PROCESS FOR ENCRYPTING A FINGERPRINT ONTO AN I.D. CARD

[76]     Inventor: Neldon P. Johnson, 512 S. 860 East,   American
Fork, Utah 84003

[21]     Appl. No.: 402,014

[22]     Filed: Mar. 10, 1995

Related U.S. Application Data

 [63]     Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 218,743, Mar. 29, 1994, 
abandoned.

[51] Int.Cl6   H04L 9/00
[52]U.S. Cl.   380/23; 380/9; 380/25; 380/49; 380/54; 380/59;
235/380
[58]     Field of Search 380/9, 23, 24, 380/25, 54, 59, 49, 50;
235/379, 380

[56]References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

     3,581,282     5/1971     Altman      235/380 X
     4.811,408     3/1989     Goldman      235/380 X
     4,993,068     2/1991     Piosenka et al     380/23
     4,995,086     2/1991     Lilley et al     235/380 X
     5,412,727     5/1995     Drexler et al     380/24

Primary Examiner - Bernarr E. Gregory
Attorney, Agent, or Firm - K. S. Cornaby

[57] ABSTRACT

The invention and process utilizes any number of biological parts to
provide a proof of legitimacy and from them generate and verify a
personal identification card (ID). This rendition of the invention
deals mainly with fingerprints, but does not preclude the use of
other biological parts. The invent ion is unique in being able to
render complex forms into unique biological characteristic codes of
the unique biological parts, especially the fingerprint and then to
be able to encode that code onto the magnetic strip of an ID card or
credit card. The invention renders complex biological forms into
numeric representations of the unique biological parts and
especially the fingerprint. The number generated thereby is encoded
onto the magnetic strip of an ID card or credit card. A comparison
is made of the live biological part to the number on the card to
identify that the person using the card as the legal owner of the
card, thus automatically identifying the person as the legal card
holder or rejecting that person as not being the legal card holder. 

This makes it possible to use the card safely without the need for
personal attendants to ensure the transaction is carried out by the
legal owner of the card.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
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PROCESS FOR ENCRYPTING A
FINGERPRINT ONTO AN I.D. CARD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser No.
08/218,743,  filed Mar. 29, 1994, now abandoned.

This invention relates to an apparatus that can read and identify
fingerprints  automatically. and then store the information about
the fingerprint on an I.D  card's magnetic strip of less than 100
bytes. Once stored on the magnetic strip the information can then be
read into the apparatus along with the actual fingerprint to be
compared. The apparatus will then automatically make a comparison
check to see if they match. The apparatus can also compare
fingerprints stored in a memory device that will allow recall to
find a match out of several different fingerprints on file if one is
there. The invention can store the fingerprint in a data base based
upon the deciphered number along with the actual fingerprint, thus
providing for faster retrieval times and no personal intervention.

The current methods for identifying and storing fingerprints is very
time consuming and labor intensive. The information cannot be stored
onto a magnetic strip of less than 100 bytes, nor can the current
systems store the fingerprints using a numerical model.

The need to reduce credit card fraud, to restrict persons from
entering restricted areas, allow for unattended use of cards for
making purchases or bank transactions, and to speed up the
transaction in the retail environment is widely apparent.

The solution to this problem must be found in identifying a person
who has the legal right to use an ID card, such as a credit card,
debit card, check cashing card, driver's license, social security
card, etc. A method is needed to provide a way for these cards to be
used only by their rightful owner, such as the ability to place upon
the magnetic strip of any plastic ID card, such as credit cards,
etc., certain characteristics of a person's fingerprint. Such a
method would require a means for reading that information and
comparing that information to that of a live fingerprint; and then
being able to print the live fingerprint onto the transaction in
place of a signature.

Today, most ID cards, such as credit cards, use "PIN" or a "personal
identification number" to access remote unattended devices. Each
card has associated with it information, either on the magnetic
strip or in a central data base, that is used to check the PIN when
the card is used. When the card is used the user must provide the
proper PIN number. The PIN is then checked against the data base,
and if they match the transaction is allowed. This, however,
requires the user to remember the PIN or save it separately.

Other solutions have also been developed. For example the process of
putting pictures or images on the cards. This works fairly well as
long as there is a clerk involved in the transaction. Even this is
not foolproof. The card could have been altered or forged. The data
on the magnetic strip could belong to another individual and the
cashier would have no way of knowing this.

This problem was addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,600. The solution
that was proposed was to place an image on the card. This image
would be deciphered by a device in such a way as to relate the image
on the card to the data placed on the magnetic strip. When the card
is used, the card is placed into a special reader. This provides a
way to protect the cards from being forged or changed. However, this
also requires a transaction involving a clerk. Such a process,
however, does not address the problem of use of the card the card
holder with a money machine. Although the card could not be readily
forged, the card could still be used by unauthorized persons at
unattended locations.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,985 addresses the issue of making the card safe
from unauthorized uses, but is less appealing in other ways. One, it
requires sophisticated circuitry in or on the card. Next, it
requires exact placement of the finger to get proper registration.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,508 uses a different, but unique, way of making
an ID card safe from unauthorized use by using a laser. Using a
holograph procedure the laser takes a fingerprint, encodes it, and
then places the holographic image onto a photographic material.
However, because this patent requires the image to be placed on
photographic material, the information cannot be readily stored in
other media or data bases. It also uses a completely different
apparatus to put the fingerprint onto the card.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,194 is very much like U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,508,
differing in the way that it uses the filtering  process. However,
again the main difference is in the way the fingerprint is
deciphered. It does not allow for easy retrieval of the fingerprint
on any other type of media.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,268,963 uses the whole image. This  process requires
storing the fingerprint onto the card in digital picture form. This
process, even when compressed, uses a great deal of memory space and
could not use the magnetic strip on existing cards; nor does it
allow for easy cataloging of fingerprints into a mass storage system
for  later keyed retrieval. It is also somewhat more expensive to
manufacture because of the complexity of the circuitry required on
the card.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,811,408 and 4,972,476 provide a way to make
identification cards unforgettable. However, a way to identify live
image indicia with any information on the card itself is not
provided. The present invention not only provides a way to make the
identification card unforgettable, but also provides a way to
compare the unique number of the image indicia with the live
physical immutable biocharacteristics identification.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,103 is very similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068
in using an image indicia Both digitize the image. Both take the
actual digital rendition of the image and store the image onto a
storage device of some kind. U.S. Pat. No. 4,712,103 uses a key
instead of other storage device; nevertheless, it does not take the
digitized image and produce from that biocharacteristic image a
unique numeric value that represents the digitized image. This
invention takes the image, digitizes the image and then sends that
digitized image into a computer program operating inside the
computer. The computer program then takes the digitized image of the
live physical immutable biocharacteristic identification and
converts the image into a unique numeric value that can only be
associated with said biocharacteristic image.

The numeric value that the biocharacteristic image has been
converted to cannot be used to reproduce the biocharacterimage. The
only way for a comparison to be made is for a live biocharacteristic
image to be sent to the computer program from some form of reader or
transducer. Here the live image is convened to its unique numeric
value. If the unique numeric value is nearly the same, then the
computer indicates a match. If the numeric value of the live
biocharacteristic image is outside of the tolerances given, then a
no match indication is given by the computer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,202 is involved strictly with the concept of
capturing an image and then combining the captured image onto the
transaction. This invention does not address the issue of providing
a way to protect against forged I.D's, nor does it provide a way to
identify the person to be the rightful user of said I.D.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,508 uses totally different apparatus for storing
information. It uses a basic coherent light input lo in the form of
a laser, which directs the light beam to a beam splitter and also to
a slide which has on it a photograph of the fingerprint to be used
in generation of the holographic image stored on the identification
card. The present invention differs in several aspects. First it
does not use photographic material to store any biocharacteristics.
Second, it does not convert the biocharacteristics to a digital
form, nor is it transmitted to a computer to be further compared.
Thirdly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,508 does not convert the digital
biocharacteristic image into a unique numeric value that is uniquely
related to the image. Thus, it could not reproduce the image itself
from the numeric value. In order for the numeric value to act as a
means of identifying the person it is necessary to have the person
input into the system a live biocharacteristic image that should
match with the one that is encoded onto the storage medium.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068 does not identify the use of a computer
program to find the unique biological identifying parts and
separating them from the other parts of the image. It uses the whole
biological image to compare it with the live 30 image. This is where
the present invention defers. The present invention deals with first
separating and or finding and identifying the unique patterns and
identifying marks from the rest of the biological image. It finds
only the unique parts of the biometric image and then identifies
them by 35 giving them a unique identification number or code and
then combines them into a unique identification code. The unique 
identification code is composed of a location reference and a
biologically unique identifiable mark.

In the present invention the computer program identifies do what
type of unique identifiable item is to be used as a comparison, such
as an end of line, what kind of end of line, and its relationship to
other identifiable unique identifiable parts. The unique biological
characteristic could be a curve and or line given a specific
distance that could closely relate  to a mathematical formula. Then
the program gives that unique identifiable part an identifier such
as a number that represents the unique identifiable part and its
relationship to other unique identifiable biological parts. This is
like storing in a computer a (ASCII) number that represents the
letter (A) 50 as compared to storing the actual graphic character
(A) and saying that they are the same. They are not the same, nor is
the process of storing or that of comparing the two characters the
same. One requires the computer to identify the (ASCII) code and
then print its representation of what it 55 feels the character (A)
should look like. In the comparison process the computer has to
identify that the numerical representation of the (ASCII) code is
the same number. However, when comparing a graphic representation of
the letter (A) the computer program must compare the graphic 60
image pixel by pixel. The computer program does not recognize that
the graphic representation is the letter (A), only that the graphic
image is the same or not the same whatever the case may be. This
process is used in U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068. There is a similar
difference between the way 65 the present invention stores and uses
the images of an immutable biological part and the way it is used by
the U.S.Pat. No. 4,993,068. While it is true that a graphic file
could be quantified into one large number, this number by itself
does not evaluate the individual biological characteristics within
that file; and the actual individual biological characteristics
comparisons are not used to determine a match or no match condition.

Quoting from U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068 column 9 line 10 "the facial
feature biometric is used for user identification, with the
decrypted image displayed to the human operator . . .". Even though
the biometric image is encrypted, it is still a graphic image that
is being stored. Again quoting U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068, column 10
line 60 "collects the biometric data from the individual. This data
is placed into digital form. Next block 106 collects any supporting
data and digitize this data. Such data includes security clearances,
financial records, employee identification, etc."

"Next, a plain text data package is enervated for the requestor.
This data packet is displayed and the authorization site personnel
may determine positive proof of who the requestor is and what his
privileges are. Next, the composite data set which is created is
encrypted and crypto graphically sealed." This clearly indicates
that U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068 is using the a graphic image. That
graphic image is stored and is used in the comparison process. Even
though one could consider a graphic image a unique number, that
number, in and of itself, cannot be used to identify the graphic
representation of the live biological immutable part when comparing
the stored image with the live image. The comparison process must be
done pixel by pixel, not by number or unique identification code of
the live scan to a stored number or identification code.

The present invention does not store the actual graphic image of the
biological part for comparison purposes What it does do, however, is
locate the kind of unique characteristic that the program is looking
for, identify that it exists, then give it a unique identifiable
code that relates to only that particular biological characteristic.
This has several advantages over the use of storing and comparing
the graphic representation of the biological feature. Also, this is
a substantially different process and requires unique and different
processes to store and to compare. To compare two graphic images,
which is the case with U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068, it requires a pixel
by pixel analysis. In the present invention, the computer must first
locate the unique characteristics that it is programmed to find,
identify its characteristics, change it to a unique number or unique
identification code, and then compare that with the unique number or
unique identification code that is stored in memos. The present
invention never compares an actual graphic image with any other
graphic image or part thereof.  

The main reason for generating the unique identification code is to
reduce the amount of memory needed to store enough information to
compare the unique biological part to the unique identification
code. Second, it makes it possible for the user to decide how many
unique biological characteristics to save and to compare. This
allows for areas that require high security to have more checks than
in areas that require less security to use fewer unique biological
identifiable marks. This provides for different media sizes to store
different amounts of unique identifiable code. For credit cards the
number of unique identifiable codes would be fewer than for media
such as computer disks.

None of the above mentioned patents uses any means to determine the
quality of  the image being read or the quality of the actual
biological part. Neither do they provide for a computer program to
make enhancements to those images in order to compensate for bad or
poor reads and or poor characteristic of the actual biological part. 
This is a crucial process when comparing biological parts with
stored images of those biological parts.  Because the lines or
identifying ridges and characteristics change from one read to the
next, some means must be provided to determine those changes and a
way to compensate for those changes. The present invention does
that.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a fingerprint
scanner or reading means for transmitting data obtained from the
fingerprint to a computer that analyses the fingerprint and locates
the unique biological characteristics and converts those
characteristics into a biological identification code. Although the
invention relates principally to fingerprints other biological parts
can just as easily be used, such as the unique characteristics of
the hand, the iris of the eye, the retina, etc. Each of these have
unique characteristics that the program can analyze and use for
identification purposes.

The computer program identifies what kind of print or quality of the
read. It  then determines if the image needs to be enhanced. If it
needs to be enhanced the program will determine how bad the print is
and then give the image a unique identification code that will
identify what kind of image was encoded.  The program then finds the
areas on the image that needs to be enhanced or repaired.

The computer program identifies the type of unique identifiable
item, such as,  a line end, what kind of line end, and its
relationship to other identifiable unique identifiable parts. The
program then gives that unique identifiable part an identifier, such
as a code that represents the unique identifiable part and its
relationship to other unique identifiable biological parts. This is
similar to comparing a (ASCII) number that represents the letter (A)
as compared to storing the actual graphic character and saving that
they are the same. They are not the same, nor is the process of
storing or 40 that of comparing the two characters the same. One
requires the computer to identify the ASCII code and then print its
representation of what it feels the character (A) should look like.
In the comparison process the computer has to identify that the
numerical representation of the (ASCII) code is the 45 same number.
However, when comparing a graphic representation of the letter (A)
the computer program must compare the graphic image pixel by pixel.
This is a similar difference in the way the present invention and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,068 store and use the images of an immutable
biological.
The object of this invention is to read a fingerprint into a
computer. Then, through a software routine, break down the
information contained in the fingerprint into a numeric code. The
code is encoded onto the magnetic strip on a card. Once the
information is encoded onto the magnetic strip, the program reads
the information from the magnetic strip and compares that
information to a fingerprint that is then placed onto a fingerprint
reader. The system also has the capabilities of printing the
transaction including a reproduction of the live fingerprint of the
person performing the transaction. The program can then determine if
the person using the card is actually the person authorized to use
that card. Also, the system can store actual fingerprints in a
suitable data storage system which has the capabilities of bringing
the fingerprint back to its original picture form. However, since
the program deciphers the fingerprint into a numeric representation
the actual fingerprint can be stored in a file with a look-up key
based upon 
the numeric representation. This allows the apparatus to read a
fingerprint into the system, decipher it, and then find a match in
the data base using the deciphered number in rapid sequencing. This
makes looking up fingerprints both automatic and very fast.

The reader utilizes an optical scanner to separate the ridges from
the valley points on a finger. The is accomplished through use of
special optics. The optics in the scanner separates the ridges using
the difference between the refraction angle of the ridges touching
the optics and the low points not 
touching. This difference makes it possible to separate the ridges
from the rest of the finger optically, producing a better image of
the fingerprint, which in turn, produces a better rendering of the
fingerprints and a more accurate read. As an option For the
fingerprints reader incorporates a means of detecting whether or not
the finger to be read is a live finger. This could be accomplished
using several techniques. One would be to measure heart, galvanic
resistance, and oxygen content. However, the system can use any 
suitable reader that can render a valid picture of the fingerprint.
From this process a video camera, or suitable replacement device
capable of reading images into a computer, transmits the image into
a computer and/or computer program.

Once the fingerprint is read into the computer, one of two things
happens. If this is for encoding the fingerprint onto the magnetic
strip of the card, the program first determines the quality of the
image or print. It then makes any enhance that are required and then
separates the information it needs and then converts that
information to a unique biological characteristic identification
code. After it has located the code, it encrypts the number onto the
ID card for later use. Thereafter, when a person wishes to use the
card, the person places the card into a card reader to bring the
information contained on the card back into the computer and its
program. The person next places the appropriate finger onto the
fingerprint reader or other biological part. The information from
the fingerprint reader is then transmitted into the computer and its
program; whereupon, the program deciphers the information contained
on the card containing the fingerprint information from the other
data on the card. The program then deciphers the critical
information that came from the fingerprint reader and converts that
information to a unique biological characteristic identification
code. The program then compares the code that was on the card to the
unique biological characteristic identification code that came from
the fingerprint reader to see if they both match to within a
reasonable tolerance for errors. If they match to the tolerances
imposed by the program, then the program indicates a correct read.
If they do not match to the given tolerances, then the program
indicates an incorrect read. In the event that the transaction is
used to validate a check, and the computer indicates a valid read,
then the computer program takes the checking account number from the
card, and takes the amount of the transaction from the point of sale
device and prints the check. In place of the signature the program
prints a reproduction of the actual live fingerprint. This provides
added security to the transaction. This same procedure can be used
to print out credit card transactions as well.

The program is designed to determine what kind of read was made and
what level of the quality image was, and then give that print a code
that represents that quality, and then make any enhancements. The
program locates any unique biological characteristics of the
fingerprint and then give these characteristics a unique biological
characteristic identification code of the critical identifying
characteristics of the person's fingerprint.

This process of determining the quality of the image of the
biological part or the quality of the read involves cleaning up the
fingerprint image that was  given to it by the fingerprint reader.
It does this by examining the print to determine the ridges from the
valleys. It then makes any corrections or enhancements to the print.
Next the program goes through the enhanced print to determine what
would be the unique characteristics of that print. It does this by
scanning through the print in several directions. It would bring out
the high points on each line in reference to the other high points
found on each of the other lines by determining the proper order,
distance apart, and angles of the ridges. Next, the program finds
the low points on each line in an ordered sequence, in the same way
as it did for the high points. The program then looks for the high
end of lines that do not pass completely through the print's image
and determines their location in reference to all other points.  The
program does this same process for the low end of lines so that at
least one end does not pass outside of the print's image.

The program then looks for what are called "islands." These islands
are lines both ends of which do not pass through the print's image.
The program then determines those islands' location in reference to
the other coordinates It also determines the island's length. The
high and the low points are then given in the order that they are
found. The program then determines the length of the lines and the
patterns of the those lines based upon the number pixels they use to
form those patterns. Then the program lays out points along some 
of the ridges with exact angles and distances from a predetermined
point. This gives a very unique number ordering that can only be
duplicated by the unique fingerprint of one and only one person.

Determining the quality of the scanned image is critical to the
process of comparing different biological parts or images of
fingerprints. A poor print or poor read could produce hundreds,
sometimes thousands, of end of lines, false (Y) connections, or
false (y) separations. In some cases it could even change the
curves. The quality of the read or the print could change the
location of the unique characteristics from read to read. The length
of the lines could also be affected as well as the angles of the
lines coming off of the unique characteristics. Without a program
that knows how to make the proper enhancements, the fingerprint
would have to be almost exact from one read to the next. Obtaining
exact reads may be almost impossible. The program can also tell to a
great degree what unique characteristics found are accurate and
stable from one read to another. Further the program can tell
whether or not the image or print is of a poor quality; i.e., does
the actual print or image of the biological part appear to be such
that in some areas or parts the print is missing or broken up. This
condition could be caused by a harsh work environment, such as,
masonry or simply dry or chapped hands. The computer program is
designed to determine the areas that are too broken up to use. It is
designed to determine the kind of print or the quality of the print.
Then the program gives each print a unique code so that the program
will know what kind of print to expect for comparison purposes. The
program is also designed to repair areas that are partially broken
up.

With all of the information that can be obtained by these several
processes, the number can then be used to duplicate the major
characteristics of a person's fingerprint, thus making it possible
to correctly identify a unique fingerprint with a minimum amount of
data. This allows the number to be placed on the limited space of
the magnetic strip of a credit card. It also permits use of this
number as the look-up key for a data base containing the actual
fingerprint.

The program also determines the size of the fingerprint by
calculating the length against the width. These measure- are used to
determine the proper scale for the program to use in locating the
reference points. The program can take the live fingerprint and
manipulate it to adjust for differences in the placement of the
finger onto the reader.

During the encoding process, the program converts these coordinates
to numbers and then encrypts this information onto a card.

During the matching process the program deciphers the information
found on the card back to the proper coordinates and patterns. It
then tries to find common points and patterns that match. To find
these points, the program can manipulate rotating the image to get
different angles and positions. It uses these points and patterns to
determine how many other points match the patterns with the required
properties and variations. If not enough points match, the program
tries to find another set of matching points until a given number of
tries have been completed or until a proper number of matches can be
found; whereupon, the program will either have found a match or
cannot find a match response or indication.

When using the deciphered number to look up fingerprints stored in
the system, the deciphered key is taken from the full numeric number
stored on the card. In this system, a set of numbers is deciphered
from the original number. This sequence is based upon several
factors of the fingerprint but basically consist of three sets of
numbers with six hexadecimal numbers each. The number can vary, but
this number is preferred. The preferred number is 18 characters
long. The data base program is designed to take the first set and
find as many matching numbers in the key part of the data base. This
is adjustable but it is preferred to have at least three matches.
The program then takes the next set of numbers and repeats the
operation. The same with the third set of numbers. The program then
tests to see what set of fingerprints produce the closest match to
all three sets of numbers. It then brings all of the fingerprints
that match those criteria into the program. It then can visually
check the actual fingerprints against the one that was found in the
data base to see which one is finally the correct match or determine
that there was no match.

The fingerprint reader consists of a device to insert a finger to be
read. It uses special optics to separate the ridges from the valleys
by using the difference in the refraction angles between the ridges
and the valleys on the fingerprint. It also has a device to slide
the optics toward the finger until the optics are pushed against the
finger at a prescribed pressure. This helps ensure an accurate read.
After each read, as an option, a cleaning device cleans the optics
where the finger was placed. This is an added security to get the
best possible reads. A video camera or suitable replacement is used
to bring information into a computer in digital form. This can
either be a color or black and white image. Next is the computer.
The computer takes the image and blocks the image for the program to
decipher, and then runs the program which deciphers the fingerprint.

In summary, the objective of this patent is to process the
information on a person's fingerprint in such a way as to allow that
information to be placed onto the magnetic strip of a card. Thus,
allowing such card holder to be the only person that can use that
card for any kind of identification. It is almost impossible to
forge as well because the encrypting process puts the fingerprint
onto the card. As an option the process can print the transaction
along with the fingerprint in place of the signature.

THE DRAWING

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated on the
accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a fingerprint imaging and
photographing system of the invention: and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system showing the connection with
the various parts of the system:

FIG. 3 is a view of a fingerprint image:

FIG. 4 is a view of another fingerprint image: and

FIG. 5 is a view of yet another fingerprint image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While any device that can convert an image to a picture form can be
utilized as the fingerprint reader so long as the image is accurate,
the preferred device to read fingerprints into a computer is shown
in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

A preferred fingerprint reader has a lens 10 which must have the
capability to cause a proper refraction of the fingerprint. The
angle of refraction causes the ridges of the fingerprint to be
refracted at a different angle than that of the valleys. While there
are several lens that will cause such an effect, such as, magnifying
lens placed in the proper location and angles, it is believed the
best device for the refraction lens is a half circle. By placing a
finger on the lens 10 it is possible to get an image of the
fingerprint's ridges only. The actual lens 10 is a half circle and
is designed to reflect the refracted image. While prisms have long
been used to reflect or change the direction of an image, in this
device it is not used for this purpose, The camera 11 does not see
]the actual image of the finger or fingerprint, but sees only a
refracted image. The use of this half circle lens 10, as far as can
be determined, has not been used for this purpose. A video camera
11, or suitable replacement which has the capability- to convert an
image into an electrical signal which can be processed by a
computer, is set at just the right angle to capture the refracted
image of the fingerprint. The light disperser 12 disperses the light
evenly across the lens 10 The dispersed light 14 is then reflected
to the camera 11 where the fingerprint touches the beam of light 15.
The dispersed light 14 is no longer reflected causing a dark area on
the lens 10 at that point, This dark area is the ridge portion of
the fingerprint, The camera 11 sees the dark area as the fingerprint
image. The light source 16 illuminates the lens 10. Item 17 is the
camera lens and item 18 is the power supply. Item 13 is a finger
holder or finger guide,.

As shown in FIG. 2, a block diagram showing the electrical and
operational connections has a digitizer 19 which takes the signal
from the video camera 11, or suitable replacement, and converts the
signal into a digital format that is suitable for input to a
computer 20. The computer 20 contains a program which deciphers the
digitized signal and converts the image to unique numeric
representation or unique identification code of the critical
biological charactoristics on the finger for identification. During
the first phase, the process puts the unique biological information
code or unique number onto a magnetic strip on the back of card 22,
in encrypted format. The computer sends this information to an
encoding device 21 that can encode the information onto the magnetic
snip on the card. The card 22 is shown in the drawing as a plastic
card, such as a credit card with a magnetic strip.

In order to read the data from the card 22, card 22 is sent through
a magnetic card reader 23. The user's finger is  placed into the
fingerprint reader 24, and fingerprint reader 24 containing the
finger holder or finger guide 13, the lens 10, and the video camera
11, then sends the fingerprint's image to digitizer 19. From the
digitizer 19 the digitized data is sent lo the computer 20 where the
fingerprint is analyzed by the program to see if the unique
biological characteristic code found on the card is the same unique
biological characteristic code on the fingerprint that is being read
by the fingerprint reader 24.

In some situations it may be desirable to print the actual
fingerprint onto the transaction, such as a check, credit card
transaction, or the like, in place of a signature. This is
accomplished using a transaction printer 25 for printing an image of
the fingerprint onto the transactional document or  check.

A light source 16, shown in FIG. 1, can be used to  illuminate the
object being read by the video camera 11 or  fingerprint reader 24.
A display 27 can also be employed to indicate a good or bad read at
the point of use.

This would make it possible to have the computer print checks
without held from an attendant, such as in self-service grocery
stores and self service gas stations. The customer scans the card
and places a finger into the finger holder or finger guide 13. The
computer 20 then verifies whether or not he/she is the legal owner
of the card. The computer 20 prints the check and places the
fingerprints of the person making the transaction onto the check or
credit card transaction, making the card almost impossible to forge
or to be used by anyone other than the legal card holder. 

To use an ATM machine for bank transactions, there would be no need
for a PIN number. The system would verify legal ownership on the
basis of the fingerprint of the individual using the card. The
system could also be used to verify telephone credit card
transactions. The reader, the computer, and the program could be
used for keyless locks. In some applications the card is not
necessary, such as situations where a limited number of people have
access. These could be used for keyless entries into homes, cars,
and even computers. This invention could also be used for almost any
type of unattended security entry, such as security areas at work,
for the government, for hotels, etc. 

A computer program that enhances the biological characteristic image
takes the digital representation of the image and through a special
process finds areas where the image is  not clear. It also takes
those unclear areas and calculates what the missing parts of the
image should look like. On fingerprints, for example, during the
process of capturing the fingerprint image, some of the ridges or
valleys may be lost or distorted. This program can calculate where
the missing or distorted ridges and valleys should be and where they
should connect.

The computer program takes the live scanned biologic image,
digitizes it and  then finds the unique characteristics FIG. 3. It
identifies the kind of  characteristic that it is and then computes
the relative location for those  unique biological characteristics
to be found. The program then assigns a  unique number or unique
identification code to that found biological  characteristic. The
program then stores that and any other biological characteristics
hat it found onto some storage or memory device.

To compare a live scanned biological image to that of the store
unique identification codes, the computer program finds all of the
unique characteristics of the live canned biological image.  The
computer program then identifies or determines what kind of unique
characteristics they are. The computer program then determines their
relative positions. From this information a unique number or unique
identification code is generated. The computer program then takes
the stored unique code or unique number and compares it to see if
the unique characteristics are in the relative position and of the
same kind. In other words, it determines if the two unique numbers
or unique identification codes are the same.

FIG. 4 represents a fingerprint that has not been enhanced by the
computer program. From this Fig. it is apparent that the print did
not come in as clear as it should have. This would be a difficult
print to match every time because of the number of places on the
print that the lines are somewhat broken.  The computer program
would have a difficult time in identifying the end of lines, the
(Y's) or even line characteristics with any degree of accuracy. As
can be seen by this Figure, it would also be difficult to confine
the end of 
lines to a small enough number to allow them to be put onto a memory
device of 100 bytes or smaller. Without enhancement it would be
difficult for a graphic comparison to be made as well. Because the
print could be brought into the computer differently depending how
good the read was, it would be almost impossible for an accurate
comparison to 25 be made using graphic comparisons as well. To
encrypt such a fingerprint the encryption would be very different
from one read to the next. For example, in FIG. 4, 34, 35, 36, and
37 show areas that would change dramatically if the fingerprint
image came in with the lines connected in those areas 30 compared
with the lines coming in the way that they do in FIG. 4.

This process becomes even more difficult when comparing actual
characteristics of the fingerprint image if at one 35 time the lines
come in well connected and at other times the lines come in broken
as they are in FIG. 4. From FIG. 4, 38 should be categorized as a
(Y) while 39 and 40 would be categorized as being an end of line.
However, with the enhanced fingerprint image as shown in FIG. 4 this
would be, very difficult to identify.

The same area in the enhanced fingerprint image 43 as shown in FIG.
5, is clearly defined as a (Y) and items 41 and 42 are easily
defined as end of lines. Also, the number of unique characteristics
that can be defined is drastically 45 reduced. In doing a graphical
comparison the enhanced image also is much more consistent and
greatly enhances the chances of making matches where they are
supposed to match and preventing matches where they are not.

A detailed explanation of the computer program follows. 50 The
computer program locates the unique biological characteristics FIG.
3 that the computer program is programmed to locate. For example,
the computer program may be programmed to look for end of lines 28.
It may be programmed to look for specific kinds or types of end of
lines 55 and relative position along with the relative general
direction the line is coming from or relative angle. The computer
program may be programmed to locate length of lines 29 and determine
their relative slope, or relative angle and relative position. The
computer program may be programmed to look for curves 31, the radius
of the curves, their relative position, and the tangent line at the
smallest radius on the curve. The computer program may be programmed
to locate curves on a line 30 over a specific distance and then use
a formula to represent that curve. The computer program may be
programmed to locate lines and associate those lines with specific
formulas 33 to represent those lines for specific distance on those
lines. The computer program may be programmed to locate lines where
they join 32.

When the computer program locates and identifies the type of
biological characteristics that the program is programmed to find,
it then gives those images of the unique biological characteristics
a unique code. This code is stored on some storage medium for later
use by the program to identify the identify of the person trying lo
gain access lo some device.

In comparing a live biological characteristic to that of the stored
unique biological characteristic identification code, the program
finds on the live scanned image the same type of biological
characteristics. If the biological characteristics are found, the
program then checks to see if they are in the same relative
location. If the predetermined number of biological characteristic
identification codes match, then the computer program indicates a
match condition. If the predetermined number of biological
characteristics do not match, then the computer program indicates a
no match condition.

As previously mentioned, this device and/or program can analyze
other biological vans as well. The hand can be scanned into the
program through a hand reader. The program analyzes high points, low
points, length of the hand against the length of the fingers in
relation to the width of the hand. The system could select various
lines in the hand and measure the length and the angles in relation
to other parts of the hand. A unique number would be developed which
could later be checked against a live hand in much the same way as
the fingerprint.

The iris of the eye can also be employed. The iris has a unique
color pattern. The color patterns and dots of color in the eye are
unique patterns that the program can equate to a number in the same
way that it analyzes the fingerprint. The patterns of colors and the
dots of colors in an iris form a unique pattern that when scanned
will yield angles, distance, islands, and end of lines that are
relative to each other and will render a reproducible unique
characteristic identification code or unique number that can be used
to identify the person. That unique biological characteristic
identification code or unique number would be small enough to be
placed upon the magnetic strip of an ID card and/or stored onto the
mass storage of a computer the same way that the fingerprint number
is used.

None of the prior art patents includes a process for enhancing the
images. This is a significant improvement because the fingerprint
image changes dramatically from one read to the next. Even in using
graphic comparisons, changes in the quality of the read could have a
major impact on the ability to determine whether or not to accept or
reject the fingerprint. This could be used in all types of
biological comparator devices and should improve all of the current
patents.

While this invention has been described and illustrated herein with
respect to preferred embodiments, it is understood that alternative
embodiments and substantial equivalents are included within the
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for reading unique identifying characteristics from
a body part, transmitting said unique identifying characteristics to
a computer, digitizing the characteristics, and then having a
computer with the ability to separate out from the whole unique
identifying characteristics into separate unique identifying
characteristics and then distinguish and identify the different
unique characteristics and then giving each of those identifying
characteristics a unique code that represents the unique identifying
characteristics type and location relative to other unique
identifying characteristics for the purpose of affixing them on an
identification document or electronic storage medium including the
following components:

     means for transferring the characteristics from a camera means
to a digitizer;

     means for transferring the characteristics from the digitizer to
the computer for the purpose of separating out from the whole image
each unique identifying characteristic;

     means for identifying each unique characteristic by type;

     means for giving each identifying characteristic its own unique
code which is comprised of the type and also relative location;

     means for transmitting the unique identification characteristics
code to the computer for storage and processing; and

     means for imprinting the unique identification characteristics
codes on the electronic storage medium.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including the components
of:

     means for reading the characteristics from a live impression of
a body part;

     means for digitizing the live impression;

     means for transmitting said digital impression to a computer;

     means for separating out from the characteristics its unique
identifying characteristics and identifying them by type and
position;

     means for comparing in the computer a set of stored unique
identification characteristic codes the codes derived from the live
digitized impressions of the live body part lo establish identity of
both the inputs: and 

     means for sending a signal to verify the identity of the person
evidencing the live impression of the body part.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the reading of the
characteristics from a live impression of a body part uses a lens
that has the capacity to have within itself internal reflection that
when a certain type of material touches the outside portion of the
lens that at the point of touching the internal reflection is
destroyed and an image of where the internal reflection is destroyed
is transmitted to a camera.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the lens is a
prism.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said body part is a
fingerprint.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said body part is a
handprint.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, including printing an
impression of the body part on a transactional document.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the camera means is
a video camera.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body part is a
fingerprint.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body part is
a handprint.

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