Apple Wins Patent for NFC Enabled 'iTravel' App

Apple has won a patent for an NFC enabled iTravel app that offers ticketing, reservation, check-in, and identification assistance to travelers, reports Unwired View.

The main focus of the patent is how you would use your next iPhone with NFC chip at the airport check-in. It includes loading your ID info such as picture, retinal scan and fingerprint data from modern passports with embedded radio frequency identification tags. Collecting your ticket information from reservation confirmation e-mails/notifications, or extracting reservation images via optical character recognition software, barcode-reading software, or QR-code-reading software. Providing the necessary information at the NFC equipped check-in counter, and receiving the boarding pass with luggage info in exchange. Using the stored ID to pass through airport security, etc;

The patent application first surfaced in April 2010 and has now been granted to the company. In May 2010, a report suggested Apple may already be testing some aspects of the iTravel app.


Read More [via MacRumors]