Patent ID: 7269737

Claim:
A method of using a transaction system to provide approval of a transaction between a payee and a payor, the transaction system having a central database that has stored therein registered biometric data associated with the payor through a payor identification code, and at least one approval station configured to access the central database, wherein the method comprises: sampling, at the approval station, at a first location, a biometric characteristic of the payor via a biometric identification device; receiving, at the approval station, an identification code proffered by the payor; sending from the approval station to the central database, at a second location remote from the first location, the identification code proffered by the payor; comparing, at the central database, the proffered identification code to payor identification codes stored in the central database; determining, at the central database, whether the proffered identification code matches a payor identification code stored in the central database; in the event the proffered identification code matches a payor identification code stored in the central database, selecting, at the central databases potential matching registered biometric data based on the proffered identification code; receiving, at the approval station, the potential matching registered biometric data from the central database; determining, at the approval station, whether a comparison of transaction biometric data based on the sampled biometric characteristic with the potential matching registered biometric data indicates a match; and in the event that a match is indicated, approving, at the approval station, the transaction.