SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Biometrics Acquisition Device Experience

Rapid Biometrics Device Development

Current Biometrics Device Development Initiatives

"The Not So Simple SIIMON"

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	SwRI developed a low-profile, lightweight (1.1-lb.) fingerprint scanner for the U.S. Navy.
	A next-generation, low-profile, lightweight fingerprint scanner is under development for the Department of Homeland Security.

Biometrics technology is advancing and becoming ubiquitous. Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a leader in development of:

• Compact biometrics sensors

• Stand-off biometrics acquisition

• Biometrics software integration

• Situational data co-collection

The following initiatives are in the early stages:

• Thinner and lighter optical 4-slap fingerprint scanner

• Biometric software integration and algorithm development

• Stand-off biometrics collection

• Co-Collection of DNA and other chemicals

Thinner and Lighter Optical 4-Slap Fingerprint Scanner

Off-the-shelf, optical 4-slap fingerprint scanners contain a large and heavy glass prism, which is difficult to reduce in size to fit a six-inch cube weighing five pounds or less.

SwRI developed a compact and extremely lightweight 4-slap and rolled fingerprint reader prototype based on alternative optical technology. The reader connects to a portable biometrics capture system and features software that automatically performs segmentation, quality assessment, and left- or right-handedness detection. We were awarded a Department of Homeland Security contract to further reduce the size and increase the resolution of the device.

For more information about optical fingerprint scanner development, please contact Joe Mitchell at jmitchell@swri.org or (210) 522-5799.

Biometrics Software Integration and Algorithm Development

	Typical user interface from the Biometrics Enrollment Station

Multi-modal biometric acquisition device software integrates devices from various manufacturers and presents a cohesive and intuitive user interface. Our engineers knit together software development kits for each biometric sensor with embedded code to control peripherals and manage power, all controlled by a custom user interface. Our team of experts can provide biometrics algorithm development as well. Algorithm development capabilities include:

• Unconventional biometrics template development

• Statistical fusion of partial or reduced-quality biometrics data sets

• Spacio-temporal image processing to extract 3D biometric data

• Super-resolution image processing

• Extraction of emotional or metabolic state information from biometrics data

For more information about biometrics software integration, please contact Errol Brigance at ebrigance@swri.org or (210) 522-5071. For more information about algorithm development, please contact Joe Mitchell at jmitchell@swri.org or (210) 522-5799.

Dynamic structured light acquisition techniques use a set of lines projected onto an object of interest to generate a 3D surface. Fingerprints or facial scans can be acquired using this method without the need for contact, making acquisition possible from a distance.

Stand-Off Biometrics Collection

The future of biometrics acquisition is in non-contact and long-distance biometrics collection. SwRI is working on the issues of:

• Long-range iris image capture

• Structured light techniques for fingerprint or facial scan acquisition

• Novel non-contact method of measuring unique anatomical features

For more information about stand-off biometrics collection, please contact Jeffrey Boehme, Ph.D., at jboehme@swri.org or (210) 522-5979; or Joe Mitchell at jmitchell@swri.org or (210) 522-5799

Co-Collection of DNA and Other Chemicals

An SwRI subsidiary, Signature Science LLC, offers products and services for the collection and analysis of chemical samples, including DNA. One foreseeable next step in the progress of biometrics collection is the development of a multi-modal collection device that would include DNA and chemical collection functionality. Though DNA would be post-processed, sensors could be integrated onto the device to detect specific chemicals, e.g., those used to make explosives.

For more information about our current biometrics device development initiatives, or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Errol Brigance at ebrigance@swri.org or (210) 522-5071.

biometrics.swri.org

| Department of Electromechanical and Optical Systems | Applied Physics Division | SwRI Home |

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.

December 28, 2012