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  ComparisonRelated Patent Categories: Image Analysis, Image Transformation Or PreprocessingThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060088225. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention concerns improvements in and relating to comparisons, particularly, but not exclusively to comparisons of biometric markers and the accounting for distortion involved therein. [0002] Various approaches for comparing a biometric marker, such as a fingerprint, from one source with one from another source exist. Some such systems have attempted to account on a case by case basis for the effects of distortion. [0003] The applicant has developed a likelihood ratio based approach for such a comparison and this takes into account the variation in representations of the same finger taken under different conditions. [0004] The present invention has amongst its aims to provide additional data for such a process, without undue burden in its generation. [0005] According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, the method including [0006] obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another; [0007] describing the effect of the different distortions on the plurality of representations using a function; [0008] taking a further representation from an individual and preferably another individual, applying the function to that representation to generate one or more simulated distorted representations. [0009] According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a method of forming a data set including distorted representations of a marker, the method including [0010] obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another; [0011] describing the effect of the different distortions on the plurality of representations using a function; [0012] taking a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual, applying the function to that representation to generate one or more simulated distorted representations; [0013] adding the one or more simulated distorted representations to a data set. [0014] The first and/or second aspects of the invention may include any of the features, options or possibilities set out elsewhere in this application, including from amongst the following. [0015] The distortion may arise from one or more factors. The factors may be or include the particular finger and/or the particular hand from which the representation arises. The factor may be or include the gender and/or profession and/or height and/or size and/or weight and/or age of the person from whom the representation arises. The factor may be the type and/or material and/or shape of the substrate on which the representation arose. [0016] The marker, preferably a biometric marker, may be a fingerprint, but may be a palm print, ear print, footprint, footwear print or the like. [0017] The plurality of representations may be obtained from the individual under controlled conditions. The conditions may be controlled in terms of the finger used and/or substrate used and/or pressure used and/or extent of distortion used. Preferably one or more repeats of each representation are obtained. Preferably at least 2 repeats and more preferably at least 5 repeats are obtained for each of the different distortions. Preferably at least 5 representations with different distortions are obtained from each individual. Preferably a plurality of representations are obtained from a plurality of individuals. Preferably at least 20 individuals are used, more preferably at least 40. [0018] The function may be or include a non-linear function. The function may be a non-linear transformation. The function may be or include one or more matrices. The function may be defined, at least in part, by a comparison of a pair of the representations having different distortions. The comparison may consider the position of one or more minutiae in each of the representations and/or consider the position of one or more points on one or more ridges. The function may be defined, at least in part, by a thin plate spline approach. [0019] Preferably the method is applied to a plurality of different individuals to provide a plurality of functions. One or more of the functions may be used to generate the simulated distorted representations. One or more of the functions may be combined, for instance to give a composite function. One or more of the functions may be combined to give a general description of distortion. The composite function may be a composite matrix. The plurality of functions and/or composite function and/or composite matrix may be used to generate one or more simulated distorted representations from a further representation. [0020] The further representation to which the function is applied is preferably an undistorted representation. The representation to which the function is applied may be from a different individual to the individual or individuals that the distorted representations are obtained from. Preferably a plurality of simulated distorted representations are obtained from each representation, potentially nine or more, preferably 10 or more, ideally 25 or more. The function may be used to generate one or more simulated distorted representations for a plurality of individuals, ideally with the same function being used in for each individual. [0021] Preferably the simulated distorted representations are supplied to a data set, ideally a data base. Preferably the data set and/or data base is used in a comparison method, particularly a comparison method in which a representation being compared is considered against within finger variability and/or between finger variability. The data set and/or data base may be used to form a probability distribution, for instance a probability distribution related to the distance between different representations of the same marker and/or a probability distribution related to the distance between different representations of different markers. [0022] The method may be repeated for one or more different types and/or direction of distortion. The one or more different types of distortion may include: distortion of and/or towards one end, for instance a top, of a representation; and/or distortion of and/or towards another end, for instance a bottom, of a representation; and/or distortion of and/or towards another end, for instance one side, of a representation; and/or distortion of and/or towards another end, for instance another side, of a representation. [0023] One or more functions may be provided. One or more functions related to or specific to the finger which was the source of the representation may be used, for instance where the finger is the thumb, first finger, index finger, third finger or fourth finger. One or more functions related to or specific to the hand which was the source of the representation may be used, for instance where the hand is the right hand or left hand. One or more functions related to or specific to the gender of the person who was the source of the representation may be used, for instance where the gender is male or female. One or more functions related to or specific to the size of the person who was the source of the representation may be used, for instance in respect of one or more hyped ranges for the person. One or more functions related to or specific to the age of the person who was the source of the representation may be used, for instance with respect to one or more age ranges. One or more functions related to or specific to the weight of the person who was the source of the representation may be used, for instance with respect to one or more weight ranges. One or more functions related to or specific to the profession of the person who was the source of the representation may be used. [0024] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only. Continue reading... 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