Other

Austin Gormley

Vladimir Kupershmidt

Allen W L Topping

Allen Topping

Vladimir Kuperschmidt

A system for encoding, comparing, and recognizing individuals by analysis of their fingernails employs collimated light having finite bandwidth ( ). The light ( ) is divided into polarized scanning and reference beams ( ) and ( ). The scanning beam scans across a subject's nail bed ( ), and the light ( ) reflected from the birefringent component within the nail bed is compared with the reference beam ( ). As the scanning beam ( ) scans across the subject's nail bed, more or less light reflects from the nail bed ( ), according to the peaks and valleys in the epidermal folds ( ) of the nail bed. The reflected light is analyzed and reduced to binary data as a function of position across the subject's nail bed. These binary data are used to uniquely identify an individual. The data from a scan can be compared with stored data in a pattern recognition algorithm ( ), resulting in a positive or negative identification of an individual.

Automated identification through analysis of optical birefringence within nail beds

A system for encoding and recognizing individuals by the unique characteristics of their fingernails or other body part employs a master oscillator (430) which controls a plurality of monochromatic light sources (400) and (410). The light beams are coupled to an acousto-optic, 2-D beam deflector (500) which selectively illuminates individual input port fibers (530). The light beams then pass through sensing ports (520) and enter the individual's skin or a fingernail. Light reflected from the individual's body part then enters sensing ports (520) and exits through output ports (540). Output ports (540) are optically coupled to a CCD sensor (450) which detects the amplitudes of light reflected from the subject's fingernail, for example. The output of sensor (450) is connected to an analog-to-digital converter (460), which in turn presents a digital representation of the intensity of the reflected light to a computer (470). This system measures the spacing of capillary loops (355) which are separated by valleys (362) in the nail bed (500) of fingernail (300). The spacings of loops (355) are unique to each individual, much as fingerprints are unique. Detection of loops (355) and determination of their spacings is accomplished through the use of two different wavelengths of light, one of which is strongly absorbed and the other of which is strongly scattered by blood which perfuses nail bed (500). After data analysis and correction, a simple binary representation of the relative positions of loops (355) is obtained, providing a positive, unique, and readily obtained identification of an individual subject.

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Little River, SC, United States of America

Austin Gormley