Biometric sensor apparatus and methods

A biometric sensor device comprising:

• a platen having a sensing portion to receive a body member;
• at least one infrared (IR) light source located adjacent the sensing portion for transmitting IR light through the body member;
• an optical image sensor located opposite the sensing portion for detecting IR light transmitted through the body member;
• and
• a memory and processor cooperating therewith for storing and processing signals output from said optical image sensor;
• said memory and processor cooperating for storing and processing a plurality of images obtained from said optical image sensor in response to IR light transmitted from said IR light source through an object placed on said platen to determine whether the object is a live body member, said memory and processor cooperating for analyzing relative intensities of the plurality of images to determine whether variations in those intensities are consistent with characteristics indicative of a human heartbeat.

A method for determining whether an object presented to a biometric sensor device is a live body member, the method comprising:

• transmitting IR light from an IR light source through the object;
• detecting IR light transmitted through the object using an optical image sensor;
• obtaining a plurality of images from the optical image sensor in response to IR transmitted from the IR light source through the object;
• and
• processing the images to determine whether the object has characteristics of a live body member by analyzing relative intensities of the plurality of images to determine whether variations in those intensities are consistent with characteristics indicative of a human heartbeat.

A method of determining whether a live body member presented to a biometric sensor device has a spoofing device associated therewith, the method comprising:

• transmitting IR light from at least one IR light source through the body member;
• detecting IR light transmitted through the body member using an optical image sensor;
• obtaining at least one image from the optical image sensor in response to IR light transmitted from the IR light source through the body member;
• reflecting visible light from at least one visible light source from the body member;
• detecting visible light reflected from the body member using the optical image sensor;
• obtaining at least one image from the optical image sensor in response to visible light from the visible light source reflected from the body member;
• and
• processing the images determine the presence or absence of a spoofing device associated with the body member by analyzing relative intensities of the images to determine whether variations in those intensities are consistent with characteristics indicative of a human heartbeat.

A method of operating a biometric sensor device comprising:

• placing a body member on a sensing portion of a platen;
• transmitting IR light through the body member with at least one infrared (IR) light source located adjacent the sensing portion;
• detecting IR light transmitted through the body member with an optical image sensor located opposite the sensing portion;
• and
• storing and processing signals output from the optical image sensor by
• processing a plurality of images obtained from the optical image sensor in response to IR light transmitted from the IR light source through an object placed on the platen to determine whether the object is a live body member, and
• analyzing relative intensities of the plurality of images to determine whether variations in those intensities are consistent with characteristics indicative of a human heartbeat.