Methods and systems for biometric identification of individuals using linear optical spectroscopy

A method for implementing a biometric task with respect to an individual, the method comprising:

• measuring a spectral variation of electromagnetic radiation from subepidermal tissue from at least one site of the individual, the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 350 nm and 2.5 μm;
• performing a linear spectroscopic analysis of the spectral variation;
• and
• performing the biometric-task in accordance with a result of the linear spectroscopic analysis.

Apparatus for identifying an individual, the apparatus comprising:

• a source of electromagnetic radiation adapted to propagate radiation at the individual's skin into tissue of the individual, the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 350 nm and 2.5 μm;
• a receiver adapted to receive a measured spectral variation in the form of electromagnetic radiation scattered from the tissue of the individual;
• a spectral-variation database having a previously stored spectral variation;
• and
• a computer-readable storage medium coupled with a processor, the computer-readable storage medium having a computer-readable program embodied therein for directing operation of the processor, the computer-readable program including:
• instructions for comparing the measured spectral variation with the previously stored spectral variation over a predetermined wavelength interval by comparing, at each of a plurality of wavelengths within the predetermined wavelength interval, a property of the measured and previously stored spectral variations that is independent of a presence of other wavelength;
• and
• instructions for designating the individual as having an identity associated with the previously stored spectral variation if the measured spectral variation is consistent with the previously stored spectral variation.

Apparatus for identifying an individual, the apparatus comprising:

• means for propagating electromagnetic radiation at the individual's skin into tissue of the individual, the electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 350 nm and 2.5 μm;
• means for receiving a measured spectral variation in the form of electromagnetic radiation scattered from the tissue of the individual;
• means for comparing the measured spectral variation with a previously stored spectral variation over a predetermined wavelength interval by comparing, at each of a plurality of wavelength within the predetermined wavelength interval, a property of the measured and previously stored spectral variations that is independent of a presence of other wavelengths;
• and
• means for designating the individual as having an identity associated with the previously stored spectral variation if the measured spectral variation is consistent with the previously stored spectral variation.