# US 10,311,316 B2 · Apparatus, method and computer program for identifying biometric features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,311,316 B2 - Document ID: US10311316B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/526,929 - Filed: 2015-11-11 - Published: 2017-11-09 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-21 - Assignees: Nokia Technologies Oy - Applicants: Nokia Technologies Oy - Inventors: Andrew Matthews; Christopher Bower; Troels Ronnow - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10311316B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/024: Measuring pulse rate or heart rate - A61B 5/0035: {adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography} - A61B 5/0037: {Performing a preliminary scan, e.g. a prescan for identifying a region of interest} - A61B 5/1171: based on the shapes or appearances of their bodies or parts thereof - A61B 5/489: {Blood vessels} - G06V 10/141: Control of illumination - G06V 40/10: Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands - G06V 40/14: Vascular patterns - G06V 40/15: {Biometric patterns based on physiological signals, e.g. heartbeat, blood flow} - G06V 40/53: {Measures to keep reference information secret, e.g. cancellable biometrics} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING ## Abstract A method, apparatus and computer program, wherein the method comprises: illuminating a portion of skin of a user; detecting light scattered by the illuminated portion of skin and using the detected light to identify locations of biometric features within the illuminated portion of skin; and configuring a light source to selectively illuminate identified locations of biometric features. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method implemented by an apparatus, the method comprising: illuminating, by the apparatus, a portion of skin of a user; detecting, by the apparatus, light scattered by the illuminated portion of skin and using the detected light to identify locations of biometric features within the illuminated portion of skin; and configuring, by the apparatus, a light source to selectively illuminate identified locations of biometric features; wherein the light source is configured to illuminate the skin of the user and is also configured to illuminate a display. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biometric features comprise features which enable a user to be uniquely identified. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biometric features comprise blood vessels. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising identifying portions of regions illuminated by the light source overlying regions of high blood flow, and controlling the light source so that these regions are illuminated. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selective illumination of biometric features is used to identify a user. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein information obtained from the biometric features is used to create cryptographic key information which enables a user to be identified. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selective illumination of blood vessels is used to monitor biometric parameters of the user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising tuning an intensity of the illumination based on the intensity of the detected scattered light. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a light source is configured to be provided adjacent to the skin of the user. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of organic light emitting diodes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the scattered light is detected by a quantum dot detector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the areas of the user's skin which are selectively illuminated have a concentration of biometric features above a threshold. ### Claim 13 An apparatus comprising: processing circuitry; and memory circuitry including computer program code; the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least to perform; illuminating a portion of skin of a user; detecting light scattered by the illuminated portion of skin and using the detected light to identify locations of biometric features within the illuminated portion of skin; and configuring a light source to selectively illuminate identified locations of biometric features; wherein the light source is configured to illuminate the skin of the user and is also configured to illuminate a display. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the biometric features comprise blood vessels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A an apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the light source comprises a plurality of organic light emitting diodes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 comprising a quantum dot detector configured to detect the scattered light. ### Claim 17 A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program comprising computer program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, enable controlling an apparatus to: illuminate a portion of skin of a user; detect light scattered by the illuminated portion of skin and using the detected light to identify locations of biometric features within the illuminated portion of skin; and configure a light source to selectively illuminate identified locations of biometric features; wherein the light source is configured to illuminate the skin of the user and is also configured to illuminate a display. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim 17, wherein the biometric features comprise features which enable a user to be uniquely identified.