Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) and method

• US 8,571,276 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aware Incorporated (Crowley Holdings Preferred LLC)
• Original Assignee: AFIX Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Vitt, Joan L., Caudie, Derald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarka, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HA N
• Application Number:
  US13/412,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20120250955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 382/125
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/40 Software arrangements specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. user interfaces or toolboxes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/945 User interactive design; Environments; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints

Abstract

A program for uploading images or direct scans of fingerprints into a computer system where they are then input into proper forms used in searching common databases. The system develops and saves files into types that are typically used in the biometric search industry, and these files are submitted to national fingerprint databases. This entire process is streamlined and reduces the amount of work and input required by the end user to a minimum. The program will reduce the user'"'"'s amount of work necessary to submit a fingerprint search to national databases by simplifying the formatting of the submittal page for such national databases, resulting in a more efficient manner of preparing fingerprint search documents in appropriate formats. The program is fully customizable and can be used to satisfy the requirements of any national fingerprint database.

Claims

1. An automatic fingerprint identification system comprising:

an image input device capable of transmitting a scanned fingerprint image;

a computing device including a memory storage device, a graphical user interface (GUI), and a processor, said image input device adapted for delivering a fingerprint image to said computer, wherein said image is saved to said memory storage device;

image editing software stored on said memory storage device, said software capable of clarifying said fingerprint image, including increasing contrast and reducing image blur;

said computing device capable of locating identifying minutia from said scanned fingerprint image and comparing said identifying minutia against a database containing a plurality of identified fingerprints;

said computing device further being capable of identifying the person to whom the fingerprint belongs;

said computer including an input device capable of inputting identifying characteristic information regarding said fingerprint, including the identity of the person to whom the fingerprint belongs, the finger it belongs to, and the type of print taken;

said computing device further capable of generating a random globally unique identifier (GUID) number and associating said GUID number with said fingerprint image;

image software including an image layout board stored within said computer memory storage device;

said image software capable of producing a plurality of customizable image boxes which can be moved, resized, locked, and unlocked within sand image layout board;

wherein a fingerprint or handprint image is stored within each of said customizable image boxes;

said plurality of customizable image boxes being adapted to be placed into a desired layout and saved as a template for future use;

said plurality of customizable image boxes are automatically produced in a layout which conforms to meet the requirements of a predefined searchable forensic database containing identified fingerprints; and

fingerprint images being automatically placed into said image boxes based upon said fingerprint image GUID number or other fingerprint identification characteristics.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the layout conforms to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the layout conforms to meet the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

4. A method of identifying a fingerprint comprising the steps:

providing a computing device including memory storage, GUI, and user input interface;

acquiring an image of a fingerprint;

storing said fingerprint image in said memory storage;

inputting identification data into said computing device with said user input interface and associating said identification data with said fingerprint image, said identification data including the identity of the person to whom the fingerprint belongs, the finger from which the print was taken, and the type of print taken; and

generating a random globally unique identifier (GUID) number and associating that number with said fingerprint image;

providing image editing software including an image layout board and storing said image editing software onto said computing device memory storage;

clarifying the fingerprint image using said image editing software;

producing a plurality of customizable image boxes using said image software, wherein said image boxes may be moved, resized, locked, and unlocked within said image layout board, and arranging said customizable image boxes to conform with requirements of a predefined searchable forensic database containing identified fingerprints;

automatically placing fingerprint images into said image boxes based upon said fingerprint image GUID number or other fingerprint identification characteristics;

saving said image box layout into a single request file, and submitting said request file to said forensic database;

locating identifying minutiae on said fingerprint image, including ridge bifurcations and end points; and

identifying the person to whom the fingerprint belongs based upon said fingerprint minutiae.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the layout conforms to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the layout conforms to meet the requirements of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.