System for vending products and services using an identification card and associated methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a highly integrated and flexible system for vending products and services to consumers. The system receives information in advance of the vend by having the consumer insert an identification (ID) card, preferably a driver's license, into a point-of-purchase terminal (referred to as an OSU device). The OSU device preferably contains an Optical Scanning Unit (OSU), capable of scanning the textual information on the ID card. In one embodiment, the scanned information is compared against optical templates present in the system to discern or verify the information on the ID card, and is then used by the system to enable or disable the vending transaction, and/or to allow access to several preregistered system accounts.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for determining a potential match between a target image and one or more of a plurality of template images, wherein the target image and the plurality of template images comprise a plurality of pixels, the method comprising in no particular order: 
 (a) creating a first electronic file from at least a portion of the target image, the first file being indicative of the contrast between different pixels in the target image;    (b) creating a plurality of second electronic files from at least a portion of the plurality of template images, each of the second files being indicative of the contrast between different pixels in the corresponding template image; and    (c) electrically comparing the first file with each of the plurality of second files to determine a plurality of match errors between the first file and the plurality of second files, and storing the match errors in memory.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to step (a), scanning a form to create the target image.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after step (c), comparing the match errors to a threshold value, wherein the match errors below the threshold value determine which of the plurality of template images potentially match the target image.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the template image with the lowest match error is determined to be the template image matching the target image.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of template images potentially matching the target image are further processed to determine which of the potential template images matches the target image.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to step (a), compressing the target image.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein compressing the target image comprises performing bilinear reduction.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, prior to step (b), compressing the plurality of template images.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein compressing the plurality of template images comprises performing bilinear reduction.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the plurality of match errors comprises exclusively ORing pixels of the first file with corresponding pixels of the plurality of second files.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining the plurality of match errors further comprises summing the results of the exclusive OR step.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein creating either the first file or the plurality of second files comprises assigning to at least one pixel in either the first file or the plurality of second files a value indicative of the relative contrast between that pixel and a plurality of neighboring pixels.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to steps (a) and (b), determining the edges of a target element in the target image.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising scaling either the target element or the plurality of template images so that they are equal in size.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the target element comprises a character, symbol, graphic, or an optically variable device.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to step (a), filtering the target image.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein filtering the target image comprises performing a histogram analysis, a SUSAN algorithm, a high pass filter, a convolution filter, or a color reduction technique on the pixels of the target image.  
     
     
         18 . A method of creating a data structure for an electronic image having pixels, where each pixel represents an intensity level, the method comprising: 
 (a) providing a target pixel within the image, wherein the target pixel has a coordinate;    (b) calculating at least one value indicative of the relationship of the intensity level between the target pixel and at least one neighboring pixel;    (c) electronically storing the at least one value in the data structure at the same coordinate as the target pixel; and    (d) choosing another target pixel within the image and repeating steps (a) through (c) for the another target pixel.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the image is compressed prior to step (a).  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the image is compressed by bilinear reduction.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the value represents at least one logical ‘0’ or ‘1.’ 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a logical ‘1’ represents that the at least one neighboring pixel has a higher intensity value than the target pixel.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein step (b) comprises calculating a plurality of values indicative of the relationship of the intensity level between the target pixel and a plurality of neighboring pixels.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the values represent a plurality of binary numbers.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the image is scanned prior to step (a).  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the image comprises a character, a symbol, a graphic, or an optically variable device.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, prior to step (a), filtering the image.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein filtering the image comprises performing a histogram analysis, a SUSAN algorithm, a high pass filter, a convolution filter, or a color reduction technique on the pixels of the target image.  
     
     
         29 . A method for scanning a form containing an optically variable element, comprising: 
 (a) illuminating incident first radiation onto the form;    (b) detecting reflected first radiation from the form to create a first image, wherein the incident first radiation and the reflected first radiation define a first angle;    (c) illuminating incident second radiation onto the form;    (d) detecting reflected second radiation from the form to create a second image, wherein the incident second radiation and the reflected second radiation define a second angle different from the first angle; and    (e) comparing the first and second images to create a third image of the optically variable element.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first radiation and second radiation are of a common wavelength.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein steps (a) and (c) comprises using a common radiation source.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein steps (b) and (d) comprise using a common radiation detector.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein comparing the first and second images comprises subtracting the first and second images.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein steps (b) and (d) comprise using charge coupled devices.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein steps (a) or (c) comprise using LEDs or lamps.  
     
     
         36 . The unit of  claim 29 , wherein the first and second angles are acute.  
     
     
         37 . The unit of  claim 29 , wherein the optically variable element comprises a hologram or an uneven surface on the form.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein steps (a) and (c) comprise illuminating on opposite sides of the form, and wherein the optically variable element comprises a substantially transparent element.  
     
     
         39 . A method for scanning a form containing an optically variable element, comprising: 
 (a) illuminating incident first radiation onto the form;    (b) detecting reflected first radiation from the form to create a first image;    (c) illuminating incident second radiation onto the form, wherein the second radiation comprises a wavelength different from the first radiation; and    (d) detecting reflected second radiation from the form to create a second image, wherein the optically variable element is substantially imaged only in the second image.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the first radiation comprises visible radiation and the second radiation comprises either ultra-violet or infra-red radiation.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein steps (b) and (d) comprise using a common radiation detector.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein steps (b) and (d) comprise using charge coupled devices.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein steps (a) or (c) comprise using LEDs or lamps.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the optically variable element comprises ultra-violet or infra-red sensitive ink.