Automated identification through analysis of optical birefringence within nail beds

• US 6,631,199 B1
• Filed: 12/08/1998
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nail-ID Partners, Zebra-Identity Co.
• Original Assignee: Allen W.L. Topping, Austin Gormley, Vladimir Kupershmidt
• Inventors: Kupershmidt, Vladimir, Gormley, Austin, Topping, Allen W. L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ahmed, Samir
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bali, Vikkram
• Application Number:
  US09/207,339
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115-119, 382/124-126, 382/100, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/5.82, 340/5.52, 340/5.83, 340/5.53, 235/380, 235/382.5, 235/382, 902/3-6, 713/182-186, 356/485, 356/512, 356/618, 356/71, 359/741
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0062 Arrangements for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0066 Optical coherence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1171 based on the shapes or appearances of their bodies or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands

Abstract

A system for encoding, comparing, and recognizing individuals by analysis of their fingernails employs collimated light having finite bandwidth (810). The light (810) is divided into polarized scanning and reference beams (945) and (846). The scanning beam scans across a subject'"'"'s nail bed (1010), and the light (1020) reflected from the birefringent component within the nail bed is compared with the reference beam (846). As the scanning beam (945) scans across the subject'"'"'s nail bed, more or less light reflects from the nail bed (1010), according to the peaks and valleys in the epidermal folds (1000) of the nail bed. The reflected light is analyzed and reduced to binary data as a function of position across the subject'"'"'s nail bed. These binary data are used to uniquely identify an individual. The data from a scan can be compared with stored data in a pattern recognition algorithm (2000), resulting in a positive or negative identification of an individual.

Claims

1. A system for determining the identity of a pattern on an area, comprising:

a. a light source other than a laser, having a predetermined spectral bandwidth for producing a collimated beam of light,

b. a beam splitter for splitting said collimated beam of light into a plurality of beams,

c. a modulating frequency source for modulating the frequency of one of said plurality of beams,

d. a frequency shifter for shifting the frequency of said modulating frequency,

e. a plurality of acousto-optic modulators for modulating the intensities of said respective plurality of beams,

f. a plurality of crossed polarizers for polarizing said respective plurality of beams,

g. a directional coupler for reflecting one of said beams to provide a reflected beam and redirecting said reflected beam,

h. a beam scanner for causing one of said beams to scan across said area,

i. an optical processor for processing the combined energies of said plurality of beams, and providing a data output,

j. an electronic processor for processing said data output from said optical processor to provide processed data, and

k. a data processor for processing said processed data from said electronic processor,

l. said data processor containing a pattern recognition algorithm and previously stored data and arranged to compare said previously-stored data with said processed data from said electronic processor,

m. said pattern recognition algorithm also arranged to provide an indication of the identity of said pattern based on its comparison of said previously-stored data with said processed data from said electronic processor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said light source is a light-emitting diode.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said light source is a bandpass-filtered, incandescent lamp.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said modulating frequency source is arranged to modulate a first of said acousto-optic modulators at a first frequency.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said modulating frequency shifter is arranged to shift the frequency from said modulating frequency source and apply said shifted frequency to a second of said acousto-optic modulators.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein a first of said crossed polarizers is arranged to polarize light from the first of said acousto-optic modulators, and a second of said crossed polarizers is arranged to polarize light from the second of said acousto-optic modulators, the angles of polarization of said first and second polarizers being separated by ninety degrees.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said first crossed polarizer is positioned to cause light from itself to enter said beam scanner.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said directional coupler is positioned to cause light from itself to enter said beam scanner.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said second crossed polarizer is positioned to cause light from itself to enter said optical processor.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said optical processor is arranged to combine said first and second beams of light into a combined beam and detect the characteristics of said combined beam.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said electronic processor is arranged to further refine the signal from said optical processor into amplitude and positional information.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said data processor is arranged to utilize said analog and positional information from said electronic processor to produce a binary value of said signal corresponding to said positional information.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said data processor is arranged to provide data to said pattern recognition algorithm and said pattern recognition algorithm is arranged to compare said data with said previously stored data for identifying an individual.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said area is a fingernail of an individual, whereby said system can recognize the identity of said individual.