Transaction verification apparatus & method

摘要

A storage device is provided which has stored therein an electronic image of a fingerprint of an individual authorized to conduct a transaction (34). A finger, of a person conducting the transaction, is scanned (18 and 24) to form electronic data signals (28) corresponding to an electronic representation of the fingerprint. The stored electronic image is compared (32) with the electronic data signals corresponding to the image fingerprint of the person conducting the transaction. The transaction is authorized only when the electronic data signals corresponding to the image fingerprint of the person conducting the transaction substantially correlate with the stored electronic image of the fingerprint of the individual authorized to conduct the transaction. In one embodiment, the electronic data signals corresponding to the image of the fingerprint of the person conducting the transaction are transmitted over the encrypted communication link to a remote comparator which compares the stored electronic image with the electronic data signals corresponding to the image of the fingerprint of the person conducting the transaction.