A method and apparatus is provided for Contactless Hand Recognition (CHR) for positive identification of cooperative individuals seeking access to physical, logical, or informational systems. Contactless Hand Recognition (CHR) is based on a
novel technique and apparatus that rapidly and contactlessly captures a livescan hand geometry
video image with a visible
wavelength,
infrared, or thermal camera of a person desiring access, then reduces the image to a template, compares the livescan template to a reference template, and determines if there is a match. Contactless Hand Recognition (CHR) is a significant advancement over current state-of-the-art hand recognition systems because
authentication is done contactlessly while on the move, and at a distance, while simultaneously verifying
liveness. It can also be combined with a personal knowledge process to include the use of a Personnel Identification Number (PIN), a secret contactless sign (SCS), or unique hand / finger position
biometrics known only to the user. The CHR invention offers the possibility for users to have a rapid, fully contactless three-factor
system of
authentication based on contactless tokens,
biometrics, and personal knowledge identification signs.