Selective biometric access control
Inventors
Assignees
US Department of Homeland Security
Publication Number
US-12073482-B2
Publication Date
2024-08-27
Expiration Date
2036-07-29
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Abstract
Collection, validation, accuracy checking, and matching of information for individuals, e.g., in-scope people entering/exiting a country is described. The systems, techniques, devices, methods, and approaches described herein can be used to collect biographic, biometric, and travel information for persons who enter a country with the expectation that the person will eventually exit. The system and method described herein include structures and procedures for determining whether the individual, based on his/her information, meets a predefined criterion that is associated with predefined procedures, e.g., special precautions are to be implemented. This document also describes how information for an individual can be matched with an existing record in order to ensure accurate recordkeeping.
Core Innovation
This invention describes systems, techniques, devices, methods, and approaches for collecting, validating, accuracy checking, and matching information for individuals, particularly in-scope people entering or exiting a country. The systems gather biographic, biometric, and travel information for individuals who enter a country with the expectation they will eventually exit, with structures and procedures to determine whether an individual meets a predefined criterion associated with predefined procedures such as special precautions.
The invention addresses accurate recordkeeping by matching information for an individual with an existing record. The system routes individuals through evaluation processes and constructs, operates, and maintains massive biographic/biometric data systems. Embodiments also include configuring and operating biometric information handling systems in a generic manner that can operate agnostically of proprietary biometric components.
The background highlights the problem of processing massive numbers of individuals (e.g., approximately one million daily in the U.S.) crossing borders who must be screened differently based on their categorization as in-scope (e.g., foreign visitors expected to depart) or out-of-scope (e.g., citizens, diplomats). Challenges include handling a massive volume of biographic and large-sized biometric data, varied facility configurations, time zone differences, proprietary biometric algorithms, and minimizing passenger delay while maintaining accurate and secure records to prevent illegal entries, identity misuse, or terrorist activities.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes 42 claims with a focus on independent and dependent claims describing a system and method for biometric access control with dynamic thresholding, data validation, matching, and data handling for individuals entering or exiting a country.
System for selective biometric access control with dynamic match threshold
A system including a collection device with processor, memory, capture device, communication unit, and an information module; an access control device; and a central resource with matching module. The collection device uses a unique identifier to determine if biometric data collection is required, collects biometric information including images, converts proprietary biometric data into a generic standardized format, hashes this data, compares it to stored data, dynamically adjusts match percentage thresholds, and upon successful match instructs opening of the access control device.
Dynamic adjustment of biometric matching threshold based on multiple criteria
The system dynamically adjusts the predetermined percentage match based on factors such as general security level, additional biometric factors, matching information, degree of accuracy, throughput, use of historical information, or counting a threshold number of unsuccessful attempts.
Association of biometric with biographic data to reduce computation and enhance matching accuracy
The system collects biographic information and compares it with database information to identify individuals meeting predefined criteria. It associates biographic data with biometric data to reduce computational burden and down-selects biometric matches based on names or other biographic identifiers, including negative matching to prevent identity misuse.
Large-scale data handling with routine and expedited information positioning
The central resource prepositions manifest data to local environments ahead of time to avoid processing bottlenecks, processes initial and updated manifests before departures, and handles expedited requests with prioritized processing to update local databases supporting biometric screening and matching.
Multiple biometric data collection, quality assessment, and image selection from videos
Collection devices capture multiple images or videos of biometric data (e.g., face), evaluate image quality using thresholding algorithms, down-select suitable images from multiple frames, and delay access control response to collect optimal biometric data transparently to individuals.
The claims collectively cover a comprehensive system and method for selective biometric access control that dynamically adapts matching thresholds, validates and matches biographic and biometric data, manages large-scale data efficiently, conducts enrollment and matching using generic formats agnostic to proprietary algorithms, and enhances accuracy via multi-image capture and quality assessment for border and access screening applications.
Stated Advantages
Efficient identification of individuals among massive numbers of daily transactions, minimizing passenger delays and dissatisfaction.
Dynamic adjustment of biometric matching thresholds to balance security and throughput based on risk factors and data quality.
Genericization of biometric data to enable interoperability among proprietary capture and processing algorithms.
Ability to preposition data to local resources to prevent central processing and communication bottlenecks.
Improved accuracy via multi-image capture and selection processes that increase biometric matching reliability.
Documented Applications
Screening individuals entering and exiting a country through customs and border control.
Entry and exit management using biographic and biometric information including air travel, cruise ships, and other transportation modes.
Use in massive data systems involving biometric and/or biographic data collection, identification, verification, and recordkeeping.
Applications in customer check-ins, vehicle registrations, driver license registrations, permit collections, identification in correctional institutions, and other governmental or quasi-governmental identification settings.
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