Biometrics sensor

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for performing a biometric measurement on an individual. A purported skin site of the individual is illuminated under a plurality of distinct optical conditions during a single illumination session. Light scattered beneath a surface of the purported skin site is received separately for each of the plurality of distinct optical conditions. A multispectral image of the purported skin site is derived from the received light. A biometric function is performed with the derived multispectral image.

1 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A biometric sensor comprising:
 an illumination source;   a volume of material at least partially transparent to a wavelength generated by the illumination source;   a reflective coating disposed at a surface of the volume of material;   imaging optics disposed to direct light from the illumination source through the volume of material to the reflective coating;   an imager disposed to receive light reflected from the reflective coating to derive an image of a skin site of an individual disposed over the volume of material; and   a controller interfaced with the illumination source and the imager, the controller including instructions to initiate a biometric function using the derived image of the skin site.   
     
     
         23 . The biometric sensor recited in  claim 22  wherein the illumination source comprises a single illumination source. 
     
     
         24 . The biometric sensor recited in  claim 22  wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of illumination sources. 
     
     
         25 . The biometric sensor recited in  claim 24  where at least two of the plurality of illumination sources provide light at different wavelengths. 
     
     
         26 . The biometric sensor recited in  claim 22  wherein the illumination source comprises a broadband illumination source. 
     
     
         27 . The biometric sensor recited in  claim 22  wherein the illumination source comprises a substantially monochromatic illumination source. 
     
     
         28 . The biometric sensor recited in  claim 22  wherein the biometric function comprises identifying the individual. 
     
     
         29 . The biometric sensor recited in  claim 22  wherein the biometric function comprises verifying an identity of the individual. 
     
     
         30 . A method comprising:
 generating light with an illumination source;   directing the generated light through a volume of material to a reflective coating disposed at a surface of the volume of material, wherein the volume of material is at least partially transparent to a wavelength generated by the light source;   receiving light reflected from the reflective coating to derive an image of a skin site of an individual disposed over the volume of material; and   initiating a biometric function using the derived image of the skin site.   
     
     
         31 . The method recited in  claim 30  wherein the illumination source comprises a single illumination source. 
     
     
         32 . The method recited in  claim 30  wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of illumination sources. 
     
     
         33 . The method recited in  claim 32  wherein at least two of the plurality of illumination sources provide light at different wavelengths. 
     
     
         34 . The method recited in  claim 30  wherein the illumination source comprises a broadband illumination source. 
     
     
         35 . The method recited in  claim 30  wherein the illumination source comprises a substantially monochromatic illumination source. 
     
     
         36 . The method recited in  claim 30  wherein the biometric function comprises identifying the individual. 
     
     
         37 . The method recited in  claim 30  wherein the biometric function comprises verifying an identity of the individual.