Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric measurement on an individual. A purported skin site of the individual disposed relative to a platen is illuminated under distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. At least one of the optical conditions includes illuminating the purported skin site with light at an angle greater than a critical angle defined by an interface of the platen with an external environment. At least another of the distinct optical conditions includes illuminating the purported skin site with light at an angle less than the critical angle. Light scattered from the purported skin site is received separately for each of multiple optical conditions to derive a multispectral image of the purported skin site.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a liveness state of purported tissue. The purported tissue is illuminated under a plurality of distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. Light scattered from the purported tissue is received separately for each of the plurality of distinct optical conditions. A multispectral image of the purported tissue is derived from the received light. It is verified that the derived multispectral image is consistent with living tissue.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for combining total-internal-reflectance and tissue imaging to perform biometric functions. The system may include an illumination source, a platen, a light detector, an optical train, and a computational unit. The platen is disposed to make contact with a skin site of an individual. The optical train is disposed to provide optical paths between the illumination source and the platen, and between the platen and the light detector. The combination of the illumination source and optical train provides illumination to the platen under multispectral conditions. The computational unit is interfaced with the light detector and has instructions to generate a total-internal-reflectance image of the skin site from a first portion of light received from the skin site, and to generate a tissue image of the skin site from a second portion of light received from the skin site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating a personal characteristic of an individual. A biometric data measurement is collected from the individual. The personal characteristic is determined by applying an algorithmic relationship between biometric data measurements and values of the personal characteristic derived from application of a multivariate algorithm to previous measurements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for collecting optical data. Light is propagated through a reference sample from a source of light to a detector of light to produce a measured reference spectral distribution. Light is also propagated through a subject sample from the source of light to the detector of light to produce a measured subject spectral distribution. At least one of an intensity change and a wavelength shift between the measured reference spectral distribution and a stored reference spectral distribution is identified. The measured subject spectral distribution is compared with a stored subject spectral distribution associated with the stored reference spectral distribution. Such comparison includes accounting for the identified one of the intensity change and the wavelength shift.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for biometric sensing. An illumination subsystem provides light at discrete wavelengths to a skin site of an individual. A detection subsystem receives light scattered from the skin site. A computational unit is interfaced with the detection system. The computational unit has instructions for deriving a spatially distributed multispectral image from the received light at the discrete wavelengths. The computational unit also has instructions for comparing the derived multispectral image with a database of multispectral images to identify the individual.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying an individual. Electromagnetic radiation is propagated into tissue of the individual. A measured spectral variation is received in the form of electromagnetic radiation scattered from the tissue of the individual. The measured spectral variation is compared with a previously stored spectral variation over a predetermined wavelength interval. The comparison is performed at each of multiple wavelengths within the predetermined wavelength interval and is performed of a property of the measured and previously stored spectral variations that is independent of a presence of other wavelengths. The individual is designated as having an identity associated with the previously stored spectral variation if the measured spectral variation is consistent with the previously stored spectral variation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-invasively verifying human identities using near-infrared spectroscopy. Near-infrared tissue spectra can be obtained by projecting near-infrared radiation into skin on the underside of human forearms and capturing the light reflected back and out through the tissue. The tissue spectrum collected preferably includes primarily diffuse reflected light reflected from the inner dermis. Multiple tissue spectra and identities can be collected from individuals for whom identity verification may later be desired. The tissue spectra for each individual can be analyzed on a computer, and the spectra for each individual clustered or classified together using tools such as linear discriminant analysis. A target individual seeking identity verification can submit both a purported identity and a near-infrared tissue spectrum for analysis through near-infrared spectroscopy of the forearm.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for identifying an individual. Electromagnetic radiation is propagated into tissue of the individual. A measured spectral variation is received in the form of electromagnetic radiation scattered from the tissue of the individual. The measured spectral variation is compared with a previously stored spectral variation over a predetermined wavelength interval. The comparison is performed at each of multiple wavelengths within the predetermined wavelength interval and is performed of a property of the measured and previously stored spectral variations that is independent of a presence of other wavelengths. The individual is designated as having an identity associated with the previously stored spectral variation if the measured spectral variation is consistent with the previously stored spectral variation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-invasively verifying human identities using near-infrared spectroscopy. Near-infrared tissue spectra can be obtained by projecting near-infrared radiation into skin on the underside of human forearms and capturing the light reflected back and out through the tissue. The tissue spectrum collected preferably includes primarily diffuse reflected light reflected from the inner dermis. Multiple tissue spectra and identities can be collected from individuals for whom identity verification may later be desired. The tissue spectra for each individual can be analyzed on a computer, and the spectra for each individual clustered or classified together using tools such as linear discriminant analysis. A target individual seeking identity verification can submit both a purported identity and a near-infrared tissue spectrum for analysis through near-infrared spectroscopy of the forearm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing biometric identification or verification of identities using optical spectroscopy of tissue. Tissue optical spectra can be obtained by projecting optical radiation into skin and capturing the light transmitted or reflected back and out through the tissue. The tissue spectra collected preferably includes primarily light that has passed through skin tissue below the epidermis. Multiple tissue spectra and identities can be collected from one or more individuals. These tissue spectra can be analyzed on a computer, and the spectral features that are most important for classifying person-to-person differences can be established using principle component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, or a variety of other related techniques. One or more tissue spectra and identities can be collected from individuals for whom identification or verification may later be desired.

Abstract: According to the invention, a sampling system for spectroscopic measurements of a biological sample is disclosed. The sampling system includes a plurality of illumination points, a plurality of detection points, a memory, and a processor. Each of the plurality of illumination points is involved in at least two measurements of illumination through the biological sample. Each of the plurality of detection points is involved in at least two measurements of illumination through the biological sample. The memory stores a plurality of measurements. The processor determines a value from the plurality of measurements that is related to the biological sample.