Patent attributes
A system including a mobile or portable fingerprint scanner and one or more docking stations adapted to operatively receive the scanner. The scanner can be hand carried to various locations for obtaining fingerprint images and other information such as images from bar code scanning. The scanner is battery operated and has the capacity of storing a number of such images. The docking station is in the form of a receptacle into which the scanner is inserted after obtaining one or more images. While the scanner is operatively received in the docking station, the image(s) stored in the scanner are downloaded via a connection to a personal computer or the like, the scanner battery is recharged and the docking station performs various diagnostic operations on the scanner before it is withdrawn from the docking station for further use. In a typical law enforcement situation, the docking station is located within the law enforcement vehicle and the scanner can be used by law enforcement personnel at locations remote from the vehicle. In a typical security situation, a single scanner is carried by the security officer and a docking station is located at each checkpoint or location where the officer is to perform an inspection. Each bay station has a unique identification and there is bidirectional exchange of information between the scanner and the bay station so that the identity of the security officer can be confirmed and a record of the inspections is made which can be monitored at any time.
