Abstract:
The present invention provides a process and system for identifying a person. According to the inventive method, and with the aid of the system, a sensor is used to capture biometric characteristics of a person to be identified. Identification data is extracted and the identification data of the person to be identified is compared to reference data in a database. In a preferred embodiment, an image is taken of creases in the skin of the person to be identified, reference crease data having been taken beforehand and stored in a database, and a first recognition is effected by means of the skin crease image in a filtering stage. After this first recognition, the reference data of the database may be filtered using other biometric characteristics, with continuing recognition using these other characteristics.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to personal identification. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for identifying persons using biometric characteristics.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Methods for the identification, recognition, or authentication of people from their biometric characteristics are common at the present time. In recognition systems, use can be made of fingerprints, the iris of the eye, the ear, and even the total morphology of the head. However, fingerprints are most commonly used for purposes of recognition.  
         [0003]     While the use of fingerprints for identification provides a high level of resolution, it has a large number of drawbacks. For example, because of the considerable amount of information that it can deliver, fingerprinting systems are expensive and slow to operate.  
         [0004]     The acquisition of fingerprints involves placing the tip of a finger on a printing surface. However: 
        the grease or perspiration covering the finger can affect the resulting print;     the contact between the finger and the printing surface can lead to distortions; and     it is relatively easy to cover the finger with a false fingerprint sheath so that it is invisible to an operator.        
 
         [0008]     In short, the applicant has sought an alternative solution that is more flexible and more rapid than fingerprinting, but is as reliable as fingerprinting for identification purposes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The invention concerns a personal identification method that uses biometric characteristics. According to the invention, the biometric characteristics of a person to be identified are acquired, identification data are extracted from these characteristics, and the identification data of the person to be identified are then compared with reference data in a database. In a preferred embodiment, an image is taken of creases in the skin of the person to be identified, reference crease data having been taken beforehand and stored in a database, an image is made of the creases in the skin, and a first recognition is effected by means of the image in a filtering stage. After this first recognition, the reference data of the database may be filtered using other biometric characteristics, with continuing recognition using these other characteristics.  
         [0010]     The creases used for personal identification can, for example, include the following: 
        the creases at the finger joints, preferably on the back of the hand, at the phalangeal joints; and     the creases on the forehead.        
 
         [0013]     In addition to the objectives which were the basis of the invention, recognition that uses the creases in the skin also has the advantage of supplying contextual information, meaning that it can present, in alphanumeric form, certain associated characteristics of the people concerned, such as their height, their age, their gender, and other data, which is more reliable than the type of data that may be obtained from conventional biometric data (fingerprints, iris, etc.). For example, if it is observed that the creases of an area of the skin on the hand are quite close to each other, it can be deduced that this is probably a child rather than an adult.  
         [0014]     Moreover by virtue of the method of the invention, it is possible to “cut” the zone of the database containing very dense fingerprint identification information, and thus obtain more rapid access to the exact information sought.  
         [0015]     By virtue of this recognition method having several stages, the method of the invention distinguishes itself clearly from that which is described by the document of Joshi D G et al: “Computer-vision-based approach to personal identification using finger crease pattern”, Pattern Recognition, Perganion Press Inc. Elmsford, N.Y. US, vol. 31, No. 1, 1998, p. 15-22.  
         [0016]     It can be seen that in many applications, a more rudimentary recognition that uses only skin creases will be adequate, while still offering all of the considerable advantages provided by the technique of matching entered characteristics with reference data in a database: 
        by inputting information that is rich and sufficiently stable over time to supply a recognition system;     by inputting additional information that can be used to increase accuracy and speed.        
 
         [0019]     The invention also concerns a personal identification system that has at least one imaging device, a module for the processing of images from the imaging device in order to extract contextual information and biometric characteristics from it, a reference database containing reference contextual information and reference biometric characteristics, and a matching module containing a component for comparison of the contextual information extracted and the reference contextual information and a component for matching of the biometric characteristics extracted and the reference biometric characteristics, where the component for comparison of the contextual information supplies filtering information for the reference biometric characteristics to be matched.  
         [0020]     Preferably, the image processing module includes a component for the calculation of contextual information relating to the associated characteristics of the people concerned, and where, as contextual information, one will choose 
        the number of creases per joint and per finger, the distance between the crease zones of the different joints, the length of these creases in a predetermined order;     the number of creases on the forehead, with their separation and their length.        
 
         [0023]     If the contextual information suffices to identify the subject, then the biometric characteristics are not used, since the matching module is short-circuited.  
         [0024]     Also preferably, provision is made for a surface on which to place the hand of the people to be identified, the position of which is determined in relation to the focal plane of the imaging device, and a complementary biometric imaging device, such as a fingerprint imaging device, incorporated into the surface, the reference fingerprint biometric characteristics having been entered into the database beforehand. This version is particularly useful in criminal identification applications.  
         [0025]     Also preferably, the matching module can be associated with a memory card by means of a card reader fitted to the system. The memory card is then used as a reference database for an authentication system.  
         [0026]     Also preferably, the matching module is associated with a microphone fitted to the system. The reference database then includes reference voice data, and the system is very suitable as a residential doorkeeper.  
         [0027]     It can again be seen that the acquisition of crease data is less aggressive to the subject to be checked than that of the fingerprints or the iris for example, which can be a considerable asset, especially in strictly civil applications.  
         [0028]     In addition, the process of identification based on skin creases is harder to falsify, since the detection of a false hand can be discovered more easily than a false print or a lens for the iris. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0029]     The present invention together with its objectives and advantages will be understood by reading the following description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  represents a functional block diagram of the identification system according to the invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is an image of the skin on the back of a hand;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  represents a functional block diagram of an authentication system that implements the process of the invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a functional flow chart that implements the process of the invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates the implementation of the system of the invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a variant of the implementation in  FIG. 5 , with a fingerprint imaging device;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is another implementation variant of the system for registering the creases on the forehead;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is an example of realisation of the system of the invention for an authentication application;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is a variant of the implementation of the system in  FIG. 3 , for the acquisition of creases on the forehead; and  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is a variant of the implementation of the system in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the system  1  includes an imaging device  20 , here a digital video camera supplying images, controlled by a presence detector  21 . The presence detector  21 , which can be an optical device composed of an electroluminescent diode LED and a photodiode or a pressure imaging device, detects the presence of a hand  10  of a person to be identified on a surface  11 , on which the hand is placed to allow correct focussing.  
         [0041]     The camera  20  is connected to a module for the processing of images  30 , which extracts the identification data from the images of the imaging device  20 , and which is associated with a module  50  for matching of the identification data from different sources, one of the sources being the imaging device  20  and another being a reference database  40 . The matching module  50  is also associated with the database  40  and controls a module  60  for displaying the results of the identification, where the latter can be capable of controlling actions as a consequence.  
         [0042]     More particularly, the image processing module  30  includes a component  33  for conversion of the images into identification data, and a component  32  for the extraction of biometric characteristics from the identification data, the function of which is also implemented when identification data is from fingerprints. The characteristics are then compiled into a summary description of the fingerprint images (arches, loops, whorls, etc.).  
         [0043]     In this example, an image is taken of the skin on the back of the hand  10 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the skin of the fingers appears to be lined with creases, in particular at the finger joints, and especially between the proximal phalange  13  and the middle phalange  14 .  
         [0044]     The identification data produced by the conversion component  33  are also transmitted to a component  31  for the calculation of contextual information from these identification data.  
         [0045]     The contextual information can, for example, be the number N of creases on each joint, the distance D separating the creases from the base of the nail, the transverse length L of the creases, and possibly their angle I with respect to the longitudinal axis of the finger, or the number of bifurcations B on the finger.  
         [0046]     This information is of the alphanumeric type, and some of it is closely linked to the associated characteristics of the people concerned, such as height, age, gender, etc. This information is of a type such that having one combination of these characteristics can exclude the possibility of having another combinations of these characteristics. Thus, the biometric characteristics corresponding to a particular combination can be filtered.  
         [0047]     The database  40  is managed via an interface  43  connected to the matching module  50 , and includes a memory  41  for reference contextual information and a memory  42  for reference biometric characteristics. The memories  41  and  42  are further divided into smaller memory zones  41   i  and  42   i , which correspond to one another, with each zone of index i containing either a combination of contextual information  41   i  or a combination of reference biometric characteristics  42   i , both of which are associated with a predetermined combination of the associated characteristics mentioned previously and designated by the i index. It is thus possible to select the biometric characteristics of an area  42   i  of the database by recognition of the contextual information of a zone  41   i  of the database by virtue of the i index, which can thus serve as a filter.  
         [0048]     The matching module  50  includes a matching component (the matcher)  52 , which is known to professionals in this field, capable of searching in the database  42  for the reference biometric characteristics that are closest to those extracted from the image taken from the person to be identified, of calculating the probability with which they come from the same person, and of deducing from this the result to be displayed.  
         [0049]     The matching module  50  also includes a comparison component  51 , which receives the contextual information calculated by the calculation component  31 .  
         [0050]     Components  51  and  52  are connected to the database  40  by means of the interface  43  and, at the output, to the display module  60 .  
         [0051]     If it is desired to create a personal authentication system, and not merely one for identification, then referring to  FIG. 3 , system  2  includes all the elements of system  1  except that the database  40  is replaced by a memory card, or a chip,  81  connected to the system by means of a card reader  82  containing the interface  43 . The reader  82  also includes a card presence detector, which replaces detector  21 .  
         [0052]     In a simple version, the memory card contains a single zone  41   i  containing the contextual information of the card holder, the matching module contains only the comparison block  51 , and the processing module  30  does not need to contain the extraction block  32 .  
         [0053]     For more complex applications requiring the inclusion of a combination of biometric imaging devices, as will be seen later, the two zones  41   i  and  42   i  and the two blocks  32  and  52 , must be present.  
         [0054]     The devices used to acquire images of the skin under good conditions will now be described.  
         [0055]     In a simple version, referring to  FIG. 5 , the system  1  includes a surface  11  on which to rest the hand  10 , the imaging device  20  being placed at the back of this surface  11  for correct focussing on the back of the hand.  
         [0056]     A more complex version, shown in  FIG. 6 , requires the inclusion of an additional fingerprint imaging device  20   e  incorporated into the surface  11 , and includes a pressure detector, such that pressing the fingerprint imaging device operates the camera, and the latter then acquires the image when the hand is correctly positioned.  
         [0057]     In this latter version, the fingerprint identification data are attached to the skin identification data, both for the data entered and for the reference data. In place of the creases in the skin of the hand, it is also possible, referring to  FIG. 7 , to acquire images of the creases on the forehead  12 , using a system in which the same references designate the same elements.  
         [0058]     In a simple version, referring to  FIG. 8 , the system  2  includes a reader  82  to receive and read the card  81  presented by the hand  10 . The imaging device  20  is positioned at the back of the card introduced into the reader, and can thus acquire an image of the back of the hand under good conditions. However, it is also possible, referring to  FIG. 9 , to acquire an image of the creases on the forehead.  
         [0059]     For these last two versions, an additional fingerprint imaging device  20   e  can be placed on the card itself, such that the authentication system  2  has the same structure as the identification system.  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the system  2  can further find its application in devices of the residential doorkeeper type, where the additional imaging device here takes the form of a microphone  20   m  which can be incorporated into a screen  11 , transparent in this case, protecting the camera  20 , so that by speaking one&#39;s name into the microphone, a person triggers acquisition of the image by the camera, with the forehead being suitably positioned. The voice data are attached to the forehead skin identification data, both for the data entered and the reference data. These voice data can, for example, be of the type supplied by frequency analysis of the speech of the subject.  
         [0061]     The operation of the system will now be explained.  
         [0062]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the camera  20  is triggered by the detector  21 , it acquires an image of the creases in the skin of the hand  10  or on the forehead  12  of the person to be identified. During stage  100 , the image is transmitted to the conversion component  33 , which converts the image into the identification data of the person to be identified. Next, during stage  102 , from these identification data, the extraction component  32  extracts the biometric characteristics of the image and, in parallel, from these same data, during stage  101 , the calculation component  31  calculates the contextual information of the image.  
         [0063]     The biometric characteristics extracted from the image could then, possibly in stage  105  executed by the matching component  52 , be directly compared to the reference biometric characteristics in the memory  42  of the database  40 . The results would then be displayed in stage  106  by the display module  60 .  
         [0064]     However, the matching component must then sweep through all of the memory  42 , in order to compare the extracted biometric characteristics with all of the stored reference characteristics in the database.  
         [0065]     In this case, however, we avoid this drawback by virtue of the possession of contextual information, and of the preliminary stages of comparison  103  and initialisation  104  of the interface  43 .  
         [0066]     During stage  103 , the comparison component  51  compares the contextual information supplied by the calculation component  31  with all of the reference contextual information in the memory  41 , and retains only the closest combinations. These combinations are stored in zones  41   i  of the memory  41 . The i indices constitute information for filtering of the reference biometric characteristics, and are stored in a memory of the interface  43  which is not shown. Since they concern low-volume alphanumeric data, these operations are rapid.  
         [0067]     During stage  104 , use is made of the results from stage  103 : 
        If no i index or all of the i indices are proposed, this means that filtering has failed, and in accordance with an option described previously, either we pass to stage  105 , already described, to continue to the full search, or we pass to stage  106 , executed by the display module  60 , in order to reject the identification.     If the i index is unique, it designates a unique zone  42   i  and, if this zone contains only the reference biometric characteristics of a single person, then the subject is identified, and the indicating stage  106  supplies the authentication directly, the matching component  52  being short-circuited.     If one or more i indices are retained, designating one or more zones  42   i , and at the same time the reference biometric characteristics contained in them, then the other zones of the database  40  are rejected by the interface  43 . Stage  104  then hands control of the operations to stage  105 .        
 
         [0071]     During the execution of stage  105  following stage  104 , the identification is continued using only the retained biometric characteristics, and the result is communicated to the display stage  106 .  
         [0072]     Contrary to the execution of stage  105  not following stage  104 , the matching component  52  sweeps through only some zones  42   i  of the memory  42 , and the saving in time is considerable.