Showing papers on "Fingerprint recognition published in 1997"

On-line fingerprint verification

Abstract: Fingerprint verification is one of the most reliable personal identification methods. However, manual fingerprint verification is incapable of meeting today's increasing performance requirements. An automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS) is needed. This paper describes the design and implementation of an online fingerprint verification system which operates in two stages: minutia extraction and minutia matching. An improved version of the minutia extraction algorithm proposed by Ratha et al. (1995), which is much faster and more reliable, is implemented for extracting features from an input fingerprint image captured with an online inkless scanner. For minutia matching, an alignment-based elastic matching algorithm has been developed. This algorithm is capable of finding the correspondences between minutiae in the input image and the stored template without resorting to exhaustive search and has the ability of adaptively compensating for the nonlinear deformations and inexact pose transformations between fingerprints. The system has been tested on two sets of fingerprint images captured with inkless scanners. The verification accuracy is found to be acceptable. Typically, a complete fingerprint verification procedure takes, on an average, about eight seconds on a SPARC 20 workstation. These experimental results show that our system meets the response time requirements of online verification with high accuracy.

An identity-authentication system using fingerprints

Abstract: Fingerprint verification is an important biometric technique for personal identification. We describe the design and implementation of a prototype automatic identity-authentication system that uses fingerprints to authenticate the identity of an individual. We have developed an improved minutiae-extraction algorithm that is faster and more accurate than our earlier algorithm (1995). An alignment-based minutiae-matching algorithm has been proposed. This algorithm is capable of finding the correspondences between input minutiae and the stored template without resorting to exhaustive search and has the ability to compensate adaptively for the nonlinear deformations and inexact transformations between an input and a template. To establish an objective assessment of our system, both the Michigan State University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST 9 fingerprint data bases have been used to estimate the performance numbers. The experimental results reveal that our system can achieve a good performance on these data bases. We also have demonstrated that our system satisfies the response-time requirement. A complete authentication procedure, on average, takes about 1.4 seconds on a Sun ULTRA I workstation (it is expected to run as fast or faster on a 200 HMz Pentium).

Direct gray-scale minutiae detection in fingerprints

Abstract: Most automatic systems for fingerprint comparison are based on minutiae matching. Minutiae are essentially terminations and bifurcations of the ridge lines that constitute a fingerprint pattern. Automatic minutiae detection is an extremely critical process, especially in low-quality fingerprints where noise and contrast deficiency can originate pixel configurations similar to minutiae or hide real minutiae. Several approaches have been proposed in the literature; although rather different from each other, all these methods transform fingerprint images into binary images. In this work we propose an original technique, based on ridge line following, where the minutiae are extracted directly from gray scale images. The results achieved are compared with those obtained through some methods based on image binarization. In spite of a greater conceptual complexity, the method proposed performs better both in terms of efficiency and robustness.

Fingerprint reading system

Abstract: A fingerprint-reading system includes a fingerprint sensor having an active surface sensitive to the pressure and temperature of a finger. The surface area of this sensor is far smaller than the surface area of the fingerprint to be read. The reading is done when the sensor and the finger are in contact and in a relative motion of sliding of the sensor and the finger with respect to each other. The system reconstitutes a complete image of the fingerprint from the partial images given by the sensor during this motion.

Portable telecommunication device including a fingerprint sensor and related methods

Abstract: A portable telecommunication device includes a radio transceiver within a portable housing, a fingerprint sensor carried by the housing, and an authorizing feature for permitting use of the radio transceiver based upon the fingerprint sensor sensing a fingerprint of an authorized user. The authorizing may be performed locally or based upon a remote authorization signal. The portable telecommunication device may be cellular telephone. Accordingly, unauthorized users may not be permitted to use the cellular telephone and accumulate charges without the owner's consent. The invention may also be used with law enforcement or other telecommunications devices, for example, where it is desired to prevent reception or transmission on designated bands by unauthorized users. The device may also include a user identification feature for transmitting a user identification signal to a remote device based upon a sensed fingerprint. The portable telecommunication device may operate with one or both of audio and data signals. The portable telecommunication device is preferably based upon a lightweight and reliable integrated circuit fingerprint sensor. This integrated circuit may include a substrate, and at least one electrically conductive layer adjacent the substrate and comprising portions defining an array of electric field sensing electrodes. The at least one electrically conductive layer may further comprise portions defining a respective shield electrode for each electric field sensing electrode.

Electric field fingerprint sensor apparatus and related methods

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes an array of electric field sensing electrodes, a dielectric layer on the sensing electrodes with the dielectric layer for receiving a finger adjacent thereto, and a driver for applying an electric field drive signal to the sensing electrodes and adjacent portions of the finger so that the sensing electrodes produce a fingerprint image output signal. In one embodiment of the invention, the driver provides a coherent drive signal for the array. A respective shield electrode may be associated with each of the electric field sensing electrodes for shielding each electric field sensing electrode from adjacent sensing electrodes. Each shield electrode may be actively driven for further shielding. The fingerprint sensor preferably further includes a synchronous demodulator and contrast enhancer for more accurate output image signals. The fingerprint sensor may be effectively used to control access to a computer workstation. Method aspects are also disclosed.

Pointing device with biometric sensor

Abstract: A pointing device incorporates a biometric sensor at a location such that when operating the pointing device in a normal manner, a user's hand rests naturally in a position to place a finger of the user's hand in proximity to and readable by the biometric sensor. In one embodiment, a computer trackball pointing device includes a fingerprint sensor which is equally well suitable for use by either a right-handed or a left-handed user. Along with positional information from a position sensor and user selection information from at least one user-depressable button, the pointing device also conveys to an attached computer system information associated with the user's identity detected by the fingerprint sensor. Such a pointing device is well suited to both transparent verification as well as continuous verification, for if a user removes his or her hand from the natural position when using the device, the user's fingerprint will no longer be detectable by the fingerprint sensor, and the computer system to which the pointing device is attached can be alerted as to the need to re-authenticate any additional attempts at using the pointing device.

Lock and switch using pressure-type fingerprint sensor

Abstract: The pressure-type fingerprint sensor of a lock detects the fingerprint pattern of a finger which presses the sensor. A checkup circuit generates a fingerprint code from the fingerprint pattern. The generated fingerprint code is checked up with fingerprint codes registered in a storage device beforehand and it is judged whether both the codes agree with each other or not. If they do, a control unit releases an object to be unlocked from the locking mechanism.

Fingerprint sensing apparatus with finger position indication

Abstract: A fingerprint sensing device includes a fingerprint sensor, a processor for determining an actual fingerprint position on the fingerprint sensor relative to a desired fingerprint position, and a finger position indicator for generating a finger position indication to assist the user in positioning the finger to the desired fingerprint position based upon the actual fingerprint position on the fingerprint sensor. The processor preferably calculates a fingerprint center point defining the actual fingerprint position. The fingerprint sensor may be provided by an electric field sensor in integrated circuit form. The finger position indicator may be provided by a visual indicator, such as a desired position image indicia generator for generating image indicia on a display screen relating to the desired fingerprint position on the fingerprint sensor, and wherein an actual fingerprint position image is also generated relative to the desired position image indicia on the display screen. The desired position image indicia may preferably be a desired fingerprint center point indicia image. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Enhanced security fingerprint sensor package and related methods

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor package includes a tamper-resistant housing, a fingerprint sensor mounted in the housing, an encryption output circuit mounted within the housing and operatively connected to the fingerprint sensor for generating an encrypted output signal related to a sensed fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor package may include a processor operatively connected between the fingerprint sensor and the encryption circuit. The package includes a reference fingerprint memory for storing reference fingerprint information. The processor has the capability to determine if a sensed fingerprint matches a stored reference fingerprint. A removing circuit is provided for removing reference fingerprint information from the reference fingerprint storage means responsive to tampering.

Fingerprint registering method and fingerprint checking device

Abstract: The present invention can achieve the reliability and simplicity in registering a fingerprint by indicating the quality of a fingerprint image by the number of pseudo minutiae, improve the security of an entrance/exit control system to register a fingerprint, detect the direction of ridge lines of a fingerprint accurately as much as possible, improve the security in checking a fingerprint remarkably, collect renewed registered fingerprint data by a host device and hold the registered fingerprint data of each gate as the latest fingerprint data, improve the operability by enabling to use identification numbers having the less number of digits, and register a fingerprint having a high match rate by automatically applying spatial filtering in re-registering only. A fingerprint registering method according to the present invention detects normal minutiae and pseudo minutiae in a fingerprint pictured by a fingerprint image pickup unit, counts pseudo minutiae in registering windows with normal minutiae at almost the center, determines the average number of pseudo minutiae in registering windows from a total of pseudo minutiae in all registering windows, and registers a fingerprint when the average number of pseudo minutiae is equal to or below a threshold.

Evaluation of automated biometrics-based identification and verification systems

Abstract: Recent advancements in computer technology have increased the use of automated biometric-based identification and verification systems. These systems are designed to detect the identity of an individual when it is unknown or to verify the individual's identity when it is provided. These systems typically contain a series of complex technologies that work together to provide the desired results in turn, evaluating these systems is also a complex process. The authors provide a method that may be used to evaluate the performance of automated biometric-based systems. The method is derived from fundamental statistics and is applicable to a variety of systems. Examples are provided to demonstrate the practicality of the method.

A 390 dpi live fingerprint imager based on feedback capacitive sensing scheme

Abstract: A single-chip, 200/spl times/200 element sensor array grabs a fingerprint pattern without any optical or mechanical adaptors. Using this integrated sensor the fingerprint is captured at a rate ofl0/Frame/s by pressing the finger skin onto the chip surface. The fingerprint pattern is sampled by capacitive sensors that detect the electric field variation induced by the skin surface. The architecture is integrated in standard 2-metal 0.7 /spl mu/m digital CMOS technology. The idea of using a capacitive sensor array for detecting fingerprints has been suggested, but not implemented. The sensor described here uses a scheme, substantially different from previous approaches, based on feedback capacitance sensing.

Machine including vibration and shock resistant fingerprint sensor and related methods

Abstract: A machine includes a mechanical linkage and or drive coupled to a housing and generating at least one of shock and vibration when functioning. The machine further includes an integrated circuit fingerprint sensor carried by the housing and being resistant to at least one of shock and vibration, and an enabling circuit for selectively enabling functioning of the linkage/drive based upon sensing a fingerprint of an authorized machine operator by the integrated circuit fingerprint sensor. Accordingly, only authorized operators may use the machine. Moreover, the integrated fingerprint sensor is shock and vibration resistant so that it can be coupled to the machine housing and still function accurately and reliably. The enabling circuit may also include a memory for storing data related to at least one fingerprint for at least one authorized operator, and may determine matching of a sensed fingerprint with the stored data. The machine may also be a firearm which generates a substantial shock upon firing. The integrated circuit fingerprint sensor may be carried by the housing and may cooperate with the firearm safety lock to allow only an authorized user to fire the firearm.

Fingerprint classification with neural networks

Abstract: This paper presents some intermediate results on fingerprint classification adopting a neural network as decision stage, in order to evaluate the performance of a discrete wavelet transform as feature extraction technique. Some issues on the image acquisition, preprocessing and segmentation are also discussed.

Real time fingerprint sensor and verification system

Abstract: A real time fingerprint verification system includes a recording device and a verification device each having a fingerprint scanner for generating a flat, dimensionally undistorted, high contrast, fingerprint image, and an intensity sensitive, spatial light modulator (SLM) for receiving and transforming the flat fingerprint image into a planar, coherent light image. In the recording device, the planar coherent light image beam of the fingerprint from the SLM is Fourier transformed, and input into a microscope objective lens system which expands the Fourier transformed beam image sufficiently to allow mechanical blocking of its central portion or order, whereupon it is directed to interact as an object beam with a reference beam from the particular coherent light source to record a holographic matched filter. In the verification device, the planar coherent light image beam of the fingerprint is Fourier transformed and input into a microscope objective lens system to allow similar mechanical blocking of its central portion or order whereupon it is directed to interrogates a previously recorded holographic matched filter of a fingerprint image as an object beam for determining a match or not between the respective recorded and interrogating images. The spatial light modulator (SLM) in both the respective recording and verification devices enables phase correlation (optical path length determination) of one device to another device. X-Y alignment and rotational orinentation of he respective real time image and holographic matched filter image is accomplished by jittering (orbiting and angularly oscillating) either the interrogating object beam, real time, relative to the matched filter or visa versa.

Fingerprint authentication card, memory card, authentication system, authentication device and portable equipment

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect users and a service provider against damage caused by stealing a personal code number or password by authenticating a bearer by using a card incorporated with fingerprint recognition device for confirming the principal. SOLUTION: When a user inserts the fingerprint authentication card 100 into a card reader and places a finger on the recognition device 120, the recognition device 120 matches the read fingerprint against fingerprints recorded in a fingerprint memory 140 and transfers the matching result to a data chip 130. The data chip 130 when receiving an effective signal as the recognition result sends user information, etc., held in its internal storage means to a processor 300 through the card reader 200, and also received data from the processor 300 through the card reader 200 and stores the internal storage means. Consequently, only when the user is the legal bearer of the fingerprint authentication card 100, the processor 300 performs a specific process by using the data recorded on the fingerprint authentication card 100.

An automated matching technique for fingerprint identification

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a structural matching approach can be used to perform effective rotational invariant fingerprint identification. In this approach, each of the extracted features is correlated with five of its nearest neighbouring features to form a local feature group for a first-stage matching. After that, the feature with the highest match is used as a central feature whereby all the other features are correlated to form a global feature group for a second-stage matching. The correlation between the features is in terms of distance and relative angle. This approach actually makes the matching method rotational invariant. A substantial amount of testing was carried out and it shows that this matching technique is capable of matching the four basic fingerprint patterns with an average matching time of 4 seconds on a 66 Mhz, 486 DX personal computer.

Pre-processing of fingerprint images

Abstract: Fingerprint recognition remains as one of the most prominent biometric identification methods. The quality of the fingerprint image is the most significant factor in a reliable matching process. Any preprocessing algorithm should aim to enhance the quality of the existing features without creating false features. In this paper we describe a regional average thresholding (RAT) scheme for 256 grey scale images. The algorithm thresholds by moving a small, fixed size window on 256 colour grey scale image and uses a novel averaging scheme. The thresholded image is then operated on by a median filtering (3/spl times/3 mask or 5/spl times/5 mask) algorithm which eliminates any random noise contained in a thresholded fingerprint image. The filtered image is finally operated on by a ridge following thinning algorithm. We compare the results of using this algorithm on median filtered and nonfiltered images.

Embeddable module for fingerprint capture and matching

Abstract: Disclosed is a low-cost fingerprint capture device that can be integrated in a computer mouse. Fingerprint information captured with such a device is transmitted to a computer via a serial port. As such ports are relatively slow, the capture device provides a low resolution fingerprint image (having less than 512 x 512 pixels). This low resolution data is processed by an iterative method that contrasts sectors of the image in a direction specified by 'flow vectors'. These flow vectors specify an average direction of fingerprint ridgelines in the sector under consideration. These methodologies enable the transmission of fingerprint data over the relatively slow RS232 serial protocol, in a manner that allows virtually instantaneous fingerprint identification.

Vehicle anti-theft including fingerprint and eyeball identification

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for use with an automotive vehicle having a normally disabled ignition system (12). The system (10) includes a reader (16), such as a fingerprint reader or retina reader, to identify the driver. The output from the reader (16) is compared to corresponding physiological data stored in memory (26) to determine if the driver is authorized to operate the vehicle. Optionally, a timer (102) is employed to permit operation of the vehicle only during preset prescribed time periods.

Keyless entry system

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a keyless entry system which allows many specific drivers to share many specific vehicles. SOLUTION: At each of plural transmitters 1, information about drivers' fingerprints is obtained by a fingerprint sensor 5, and the fingerprint information obtained is transmitted from a transmitting part 17. At each of plural vehicles, a plurality of fingerprint information feature point data are preregistered in a feature point storage part 29, and a feature point data extracting part 23 extracts feature point data from the fingerprint information received by a receiving part 21; a collating part 25 collates the feature point data against the plurality of fingerprint information feature point data preregistered, and when both of the feature point data are coincident, at least a vehicle door lock/unlock signal is output from a control device 9.

Private pin number

Abstract: A credit card (10) issued to an authorized user which looks like a conventional credit card, but is slightly thicker to house some electronics which enable the card to read (11) the authorized user's fingerprint initially, and only once, and store the fingerprint 'signature', and display (12) on the card the need for a Private PIN Number. The display changes to 'PIN # O.K.' when the same fingerprint is read again. The credit card has a computer chip disposed in a recess therein, and includes a microprocessor and a memory. The credit card is provided with a conventional fingerprint reader and a display such as an LCD display.

Account settling method based on fingerprinter certification

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of trouble in the case of illegal use or account settlement by certifying the identity of a consumer by collating the fingerprint of the consumer himself read by a fingerprint reader with previously registered fingerprint data at the time of account settlement. SOLUTION: When joining a shopping site such as a department store, a user registers the fingerprint data of the user himself in a fingerprint data base installed on the member shopping site together with the other personal information such as the ID number and account number of a financial institute, where the user has his account, as a user member. When the user is to purchase merchandise, the fingerprint of the user himself is read by the fingerprint reader and when that read fingerprint is coincident with the fingerprint data of the user himself previously registered in the fingerprint data base on the shopping site, the identity of the user is completely certified so that a detailed payment statement can be dispatched.

Monolithic fingerprint sensor

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a monolithic fingerprint sensor in which automatic processing for image recognition can be performed directly by forming a cavity closed by a diaphragm of insulating material. SOLUTION: A pressure microsensor sensitive to the pattern of fingerprint is formed on a substrate 30 by IC fabrication technology and has a cavity 44 closed by a diaphragm 46 of insulating material. More specifically, a polysilicon layer 35 is formed on the substrate 30 and photoetched followed by formation of an insulation layer 36 on the entire surface of substrate 30. Subsequently, a second polysilicon layer 38 is formed thereon and etched to form a piezoelectric resistance bridge corresponding to the microsensor. Finally, the polysilicon layer 35 is corroded to form for form a cavity 44 under the piezoelectric resistor. A stretching insulation layer, being deformed possibly only when a pressure is applied, is composed of silicon nitride layers 36, 40 forming a diaphragm 46 floating on the cavity 44.

Patient information management system

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain patient information at the time of medical treatment due to an accident, a sudden illness, etc., without using a card etc., by sharing patient information data managed by medical facilitates. SOLUTION: A terminal device 2-1 sends out fingerprint data, read by a fingerprint reader, to a fingerprint data management device 6 to make a request to retrieve fingerprint data. The fingerprint management device 6 checks whether or not fingerprint data matching the fingerprint data sent from the terminal device 201 is stored. The fingerprint data management device 6 once retrieving the fingerprint data matching the sent finterprint data sends Information data on a connection with a patient information management device where patient information data on the patient corresponding to the fingerprint data is stored and the patient ID code back to the terminal device 2-1. The terminal device 2-1 reads patient information data on the patient out of a patient information management device 3-2 on the basis of the connection information data and patient ID code.

Composite versus multichannel binary phase-only filtering

Abstract: Multichannel filtering and its inherent capacity for the implementation of data-fusion algorithms for high-level image processing, as well as composite filtering and its capacity for distortion-invariant pattern-recognition tasks, are discussed and compared. Both approaches are assessed by use of binary phase-only filters to simplify implementation issues. We discuss similarities and differences of these two solutions and demonstrate that they can be merged efficiently, giving rise to a new category of filters that we call composite-multichannel filters. We illustrate this comparison and the new filter design for the case of rotation-invariant fingerprint recognition. In particular, we show that the gain in terms of encoding capacity in the case of the composite-multichannel approach can be used efficiently to introduce multichannel-filter reconfigurability.

Fingerprinting classification using fuzzy cerebellar model arithmetic computer neural networks

Abstract: We present some preliminary study results of an automated fingerprint pattern classification approach based on a novel neural network structure called the fuzzy cerebellar model arithmetic computer (CMAC) neural network. The fingerprint images are first preprocessed to generate ridge flow, then the Karhunen-Loever (K-L) transform is used to extract the features from the ridge-flow images. The feature vector is then sent to a fuzzy CMAC neural network for classification. Excellent results were obtained through our preliminary experiments on the "two classes" problem.

Fingerprint registration method and fingerprint collation entering/leaving management system

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure the security of fingerprint registration and to strictly manage entering/leaving. SOLUTION: A fingerprint registration device 1 to which a new fingerprint can be registered by collating a fingerprint registration key with the fingerprint of a supervisor, electric keys 14-1 to 14-n installed at the door of a room where entering/leaving are managed or at a computer, a fingerprint collation processing part 2 collating the fingerprint sealed on a fingerprint sealing part 9 with the fingerprint registered in the fingerprint registration device 1 and fingerprint recognition gates 6-1 to 6-n which are provided with the private fingerprint collation processing parts 2 or fingerprint collation processing parts equal to the parts 2, which execute fingerprint collation and release the electric keys by the matching of collation are provided. The supervisor registering the fingerprint maintain the prescribed number of at least more than two persons even by registration update and registration cancel.