Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing credit card fraud by prohibiting the unauthorized use of a credit card through verification of the absolute identity of a credit card user. Account information is read from the credit card and the card holder's fingerprint is scanned and electronically encoded by a fingerprint scanner. The account information and the encoded fingerprint are then sent to a remotely disposed comparitor via a communication line. The comparitor compares the scanned fingerprint with the file record fingerprint of the authorized card holder and if the fingerprints match allows the transaction to take place. If the scanned fingerprint matches the file fingerprint, the system automatically allows the transaction to complete.

Abstract: A method of modifying a database using an identification form. User account information is entered into a computer database record and is marked as incomplete. An identification form is then generated which pre-encodes the user account information on the form. The form is sent to the user, who places his or her identifying features (e.g., fingerprints) on the form before returning it. The user's identifying features are then electronically scanned and encoded from the form and associated with the user account information stored in the computer database record. If the user's identifying features are unreadable or illegible after electronically analyzing the form, a replacement form is automatically generated and sent to the user. If the user's identifying features are legible, the features are compared to all previously stored features in the computer database to determine if there is a match. If there is a match, the user record is marked as frozen and all associated users are notified.

Abstract: A system for converting an image-enhanced digitized raster fingerprint image to vector lines in order to generate a unique identification value for the fingerprint. The raster image pixels are converted to vector lines along the fingerprint ridges and the vector lines are classified and converted according to type. The line types are then analyzed and a list of identification features corresponding to the vector line types is generated. The identification features between the vector line types are compared and the image is classified according to fingerprint class. A unique identification value is then generated by numerically encoding the classified identification features.

Abstract: A method of modifying a database using a fingerprint form. User account information is entered into a computer database record and is marked as incomplete. A fingerprint form is then generated which pre-encodes the user account information on the form. The form is sent to the user, who places his or her fingerprints on the form before returning it. The user's fingerprints are then electronically scanned and encoded from the form and associated with the user account information stored in the computer database record. If the user's fingerprints are unreadable or illegible after electronically analyzing the form, a replacement form is automatically generated and sent to the user. If the user's fingerprints are legible, the prints are compared to all previously stored fingerprints in the computer database to determine if there is a match. If there is a match, the user record is marked as frozen and all associated users are notified. Otherwise, the user record is marked as complete.