Experimental evaluation of an ultrasound technique for the biometric recognition of human hand anatomic elements

In this work the moving ultrasound linear array technique has been used to perform 3D echographic images of different human hands, in order to evaluate this technique to biometric recognition purposes. An automated set up, based on a commercial echographic machine provided with a high frequency (12 MHz) linear array, has been built up. The probe is moved in the direction orthogonal to the array and at each step a B-scan is performed and stored to form a 3D matrix representing the under skin hand volume.B-scan and C-scan images of the hand of different users were analysed and compared. The results have shown that, in the analysed region (about 10 mm under the palm skin), there are several anatomic elements (including hand bones, bending tendons, muscle tissue, blood vessels) that can be exploited for measurements of biometric parameters.The characteristics of the proposed technique are compared with those of the 2D optical hand geometry, which is a well established biometric technique, and its possible advantages are underlined and discussed.

Research highlights► The use of ultrasounds for biometric purposes has been evaluated. ► B-scan and C-scan images of human hand palms have been analysed and compared. ► The moving linear array technique has been exploited. ► Several anatomic elements have been measured as biometric parameters. ► A new biometric characteristic called “3D hand geometry” is defined and proposed.