In an installation for registering the serial numbers of firearms in a computer, a plurality of stations, each having a television receiver displaying the image of the serial number of a firearm being registered, and a unit operatively associated with the computer and providing a keyboard and a display screen next to the television receiver, with an operator assigned to each station, and each operator instructed first to produce, by selective manipulation of keys of the keyboard, a duplicate of the televised serial number for appearance of an image of the operator-produced number on the display screen, then visually to compare the number images for their identity or non-identity, and finally to cause entry in the computer of the operator-produced serial number if found by the operator to be identical with the televised serial number. The computer is programmed for various processing of the entered serial numbers, including a test of the latter for their identity or non-identity, and their clearance for further processing toward registration and storage if found identical, but cancellation of the entered serial numbers if found non-identical and signalling of the non-identity of the entered serial numbers to the operators. Further processing of a cleared serial number includes a test of the same for possible duplicity with a previously registered and stored serial number, and registration and storage of the cleared serial number if not a duplicate, but cancelation of the cleared serial number if a duplicate, and signalling the duplicity of the serial number to the operators.
A tone code identification system identifies a stolen computer every time the same is turned on. Police, on recovering a stolen computer, can call a central registry and transmit the tone code to reveal the identity of the rightful owner.
A terminal display incorporates a cathode ray tube (CRT) that is mounted in conjunction with a keyboard for use by an operator such as a bank clerk. Main and remote CPU's are accessed by the keyboard to provide an input for recording a signature card through a signature capture device including a television camera. The signature information in the form of the relevant bits or characters is transmitted to the main CPU for storage through a buffered system that incorporates a portion of this invention. In order to save storage space, only those relevant bits that relate to a given character designating the number of spaces is recorded in a manner whereby blanks and the appropriate number thereof are recorded as a single character form, indicating the number of blanks, thereby compressing the signature character bits substantially. After storage, the operator at the terminal is able to retrieve and display a signature that has been stored, which is then displayed on the lower portion of the CRT at the operator's remote location from the main CPU. The lower portion of the CRT is utilized in lieu of the entire CRT so that the data on the upper portion of approximately the top two thirds of the screen can be provided with an alphanumeric representation on the top of the screen and a video display on the bottom of the screen by means of a unique display timer of this invention.
A method and system for determining the authenticity of an item such as an original work of art, an art print, valuable jewelry or other valuable items utilizes images of one or more unique patterns of features, preferably at a microscopic level, as one or more "signatures" of the item. The image of this unique signature is recorded and stored electronically as data representing the unique pattern. The data are registered with identifying text and stored in a secure storage location, to prevent unauthorized duplication or use of the stored data. Following this registration and storage, an item presented as authentic can be examined microscopically at prescribed sites on the item where the original images were taken. Comparison is made at one or more of the sites, and a decision is made as to whether the item exhibits substantially identical features to those originally registered, so as to be the same authentic item. Comparison can be made electronically or visually/microscopically. The storage location can be a central location remote from local verification stations, with data transferred to and from local stations by telephone lines or other communication links.
A method and system for determining the authenticity of an item such as an original work of art, an art print, valuable jewelry or other valuable items utilizes images of one or more unique patterns of features, preferably at a microscopic level, as one or more "signatures" of the item. The image of this unique signature is recorded and stored electronically as data representing the unique pattern. The data are registered with identifying text and stored in a secure storage location, to prevent unauthorized duplication or use of the stored data. Following this registration and storage, an item presented as authentic can be examined microscopically at prescribed sites on the item where the original images were taken. Comparison is made at one or more of the sites, and a decision is made as to whether the item exhibits substantially identical features to those originally registered, so as to be the same authentic item. Comparison can be made electronically or visually/microscopically. The storage location can be a central location-remote from local verification stations, with data transferred to and from local stations by telephone lines or other communication links.
