Fraud-proof identification system

• US 5,729,334 A
• Filed: 02/18/1997
• Issued: 03/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lodewijk Johan Van Ruyven
• Original Assignee: Lodewijk Johan Van Ruyven
• Inventors: Van Ruyven, Lodewijk Johan
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vierra Eisenberg, Jason D.
• Application Number:
  US08/801,892
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 382/124-127, 356/71
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/144 using a slot moved over the image; using discrete sensing elements at predetermined points; using automatic curve following means
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• 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

A fraud-proof identification system is provided with a point-to-point in focus imaging system preferably a line tracking arrangement for imaging skin profiles particularly of the thumb-top which contains relatively many continuous lines and avoids mental association with criminal finger print actions. Characteristics from skin profiles, preferably mutual line distances progressively measured along a selected skin line are compared with such information stocked in the system in order to discriminate upon authorization. A line tracking system is preferably provided with a servo-mechanism, a control signal of which acting as measuring signal.

Claims

1. A fraud-proof identification system, comprising:

a) means for sensing a skin line profile, said means for sensing including a servo-line tracking system to track along a plurality of sensing points at least one selected skin line of said skin line profile;

b) means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics from said skin line profile to be compared with characteristics stored in a memory; and

c) means to generate at each of said plurality of sensing points a refocussed measuring of said distinctive geometrical characteristics of said skin line profile along said skin line.

2. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 1, wherein:

said servo-line tracking system includes means for generating an enlarged error signal in order to encompass at least two neighboring skin lines of a skin line profile for determining interline spacings as a function of a distance along one of said two neighboring skin lines.

3. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 2, further comprising:

d) an elastic layer covered with a reflective layer to be pressed down upon by the skin line profile to be identified in order to generate a topographical relief of said skin line profile to be tracked by the servo-line tracking system.

4. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 3, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.

5. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 3, wherein:

said fraud-proof identification system has an interactive mode of operation wherein said servo-line tracking system is controlled by a signal derived from stored information.

6. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 5, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.

7. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 2, wherein:

said fraud-proof identification system has an interactive mode of operation wherein said servo-line tracking system is controlled by a signal derived from stored information.

8. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 7, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.

9. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 2, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.

10. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 1, further comprising:

d) an elastic layer covered with a reflective layer to be pressed down upon by the skin line profile to be identified in order to generate a topographical relief of said skin line profile to be tracked by the servo-line tracking system.

11. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 10, wherein:

said fraud-proof identification system has an interactive mode of operation wherein said servo-line tracking system is controlled by a signal derived from stored information.

12. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 11, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.

13. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 10, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.

14. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 1, wherein:

said fraud-proof identification system has an interactive mode of operation wherein said servo-line tracking system is controlled by a signal derived from stored information.

15. A fraud-proof-identification system according to claim 14, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.

16. A fraud-proof identification system according to claim 1, wherein:

said means for deriving distinctive geometrical characteristics derives said geometrical characteristics from spacing between skin lines of a thumb-top profile.