System and method for identifying an organism

• US 6,144,757 A
• Filed: 02/26/1998
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Fukuzumi, Shinichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Au, Amelia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bali, Vikkram
• Application Number:
  US09/031,455
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 382/124, 382/125, 382/126, 382/127, 382/115, 382/116, 356/71, 340/825.34, 340/825.31, 340/825.3, 340/573, 427/1, 396/15, 395/200.55, 600/384, 600/547, 600/546, 250/227
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1394 using acquisition arrangements

Abstract

An organism identification system that can identify whether or not a fingerprint image input object is a living body at a fingerprint collating time. A finger collator slides his finger at the time of inputting a fingerprint image. Meanwhile the finger is contact with bioelectric potential lead-out portions and a bioelectric potential grounding portion. Sliding of the finger causes a variation in the muscle potential of the finger. The bioelectric potential lead-out portions and the bioelectric potential grounding portion output electric signals corresponding to the potential variation to a bioelectric signal amplification section. The bioelectric signal amplification section amplifies the difference between electric signals from the bioelectric potential lead-out portions while the bioelectric potential grounding portion is at the ground potential. A signal peculiar to a living body is generated by sliding the finger. When an illegal person slides a replica, a variationless signal occurs. The bioelectric signal identification section identifies a living body based on differences in the signals.

Claims

1. An organism identification system, comprising:

a finger rest having a support surface on which an object slides when a fingerprint image is to be taken;

at least one sensor, for measuring an electric signal produced by said object as said object slides on said finger rest; and

an identification system which identifies whether or not said object corresponds to a living body based on said electric signals measured from said at least one sensor.

2. The organism identification system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor is fixed on said finger rest.

3. The organism identification system of claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor comprises a plurality of bioelectric potential lead-out portions.

4. An organism identification system, comprising:

a finger rest having a support surface on which an object slides when a fingerprint image is to be taken;

at least one sensor for measuring an electric signal produced from the object as said object slides on said finger rest;

a finger slider which slides according to movement of said object, said finger slider being in contact with said object as said object slides on said finger rest;

an amplifier producing a difference electric signal between electric signals from said at least one sensor; and

an identification system which identifies whether or not said object corresponds to a living body based on the difference electric signal derived from said amplifier.

5. The organism identification system of claim 4, wherein all of said sensors are fixed on said finger rest.

6. The organism identification system of claim 4, wherein some of said sensors are fixed on said finger rest and wherein any other of said sensors are fixed on said finger slider.

7. The organism identification system of claim 4 wherein said at least one sensor comprises a plurality of bioelectric potential lead-out portions.

8. An organism identification method comprising the steps of:

sliding an object on a surface of a finger rest at the time of inputting a fingerprint image;

measuring electric signals produced by said object sliding on said finger rest; and

identifying whether or not said object corresponds to a living body based on said measured electric signals.

9. An organism identification system comprising:

a finger rest having a support surface on which an object slides when a fingerprint image is to be taken;

at least one sensor for measuring an electric signal produced from the object as said object slides on said finger rest;

a finger slider which slides according to movement of said object, said finger slider being in contact with said object as said object slides on said finger rest;

an amplifier producing a difference electric signal between electric signals from said at least one sensor;

an identification system which identifies whether or not said object corresponds to a living body based on the difference electric signal derived from said amplifier; and

a ground electrode fixture fixed on said finger slider so as to confront said finger rest, a distance between an upper surface of said finger rest and said ground electrode fixture nearly corresponding to a height of a finger; and

a grounding portion fixed on said ground electrode fixture;

wherein some of said sensors are fixed on said finger rest; and

wherein any other of said sensors are fixed on said finger slider.

10. The organism identification system of claim 9, wherein all of said sensors are fixed on said finger rest.

11. A system for detecting whether an object is a living finger, said system comprising:

a finger rest;

at least one detector which measures electric signals generated by said object as said object is moved across said finger rest; and

a processor which determines, based upon said signals, whether said object is a living finger.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said at least one detector comprises a plurality of bioelectric lead-out portions.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a grounding portion disposed on said finger rest.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a finger slider which maintains contact with said object as said object is moved across said finger rest.

15. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a fingerprint detector which receives a fingerprint image, wherein said processor determines whether said object is a living finger when said fingerprint image is being received by said fingerprint detector.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said processor comprises:

an amplifier which amplifiers said electric signals thereby producing amplified signals;

a calculator which produces characteristics of said amplified signals while said fingerprint image is received; and

an identifier which identifies whether said object is a living finger based on said characteristics.

17. A method of determining whether an object is a living finger, said method comprising:

measuring electric signals generated by said object as said object is moved across a finger rest; and

determining, based upon said signals, whether said object is a living finger.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said electric signals are measured using a plurality of bioelectric potential lead-out portions.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising providing a grounding portion on said finger rest.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

providing a finger slider in contact with said object; and

maintaining contact between said finger slider and said object during said step of moving.

21. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a fingerprint image, wherein said step of determining follows said step of receiving.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said step of determining comprises the following:

amplifying said electric signals thereby producing amplified signals;

calculating characteristics of said amplified signals after said step of receiving; and

identifying whether said object is a living finger based upon said characteristics.