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US5737439A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Anti-fraud biometric scanner that accurately detects blood flow

Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
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Filing: 1996-10-29
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Granted: 1998-04-07
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Expires: 2016-10-29
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Abstract

Abstract The invention discloses an anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human. The anti-fraud biometric scanner has biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object, blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, and deception detection means for determining if the object is attempting to deceive the blood flow detection means. The blood flow detection means comprises a first light source for illuminating the object, a photodetector for measuring light energy from the object, and computing means for controlling the first light source and processing output from the photodetector. The deception detection means provides means for detecting movement by the object in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow. The means for detecting movement uses the computing means and turns off the first light source, turns on a second light source, measures any time-varying light energy from the object, and, if the measured time-varying light energy is above a threshold, determines that fraud is occurring.

Inventors

  • 👤 Philip Dean Lapsley
  • 👤 Jonathan Alexander Lee
  • 👤 David Ferrin Pare, Jr.
  • 👤 Ned Hoffman

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 00:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/02; A61B5/024; A61B5/02416; A61B5/117; A61B5/1171; G; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12; G06V10/14; G06V10/143; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/12; G06V40/1382; G06V40/1394; G06V40/40; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/08; H04L63/0861

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim 75 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human; and c) deception detection means for determining if the object is attempting to deceive the blood flow detection means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 75 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human; and c) deception detection means for determining if the object is attempting to deceive the blood flow detection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the blood flow detection means comprises: a) a first light source for illuminating the object; b) a photodetector for measuring light energy from the object; and c) computing means for controlling the first light source and processing output from the photodetector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the deception detection means comprises means for detecting movement by the object in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 58 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for detecting movement comprises a second light source, and wherein the computing means turns off the first light source, turns on the second light source, measures any time-varying light energy from the object, and, if the measured time-varying light energy is above a threshold, determines that fraud is being attempted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second light source has a wavelength of approximately 805 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second light source is a light-emitting diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the deception detection means comprises means for detecting whether the object emits light in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein when the first light source is off, the computing means processes any measured light energy from the photodetector, and, if the measured light energy is above a threshold, determines that fraud is being attempted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first light source has a wavelength of approximately 660 nm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first light source comprises a light-emitting diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first light source comprises a bi-color light-emitting diode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the bi-color light-emitting diode produces light at a wavelength of approximately 660 nm when electrically biased in a first direction, and light at a wavelength of approximately 805 nm when electrically biased in the opposite direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the computing means is selected from the group comprising: a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, digital logic circuitry, analog circuitry.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first light source and the photodetector are arranged such that light from the first light source is transmitted through the object and impinges upon the photodetector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first light source and the photodetector are arranged such that light from the first light source is reflected from the object and impinges upon the photodetector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the photodetector comprises an image-conversion means for converting a two-dimensional image into an electrical signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the image-conversion means is a CCD.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the image-conversion means is a CMOS image array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first light source is a bi-color light-emitting diode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the deception detection means comprises means for detecting movement by the object in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 44 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the computing means electrically biases the bi-color light-emitting diode to produce infrared light, measures any time-varying light energy from the object, and, if the measured time-varying light energy is above a threshold, determines that fraud is being attempted.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the deception detection means comprises means for detecting whether the object emits light in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein when the first light source is off, the computing means processes any measured light energy from the photodetector, and, if the measured light energy is above a threshold, determines that fraud is being attempted.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biometric scanning means comprises a fingerprint scanner.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 47 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the fingerprint scanner comprises: a) a prism on which the object rests, b) a fingerprint scanner light source for illuminating the object, and c) a fingerprint scanner image-conversion means for converting a two-dimensional image of the object to an electrical signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the fingerprint scanner comprises a two-dimensional capacitance detector, whereby a fingerprint image is formed using capacitance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 91 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the fingerprint scanner comprises: a) a transparent surface on which the object is placed, b) at least two holograms for redirecting light incident at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the holograms to an angle of about 90 degrees to the surface of the holograms, c) a fingerprint scanner light source for illuminating the holograms at an angle substantially parallel to the surface of the holograms, and d) an image-conversion means for converting a two-dimensional image of the object to an electrical signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 77 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the fingerprint scanner comprises: a) a surface on which the object is placed, b) an ultrasound transmitter for irradiating the object with ultrasonic energy, c) an ultrasound receiver for measuring ultrasonic energy reflected from the object, and d) an ultrasound imaging means for converting electrical signals from the ultrasound receiver to another electrical signal that represents a two-dimensional image of the object, whereby a fingerprint image is formed using ultrasonic energy.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the biometric scanning means comprises a hand geometry scanner.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 73 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human; and c) means for detecting movement by the object in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 73 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human; and c) means for detecting movement by the object in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 80 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human; and c) means for detecting whether the object has a light source that it is using in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 80 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human; and c) means for detecting whether the object has a light source that it is using in an attempt to deceptively simulate blood flow.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 138 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, further comprising: i) a first light source for illuminating the object; ii) a photodetector for measuring light energy from the object; iii) computing means for controlling the first light source and processing output from the photodetector; and c) deception detection means wherein the computing means turns off the first light source, turns on an infrared light source, measures any time-varying light energy from the object, and determines that fraud is being attempted if the measured time-varying light energy is above a threshold.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 138 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object; b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, further comprising: i) a first light source for illuminating the object; ii) a photodetector for measuring light energy from the object; iii) computing means for controlling the first light source and processing output from the photodetector; and c) deception detection means wherein the computing means turns off the first light source, turns on an infrared light source, measures any time-varying light energy from the object, and determines that fraud is being attempted if the measured time-varying light energy is above a threshold.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 131 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object, b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, further comprising: i) a light source for illuminating the object; ii) a photodetector for measuring light energy from the object; iii) computing means for controlling the light source and processing output from the photodetector; and c) deception detection means wherein the photodetector measures light energy emitted by the object when the light source is off, and wherein the computing means determines that fraud is being attempted if the measured light energy is above a threshold.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 131 words
An anti-fraud biometric scanner that determines whether an object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising: a) biometric scanning means for obtaining a biometric sample from the object, b) blood flow detection means for determining whether the object exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, further comprising: i) a light source for illuminating the object; ii) a photodetector for measuring light energy from the object; iii) computing means for controlling the light source and processing output from the photodetector; and c) deception detection means wherein the photodetector measures light energy emitted by the object when the light source is off, and wherein the computing means determines that fraud is being attempted if the measured light energy is above a threshold.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 94 words
A method for rapidly determining whether an object presented to a biometric scanner exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising the steps of: a) illuminating the object with a first light source, b) measuring the light energy from the object to produce a first measurement, c) a blood flow detection step, wherein the first measurement is processed to determine if the measurement is consistent with blood flow of a live human, and d) a deception detection step, wherein attempts to deceive the blood flow detection step are detected.
Claim 40
Independent Claim 94 words
A method for rapidly determining whether an object presented to a biometric scanner exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising the steps of: a) illuminating the object with a first light source, b) measuring the light energy from the object to produce a first measurement, c) a blood flow detection step, wherein the first measurement is processed to determine if the measurement is consistent with blood flow of a live human, and d) a deception detection step, wherein attempts to deceive the blood flow detection step are detected.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 55 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the deception detection step comprises: a) extinguishing the first light source, b) measuring the light energy emitted by the object while the first light source is extinguished to produce a second measurement wherein it is determined that fraud is being attempted if the second measurement is above a threshold.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 74 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the deception detection step comprises: a) extinguishing the first light source, b) illuminating the object with a second light source, c) measuring the time-varying light energy from the object while the first light source is extinguished and the object is illuminated with the second light source to produce a third measurement wherein it is determined that fraud is being attempted if the third measurement is above a threshold.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the second light source has a wavelength of approximately 805 nm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 93 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the blood flow detection step further comprises the steps of: a) scaling the amplitude of the measured light energy, producing a scaled signal, b) filtering the scaled signal to remove low-frequency components, producing a filtered signal, c) measuring the frequency of the filtered signal, producing a frequency indication, d) measuring the amplitude of the filtered signal, producing an amplitude indication, e) comparing the frequency indication and the amplitude indication to thresholds to determine if they exhibit characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the measurement of the frequency of the filtered signal is performed by a method selected from the following: a phase-locked loop, a Kalman filter, an LMS adaptive filter, or a slope-detecting filter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the measurement of the amplitude of the filtered signal comprises squaring the measured light energy.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the measurement of the amplitude of the filtered signal comprises taking the absolute value of the measured light energy.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the steps are repeated periodically.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the deception detection step is executed at randomly selected times.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the first light source has a wavelength of approximately 660 nm.
Claim 51
Independent Claim 183 words
A method for rapidly determining whether an object presented to a biometric scanner exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising the steps of: a) illuminating the object with a first light source, b) measuring the light energy from the object to produce a first measurement, c) a blood flow detection step, wherein the first measurement is processed to determine if the first measurement is consistent with blood flow of a live human, and d) a deception detection step, wherein attempts to deceive the blood flow detection step are detected, further comprising: i) extinguishing the first light source, ii) measuring the light energy emitted by the object while the first light source is extinguished to produce a second measurement, iii) illuminating the object with a second light source, iv) measuring the time-varying light energy from the object while the first light source is extinguished and the object is illuminated with the second light source to produce a third measurement wherein it is determined that fraud is being attempted if the second or third measurement is above a threshold.
Claim 52
Independent Claim 183 words
A method for rapidly determining whether an object presented to a biometric scanner exhibits characteristics of blood flow consistent with that of a live human, comprising the steps of: a) illuminating the object with a first light source, b) measuring the light energy from the object to produce a first measurement, c) a blood flow detection step, wherein the first measurement is processed to determine if the first measurement is consistent with blood flow of a live human, and d) a deception detection step, wherein attempts to deceive the blood flow detection step are detected, further comprising: i) extinguishing the first light source, ii) measuring the light energy emitted by the object while the first light source is extinguished to produce a second measurement, iii) illuminating the object with a second light source, iv) measuring the time-varying light energy from the object while the first light source is extinguished and the object is illuminated with the second light source to produce a third measurement wherein it is determined that fraud is being attempted if the second or third measurement is above a threshold.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-04-06 2001-10-06 2002-04-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-04-06 2005-10-06 2006-04-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-04-06 2009-10-06 2010-04-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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