Patents by Inventor Robert C. Houvener

Robert C. Houvener has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040052403
    Abstract: A security identification system is disclosed for providing information regarding subjects to be identified. The system includes a biometric data input unit, a biometric analysis unit, an expert analysis unit, and a security clearance output unit. The biometric data input unit is for receiving biometric data regarding a subject. The biometric analysis unit is for analyzing the biometric data and comparing it against known biometric data in a database. The biometric analysis unit is also for providing match data that is indicative of whether a match exists and whether the match is above a certain correlation threshold. The expert analysis unit is for providing the biometric data to an analyst workstation if the match data is below a certain correlation threshold. The security clearance output unit is coupled to the biometric analysis unit and to the expert analysis unit for providing an indication of whether the subject is cleared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Houvener
  • Publication number: 20040052404
    Abstract: A security identification system is disclosed for providing information regarding subjects to be identified. The system includes a biometric data input unit for receiving biometric data regarding a subject at a remote location, a biometric analysis unit, and a quality assurance unit. The biometric analysis unit is for analyzing the biometric data and comparing it against known biometric data in a database at a central facility. The biometric analysis unit is also for providing match data that is indicative of whether a match exists and whether the match is above a certain correlation threshold. The quality assurance unit is for permitting quality assurance personnel at the central facility to monitor interactions of a screener and a subject at the remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Robert C. Houvener
  • Publication number: 20020138351
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of positively identifying individuals. The system comprises a point of identity verification terminal having a means for inputting data presented by a particular individual, at least one database storage and retrieval site having stored therein a plurality of corroborating identifying information unique to persons to be identified, and a means for exchanging data between the point of verification terminal and the database site. The database site comprises a means for validating that a point of verification terminal seeking to exchange data with the site is authorized to do so. At the database site, the system receives the information presented at the point of verification terminal and searches the database to find the unique corroborating identifying data corresponding to the unique input data. The system then transmits the corroborating data to the point of verification terminal where it is displayed on a display means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch
  • Patent number: 6424249
    Abstract: A system and method of providing system integrity and audit capabilities to a positive identification system is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the system uses biometric access authority information units and a biometric comparison system at a remote database site to permit authorized system users to access the positive identification system. The system also utilizes secondary access authority information units to permit authorized system users to access the system in the event that one or more authorized system users cannot be authenticated using the biometric comparison system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Houvener
  • Patent number: 6397194
    Abstract: A transaction data processing system and method is provided, which is especially configured to capture, store and retrieve transaction data, including a digital representation of a signature of a person initiating a transaction. The transaction data processing system includes a scanner located at a point of use location. The scanner is configured to scan a transaction document including the signature of at least one party to the transaction. A transaction data processor is also included for processing the scanned transaction data and for generating a transaction data record. A remote database site having stored therein a database of transaction data records is also provided. A communications link links the remote database site to the transaction data processor, which is located at the point of use location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch
  • Patent number: 6202055
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently processing check or other non-cash financial instrument-initiated is disclosed. The method includes the steps of accepting a check from a person initiating a non-cash financial transaction at a point of identification terminal. The checking account number is input into the point of identification terminal and is communicated to a remote database site, having stored therein a database of digital photographic images of authorized users of checking accounts. The database is searched and any digital photographic images associated with the transmitted account number are retrieved and transmitted to the point of identification terminal where they are displaying on a display means and a comparison is made between the images and the physical appearance of the person tendering the check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch, Joseph Schappler
  • Patent number: 6070141
    Abstract: A system and method of assessing the quality of an identification transaction is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch
  • Patent number: 6040783
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of providing system integrity and positive audit capabilities to a positive identification system. The use of access authority information units to gain access to the positive identification system solves the problems of open, unsecured and unauditable access to data for use in point of use identification systems and enables the system to be implemented in a mobile embodiment, which would expand system uses to applications using wireless communications links between the point of identification terminal and a remote identification database. In order to secure the rights to the data that is needed to make mass identification systems operate, it must be shown that records will be closed and secure, as well as that there will be an audit trail of access that is made to the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch, Joseph Schappler
  • Patent number: 6016480
    Abstract: A system and method for return fraud prevention is provided, which includes a point of return terminal having an input means for accepting, identifying information presented by a person returning at least one article of merchandise and has at least one display unit for displaying digital photographic images of persons and textual information. The system further includes at least one remote database site having stored therein a database comprising a plurality of digital photographic images of persons to be identified. Linking the return terminal and the remote database site is a communications link, which allows data to be interchanged between the point of return terminal and the remote database site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch
  • Patent number: 5832464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of identity verification. Specifically, the invention is directed to a device and method for facilitating signature-less financial transactions as an improvement over common, prior art check-based financial transactions. This system and method provides the ability to use a check as a form of payment at a point of use without having to use the signed check as the binding document that is processed through the financial system to obtain payment by the entity rendering the service. The system and method comprises reading a hardcopy check via an electronic scanner, correlating the account number to a biometric or other piece of data that would positively identify the person tendering the check and using the biometric or other data to confirm the identity of the person tendering the check. This data is then associated with an auditable record of the person who performed the biometric or other data comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch
  • Patent number: 5790674
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of providing system integrity and positive audit capabilities to a positive identification system. The use of access authority information units to gain access to the positive identification system solves the problems of open, unsecured and unauditable access to data for use in point of use identification systems. In order to secure the rights to the data that is needed to make mass identification systems operate, it must be shown that records will be closed and secure, as well as that there will be an audit trail of access that is made to the data. This system solves those problems through the use of a system and method for identification with biometric data and/or personal identification numbers and/or personalized devices embedded with codes unique to their assigned users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Houvener, Ian P. Hoenisch
  • Patent number: 5657389
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of positively identifying individuals. The system comprises a point of identity verification terminal having a means for inputting data presented by a particular individual, at least one database storage and retrieval site having stored therein a plurality of digital image data unique to persons to be identified, and a means for exchanging data between the point of verification terminal and the database site. The database site comprises a means for validating that a point of verification terminal seeking to exchange data with the site is authorized to do so. At the database site, the system receives the information presented at the point of verification terminal and searches the database to find the unique image data corresponding to the unique data. The system then transmits the image data to the point of verification terminal where it is displayed on a display means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Image Data, LLC
    Inventor: Robert C. Houvener