An apparatus and method for verifying the status of accounts such as credit card accounts prior to extending credit. Codes representing bad accounts such as overdrawn or lost card accounts are recorded in a memory and are automatically compared with codes of accounts presented to the system. In one form, the account to be verified is defined by a code generated when a code recorded on a magnetic recording strip of a card is automatically read resulting in the generation of electrical code signals which are compared in a comparator with those reproduced from the memory. The apparatus includes a special card printer and reader, means for preventing the completion of a transaction or the removal of a card from the reader if the account is indicated as a bad account, and means for photographing the person presenting the card if the account is not verified. Special means are also provided to verify the card holder as the card owner.
A decoder for use with a record medium having bits of information thereon in which the decoder can be programmed to produce an indication of an acceptable record having the bits of information thereon in a predetermined pattern corresponding to predetermined information.
A previous ticket is read by a previous ticket reader unit, and the contents of read information are displayed on a CRT display unit, and are modified by departure/destination station information input sections and a condition input section. Thereupon, a new pass is issued by a printer/encoder unit in accordance with the modified information.
A conditional access device for use in connection with a host electronic equipment. The device includes a pointer peripheral containing one or more integrated circuit card coupler units. In addition, it also includes a device for acquiring personal information about a user. The personal information is locally compared with information stored in the integrated circuit card without passing through the host equipment.
A self-authenticating identification card includes a fingerprint sensor for authenticating the identity of a user. An ID card memory permanently stores information related to a fingerprint of the card user. An on-card authenticator compares information related to a sensed fingerprint with the stored fingerprint information and produces an authentication signal if the sensed fingerprint information matches the stored fingerprint information. An audio generator is preferably included in the card for transmitting a predetermined audio signal to a speaker if a match is sensed. A second memory, in the form of a programmable magnetic stripe, may be included on the card for storing account information related to the card user. A magnetic stripe programmer is then used for loading predetermined account information into the programmable magnetic stripe if the sensed fingerprint information matches the stored fingerprint information. Account information is automatically cleared from the programmable magnetic stripe after a predetermined elapsed time.
A transaction authentication card uses a biometric input and a wireless output. The biometric input may be a sensor pad on the transaction authentication card that measures blood flow patterns, temperature, and/or fingerprint patterns to identify a user to permit access. The transaction authentication card is preferably substantially rigid, but may be formed to have some flexibility. Power to the transaction authentication card may be accomplished through an internal battery that is optionally rechargeable. Biometric data is stored on the card only and used for user verification. Biometric data will not be transferred from the card. If authorized biometric data is authenticated the card will transmit a wireless access code to a proximity reader or transaction equipment.
