US5553155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low cost method employing time slots for thwarting fraud in the periodic issuance of food stamps, unemployment benefits or other governmental human services
Assignee: AVANT Inc
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Filing: 1992-03-11
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Granted: 1996-09-03
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Expires: 2012-03-11
Abstract
Abstract Upon monthly revalidation of a benefit, the client's pin is read off of the client's benefit card and a PC produces a time slot assigned to the client who receives a food benefit allocation for the month only if the current date and time of day is within his assigned time slot. Since the assigned time slot is only 1-2 hours each month, and since the card holder stands in line, he simply doesn't have time to collect two food benefit allocations from two separated issue stations. He can't get a second food benefit card with a different time slot because the assigned time slot is tied to his unchanging biometric characteristics. However, since the time slots at each issue station are synchronized, he can report to any issue station for convenience. Transfer of a second fraudulently obtained card to an accomplice is thwarted by ink jet printing the applicant's facial image on the benefit card when issued, or using the pin to display his facial image on a CRT.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger J. Kuhns
- 👤 Robert L. Nathans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:05
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07G; G07G3/00; G07G3/003; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/22; G07C9/25; G07C9/253
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristic of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) utilizing the biometric data to assign a particular periodically recurring time slot period, selected from at least several time slot periods, to each enrollee in accordance with and under the control of the biometric data of each enrollee; (c) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (d) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristic of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) utilizing the biometric data to assign a particular periodically recurring time slot period, selected from at least several time slot periods, to each enrollee in accordance with and under the control of the biometric data of each enrollee; (c) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (d) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) includes causing the biometric data to address a look-up table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period is no greater than two hours in duration, thus making it difficult for an enrollee to receive two benefit allocations at two adjacent issue stations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 3 further including recording facial images of enrollees receiving benefits at a particular issue station and within a particular recurring time slot period and displaying groups of recorded facial images to a human being to enable detection of two facial images of the same person, thereby to further deter fraud.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method of claim 1 including causing all issue stations within a portion of a protected area to issue benefits at particular times only to enrollees having the same assigned periodically recurring time slot period to deter fraud, while at the same time enabling an enrollee to conveniently report to an issue station of his own choosing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 1 further including recording facial images of enrollees receiving benefits at a particular issue station and within a particular recurring time slot period and displaying groups of recorded facial images to a human being to enable detection of two facial images of the same person, thereby to further deter fraud.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period recurs no more than once a week.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
161 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristic of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) converting the biometric data of each enrollee into time slot data related to biometric characteristics represented by the biometric data, the time slot data being indicative of one periodically recurring time slot period; (c) utilizing the time slot data produced in accordance with step (b) to assign a particular periodically recurring time slot period, selected from at least several time slot periods, to each enrollee; (d) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (e) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
161 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristic of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) converting the biometric data of each enrollee into time slot data related to biometric characteristics represented by the biometric data, the time slot data being indicative of one periodically recurring time slot period; (c) utilizing the time slot data produced in accordance with step (b) to assign a particular periodically recurring time slot period, selected from at least several time slot periods, to each enrollee; (d) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (e) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein step (b) includes causing the biometric data to address a look-up table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method of claim 8 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period is no greater than two hours in duration, thus making it difficult for an enrollee to receive two benefit allocations at two adjacent issue stations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method of claim 8 including causing all issue stations within a portion of a protected area to issue benefits at particular times only to enrollees having the same assigned periodically recurring time slot period to deter fraud, while at the same time enabling an enrollee to conveniently report to an issue station on his own choosing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 8 further including recording facial images of enrollees receiving benefits at a particular issue station and within a particular recurring time slot period and displaying groups of recorded facial images to a human being to enable detection of two facial images of the same person, thereby to further deter fraud.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method of claim 8 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period recurs no more than once a week.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) generating a particular biometric index having a given value for each enrollee which is representitive of several different types of biometric characteristics of the enrollee; (b) utilizing the particular biometric index of each enrollee to assign a particular one of at least several periodically recurring time slot periods to each enrollee which is based upon and related to the value of the particular biometric index generated in accordance with step (a); (c) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (d) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
143 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) generating a particular biometric index having a given value for each enrollee which is representitive of several different types of biometric characteristics of the enrollee; (b) utilizing the particular biometric index of each enrollee to assign a particular one of at least several periodically recurring time slot periods to each enrollee which is based upon and related to the value of the particular biometric index generated in accordance with step (a); (c) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (d) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein step (b) includes causing the biometric index to address a look-up table.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method of claim 14 wherein the biometric index is indicative of a plurality of the following types of biometric characteristics, sex, age, height, weight and eye color.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method of claim 14 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period is no greater than two hours in duration, thus making it difficult for an enrollee to receive two benefit allocations at two adjacent issue stations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
Method of claim 14 including causing all issue stations within a portion of a protected area issue benefits at particular times only to enrollees having the same assigned periodically recurring time slot period to deter fraud, while at the same time enabling an enrollee to conveniently report to an issue station of his own choosing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 14 further including recording facial images of enrollees receiving benefits at a particular issue station and with a particular recurring time slot period and displaying groups of recorded facial images to a human being to enable detection of two facial images of the same person, thereby to further deter fraud.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method of claim 14 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period recurs no more than once a week.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
174 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data having a given value and indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristics of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) converting the biometric data of each enrollee into time slot data related to the value of the biometric data, the time slot data being indicative of one periodically recurring time slot period; (c) utilizing the time slot data produce din accordance with step (b) to assign a particular periodically recurring time slot period, selected from at least several time slot periods, to each enrollee; (d) detecting the current time and current day during which each enrollee reports to an issue station; and (d) thereafter enabling the issuance of a benefit to each enrollee only if the current time and day is within the periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
174 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data having a given value and indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristics of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) converting the biometric data of each enrollee into time slot data related to the value of the biometric data, the time slot data being indicative of one periodically recurring time slot period; (c) utilizing the time slot data produce din accordance with step (b) to assign a particular periodically recurring time slot period, selected from at least several time slot periods, to each enrollee; (d) detecting the current time and current day during which each enrollee reports to an issue station; and (d) thereafter enabling the issuance of a benefit to each enrollee only if the current time and day is within the periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step (b) includes causing the biometric data to address a look-up table.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method of claim 21 wherein the biometric data is indicative of a plurality of the following types of biometric characteristics, sex, age, height, weight and eye color.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method of claim 21 said periodically recurring time slot period is not greater than two hours in duration, thus making it difficult for an enrollee to receive two benefit allocations at two adjacent issue stations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method of claim 21 including causing all issue stations within a portion of a protected area to issue benefits at particular times only to enrollees having the same assigned periodically recurring time slot period to deter fraud, while at the same time enabling an enrollee to conveniently report to an issue station of his own choosing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 21 further including recording facial images of enrollees receiving benefits at a particular issue station and within a particular recurring time slot period and displaying groups of recorded facial images to a human being to enable detection of two facial images of the same person, thereby to further deter fraud.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method of claim 21 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period recurs no more than once a week.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
137 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristic of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) producing a variable index having a value which is a function of the biometric data of each enrollee and utilizing the variable index to assign a time slot period to each enrollee which is determined by the value of the index; (c) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (d) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
137 words
Method of utilizing an electronically controlled data processor means to prevent fraud in the issuance of periodically dispensed benefits to enrollees at a plurality of benefit issue stations comprising the steps of: (a) inputting biometric data indicative of at least one particular type of biometric characteristic of each enrollee into said electronically controlled data processor means; (b) producing a variable index having a value which is a function of the biometric data of each enrollee and utilizing the variable index to assign a time slot period to each enrollee which is determined by the value of the index; (c) detecting the presence of each enrollee at an issue station; and (d) issuing a benefit to each enrollee only if the enrollee reports to an issue station during that periodically recurring time slot period assigned to the enrollee.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28 wherein step (b) includes causing the biometric data to address a look-up table.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method of claim 28 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period is no greater than two hours in duration, thus making it difficult for an enrollee to receive two benefit allocations at two adjacent issue stations.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 30 further including recording facial images of enrollees receiving benefits at a particular issue station and within a particular recurring time slot period and displaying groups of recorded facial images to a human being to enable detection of two facial images of the same person, thereby to further deter fraud.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
Method of claim 28 including causing all issue stations within a portion of a protected area to issue benefits at particular times only to enrollees having the same assigned periodically recurring time slot period to deter fraud, while at the same time enabling an enrollee to conveniently report to an issue station of his own choosing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method of claim 28 further including recording facial images of enrollees receiving benefits at a particular issue station and within a particular recurring time slot period and displaying groups of recorded facial images to a human being to enable detection of two facial images of the same person, thereby to further deter fraud.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method of claim 28 wherein said periodically recurring time slot period recurs no more than once a week.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-03 | 2000-03-04 | 2000-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | 2004-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-03 | 2008-03-04 | 2008-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |