Method and apparatus for distinguishing a human finger from a reproduction of a fingerprint

• US 6,292,576 B1
• Filed: 02/29/2000
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Digital Persona
• Original Assignee: Digital Persona
• Inventors: Brownlee, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhavesh
• Application Number:
  US09/514,964
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115-116, 382/124-127, 356/71, 340/5.82, 340/5.83
• US Class Current: 382/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor

Abstract

A method and apparatus for distinguishing a human finger from a reproduction of a fingerprint. A finger is placed on a transparent platen having a prism or microprism array attached. A first light source directs light to the platen, the first light positioned to show illumination in the areas where the skin is in contact with the platen. A first image of the fingerprint is captured by an imaging device when the finger is illuminated by the first light source. A second light source directs light at the platen, the second light positioned to show illumination in the areas where there is no skin contact. A second image of the fingerprint is captured by the imaging device when the finger is illuminated by the second light source. A determination that the fingerprint is from a human finger is made if a mathematical comparison of the two images meets some predetermined criteria.

Claims

1. An apparatus for scanning a fingerprint comprising:

a first light positioned to generate a first image showing illumination in areas where skin is in contact with a platen and showing less illumination in areas where no skin is in contact with the platen;

a second light source positioned to generate a second image showing illumination in areas where no skin is in contact with the platen and showing less illumination in areas where skin is in contact with the platen;

an imaging device positioned to capture an image of the fingerprint illuminated by light from either the first light source or the second light source; and

a comparison logic for determining if the fingerprint is from a human finger if a mathematical comparison between the first image and the second image meets or exceeds a predetermined criteria.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first light is positioned orthogonal to the platen.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the platen is a substantially rectangular platen, and wherein the first light is positioned to illuminate the platen from a side.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platen comprises a platen having a microprism array.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first light is positioned to illuminate both the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint, the scattered light from the first light yielding a low- or zero-contrast image of skin, and a higher contrast image of a reproduction fingerprint.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the platen is a roller for receiving a user'"'"'s fingerprint.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second light provides frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) light.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a focusing device positioned to focus light reflected from the platen onto the imaging device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the focusing device comprises a device selected from the following:

a lens, fresnel lens, concave mirror, and a hologram.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first light source comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second light source comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises a device selected from among the following:

a charge-coupled device (CCD);

a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor;

a contact image sensor (CIS).

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a prism positioned between the platen and the imaging device.

14. A method for determining if a fingerprint is from a human finger, the method comprising:

capturing with an imaging device a first image of the fingerprint illuminated by a first light source;

capturing with the imaging device a second image of the fingerprint illuminated by a second light source;

determining that the fingerprint is from a human finger if a mathematical comparison between the first image and the second image meets or exceeds a predetermined criteria.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein

the first light is positioned to generate a first image showing illumination in areas where skin is in contact with the platen and showing less illumination in areas where no skin is in contact with the platen; and

the second light source is positioned to generate a second image showing illumination in areas where no skin is in contact with the platen and showing less illumination in areas where skin is in contact with the platen.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first light is positioned to illuminate both the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint, the scattered light from the first light yielding a low- or zero-contrast image of skin, and a higher contrast image of a reproduction fingerprint.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the platen is a roller.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein capturing the fingerprint image further comprises using a hologram to reflect the light.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein

the first light source directs light substantially orthogonal to the platen;

and

the second light source directs light at an acute angle to the platen.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the first image is captured at a first instant and the second image is captured at a second instant.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein determining comprises:

determining that the fingerprint is from a human finger if the difference between the width of a ridge on the first image and the width of the ridge on the second image is greater than a flattening threshold value.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein determining comprises:

determining that the fingerprint is from a human finger if the difference between the area of contact of the first image and the area of contact of the second image is greater than a contact area threshold value.

23. A method for determining if a fingerprint is from a human finger placed on a platen, the method comprising:

illuminating the finger with a first light source positioned to direct light substantially orthogonal to the platen;

illuminating the finger with a second light source positioned to direct light at an acute angle to the platen;

capturing with an imaging device an image of the fingerprint illuminated by the first light source and the second light source; and

determining that the fingerprint is from a human finger if the difference between a light intensity of a ridge of the fingerprint and a light intensity of a valley of a fingerprint is less than a contrast threshold value.

24. A method for determining if a fingerprint is from a human finger placed on a platen, the method comprising:

illuminating the finger with a first light source positioned to direct light substantially orthogonal to the platen;

capturing with an imaging device a first image of the fingerprint illuminated by the first light source;

illuminating the finger with a second light source positioned to direct light at an acute angle to the platen;

capturing with the imaging device a second image of the fingerprint illuminated by the second light source;

comparing the first image to the second image; and

determining that the fingerprint is from a human finger if lighter areas of the first image generally correspond to darker areas of the second image, and vice versa.

25. A method for determining if a fingerprint is from a human finger placed on a platen, the method comprising:

illuminating the finger with light from a light source;

capturing with an imaging device a first image of the fingerprint at a first time instant;

capturing with the imaging device a second image of the fingerprint at a second time instant;

comparing the first image to the second image; and

determining that the fingerprint is from a human finger if the difference between the width of a ridge on the first image and the width of the ridge on the second image is greater than a widening threshold value.

26. A method for determining if a fingerprint is from a human finger placed on a platen, the method comprising:

illuminating the finger with light from a light source;

capturing with an imaging device a first image of the fingerprint at a first time instant;

capturing with the imaging device a second image of the fingerprint at a second time instant;

comparing the first image to the second image; and

determining that the fingerprint is from a human finger if the difference between the area of contact of the first image and the area of contact of the second image is greater than a threshold value.