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. The system preferably has the ability to read or scan transaction and account information printed or encoded on the transaction token, digitally encode biometric data, scan drivers' licenses or other identification cards, and take a signature of a customer, all at a transaction location for purposes of account verification. The electronic transaction verification system preferably digitizes various indicia of the token, such as the magnetic ink (MICR) line on a presented check or the magnetic strip on a credit card or debit card, and transmits the transaction information data to a central processing system, at which the central processing system compares the inputted data with an existing database of information to determine if the customer at the point of the transaction is in fact authorized to use the account, and if the account is in satisfactory condition for approval of the transaction. The electronic verification system includes a biometric data device for recording and/or transmitting biometric data taken at the transaction location. The electronic transaction verification system can be used in conjunction with a tokenless transaction processing system to determine if the token presented for payment is associated with an account established for an authorized user that has registered with the tokenless transaction processing system.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . 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 first database at the first location; 
 generate a digitally encoded form of the biometric information associated with obtained biometric information; 
 receive information associated with a transaction instrument issued to the individual; 
 transmit the digitally encoded form of the biometric information and the transaction information; 
 generate a second comparison result by comparing the transmitted transaction instrument information with transaction instrument information previously 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. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the transaction instrument is one of a check, a debit card, a credit card, a loyalty card, a food stamp, a token, or an account. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the transaction location is a point of sale. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located remote to the transaction location. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more databases and the one or more processors are located at the transaction location. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a transaction instrument reading device configured to read and obtain the transaction instrument information. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a signature scanning device to obtain a signature from the individual. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising an identity document scanning device to obtain identity information of the individual from an identity document. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the transaction instrument is associated with a financial account and the individual is an account holder. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the transaction instrument is associated with a financial account and the individual is not an account holder. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the transaction location is an internet transaction location. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the second comparison result is generated prior to the first comparison result. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the received transaction instrument information includes a number associated with the transaction instrument issued to the individual. 
     
     
         32 . 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 at a first location; 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 at a second location. 
   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the transaction instrument is a check. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein processing comprises associating the biometric data with the transaction instrument information. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein processing further comprises accepting or denying the transaction based on the first and second comparison result. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein obtaining information associated with a transaction instrument provided by the individual includes obtaining a number associated with the transaction instrument provided by the individual. 
     
     
         37 . An electronic system for processing token associated with an account, the electronic system comprising:
 an electronic verification unit comprising:
 a biometric data device for obtaining biometric information from a user at a transaction location; 
 a device configured to scan or enter account information associated with a token; 
 a device configured to accept a signature of the user; 
 one or more databases configured to store biometric information and information associated with the token; 
 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 user; 
 receive account information associated with the token; and 
 generate a first comparison result by comparing the obtained biometric information with biometric information stored in the one or more databases; 
 
   a central system comprising:
 one or more identification databases configured to store identification data specific to one or more authorized users of the system; 
 one or more processors in communication with the electronic transaction unit, an issuing entity, and one or more databases of the central system, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:
 receive biometric information associated with the user from the electronic verification unit; 
 transmit token information presented by the user and received from the electronic verification unit to one or more of the databases in communication with the central system for a second comparison result, the second comparison comprising a result obtained from comparing the received token information with the token information previously 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. 
 
   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the token is one of a check, a credit card, a debit card, a food stamps, or account information. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the user is the account holder. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the second comparison result verifies a condition of the account. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the signature of the user obtained by the device configured to accept a signature of the user is transmitted from the electronic verification unit to one or more of the databases in communication with the central system for a comparison result, the comparison result obtained by comparing the received signature with the signature previously stored in the one or more databases. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the second comparison result is generated prior to the first comparison result. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the received token information includes a number associated with the instrument. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the transaction is an internet transaction.