WO1993012509A1

WO1993012509A1 - Personal identification devices

Info

Publication number: WO1993012509A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/002325
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Corrigan Marshall
Original assignee: Photostar Limited
Priority date: 1991-12-16
Filing date: 1992-12-15
Publication date: 1993-06-24
Also published as: HK1006336A1; GB2276291B; GB9126671D0; GB9412047D0; AU3093492A; GB2276291A

Abstract

A personal identification device (1) bearing a person's image (4, 10) and information (5-9, 11) is produced using an automatic-picture taking apparatus (12) such as a video photobooth. A record corresponding to the device is automatically generated and stored in accessible form. The device (1) may be produced as a card having a personal section (2) and a file copy section (3) each bearing the person's image (4 and 10) and each bearing information. The card is then separated into the two sections (2, 3). In one embodiment the card has bar coded (or other machine-readable) information (11) on the file copy section (3) and this information is machine-read by record-processing equipment (20) to produce automatically the accessible record.

Description

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION DEVICES

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the production of personal identification devices.

BACKGROUND ART

Personal identity cards bearing the owner's photograph are widely used as membership cards, travel passes and the like. Usually, issue of such a card to a person involves a number of steps. For example, with one known procedure, the person obtains a head-and-shoulders photograph of the 'passport¹ kind e.g. using an automatic photo-booth, the photograph is cut to size and positioned on a backing card bearing printed or written details, the photograph is fixed to the card with an overlaid adhesive-backed transparent film, and information relating to the person and corresponding to the printed or written details is entered into a record system to validate the card.

This known procedure is generally time consuming and inconvenient and, for correct, efficient operation requires involvement of reliable, skilled personnel.

An object of the present invention is to enable personal identification devices to be produced in a simple and convenient manner and with the minimum requirement for involvement of reliable, skilled personnel. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention therefore there is provided equipment for producing a personal identification device comprising an automatic picture-taking apparatus operable to dispense an identification device bearing a person's image and also related information, and an automatic record-processing apparatus operable when actuated automatically to generate a record corresponding to said dispensed device and to the said information and to store said record in accessible form.

With this arrangement, due to the reliance on automatic apparatus, it is possible to produce identification devices in a particularly simple and convenient manner. Since the apparatus effects and controls the production of the device and the generation and storage of record information, the involvement of skilled, reliable personnel can be kept to a minimum.

With regard to the form of personal identification device, most conveniently this may be a card made from plastics or cardboard or any other suitable material or combination of materials and most suitably it may be (or may comprise a personal part) of the size and shape of a conventional credit card or charge card. The invention is not however restricted to this form and the device may be of any other suitable size, shape and structure most preferably suited to convenient storage and transport (of at least a personal part thereof) in a pocket or otherwise about the person. It is visualised that the image and personal information will be applied to the surface of the device as a visual representation or code or a printed or similar nature. However, other forms of representation e.g. involving magnetic or electronic storage may be possible.

With regard to the automatic picture-taking apparatus, this may take any suitable form as desired and in accordance with the manner in which the image is to be represented on the identification device. Conveniently the apparatus may comprise photographic apparatus or video apparatus. In particular, the video apparatus described in PCT/GB 90/00306 (Publication No. WO 90/10251) and PCT/GB 91/00124 (Publication No. WO 91/11748) which uses a video camera, a computer system and a computer printer is preferred and reference is made to these patent specifications for further details. Most conveniently, and as described in the specifications, the apparatus may be in the form of a photo-booth of the coin-operated kind (the term 'coin' being intended to cover also other monetary elements - tokens, notes, credit cards and the like) . More specifically these specifications relate to an automatic picture taking system comprising: a housing containing a camera and automatic apparatus, said apparatus when actuated being arranged to cause the camera to take at least one picture of a subject located in a zone near to the housing and to provide a print-producing output; a visual display device arranged to display a representation of an ima - of the subject as obtained with the camera; and a printer arranged to be operated by said output to produce a print of such picture; characterised in that the said camera comprises an electronic imaging camera which produces an image output in the form of storable electronic data; said automatic apparatus includes a control system which operates to produce stored and processed said electronic data; and said stored and processed electrontric data is used to produce said displayed image and to produce said print-producing output for operation of the printer.

The information on the identification device additional to the person's image may comprise information automatically generated by the picture-taking and/or record processing apparatus, such as a serial number, the time, the date, the location of the apparatus etc. Additionally or alternatively the information may comprise personal data such as the person's name, birth date, address etc., in which case the picture-taking and/or the record processing apparatus will incorporate an input device, such as a keyboard or card reader or the like, to enable the person (or an assisting operator) to enter the data. Additionally or alternatively the information may relate to a selected characteristic for the card such as its value or duration of validity etc., in which case the picture-taking and/or the record processing apparatus will incorporate an input device the same as or separate from the above mentioned input device.

The said record-processing apparatus may operate separately from the picture-taking apparatus in which case the record-processing apparatus has a reader for reading the said information on the identification device. This reader may be of any suitable form as desired and depending on the manner in which the information is applied to the identification device. In a particularly preferred embodiment the information is applied, at least partially, in the form of a machine readable visual display, such as a bar code or ocr display or the like. Alternatively Or additionally a magnetic stripe or other machine-readable element may be used.

Thus, the arrangement may be such that a person obtains from the picture-taking apparatus an identification device bearing his image and a bar code and this is then presented to a reader of the record-processing apparatus at which the information in the bar code is read to enable the device to be validated for further use. The reading step may be initiated by the person after actuating the reader (e.g. by insertion of monetary value) , or the device may be handed to an authorised assistant who presents the device to the reader.

In an alternative embodiment, the record-processing apparatus is linked to the picture-taking apparatus so that the information is transferred therebetween without requiring an intermediate reading stage. Thus, in the case of data entry at the picture-taking apparatus this can be transferred directly to the record processing apparatus to generate the record. In the case of data entry at the record-processing this can be transferred to the automatic -

-6- picture-taking apparatus for use in producing the information on the identification device. In the former case, the information transferred may be more than that applied to the identification device in that, for example, the device may bear only simple details (e.g. person's name) whereas other details (e.g. birth date) are transferred without being applied to the device. With this embodiment, the person can effect production of this identification device without requiring assistance of authorised personnel. Provision can be made for the picture-taking apparatus to receive monetary value not only for the picture-taking process but also to initiate record-processing.

The record-processing apparatus may include computer equipment for record storage and access purposes together with any other suitable equipment, as desired, such as printing equipment etc.

The picture-taking apparatus may be arranged to produce a personal identification device in two parts: a personal part to be retained by the person and which bears the said image and the said information, and a file copy part which bears readable data related to the said information (being the same as or part of (or more than) the said information) and which may also bear the person's image. The file copy part may be retained by the picture-taking machine and/or may be issued as a separate or separable part of the device to be retained when the device is presented to the record-processing apparatus to be read thereby with a bar code, ocr, magnetic or other reader as appropriate. Thus, where the device is a card, the file copy may comprise a detachable (e.g. tear-off) part of the card.

Thus, in accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a personal identification device for a person using automatic picture-taking apparatus and automatic record-processing apparatus characterised by the steps of; entering data into said picture-taking apparatus comprising personal information for the person; taking a picture of the person with the picture-taking apparatus; producing with the picture-taking apparatus said personal identification device bearing an image of the person derived from said taken picture and related information; dispensing said device; generating automatically a record corresponding to the dispensed device and to the said information and storing this in accessible . form with the automatic record-processing apparatus.

The invention also provides an identification device when produced with the equipment, or using the method of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figs. 1 and 2 show two forms of identification devices according to the invention; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams showing equipment for use in producing the devices of Figs. 1 and 2. BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figs 1 and 3 the card 1, which may be a membership card or the like, comprises a rectangular sheet having printing on a top surface thereof. The printing is in two sections - a lower rectangular personal identity section 2 and an upper rectangular file copy section 3.

The lower section is printed with a head-and-shoulders image 4 of a person who is the owner of the card, wording 5 identifying the nature of the card, a serial number 6, a duration of validity (a range of dates) 7, the name of the person 8, and a bar code 9 which may represent the serial number and/or other information.

The upper section 3 is printed with the same image 10 and also bar codes 11 representing the person's name, the serial number and duration of validity the same as on the lower section, and also representing personal details such as address, telephone number, date of birth etc.

The card is generated using an automatic picture-taking booth 12 of the kind described in the aforementioned patent specifications. The person enters the booth 12, sits on a seat 13, inserts coins (or other monetary value) in a coin slot 14) and has his picture taken by a video camera 15 behind a screen 16. This picture can be seen on a VDU 17 of the booth. Using manual controls 17a such as a keyboard, touch screen etc., he selects a 'card' option, selects type of card (e.g. off peak, mid-week, monthly, annual etc.) , and enters personal details when requested to do so by instructions on the VDU 17. The booth 12 then prints the card 1, using a computer printer 18, and dispenses this to the person through an outlet slot 19.

The person then takes the card to a pay desk and hands it over, together with required subscription charge, to an attendant. The attendant then presents the card to record-processing apparatus 20. This apparatus comprises a card reader for reading bar codes, and computer equipment 22 which interprets and stores information read by the card reader.

The attendant passes the card 1 through the card reader 21 so that the bar coded information read and stored. The card 1 is then cut to separate the upper and lower sections 2, 3. The lower section 2 is returned to the person, if desired after first laminating this. The upper section 3 is retained and stored as a file copy, or it may be filmed, e.g. with a video camera so that the upper section can be discarded and the video recording retained.

The person now has a valid identification card and this can be checked when desired using the record-processing apparatus 20. That is, the information read off the bar codes 11 of the card 1 is stored as a record in a list or collection of similar such records, and the information can be retrieved and displayed (using a VDU or printer) when required by entering the serial number or searching against some other parameter. Automatic checking is also possible by scanning the bar code 9 on the lower section of the card retained by the person.

The arrangement described above has a number of advantages as follows:-

There is a minimal level of involvement of reliable, skilled staff. There is no necessity for information to be transcribed manually from forms, there is no cutting and pasting of photographs, and no keying-in of details into a computer. Hence the transaction time is faster, there is reduced scope for error and lower costs.

The personal details are provided by the person himself. This minimises errors in communication and, for example, it is not necessary to read handwriting.

The procedure is versatile and information processed can be selected and adjusted as desired in relation to the requirements of the site. Name, address, phone number, age, sex, etc. can be obtained as required and all or any or none

can appear on the face of the card.

Costly special equipment is not required. The picture-taking booth can be of the kind which is already available whereby the site owner does not have to purchase a special machine.

The procedure is convenient and attractive for the person requiring the identification card. The person can ensure that his photograph and his personal details are satisfactory, using selection, adjustment and correction facilities of the booth, and the card can be obtained without delay.

The bar code on the section of the card retained by the person can be used for automatic entry systems, turnstile operations, customer usage tracking etc.

The card has high security and is difficult to alter or forge, especially because information can be carried in secret such as time and date of issue and any other security information. Lost cards can be cancelled and re-issued immediately without undue cost.

With reference to Figs. 2 and 4, the card 23 shown also has a personal section 24 and a file copy section 25.

The personal section bears the person's image 26, a serial number 27, a bar code 28, the person's name 29, the card identity 30, information 31 relating to the permitted use of the card (levels or zones of access) , and a code number 32.

The file copy section bears the person's image (at 33) and also, alongside this (at 34) , the same serial number, person's name, access information, and code number all in the same printed letter and number form. As shown in Fig. 4, the card, and the record thereof are produced using a photobooth and record producing apparatus similar to those shown in Fig. 4 (and the same reference numerals are used for the same parts) except that the person is not required to key in personal data in the photobooth. Such personal data is keyed in at the record processing apparatus by an assistant, using a keyboard 35 in place of the card reader 21. This is done before the person attends the photobooth to have his picture taken.

The personal data (or the relevant part of this) together with related data (serial code numbers and access information generated or input at the record processing apparatus) is transmitted via a link 36 of any suitable kind

(cable, telephone/modem, radiation etc.) to the photobooth to be stored therein, in a storage memory of its control system 37, referenced against e,g, the serial number.

On attending the photobooth, the person enters (in response to a VDU prompt) the serial number (which has been given to him by the assistant) . His picture is then taken and the stored information is retrieved to produce the identification device shown in Fig. 2. To achieve this the person may be required to insert a coin, or a token previously given to him by the assistant.

The device may be dispensed in its entirety (to be separated elsewhere) or the personal section 24 may be cut off and dispensed with the file copy section 25 being retained within the photobooth for subsequent retrieval by an authorised person.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Equipment for producing a personal identification device comprising an automatic picture-taking apparatus (12) operable to dispense an identification device (1) bearing a person's image and also related information, and an automatic record-processing apparatus (20) operable when actuated automatically to generate a record corresponding to said dispensed device and to the said information and to store said record in accessible form.

2. Equipment according to claim 1 characterised in that the automatic picture taking apparatus (12) is of the kind having a video camera (15) , a computer system (37) and a computer printer (18) .

3. Equipment according to claim 2 characterised in that the automatic picture taking apparatus (12) is in the form of a coin-operated photobooth.

4. Equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the record-processing apparatus (20) operates separately from the picture-taking apparatus (12) and the record-processing apparatus (20) incorporates a reader (21) for reading said information on the identification device (1) .

5. Equipment according to claim 4 characterised in that the picture-taking apparatus (20) includes an input device (17a) for use by the person to input personal data.

6. Equipment according to claim 4 or 5 characterised in that the reader (21) comprises a bar code reader.

7. Equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the record-processing apparatus (20) and the picture-taking apparatus (12) are linked so that the said information is transferred between the respective apparatus via the links (36) .

8. Equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 17 characterised in that the picture-taking apparatus (12) is arranged to dispense said personal identification device (1) in the form of a card bearing said image as a visual image.

9. Equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the picture-taking apparatus (12) is arranged to dispense said personal identification device (1) in the form of a personal part (2) to be retained by the user, and a file copy part (3) to be retained separately thereto, said personal part (2) bearing said image (4) and said information (5-9) , and said file copy part. (3) bearing at least some of the said image (10) and the said information (11) .

10. A method of producing a personal identification device for a person using automatic picture-taking apparatus and automatic record-processing apparatus, characterised by the steps of; entering data into said picture-taking apparatus (12) comprising personal information for the person; taking a picture of the person with the picture-taking apparatus (12) ; producing with the picture-taking apparatus (12) said personal identification device (1) bearing an image (4) of the person derived from said taken picture and related information (5-9) ; dispensing said device (1) ; generating automatically a record corresponding to the dispensed device and to the said information (5-9, 11) and storing this in accessible form with the automatic record-processing apparatus (20) .

11. A method according to claim 10 characterised in that the data is generated in the automatic record-processing apparatus (20) and is transferred from there to the automatic picture-taking apparatus (12) via a link (36) therebetween.

12. A method according to claim 10 characterised in that the personal identification device (1) is produced in two parts : a personal part (2) to be retained by the person and which bears the said image (4) and the said information

(5-9) , and a file copy part (3) which bears readable data (11) related to the said information (5-9) both said parts (2, 3) are dispensed, and the data (11) on the file copy part (3) is read into the automatic record-processing apparatus (20) .

13. A method according to claim 12 characterised in that the data (11) on the file copy part (3) is in bar code form and is read with a bar code reader (21) .,

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 characterised in that the said personal and file copy parts (2, 3) are separable parts of a card (1) .

15. a method according to any one of claims 10 to 14 when performed using the equipment of any one of claims 1 to 9.

16. A personal identification device when produced using the method of any one of claims 10 to 15.