APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VERIFYING THE IDENTITY OF AN AUTHOR AND A PERSON RECEIVING INFORMATION

• US 20170243062A1
• Filed: 02/07/2017
• Published: 08/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey A. Matos
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey A. Matos
• Inventors: MATOS, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,946,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/265 Personal security, identity or safety
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/193 Preprocessing; Feature extraction
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/197 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/40 Spoof detection, e.g. liveness detection
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

Apparatus for identifying a person who wishes to receive information, where identifying information for each of a plurality of registered individuals is stored in a database, calls for capturing images of an individual requesting information, and determining whether this individual is the same as one of the registered individuals. The stored identifying information includes images of a unique, observable biologic identifier on a body portion of each registered individual. The specificity of the identification process is enhanced by storing registered examples of altered biological information in the database, by allowing the information provider to induce an alteration in a biologic identifier of a requesting person at the time of the request, and by comparing the altered requesting person information to stored information. Further identification enhancement is obtained by rapidly altering the visual environment of the requesting person, and by providing the requested information to the retina of the requesting person.

Claims

1. Apparatus for assessing the identity of a putative human individual at a given location and for providing information to a least one properly identified human individual, said providing apparatus (“

PA”

) comprising, in combination;

(a) at least one electronic camera arranged to view an eye of a putative human individual (“

PHI”

), and operative to generate a camera signal representing at least one image of a biologically unique feature of said eye;

(b) a projection device arranged to provide a light output which conveys information to said eye, said projection device having a projection device input and operative to provide said light output in response to an inputted projection signal;

(c) a PA output device for providing said eye image information;

(d) a first PA input device for receiving message information; and

(e) a PA processor coupled to each of said electronic camera, said projection device, said PA output device and said first PA input device, said PA processor operative to;

(1) receive said camera signal, produce an output signal representing said eye image information; and

provide said output signal to said PA output device; and

(2) receive said message information, produce a projection signal representing said message information and provide said signal to said projection device;

wherein said camera device is arranged and operative to provide an image of said eye in sufficient detail to permit the identification of said PHI;

wherein said projection device light output provides a representation of said received message information;

whereby said eye of said PHI is both (i) the source of PHI identification information and (ii) the potential recipient of said message information.

2. A system comprising the PA recited in claim 1 and further comprising identification apparatus (“

IA”

) for assessing the identity of said PHI, said IA comprising;

(a) a computer memory in which is stored data representing at least one image of a biologically unique feature of an eye, pertaining to at least one registered human individual (“

RHI”

) who is allowed to receive said message information;

(b) a first IA input device for receiving said PHI eye image information; and

(c) an IA processor, coupled to each of said computer memory and said first IA input device, said IA processor operative

(1) to receive said eye image information;

(2) to compare;

(A) data representing said at least one image of said eye of said PHI received from said electronic camera of said PA, with

(B) said stored data representing said at least one image of said eye of said RHI; and

(3) based on said comparison, to determine whether the received PHI data substantially matches stored RHI data pertaining to said registered individual;

whereby the biologic information pertaining to the eye of a person who wishes to receive said message information is compared to the biologic information pertaining to a person permitted to receive said message information;

thereby

to verify that the PHI is the same individual as one of said at least one RHI by assessing said PHI eye image data, or

to determine that the PHI is not the same individual as any one of said at least one RHI.

3. The system defined in claim 2, wherein

(a) said IA further comprises an IA output device, coupled to said IA processor, operative to provide said message information;

(b) said computer memory is further operative to store and provide said message information; and

(c) wherein said IA processor is further operative to obtain said message information from said memory and to cause said IA output device to provide at least one message information signal representing said message information upon the determination of said match;

thereby to provide said message information only to a properly identified individual.

4. The system defined in claim 3, wherein (a) said IA further comprises a second IA input device, coupled to said IA processor, for inputting said message information;

and (b) said IA processor is further operative to provide said message information to said computer memory.

5. The system defined in claim 3, wherein said IA further comprises a second IA input device, coupled to said IA processor, for inputting an IA message instruction command, and wherein said IA processor is further operative, upon receipt of said command, and upon determination of said match, to cause said IA output device to provide said at least one message information signal;

wherein said IA provides said message information following the occurrence of both of said command input and said match determination.

6. The system defined in claim 3, wherein

(a) said PA further comprises a second PA input device, coupled to said PA processor, for inputting a PA message information request;

(b) said PA processor is further operative to cause said PA output device to provide a signal representing said request to said first IA input device; and

(c) said IA processor is further operative, upon receipt of (i) said request and (ii) the eye image information of the PHI requesting said message information, and upon the determination of a match of said received PHI eye information and said stored RHI eye information, to cause said IA output device to provide said at least one message information signal.

7. The system defined in claim 3, wherein

(a) said electronic camera is further operative to repeatedly generate said camera signal, representing successive eye images, and said PA processor is further operative to repeatedly (i) obtain said image information (ii) provide successive image information signals, and (iii) cause said PA output device to provide said information signals to said first IA input device;

(b) said IA input device is further operative to provide said repeated signals to said IA processor; and

(c) said IA processor is further operative to

(1) repeatedly compare

(A) said received data representing said image of said PHI eye, with

(B) said stored data representing said at least one image of an eye of said RHI;

(2) continue to provide said message information upon the determination of said match; and

(3) halt the provision of said message information upon a determination of a non-match of said received PHI information and said stored RHI information;

thereby to halt the provision of a message in the event of a determination that the PHI eye information does not match any stored RHI information.

8. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said electronic camera is configured to generate said camera signal by viewing an anatomic part of said eye selected from the group consisting of (a) an iris, (b) at least one retinal artery, (c) at least one retinal vein, and (d) at least on blood vessel of a sclera of said eye.

9. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said PA processor is further operative to produce said output signal representing information selected from the group consisting of (a) a representation containing an amount of information substantially similar to an amount of information contained in said camera signal, and (b) a representation containing an amount of information less than an amount of information contained in said camera signal.

10. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said PA processor is further operative to produce said output signal representing information selected from the group consisting of (a) a representation containing at least one mathematical transformation of the information contained in said camera signal, and (b) un-transformed information representing the information contained in said camera signal.

11. The system defined in claim 2, wherein

(a) said IA processor is further operative to produce from said received PHI eye information, information selected from the group consisting of (a) a representation containing an amount of information substantially similar to an amount of information contained in said received PHI eye information, and (b) a representation containing an amount of information less than an amount of information contained in said received PHI information;

and to compare said selected information to said stored data.

12. The system defined in claim 2, wherein said IA processor is further operative to produce from said received PHI eye information, information selected from the group consisting of (a) a representation containing at least one mathematical transformation of the information contained in said received PHI eye information, and (b) un-transformed information representing the information contained in said received PHI information.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said projection device is selected from the group consisting of (a) a laser, and (b) a non-laser light source;

having a light output, said projection device responsive to said projection signal to provide said message information.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising a projection orientation device, coupled to said projection device, and to said PA processor, for orienting the axis of said light output;

wherein

(a) said PA processor is further operative to provide an orientation signal for orienting said projection orientation device; and

(b) in response to the receipt of said orientation signal, said orientation device alters the spatial axis of said light output;

whereby said light output impinges on said eye at an determined by said orientation signal.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein said projection orientation device comprises at least one actuator mechanically coupled to said projection orientation device and electrically coupled to said PA processor, for causing a motion of said orientation device in response to said orientation signal.

16. The apparatus defined in claim 14, wherein said projection orientation device comprises at least one field generating device coupled to said processor, said field selected from the group consisting of an electric field and a magnetic field, said field produced in response to at least one field control signal provided by said PA processor;

wherein said field generating device is arranged to cause the generation of said field to control said axis.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising a focusing device, coupled to said processor, for focusing said light output, thereby to optimize the viewing of information represented by said light output.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said PA output device is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a transmitting device operative to transmit an electromagnetic signal representing said eye image information; and

(b) electrical connecting means operative to provide an electrical signal representing said eye image information via said connecting means.

19. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said first PA input device is selected from the group consisting of

(a) a receiving device operative to receive an electromagnetic signal representing said message information;

and

(b) electrical connecting means operative to receive an electrical signal representing said eye message information.

20. The system defined in claim 2, wherein

(a) said projection device is further operative to produce a light prompt in response to a PA prompt signal, for inducing at least one anatomic change in said eye of said PHI;

(b) said computer memory is further operative to store data representing at least one additional image of a biologically unique feature of an eye, pertaining to at least one RHI, said additional image indicating the appearance of said biologically unique feature following the application of a prompt to said RHI;

(c) said IA further comprises an output device, coupled to said IA processor, operative to output IA signals;

(d) said IA processor is further operative to produce an IA prompt signal, and to cause said IA output device to transmit said IA prompt signal to said first PA input device;

(e) said first PA input device is further operative to input said IA prompt signal and provide said signal to said PA processor;

(f) said PA processor is operative to produce said PA prompt signal in response to said received IA prompt signal;

(g) said PA processor is further operative to cause said PA output device to provide post prompt eye information, obtained from said camera following the application of said prompt, to said first IA input device;

(h) said IA processor is further operative to compare;

(1) data representing said at least one post prompt image of said eye of said PHI with

(2) said stored data representing said at least one additional image of said eye of said RHI; and

based on said comparison, to determine whether the received post prompt PHI data substantially matches stored RHI data pertaining to said registered individual;

wherein said PA prompt signal causes the application of said prompt to said PHI;

whereby the post prompt biologic information pertaining to the eye of a person who wishes to receive said message information is compared to the biologic information pertaining to a person permitted to receive said message information;

thereby

to further verify that the PHI is the same individual as one of said at least one RHI by assessing said post prompt PHI eye image data, or

to determine that the PHI is not the same individual as any one of said at least one RHI.

21. The system defined in claim 20, wherein

(a) said biologically unique feature of is a pattern of an iris of an eye of the RHI and the PHI;

(b) said computer database stores a plurality of images of an iris of an eye of said RHI, each image obtained under different lighting conditions for said iris; and

(c) said projection device is configured to provide a quantity of light in response to said PA prompt signal sufficient to alter an opening size of said PHI iris;

whereby said IA processor is operative to change said an anatomic configuration of said PHI iris and to compare the data representing an image of the post prompt PHI iris with stored data representing PHI images, to further assess the identity of said PHI.

22. The system defined in claim 21, wherein said IA processor is further operative to assess whether received data representing an image of said PHI iris under a given lighting condition corresponds to data representing a stored image of the iris of a RHI for a similar lighting condition;

thereby to determine if the observed anatomic change is appropriate for the lighting condition.

23. The system defined in claim 20, wherein said IA processor is operative to cause PA processor to cause said projection device to vary the amount of light produced by said prompt;

thereby to determine if any lighting condition causes the PHI image to match a RHI image.

24. The system defined in claim 20, wherein said IA processor is further operative to generate data representing calculated RHI images from data representing at least one of said stored RHI images, and to compare data said received data representing said PHI image with both said stored and said calculated RHI image data.

25. The system defined in claim 20, wherein said IA processor is operative to cause said PA processor to alter the duration of illumination provided by said projection device.

26. The system defined in claim 20, wherein

(a) said IA processor is further operative to determine a time of transmission of said IA prompt signal,

(b) said PA processor is further operative to indicate a time at which data representing said PHI image is obtained, and

(c) said IA processor is further operative to determine whether said received post prompt PHI image information is temporally consistent with a response to a prompt delivered at said time of transmission.

27. The system defined in claim 2, wherein

(a) said projection device is further operative to produce a voluntary prompt message in response to a PA voluntary prompt signal, said voluntary prompt message requesting a specific action by said PHI expected to result in an alteration in the camera image of said eye;

(b) said computer memory is further operative to store data representing at least one voluntary additional image of a biologically unique feature of an eye, pertaining to at least one RHI, said voluntary additional image indicating the appearance of said biologically unique feature following the execution of said requested action by said RHI;

(c) said IA further comprises an output device, coupled to said IA processor, operative to output IA signals;

(d) said IA processor is further operative to produce an IA voluntary prompt signal, and to cause said IA output device to transmit said IA voluntary prompt signal to said first PA input device;

(e) said first PA input device is further operative to input said IA voluntary prompt signal and provide said signal to said PA processor;

(f) said PA processor is operative to produce said PA voluntary prompt signal in response to said received IA voluntary prompt signal;

(g) said PA processor is further operative to cause said PA output device to provide post voluntary prompt eye information, obtained from said camera following the execution of said voluntary prompt, to said first IA input device;

(h) said IA processor is further operative to compare;

(1) data representing said at least one post voluntary prompt image of said eye of said PHI with

(2) said stored data representing said at least one voluntary additional image of said eye of said RHI; and

based on said comparison, to determine whether the received post voluntary prompt PHI data substantially matches stored RHI data pertaining to said registered individual;

whereby the post voluntary prompt biologic information pertaining to the eye of a person who wishes to receive said message information is compared to the biologic information pertaining to a person permitted to receive said message information;

thereby

to further verify that the PHI is the same individual as one of said at least one RHI by assessing said post prompt PHI eye image data, or

to determine that the PHI is not the same individual as any one of said at least one RHI

28. The system defined in claim 2, wherein

(a) said PA further comprises a prompt producing device, coupled to said PA processor, operative to produce a prompt in response to a PA prompt signal, for inducing at least one anatomic change in said eye of said PHI;

(b) said computer memory is further operative to store data representing at least one additional image of a biologically unique feature of an eye, pertaining to at least one RHI, said additional image indicating the appearance of said biologically unique feature following the application of a prompt to said RHI;

(c) said IA further comprises an output device, coupled to said IA processor, operative to output IA signals;

(d) said IA processor is further operative to produce an IA prompt signal, and to cause said IA output device to transmit said IA prompt signal to said first PA input device;

(e) said first PA input device is further operative to input said IA prompt signal and provide said signal to said PA processor;

(f) said PA processor is operative to produce said PA prompt signal in response to said received IA prompt signal;

(g) said PA processor is further operative to cause said PA output device to provide post prompt eye information, obtained from said camera following the application of said prompt, to said first IA input device;

(h) said IA processor is further operative to compare;

(1) data representing said at least one post prompt image of said eye of said PHI with

(2) said stored data representing said at least one additional image of said eye of said RHI; and

based on said comparison, to determine whether the received post prompt PHI data substantially matches stored RHI data pertaining to said registered individual;

wherein said PA prompt signal causes the application of said prompt to said PHI;

whereby the post prompt biologic information pertaining to the eye of a person who wishes to receive said message information is compared to the biologic information pertaining to a person permitted to receive said message information;

thereby

to further verify that the PHI is the same individual as one of said at least one RHI by assessing said post prompt PHI eye image data, or

to determine that the PHI is not the same individual as any one of said at least one RHI.

29. The system defined in claim 20, wherein said projection device is further operative to provides light for illumination of said eye, said illumination light having at least one wavelength selected from the group (a) wavelength corresponding to visible light, and (b) wavelength corresponding to infrared light, and wherein said IA processor is further operative to control the provision of said illumination light.

30. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising an additional prompt producing device, for communicating to said PHI a request to perform an action expected to result in a voluntary anatomic change in said image of said eye,

wherein said additional prompt producing device produces a prompt message in response to at least one additional prompt signal received from said PA processor;

wherein said IA processor is further operative to generate said additional prompt signal for transmission to said IA;

thereby to prompt an action under the conscious control of said PHI.

31. The apparatus defined in claim 1, further comprising a housing to which each of said electronic camera and said projection device are mechanically attached.

32. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein

(a) said IA processor is further operative to generate a first representation of code information for transmission to said projection device;

(b) said projection device is further operative to provide a first representation of code information received from said PA processor onto a reflective surface of said eye;

(c) said camera is arranged to view said PHI such that said image includes both (i) a visible identifying feature of said PHI, and (ii) a reflected image from said surface of said PHI of said projected first representation of said code;

(d) said PA processor is further operative to transmit said image to said IA processor;

(e) said IA processor is further operative to generate both (i) a second representation of said code, and (ii) a representation of said eye, from each of said received images;

(f) said IA processor is further operative to compare information contained in said first representation of said code with information contained in said second representation of said code; and

(g) said IA processor is further operative to generate a signal containing comparison information which indicates the result of said comparison.

33. Apparatus for assessing the identity of a putative human individual at a given location and for providing information to a least one properly identified human individual, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) at least one electronic camera arranged to view an eye of a putative human individual (“

PHI”

), and operative to generate a camera signal representing at least one image of a biologically unique feature of said eye;

(b) a projection device arranged to provide a light output which conveys information to said eye, said projection device having a projection device input and operative to provide said light output in response to an inputted projection signal;

(c) a computer memory in which is stored

(1) data representing at least one image of a biologically unique feature of an eye pertaining to at least one registered human individual (“

RHI”

) who is allowed to receive said message information; and

(2) message information;

(d) a processor coupled to each of said electronic camera, said projection device, and said computer memory, said processor operative;

(1) to receive and process said camera signal representing said at least one image of said eye of said PHI;

(2) to compare;

(A) said data representing said at least one image of said eye of said PHI, with

(B) said stored data representing said at least one image of said eye of said RHI; and

(3) based on said comparison, to determine whether the received PHI data substantially matches stored RHI data pertaining to said registered individual;

(4) upon the determination of said match, to obtain said message information from said computer memory and to cause said projection device to produce a light signal representing said message information;

wherein said camera device is arranged and operative to provide an image of said eye in sufficient detail to permit the identification of said PHI;

whereby the biologic information pertaining to the eye of a person who wishes to receive said message information is compared to the biologic information pertaining to a person permitted to receive said message information;

whereby said eye of said PHI is both (i) the source of PHI identification information and (ii) the potential recipient of said message information;

thereby

to verify that the PHI is the same individual as one of said at least one RHI by assessing said PHI eye image data, or

to determine that the PHI is not the same individual as any one of said at least one RHI; and

to provide said message information only to a PHI who is determined to be a RHI.

34. The system defined in claim 33, wherein said electronic camera is configured to generate said camera signal by viewing an anatomic part of said eye selected from the group consisting of (a) an iris, (b) at least one retinal artery, (c) at least one retinal vein, and (d) at least on blood vessel of a sclera of said eye.

35. Apparatus for assessing the identity of a putative human individual at a given location and for providing information to a least one properly identified human individual, said providing apparatus (“

PA”

) comprising, in combination;

(a) laser apparatus

(i) arranged to survey an eye of a putative human individual (“

PHI”

), and operative to generate a laser survey signal representing at least one image of a biologically unique feature of said eye; and

(ii) operative and arranged to provide a light output which conveys information to said eye, said laser apparatus having a projection input and operative to provide said light output in response to an inputted projection signal;

(b) a PA output device for providing said eye image information;

(c) a PA input device for receiving message information; and

(d) a PA processor coupled to each of said laser apparatus said PA output device and said PA input device, said PA processor operative to;

(1) receive said laser survey signal, produce an output signal representing said eye image information; and

provide said output signal to said PA output device; and

(2) receive said message information, produce a projection signal representing said message information and provide said signal to said laser apparatus;

wherein said laser apparatus is arranged and operative to provide an image of said eye in sufficient detail to permit the identification of said PHI;

wherein said laser apparatus light output provides a representation of said received message information;

whereby said eye of said PHI is both (i) the source of PHI identification information and (ii) the potential recipient of said message information.

36. A system comprising the PA recited in claim 35 and further comprising identification apparatus (“

IA”

) for assessing the identity of said PHI, said IA comprising;

(a) a computer memory in which is stored data representing at least one image of a biologically unique feature of an eye, pertaining to at least one registered human individual (“

RHI”

) who is allowed to receive said message information;

(b) an IA input device for receiving said PHI eye image information; and

(c) an IA processor, coupled to each of said computer memory and said IA input device, said IA processor operative

(1) to receive said eye image information;

(2) to compare;

(A) data representing said at least one image of said eye of said PHI received from said PA, with

(B) said stored data representing said at least one image of said eye of said RHI; and

(3) based on said comparison, to determine whether the received PHI data substantially matches stored RHI data pertaining to said registered individual;

whereby the biologic information pertaining to the eye of a person who wishes to receive said message information is compared to the biologic information pertaining to a person permitted to receive said message information;

thereby

to verify that the PHI is the same individual as one of said at least one RHI by assessing said PHI eye image data, or

to determine that the PHI is not the same individual as any one of said at least one RHI.

37. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said laser apparatus is configured to analyze and generate said laser survey signal by viewing an anatomic part of said eye selected from the group consisting of (a) an iris, (b) at least one retinal artery, (c) at least one retinal vein, and (d) at least on blood vessel of a sclera of said eye.

38. The system defined in claim 35, wherein said laser apparatus comprises at least one laser.