Biometric Device with GPS Exit Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current access control systems, such as the US-VISIT program, lack an automated and reliable means to determine when international visitors have exited the United States, which compromises security and safety.

Innovation Solution

A biometric device that captures and compares fingerprint data, uses GPS to determine location, and encrypts this information for secure transmission to a central server, providing a test signal upon entry and an exit signal upon leaving the country.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual exit recording methods (DHS Form I-94) are used, then international visitors can complete exit procedures, but the process is not automated and lacks reliability in determining actual exit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexit verification automationVSAvoidexit determination reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring GPS location data and automatically comparing it against the United States border coordinates. When the system detects that an individual has crossed the border, it automatically generates and transmits exit verification data to the DHS server, eliminating manual forms and providing reliable automated exit determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of paper forms (I-94) with an electronic automated system using GPS receivers, biometric verification, and wireless communication. This substitution enables automatic detection and reporting of exit events without human intervention, significantly improving both automation extent and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If biometric data are collected and stored, then individual identity verification is enhanced, but data security and privacy protection requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentity verification reliabilityVSAvoiddata security risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary biometric data (fingerprint patterns) and GPS location information needed for verification purposes, storing minimal data locally on the device and transmitting only essential verification results to the server. This extraction approach maintains verification reliability while reducing data security risks by limiting stored information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary encryption layer and secure transmission protocol between the biometric data capture device and the DHS server. Biometric data are processed locally on the device, and only encrypted verification results are transmitted wirelessly, acting as an intermediary that protects raw biometric information from exposure while maintaining verification reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances security and safety by providing an automated and reliable method for verifying the exit of international visitors, preventing fraudulent entry and ensuring accurate tracking of individuals.

Implementation Method 1

a biometric capture system that reads specified biometric information from an individual and that compares the biometric information to previously stored biometric information

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFingerprint recognition:

Implementation Method 2

a position location system that records the geographic location of the device, and determines if the device is inside the United States or outside the United States

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite signal reception:

Implementation Method 3

an encryption system that encrypts the geographic location and a device-unique identification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectData encryption:

Data Source

PatentUS9058474B2Biometric device, system, and method for individual access control

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

A biometric device, and a corresponding system and a method, is used to control human access to an arbitrary area. The device includes a biometric capture system that reads specified biometric information from an individual and that compares the biometric information to previously stored biometric information to determine a match between the read and stored biometric information; a position location system that records the geographic location of the device, and determines if the device is inside the United States or outside the United States; an encryption system that encrypts the geographic location and a device-unique identification; and a wireless system that sends the encrypted geographic location and the device-unique identification to a remote location, where if the geographic location is inside the United States, the device receives a test satisfactory signal, and where if the geographic location is outside the United States, the device receives an exit satisfactory signal.