Electronic transaction verification system

Abstract

An electronic transaction verification system for use with transaction tokens such as checks, credit cards, debit cards, and smart cards that gathers and transmits information about the transaction token and biometric data is described herein. The electronic verification system includes a biometric data device for recording and/or transmitting biometric data taken at the transaction location. The electronic system is adapted to accept or deny a transaction based on the comparison result generated by comparing the biometric data and the information obtained from the transaction token at the transaction location with information previously stored in one or more databases.

1 . An electronic system for processing a transaction at a transaction location, the electronic system comprising:
 a biometric data device for obtaining biometric information from an individual at a transaction location;   one or more databases configured to store biometric information and information for a transaction instrument associated with the individual; and   one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, the one or more processors configured to :
 receive biometric information obtained from the individual; 
 receive information associated with a transaction instrument issued to the individual; 
 generate a first comparison result by comparing the obtained biometric information with a biometric information stored in the one or more databases; 
 generate a second comparison result by comparing the received transaction instrument information with transaction instrument information stored in the one or more databases and 
 transmit a decision to accept or deny the transaction based on the first and second comparison results to the transaction location. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is a check. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction location is a point of sale. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located remote to the transaction location. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located at the transaction location. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transaction instrument reading device configured to read and obtain the transaction instrument information. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a signature scanning device to obtain a signature from the individual. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an identity document scanning device to obtain identity information of the individual from an identity document. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is associated with a financial account and the individual is the account holder. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is associated with a financial account and the individual is not the account holder. 
     
     
         11 . A method for verifying the identity of an individual involved in a transaction, the method comprising:
 obtaining biometric data of the individual;   obtaining information associated with a transaction instrument provided by the individual;   processing the obtained biometric data and the transaction instrument information to verify that the individual is an authorized user of the transaction instrument, wherein the processing includes:
 generating a first comparison result by comparing the obtained biometric data to biometric data previously stored in one or more information stores; and 
 generating a second comparison result by comparing the obtained transaction instrument information to transaction instrument information previously stored in the one or more information stores. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the transaction instrument is a check. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein processing comprises associating the biometric data with the transaction instrument information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein processing further comprises accepting or denying the transaction based on the first and second comparison result. 
     
     
         15 . An electronic system for processing an instrument associated with an account, the electronic system comprising:
 a biometric data device for obtaining biometric information from an individual at a transaction location;   one or more databases configured to store biometric information and information for the instrument; and   one or more processors in communication with the one or more databases, the one or more processors configured to :
 receive biometric information obtained from the individual; 
 receive information associated with the instrument; 
 generate a first comparison result by comparing the obtained biometric information with a biometric information stored in the one or more databases; 
 generate a second comparison result by comparing the received instrument information with the instrument information stored in the one or more databases and 
 transmit a decision to accept or deny the transaction based on the first and second comparison results to the transaction location. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the instrument is a check. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the individual is the account holder. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the second comparison result verifies the condition of the account.