IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM EMPLOYING VERIFICATION OF FINGERPRINTS

Abstract: The identification system comprises input means for col­ lecting a fingerprint from the front end of a finger and con­ verting the fingerprint to image data; an image memory for storing the image data; and means for storing the features of a plurality of fingerprints. The respective feature includes a plurality of feature points and the relationship between one of the feature points and the adjacent feature points. Fur­ thermore, there are provided selecting means for selecting one of the features of the plurality of fingerprints; and iden­ tifying means for verifying the features of the image data obtained by the input means according to the feature of the fingerprint selected by the selecting means. This identifica­ tion system is accurate, high reliable, inexpensive and suit­ able for controlling of entry to and exit from security areas and of commercial transactions.

Description: The present invention relates to an identification system for discriminating a proper person by verifying features of his fingerprint. A system for the identification of personnel is available in two kinds of control: one of them is the control of entry to and exit from security areas, and another is the control of commercial transaction. In the identification system for the former control, an ID number is given to a particular person instead of a mechanical key. When that person wishes to enter the security area, he inputs his ID number to the system by means of a keyboard or ID card. The system compares the ID number with the registered number to verify the identity of that person. The system permits that person to enter the security area if the predetermined correspondence exists between the ID number and the registered number. Such a system is disclosed in US-A-3 221 304. The identification system for the latter control is employed in the commercial transactions through banks or the like by means of credit cards. The personal identity is confirmed in the same manner as in the former control, and then, the system permits the transaction. Such a system is disclosed in US-A-3 731 076. However, because the ID number is used to identify a person, these systems often permit improper users to entry to and exit from the security area or the commercial transactions. Particularly in these days, trouble caused by the unlawful use of credit cards have been increased with the increase in credit transactions. Therefore, a reliable inexpensive identification system is desired. US-A-4 210 899 discloses a fingerprint-based identification system comprising input means for converting a pattern of a fingerprint to image data and storing said data, storing means for storing a plurality of patterned features of a plurality of registered fingerprints, selecting means for selecting one of said registered fingerprint patterns, and identifying means for comparing the present image data with selected registered data. In the identification system according to US-A-4 210 899, a preprocessor detects candidate minutiae from an input fingerprint image by scanning a small area, called a scanning window, of the fingerprint image, and a large number of scanning windows must be determined in the fingerprint image. From EP-A-43 988 an identification system is known which comprises a recognition data acquisition unit having a camera for raster-scanning a palm print, an enhancing circuit for enhancing the positive and negative peaks of the analog signal to provide a greater pronunciation of light and dark levels, and an AD-converter for quantizing the enhanced analog signal to provide numerical digital data which are stored in a picture memory device. In order to recognize stored image details for identification, one or more slopes between fixed locations of said image are electronically selected, the selected slopes are compared with stored slopes previously selected from substantially the same locations of a prior image to determine a correlation therebetween, and an indication of recognition is provided based upon the degree of correlation between said selected and said stored slopes. IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, Vol. 17, No. 12, May 1975, pages 3741 to 3743 discloses a fingerprint-based person verification system in which a correlation apparatus compares the real fingerprint image with the reference picture of the finger printed on a user's identification card. US-A-4 151 512 discloses an automatic pattern processing system comprising a photo-diode array for scanning successive lines and sampling data, a dimensional threshold circuit for quantizing each of the sampled data, and a binary data enhancement circuit for enhancing the binary data from the circuit and for thinning the ridges of the pattern. The sampled fingerprint patterns are processed by extracting ridge contour data from the fingerprint and classifying said provided fingerprint pattern into one of a predetermined classification type, wherein the classifying step includes the step of identifying the occurrence of tri-radii points from line contour data, and representing three contour lines uniquely associated with each identified tri-radii point. GB-A-2 050 026 discloses a device for extracting pattern features from a streaked pattern, such as minutiae of a fingerprint. In addition to positions and directions of feature points of the fingerprint, a plurality of counts and a density are extracted by the device for each feature point selected as a reference feature point. The density is determined in connection with adjacent feature points that are present in a predetermined neighbourhood of the reference feature point. It is an object of the present invention to provide an accurate, highly reliable and inexpensive identification system suitable for controlling of entry to and exit from security areas and of commercial transcation. This object is achieved by the identification system according to the present invention. The above-mentioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an identification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2(a) illustrates pattern features extracted from a fingerprint employed in the identification system shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2(b) illustrates a registered recording form of the features of a fingerprint stored in a storing means shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows an image data of a fingerprint stored in an image memory shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4(a) shows the manipulation for identifying an image data of a fingerprint according to the present invention. Fig. 4(b) illustrates the scanned data obtained through the manipulation shown in Fig. 4(a). Fig. 5(a) shows the manipulation for detecting a related feature point according to the present invention. Fig. 5(b) illustrates the scanned data obtained through the manipulation shown in Fig. 5(a). Fig. 6 is a block diagram of an identification system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an identification system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an identifying system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a block diagram of an identifying system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, an identification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a keyboard 15, a fingerprint input device 11, an A/D (Analog to Digital) converter 12, an image memory 13, identifying processor 10 and a file such as a magnetic disk drive 14. Each of them is connected to each other by signal lines for transmitting and receiving various data as shown in the drawing. The fingerprint input device 11 produces a two-dimensional photoelectrically converted image of a fingerprint pattern from the front end of a finger. The input device 11 includes photographing means and an illuminator for collecting the fingerprint pattern by scanning the rear surface of a glass plate where a finger is impressed on the front surface, and utilizing the optical boundary condictions of the glass. Such a fingerprint input device 11 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Nos.69300/1979 and 85600/1979. The photoelectrically converted image from the fingerprint input device 11 is quantified into binary picture element signals by the A/D converter 12 and stored in the image memory 13. Since the A/D converter 12 and the image memory 13, known in the art, are usable for this system, more detailed description thereof is omitted. An ID code allotted to each of registered persons is entered from the keyboard 15. The file 14 stores features of registered fingerprints, i.e., the positions of feature points (ending and bifurcation points, etc.) of the fingerprint pattern and the relationship between one of the feature points and the adjacent feature points corresponding to the ID code. The ID code from the keyboard 15 is converted to an address indicating the storing position of the file 14 by an input/output interface 104. The data read out from the file 14 are loaded into the work memory 103 of the identifying processor 10 through the input/output interface 104. A control unit 101 checks the corresponding relation between the two-dimensionally quantified image data stored in the image memory 13 and the features of the fingerprint stored in the work memory 103 according to the program stored in a program memory 102. Referring to Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), the pattern features of the registered fingerprint stored in the file 14 will be described. A streaked pattern is extracted from a registered fingerprint image. The streaks correspond to ridges of the fingerprint. The streaked pattern is thinned by a thinning unit so as to be converted in a skeleton pattern as shown in Fig. 2(a). The skeleton pattern should have several feature points M i of at least one type, such as an abrupt ending of a skeleton, a bifurcation of a skeleton and/or a crosspoint of two or more skeletons. These feature points M i are usually called minutiaes. Each of the feature points M i is provided with a serial number m i . Positions (X i , Y i ) and directions D i of respective feature points M i are detected from the skeleton pattern. Further, the relationships R j between a reference feature point M i and adjacent (related) feature points M j are defined for each of the feature points M i . Each of the relationships R j comprises the serial number m j of the related feature point M j and the number of intersection points r j of the transverse vector V j , which is drawn from the reference feature point M i to the related feature point M j , with the inverting skeletons. That is, with respect to a feature point M o , a position (X o , Y o ), a direction D o of the feature point M o and relationships R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ to related feature points M₁, M₂, M₃ and M₄ are defined. The relationships R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ include the number of intersection points r₁, r₂, r₃ and r₄ of transverse vectors V₁, V₂, V₃ and V₄ with inverting skeletons connecting the serial numbers m₁, m₂, m₃ and m₄ of the feature points M₁, M₂, M₃, and M₄. The transverse vectors V₁, V₂, V₃ and V₄ are drawn from the reference feature point M o to the related feature points M₁, M₂, M₃ and M₄. The feature points M i and the position (X i , Y i ), the direction D i and the relationships R j to the related feature points M j of each of the feature points M i are extracted from the skeleton pattern shown in Fig. 2(a) at the time of the registration of a fingerprint. The file 14 stores the data in the form of a list based on each of the feature points M i as shown in Fig. 2(b). The detailed definition and the extracting method about the features of the fingerprint is described in US-A-4 310 827 corresponding to GB-A-2 050 026. Fig. 3 shows image data 30 stored in the image memory 13. The identifying processor 10 verifies the image data 30 in accordance with the features of the registered fingerprint loaded in the work memory 103, that is, the processor 10 checks whether the streaked pattern of the image data 30 has the registered feature point M i and the relations R j for some or every feature points. Referring to Figs. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a) and 5(b) the identifying process is carried out by the identifying processor 10 in the following manner. The control unit 101 sets up an objective area 41 on the image data 30 corresponding to a feature point M i read out from the work memory 103. Subsequently, with the position (X i , Y i ) of the feature point M i as an original point, the control unit 101 sets up a plurality of scanning lines 411, .... 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, .... and 417 intersecting the direction D i of the feature point M i at a right angle. By scanning the objective area 41 through the scanning lines 412, 413, .... and 416, scanned data 422, 423, .... and 426 will be obtained as shown in Fig. 4(b). A feature point (abrupt ending point) M n of the streaked pattern is detected within the local area 41 by determining the correspondences between pattern edges of the scanned data as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4(b). The direction D n of the feature point M n is determined by averaging the angles of the dotted lines connecting pattern edges of the feature point M n with respect to the scanning lines 422 to 426 and/or the angles of the dotted lines close to the feature point M n . The feature point M n in the objective area 41 is regarded as a candidate corresponding point to the registered feature point M i . Then, the differences in the positional displacement and the direction are corrected between the detected feature point M n and the registered feature point M i . Subsequently, one of the plurality of relationships R j concerned with the feature point M i is read out to set up the next objective area with the position (X j , Y j ) of the related feature point M j as an original point on the image data 30. As shown in Fig. 5(a), a feature point M n ' of the streaked pattern is detected in the next objective area in the same manner. The feature point M n ' is considered as a candidate related corresponding point to the registered related feature point M j . A transverse vector 53 is drawn from the feature points M n to M n '. Then, the number of points of intersection of the transverse vector 53 with the inverting streaks is counted by means of the scanned data 54 shown in Fig. 5(b). That number "3" is compared with the registered number of intersection points r j in the relation R j for checking whether the candidate feature points M n and M n ' correspond to the registered feature points M i and M j . The control unit 101 effects the above-described process for all related feature points M j of the plurality of relationships R j with the feature point M n (= M i ) as a reference point. Furthermore, the control unit 101 performs the similar verifying process with the related feature points M j as a reference point. In this way, the control unit 101 checks whether the image data 30 include a plurality of registered feature points M i and judges correspondence between the streaked pattern of the image data 30 and the registered fingerprint. A specialized processor may be used for the identifying processor 10 for only the above-described processing purposes, while a general purpose processor is also available because the identifying process is realized only by linear scanning of the objective area in the image memory 13, and comparing the streaked pattern with the registered feature point. Thus, the identifying processor 10 verifies linearly scanned image data of the fingerprint from the input means through a simple process by using the pattern features of one of the registered fingerprints selected by the ID code. Therefore, the identity of a proper person can be confirmed with high accuracy. Next the system configuration will be described. In the first embodiment, the fingerprint input device 11, the A/D converter 12, the image memory 13, the keyboard 15, the identifying processor 10 and the file 14 are incorporated in one terminal unit to form an identification system. Accordingly, the identification of a person is effected by one stand-alone terminal unit. A second embodiment of the identification system shown in Fig. 6 comprises an identifying processor 10' provided on the center side and a plurality of terminal units 20-1 to 20-n each connected to the central processor 10' through a transmission line 16. The file 14 is provided on the central processor 10'. Each of the terminal units 20-1 to 20-n comprises a keyboard 15, a fingerprint input device 11, an A/D converter 12 and an image memory 13. The central processor 10' comprises an external interface 104, a control unit 101, a program memory 102, a work memory 103 and an image memory 105, each component being coupled to each other by signal lines for transmitting and receiving various data. The functions of each of these components are the same as those of the first embodiment. Each of the terminal units 20-1 to 20-n, for instance, 20-1 is used to convert the image data stored in the image memory 13 and the ID code obtained from the keyboard 15 to transmission data according to the known protocol and transmit the data to the identifying processor 10' through the transmission line 16. The image data are stored in the image memory 105 of the central processor 10', whereas the ID code is converted to an address to access the file 14. The pattern features read out from the file 14 are held in the work memory 103. The process thereafter is the same as in the first embodiment except for the image memory 105 instead of the image memory 13. An identification result is reported to the terminal unit 20-1. In this embodiment of the system, one identifying processor and the file 14 are capable of controlling the plurality of terminal units 20-1 to 20-n. A third embodiment of the identification system shown in Fig. 7 comprises a central unit 17 having a file 14 and a plurality of terminal units 21-1 to 21-n connected to the central unit 17 through the transmission line 16. Each of the terminal units 21-1 to 21-n comprises a keyboard 15, a fingerprint input device 11, an A/D converter 12, an image memory 13, an external interface 104 and an identifying processor 10. The identifying processor 10 comprises a control unit 101, a program memory 102 and a work memory 103, these components being connected to each other by the signal line 16 for transmitting and receiving various data. The functions of these components are the same as those of the first embodiment except that the central unit 17 has an input/output interface 171 having functions of address conversion in accordance with the ID code. Each of the terminal units 21-1 to 21-n, for instance, 21-1 is used to store the image data entered from the fingerprint input device 11 in the image memory 13 and transmit an ID code entered from the keyboard 15 to the central unit 17 through the transmission line 16. The I/O interface 171 of the central unit 17 converts the ID code to an address for accessing the file 14. The pattern features of the registered fingerprint are read out from the file 14, and then, transmitted to the terminal unit 21-1. The terminal unit 21-1 stores the pattern features of the registered fingerprint in the work memory 103 to compare the pattern features with the image data of the image memory 13. The process for identification is the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a plurality of the pattern features of registered fingerprints can be stored in the central file 14 common to the plurality of terminal units 21-1 to 21-n. Referring to Fig. 8, an identification system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention necessitates no ID code input device such as a keyboard nor a file for storing the pattern features of registered fingerprints such as a disk drive. The identification system comprises a card reader 18 for reading data from a memory card 19, the fingerprint input device 11 for collecting a photoelectrical image of a fingerprint from the front end of the finger, an A/D converter 12, an image memory 13 and an identifying processor 10. The identifying processor 10 includes a control unit 101, a program memory 102, a work memory 103 and an input/output interface 104. A fingerprint registrant holds the memory card 19 wherein the pattern features of his fingerprint, that is, the feature points and the relationships of the feature points of the streak pattern of his fingerprint, are recorded in the same form as shown in Fig. 2(b). The fingerprint registrant inserts the memory card 19 to the card reader 18 and inputs his fingerprint image by means of the fingerprint input device 11. The fingerprint image is stored in the image memory 13 in a binary form. The card reader 18 reads the pattern features of the fingerprint from the memory card 19 and stores the pattern features in the work memory 103. The control unit 101 verifies the fingerprint image stored in the image memory 13 according to the pattern features of the work memory 103 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the fingerprint input device 11, the A/D converter 12, the image memory 13, the card reader 18 and the identifying unit 10 are incorporated in a stand-alone terminal unit. A fifth embodiment of the identification system shown in Fig. 9 comprises an identifying processor 10' on the center side and a plurality of terminal units 22-1 to 22-n connected to the identifying processor 10' through the transmission line 16. Each of the terminal units 22-1 to 22-n comprises the card reader 18 for reading the data stored in the memory card 19, the fingerprint input device 11 for collecting a fingerprint image from the front end of the finger, an A/D converter 12 and an image memory 13. The central identifying processor 10' comprises a control unit 101, a program memory 102, a work memory 103, an input/output interface 104 and an image memory 105. The image memory 105 holds the image data sent through the transmission line 16. The functions of the other components are the same as in the fourth embodiment of the invention. Each of the terminal units 22-1 to 22-n, for instance, 22-1 converts the image data stored in the image memory 13 and the pattern features of the registered fingerprint obtained from the card reader 18 to transmission data and sends the data to the central processor 10' through the transmission line 16. The image data are stored in the image memory 105 and the pattern features of the registered fingerprint are stored in the work memory 103. The control unit 101 identifies the image data in the image memory 105 referring to the pattern features of the registered fingerprint in the work memory 103 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. An identification result is sent back to the terminal unit 22-1. In this embodiment, the identification of the plurality of image data from the plurality of terminal units 22-1 to 22-n can be completed by one common central processor 10'. As described above, according to the present invention, the identification of proper personnel can be realized with high reliability since the system discriminates a person by verifying the streaked pattern of his fingerprint. The system is inexpensive and compact to install because the processor verifies the fingerprint image referring to only one of registered pattern features. The identification system, for instance, can be applied to a cash card system for transactions relating to deposits and savings.

Claims: An identification system comprising: input means (11) for collecting a streaked pattern of a fingerprint from a surface of a finger so as to store a streaked pattern image (30); storing means (14, 19) for storing a plurality of pattern features of a plurality of registered fingerprints, each of said pattern features including a plurality of registered feature points (M i ); selecting means (15, 18) for selecting one of said pattern features as a reference pattern feature from said storing means (14, 19); and identifying means (10) for verifying correspondence between said streaked pattern image (30) and said reference pattern feature, said identifying means (10) comprising a control unit (101) and a work memory (103) in which the features of a registered fingerprint are loaded, said control unit (101) setting up an objective area (41) on the pattern image (30) corresponding to the feature point (M i ) read out from the work memory (103), and subsequently, with the position (X i , Y i ) of the feature point (M i ) as an original point, said control unit (101) setting up a plurality of scanning lines (411 to 417) intersecting the direction (D i ) of the feature point (M i ) at a right angle, the scanned data (422 to 426) being obtained by means of said scanning lines (412 to 416). The identification system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said storing means (14, 19) includes a file means (14) for collectively storing said plurality of pattern features of said registered fingerprints, and said selecting means (15, 18) includes means (15) for inputting an ID code allotted to a fingerprint registrant, said one of said pattern features being selected in said file means (14) in accordance with said ID code. The identification system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said input means (11), an image memory (13), said storing means (14, 19), said selecting means (15, 18) and said identifying means (10) constitute one terminal unit. The identification system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a plurality of terminal units (20-1 to 20-n; 22-1 to 22-n) each having said input means (11), said image memory (13) and said selecting means (15, 18); a central unit having said storing means (14) and said identifying means (10); and a transmission line (16) for connecting said plurality of terminal units (20-1 to 20-n; 22-1 to 22-n) and said central unit. The identification system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a plurality of terminal units (21-1 to 21-n) each having said input means (11), said image memory (13), said selecting means (15, 18) and said identifying means (10); a central unit (17) having said storing means (14); and transmission lines (16) for connecting said plurality of terminal units (21-1 to 21-n) and said central unit (17). The identification system as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said storing means (14, 19) includes memory cards (19) respectively held by a plurality of fingerprint registrants for respectively recording said pattern feature corresponding to said fingerprint registrant, and said selecting means (15, 18) includes card reader means (18) for reading said memory card (19), said one of said pattern features being read from said memory card by said card reader means (18) and being given to said identifying means (10). The identification system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said input means (11), said image memory (13), said card reader means (18) and said identifying means (10) constitute one terminal unit. The identification system as claimed in Claim 6, further comprising: a plurality of terminal units (22-1 to 22-n) each having said fingerprint input means (11), said image memory (13) and said card reader means (18); a central unit having said identifying means (10); and transmission lines (16) for connecting said plurality of terminal units (22-1 to 22-n) and said central unit.

Inventors: ASAI, KO, HOSHINO, YUKIO
Applicants: NEC CORPORATION
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G07C9
IPC codes: G06K9, H01M4