Method for preventing false acceptance of latent fingerprint images

• US 20030202687A1
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activcard Ireland, Limited (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Activcard Ireland, Limited (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Hamid, Laurence, Boyer, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1382 Detecting the live character of the finger, i.e. distinguishing from a fake or cadaver finger
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/40 Spoof detection, e.g. liveness detection

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for detecting a latent fingerprint image provided to a biometric input device of a fingerprint based security system. First and second images of the fingerprint are captured during a time period interval Δt. At least one of the first and second images are analyzed to identify an extractable feature within a global reference frame, the extractable feature useable for authenticating an individual. The first and second images are compared one with the other to determine differences indicative of motion about the identified extractable feature within a local reference frame during the time period interval Δt. Absent motion about the identified extractable feature being detected, the fingerprint is registered as a latent fingerprint and cannot be used to authenticate the individual who is seeking authorization.

Claims

1. A method for preventing false acceptance of latent biometric information provided to a biometric information input device having a platen, comprising the steps of:

a) sensing first biometric information provided to the biometric information input device from a first portion of a biometric information source;

b) sensing second biometric information provided to the biometric information input device from a second portion of the biometric information source, each of the first and second portions including an overlapping same portion of the biometric information source, the first and second biometric information received at a different time one from the other;

c) analyzing at least one of the first and second biometric information to identify a feature within the overlapping same portion for determining a global reference frame for use in characterizing the at least one of the first and second biometric information;

d) determining first data relating to the feature within the first biometric information and determining second data relating to the same feature within the second biometric information;

e) comparing the first and second data to detect a difference between the first and second biometric information; and

,

f) determining the biometric information source as a live biometric information source in dependence upon the detected difference.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the detected difference is indicative of relative motion of or about the feature within a local reference frame.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the biometric information source is in the form of a fingerprint of a fingertip and the first and second biometric information is in the form of first and second images of the fingerprint.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the overlapping same portion of the biometric information source includes a feature indicative of a core of the fingerprint.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein one of the first and second biometric information is in the form of an image of a region of the fingerprint substantially smaller than a maximum imageable area of the fingerprint.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the feature that is identified by analyzing the at least one of the first and second biometric information at step c) is used to identify the same feature in the other one of the first and second biometric information.

7. A method according to claim 3, comprising the step prior to step c) of:

b1) digitizing the first and second biometric information.

8. A method according to claim 7, including the steps of:

characterizing at least one of the first and second biometric information based on the global reference frame;

registering the characterized biometric information with stored templates to provide a registration value; and

,

if the registration value is indicative of an identity of an individual from whom the biometric information is received, identifying the individual.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of characterizing includes the steps of:

identifying a feature indicative of the core of the fingerprint; and

,

extracting the identified feature indicative of the core of the fingerprint.

10. A method for preventing false acceptance of pre-recorded biometric information according to claim 7, wherein step d) comprises the steps of:

characterizing the at least one of the first and second biometric information, including the steps of;

determining first data indicative of the identified feature and its location; and

,

hashing the determined first data; and

,

hashing second data from a same location of the other one of the first and second biometric information.

11. A method for preventing false acceptance of pre-recorded biometric information according to claim 10, wherein step d) comprises the step of comparing the hashed first data with the hashed second data.

12. A method for preventing false acceptance of pre-recorded biometric information according to claim 1, wherein the relative motion includes translation of the feature and rotation of the feature with respect to the platen.

13. A method for preventing false acceptance of latent biometric information provided to a biometric information input device, comprising the steps of:

a) capturing a first image of a biometric information source;

b) capturing a second image of the biometric information source at least partially overlapping the first image of the biometric information source, the first and second images captured at a different time one from the other;

c) identifying a same extractable feature in each of the first and second images, the extractable feature useable for determining a global reference frame;

d) comparing the first and second images to detect relative motion of or about the extractable feature; and

,

e) determining the biometric information source as a live biometric information source in dependence upon the detected relative motion.

14. A method according to claim 13, including the step of:

f) authorizing an individual in dependence upon at least one of the first and second images.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step f) of authorizing an individual includes the steps of:

f1) characterizing at least one of the first and second images based on the global reference frame;

f2) registering the characterized biometric information with stored templates to provide a registration value; and

,

f3) in dependence upon the registration value being within predetermined threshold limits, identifying the individual.

16. A method according to claim 15, comprising the step prior to step f1) of digitizing the first and second captured images.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein one of the first and second captured images is in the form of an image of a region of the biometric information source substantially smaller than a maximum imageable area of the biometric information source.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein each one of the first and second captured images includes a feature indicative of a core region of the biometric information source.