System and method of disambiguation in processes of biometric identification
Inventors
Assignees
US Department of Homeland Security
Publication Number
US-11392951-B2
Publication Date
2022-07-19
Expiration Date
2039-10-07
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Abstract
Systems and methods and an example method including storing, in an access control memory of an access control computer system a set of access control identity records, receiving from an individual a proffered biographic information, and comparing the proffered biographic information to the access control identity records. In response to the comparing indicating a subset of than one access control identity records having biographic information having similarity to the proffered biographic information exceeding a threshold, generating and sending to a central resource computer system a biometric comparison request. The request includes the proffered biographic information of the persons, an indication of the biometric information of the person, and indication of biographic information in the identity records in the subset. A response is received from the central resource computer indicating whether a central resource identity record includes both a matching identity record biographic information and a matching identity record biometric information.
Core Innovation
This invention relates to systems and methods for biometric identification that improve the efficiency of identity verification at access control checkpoints by reducing computational and network resource usage. The invention achieves this by first performing biographic disambiguation using proffered biographic information against a stored set of identity records to identify a subset of likely matches, and then sending a biometric comparison request including this subset to a central resource computer system for biometric matching, rather than performing biometric comparisons at the checkpoint itself.
The problem being solved is the high computational burden and resource consumption involved in using biometric information to verify identity. Biometric data is significantly larger and more complex to compare than biographic information, resulting in heavy use of memory, processor cycles, network bandwidth, and time. This invention addresses the inefficiency in performing biometric comparisons by limiting such comparisons to a smaller subset of records and centralizing the biometric comparison process, thus improving overall system performance.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple independent claims covering methods, computer systems, and computerized methods that implement biographic disambiguation with biometric identification to reduce network and processing burdens.
Biographic disambiguation method with centralized biometric comparison
A method at an access control checkpoint that stores identity records with biographic information, compares proffered biographic information to identify a subset of matching records exceeding a similarity threshold, and sends a biometric comparison request with the proffered biographic information, biometric information, and indication of matching biographic records to a central resource computer system. The method receives a response indicating whether there is a matching identity record with matching biographic and biometric information.
Feature extraction and template creation from proffered biographic information
Extracting features from the proffered biographic information and creating a template representative of this information. The template may be designed to prevent computationally feasible restoration of the original biographic information from the template.
Control of electronic access devices based on biometric comparison
Performing a pre-programmed control of an electronic access control device according to the result of the biometric comparison to validate access.
Use of record identifiers in biometric comparison requests
Storing record identifiers for identity records and including these identifiers as indications of biographic information in the biometric comparison request message instead of sending full biographic information.
One-way transform of biometric information
Performing a one-way transform on the biometric information at the access control checkpoint to generate a transformed biometric information that is computationally infeasible to restore, and using this transformed information in biometric comparison requests.
Expected subject lists with rolling updates
Receiving expected subject lists from a central resource computer system that represents individuals expected to pass through the checkpoint within a time window, storing this as identity records, and updating the lists in response to messages from the central resource incorporating changes from third-party sources.
Computer system configured for reduced network and processing burden biometric disambiguation
A computer system at an access control checkpoint comprising a hardware processor configured via native instruction set code to manage access control identity records with biographic information, compare proffered biographic information, identify subsets with similarity exceeding a threshold, send biometric comparison requests to a central resource including appropriate data, and receive responses indicating if there is a match in both biographic and biometric information.
The claims collectively protect systems and methods that implement biographic disambiguation to reduce resource burdens by limiting biometric comparisons to a subset of records and centralizing biometric matching, including various specific features such as template creation, one-way biometric transforms, expected subject lists, record identifiers in requests, and control of access devices based on biometric results.
Stated Advantages
Reduction in computational and network resource usage by limiting biometric comparisons to a smaller subset of records identified by biographic disambiguation.
Improved system performance and reduced network latency by centralizing biometric comparisons at a central resource computer system instead of distributing them to each access control checkpoint.
Privacy and security enhancement by applying one-way transform functions to biometric data, preventing reconstitution of original biometric information if data is intercepted or compromised.
Improved system efficiency through the use of rolling updates to expected subject lists, ensuring timely and accurate identity data at checkpoints.
Prevention of duplicate identity matches and reduced processing by locking identity records once a subject's identity is confirmed, thereby improving biographic disambiguation accuracy and reducing unnecessary biometric comparisons.
Documented Applications
Verification of identity of individuals at access control checkpoints such as airport security checkpoints, ensuring correct identification of travelers using a combination of biographic and biometric information.
Use in airline travel checkpoints where the system processes traveler information, including expected subject lists corresponding to passengers for a given flight or time window.
General access control contexts where identity verification is performed based on biographic and biometric data, such as hotel check-in, security checkpoints, or other controlled-access environments.
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