METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

• US 3,781,113 A
• Filed: 10/26/1971
• Issued: 12/25/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carlton E. Thomas
• Original Assignee: Carlton E. Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Carlton E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Evans, F. L.
• Application Number:
  US05/192,070
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 350/3.5,162SF 356/71 250/219DQ
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus for creating an encoded fingerprint card which consists of a hologram of a fingerprint created by a main illuminating beam and a reference beam on a sensitive photographic plate and the use of the encoded fingerprint in a matched filter correlator in real time wherein the fingerprint of a subject can be introduced into the system and correlated with the encoded information to verify identity between the original encoded information and the person claiming identity therewith. The system also includes an output pick-up utilizing a moving reticle and photomultiplier to determine correlation peaks for registration of identity.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for establishing identity using holograms of the fingerprint in a complex correlation procedure in which a source of coherent light directs a beam to an optical system, the output of which registers correlation or non-correlation, in which a spatial filter is inserted corresponding to a fingerprint of a known person for complex correlation with an impression of a fingerprint of a person present, that improvement which comprises means for interposing in said beam an imprint of a finger surface to phase modulate the beam in connection with the complex correlation, a light responsive means positioned to receive the phase modulated beam as correlated with said spatial filter to indicate by light intensity the fact of matching or non-matching, and a light reticle positioned in said beam at the correlation output directly ahead of said light responsive means comprising a plate having a series of spaced transparent lines in an opaque background, means to support and move said plate across said beam to interrupt the light beam at regular intervals to achieve spatial discrimination between bright spots of correlation light and a randomly distributed light pattern, said light responsive means being responsive to light peaks passing said reticle, and an indicator operable in response to correlation light peaks at said light responsive means to register when correlation occurs.

2. In a method of establishing identity of a person by complex correlation of the fingerprint of the person with a spatial filter of a known person in which a coherent light beam is directed to an optical system for such correlation, that improvement which comprises:

a. providing a relatively hard, non-deformable, transparent surface in the coherent beam of the optical system, b. placing a quantity of light transmitting oil on the surface, c. impressing a fingerprint in said oil on said surface to create a series of ridges and valleys in the light transmitting oil, d. removing the finger from the surface to leave a print in said oil, e. utilizing the residual oil print as input to phase modulate the coherent light beam passing through said oil and said surface to correlate the phase modulated beam with a pre-existing spatial filter of a fingerprint in the coherent light beam, f. rapidly interrupting the correlation output beam to achieve spatial discrimination between light peaks and a randomly distributed light pattern, and g. directing said output beam to a light responsive indicator to register existence or absence of light peaks and consequent matching or non-matching of the input and the spatial filter.

3. In an apparatus for establishing identity using holograms of the fingerprint in a complex correlation procedure in which a source of coherent light directs a beam to an optical system, the output of which registers correlation or non-correlation, in which a spatial filter is inserted corresponding to a fingerprint of a known person for complex correlation with an impression of a fingerprint of a person present, that improvement which comprises interposing in said beam of coherent light a transparent element having a relatively hard, non-deformable surface, an oil film of light transmitting oil on said surface for receiving an imprint of a finger to phase modulate the beam in connection with the complex correlation after removal of the finger from said surface, a light responsive means positioned to receive the phase modulated beam as correlated with said spatial filter to indicate by light intensity the fact of matching or non-matching, and a light reticle positioned in said beam at the correlation output directly ahead of said light responsive means comprising a plate having a series of spaced transparent lines in an opaque background, means to support and move said plate across said beam to interrupt the light beam at regular intervals to achieve spatial discrimination between bright spots of correlation light and a randomly distributed light pattern, said light responsive means being responsive to light peaks passing said reticle, and an indicator operable in response to correlation light peaks at said light responsive means to register when correlation occurs.