Biometric Device Based On Luminescence

• US 20080148058A1
• Filed: 12/18/2006
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
• Inventors: HILL, Ralph Henry
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/186
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1394 using acquisition arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and/or method of identifying a user comprising illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal. A reference data signal corresponding to the luminescence of a selected user may be identified and compared to the output data signal. In such a manner, an identification may be made as to whether a selected user is present.

Claims

1. A method of identifying a user comprising:

illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal;

identifying a reference data signal corresponding to luminescence of a selected user;

comparing said reference data signal to said output data signal; and

identifying whether a selected user is present.

2. The method of claim 1 including:

illuminating a user with a second electromagnetic energy and forming a second output data signal;

identifying a second reference data signal corresponding to a selected user'"'"'s response to said second electromagnetic energy;

comparing said second reference data signal to said second output data signal.

3. The method of claim 2 including combining said first and second output data signal.

4. The method of claim 3 including combining said first and second reference data signal.

5. The method of claim 4 including comparing said combined first and second output data signal to said combined first and second reference data signal.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said luminescence of a selected user comprises luminescence of tissue.

7. The method of claim 1 where said illumination of said user comprises illuminating tissue.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said illuminating electromagnetic energy comprises wavelengths of about 1-400 nanometers.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said luminescence comprises wavelengths of about 390-780 nanometers.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said illuminating electromagnetic energy is sourced from an LED and a laser.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said illuminating electromagnetic energy comprises a first wavelength λ

₁ and a second wavelength λ

₂ wherein λ

₁≠

λ

₂.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said reference data signal comprises data corresponding to luminescence intensity versus wavelength and said output data signal comprises data corresponding to luminescence intensity versus wavelength.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said comparing of said reference data signal to said output data signal comprises identifying the presence or absence of a match in luminescence intensity at a selected wavelength.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said reference data signal comprises data corresponding to decay in luminescence intensity versus time and said output data signal comprises data corresponding to decay in luminescence intensity versus time.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said comparing of said reference data signal and said output data signal comprises identifying a match in total decay time (Td).

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said comparing said reference data signal and said output data signal comprises identifying a match by sampling at full width at half maximum.

17. A method for selectively providing user access to a secured device or location comprising:

illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to induce luminescence and producing an output data signal;

identifying a reference data signal corresponding to luminescence of a selected user;

comparing said reference data signal to said output data signal; and

selectively providing access to said secured device or location.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said illuminating electromagnetic energy comprises a first wavelength λ

₁ and a second wavelength λ

₂ wherein λ

₁≠

λ

₂.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said secured device comprises a computer.

20. An apparatus for identification comprising:

a processor and a memory;

at least one excitation source capable of illuminating a user with electromagnetic energy to produce luminescence;

a detector capable of detecting said luminescence and providing an output signal to said processor wherein said processor is capable of analyzing said signal and identifying a user.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said excitation source is capable of illuminating said substrate with electromagnetic energy at first wavelength λ

₁ and a second wavelength λ

₂ wherein λ

₁≠

λ

₂.