Abstract: Provided is a fingerprint sensor including one or more mechanical devices for capturing the fingerprint. The mechanical devices include a matrix of pillars and are configured to be mechanically damped based upon an applied load. A q factor of the pillars is optimized by adjusting a distance between pillars within the matrix in accordance with a quarter shear wavelength at an operating wavelength.

Abstract: Provided is a method for polynomial reconstruction in a fuzzy vault system, which includes receiving a set of matching minutiae to select a minutiae combination to be used for the polynomial reconstruction; generating a simultaneous equation using the selected minutiae combination; determining whether a root of the simultaneous equation exists; and reconstructing the polynomial using the selected minutiae combination when the root of the simultaneous equation exists. The high-speed processing polynomial reconstruction method may perform polynomial reconstruction in real time, without using a separate key of a user, and thus may be applicable to various types of fuzzy vault systems.

Abstract: A sensor cell includes a sensor electrode (101) formed on a substrate (100), a signal output unit (16) which outputs a signal corresponding to a capacitance (Cf) formed between the sensor electrode and the surface of a finger (3), a high-sensitivity electrode (103) formed on the substrate so as to be insulated and isolated from the sensor electrode, and a potential controller (14) which controls the potential of the finger surface via a capacitance (Cc) formed between the high-sensitivity electrode and the finger surface by controlling the potential of the high-sensitivity electrode. In this arrangement, when the resistance of the finger is high, the potential of the finger surface can be controlled so as not to fluctuate with the potential change of the sensor electrode.

Abstract: This invention includes a ridge region extractor which identifies a ridge region in a digital image based on a correlation value indicating the degree of similarity between each of a plurality of regions of the digital image and each of a plurality of ridge template images associated with a ridge pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identification of a person by recognition of a digital fingerprint, whereby the characteristic points on a digitized image of a digital fingerprint (E) are determined and transmitted (16) to a bank holding (17) the characteristic points of a number of digital fingerprints for comparison and identification (18) of the person to whom the photographed fingerprint belongs. When the fingerprint (E) is taken on a curved surface (3) of an object (12), the digitised mage is transformed (13) into a plane-projection corrected digitised image, by means of an algorithm, in which the characteristic points are detected (15).

Abstract: A face feature is extracted by a face feature extracting unit, a confidence index is extracted by a confidence index extracting unit, and then, they are outputted as a face meta-data. At a time of matching, by using the confidence index of the face meta-data, a distribution estimating unit estimates the data of a parameter and the like with regard to a posterior distribution when the confidence index is obtained. A distance calculating unit calculates a similarity between feature values. Consequently, the precision of face verification can be improved, thereby carrying out a practical face matching.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying gradient edge detection to detect features in a biometric, such as a fingerprint, based on data representing an image of at least a portion of the biometric. The image is modeled as a function of the features. Data representing an image of the biometric is acquired, and features of the biometric are modeled for at least two resolutions. The method and apparatus improves analysis of both high-resolution images of biometrics of friction ridge containing skin that include resolved pores and lower resolution images of biometrics without resolved pores.

Abstract: In relation to a system which effects one-to-many authentication using biometric information; e.g.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading an image pattern of a detecting object comprises a detecting surface on which a detecting object is placed, a sensor array having a plurality of sensors arranged to read an image pattern of the detecting object placed on the detecting surface, a first detection electrode, provided on at least an upper portion of the sensor array, having the detecting surface; a second detection electrode provided to be electrically insulated and spaced from the first detection electrode; a counter electrode provided to be opposite to the first detection electrode through an interlayer insulating film; signal voltage applying circuit which applies a signal voltage having a first signal waveform that varies periodically to the counter electrode to excite a second signal waveform to the first detection electrode through the interlayer insulating film, and contact detector which determines whether the detecting object brought into contact with the detecting surface is a specific detecting ob

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core, a clad having a plurality of air holes at a periphery of the core, and a hardening resin filled in a sealed portion at an end of the plurality of air holes. The hardening resin after hardening has a fill length of 7 mm to 8 mm. An optical fiber connection structure includes the optical fiber with an end face butt-connected to another optical fiber. An optical connector includes the optical fiber, and a ferrule to which the optical fiber is attached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fingerprint collation apparatus and method, a recording medium and a program, which can increase the throughput of fingerprint collation and decrease a data amount therefor. An information processing apparatus characterized by first detection means for detecting from a fingerprint image first feature points which include one of ridge bifurcations and ridge endings of a fingerprint; first generation means for generating a triangle which connects three arbitrary points close to one another from among the plurality of first feature points; first calculation means for calculating an area and a length of each side of the triangle generated by the first generation means; and storage means for storing the area and the length of each side of the triangle calculated by the first calculation means.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to construct an optimal parameterization for a discrete surface patch. A three-dimensional image having a surface is selected. An initial parameterization of the surface onto a two-dimensional plane is constructed. A distortion of the initial parameterization is measured. A length parameter, an area parameter, and an angle parameter are specified. The initial parameterization is then optimized through a discrete deformation of a parameter domain that minimizes the distortion based on the length, area, and angle parameter.

Abstract: A system and method of authenticating fingerprints. A method of authenticating a fingerprint includes comparing a geometric shape of a scanned fingerprint to a corresponding geometric shape of a stored fingerprint. The geometric shape and the corresponding geometric shape are defined by vertices. The vertices are defined by minutiae points, while the vertices are spaced apart from the minutiae points.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to human fingerprints. More specifically the present invention relates to assessing the quality of a fingerprint image. An assessment is made by analyzing characteristics of image sub-regions. For example, the characteristics may include statistics that are associated with a sub-region. If a sub-region is found to have unacceptable characteristics, it can be modified through a morphological operation to compensate for the unacceptable characteristics.

Abstract: A method of hash string extraction from biometric information is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a biometric information sample in the form of a fingerprint for example, extracting features from the biometric information sample and encoding the features based on their location within the biometric information sample; and, generating a string of values based on the extracted features and their determined locations. The method further comprises the steps of hashing the string of symbols to produce a plurality of hash values for comparing the plurality of hash values against a stored hash value for identifying a user.

Abstract: Quality of biometric prints is enhanced by any one of several different methods. In one embodiment, if a biometric print does not have a high enough quality, the biometric print is discarded. In another embodiment, a matching score is associated with the degree to which the two biometric prints match. In another embodiment, a ranking is associated with a biometric print, and the ranking is determined based upon two or more matching scores associated with the biometric print. In another embodiment, a variety of distinguishing features are derived from a given biometric print and are stored for authenticating a biometric print of a user requesting access to a secure entity. In an embodiment, a transformation is applied to at least a portion of a newly acquired biometric print to improve the match of the newly acquired biometric print to a stored biometric print.

Abstract: Techniques for generating a distorted fingerprint representation for a given fingerprint image are provided. First, at least one fingerprint feature point from a given fingerprint image is selected. At least one representation of a region proximate to the selected fingerprint feature point is then generated. Next, the representation of the region proximate to the selected fingerprint feature point is distorted. The distortion comprises applying a random projection to the representation to generate a randomly projected representation of the region proximate to the selected fingerprint feature point. A distorted template is then formed, wherein the distorted template comprises the randomly projected representation of the region proximate to the selected fingerprint feature point.

Abstract: A system constructs a block direction for a first print and compares the block direction image to a direction image for a second print to determine a similarity measure between the first and second prints. Constructing the block direction image includes: receiving a plurality of minutiae for the first print, with each minutia being associated with a location, a direction and a quality; and for each of the plurality of minutiae, assigning within the block direction image a plurality of corresponding neighboring blocks, and for each neighboring block determining a density rate that is a function of a distance from the neighboring block to the location of the corresponding neighboring minutiae, a block direction that is a function of the density rate and the direction of the corresponding neighboring minutiae, and a block quality that is a function of the density rate and the quality of the corresponding neighboring minutiae.

Abstract: This invention provides a fingerprint input apparatus which detects that a finger is put on a sensor element, which can reduce power consumption, which requires fewer components, and which is simple in configuration. In a fingerprint input apparatus which includes a sensor element for reading a fingerprint and a switch for detecting that a finger is put on the sensor element, which is activated by an operation of the switch the switch is a push switch, the sensor element and the switch are fixed to a housing, and the switch is arranged on an opposite surface to a surface on which the sensor element is arranged, across the housing. The switch may be a pressure sensitive switch instead of a push switch, and the apparatus may further include a unit for notifying a user whether it is appropriate to apply a depression pressure.

Abstract: In a method for determining the bearing surface in images of skin prints, the skin having ridges and furrows and the images existing in the form of image data, the image is filtered with a plurality of Gabor filters whose cosine functions are oriented in different directions in the spatial domain. From the filter responses, surfaces are determined that are each distinguished by an approximate direction of the ridges/furrows, which direction is preset by the respective Gabor filter. The surfaces are combined to an overall surface that represents the bearing surface.

Abstract: A security system is provided. The security system includes a terminal system and a smart card. The terminal system generates relative fingerprint information of a user from absolute fingerprint information of the user, determines a similarity between the generated relative feature information of the user and registered relative fingerprint information of a smart card owner transmitted from the smart card to generate variation information, and applies the variation information to the user absolute fingerprint information to generate modified user absolute fingerprint information. The smart card determines the similarity between the modified user absolute feature information and registered absolute feature information of the smart card owner to perform a certification operation.

Abstract: The usability of an electronic device that includes an integrated fingerprint sensor is enhanced by mounting the fingerprint sensor rotatably and pivotably. The fingerprint sensor is prevented from moving during normal use, but the fingerprint sensor may be repositioned to accommodate a user's preferences.

Abstract: Even if streak-like noise or streaks caused by dragging which can be hardly distinguished from upheaval lines exist, background regions and impressing regions are separated from each other without being affected by existence of streaks.

Abstract: For personal authentication using biometric information, to allow for unfailing authentication without increasing verification time even for an authentication object that is not supported only by a minutia matching method, the present invention provides a biometric information authentication device comprising: a first verifying section for verifying first to-be-verified data against first registration data registered preliminarily using a minutia matching method; a second verifying section for verifying second to-be-verified data against second registration data registered preliminarily using a pattern matching method; and a determining section for comparing match degree, which is obtained as a result of verification by the first verifying section, with a first threshold value and a second threshold value to allow the second verifying section to perform verification in the case where the match degree is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value and equal to or larger than the second threshold value.

Abstract: A personal identification device and method prevent the reduction in the finger vein recognition rate which otherwise occur due to erroneous insertion of a finger by a user not accustomed to operation or insertion of a false finger at low cost. The device includes an imager picking up an image of a finger vein pattern, a light source emitting light adapted to be transmitted through the finger, an image operating unit matches the image, guides indicating the position of picking up the finger image, a detector detecting the contact between the finger and the guides, another light source radiating light reflected from the thick of the finger, a switch which is depressed by the forward end of the finger, a further light source emitting light transmitted through the forward end of the finger, and a light-sensor receiving the light from the further light source through the finger.

Abstract: A planar fingerprint pattern detecting array includes a large number of individual skin-distance sensing cells that are arranged in a row/column configuration. Each sensing cell includes an amplifier having an ungrounded input mode and an ungrounded output node. Output-to-input negative feedback that is sensitive to the fingerprint pattern is provided for each amplifier by way of (1) a first capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of a dielectric layer and is connected to the ungrounded amplifier input node, (2) a second capacitor plate that is placed vertically under the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close horizontal spatial relation to the first capacitor plate and is connected to the ungrounded output node, and (3) an ungrounded fingertip whose fingerprint pattern is to be detected, which ungrounded fingertip is placed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer in close vertical spatial relation with the first and second capacitor plates.

Abstract: A biometrics method based on a thermal image of a finger includes the steps of: acquiring the thermal image of the finger; and extracting a finger-print image or a finger-vein image from the thermal image and thus verifying a user's identity according to the finger-print image or the finger-vein image.

Abstract: A binary coding method of a fingerprint image, the method comprises detecting a ridge range direction and a ridge curvature of the fingerprint image; and binary coding the fingerprint image using a binary coding filter selected in accordance with the ridge curvature.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus is provided to improve efficiency in the use of memory while maintaining the accuracy of authentication. The authentication apparatus includes: extraction means that extracts a plurality of points on an authentication target from an image obtained by shooting the authentication target unique to a living body; connection means that connects the points extracted by the extraction means; storage means that stores information indicating a connection state of the points being connected by the connection means and information indicating the points as authentication information; and reproduction means that reproduces, based on the authentication information in the storage means, the authentication target to be compared with the other.

Abstract: Provided is a biometric imaging device for imaging a biological feature, which includes a sensor for detecting an environmental parameter other than relating to surface topology of the biological feature. The detected environmental parameters like temperature and humidity levels are utilized in image reconstruction to eliminate erroneous structures caused by the environmental conditions. There is also provided a biometric imaging device, which includes a preparation device for use prior to sensing a biometric image. The preparation device is used for conditioning a parameter of the biometric information source, and/or for cleaning the biometric information source.

Abstract: Combined multispectral and total-internal-reflectance biometric imaging systems are disclosed. A platen has multiple facets, at least one of which has a surface adapted for placement of a purported skin site by an individual and another facet may include an optical absorber. An illumination source and an optical arrangement are disposed to illuminate the purported skin site with light from the illumination source along distinct illumination paths, including paths at angles less than the critical angle and paths at angles greater than the critical angle. Both multispectral and total-internal-reflectance illumination are received by an imaging system. The imaging system may include first and second imaging locations adapted to record images from separate illumination paths. The platen may also include non parallel exits facets.

Abstract: A detection element (1A) having a detection electrode (11A) connected to a surface shape detection unit (2) and a detection electrode (12A) connected to a common potential, and a detection element (1B) having a detection electrode (11B) connected to the surface shape detection unit (2) and a detection electrode (12B) connected to a biometric recognition unit (3) are arranged. The surface shape detection unit (2) outputs a signal representing the three-dimensional pattern of the surface shape corresponding to the contact portion to each detection element on the basis of individual capacitances obtained from the detection elements (1A, 1B). The biometric recognition unit (3) determines whether an object (9) is a living body, on the basis of a signal corresponding to the impedance of the object (9) connected between the detection electrode (12B) of the detection element (1B) and the detection electrode (12A) of the detection element (1A).

Abstract: A biometric secured system grants a user access to a host system by classifying a fingerprint used to verify or authorize the user to the system as real or fake. The classification is based on a probability that fingerprint image data corresponds to characteristics that reliably identify the finger as real. The system includes a fingerprint sensor for capturing fingerprint image data coupled to a spoof detection module. In one embodiment, the spoof detection module is programmed to determine spoof probability based on a combination of metrics that include, among other metrics, pixel gray level average and the variance of pixels corresponding to a fingerprint ridge, pixel gray level average and the variance of pixels corresponding to a fingerprint valley, density of sweat pores, and density of sweat streaks, to name a few metrics.

Abstract: A system and method of capturing a skin print from skin having ridges and valleys. A skin print sensor having a return/supply contact and a plurality of contact pads is provided. A finger is applied to the skin print sensor and data is stored representative of contact pads in contact with skin ridges.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a fingerprint sensor for searching for a detection condition in a short period of time in order to read information of ridges and valleys of a fingerprint as changes in capacitance.

Abstract: A portable or embedded access device is provided for being coupled to, and for allowing only authorized users access to, an access-limited apparatus, device, network or system, e.g. a computer terminal, an internet bank or a corporate or government intranet. The access device comprises an integrated circuit (IC) (1) providing increased security by bridging the functionality of biometrics input from a user and, upon positive authentication of the user's fingerprint locally to provide secure communication with the said access-limited apparatus, device, network or system, whether local or remote. A corresponding method of using the portable device or the embedded device is disclosed for providing a bridge from biometrics input to a computer locally, into secure communication protocol responses to a non-biometrics network. An embedded access control and user input device or apparatus for being a built-in part of stand alone appliances with some form of access control, e.g.

Abstract: A fingerprint symmetry axis extraction method is provided. The method includes detecting a core point of a fingerprint, setting imaginary symmetry axes intersecting the core point, and extracting an actual fingerprint symmetry axis from the imaginary symmetry axes. The actual fingerprint symmetry axis is one that can provide the largest symmetry measure being obtained between ridge range directions in paired blocks facing each other.

Abstract: A fingerprint matching system includes a first minutiae obtaining unit and a second minutiae obtaining unit adapted to obtain minutiae information of first and second fingerprints. On the minutiae of the first fingerprint, a deformable mesh is constructed by a mesh construction unit, and a mesh transformation unit is used to transform a state of the deformable mesh, thereby obtaining a distortion-compensated first fingerprint. Based on the distortion-compensated first fingerprint, a matching determination unit determines whether the first fingerprint matches the second fingerprint or not.

Abstract: A method is performed in a print identification system to segment a non-segmented slap print image into its finger components. The method includes: receiving, for a hand, a non-segmented slap print image and a corresponding plurality of roll print images each corresponding to a different finger number; comparing the roll print images to the non-segmented slap print image to determine a number of mated minutiae areas on the non-segmented slap print image; detecting a number of print components from the non-segmented slap print image using the plurality of mated minutiae areas; and selecting a number of final print components from the detected print components and assigning finger numbers to the final print components, using the plurality of mated minutiae areas.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing a biometric measurement on an individual are disclosed. A containment film is disposed between a skin site of the individual and a platen. Light is directed through the containment film to the skin site to illuminate the skin site under multiple distinct optical conditions. Light scattered from the skin site is received for the multiple optical conditions. A multispectral image of the skin site is derived from the received light. A biometric function is performed with the derived multispectral image.

Abstract: A method for comparing a first print image having a first set of minutiae to a second print image having a second set of minutiae, wherein at least a second subset of minutiae from the second set is mated to a first subset of minutiae from the first set, the method that includes the steps of: selecting (350) a first pair of minutiae from the first subset and a second pair of corresponding mated minutiae from the second subset; generating (350) a first segment based on the first pair of minutiae and a second segment based on the second pair of minutiae; generating (360) a first cross-section profile based on the first segment and a second cross-section profile based on the second segment; and computing (365) at least one similarity measure that is indicative of the similarity between the first cross-section profile and the second cross-section profile.

Abstract: For each minutia in the fingerprint, a set of surrounding “neighborhood” minutiae is identified. In each neighborhood, each minutiae pair of central and neighboring minutiae is described by several features including (but not limited to) the spacing between the two minutiae in a pair, the difference of orientations of two minutiae and the angle between the orientation of the central minutia and a line connecting the two minutiae. From these minutiae pair features, a minutiae pair index is constructed. The minutiae pair indices of enrolled fingerprints are compared to those of a proffered fingerprint. Identification of match can be by way of sufficient matching indices, sufficient matching neighborhoods identified from matching indices, and can be verified by a detailed comparison of corresponding minutiae pairs.

Abstract: A system includes an interface receiving a search print record including a first direction image of a search print and a file print record including a second direction image of a file print, and a processing device. The processing device performs a method and a computer-readable storage medium stores code for programming a computer to perform the method, which includes: aligning the first and second direction images to identify an overlapping and a non-overlapping area; comparing block direction between the first and second direction images within the overlapping area; performing a rationality analysis on the aligned direction images to at least determine whether one of the direction images and the non-overlapping area of the other direction image are from a different finger; and generating a similarity score based on the block direction comparison and the rationality analysis, which indicates a measure of similarity between the search and file prints.

Abstract: A unique code generating apparatus for generating, according to biometric information representing a physical or behavioral feature of a user, a unique code as a unique value for the biometric information includes a statistic information generating section for conducting statistical analysis for a feature of biometric information for registration and generating statistic information, a statistic information table generating section for summarizing the statistic information for each biometric information, setting a unique code for each statistic information, and generating a statistic information table unique to the biometric information, a unique code extracting section for applying to the statistic information table the statistic information generated by the statistic information generating section according to biometric information for collation and extracting an associated unique code from the table, and an output processing section for outputting the unique code extracted by the unique code extracting sec

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for fingerprint liveness detection. In one embodiment, a method for determining fingerprint liveness is provided that comprises receiving a plurality of image analysis data of a fingerprint image; condensing the plurality of image analysis data; and determining liveness of the fingerprint image based upon the condensed data.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied in computer-readable mediums are provided for fingerprint liveness detection. In one embodiment, a method for determining fingerprint liveness is provided that comprises receiving a fingerprint image; extracting a region of interest from the fingerprint image; generating a histogram of the region of interest; determining a statistical feature of the histogram; and determining liveness of the fingerprint image based upon the statistical feature.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recognition of fingerprints, and more particularly to the recognition on the basis of an elongate strip-shaped sensor of detectors capable of detecting the ridges and valleys of fingerprints during the relative scrolling of a finger with respect to the sensor substantially perpendicularly to the direction of elongation of the strip. To improve the security of recognition, provision is made for a scrolling of the finger in two opposite directions and for a verification that the image deformation between the two directions corresponds to a normal deformation having regard to the natural plasticity of the skin.

Abstract: A method and associated device for checking a biometric signature by a simple and secure calculation adapted to personal objects of the chip card type. The method is based on the storage within the object of an obscured biometric signature and an associated authentication code. A terminal capturing a fingerprint compares the fingerprint data with the obscured biometric signature transmitted by the card and transfers the result of this comparison to the chip card, which validates this result with the authentication code.

Abstract: A fingerprint system (80) implements a fingerprint authentication method (20) for a user fingerprint image (UFI) based on a plurality of control fingerprint images (CFI). The method involves (S24) a detection of at least one control point within a user fingerprint image (UFI) and at least one control point within each control fingerprint image (CFI), (S26) a superimposing of the user fingerprint image (UFI) with each control fingerprint image (CFI) as a function of a movement of one or more control points within at least one the user fingerprint image and one or more control fingerprint images, and (S28) an authentication of the control fingerprint image (CFI) having the shortest superimposition distance with the user fingerprint image (UFI) as an identified fingerprint image (IFI).

Abstract: To provide a character noise eliminating apparatus that can eliminate a character noise when a fingerprint ridgeline area has a higher density than a character noise area. A character noise eliminating apparatus includes a device for repeating a processing in which a binary image is generated by binarizing an image with a binarization threshold that is inputted by an operator and the binary image is displayed on a data display device, and determining the character noise area, a device for setting density conversion area layers inside and outside the character noise area, and a device for setting a neighboring pixel group within the same density conversion area layer as the density conversion area layer to which a target pixel belongs as a reference area of the target pixel, with respect to pixels in the density conversion area layers, and generating a density converted image applying a local image enhancement.