DERMATOGLYPHIC HAND SENSOR
Methods and systems are disclosed for performing a biometric function. A means is provided for positioning a hand of an individual in a substantially repeatable manner. An optical direct-imaging sensor is disposed relative to the means for positioning to image a portion of the hand when the hand is positioned by the means for positioning. A computational unit in communication with the optical direct-imaging sensor has instructions to operate the optical direct-imaging sensor to generate an image of the portion of the hand, and instructions to perform the biometric function with the generated image.
1 . A system for performing a biometric function, the system comprising:
means for positioning a hand of an individual in a substantially repeatable manner;
an optical direct-imaging sensor disposed relative to the means for positioning to image a portion of the hand when the hand is positioned by the means for positioning; and
a computational unit in communication with the optical direct-imaging sensor, the computational unit comprising:
instructions to operate the optical direct-imaging sensor to generate an image the portion of the hand; and
instructions to perform the biometric function with the generated image.
2 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the optical direct-imaging sensor comprises a multispectral sensor.
3 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the optical direct-imaging sensor comprises an optical topographic sensor.
4 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the hand is in contact with the optical direct-imaging sensor when the hand is positioned by the means for positioning.
5 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the hand is not in contact with the optical direct-imaging sensor when the hand is positioned by the means for positioning.
6 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the biometric function comprises identifying the individual.
7 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the biometric function comprises verifying an identity of the individual.
8 . The system recited in claim 1 , wherein the biometric function comprises detecting an attempt to spoof biometric information of the individual.
9 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the means for positioning comprises a surface and a mechanical stop to be contacted by the hand when the hand is positioned by the means for positioning.
10 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the portion of the hand comprises a volar interdigital region of a palm of the hand.
11 . The system recited in claim 1 wherein the instructions to perform the biometric function comprise instructions to compare the generated image with an enrollment image.
12 . The system recited in claim 11 wherein the enrollment image comprises an image showing a greater portion of the hand than the generated image.
13 . The system recited in claim 12 wherein the enrollment image was formed as a combination of a plurality of images.
14 . The system recited in claim 1 , wherein said optical direct-imaging sensor includes a plurality of sensors for imaging portions of the hand.
15 . A method for performing a biometric function, the method comprising:
positioning a hand of an individual with a means for positioning the hand in a substantially repeatable manner;
generating an image of a portion of the hand with an optical direct-imaging sensor disposed relative to the means for positioning the hand to image the portion of the hand; and
performing the biometric function with the generated image.
16 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein the optical direct-imaging sensor comprises a multispectral sensor.
17 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein the optical direct-imaging sensor comprises an optical topographic sensor.
18 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein positioning the hand comprises positioning the hand in contact with the optical direct-imaging sensor.
19 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein positioning the hand comprises positioning the hand such that the hand is not in contact with the optical direct-imaging sensor.
20 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein performing the biometric function with the generated image comprises identifying the individual.
21 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein performing the biometric function with the generated image comprises verifying an identity of the individual.
22 . The method recited in claim 15 , wherein performing the biometric function with the generated image comprises detecting an attempt to spoof biometric information of the individual.
23 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein the means for positioning comprises a surface and a mechanical stop to be contacted by the hand when the hand is positioned by the means for positioning.
24 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein the portion of the hand comprises a volar interdigital region of a palm of the hand.
25 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein performing the biometric function with the generated image comprises comparing the generated image with an enrollment image.
26 . The method recited in claim 25 wherein the enrollment image comprises an image showing a greater portion of the hand than the generated image.
27 . The method recited in claim 26 wherein the enrollment image was formed as a combination of a plurality of images.
28 . The method recited in claim 15 wherein said step of generating an image comprises using a plurality of sensors for imaging portions of the hand.