Apparatus and method of biometric determination using specialized optical spectroscopy systems

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for performing biometric determinations using optical spectroscopy of tissue. The biometric determinations that are disclosed include determination or verifications of identity, estimation of age, estimation of sex, determination of sample liveness and sample authenticity. The apparatuses disclosed are based upon discrete light sources such as light emitting diodes, laser diodes, vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, and broadband sources with multiple narrow-band optical filters. The multiple light sources are encoded in a manner that the tissue response for each source can be efficiently measured. The light sources are spaced at multiple distances from a detector to contribute differing information to the biometric determination task as do light sources with different wavelength characteristics. Apparatuses are disclosed that incorporate a spectral biometric sensor with a personal electronic device such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, wristwatches, electronic fobs for the purpose of providing secure biometric access to protected property.

1 . An illumination system for collecting spectral information from tissue for performing biometric determination tasks comprising: a plurality of discrete light sources; and means to encode the intensity of the light sources. 
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said light sources are all substantially the same distance from a common point. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said light sources are laser diodes. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said light sources are vertical cavity surface emitting lasers. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said light sources are optical filters coupled to one or more incandescent light sources. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said light sources are arranged to be at two or more substantially different distances from a common point. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said light sources are laser diodes. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said light sources are vertical cavity surface emitting lasers. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said light sources are optical filters coupled to one or more incandescent light sources. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means to encode the light sources is electronic. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said means to encode the light sources is electromechanical. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said electromechanical means of encoding is a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said means to encode the light sources is mechanical.