Dermal Image Processing for Fingerprint Accuracy on Damaged Skin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fingerprint identification accuracy is reduced when the skin condition is poor due to factors like roughness, wrinkles, or burns, leading to potential misidentification of individuals.

Innovation Solution

A dermal image information processing device and method that uses OCT technology to acquire images of the papillary layer, detects singular regions indicating damage, and performs collation processing with allowance for positional and mismatch deviations to enhance matching accuracy, and includes a repair unit for restoring damaged fingerprint images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional fingerprint recognition is used, then the authentication process is simple and fast, but the accuracy is reduced when skin condition is poor (roughness, wrinkles, burns)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint identification accuracyVSAvoidrobustness to skin condition variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional epidermal fingerprint imaging to three-dimensional dermal papillary layer imaging using OCT technology. This dimensional change allows capture of fingerprint features from the deeper dermal layer, which remains stable even when the epidermal surface is damaged by roughness, wrinkles, or burns, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability to skin condition variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual three-dimensional model of the dermal papillary layer based on OCT scan data. This virtual copy allows for sophisticated processing including singular region detection, damage detection, and collation with allowance for positional and mismatch deviations, enabling accurate identification even when the physical fingerprint surface is degraded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If strict fingerprint matching is performed, then security is high, but the possibility of misidentifying the same person as another person increases when skin condition is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidfalse rejection rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces multiple adjustable parameters in the collation process including positional allowance and mismatch allowance. These parameter changes enable the system to flexibly adapt the matching strictness based on detected skin conditions, maintaining security while reducing false rejections when the fingerprint surface is degraded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual three-dimensional model as an intermediary between the physical fingerprint and the authentication decision. This intermediary allows for damage detection and singular region identification, enabling the system to distinguish between genuine fingerprint variations and artifacts caused by poor skin condition, thereby reducing false rejections while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If OCT technology is used to acquire dermal images, then identification accuracy improves, but the device complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fingerprint analysis process into distinct functional modules: OCT image acquisition, virtual three-dimensional model generation, singular region detection, damage detection, and collation. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and processed efficiently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high identification accuracy through specialized processing at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces the likelihood of misidentifying an individual by improving the detection of singular regions and restoring damaged fingerprint images, thereby enhancing the accuracy of fingerprint identification even in poor skin conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an OCT device 2, and a dermal image information processing device 3

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical coherence tomography: Interference

Implementation Method 2

obtains mutual interference caused by phase difference between light reflected by emitting the finger as an observation target (laser light), and reference light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3309742B1Dermal image information processing device, dermal image information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 NEC CORP
  • EP3309742B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3309742B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3309742B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A dermal image information processing device includes: a dermal image information acquisition unit that acquires image information indicating an image of a papillary layer; and a singular region detection unit that detects a singular region indicating damage of the papillary layer, based on the acquired image information.