Patents by Inventor Robert K. Rowe

Robert K. Rowe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11030453
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using optical techniques to authenticate a pre-characterized object according to its latent structural characteristics. For example, an image stack can be generated by aligning enrollment images acquired from an enrollment object according to different optical geometries. Enrollment basis functions can be computed from the stack that describe latent structural characteristics of the enrollment object, and enrollment magnitudes can be extracted from those basis functions. Subsequently, another image stack can be generated by aligning authentication images acquired from an authentication object according to different optical geometries. Authentication basis functions can be computed from the stack to describe latent structural characteristics of the authentication object, and authentication magnitudes can be extracted from those basis functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Mark Robinton, Ting Sun
  • Patent number: 10810404
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to bioimpedence-based spoof detection in an optical biometric reader. For example, embodiments operate in context of a biometric reader having a platen integrated with substantially transparent bioimpedance source and receiver electrodes covered by a substantially transparent protective layer. A multi-frequency input signal can be injected from the source electrode into a purported skin site (through the protective layer), so that a response signal is received by the receiver electrode. The response signal is interrogated to formulate a dispersive bioimpedance response of the purported skin site to the input signal over multiple frequencies. A biometric spoof determination can then be made according to the dispersive bioimpedance response. The spoof determination can be used for spoof detection, presence detection, and/or other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: HID GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Nathaniel I. Matter
  • Patent number: 10545343
    Abstract: Providing visual security verification includes an electronic credential of a credential holder causing credential holder information to be transmitted to an augmented reality device, superimposing the credential holder information on to a live image of an immediate environment of the augmented reality device to provide a superimposed image, where the credential holder information includes a picture of the credential holder, and providing security verification based on a comparison of the picture of the credential holder and the live image. The information may be stored in the augmented reality device and an identifier of the credential holder from the electronic credential may be used to look up the information. The information may be provided by the electronic credential to the augmented reality device. The augmented reality device may cache information for a subset of the credential holders. The information may be stored in a cloud storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventors: Philip Hoyer, Julian Eric Lovelock, Fredrik Carl Stefan Einberg, Robert K. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20190286902
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using optical techniques to authenticate a pre-characterized object according to its latent structural characteristics. For example, an image stack can be generated by aligning enrollment images acquired from an enrollment object according to different optical geometries. Enrollment basis functions can be computed from the stack that describe latent structural characteristics of the enrollment object, and enrollment magnitudes can be extracted from those basis functions. Subsequently, another image stack can be generated by aligning authentication images acquired from an authentication object according to different optical geometries. Authentication basis functions can be computed from the stack to describe latent structural characteristics of the authentication object, and authentication magnitudes can be extracted from those basis functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Robert K. ROWE, Mark ROBINSON, Ting SUNG
  • Patent number: 10417409
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for securing credentials with optical security features formed by quasi-random optical characteristics (QROCs) of credential substrates. A QROC can be a pattern of substrate element locations (SELs) on the substrate that includes some SELs that differ in optical response from surrounding SELs. During manufacturing, a QROC of a substrate can be characterized, hidden by a masking layer, and associated with a substrate identifier. During personalization, personalization data can be converted into an authentication graphic formed on the substrate by de-masking portions of the masking layer according to a de-masking pattern. The graphic formation can result in a representation that manifests a predetermined optical response only when the de-masking pattern is computed with knowledge of the hidden QROC. The authentication graphic and optical response can facilitate simple human authentication of the credential without complex or expensive detection equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: HID Global Corp.
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20180276364
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for securing credentials with optical security features formed by quasi-random optical characteristics (QROCs) of credential substrates. A QROC can be a pattern of substrate element locations (SELs) on the substrate that includes some SELs that differ in optical response from surrounding SELs. During manufacturing, a QROC of a substrate can be characterized, hidden by a masking layer, and associated with a substrate identifier. During personalization, personalization data can be converted into an authentication graphic formed on the substrate by de-masking portions of the masking layer according to a de-masking pattern. The graphic formation can result in a representation that manifests a predetermined optical response only when the de-masking pattern is computed with knowledge of the hidden QROC. The authentication graphic and optical response can facilitate simple human authentication of the credential without complex or expensive detection equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Patent number: 9886617
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing reliable biometric access control using an optical biometric sensor in a miniaturized form factor. Some implementations include multiple light sources that can illuminate skin or other tissue at multiple locations during a single measurement session. An imaging array can be arranged to form images of the light exiting the tissue only after undergoing diffuse reflectance in the tissue. Some implementations use the images to perform biometric functions. For example, the images can be used to identify an individual, verify identity of an individual, estimate demographic characteristics of an individual, etc. Such biometric functions can further be used to determine and affect access to secured assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HID Global Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Ryan Eric Martin
  • Publication number: 20170346634
    Abstract: Providing visual security verification includes an electronic credential of a credential holder causing credential holder information to be transmitted to an augmented reality device, superimposing the credential holder information on to a live image of an immediate environment of the augmented reality device to provide a superimposed image, where the credential holder information includes a picture of the credential holder, and providing security verification based on a comparison of the picture of the credential holder and the live image. The information may be stored in the augmented reality device and an identifier of the credential holder from the electronic credential may be used to look up the information. The information may be provided by the electronic credential to the augmented reality device. The augmented reality device may cache information for a subset of the credential holders. The information may be stored in a cloud storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Philip Hoyer, Julian Eric Lovelock, Fredrik Carl Stefan Einberg, Robert K. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20170124374
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to bioimpedence-based spoof detection in an optical biometric reader. For example, embodiments operate in context of a biometric reader having a platen integrated with substantially transparent bioimpedance source and receiver electrodes covered by a substantially transparent protective layer. A multi-frequency input signal can be injected from the source electrode into a purported skin site (through the protective layer), so that a response signal is received by the receiver electrode. The response signal is interrogated to formulate a dispersive bioimpedance response of the purported skin site to the input signal over multiple frequencies. A biometric spoof determination can then be made according to the dispersive bioimpedance response. The spoof determination can be used for spoof detection, presence detection, and/or other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: ROBERT K. ROWE, NATHANIEL I. MATTER
  • Patent number: 9487398
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing biometric determinations using optical spectroscopy of tissue. The biometric determinations that are disclosed include determination or verifications of identity, estimation of age, estimation of sex, determination of sample liveness and sample authenticity. The apparatuses disclosed are based upon discrete light sources such as light emitting diodes, laser diodes, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, and broadband sources with multiple narrow-band optical filters. The multiple light sources are encoded in a manner that the tissue response for each source can be efficiently measured. The light sources are spaced at multiple distances from a detector to contribute differing information to the biometric determination task as do light sources with different wavelength characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HID Global Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Stephen P. Corcoran, Shonn P. Hendee
  • Patent number: 9483677
    Abstract: A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HID GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Patent number: 9378404
    Abstract: A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: HID GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Alex Litz, Ryan Martin
  • Patent number: 9292916
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for collecting fingerprint and genetic information from an individual during a single collection session. A skin site is illuminated by direct imaging of the skin site using light reflected from the illuminated skin site. A cell of the individual, such as a skin cell, is retrieved from the collection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HID Global Corporation
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Patent number: 9195870
    Abstract: A variety of forms of machine-readable symbols are disclosed, as well as methods and systems of constructing machine-readable symbols, methods and systems of acquiring machine-readable symbols, and methods and systems of decoding machine-readable symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: LUMIDIGM, INC.
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20150294132
    Abstract: A multispectral sensor is provided with an illumination source and a digital imaging system. The illumination source is disposed to provide light at multiple wavelengths to an object. The digital imaging system is disposed to receive light scattered from the object and has a digital array of light detectors and a color filter array. The color filter array has a multiple distributed filter elements, each of which is adapted to transmit light of one of a limited number of specified narrowband wavelength ranges. The color filter array is disposed to filter the light scattered from the object prior to encountering the digital array of light detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20150254495
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing reliable biometric access control using an optical biometric sensor in a miniaturized form factor. Some implementations include multiple light sources that can illuminate skin or other tissue at multiple locations during a single measurement session. An imaging array can be arranged to form images of the light exiting the tissue only after undergoing diffuse reflectance in the tissue. Some implementations use the images to perform biometric functions. For example, the images can be used to identify an individual, verify identity of an individual, estimate demographic characteristics of an individual, etc. Such biometric functions can further be used to determine and affect access to secured assets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Robert K. Rowe, Ryan Eric Martin
  • Patent number: 9122856
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for performing an update to a biometric access system. An instruction is received at a handheld device defining the update. An encoded signal is generated from the instruction to be transmitted to a biometric terminal from the handheld device. An acknowledgment is received from the biometric terminal at the handheld device that the encoded signal has been received and acted upon. Update information is transmitted from the handheld device over a network to a server to record the update.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: HID Global Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander A. Litz, Robert K. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20150205992
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric measurement on an individual. A purported skin site of the individual is illuminated under a plurality of distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. Light scattered beneath a surface of the purported skin site is received separately for each of the plurality of distinct optical conditions. A multispectral image of the purported skin site is derived from the received light. A biometric function is performed with the derived multispectral image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Lumidigm, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe
  • Patent number: 9082188
    Abstract: Methods and devices of studying a predefined portion of an object having a feature of interest are disclosed. The feature of interest defines a class of objects that includes the object. Light sources directly illuminate the object from different illumination directions. The light sources are maintained in a stable configuration relative to the object. For each illumination direction, an image is generated from light scattered from the object with a camera maintained in a stable configuration relative to the light sources. A methodology derived from machine learning for the class of objects is applied to filter the generated images are filtered for a characteristic consistent with the feature of interest. Surface gradients are determined from the filtered images and integrated to generate a topography of a surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: HID GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Horst Arnold Mueller, Ryan Eric Martin, Robert K. Rowe
  • Patent number: 9060688
    Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and software are described for biometric sensors that permit a reduction in the size of the sensing area without significant reduction in biometric functionality of the sensor. A skin site of an individual is illuminated, and light scattered from the skin site is received. An image of a locally consistent feature of the skin site is formed from the received light. The locally consistent feature is analyzed to perform a biometric function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: HID GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert K. Rowe