Infra-red imaging and pattern recognition system

• US 5,351,303 A
• Filed: 02/25/1993
• Issued: 09/27/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Posid Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Michael R. Willmore
• Inventors: Willmore, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US08/022,104
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 382/4, 382/5, 382/58, 382/65, 382/2, 356/71, 356/388, 340/825.34, 250/504 R, 250/495.1
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/14 Vascular patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

The system of the present invention senses and compares the unique Infra-Red (IR) image pattern from an individual'"'"'s finger to another IR image pattern of the same finger stored within memory components of the system. Special purpose processors within the system compare the two image patterns and determine if one pattern is a duplicate of the another. If so, the system becomes "enabled", verifying an individual attempting to use the transaction media is the only one having authorization to do so.

Claims

1. An identification and verification interface system for use between a transaction media and a transaction device said interface system comprising:

a single application specific integrated circuit, said circuit including

an infra-red charge coupled device for sensing infra-red energy emanating from only a large concentration of nerve endings and associated blood vessels, and charge coupled device sending a signal indicating a detection of the large concentration of nerve endings and associated blood vessels;

a system management processor connected to said infra-red charge coupled device and receiving said indicating signal, said system management processor for controlling the identification and verification interface;

an image processor connected to said system management processor and receiving a power up signal from said system management processor based on receipt of said indicating signal, said image processor sending a sample of each infra-red energy level signal to said infra-red charge coupled device;

conversion means for receiving each sampled infra-red energy level from said infra-red charge coupled device and for converting each sampled infra-red energy level into a scaler value;

memory means for storing infra-red image records of only said large concentration of nerve endings and associated blood vessels authorized to utilize the transaction device;

comparison means connected to said conversion means and to said memory means, said comparison means comparing the scaler values with said stored infra-red image record and sending a comparison result signal to said system management processor; and

interface control processor connected to said system management processor for receiving power upon receipt of said comparison result signal, said interface control processor issuing a coupling signal to couple the transaction media with the transaction device for a specific time period if said comparison result signal is favorable and issuing a power down signal if said comparison result signal is unfavorable.

2. The identification and verification interface system of claim 1, wherein said interface includes means for mounting said integrated circuit on said transaction media.

3. The identification and verification interface system of claim 1, wherein said interface includes logic means connected to said infra-red charge coupled device for holding said device in a quiescent operating state at times other than sensing of the large concentration of nerve endings and associated blood vessels.

4. The identification and verification interface system of claim 1, wherein said memory means includes

at least one permanent memory for storing in sections said permanent infra-red image records;

at least one temporary memory for storing said scaler values in sections as temporary infra-red image records.

5. The identification and verification interface system of claim 4, wherein said interface includes

pattern recognition processor for comparing one or more sections of said temporary infra-red image records with corresponding sections of said permanent infra-red image records.

6. The identification and verification interface system of claim 5, wherein said pattern recognition processor further comprises

pattern match means for confirming an image match, said pattern match means signalling said system management processor to apply power to said interface control processor and to power down said pattern recognition processor.

7. The identification and verification interface system of claim 1, wherein said image processor signals said system management processor when the last scaler value is stored in said memory means;

and

said system management processor having power down means for powering down said image processor upon receipt of said last scaler value stored signal.

8. The identification and verification interface of claim 1, wherein said interface includes timer means for establishing said predetermined time period.

9. The identification and verification interface of claim 8, wherein said interface control processor includes

means for holding the electronic coupling signal until at least one of the following occurs:

a.) said predetermined period lapses, b.) a physical coupling between said transaction media and transaction device is not established, or c.) the physical coupling between the transaction media and the transaction device has been established and has been broken.

10. The identification and verification interface of claim 1, wherein said large concentration of nerve endings and associated blood vessels can be a finger, nose, ear lobe or other part of the human body.