TRAVEL CHECK-IN METHOD
A travel check-in method with improved travel document information capture and handling. An example method includes connecting to a travel check-in website by the computer, operating an image capture device by the computer to capture an image of an identification document of a passenger checking in, obtaining machine readable information from the image by the computer, and sending the machine readable information and the image to the travel check-in website by the computer. The method may be in lieu of the passenger providing the identification document to an agent at an airport or other departure point.
1 . A processor-implemented method programmed in a non-transitory processor-readable medium and to execute on one or more processors of a computer configured to execute the method, comprising:
operating an image capture device by a computer to capture an image of an identification document;
determining information from the image by the computer; and
sending the information to a website that requests the information by the computer.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying the information by the computer; and
recording operator verification of the information by the computer prior to sending.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computer comprises a mobile communication device and the image capture device is in the mobile communication device.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computer comprises a personal computer and the image capture device is connected to the personal computer.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computer comprises a kiosk and the image capture device is connected to the kiosk.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification document comprises a passport.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the website comprises a travel check-in website.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein sending further comprises sending the image to the website.
9 . A processor-implemented method programmed in a non-transitory processor-readable medium and to execute on one or more processors of a computer configured to execute the method, comprising:
connecting to a travel check-in website by the computer;
operating an image capture device by the computer to capture an image of an identification document of a passenger checking in;
obtaining machine readable information from the image by the computer; and
sending the machine readable information and the image to the travel check-in website by the computer.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
displaying the machine readable information; and
recording operator verification of the machine readable information prior to sending.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the identification document comprises a passport.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the identification document comprises a visa.
13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the computer comprises a mobile communication device and the image capture device is in the mobile communication device.
14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the computer comprises a personal computer and the image capture device is connected to the personal computer.
15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the computer comprises a kiosk and the image capture device is connected to the kiosk.
16 . A processor-implemented method programmed in a non-transitory processor-readable medium and to execute on one or more processors of a server configured to execute the method, comprising:
hosting a travel check-in website;
prompting a passenger to operate an image capture device to capture an image of an identification document of the passenger during check-in at the travel check-in website;
receiving machine readable information from the image; and
storing the machine readable information in a passenger record.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein receiving further comprises receiving the image.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising providing an indication to an agent that the passenger has sent the machine readable information to the travel check-in website in lieu of providing the identification document to the agent.
19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
receiving identifying information from the passenger; and
verifying the identifying information before prompting.