Mark of the Beast? Well, sort of...

James Ganong (JGanong@webtv.net)
Fri, 17 Sep 1999 02:35:38 -0700 (PDT)

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United States Patent 5,878,155HeeterMar. 2, 1999 Method for verifying human identity during electronic sale transactions Abstract
A method is presented for facilitating sales transactions by electronic media. A bar code or a design is tattooed on an individual. Before the sales transaction can be consummated, the tattoo is scanned with a scanner. Characteristics about the scanned tattoo are compared to characteristics about other tattoos stored on a computer database in order to verify the identity of the buyer. Once verified, the seller may be authorized to debit the buyer's electronic bank account in order to consummate the transaction. The seller's electronic bank account may be similarly updated.
Inventors: Heeter; Thomas W. (55 Lyerly, Houston, TX 77022). Appl. No.: 709,471Filed: Sept. 5, 1996
Intl. Cl. : G06K 9/00Current U.S. Cl.: 382/115Field of Search: 382/115, 116, 124-127, 100, 128, 133; 348/77, 15, 161; 209/3.3, 555; 356/71; 340/825.34; 235/379, 380, 382
References Cited | [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
3,584,958Jun., 1971Miller et al.382/1264,597,495Jul., 1986Knosby209/3.34,805,223Feb., 1989Denyer382/1274,995,086Feb., 1991Lilley et al.382/1245,633,947May, 1997Sibbald382/124 Primary Examiner: Kelley; Christopher S. Attorney, Agent or Firm: Casperson; John R. 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures

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