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 a first location. The electronic system is adapted to determine if a transaction should be accepted or rejected based on the comparison result generated by comparing the biometric data and the information obtained from the transaction token obtained at the first location with information previously stored in one or more databases and transmit the decision to a second location.

1 . An electronic system for processing a transaction, the electronic system comprising:
 a biometric data device for obtaining biometric information from an individual at a first 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 in real time a decision to accept or deny the transaction based on the first and second comparison results to a second location. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first location is remote from the second location. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction is an Internet based transaction. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is a token. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is a government benefit card. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is a smart card. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument includes at least one of a debit card, a credit card, a check and a traveller's check. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located remote to the first location. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located at the first location. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transaction instrument reading device configured to read and obtain the transaction instrument information. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a signature scanning device to obtain a signature from the individual. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an identity document scanning device to obtain identity information of the individual from an identity document. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is associated with a financial account and the individual is the account holder. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transaction instrument is associated with a financial account and the individual is not the account holder. 
     
     
         15 . An electronic verification system, the system comprising:
 a biometric data device for obtaining biometric information from an individual at a first 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; 
 correlate the biometric information with the transaction instrument information; 
 generate a comparison result by comparing the received transaction instrument information and biometric information with transaction instrument information and biometric information stored in the one or more databases and 
 transmit in real time the comparison result to a second location. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first location is remote from the second location. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located remote to the first location. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located at the first location. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the transaction instrument includes at least one of: a token, a check, a credit card, a debit card, a smart card, a government benefit card and food stamps.