The invention has particular but not exclusive application to identification system for driver licences and a driver licensing system.

Background of Invention It is known for a driver licence to carry or contain identification means which uniquely identify the driver.

Security of the identification means is addressed by various means in known systems.

Summary of Invention The present invention aims to provide an alternative to known driver licensing systems.

This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a driver licensing system including:- a plurality of driver licence cards each licence card having a data processing assembly including processor means and data storage means controlled by the processor means to store data relating to the driver, the data storage means receiving and storing visual identification image data representative of a visibly identifiable physical feature of the driver's body for distinguishing the driver, and a plurality of licence readers adapted to receive a driver licence card, each the licence reader having a data processing assembly including processor means and data storage means, identity verification means for visual verification of the actual visibly identifiable physical feature of the driver, and interface means whereby a licence reader can communicate with a received driver licence card.

It is preferred that the driver licence card data storage means stores image data representative of the face of the licence holder and the visual identity

verification means includes image display means for displaying the image of the face of the licence holder stored as image data in the driver licence card data storage means, whereby a policing official can visually compare the displayed image with the actual face of the driver.

In another aspect this invention resides broadly in a driver licence operating system including:- a central computer assembly; a plurality of licence issuing facilities; a plurality of banking facilities; a plurality of policing facilities; communication means for transferring data between the central computer assembly and the licence issuing facilities, the banking facilities and the policing facilities, and a driver licensing system as described above.

In a further aspect this invention resides broadly in a licence reader for reading a driver licence card, the licence reader including:- a data processing assembly including processor means and data storage means, identity verification means for visual verification of an actual visibly identifiable physical feature of the driver, and interface means whereby a licence reader can communicate with a received driver licence card having licence card data storage means storing image data representative of the face of the licence holder and credit data representative of the credit held by the licence holder; the visual identity verification means including image display means for displaying the image of the face of the licence holder stored as image data in the driver licence card data storage means, whereby a policing official can visually compare the displayed image with the actual face of the driver, and the licence reader data storage means being a adapted to store credit data relating to the licence holder;

the credit data stored in the licence reader data storage means and the driver card data storage means being incremented or decremented when a financial event associated with the driver licence card is completed.

As used herein, the expression "financial event" includes the levying of a fine and the payment of licence fee.

Description of Drawings In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:- FIG 1 is a schematic block diagram of the driver licensing system in accordance with the invention; FIG 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation within a police station in the driver licensing system of the present invention; FIG 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation within a police station in greater detail; FIG 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation within a central office in the driver licensing system of the present invention; FIG 5 illustrates a hand held driver licence reader in accordance with the present invention; FIG 6 schematically illustrates the face of a hand held driver licence reader in accordance with the present invention; FIG 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the interaction of a driver licence and a hand held reader in accordance with the invention; FIG 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation within a central driver licensing area in the driver licensing system of the present invention, and FIG 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation within a central bank card payment facility in the driver licensing system of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiment of Invention As can be seen in FIG 1, a central computer 10 controls the driver licence system by being linked to a plurality of driver licensing facilities 12a, 12b ....12n, a plurality of central bank credit card payment facilities 14a, 14b . . . . 14n, and a plurality of local police stations lla, llb ....lln. A plurality of driver licenses 13a, 13b ....13n are issued at each licensing facility 12 to drivers (not illustrated). Policing officers (not shown) associated with each local police station 11 carry hand held driver licence readers 15a, 15b, 15n which can operate independently in a manner subsequently to be described and which cooperate in a manner to be described with the system at each local police station 11.

The system uses a secure smart card as the driver's licence. Features offered by the use of smart card include: - secure, encrypted electronic storage of licence and driver information in the card electronic storage of visual image in the card chip - this cannot be overwritten or copied thus preventing fraud other facilities on the card include:- - payment of traffic infringements on the spot from pre paid value on the card - payment of parking charges from pre paid value on the card - renewal date for licence - storage of vehicle registration details, including major vehicle component serial numbers to assist in control and prevention of theft - enhancement of future expansion, this system allows for considerable expansion of data in both the card and the readers Other aspects of the invention include:- central computer system for entry of driver and

licence details in the card and the central database. Payment of initial licence fee.

central image system for storage of image in the smart chip and for placement of a physical image on the card - this includes digitising and compression software readers in registry, police stations, police vehicles, hand held readers for police officers on foot, for reading licence details and for displaying the driver's image where required - these could be fixed or portable. These readers also capable of taking payments.

readers for parking meters banks set up with readers for taking cash and placing credit on cards. Licence renewal fees can be paid at banks. The bank computers modem transaction information to central police office.

As can be seen in FIGS 2, 3 and 4, local Police Stations have: - Central Computer - Terminals connected to card readers - Modem to connect with the central office computer - Serial port on computer to connect to portable readers and down load transaction data from hand held reader to computer The station computer will enable local police officer and driver information to be stored and accessed.

Information will be taken from cards through the readers into the computer. Transaction data is downloaded from the portable reader to the station computer. Terminals can be used for standard office work as well as reading data to and from the readers.

Hand Held readers illustrated in FIGS 5 and 6 are used by police officers in cars and on foot. These enable police to verify authenticity of a driver licence on the spot - after insertion of a licence card in the reader, the owner's facial image and details will be shown on the display allowing positive ID. Fines can be

paid for on the spot by debiting the relevant amount from the card. Each transaction is stored in the reader with the driver's details, amount and the officers details.

In use the following steps are followed:- Officer inserts his card Enter PIN If PIN incorrect: - Display shows "incorrect re-enter PIN" - 4 chances, if still wrong card ejected If PIN correct: - Display shows "transaction approval" Driver's licence card can now be inserted Facial image and details are displayed on the screen for verification If a fine is to be imposed the amount is entered and the card debited All details are stored in the reader (officer ID, driver ID, type and amount of fine) Transaction data is down loaded from the hand held reader into the station computers at the end of shifts.

Data cannot be lost from the hand held reader until downloading has occurred and been verified by the computer.

FIG 7 is a detailed schematic block diagram of an operating system for a driver licence scheme utilising a number of licence card readers 20 in accordance with the invention. A driver licence card 21 includes data processing assembly 22 having a central processor or digital processing device 23 and data storage means 24 for storing identification data 25, image data 26 and credit data 27. Interface 28 provides communication between licence card 21 and licence reader 20.

Licence reader 20 includes a data processing assembly 41, user interface assembly or interface unit 29, and receiving means 30 for receiving a licence card 21.

Data processing assembly 41 is controlled by a central processor 31 and includes data storage means 32

for storing credit data 33 and licence data 34. A user interface assembly 29 includes input means in the form of keypad 35 and information display means 36. Display means 36 is driven by video driver 40 to generate an on screen image of the face of the driver to whom the licence card was issued. Receiving means or keyslot 30 includes an interface 37 for providing communication with a licence card 20. Interface means 38 is adapted to provide communication between licence card reader 20 and communication bus 39 for communication with the central computer assembly.

As seen in FIG 8, the card issue process involves a number of steps including:- Issue Card to staff Operator - Enter operator detail at terminal - Take picture of staff member - All data and image files sent to central data base - Image and relevant data sent to printer - Data entered into smart card chip and printed on card - Card given to operator Issue Card to Driver - Enter Driver's details at terminal - Take picture of driver - All data and image files sent to central data base - Image and relevant data sent to printer - Data entered into smart card chip and printed on card - Card given to driver For a driver licence transaction an operator must "log-on" with an authorised smart card in the operator reader before they can access a terminal. The following driver licence transactions are then enabled:- Credit to card - a cash amount given to the Operator is added to the card Credit taken off card - this may be for a fine paid,

a parking fee or a tollway fee.

As seen in FIG 9 which illustrates a central bank card payment facility the following steps can occur:- Teller logs on to terminal with authorised card.

A driver's card is entered in the user's terminal.

To add credit: - Users pays cash - This amount is credited to card by the teller - The transaction information is stored in the bank's computer which contains driver details and card number, teller's card number, cash amount paid, date, time and bank details.

Banks are connected via modem to the central police office and all transaction data is sent to the police.

The system and apparatus of the present invention have a number of advantages over known systems. In addition to those indicated above these include a reduced potential for corruption by policing officials due to the removal of cash from the system by allowing the imposition and payment of fines by direct debit to the licence card.

It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.