Patent US 5,581,630

A portable optical media imaging system for use in personal identification includes: a portable optical media card (13); an optical reader (34), having circuitry for reading information from the portable optical media card (13); an image scanner (30); an image system processor (31), including an encoder connected to the image scanner, and a comparator connected to the encoder and the optical reader; and transaction completion circuitry (33, 35, 36) connected to the comparator. This is also a method of personal identification verification. The method comprises: capturing a personal identification image directly from customer or operator; feeding the personal identification image into an encoder; capturing appropriate identification data from an optical media card; comparing the encoded image to the data from the optical media card; determining if the customer is true owner of the optical media credit card; and performing correct transaction. Alternatively, the method could comprise: capturing a personal identification image directly from customer or operator; capturing appropriate identification data from an optical media card; decoding the identification data from the optical media card; comparing the decoded data to the personal identification image from the customer or operator; determining if the customer is true owner of the optical media credit card; and performing correct transaction. In an alternative embodiment a microphone (101) and an audio system (102) capture voice print data for identity verification.