System and method for the automated processing of physical objects

Abstract

Methods and systems for verifying authenticity of a physical object and/or for verifying possession of the object by an individual are described. In one embodiment, the object is registered with a remote processing system. Data representing at least one characteristic of the object is obtained and stored in the remote system and the identity of the individual or entity possessing the object is authenticated. After authenticating the individual, an identifier is collocated (or an existing mechanism is activated or modified to replicate the identifier) with the object, where the identifier uniquely identifies the object and the individual possessing the object. The object and the identity of the individual possessing the object can be authenticated at a future time by sensing the collocated identifier and sending the sensed identifier to the remote system. The remote system can send instructions to an entity wishing to authenticate the object and its association with the individual possessing the object. The instructions can be set up at the time the object is registered in the remote system. The remote system can perform an interactive or automated session with the entity wishing to authenticate the object, thereby saving time and providing a robust method of authentication and means for carrying out additional processing functions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of authenticating the identity of an individual, the method comprising:
 receiving at a server an image of an individual and/or a biometric parameter of the individual;   storing the image and/or the biometric parameter at the server;   receiving a first authentication code uniquely identifying the individual and a second authentication code uniquely identifying an augmented passport, wherein the first authentication code and the second authentication code are collocated on the augmented passport;   storing the first authentication code and the second authentication code at the server;   requesting scanning of the first authentication code and the second authentication code on the augmented passport;   receiving the scanned first authentication code and the scanned second authentication code at the server;   requesting image sensing of the individual and/or biometric sensing of the individual;   receiving the sensed image of the individual and/or the sensed biometric parameter of the individual;   comparing the received sensed image with the stored image, and/or comparing the received sensed biometric parameter with the stored biometric parameter;   upon a successful comparison, generating an authentication signal indicative of a confirmation of the identity of the individual; and   upon an unsuccessful comparison, generating an authentication signal indicative of no confirmation of the identity of the individual.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising storing instructions at the server for subsequent display on a display screen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , additionally comprising communicating the instructions to the display screen, wherein the instructions include directions to initiate sensing of an image of the individual possessing the augmented passport and/or to initiate sensing of a biometric parameter of the individual. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the comparison of the biometric parameter is performed by the server. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the comparison of images is performed by an officer using a display screen to display the stored image of the individual with the sensed image of the individual. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biometric parameter includes at least one fingerprint of the individual. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received first and second authentication codes are utilized to access information about the individual previously stored at the server. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , additionally comprising communicating the authentication signal to the individual by using the display screen. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , additionally comprising communicating the authentication signal to an officer by using the display screen. 
     
     
         10 . A method of authenticating the identity of an individual, the method comprising:
 receiving at a server an image of an individual and/or a biometric parameter of the individual;   storing the image and/or the biometric parameter at the server;   receiving an authentication code uniquely identifying the individual and uniquely identifying an augmented travel credential corresponding with the individual, wherein the authentication code is collocated with the augmented travel credential corresponding with the individual;   storing the authentication code corresponding with the individual at the server;   requesting scanning of the authentication code corresponding with the individual associated with the augmented travel credential;   receiving the scanned authentication code corresponding with the individual at the server;   requesting image sensing of the individual and/or biometric sensing of the individual;   receiving the sensed image of the individual and/or the sensed biometric parameter of the individual;   comparing the received sensed image with the stored image, and/or comparing the received sensed biometric parameter with the stored biometric parameter;   upon a successful comparison, generating an authentication signal indicative of a confirmation of the identity of the individual; and   upon an unsuccessful comparison, generating an authentication signal indicative of no confirmation of the identity of the individual.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the augmented travel credential corresponding with the individual comprises a passport. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the augmented travel credential corresponding with the individual comprises one of a driver's license, identification card, employee card, travel ticket and event ticket. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the authentication code comprises one or more of a pattern of dots or bars, radio frequency identification, magnetic identification, and smart chip. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the authentication code is based in part on a sensed physical characteristic of the augmented travel credential corresponding to the individual. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the sensed physical characteristic of the augmented travel credential comprises one of a weight and electric property. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the scanning of the authentication code is performed by one or more of optical sensing, an infrared charge coupled device, a radio frequency receiver, and magnetic sensors. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer instructions for authenticating the identity of an individual, the computer instructions, when executed, cause a processor to:
 receive an image of an individual and/or a biometric parameter of the individual;   store the image and/or the biometric parameter in a persistent memory in communication with the processor;   receive a first authentication code uniquely identifying the individual and a second authentication code uniquely identifying an augmented passport corresponding with the individual, wherein the first authentication code and the second authentication code are collocated on the augmented passport;   store the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual in the persistent memory;   request scanning of the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual on the augmented passport;   receive the scanned first authentication code and the scanned second authentication code corresponding with the individual;   request image sensing of the individual and/or biometric sensing of the individual;   receive the sensed image of the individual and/or the sensed biometric parameter of the individual;   compare the received sensed image with the stored image, and/or compare the received sensed biometric parameter with the stored biometric parameter;   upon a successful comparison, generate an authentication signal indicative of a confirmation of the identity of the individual; and   upon an unsuccessful comparison, generate an authentication signal indicative of no confirmation of the identity of the individual.   
     
     
         18 . A system for authenticating the identity of an individual, the system comprising:
 an augmented passport including a first authentication code uniquely identifying an individual and a second authentication code uniquely identifying the augmented passport corresponding with the individual, wherein the first authentication code and the second authentication code are collocated on the augmented passport;   a server storing computer instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to:
 receive the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual; 
 store the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual in a persistent memory in communication with the processor; 
 receive an image of the individual and/or a biometric parameter of the individual; 
 store the image and/or the biometric parameter in the persistent memory; 
 request scanning of the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual on the augmented passport; 
 receive the scanned first authentication code and the scanned second authentication code corresponding with the individual; 
 request image sensing of the individual and/or biometric sensing of the individual; 
 receive the sensed image of the individual and/or the sensed biometric parameter of the individual; 
 compare the received sensed image with the stored image, and/or compare the received sensed biometric parameter with the stored biometric parameter; 
 upon a successful comparison, generate an authentication signal indicative of a confirmation of the identity of the individual; and 
 upon an unsuccessful comparison, generate an authentication signal indicative of no confirmation of the identity of the individual. 
   
     
     
         19 . A system for authenticating the identity of an individual, the system comprising:
 an augmented passport including a first authentication code uniquely identifying an individual and a second authentication code uniquely identifying the augmented passport corresponding with the individual, wherein the first authentication code and the second authentication code are collocated on the augmented passport;   a server storing computer instructions which, when executed, cause a processor to:
 receive the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual; 
 store the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual in a persistent memory in communication with the processor; 
 receive an image of the individual and/or a biometric parameter of the individual; 
 store the image and/or the biometric parameter in the persistent memory; 
 request scanning of the first authentication code and the second authentication code corresponding with the individual on the augmented passport; 
   a network in communication with a display screen, a scanner, an image sensor and/or biometric sensor and the server, and being configured to:
 obtain the scanned first authentication code and the scanned second authentication code corresponding with the individual; 
 receive instructions to request image sensing of the individual and/or biometric sensing of the individual; 
 receive the sensed image of the individual and/or the sensed biometric parameter of the individual; 
 facilitate a comparison of the received sensed image with the stored image, and/or a comparison of the received sensed biometric parameter with the stored biometric parameter; 
 upon a successful comparison, receive an authentication signal indicative of a confirmation of the identity of the individual; and 
 upon an unsuccessful comparison, receive an authentication signal indicative of no confirmation of the identity of the individual. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the computer instructions which, when executed, additionally cause the processor to store instructions at the server for subsequent display on the display screen, and to communicate the instructions to the display screen, wherein the instructions include directions to initiate sensing of an image of the individual possessing the augmented passport and/or to initiate sensing of a biometric parameter of the individual. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the comparison of images is performed by an officer using the display screen to display the stored image of the individual with the sensed image of the individual. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the computer instructions which, when executed, additionally cause the processor to communicate the authentication signal to the individual by using the display screen. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the computer instructions which, when executed, additionally cause the processor to communicate the authentication signal to an officer by using the display screen. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein one or more of the display screen, the scanner, image sensor and/or biometric sensor are in communication with a mobile electronic communication device.