint information.  
         [0061]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary general procedure  600  that the various agents may use to interview persons of interest at various settings. The procedure described below is given in terms of interviewing a person of interest. This example is merely for convenience and is not intended to limit any aspect of the invention. Any other entity of interest (e.g., vehicle, place, location) may be substituted for the person of interest. First, the agent identifies and approaches a person of interest (stage  602 ). Then, the agent asks the person of interest if they have any identification (e.g. passport, visa, driver&#39;s license) (stage  604 ). If the person of interest has identification, the agent may begin filing out Field Interrogation Card  300  using the person of interest&#39;s identification (stage  606 ). To fill out Field Interrogation Card  300 , the agent inputs information from the identification into device  100  and device  100  populates the fields of Field Interrogation Card  300  (stage  608 ).  
         [0062]     After using the identification or if the person of interest does not have identification, the agent asks the person of interest a series of questions that correspond to fields in Field Interrogation Card  300  (stage  610 ). If fields have already been addressed at earlier stages, the agent may only ask the questions necessary to fill the remaining fields. As the agent receives the answers from the person of interest, the agent inputs the answers into device  100  and device  100  populates the fields of Field Interrogation Card  300  (stage  612 ). The agent may not be required to complete all the fields and will complete only those fields that the person of interest can answer or that may be relevant. After all the information has been gathered, the agent may decide to transmit the gathered information to computer  504  via network  502  (stage  614 ). If the agent chooses not to transmit the data to computer  504 , completed Field Interrogation Card  300  may be stored locally on device  100  (stage  616 ). Optionally, the agent may chose to both store completed Field Interrogation Card  300  and transmit completed Field Interrogation Card  300  to computer  504 .  
         [0063]     If the agent transmits completed Field Interrogation Card  300 , computer  504  may receive and store the completed card on one of its storage devices (stage  618 ). After storing completed Field Interrogation Card  300 , computer  504  may perform analysis on the completed Field Interrogation Card  300  to determine the identify of the person of interest and further information about him (stage  620 ). This analysis may consist of any standard and conventional analysis performed by law enforcement and government agencies. For example, completed Field Interrogation Card  300  may be compared to database of outstanding warrants, most wanted lists, and terrorist watch list to determine if the person of interest is currently being sought by law enforcement.  
         [0064]     After the analysis, computer  504  may transmit any information such as identity and status to device  100  via network  502  (stage  622 ).  
         [0065]     Procedure  600  was described in relation to device  100  without an agent using other information capturing devices such as camera  124 , biometric collection unit  126 , and card reader  130 . The agent may use any of these capturing devices to gather information about a person of interest.  FIG. 6B  illustrates a procedure  650  in which an agent uses the camera  124 , biometric collection unit  126 , and card reader  130  to gather information about a person of interest. The stages of procedure  650  may be performed at any stage of procedure  600  illustrated in  FIG. 6A . If the stages of procedure  650  are performed, an agent may be able to omit some of the stages of procedure  600  if the relevant information is gathered during procedure  650 .  
         [0066]     If the person of interest has identification, the agent may determine if the identification is equipped with storage device (e.g. magnetic strip) (stage  652 ). If so, the agent may input the stored data on the storage device into device  100  using the inputs on device  100  (e.g. card reader  130 ) and device  100  populates any fields of Card  300  with the inputted data (stage  654 ).  
         [0067]     At this point, if device  100  includes a biometric collection unit  126  or camera  124 , the agent may acquire the biometric information (e.g., fingerprint or picture) of the person of interest (stage  656 ). Once the fingerprint or picture are acquired on device  100 , device  100  may store the data or device  100  may transmit the fingerprint or picture to computer  504  via network  502  for storage (stage  658 ).  
         [0068]     After storing the picture or fingerprint, computer  504  may perform analysis on the picture or fingerprint to determine the identity of the person of interest and further information about him (stage  660 ). This analysis may consist of any standard and conventional analysis performed by law enforcement and government agencies.  
         [0069]     For example, if a fingerprint is transmitted to computer  504 , the fingerprint may be compared with a database of fingerprints to determine or confirm the identity of the person of interest If a picture is transmitted to computer  504 , the picture may be processed by computer  504  using facial recognition software to determine or confirm the identity of the person of interest. If the person of interest&#39;s identity is determined, this identity may be compared with a database of outstanding warrants, most wanted lists, and terrorist watch list to determine if the person of interest is currently being sought by law enforcement.  
         [0070]     After the analysis, computer  504  may transmit any information such as identity and status to device  100  via network  502  (stage  662 ).  
         [0071]     Now, the exemplary settings illustrated in  FIG. 5  will be explained in further detail. In setting  506 , a harbor patrol or customs agent may be equipped with device  100 . As foreign vessels arrive in port, the agent may use device  100  to gather information on the passengers and crew of the foreign vessel. When the agent approaches the passengers or crew, the agent gathers information to complete Field Interrogation Card  300 . The agent may use any procedures illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . For example, as the passengers and crew respond to these questions, the agent inputs the answers into device  100  which populates the fields of card  300 .  
         [0072]     Likewise, if device  100  includes a biometric collection unit, camera, or card reader, the agent may acquire information about the passengers and crew with these devices. Once information related to the Field Interrogation Card  300  is collected, the agent may communicate the information to computer  504  via network  502  for analysis. Computer  504  may then transmit the results of the analysis back to device  100 . Finally, the agent can make a determination of whether to detain the passenger and crew.  
         [0073]     By using device  100  in setting  506 , the harbor agent is able to identify possible threats before they leave port. Moreover, a record of everyone entering the country is maintained for future reference.  
         [0074]     In setting  508 , a border patrol agent may be equipped with device  100 . As travelers enter a country, the agent may use device  100  to gather information on the travelers. When the agent approaches the travelers, the agent gathers information to complete Field Interrogation Card  300 . The agent may use any procedures illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . For example, as the travelers respond to these questions, the agent inputs the answers into device  100  which populates the fields of Card  300 .  
         [0075]     Likewise, if device  100  includes a biometric collection unit, camera, or card reader, the agent may acquire information about the travelers with these devices. Once information related to the Field Interrogation Card  300  is collected, the agent may communicate the information to computer  504  via network  502  for analysis. Computer  504  may then transmit the results of the analysis back to device  100 . Finally, the agent can make a determination of whether to detain the travelers.  
         [0076]     By using device  100  in setting  508 , the border patrol agent is able to identify possible threats before they can enter a country. Moreover, a record of everyone entering the country is maintained for future reference.  
         [0077]     In setting  510 , a state and local police officers may be equipped with device  100 . During traffic stops or criminal incident, the officer may use device  100  to gather information on the suspects. When the officer approaches the suspects, the officer gathers information to complete Field Interrogation Card  300 . The officer may use any procedures illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . For example, as the suspects respond to these questions, the officer inputs the answers into device  100  which populates the fields of Card  300 .  
         [0078]     Likewise, if device  100  includes a biometric collection unit, camera, or card reader, the officer may acquire information about the suspects with these devices. Once information related to the Field Interrogation Card  300  is collected, the officer may communicate the information to computer  504  via network  502  for analysis. Computer  504  may then transmit the results of the analysis back to device  100 . Finally, the officer can make a determination of whether to detain the suspects.  
         [0079]     By using device  100  in setting  510 , the state and local police officers are able to identify possible threats in real time during a traffic stop or incident.  
         [0080]     In setting  512 , a transportation security or airline security agent may be equipped with device  100 . As travelers arrive in the airport on domestic or foreign flights, the agent may use device  100  to gather information on the travelers. When the agent approaches the travelers, the agent gathers information to complete Field Interrogation Card  300 . The agent may use any procedures illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . For example, as the travelers respond to these questions, the agent inputs the answers into device  100  which populates the fields of Card  300 .  
         [0081]     Likewise, if device  100  includes a biometric collection unit, camera, or card reader, the agent may acquire information about the travelers with these devices. Once information related to the Field Interrogation Card  300  is collected, the agent may communicate the information to computer  504  via network  502  for analysis. Computer  504  may then transmit the results of the analysis back to device  100 . Finally, the agent can make a determination of whether to detain the travelers.  
         [0082]     By using device  100  in setting  512 , the agent is able to identify possible threats before they can enter a country or board a flight. Moreover, a record of everyone entering the country is maintained for future reference.  
         [0083]     The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.