Hand-based biometric analysis

• US 20100021014A1
• Filed: 06/18/2007
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education (State of Nevada)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents Nevada System of Higher Education (State of Nevada), University Of Nevada
• Inventors: Bebis, George
• Granted Patent: US 9,042,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/107 Static hand or arm
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1347 Preprocessing; Feature extraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification

Abstract

Hand-based biometric analysis systems and techniques are described which provide robust hand-based identification and verification. An image of a hand is obtained, which is then segmented into a palm region and separate finger regions. Acquisition of the image is performed without requiring particular orientation or placement restrictions. Segmentation is performed without the use of reference points on the images. Each segment is analyzed by calculating a set of Zernike moment descriptors for the segment. The feature parameters thus obtained are then fused and compared to stored sets of descriptors in enrollment templates to arrive at an identity decision. By using Zernike moments, and through additional manipulation, the biometric analysis is invariant to rotation, scale, or translation or an in put image. Additionally, the analysis utilizes re-use of commonly-seen terms in Zernike calculations to achieve additional efficiencies over traditional Zernike moment calculation.

Claims

1. A method of determining identity, the method comprising:

receiving an image of a hand from an owner of the hand;

performing a biometric analysis on the image to produce feature parameters representing the image;

comparing the feature parameters to stored feature parameters of one or more representing previously-analyzed hand images; and

reporting a decision of whether the owner of the hand is likely to posses a particular identity based on the comparing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the biometric analysis is performed independent of the orientation of the hand.