Security identification system

• US 20030142853A1
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pelco (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Pelco (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: McDonald, David, Grigorian, Sam, Waehner, Glenn, Arbuckle, James, Houser, Joshua, Toste, David L. A., Cockrum, Joshua, Larson, Matthew, Tews, Erik Henry, Compton, Shane, Pretzer, John, Arbuckle, William S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,136,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/118
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/145 Illumination specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. using gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/16 Human faces, e.g. facial parts, sketches or expressions
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

This is a security and identification system designed to obtain improved images for use by real-time facial recognition and identification systems for screening individuals passing through secure entry or checkpoints such as airport passenger terminals, government offices, and other secure locations. The system detects the presence of a subject at the checkpoint, interactively instructs the subject to stop and move into position for proper identification and recognition, analyzes the facial features of the subject as (s)he passes through the checkpoint, and compares the features of the subject with those in a database. The system then generates different signals depending upon whether or not the subject is recognized. In one aspect of the invention, different methods and apparatus are provided for compensating for low ambient light so as to improve the quality of the facial image of the subject that is obtained.

Claims

1. An automated entry checkpoint identification and screening system comprising:

a. at least one sensor for detecting the presence of a subject at the checkpoint;

b. at least one camera for obtaining at least one video image of the face of said subject;

c. a facial scanning program for determining whether the face of said subject is in position for taking video images thereof using said at least one camera;

d. a transmitter for providing instructions to said subject to make movements until the subject'"'"'s face is in position for taking video images thereof;

e. a facial recognition program for comparing video images taken of the face of said subject with pre-stored images in a database for a potential match; and

f. a signal that is activated in the event of a match.

2. The automated system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter instructs said subject to exit the checkpoint if no match is made.

3. The automated system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter provides audio instructions to said subject.

4. The automated system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter is in the form of a changeable video display.

5. The automated system of claim 1 wherein said presence sensor is selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic, laser, optical, and pressure sensitive flooring.

6. The automated system of claim 1 wherein a gate is used to stop the subject prior to facial scanning.

7. The automated system of claim 5 wherein a plurality of cameras are used to take video images of the subject.

8. The automated system of claim 1 wherein said match signal is in the form of an alarm.

9. The automated system of claim 1 wherein the video images taken of the subject are recorded.

10. The automated system of claim 9 wherein the video images taken of the subject are transmitted to a central computer for storage and processing.

11. The automated system of claim 1 wherein an auxiliary lighting source is provided for illuminating the subject, a first polarizing film is placed between said lighting source and the subject, and a second polarizing filter is placed between said at least one camera and the subject, said second filter being rotated so as to prevent reflected glare from passing therethrough to said at least one camera.

12. The automated system of claim 1 wherein an auxiliary lighting source is provided for illuminating the subject, a first colored film is placed between said lighting source and the subject, and a second corresponding colored film is placed between said at least one camera and the subject in order to control the spectrum of light passing therethrough to said at least one camera.

13. The automated system of claim 1 wherein an auxiliary lighting source is provided for illuminating the subject, said source being capable of producing a brief pulse of bright light, said pulse being synchronized to the opening and closing of a shutter of said at least one camera.

14. The automated system of claim 13 wherein said auxiliary lighting source is selected from the group consisting of LEDs and strobes.

15. The automated system of claim 1 wherein an auxiliary lighting source is provided, and a shutter of said at least one camera is synchronized with the power to the lighting source and phased so as to only open when the lighting source is at a minimum brightness point.

35. The automated system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter is in the form of a changeable video display located on said post.

36. The automated system of claim 1 wherein said presence sensor is selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic, laser, and optical.

16. An automated entry checkpoint identification and screening system comprising:

a. means for detecting the presence of a subject at the checkpoint;

b. camera means for obtaining at least one video image of the face of said subject;

c. means for determining whether the face of said subject is in position for taking video images thereof;

d. means for instructing the subject to make movements until the subject'"'"'s face is in position for taking video images thereof;

e. means for comparing video images taken of the face of the subject with pre-stored images in a database for a potential match;

f. means for generating a signal in the event of a match.

17. The automated system of claim 16 wherein an auxiliary lighting means is provided for illuminating the subject, a first polarizing means is placed between said lighting means and the subject, and a second polarizing means is placed between said camera means and the subject, said second polarizing means being rotated so as to prevent reflected glare from passing therethrough to said camera means.

18. The automated system of claim 16 wherein an auxiliary lighting means is provided for illuminating the subject, a first colored film means is placed between said lighting means and the subject, and a second corresponding colored film means is placed between said camera means and the subject in order to control the spectrum of light passing therethrough to said camera means.

19. The automated system of claim 16 wherein an auxiliary lighting means is provided for illuminating the subject, said lighting means being capable of producing a brief pulse of bright light, said pulse being synchronized to the opening and closing of a shutter means of said camera means.

20. The automated system of claim 16 wherein an auxiliary lighting means is provided, and a shutter means of said camera means is synchronized with the power to the lighting means and phased so as to only open when the lighting means is at a minimum brightness point.

21. An automated method for improving the quality of video images obtained by a facial recognition system at an entry checkpoint comprising the steps of:

a. detecting the presence of a subject at the checkpoint;

b. instructing the subject to stop;

c. instructing the subject to make movements until the subject'"'"'s face is in position for taking video images thereof using at least one camera;

d. recognizing that the face of said subject is in such position; and

e. obtaining at least one video image of the subject'"'"'s face using said at least one camera.

22. The automated method of claim 21 including the additional steps of:

f. comparing the at least one video image to other pre-stored images in a database for a potential match; and

g. providing a signal if a match is made.

23. The automated method of claim 22 including the additional steps of:

h. activating an auxiliary lighting source for illuminating the subject while the at least one video image of the subject'"'"'s face is obtained.

24. The automated method of claim 23 wherein a first polarizing film is placed between said lighting source and the subject, and a second polarizing filter is placed between said at least one camera and the subject, said second filter being rotated so as to prevent reflected glare from passing therethrough to said at least one camera.

25. The automated method of claim 23 wherein a first colored film is placed between said lighting source and the subject, and a second corresponding colored film is placed between said at least one camera and the subject in order to control the spectrum of light passing therethrough to said at least one camera.

26. The automated method of claim 22 including the additional steps of:

h. activating a pulsed auxiliary lighting source for briefly illuminating the subject using at least one light pulse, and

i. opening a shutter of said at least one camera in synchronization with said light pulse when obtaining the at least one video image of the subject'"'"'s face.

27. The automated method of claim 22 including the additional steps of:

h. activating an auxiliary lighting source for illuminating the subject, and

i. opening a shutter of said at least one camera in synchronization with said lighting source when the power for said lighting source is at a minimum brightness point when obtaining the at least one video image of the subject'"'"'s face.

28. An apparatus for improving the quality of video images obtained by a facial recognition system at an entry checkpoint comprising:

a. at least one camera for obtaining a video image of the face of a subject;

b. a facial recognition system for comparing video images taken of the face of said subject with pre-stored images in a database for a potential match;

c. an auxiliary light source for illuminating the subject;

d. a first polarizing film placed between said light source and the subject; and

e. a second polarizing filter placed between each at least one camera and the subject, said second filter being rotated so as to prevent reflected glare from passing therethrough to said at least one camera.

29. An apparatus for improving the quality of video images obtained by a facial recognition system at an entry checkpoint comprising:

a. at least one camera for obtaining a video image of the face of a subject;

b. a facial recognition system for comparing video images taken of the face of said subject with pre-stored images in a database for a potential match;

c. an auxiliary light source for illuminating the subject;

d. a first colored film placed between said light source and the subject; and

e. a second correspondingly colored film placed between each at least one camera and the subject in order to control the spectrum of light passing therethrough to said at least one camera.

30. An apparatus for improving the quality of video images obtained by a facial recognition system at an entry checkpoint comprising:

a. at least one camera for obtaining a video image of the face of a subject;

b. a facial recognition system for comparing video images taken of the face of said subject with pre-stored images in a database for a potential match;

c. an auxiliary light source for illuminating the subject

wherein said light source is capable of producing a brief pulse of bright light, said pulse being synchronized to the opening and closing of a shutter of said at least one camera.

31. The automated system of claim 30 wherein said auxiliary lighting source is selected from the group consisting of LEDs and strobes.

32. An apparatus for improving the quality of video images obtained by a facial recognition system at an entry checkpoint comprising:

a. at least one camera for obtaining a video image of the face of a subject;

b. a facial recognition system for comparing video images taken of the face of said subject with pre-stored images in a database for a potential match;

c. an auxiliary light source for illuminating the subject

wherein a shutter of said at least one camera is synchronized with the power to the lighting source and phased so as to only open when the lighting source is at a minimum brightness point.

33. An automated entry checkpoint facial recognition system comprising:

a. an entry lane for funneling subjects into the system;

b. a cylindrical vertical post located at one end of said entry lane;

c. at least one sensor attached to said post for detecting the presence of a subject in the lane;

d. at least one camera deployed in said post for obtaining at least one video image of the face of the subject;

e. a facial scanning program for determining whether the face of the subject is in position for taking video images thereof using said at least one camera;

f. a transmitter located in said post for providing instructions to the subject to make movements until the subject'"'"'s face is in position for taking video images thereof;

g. a facial recognition program for comparing video images taken of the face of the subject with pre-stored images in a database for a potential match; and

h. a signal that is activated in the event of a match.

34. The automated system of claim 33 wherein said transmitter includes speakers located in said post for providing audio instructions to said subject.