Identification of individuals by means of facial thermography

Abstract

It was demonstrated that facial thermograms are unique to the individual, and methods and systems for positive identification were developed. This capability is inherently more accurate and more robust over varying lighting and environment conditions than is the use of video images. The technology involves the use of biosensor data for uniquely and automatically identifying individuals. Due to the connectedness of the physiological systems of the human body, elemental shapes can in general be derived from any biological sensor data which can be presented as an image. The elemental shapes and their locations provide an identification capability. Biosensors which produce very detailed localised data, such as high-resolution infrared imagers, can result in unique identification of an individual from the determination of elemental shapes and their distribution. The market for such devices and services includes all facilities which seek to restrict access to physical areas, distribution systems or information files. Some of the most immediate potential applications for positive identification systems are listed.<>