An authentication system for public officers to be verified by civilians using a mobile application

Abstract

There is provided a method for a mobile device of a first person for verifying the identity of a second person (for example, a police officer). The method comprises determining the authenticity of an identity verification device (for example, a police badge) of the second person, capturing image data for verifying the identity of the second person, retrieving verification information for verifying the identity of the second person, and verifying the identity of the second person by comparing the image data with the verification information.

Description

AN AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS TO BE VERIFIED BY CIVILIANS USING A MOBILE APPLICATIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for identity verification.BACKGROUND

[0002] A typical civilian would assume that an individual dressed as an official such as a police officer, driving a police officer’s car or an individual with a police badge is a legitimate police officer. However, these individuals may have had unauthorised access to a police officer’s identity to later pose as police officers. It is known that there have been instances when civilians have been approached at home, at work or stopped on the road by individuals posing as police officers, who may at times provide false identification information, such as false police officer names or fake police officer badges, in an attempt to hide their true identities while engaging in an offense. Thus, there remains a need for a reliable way for civilians to verify the identity of any police officer they encounter on the road as well as flag an offense in real time or moments after an offense.

[0003] GB 2610241 B provides an identity verification method and system for verifying the identity of a candidate official by communicating data relating to the candidate official from a mobile device to an identity verification server. The data comprises one or more of: images and / or videos depicting a face of the candidate official, one or more images and / or videos depicting an article of identification displayed by the candidate official, and wireless signal data received by a wireless receiver of the mobile device from a wireless transmitter associated with the candidate official.

[0004] However, the wireless signal may be intercepted by unauthorised individuals and this may lead to the security of the system being compromised.SUMMARY

[0005] This summary is not intended to identify key features of the invention, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. The scope of the present invention is defined in the claims.

[0006] A first aspect of the invention provides an identity verification method for a mobile device of a first person. The method comprises determining authenticity of an identity verification device of a second person; capturing image data for verifying the identity of the second person; retrieving verification information for verifying the identity of the second person; and verifying the identity of the second person by comparing the image data with the verification information.

[0007] An advantage of this method is that both the authenticity of the identity verification device and the identity of the second person are verified. Thus, the first person can be sure that the identity verification device has not be falsified, faked, or spoofed and that the identity verification system is not compromised.

[0008] The identity verification device may be carried or worn by the second person. For example, the identity verification device may be an identity card or badge, such as a police badge.

[0009] The image data may comprise visual data to enable verification of the second person, such as a face or other biometric identifier of the second person.

[0010] The method may further comprise receiving an indication from the identity verification device that the identity verification device is within transmission range. The method may further comprise presenting an alert to the first person to indicate that the identity verification device is within transmission range.

[0011] Determining authenticity of the identity verification device may be carried out over a short-range wireless transmission protocol. The short-range wireless transmission protocol may be a Near Field Communication protocol. Additionally or alternatively, the short-range wireless transmission protocol may be one or more of: Bluetooth, Zigbee, and / or Radio Frequency Identification.

[0012] An advantage of short-range wireless transmission or Near Field Communication is that verification can only proceed when the first person and second person are proximal to one another. This reduces the chance of an unauthorised or unwanted verification attempt by a person physically removed from the location of the second person.

[0013] Determining the authenticity of the identity verification device may comprise performing cryptographic verification. The cryptographic verification may comprise cryptographic public-private key verification and / or cryptographic certificate verification.

[0014] Determining authenticity of the identity verification device may comprise receiving an identity verification signal from the identity verification device. In other words, the mobile device may authenticate the identity verification device during receipt of the identity verification signal.

[0015] The verification information may be retrieved based on the identity verification signal.

[0016] The image data may comprise an image of the identity verification device. The verification information may be retrieved based on the image data.

[0017] The verification information may be retrieved from an identity verification server. The verification information may be retrieved from information cached on the mobile device.

[0018] If the information is cached on the mobile device this provides the advantage that the system can continue to be used in areas without an Internet connection.

[0019] The identity verification signal may comprise a unique identifier of the identity verification device and / or the second person. Alternatively, the unique identifier may be determined from the image of the identity verification device.

[0020] The method may further comprise communicating an outcome of verifying the identity of the second person to the identity verification device.

[0021] Communicating the outcome of verifying the identity of the second person to the identity verification device may be performed via a Simple Messaging Service and / or Near Field Communications protocol.

[0022] The method may further comprise communicating the outcome of verifying the identity of the second person to the first person.

[0023] Communicating the outcome may comprise outputting an audible confirmation. The audible confirmation may comprise confirming the employment status of the second person. The confirmation of the employment status of the second person may comprise details of the employment of the second person.

[0024] The method may further comprise prompting the second person for permission to verify their identity; and either receiving confirmation that the prompt is approved or determining that the prompt is denied.

[0025] In response to the prompt, the second person may do nothing in which case the method may determine that the prompt is denied through the expiry of a pre-determined time period. Alternatively, the second person may actively deny the prompt by, for example, voice command or interacting with the mobile device of the first person, in which case the method determines that the prompt is denied directly from the interaction.

[0026] The prompt may be an audible prompt.

[0027] If the prompt is denied, the method may further comprise communicating information about the mobile device to the identity verification device.

[0028] The prompt may be responded to by voice command by the second person and / or the first person.

[0029] The integration of voice functionality may help to verify that the citizen is utilising the authentication system correctly and that no recording of the officer's image occurs without consent. Specifically, this method of authentication is designed to be robust against signal interception or spoofing. Without mutual voice approval from both parties, the authentication process would not proceed, thereby interrupting any unauthorised actions.

[0030] A second aspect of the invention provides an identity verification method for an identity verification device of a second person. The method comprises: receiving a request for identity verification from a mobile device of a first person; confirming an authenticity of the identity verification device.

[0031] Confirming the authenticity of the identity verification device may be carried out over a short-range wireless transmission protocol. The short-range wireless protocol may be a Near Field Communication protocol. Additionally or alternatively, the short-range wireless transmission protocol may be one or more of: Bluetooth, Zigbee, and / or Radio Frequency Identification.

[0032] An advantage of short-range wireless transmission or near field communication is that verification can only proceed when the first person and second person are proximal to one another. This reduces the chance of an unauthorised or unwanted verification attempt by a person physically removed from the location of the second person.

[0033] Confirming the authenticity of the identity verification device may comprise performing cryptographic verification. Cryptographic verification may comprise cryptographic public-private key verification and / or cryptographic certificate verification.

[0034] Confirming the authenticity of the identity verification device may comprise communicating an identity verification signal.

[0035] A third aspect of the invention provides a mobile device for use with an identity verification method.

[0036] The mobile device may comprise one or more of:• a processor;• memory storage;• one or more wireless antennas for communicating via various wireless protocols, such as short-range wireless communications (e.g., Near Field Communications and Bluetooth (RTM)), cellular communications, wireless LAN (e.g., “Wi-Fi” (RTM)), a Global Navigation Satellite System (e.g., Global Positioning System, GPS), and the like;• a camera, which may be internal or external;• a display screen;• a touchscreen;• a keyboard;• an identity verification application;• a loudspeaker; and• a microphone.

[0037] A fourth aspect of the invention provides an identity verification device for use with an identity verification method.

[0038] The identity verification device may comprise one or more of:• a processor;• one or more wireless antennas for communicating via various wireless protocols, such as short-range wireless communications (e.g., Near Field Communications and Bluetooth (RTM)), cellular, wireless LAN (e.g., “Wi-Fi” (RTM)), a Global Navigation Satellite System (e.g., Global Positioning System, GPS), and the like; and• memory storage.

[0039] A fifth aspect of the invention provides an identity verification system for use with an identity verification. The system may comprise a mobile device and an identity verification device. The system may further comprise an identity verification server.

[0040] The identity verification server may be a server computer set up to communicate with one or more mobile devices via a wireless network or direct wireless communication. The identity verification server may comprise a processor and a storage that is programmed to communicate with the database via a wired or wireless network or direct wired or wireless communication. In some scenarios, the identity verification server is configured to communicate with an identity recognition server via a wired or wireless network or direct wired or wireless communication.

[0041] A sixth aspect of the invention provides computer software comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor (e.g., of a mobile device or identity verification device), causes the processor to perform an identity verification method described above.

[0042] The identity verification methods described above may be performed by the mobile device and / or identity verification device.

[0043] A range of other features and benefits may be incorporated into the same technology, depending on the user’s needs.The following numbered clauses describe further illustrative examples only:1. An identity verification method for a mobile device of a first person, the method comprising:determining authenticity of an identity verification device of a second person; capturing image data for verifying the identity of the second person; retrieving verification information for verifying the identity of the second person; andverifying the identity of the second person by comparing the image data with the verification information and determining an outcome.2. The method of clause 1 , wherein the method further comprises:Receiving an indication from the identity verification device that the identity verification device is within transmission range; andpresenting an alert to the first person to indicate that the identity verification device is within transmission range.3. The method of clause 1 or clause 2 wherein determining authenticity of the identity verification device is carried out over a short-range wireless transmission protocol.4. The method of clause 3 wherein the short-range wireless transmission protocol is a Near Field Communication protocol.5. The method of any of clauses 1 to 4, wherein determining the authenticity of the identity verification device comprises performing cryptographic verification.6. The method of clause 5, wherein cryptographic verification comprises cryptographic public-private key verification and / or cryptographic certificate verification.The method of any of clauses 1 to 6 wherein determining authenticity of the identity verification device comprises receiving an identity verification signal from the identity verification device.The method of clause 7, wherein the verification information is retrieved based on the identity verification signal.The method of any of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the image data comprises an image of the identity verification device, and wherein the verification information is retrieved based on the image data.The method of any of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the verification information is retrieved from an identity verification server or wherein the verification information is retrieved from information cached on the mobile device.The method of any of clauses 1 to 10, further comprising:communicating an outcome of verifying the identity of the second person to the identity verification device via a Simple Messaging Service and / or Near Field Communications protocol.The method of clause 11 , further comprising communicating an outcome of verifying the identity of the second person to the first person by outputting an audible confirmation.The method of any of clauses 1 to 12, further comprising:prompting the second person for permission to verify their identity; and either receiving confirmation that the prompt is approved or determining that the prompt is denied.The method of clause 13, wherein the prompt is an audible prompt.The method of clause 13 or clause 14, further comprising:if the prompt is denied, communicating information about the mobile device to the identity verification device.An identity verification method for an identity verification device of a second person, the method comprising:receiving a request for identity verification from a mobile device of a first person; andconfirming an authenticity of the identity verification device.The method of clause 16 wherein confirming the authenticity of the identity verification device is carried out over a short-range wireless transmission protocol.The method of clause 17 wherein the short-range wireless transmission protocol is a Near Field Communication protocol.The method of any of clauses 16 to 18, wherein confirming the authenticity of the identity verification device comprises performing cryptographic verification.The method of clause 19, wherein cryptographic verification comprises cryptographic public-private key verification and / or cryptographic certificate verification.The method of any of clauses 16 to 20 wherein confirming the authenticity of the identity verification device comprises communicating an identity verification signal.A mobile device configured to perform the method of any of clauses 1 to 15.An identity verification device configured to perform the method of any of clauses 16 to 21.An identity verification system, configured to perform the method of any of clauses 1 to 21 , the system comprising a mobile device and an identity verification device.A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method of any of clauses 1 to 21.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Non-limiting specific examples are described below in detail in relation to the following Figures.

[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary identity verification system.

[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method for identity verification.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary method for identity verification.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONOverview

[0048] A technology is provided for verifying the identity of a person (such as a police officer) by use of a mobile application running on a mobile device and an identity verification device (such as a police identity badge) against a candidate on scene. The method includes determining authenticity of the identity verification device by receiving a wireless signal on a personal mobile device. The signal received on the mobile device is transmitted from a wireless transmitter, which is present only on a legitimate identity verification device (e.g., a badge of a verified police officer) as the basis of confirming the authenticity of the candidate (e.g., as a legitimate police officer). The wireless transmitter may be a near field communication (NFC) transmitter.

[0049] In some examples, the signal received by the mobile device further provides the mobile device with access to data for authentication of the police officer. To mitigate the risk of a false, fake, or spoof badge being used by an unauthorised individual, the legitimacy of the badge is then verified by the mobile device by any method known in the art. For example, the mobile device and badge may perform cryptographic public-privatekey verification. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device may verify cryptographic certificates received from the badge with a trusted authority.

[0050] In other examples, the mobile device obtains access to the data for authentication of the police officer based on an image of the identity verification device.

[0051] Once the legitimacy of the badge is established, the identity of the candidate as a police officer can be verified. The mobile device may use machine learning or artificial intelligence for this. Additionally or alternatively, this can be achieved by transmitting to the mobile device: an image, name, official police officer identity number and the duty status that is registered in an identity database on an identity server. The identity server can manage location information for the verified police officer by creating, analysing and later storing location records of the police officer in the database. The identity server can update the identity database to track links between a verified police officer being used by an individual posing as a police officer, a verified police office badge being used by an individual posing as a police officer or individuals that have previously posed as a police officer.

[0052] Although the following description provides example implementations of the present invention directed specifically to police officer identity verification technologies, it is contemplated that the methods and systems disclosed herein may be used for the verification of identity more generally. For example, it may be used to determine the identity of a taxi or rideshare driver instead of a police officer. Furthermore, the candidate could be any kind of registered law enforcement official such as a traffic warden, or a security guard. Moreover, the candidate official could be engaged in activities other than law enforcement. For example, the candidate official could be a legal professional, healthcare professional, engineer, political representative, military personnel, and the like.

[0053] In some settings, the mobile device can be used to record offenses related to the individual posing as a fake police officer. The mobile device can submit the recordings to report such identified individuals.

[0054] As described herein, an identity verification server can be used to identify individuals, to view profile information and update offenses related to the identified individuals and the individuals accessing the identity database via their mobile devices.

[0055] In some settings, the identity verification server can receive information about offenses related to the identified police officers, track and correlate offenses using the identity database, and transmit event notifications to mobile devices associated with the user.

[0056] At least some aspects of this technology can improve the performance of the application by providing better offense tracking and reporting functionality in real time or immediately after an incident. The performance of the computers used to track, report and form links to such offenses can also be improved. Using an identity database, to create and analyse links between reported offenses and other locations can reduce the computation costs associated with offense correlation and association.Identity Verification System

[0057] Fig. 1 shows an example identity verification system 100.

[0058] The system comprises a user 101 of a mobile device 102, a candidate police officer 103 with a badge 104, and an identity verification server 105.Identity Verification Method

[0059] Fig. 2 is an example method 200 for police officer identity verification to be carried out by identity verification system 100.

[0060] At optional step 201 , the user 101 of a mobile device 102 receives an alert or notification that the badge 104 of a police officer 103 is nearby. More particularly, the alert may be that the badge 104 is within transmission range at a pre-determined distance closer than transmission range. This alert allows the user 101 to select whether or not to proceed with the identity verification method. However, it is also contemplated herein that identity verification proceeds automatically without the user 101 selecting whether or not to proceed with it.

[0061] At step 202, the mobile device 102 prompts the candidate police officer 103 for permission to carry out identity verification. This prompt may be audible or may bedisplayed visually on the mobile device 102. At step 203, the candidate police officer 103 responds to the prompt. They may either approve or deny identity verification. The response from the candidate police officer 103 may be a voice command or maybe be any other method of interacting with the mobile device 102 known in the art. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device 102 may determine that the prompt is denied through the expiry of a pre-determined time period without approval from the candidate police officer 103.

[0062] If the candidate police officer 103 approves the prompt, the method proceeds to step 204. If the candidate police officer 103 denies the prompt or the method determines that the prompt is denied, the method may either terminate or may proceed to optional step 212.

[0063] At step 204, the mobile device 102 requests identity verification from the police officer badge 104. This is to ensure that the badge 104 is not a false, fake, or spoof badge.

[0064] At step 205 the authenticity of the badge 104 is verified. The authentication may proceed by any method known in the art. For example, the mobile device 102 and badge 104 may perform cryptographic public-private key verification, wherein the mobile device 102 retrieves a public key from a trusted source based on information transmitted by the badge 104 and then presents a challenge to the badge 104 which requires use of a private key only present on an authentic badge 104. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device 102 may verify with a trusted authority any cryptographic certificates received from the badge 104.

[0065] The communication between the badge 104 and the mobile device 102 may be carried out over a short-range wireless transmission protocol. The short-range wireless transmission protocol may be a Near Field Communication protocol. Additionally or alternatively, the short-range wireless transmission protocol may be one or more of:Bluetooth, Zigbee, and / or Radio Frequency Identification. Although such communication is mentioned herein with respect to authentication of the badge 104 it is not limited to such. The communication may also comprise the communication of an identity verification signal, data for verifying the identity of the candidate police officer 103, or verification information for verifying the identity of the candidate police officer 103. The communication may also comprise any other communication necessary for carrying out the method. It is not requiredthat all the communication between the badge 104 and the mobile device 102 proceeds by the same protocol.

[0066] At step 206, the mobile device 102 determines an identity verification signal from the badge 104. This may comprise information for access to data for authentication of the police officer. For example, it may provide information such as a password or authentication keys for access to an identity verification server 105.

[0067] Whilst step 205 verifies the authenticity of the badge 104, step 206 provides information for verifying the identity of the badge holder, thus mitigating the risk of an authentic badge being used by an unauthorised individual. Alternatively, the mobile device 102 may use image data for accessing the identity verification server 105. That is, an image of the badge 104 capturing information displayed on the badge 104 may be used to retrieve verification information.

[0068] At step 207, image data is captured for verifying the identity of the candidate police officer 103. This image data may be, but is not limited to, an image of the candidate police officer’s face. Where the mobile device 102 uses image data in step 206, the same image may be used in step 207. In other words, the mobile device 102 may capture one image that depicts the candidates face and the badge 104. Alternatively, the mobile device 102 may capture separate images.

[0069] At step 208, verification information is retrieved from an identity verification server 105. This verification information may be selected by the server on the basis of the identity verification signal. Thus, this step may comprise communicating the identity verification signal to the identity verification server 105. The verification information may comprise, but is not limited to, image data. The image data may be an image of the true police officer associated with the identity verification signal determined from the badge 104.

[0070] At step 209, the identity of the candidate police officer 103 is verified by the mobile device 102. This may comprise utilising artificial intelligence or machine learning. It may comprise utilising the verification information from the identity verification server 105. It may comprise utilising information obtained by scanning the candidate police officer 103 (for example gathering visual or vocal information from the candidate police officer 103). For example, the mobile application may verify the identity of the candidate by comparingimage and / or audio data obtained from a camera / microphone of the mobile device 102 to verification information retrieved from the server.

[0071] At step 210, the outcome of the identity verification is communicated to the user of the mobile device. This communication may be audible or may be displayed visually on the mobile device. At step 211 , the outcome of the identity verification is also communicated to the candidate police officer 103. This may be audible or may be displayed visually on the mobile device, or it may be a transmission from the mobile device 102 to the badge 104 or a transmission to the candidate police officer’s own mobile device by SMS, mobile internet, or any other known method.

[0072] At optional step 212, carried out if the candidate police officer 103 denies the prompt at step 202, information about the interaction is communicated to the candidate police officer 103. This may be a transmission from the mobile device to the badge 104 or a transmission to the candidate police officer’s own mobile device by SMS, mobile internet, or any other known method. This information may comprise information about the mobile device or the mobile device user 101 and may be for law enforcement to follow-up regarding an unauthorised verification attempt. The information may alternatively be transmitted to a remote server and a reference number or access information transmitted to the badge 104 or candidate police officer’s own mobile device.

[0073] The method may also provide a second prompt to the candidate police officer 103 for verification if the first prompt is denied. The second prompt may take the form of a bar code, QR code, or other code known in the art displayed on the mobile device and scanned by the candidate police officer’s own mobile device. This may provide redundancy if the first prompt is rejected inadvertently.Mobile Device

[0074] A mobile device, for example mobile device 102, is considered a portable computing device that is designed to connect and correspond over one or more wireless communication channels. The mobile device may comprise of at least one processor, a camera, a loudspeaker, a microphone, one or more wireless communication antennas, and memory storage capacity. In such devices, a wireless communication antenna could comprise a near field communication antenna, a built-in cellular antenna, wireless LANantenna, or a Global Navigation Satellite System antenna. In order to present search results information and feedback to the user 101 , a mobile device comprise a screen or display and / or a loudspeaker. To capture input from the user 101 , the mobile device can comprise a keyboard and / or touchscreens and / or a camera and / or a microphone.Identity Verification Device

[0075] An identity verification device, for example badge 104, is considered a portable computing device that is designed to connect and correspond over one or more wireless communication channels. The identity verification device may comprise of at least one processor, one or more wireless communication antennas, and memory storage capacity. In such devices, a wireless communication antenna could comprise a near field communications antenna, a cellular antenna, or wireless fidelity antenna. The identity verification device may, in a non-limiting example, be a badge 104 of a police officer comprising additional features to allow it to store, transmit, and receive information wirelessly.Identity Verification Server

[0076] An identity verification server, for example identity verification server 105, can be a server computer set up to communicate with one or more mobile devices via a wireless network or direct wireless communication. The identity verification server comprises a processor and a storage that is programmed to communicate with the database via a wired or wireless network or direct wired or wireless communication. In some scenarios, the identity verification server is configured to communicate with an identity recognition server via a wired or wireless network or direct wired or wireless communication.

[0077] A number of combinations of the various described embodiments could be envisaged by the skilled person. All of the features disclosed herein may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. In particular, the preferred features of the invention are applicable to all aspects of the invention and may be used in any combination. Likewise, features described in non-essential combinations may be used separately (not in combination).

[0078] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0079] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, and / or ‘including’ when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0080] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0081] Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings.

[0082] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An identity verification method for a mobile device of a first person, the method comprising:determining, at the mobile device of the first person, authenticity of an identity verification device of a second person;receiving, at the mobile device of the first person, an identity verification signal from the identity verification device;capturing, at the mobile device of the first person, image data for verifying the identity of the second person;retrieving, at the mobile device of the first person from an identity verification server, based on the identity verification signal, verification information for verifying the identity of the second person; andverifying, at the mobile device of the first person, the identity of the second person by comparing the image data with the verification information and determining an outcome;wherein determining authenticity of the identity verification device comprises performing cryptographic verification which further comprises cryptographic certificate verification which further comprises receiving cryptographic certificates from the identity verification device and verifying the cryptographic certificates with a trusted authority.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises:Receiving an indication from the identity verification device that the identity verification device is within transmission range; andpresenting an alert to the first person to indicate that the identity verification device is within transmission range.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein determining authenticity of the identity verification device is carried out over a short-range wireless transmission protocol.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the short-range wireless transmission protocol is a Near Field Communication protocol.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image data comprises an image of the identity verification device, and wherein the verification information is retrieved based on the image data.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:communicating an outcome of verifying the identity of the second person to the identity verification device via a Simple Messaging Service and / or Near Field Communications protocol.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising communicating an outcome of verifying the identity of the second person to the first person by outputting an audible confirmation.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:prompting the second person for permission to verify their identity; and either receiving confirmation that the prompt is approved or determining that the prompt is denied.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the prompt is an audible prompt.

10. The method of claim 8 or claim 19, further comprising:if the prompt is denied, communicating information about the mobile device to the identity verification device.

11. A mobile device configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 10.

12. An identity verification system, configured to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 10, the system comprising a mobile device and an identity verification device.

13. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 10.

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