Importance

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Abstract

An identity authentication method authenticates valid purchases of restricted products or services such as alcoholic beverages from unattended vending machines. The authentication method is designed to comply with all 50 States' requirements, as the equipment includes a field-programmable age requirement verification mechanism. The process consists of two primary steps: 1) Registration, a one-time procedure where a Patron's age is verified, fingerprint enrolled and information entered into an electronic tag, as well as a central database (if applicable); and 2) Purchase, which occurs each time a product is purchased, where the Patron presents the electronic tag to a tag reader (located on the front of the vending machine), authenticates his/her Identification by placing the appropriate finger onto a fingerprint scanner (also located on the front of the vending machine), then proceeds to purchase the product via cash, credit card, or whatever other method is applicable to that particular location.

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First Claim