Apple has been awarded a U.S. patent for an NFC-enabled transportation check-in system, according to Patently Apple.
The system, called iTravel, works with iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads to store identification information and transfer it to a another electronic device via NFC. According to Patently Apple, a mobile device with iTravel could be used to check into flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, trains, buses and more.
Users can enter their identification information from passports or drivers licenses into iTravel by scanning the contactless smart card chip embedded in the document, or by manually entering the I.D. number and looking up the corresponding identification information, according to Patently Apple.
Users may enter ticketing and reservation information into iTravel in a number of ways: through a travel management application, from another electronic device, or via email, website or a carrier-provided confirmation number. Travelers may also use a digital image of travel documents, like a QR-code, bar code or optical character recognition software.
According to Patently Apple, iTravel may be incorporated into Apple’s recently announced Passbook mobile wallet application, which will enable iOS 6 device users to load airline boarding passes, movie tickets, retail coupons, loyalty cards and more in one location.
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