Abstract: A biometric time and attendance device for scanning an epidermal portion of a human body, generating an epidermal topographical pattern and transmitting the epidermal topographical pattern to a host computer for determining access privileges and for updating epidermal topographical database.

Abstract: To provide a stripe pattern matching system enabling to verify minutia correspondence between a searching stripe pattern and a filed stripe pattern independent of position or direction of the searching stripe pattern, correspondence value between them is evaluated by comparing their distances, directions or relations to their each neighboring minutiae by a pairing examination means (16). The most appropriate rotation angle and the most appropriate shifting coordinates for adjusting the searching stripe pattern to the filed stripe pattern is obtained by selecting a most appropriate axial candidate giving the most concentrated coordinate deviations referring to deviation distributions of correspondence values accumulated on a deviation plane memory (18) by applying each axial candidate as the coordinate adjustment reference. Therefore, the most appropriate coordinate adjustment can be performed even when either or both of absolute direction and position cannot be specified, in the invention.

Abstract: A portable notarization system. The notarization system includes in one housing both a fingerprint acquisition device and an account identification device. Signals representative of the fingerprint and the identified account are conveyed together from the housing to a remote location. The notarization system further includes a receiver which receives an authentication signal that confirms that the operator is authorized to charge a transaction against an account. Also disclosed is a combination set top box and a remote control, wherein the remote control includes a fingerprint reader. The remote control conveys in wireless manner a signal representative of the fingerprint to the set top box. The set top box stores a plurality of service level settings and preference settings. The set top box compares received fingerprint signals to stored fingerprint data for a match.

Abstract: Linear structures are used to identify persons. In order to be able to combine a multiplicity of such linear structures in a database, their original images are analyzed and reconstructed using orthonormal basic functions. A preferred direction of the linear structure is determined for each pixel. A quality measure is used to evaluate the reliability of the analyzed data. Singularities (SI) and minutiae (MI) are extracted and stored.

Abstract: An optical imaging device such as a fingerprint imager has a platen formed of a plurality of parallel prisms and a light source for illuminating a portion of the platen. An optical sensor is disposed so as to receive light from the light source reflected off a surface of the platen and directed toward the optical sensor. The platen is mounted moveable relative to the sensor so as to allow scanning of a fingertip in contact with the platen during relative motion of the platen and the sensor. Preferably, the platen is formed of a microprism structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting medical data from a test subject while preserving anonymity for the test subject. The method includes steps of collecting a sample from the test subject and taking biometric data from the test subject. The biometric data permit a high order of probability of correlation of the test subject with the sample and with test results derived from the sample. The method desirably further includes a step of providing the test subject with a unique correlating code also for permitting unique correlation of the test subject with the sample and with test results derived from the sample, and further desirably includes a step of labeling the sample with information including the biometric data.

Abstract: A fingerprint image is divided into blocks of pixels. The blocks are determined to be within the foreground or background of the image. Poor quality images are examined to determine if the imaging process is corrupted, e.g. by a wet finger, by determining if a smudginess measure is above a smudginess threshold. For each foreground block, a mean intensity (.mu.) of pixels is computed for those pixels whose intensities are smaller than the mean intensity of all pixels within the respective foreground block. Further the standard deviation (.cuberoot.) of intensities of all pixels within the respective foreground block is computed. For a foreground block with good contrast, .mu. is small and .cuberoot. is large. But for a block with low contrast due to smudginess, .mu. is small and .cuberoot. is small. Subsequently, to measure the contrast (a contrast measure) within a block, a function of the product (C.sub.S) of corresponding .mu. and corresponding .cuberoot. is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting medical data from a test subject while optionally preserving anonymity for the test subject. The method includes steps of collecting a sample from the test subject and taking biometric data from the test subject. The biometric data permit a high order of probability of correlation of the test subject with the sample and with test results derived from the sample. The method optionally further includes a step of providing the test subject with a unique correlating code also for permitting unique correlation of the test subject with the sample and with test results derived from the sample, and further desirably includes a step of labeling the sample with information including the biometric data.

Abstract: A system for controlling access to a computer and for verifying informed consent in medical procedures includes a finger anatomy analyzer for verifying identity of a person. The analyzer generates a pattern of finger width vs length along the surface of the finger. The pattern generated is compared to a stored pattern to verify identity. To verify that the identified person is giving informed consent or denial to a medical procedure, the person is provided with the appropriate information and test questions given and answers recorded as evidence of comprehension to serve as evidence of informed consent or denial in combination with verified person identification.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is a miniature fingerprint reading device capable of extracting and accurately reproducing the ridge orientations on the skin of a fingertip. The illumination, focusing and reading elements follow the finger's curvature to provide a much larger surface area fingerprint comparable to conventional inking methods. The present invention virtually eliminates the occurrence of skewed images as there are restrictions to the angle at which any finger is read. Trapezoidal distortion is also eliminated as the fingerprint image is always at a fixed distance from the reading elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately matching colors. The color matching system includes a host computer and a color input device in communication with the host computer. Preferably the color input device is capable of obtaining spectral data, such as that obtained using a spectrophotometer. The host computer includes a color library, a color management system, a monitor, and a user interface. In one aspect of the invention, the user selects a target color, a color library to use for matching, a color distance tolerance, and a light source under which the colors are to be matched. The target color is compared to the colors in the library and the color or colors in the library that are within the specified color tolerance are reported. In a second aspect of the invention, the user selects a color and two illuminants. The color under each of the two illuminants is compared and the color distance between the two is reported.

Abstract: A plurality of linear electrodes, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a finger to be measured, are arranged on a substrate. A porous film is placed on the electrodes. The porous film repels water, such as waterdrop, but transmits water vapor. When the finger is pressed against the porous film, water (sweat) diffused through sweat pores of projected portions of the finger surface is further diffused through holes of the porous film and reaches to the electrode located just under the projected portions of the finger surface. At this time, the resistance of the portion between the electrodes, to which the water reaches, is lowered due to ions existing in the water. Resistances across adjacent electrodes are serially read and synthesized, thereby obtaining fingerprint information.

Abstract: A fraud-proof identification system is provided with a point-to-point in focus imaging system preferably a line tracking arrangement for imaging skin profiles particularly of the thumb-top which contains relatively many continuous lines and avoids mental association with criminal finger print actions. Characteristics from skin profiles, preferably mutual line distances progressively measured along a selected skin line are compared with such information stocked in the system in order to discriminate upon authorization. A line tracking system is preferably provided with a servo-mechanism, a control signal of which acting as measuring signal.

Abstract: A device for providing a plain image signal indicative of a plain image of surface characteristics of more than one finger on a hand includes an plain platen prism having a flat, rectangular shaped finger receiving surface having a platen aspect ratio greater than 1.33:1. An illumination source internally illuminates the finger receiving surface such that light internally illuminating a bare portion of the finger receiving surface is internally reflected from the finger receiving surface and light internally illuminating a contacted portion of the finger receiving surface in contact with the fingers is not internally reflected from the finger receiving surface. The internally reflected light forms a reflection image of the surface characteristics of the fingers. Optical elements direct the reflection image to a camera. The camera, which has a rectangular receiving surface with an aspect ratio of approximately 1.33:1, receives the reflection image and provides the plain image signal in response.

Abstract: An optical device for forming an image of an uneven surface, including a plane-parallel plate with a pair of parallel plane surfaces which is made of a transparent material having a refractive index larger than that of water and transparent to illuminating light. An uneven object (object having an uneven surface) is placed in close contact with one plane surface of the plane-parallel plate. A light source illuminates the uneven object through the plane-parallel plate. Among light rays scattered back into the plane-parallel plate by the uneven object and totally reflected at the other plane surface of the plane-parallel plate, only light that is totally reflected at an angle larger than the critical angle at the boundary between the plane-parallel plate and water is taken in by an image-forming device.

Abstract: Enhanced performance of an uneven surface image transfer apparatus is provided by using a well-defined convergent field of illumination that is nominally focussed at the stop of an imaging lens. An integrated optical system exhibiting such enhanced performance includes an aspheric illuminating lens that directs radiant energy onto a presentation platen from which fingerprint or bar code images are transferred to an external image sensing device, such as a charged coupled device chip. An evanescent wave image is totally internally reflected (TIR) off of the platen along an optical path including a plurality of TIR surfaces to achieve a predetermined optical path length. One or more of the TIR surfaces may be curved to reduce or eliminate astigmatism and geometric distortion. An aspheric imaging lens having a split-axis aperture stop transfers the image rays to the image sensing device. The split axis aperture stop has its stop axes on opposite sides of the nominal focal point of the aspheric illuminating lens.

Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic fingerprint acquisition device comprising a housing having first and second exterior surfaces, the housing enclosing: a platen; a light source for irradiating the platen and any digit thereon with light; a light conducting plate; and image sensing device. The platen is disposed in register with an aperture in the first exterior surface. The second exterior surface is displaced from the first exterior surface to provide a grasping surface. The housing has a prehensile shape such as a sphere to permit grasping the first and second exterior surfaces while the person's digit presses on the platen so that the digit applies even pressure to the platen and a broad print of the digit is acquired. The print may be conveyed to a remote location by a conductive wire, optical cable, infrared, inductive pickup, or radio frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a fingerprint or a topographic relief pattern (i.e.

Abstract: A finger guide (2) comprises first and second orthogonally-oriented portions (4,12) each comprising a pair of opposed converging surfaces (6,8;14,16) into which the end and the shank, respectively, of a finger for examination fit. Because of the relative orientation of the surfaces, movement of the finger relative to an examination surface (22) is reproducibly constrained.