CN100492310C - Method and apparatus for automatic control of access - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling access of individuals to a service, device or location in order to restrict access to members of a particular age and/or gender category, by machine-sensing a predetermined biometric characteristic of the individual indicative of the particular age and/or gender category, and utilizing the machine-sensed characteristic for automatically controlling access of the individual. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to controlling access of children to certain Internet sites, TV programs, chat rooms, or other places inappropriate to children.

Description

Automatically control the method and apparatus of visit

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of method, device and commerce services that is used for controlling automatically individual access service, equipment or position.Described method and apparatus is particularly useful for controlling children and visits unfavorable internet site of age or TV program, and has mainly described the application that relates to these aspects below thus.

Background technology

Universal day by day along with the Internet about can or controlling the problem to which kind of visit degree of information, becomes than complicated more in the past.On the one hand, the freedom of speech is the certainty of any free democratic society.On the other hand, cyberspace allowed various bad groups protect their message and do not fear consequence the victim is become possibility as target.Though the reviewers of the Internet rule often worry that unnecessary governability enters in the middle of citizen's the life, seldom there is group to ratify some safety practices and has argument with regard to the material of pornographic or inhuman sexual violence and so on.

Via the Internet, there is not which colony than the easier influence that is subjected to harmful material danger of children.The curiosity that children are born is added almost inexhaustible cyberspace quantity of information, makes some children to have a mind to or by mistake runs into the material that should not see when young.

Though, almost constituted percent 50 of instant population in the U.S. less than 16 years old children,, the activity of their overwhelming majority is not all supervised in real time.The full interactive experience that the character of the Internet allows children have to come " hidden " among oneself.And at present, many children will understand the knowledge of relevant the Internet more than their father and mother.

Obviously, father and mother also are diversified about the preference of the Internet activities of controlling their child in the middle of father and mother.Majority approve of following saying: i.e. the management of children's the Internet activities is a kind of power of father and mother, also be father and mother's responsibility, this power and responsibility be worth by themselves individual moral ethics with father and mother and general social morality ethical value to bear the responsibility of bringing up their child be the same.

Children are than easier the coming to harm of adult, and compare with the adult less can key application judgement.Therefore certain supervision and management of father and mother has become very important, but this supervision and management that appears as of the Internet has brought huge difficulty.

There are several control methods of father and mother at present for the Internet.A kind of method the most well-known and widespread use depends on the barrier system of classification (Rating) or label (Label) exactly; In the middle of described system, ISP (ISP) provides and stops teenage user capture one to determine the option of the website of classification.In addition, also developed the system of filter software for this purpose.

Yet, above-mentioned stop with filtering system be not the user interface close friend, and very dangerous.Stop that in order to use father and mother must set up the independent account number that has independent password through ISP.So, when being stashed, password just produced the difficult problem of memory cipher in face of child.In addition, the children that know the internet can find out the visit of way acquisition to these passwords, perhaps walk around them fully.In addition, cryptographic system also suffers the problem of being stolen, forget, sharing or intercept and capture by hackers.

There have been many situations that need access control in the freedom of participating in comings and goings when balance modestly, described value such as safety, privacy, negative influence, education and freedom of assembly when being of value to individual and/or social other and being worth.For example, preferably approval: the adult's internet site that shows Pornograph should be subjected to age limit, forbids that promptly children visit.Some may wish limited by sex as the internet site of men homosexuality or lesbianism community, so that only allow the sex visit.Entering public lounge limited by sex.Children to alcoholic beverage sales transactions, limited cinema film and exhibition, the visit of the vending machine etc. of cigarette and/or wine is provided, all should be under an embargo and control.Equally, the various danger when children touch domestic electronics such as utilization such as stove or consumer should be restricted.

Therefore recognize widely: need a kind of being used for according to respect to controlling the method and apparatus of individuality automatically such as the individual segregation of specific categories such as age and/or sex, and to possess said method be very useful with device the visit of service, equipment or position.

As everyone knows, bioassay system can utilize fingerprint, keeps the seal, retina identification, face recognition, voice set or the like and to discern the user.Yet whether the bioassay system of above-mentioned prior art is identified as particular individual based on the user usually and conducts interviews, but not based on this judgement of specific category member of individuality, conducts interviews.Above-mentioned system of the prior art thus require each user must before be identified, but also require user's identity to be stored in the middle of the database, thereby when attempting to visit, retrieve described database.In addition, individuality can change taxonomic category (for example, will enroll different age categories after growing up) later on through certain hour, so that the individual identity that is write down may not necessarily indicate the category of current individuality before.

Summary of the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of method of controlling individual access service, equipment or position, so that the member of restrict access to specific category, described method comprises: the machine sensing shows as the predetermined biometric characteristics of individuality of specific category; Be used for control automatically to the machine sensed characteristic of the visit of service, equipment or position with use.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention as described below, specific category is the age category, and/or the sex category.Just, according to judge individuality be children or adult and/or be the male sex or women, control visit to service, equipment or position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, children or adult's physique be by sensing checked growth plate in the bone existence, disappearance and/or thickness, judged by the ossification intensity of individual bone.At described individuality is children or adult, according to the logic of suitable software or hardware, analyzes existence, disappearance or the thickness of the bone growth plate of institute's sensing, and the database that above-mentioned existence, disappearance or thickness same and bone growth plate are associated compares.After judging that individuality is children or adult, with the proper signal of export permit or denied access.

By utilizing suitable sensor, such as sensor of ultrasonic sensor, microphone, camera, respirator, Dermallly affixed formula or the like, can sense such as sound, face structure, respiratory capacity, skin thickness, biochemical characteristics (as, haemobiochemistry) waits other bioassay parameter, and use these bioassay parameters to be used for individuality is divided into age and/or sex and/or other sorted group.

According to another feature described in the preferred embodiment, control is to the visit such as electronic mediums such as ad hoc the Internet servers automatically.Visit is preferably checked existence, disappearance or the thickness of growth plate in the individual bone, is that children or adult are judged based on individuality by sensing.According to described preferred embodiment, the bone of being checked is finger phalanges or individual wrist, and preferably utilizes ultrasonic technology to come sensing.Ultrasonic equipment or other sensor preferably are placed in the manual control part, such as computer entry device (as, computer mouse, keyboard, TV or WebTV Long-distance Control or the like), perhaps be arranged in electronics or consumer, such as, but not limited to: computing machine, phone, cellular phone or personal digital assistant, especially possess the sort of type of internet browsing ability and food processor or the like.

In another aspect of the present invention, a kind of device that is used to control to the visit of service, equipment or position is provided, so that the member of restrict access to specific category, described device comprises: at least one sensor is used for the predetermined individual biometric characteristics that shows given age and/or sex category of sensing; And data processor, be used to receive and analyze the biometric characteristics that senses; Described biological nature and reference data are made comparisons, and described reference data is associated with specific category with biometric characteristics; And show the output signal that whether allows to visit specific service, equipment or position.As discussed previously, specific category is preferably age category (for example adult) and/or sex category (for example male/female).

In another aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of so that the memory device of form store software application can be installed, described application program is used to analyze at least one individual biometric characteristics and judges whether described individuality belongs to such as specific categories such as age or sex categories, and be used for the individual visit of control automatically, thereby come limiting access according to specific category to service, equipment or position.

Of the present invention aspect another, provide a kind of such as computing machine or server (for example, Internet server, isp server) and so on hardware, described hardware is with the executable format application storing, and described application program is used to analyze at least one individual biometric characteristics and judges whether described individuality belongs to specific category; And be used for the individual visit of control automatically, thereby come limiting access according to specific category to service, equipment or position.

Of the present invention aspect another, a kind of commercial method of implementing is provided, comprise: upgrade subscription client and carry out biologicall test age and/or sex classification, and sell perhaps the access control bag that can be operationally communicates with subscription client for service provider and/or content supplier.

As what will more specifically describe below, the present invention can adopt easily to being enough to make the accessible mode of father and mother and not allowing to realize that in the mode of walking around than the more experienced children of its father and mother aspect the use the Internet described father and mother may possess the Internet experience seldom or there is no the Internet experience access control.It can be implemented in need not the automatic system of special number of the account by the ISP.Thereby father and mother both also need not hide password without memory cipher, and children can not swarm in the middle of the described system.

Because the present invention do not need password, visa card etc. yet, do not have therefore that anything is lost, mistake is put, stolen or shared.The present invention is used as reference database to category data, and both need not to discern in advance the individual privacy that also can not intervene particular individual when attempting to visit thus.And used biometric characteristics is the characteristic of the wide category of those individualities, therefore can not change along with the variation of individuality.

In addition, use can be distinguished children and adult and distinguish the biometric characteristics of sex, as described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention like that, be particularly useful for controlling automatically children and visit some internet site or TV program under to the situation of its restriction there not being the adult.

(1). the invention provides and a kind ofly control individual visit to service, equipment or position so that, comprising the method for restrict access to the member of given age category:

The machine sensing shows at least one described given age category, individual predetermined biometric characteristics; With

Utilize the characteristic of described machine sensing to control individual visit automatically to described specific service, equipment or position.

Preferably, the biometric characteristics of described machine sensing is the ossification intensity that the individuality that is used to judge individual age category is checked bone.

Preferably, checked that by sensing whether the os in os growth plate exists, and judges the ossification intensity of the bone of described individuality.

Preferably, the described bone of being checked is the finger in individual hand or the pin or the finger/phalanx of toe.

Preferably, check the joint of described finger/phalanx, judge on a side in joint whether have growth plate.

Preferably, check described finger/phalanx, judge whether the end at bone has growth plate.

Preferably, pass the described bone of being checked by the emission ultrasound wave and check described bone.

Preferably, described ultrasound wave is passed the described bone of being checked by emitted transverse.

Preferably, described ultrasound wave is passed the described bone of being checked by axial emission.

Preferably, the facial characteristics of utilizing camera to come machine sensing individuality is to show individual sex.

Preferably, utilize microphone to come the sound property of machine sensing individuality, to show individual sex.

Preferably, utilize optical sensor to check individual bone characteristic, to show individual age category.

Preferably, in check visit is the visit to electronic medium.

(2). the present invention also provides a kind of and has been used to control individual visit to service, equipment or position so that the device of restrict access to the member of specific category, comprising:

At least one sensor is used for sensing and shows at least one predetermined biometric characteristics described given age category, described individuality; With

Data processor is used to receive and analyze the biometric characteristics that is sensed; Biometric characteristics and reference data are made comparisons, and described reference data is associated with described given age category with biometric characteristics; And output shows the signal that whether allows to visit described specific service, equipment or position.

Preferably, described reference data is associated with the age category with the biometric characteristics that is sensed.

Preferably, described reference data is associated with the sex category with the biometric characteristics that is sensed.

Preferably, the described predetermined biometric characteristics of utilizing described sensor to sense is the individual ossification intensity of being checked bone.

Preferably, whether described sensor exists by the sensing bone growth plate, comes the ossification intensity of being checked bone of sensing individuality.

Preferably, described sensor is configured for the finger/phalanx of finger in the hand of checking described individuality or the pin or toe.

Preferably, described sensor is applicable to the joint of checking that described finger/phalanx is central, to judge whether have growth plate on a side in joint.

Preferably, described sensor is applicable to the bone of checking that described finger/phalanx is central, whether has growth plate to judge the end at bone.

Preferably, described sensor is a ultrasonic sensor.

Preferably, described ultrasonic sensor is applicable to that the emitted transverse ultrasound wave passes the described bone of being checked.

Preferably, described ultrasonic sensor is applicable to that axial emission ultrasound wave passes the described bone of being checked.

Preferably, described device comprises at least two sensors, is used at least two biometric characteristics of sensing individuality, a property list category in age in next year, and another characteristic shows the sex category; And two biometric characteristics that wherein said data processor analysis is checked, and they and reference data are compared, described reference data is associated with the given age category with biometric characteristics, and output shows the signal that whether allows to visit described specific service, equipment or position.

Preferably, described sensor is to be used for the individual facial camera of sensing.

Preferably, described sensor is the microphone that is used for the individual sound of sensing.

Preferably, described sensor is comprised in the manual control part of electronic medium.

Preferably, described sensor is comprised in the electronic medium.

To be described more features of the present invention, advantage and application, and these will become more obvious in the following description.

Description of drawings

Here, only in conjunction with the accompanying drawings invention is described by way of example.Now especially at length with reference to accompanying drawing, it is emphasized that: shown in details all only be the preferred embodiment of the present invention for example, and be, and all be to be considered to principle explanation and notion that the most practical and easy to understand invents and to occur for providing for for the purpose of illustrative is discussed.In this, do not attempt the structural details of invention is being shown in more detail, and be necessary to the invention basic comprehension, description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is obviously recognized those skilled in the art; How several forms of the present invention specifically can be applied in the middle of the enforcement.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is the general flow chart according to the method for the control visit of the present invention's instruction;

Fig. 2 a-2e illustrates according to several forms of the device of control visit automatically that are used for of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is according to schematically showing such as server hardware such as (as Internet server, isp servers) of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is schematically showing according to memory device of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is the process flow diagram according to wherein a kind of method of the present invention's instruction.

Fig. 6 is the schematically showing of bone that is in the stage of growth;

Fig. 7 a, 7b and 7c schematically illustrate according to three kinds of ultrasonic scanning technology of the present invention, these three kinds of technology can be used to check user's bone, to show user's age category;

The result that Fig. 8 is produced when illustrating the scanning technique that is used for distinguishing children and adult in using Fig. 7 b;

Fig. 9 is the block scheme that illustrates the system of the technology that is used for realizing Fig. 7 b;

Figure 10-the 12nd helps by checking that individual bone understands schematically showing of the bone emulation of distinguishing age category mode; Figure 10 is the bone emulation that does not have the joint; Figure 11 is the bone emulation that at one end has the joint; Figure 12 is the bone emulation that at one end has joint and growth plate.

Figure 13 illustrates according to the present invention, the figure of various outputs when utilizing pulse-echo (Pulse-Echo) technology;

Figure 14 schematically show from children until reach maturity, velocity of sound correlativity all ages and classes bone in period;

Figure 15 illustrates and is used for sensing and is used for showing the individual sex of age category and the system of bone growth plate (growth-plate); With

Figure 16 illustrates to be used to utilize individual sex and bone growth plate state to control the process flow diagram of the method for visit automatically according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment

The preferred embodiment of the present invention described below relates to a kind of method and apparatus that can be used for controlling automatically individual access service, equipment or position.Especially; the present invention can be used to limit the visit of individual and/or internet site, TV program, equipment and/or position that sex unsuitable unsuitable to the age; so that between the freedom of participating in free society's comings and goings characteristic and other needs of protection to the useful value of society; suitable inspection and balance is provided, described other be such as safety, to being reluctant inappropriate disclosure, privacy, the freedom of speech, education and the freedom of assembly etc. of the influence that has to the useful value of society.

Therefore, can use the present invention, for example: be used for limiting children and visit adult's internet site, these websites have shown the material of pornographic, violence and so on; Being used for limiting children visits alcoholic beverage and peddles transaction, limited cinema film, limited exhibition etc.; Be used for entering lounge according to sex restriction; And the home electronics or the consumer that are used for limiting the approaching various danger of children.

Before at length explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention, should be understood that: among that the present invention does not limit its application in the following explanation to be set forth or the figure on illustrational structure of institute and the assembly layout details.The present invention can be other embodiment, perhaps can adopt various different modes to be implemented or carry out.And also should be understood that: used here wording or term are for purposes of illustration, and should not be considered to restrictive.

Referring now to accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 for example understands the main flow chart that shows key concept related among the present invention.

Therefore, in its one side,, the invention provides a kind of method of controlling individuality to the visit of service, equipment or position for restrict access being arrived member such as specific categories such as age and/or sex categories.In view of this purpose, shown in piece among Fig. 1 10, the predetermined biometric characteristics that machine sensing (machine-sensed) is individual shows the specific category that described individuality is divided into.Then, the characteristic of above-mentioned machine sensing is used to the individual visit to specific service, equipment or position of control automatically.For this reason, sensor output (piece 12) and reference data (piece 14) are arrived visit steering logic (for example software, hardware/firmware or the two combination) by feed-in (through piece 16), described access control logic produces access control logic output (piece 18), such as permits access or denied access.

Currently preferred embodiment of the present invention as described below relates to and a kind ofly is used for according to age category (individual consumer be children or adult) and/or controls the method and apparatus of access the Internet or particular internet station according to sex category (this individuality is the male sex or women) automatically.

Fig. 2 a-2e shows several devices of lecturing according to the present invention, these several devices comprise that at present can be used for sensing shows as the sensor of the individual biometric characteristics of specific category, perhaps these several devices are modified to and comprise or be suitable for comprising the sensor, described specific category such as age or sex category etc.

Fig. 2 a for example understands computer entry device 20 (being mouse), and it comprises that the staff with the annex 24 that separates from pedestal can hold pedestal 22, and described staff can be held finger or the thumb that pedestal is used to admit the user.Pedestal 22 and annex 24 are equipped with ultrasonic bone growth plate survey sensor element.This sensor comprises: be used to check that ultrasonic transmitter 26 user's bone, that carried by annex 24 reaches the receiver 28 that is carried by pedestal 22, described user's bone is located in the middle of the isolated finger or thumb of annex 24 and pedestal 22.According to another embodiment of following invention, transmitter 26 and receiver 28 can be respectively light source and optical detector.

Fig. 2 a shows and is placed in the transmitter 26 in the middle of the annex 24 and is placed in receiver 28 in the middle of the pedestal 22; But both positions can exchange.Cable 30 makes ultrasonic transmitter 26 and receiver 28 energisings, and exports data to sensor output unit (not shown) from receiver, to be used to carry out the following processing that will describe.

Fig. 2 b for example understands remote control 31, for example corresponding TV receiver, and described remote control has ultrasonic transmitter-receiver 32, and described transceiver sends ultrasonic signal and receives the ultrasonic signal of reflected back.Thus, because transmitter and receiver be all within the transceiver unit 32 of Fig. 2 b, thereby be similar to computer entry device 20 on unit 31 functions, Fig. 1, but exempted the needs of annex 24.

Fig. 2 c-2e shows various other electronics/consumers with one or more biometric sensors, and described biometric sensor is to exist usually, or is added to top.Therefore, Fig. 2 c shows cellular phone 34, and it comprises the housing 36 with microphone 38, and described microphone is present in the middle of the cellular phone usually, also is included in the ultrasonic transmitter-receiver 32 that does not have usually in the middle of the cellular phone.Fig. 2 d shows permission the Internet/TV visit and comprises the phone or the personal digital assistant 40 of microphone 38 and camera 42 and ultrasonic transmitter-receiver 32, described microphone and camera are present in the middle of this kind equipment usually, and described ultrasonic transmitter-receiver is added on this kind equipment.Fig. 2 e shows permission the Internet/TV visit and comprises the computer system 44 of mouse 20, microphone 38 and camera 42, and described mouse, microphone and camera are present in the middle of the computer system usually.In this case, ultrasonic transmitter-receiver 32 is provided for mouse 20, rather than provides as separate transmitter and receiver among Fig. 2 a.

As shown in Figure 1, the output of access control logic 16 receiving sensors (for example, from receiver 28, Fig. 2 a, perhaps from transceiver 32, Fig. 2 b-2e), it is compared with reference data, judge user's age and/or sex category according to this comparative result, and send interrogation signal, this interrogation signal can be access permission or access reject.Be understandable that: described access control logic can by ccontaining (for example, stored with executable format) and/or pass through shown in each input equipment and/or similar devices (for example, in Fig. 2 a-2c) carried out, perhaps the equipment that communicates with it by these equipment is carried out, such as various computing machines and/or server etc., described server includes but not limited to: the Internet server that comprises isp server, content provider server, filtering server, the server of TV/ cable/satellite broadcasting, telephony server, honeycomb fashion provider server or the like.

Fig. 3 has schematically illustrated hardware 46, and Fig. 4 has schematically illustrated software 48.For example, these can be to be used for server, computing machine (as subscription client) or logic chip (firmware) with the executable format application storing, described application program is used to analyze at least one individual biometric characteristics, judge whether described individuality belongs to specific category, and be used for the individual visit of control automatically to service, equipment or position, so that come limiting access according to specific category.

Here, term " subscription client " and/or " server " also are generically and collectively referred to as " computing equipment ", they including, but not limited to: have such as DOS, Windows ^TM, OS/2 ^TMOr the personal computer (PC) of operating system such as Linux; Macintosh ^TMComputing machine; With JAVA ^TM-OS is as the computing machine of operating system; Such as Sun Microsystems ^TMWith Silicon Graphics ^TMThe figures workstation, and other has the Microsystems such as Sun ^TMAIX ^TMOr SOLARIS ^TMWait the computing machine of certain UNIX operating system version; Perhaps any other known and commercially available operating system, or any following equipment, described equipment includes but not limited to: the WAP (WAP (wireless application protocol)) of laptop computer, handheld computer, PDA (individual digital assistants) equipment, cellular phone, any kind but the equipment that enables, the mount type computing machine of any kind of, above-mentioned various device can be connected in network and all have operating system.Hereinafter, term " Windows ^TM" including, but not limited to: Windows95 ^TM, Windows3.x ^TM, " x " is the integer such as " 1 " therein, Windows NT ^TM, Windows98 ^TM, Windows CE ^TM, Windows2000 ^TM, and any version after by Microsoft (USA) these operating systems being upgraded.

For the present invention, can write software application with any suitable language able to programme basically, described language able to programme can be those of ordinary skills select easily.Obviously, selected language able to programme should with the computing equipment compatibility, utilize described computing equipment to come the executive software application program.The example of the language able to programme that is suitable for is including, but not limited to C, C++, Perl, VisualBasic and Java.

In addition, the present invention may be embodied as software, firmware or hardware, perhaps is embodied as above-mentioned three's combination.Any in implementing for these can be with many instructions that are described as by the performed functional steps of method being carried out by data processor.

Application program is installed to the hardware 46 (Fig. 3) from memory device 48 (Fig. 4), described memory device is can install the form store software application, described software application is used for analyzing at least one individual biometric characteristics to judge whether described individuality belongs to specific category, and be used for controlling individual visit to service, equipment or position automatically, so that come limiting access according to specific category.

For example, memory device 48 can be RAM, ROM, CD, DVD, or the contiguous computing equipment of any kind or the hard drives of remote computing device.Can the application programs data install by described memory device, perhaps download and after this installed.

Fig. 5 is the process flow diagram that illustrates when being used to detect user's maniphalanx the inventive method when judging whether the user belongs to the biometric sensor of given age category.

At first, shown in piece 50, sensing and/or measurement user point existence, disappearance or the thickness of bone growth plate in the phalanges.Then, shown in piece 52, will measure output and make comparisons with reference data, described reference data makes existence, disappearance or the size of bone growth plate relevant with children or adult's physique; And,, judge that described individuality is children or adult according to relatively.This judges the output (piece 54) that produces the signal that shows access permission or refusal.For example, the visit of being asked may be the visit to particular internet station, particular telephone number, the projection of specific T V/ cable, specific electron or consumer or ad-hoc location.

About osteogenesis, cartilage and budding background information, will be more readily understood further explanation by following to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a bone 60 ends schematically showing at its growth phase.

The extension 62 of the diaphysis of bone (also common name is key) is exactly the part that makes osteogenesis.After the individuality birth, be called the cartilage thin plate (common name epiphyseal cartilage, epiphyseal plate or bone growth plate) of growth plate 64 here, stay the far-end of growth bone.When the bone relevant with growth plate finished its growth, this growth plate only became bone (ossify).Growth plate 64 is connected to the head of bone 60 (epiphysis) 66 on the diaphysis (backbone) 62 of bone.

Along with the cartilage-derived growth of growth plate 64 direction of epiphysis (normally towards), the bone that it is constantly newly formed (normally in the side towards the backbone) replaces.After the growth of growth plate stopped, bone no longer carried out longitudinal growth.

The formation of bone is also referred to as ossifiedly, is a process, produces new bone material by this process.In the mankind, ossified approximately is from fetus life three month, and has arrived the late adolescence end.When gelatin mass was hidden in the cartilage, the growth of bone will take place.In the near future, inorganic salts are stored in gelatin, thereby form the hardening material that is referred to as bone.In the growth course of bone, growth plate 64 is constantly grown and is replaced by bone.When bone was in growth period, growth plate identical speed when approximately becoming bone with it was grown.Thereby growth plate keeping relatively-stationary thickness, and till the growth ending of bone, at this moment, growth plate can be owing to ossify and disappear.

Be not that all bones all stop growing at the identical age.Follow according to the maturation of bone and the chronological order of growth course, the growth ending of bone and growth plate disappear.The growth of last bone, and the growth plate that causes therefrom disappearance all occur in about 20 years old.Growth plate is called " open " in growth course.When growth plate disappears (being replaced by bone) when finish growth period, be called " closure ".

From 11 years old to 18 years old, the growth of bone with puberty physique very big relation is arranged, and because girl takes Zao about 1 year than boy usually and experiences puberty, thereby the growth of bone also has much relations with sex.In the U.S., boy's puberty, girl was then since 10 years old mean age since 11 years old mean age.The similar age has also been reported in international research in western countries.The end in puberty approximately occurs in 2.5 to 3 years after the appearance of primary feature.Therefore, finish the typical case boy's puberty and occur in 13.5-14 years old, occur in 12.5-13 years old and finish the typical case girl's puberty.

Stone age has been used as analysis tool, evaluates child and arrives his or her skeleton development point.When finishing near puberty, bone growth plate is just ossified to become bone, for example can't utilize the X-ray sheet to be discerned again.

By obtaining the X-ray sheet of wrist and hand, and the image in the middle of they and collection of illustrative plates and the form and drawing are compared the method that detects bone have not of the same race.Use Gruelich ﹠amp mostly; Pyle (GP) and Tanner ﹠amp; The method of Whitehouse (TW2).By way of example, these methods and other related data all are described in following publication, at this content in these publications are introduced for your guidance:

Pediatric endocrinology; People such as ed.J.Bertrand.Williams ﹠amp; Wilkins (Baltimore) 1993;

Radiographic?Atlas?of?Skeletal?Development?for?the?hand?and?wrist.W.W.Gruelich?&?S.I.Pyle；

Assessment?of?skeletal?maturity?and?prediction?of?adult?height.J.U.Tanner?&?R.H.Whitehouse；

People such as Mechanism of the stimulatory effect of GH on longitude bone growth.O.Isaksson.Endocrine reviews.8 (4); 426:1987;

Williams?Textbook?of?endocrinology.9th?ed.W.B.Saunders?Company，Philadelphia；

Best?and?Taylor′s?physiological?basis?of?medical?practice.11th?ed.Williams?&?Wilkins，Baltimore/London；

People .Secondary sexual characteristics andmenses in young girls.Pediatrics 89 such as M.E.Herman-Giddens; 505-512,1997;

F.M.Biro, A.W.Lucky, G.A.Hoster.Pubertal staging in boys.J.Pediatrics 127; 40-46, nineteen ninety-five;

S.J.Ulijszek, E.Evnas, D.S.Miller.Age of menarche of European, afro-Caribbean and Ino-Pakistani schoolgirls living in London.Ann HumanBiology18; 167-175:1991;

M.A.Sperling?ed.Pediatric?endocrinology，W.B.Saunders?Company.Ovary?and?female?sexual?maturation?disorders?of?sexual?differentiation?andpuberty；

P.C.Sizonenco.Pediatrics 14; 191-120:1987;

A.F.Roche, people .Timing of sexual maturation in agroup ofUS white youths.J.Pediatric endocrinology and Metabolism 8 such as R.Wellens; 11-18:1995;

Elliot, Glenn R. and Feldman, Shirley S. (nineteen ninety-five) .At the Threshold, TheDeveloping Adolescent.Cambridge, Mass.and London, England.HarvardUniversity Press;

Tanner?J?M：Growth?at?Adolescence，2ed.(1962)Blackwell?scientificpublications，Oxford；

Greulich W.W.﹠amp; Pyle S.I. (nineteen fifty-nine) Radiographic Atlas of SkeletalDevelopment of Hand and Wrist.Stanford University Press, California;

Elgenmark?O：The?normal?development?of?the?ossific?centers?duringinfancy?and?childhood.Acta?Pediatr?Scand?1946；33(suppl.1)；

People such as De Roo T. (1976) Pocket atlas for skeletal age.Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlands;

People such as Annemieke M: Bone mineral density in children and adolescents:relation to puberty, calcium intake and physical activity.J Clin EndocrinolMetab 1997 years; 82:57-62;

Kendig ' s Disorders of the respiratorytract in children.Ed.Chemick.5edition, nineteen ninety, Saunders;

People .J Pediatr6:533-545 such as Lucas W P, nineteen thirty-five;

Adolescene (5edition) Laurence Steinberg1996.

The CIBA collection of Medical Illustrations, the 4th volume, Endocrine systemsand selected metabolic diseases, Frank.H.Netter, M.D.1970.

According to these publications and do not consider sex and the race divides, people can draw as drawing a conclusion:

Nearly all children have the epiphyseal plate of " opening ", and are specific as follows:

In phalanges---girl is lower than 12.5 years old, can detect the epiphyseal plate of " open "; Boy then is lower than 14 years old.Girl is at 14.5 years old and boy during at 16.5 years old, only has 2.5% population can detect the epiphyseal plate of " opening " therein in its phalanges.

In wrist (ulna)---be lower than 13 years old among the girl, can detect the epiphyseal plate of " opening "; Then be lower than 14.5 years old can detect among the boy.Girl is at 17 years old and boy during at 18 years old, only has 2.5% population can detect the epiphyseal plate of " opening " therein in its ulna.

In the wrist (radius)---girl and boy all are lower than 15 years old, can detect the epiphyseal plate of " opening ".Girl and boy only have 2.5% population can detect the epiphyseal plate of " opening " in its radius all in the time of 17 years old therein.

Therefore, people can both suppose: in the middle of whole children of 97.5%, the lowest threshold of " opening " growth plate is at 12.5 years old, and the high threshold of " closing " growth plate is at 18 years old.Yet in the middle of some other existing long bones (similar to the leg shin bone) of human body, epiphyseal growth plate all can remain " opening " (not by ossified) in the past up to 20 years old.

Because growth plate has this correlativity between the appearance of puberty stage and known chronologic age, thereby growth plate sensing/measurement can be used to provide the indication at the chronologic age of examined individuality.

Presently preferred embodiment of the present invention has used ultrasonic technology to judge the growth plate state, although also can use such as other technology such as optical technologies.

Basically, in medical application, exist two classes to be used to check the ultrasonic technology of tissue at present: the ultrasound wave through-transmission technique; With the ultrasonic pulse reflection technology.

In the ultrasound wave through-transmission technique, the side that pulses of ultrasound energy is put from the position of bone is passed bone and is transferred to opposite side, and growth plate is put middle growth at the described position of bone.Can use the mounting means shown in Fig. 2 a.Can measure ultrasonic propagation velocity by measuring the distance between pulse flight time and measurement transmitter (26) and the receiver (28).Distance and the ratio of flight time (TOF) are checked in-house effective sound velocity exactly." effectively " velocity of sound be along the ultrasound wave path, pass on the meaning of bulk sound velocity of dissimilar tissues.

Listed the velocity of sound in the dissimilar tissues below:

Fat: 1460-1480m/s

Blood: 1560-1590m/s

Muscle: 1500-1600m/s

Cartilage: 1750m/s

Spinal bone: 1700-2000m/s

Cortical bone: 3000-4200m/s (deciding by the age)

Thus, acoustic velocity measutement can be used for clearly distinguishing cortical bone and cartilage, and this is because on the velocity of sound in this two classes tissue very big-difference is arranged.Equally, also should select measured zone, so that sound wave crosses the zone that bone and growth plate are in contact with one another.

Described ultrasound wave through-transmission technique can be applied by two kinds of configurations: axial emission and emitted transverse as shown in Fig. 7 a.(Fig. 7 a), ultrasonic pulse is propagated to direction with axis of bone in axial emission configuration.In the emitted transverse configuration (Fig. 7 b), ultrasonic pulse is propagated with the direction perpendicular to the bone major axis.Transmission line under this pattern should be across the growth plate district.This method is used in the middle of most ultrasonic bone strength assessment instruments (diagnosis of osteoporosis), and typically measures calcaneum (heel) bone or refer to/phalanx (finger or toe).

When scanning with the horizontal direction shown in Fig. 7 b, the finger part that will check moves between transmitter and receiver (26 among Fig. 2,28).The finger part that will scan is the joint area of middle phalanx optionally in the scanning configuration at one, and comprises in two bones of joint upper and lower the part (that is the initiating terminal of the end of proximal phalanx and middle phalanxes) of each.These two bone sections are similar in becoming finger; Yet in children's finger, the top bone section of these two bone sections and top, joint is also inequality, but comprises cartilage plate (growth plate).Described method is intended to: detect the shortage of this similarity between the osteoarthrosis both sides, thereby distinguish adult and children.

In another optional scanning configuration, complete bone is scanned to another joint from a joint, come the characteristic at more same bone two ends.In the time of in being in first kind of scanning configuration, the two ends of bone are similar in becoming finger, then are different in children's finger.In addition, lacking similarity between the bone in children two ends is owing to be present in growth plate in the bone end and cause near being positioned at proximal phalanx.

Our ultrasonic method is according to along the ultrasonic pulse flight time (TOF) of measuring on a plurality of points of sweep trace.Ultrasound wave TOF (ultrasonic pulse passes the time of organizational communication to receiver from transmitter) goes on record at each analyzing spot.

Growth plate is introduced inhomogeneity in the middle of the bone structure.In the data of measured TOF-scanning position, this point is open-and-shut, just as significantly similarity lacks between the institute's sweep test below the joint and above the joint.This similarity lacks shown in Figure 8.Therefore, curve A has illustrated the TOF-scanning position that becomes finger, because the disappearance (ripe bone) of growth plate produces two minimum points, each side in the joint all has one.On the other hand, curve C has illustrated the TOF-scanning position of bone in children, owing to the existence of growth plate, only demonstrates the minimum value of below, joint; Therefore, because the cartilage character of growth plate tissue produced than the velocity of sound lower in bone tissue, thereby cause the delay of ultrasound wave in advancing thus, so the minimum value disappearance of top, joint.

Fig. 9 illustrates by carrying out following task to discern the process flow diagram of the automatic equipment of growth plate existence:

1. be correlated with finger profile scanning transmitter in opposite side upper edge, joint to (piece 71);

2. along measuring TOF (piece 72) on a plurality of points of sweep trace;

3. in computing machine, write down TOF and scanning position (piece 73);

4. analyze data by signal processing method, so that draw the similarity degree (piece 74) between below, joint part and the joint upper section;

5. similarity rank and predetermined threshold level are made comparisons, so that the result is divided into a kind of ( piece 75,76,77) in two generic categories.

Pulse-echo technique is the basis of ultrasound imaging techniques medically.Ultrasonic transmitter-receiver emission ultrasonic pulse, and same transceiver is also gathered along transmission path from the backscattered echo of dissimilar tissues.In Fig. 7 c, this has been done to schematically illustrate, and undertaken by the transceiver among Fig. 2 b-2e 32.By scanning tissue of being checked and the intensity map of drawing back-scattered signal, can produce internal's image.Cartilaginous tissue (for example growth plate) has utmost point weak scattering characteristic, thereby is revealed as the dark space in ultrasonography.Interphase between interphase between cartilage and the soft tissue and cartilage and the bone, reflection supersonic wave is far better, and is revealed as bright line thus in ultrasonography.

Utilize software to quantize the thickness (growth plate) of grey dark areas, this technology can be used for determining the thickness of bone growth plate, and sets up itself and age related according to the predetermined reference data.

In bone, use the pulse-echo technique of the specialized types of higher acoustic speed, also can be used as selection and used.In this technology, ultrasound wave is propagated along axis of bone, and gathers the echo that comes from the different structure in the bone (such as growth plate).For this technology, the frequency range that the typical case is fit to is 0.5MHz to 2MHz.The first of institute's acknowledge(ment) signal comprises by near the object the transmitter and interfacial a plurality of reflection and the high amplitude reverberation (high amplitude revereration) that causes.Owing to can't identify other reflection at this baseline, thereby the time of these echoes be extended (temporal extension) be appointed as " dead band (dead zone) ".Normally, overcome the problem in dead band by on the transmitter surface, designing lag line.If reflection amplitude is higher than the noise rank, then just any reflection that arrives can identified in the middle of the echoed signal after the dead band.Usually to optimize the signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) rank with the suitable bandwidth selection and the meticulous shield technology that receive electronic circuit.In the time of the long bone of described technology is applied to have tip (or nearside) part, when still having cartilage in growth plate, echo pattern will have two (length) reflection, and when wherein not having cartilage, echo pattern will have single (weak point) and reflect.

By reference Figure 10-13, will further specify this technology.

Figure 10 is schematically showing away from the long bone in the middle of the zone of joint and growth plate; Illustrate schematicallyd described bone at 70 places, and illustrate schematicallyd soft tissue (muscle, skin, fat, blood etc.) (hereinafter, being called configuration A) on every side at 72 places.

Figure 11 is comprising the joint but is not having the schematically showing of long bone 70 (being adult bone) in the middle of the zone of growth plate, and comes the described joint of emulation (hereinafter, being called configuration B) with the cartilage 74 of 1 millimeters thick and the soft tissue 76 of 1 millimeters thick.

Figure 12 is comprising the joint and is having the schematically showing of long bone (being bone in children) in the middle of the zone of growth plate, and comes the described joint of emulation with the cartilage 74 of 1 millimeters thick, comes the described growth plate of emulation (hereinafter, being called configuration C) with the cartilage 78 of 2 millimeters thick.

Figure 13 shows the output of the ultrasonic pulse reflecting system of utilizing this technology.

Echo is seen as " outburst (blip) " in the curve of output.(configuration A Figure 10), does not have echo after during initial " decay (dampening) " not have the long bone of joint or growth plate.

Have the joint but do not have the long bone of growth plate (adult bone, configuration B Figure 11), after during initial " decay ", only have an obvious echo near 32 milliseconds.

(bone in children, configuration C Figure 12), after during initial " decay ", have several obvious echoes near 26 milliseconds to have the long bone of joint and growth plate.

Parameter used in emulation is as follows:

	Longitude speed (m/s)	Decay (dB/cm) at 1MHz	Attenuation slope (dB/cm/MHz)
				Soft tissue	1580	0.05	0.1
Bone	2900	2	4
				Cartilage	1800	0.03	0.07

Pulse center frequency: 0.5MHz; Duration of pulse: 1 millisecond

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the inorganics density of bone can be used as biometric features, determines user's age.Therefore, in described here two kinds of ultrasound wave penetrating methods, the suitable major part of pulse track has all been passed bone tissue.So the effective velocity of measuring can be influenced by the engineering properties of bone.

For the qualitative variation of bone during child growth, (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorption DEXA) researched and analysed with quantitative ultrasound technology (QUS) to have utilized dual energy X-ray absorption techniques.For example, referring to following publication, its content is introduced for your guidance at this:

J.M.Lappe, M.Stegman, K.M.Davies, S.Barber and R.R.Recker; ＂ Aprospective study of quantitative ultrasound in children and adolescents ＂; J.Clin.Densitometry 3 (2), 167-175 (2000).

M.H.Lequin, R.R.van Rijn, S.G.F.Robben, W.C.J.Hop and C.vanKuijk; ＂ Normal values for tibial quantitative ultrasonometry in Caucasianchildren and adolescents (aged 6 to 19 years) ＂; Calcified Tissue Int.67,101-105 (2000).

A.Eliakim, D.Nemet and B.Wolach; ＂ Quantitative ultrasoundmeasurements of bone strength in obese children and adolescents ＂; J.Pediatr.Endocrinol.Metab.14 (2), 159-164 (February calendar year 2001).

Z.Halaba and W.Pluskiewicz; ＂ The assessment of development of bonemass in children by quantitative ultrasound through the proximal phalanxes ofthe hand ＂; Ultrasound Med.Biol.23 (9), 1331-1335 (1997).

These are researched and analysed and have shown: utilize the inorganics density of the bone that DEXA measures and utilize physical strength that the QUS technology detects the two, all during child growth, increased.

These discoveries show: (for example, DEXA QUS), can be used for setting up the age group classification separately to any bone character assessment technology.

The correlativity of the velocity of sound (SOS) the bone on Figure 14 is schematically illustrated in from children to the ripening period all ages and classes.

The through-transmission technique that growth plate and bone transmit is passed in the pulse of being carried therein, with the bone velocity of sound (SOS) and these two parameter combinations of growth plate thickness together.Because these parameters changed with the age, the effective SOS that causes therefrom can be used for age group classification, and in any of these parameter one also can be used for the age group classification separately.

Will recognize that, also can use other growth plate, such as wrist (tip radius bone) and shank (top of shin bone); Can also use other electron scanning, such as with transducer array scanning (being positioned on reverberator and/or the receiver), and replace mechanical scanning.Asymmetry may be because near other bone component the growth plate causes, and only is not because growth plate self causes.In other words, the bone tissue in the children's torso between joint and the growth plate may show the different velocities of sound than the bone parts of below, joint.This also will cause the asymmetry in the middle of the TOF scanning to occur.

It should also be appreciated that and not measure TOF and measure other voice attribute and it is noted.These voice attributes can comprise: acoustic attenuation, peak spectral frequencies, first half band-width or other.Can utilize one of these attributes to finish periarticular identical symmetrical analysis.

The supplementary features that are further appreciated that scan-data can be used for to the scan classification of pointing, such as young people or adult.Except the symmetry around the joint position, anyone may also can take into account statistics transient analysis, histogram analysis and spectrum analysis.

According to still another embodiment of the invention, can utilize optical delivery rather than ultrasonic transmission, come in the bone of being checked, to detect the existence or the disappearance of bone growth plate.

Light passes dissimilar tissues by different way and propagates, and the propagation that light passes tissue has comprised two kinds of main mechanism: light absorption and light scattering.Light absorption mechanism is through the interaction of optical radiation with the predetermined substance that constitutes tissue, and transform light energy is become heat.Light scattering mechanism has comprised optical radiation and the interactional process that is similar to the visible objects of naked eyes such as cell membrane, causes the change of the radiation momentum of noenergy conversion.

Utilize the absorption coefficient m in the following mode _aLight absorption is described:

At thickness is in the example of d, equals exp (m owing to absorbing the light intensity reduction that causes _aD).The characteristics of light scattering are scattering coefficient m _s, described coefficient has been described and propagated the distance, d reduction amount of non-scattered intensity afterwards in scatterer.This reduction amount equals exp (m _sD).Light passes in the simplified model of biological tissue's propagation, and the effect of scattering and absorption can approximate description be effective attenuation factor m _t, defer to following equation:

${\mathrm{\μ}}_t=\sqrt{3{\mathrm{\μ}}_a(1-g){\mathrm{\μ}}_s}$

Wherein g is an average scattering angle cosine; In biological tissue, be typically 0.85 to 0.95.

In 20 years, propagation has been done in depth to research and analyse to the light in being similar to soft tissues such as fat and muscle in the past.Therefore can obtain authentic data about the soft tissue optical property.Because of the interest to the optical technology (for example high power laser light ablation technique) that is used for the cartilage shaping, the optical property measurement of cartilage also is obtainable.Research and analyse at several parts that publish in recent years and to show: the effective optical attenuation of optics in the middle of the cortical bone is apparently higher than soft tissue and the cartilage optical attenuator in the middle of both.For example, referring to following publication, its content is introduced for your guidance at this.

D.W.Ebert, C.Roberts, S.K.Farra, W.M.Johnston, A.S.Litsky and A.L.Bertone; ＂ Articular cartilage optical properties in the spectral range300-850nm ＂; Journal of Biomedical Optics 3 (3), 326-333 (in July, 1998);

A.Takeuchi, R.Araki, S.G.Proskurin, Y.Takahashi, Y.Yamada, J.Ishi, S.Katayama and A.Itabashi; ＂ A new method of bone tissue measurementbased upon light scattering ＂; Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 12 (2), 261-266 (1997); And

A.Okamoto Ugnel and P.A.Oberg; ＂ The optical properties of the cochlearbone ＂; Med.Eng.Phys.19 (7), 630-636 (in March, 1997).

Therefore, the optical delivery of passing finger or wrist is measured the state that also can be used to discern bone/growth plate.An embodiment of the said equipment will be the mouse among Fig. 2 a, and transmitter 26 is light sources in described mouse, and receiver 28 is the optical sensors that are used to receive user's thumb or finger, is positioned in the middle of the configuration with spaced apart.

In an embodiment more of the present invention, the skin parameter can be used for the age judgement.Such as skin thickness and ultrasound wave echo intensity skin properties such as (echogenicity), can change in the Childhood.The detection of these parameters, can be applied in according in the age group classification of the present invention, as described in the following publication, introduce for your guidance in this content: people .[S.Seidenari, G.Giusti such as Seidenari, L Bertoni, C.Magnoni and G.Pellacani these publications; ＂ Thickness andechogenicity of the skin in children as assessed by 20-MHz ultrasound ＂; Dermatology 201 (3), 218-222 (2000)].This publication has been researched and analysed children and has been become the skin thickness and the ultrasound wave echo intensity of skin in the person, and has disclosed in skin thickness the variation relevant with the age in the ultrasound wave echo intensity with skin.

As mentioned above, the sex determination also can be used for control according to visit of the present invention.The sex determination can be used to the auxiliary age judgement of making according to the bone growth plate measurement, just as the relevant gender differences in the known bone growth plate.The sex determination also can be used alone, and for example, is used for limiting the visit of particular sex, and such as lounge, internet site etc., it has been described in further detail above reason.

Figure 15 and 16 for example understands additional embodiments of the present invention, as described in previously, because osteogenesis difference to some extent for the boy and girl, therefore in order to judge that the user improves accuracy in children or adult's the process, so the biometric characteristics of sound and/or facial characteristics is used to judge user's sex with the growth of bone in this embodiment.

Figure 15 is schematically showing of system.Described system comprises: produce sensor output 102 ultrasonic sensor 100, be used for the camera 104 of sensing facial characteristics and/or be used for the microphone 106 of sensing user sound characteristic.Software 108 receives the output of camera 104 and/or microphone 106, and above-mentioned output and reference data 110 are compared, and described reference data is associated sound and/or facial characteristics with sex.Software 108 utilizes the output and the reference data 110 of camera 104 and microphone 106, judges user's sex.This judgement of sex produces women/age-growth plate reference data 112 or produces the male sex/age-growth plate reference data 114, and these data will be used by access control logic 116, thereby Access status is defined as exporting 118.

Figure 16 for example understands to utilize existence, disappearance or the measurement of bone growth plate and utilize individuality and else judge the method for the process flow diagram of controlling visit.

Therefore, as shown in figure 16, this method comprises following operation: the maniphalanx growth plate (piece 120) of measuring the user; Measure certain sound and/or facial characteristics (piece 122) in the sex characteristic; Analyze sound and/or facial characteristics, judge that the user is the male sex or women's (piece 124); According to circumstances, growth plate is measured with male sex's reference data and compared (piece 126) or compare (128) with women's reference data; And export the signal that shows access permission or refusal according to this comparative result and export (piece 130).

Though with respect to several embodiment the present invention is described, what will recognize is: these are set forth for the purpose of for example, but also will recognize: can make many other distortion, modification and application to the present invention.For example, although this explanation mainly relates to use the age parameter to control visit to the Internet, also can use other parameter and other controlled position.For instance, visit can be carried out according to the sex parameter separately, for example controls the visit to lounge or homosexual website.Can also control visit to other position (for example bar, alcoholic beverage shop, " adult " cinema, cigarette vending machine, gambling mechanism, motor-driven game machine etc.), control is to the visit of other electronic medium (for example TV program, video recording, broadcasting, recording CD and tape player), to visit, to the visit of phone (number of for example chatting, shopping hot line, adult's hot line) such as the zone of other correlation computers such as computing machine itself or video/computer game.In addition, except the growth plate in the sensing finger bone, the associated biomolecule of all right other bone of sensing is measured characteristic, such as wrist, heel or other bone etc.Can other biometric characteristics of sensing, use such as face growth, tone or voice vibration, tooth development, skin, vital capacity, person's handwriting, hormone, inorganics, chemical constitution, hair, saliva, language or vocabulary, perhaps body fat, can with in these features each itself and/or combine with other data and to show age and/or sex.

Below with reference to document, at this its content to be introduced for your guidance, these lists of references have been lectured and can be used to judge other face of individuality/voice recognition algorithm:

C.Adam, F.Eckstein, S.Milz, E.Schulte, C.Becker and R.Putz; ＂ Thedistribution of cartilage thickness in the knee-joints of old-agedindividuals-measurement by A-mode ultrasound ＂; Clinical Biomechanics 13 (1), 1-10 (in January, 1998).

F.Eckstein, C.Adam, H.Sittek, C.Becker, S.Milz, E.Schulte, M.Reiser and R.Putz; ＂ Non-Invasive determination of cartilage thicknessthroughout surfaces using magnetic resonance imaging ＂; Journal ofBiomechanics 30 (3), 285-289 (1997).

FLefebvre, N.Graillat, E.Cherin and G.Berger; ＂ Automaticthree-dimensional reconstruction of articular cartilage from high-resolutionultrasound acquisitions ＂; Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology 24 (9), 1369-1381 (1998).

A.M.Aisen, W.J.McCune, A.MacGuire, P.L.Carson, T.M.Silver, S.Zafar Jefri and W.Martel; ＂ Sonographic evaluation of the cartilage of theknee ＂; Radiology 153,781-784 (1984).

J.Hodler and D.Resnick; ＂ Current status of imaging of articular cartilage ＂; Skeletal Radiology 25,703-709 (1996).

E.A.Ginzel and R.K.Ginzel; ＂ Ultrasonic properties of a new lowattenuation dry couplant elastomer ＂; NDTnet-Feb.1996 the 1st volume, No.2.

M.E.Zevallos, S.K.Gayen, B.B.Das, M.Alrubaiee and R.R.Alfano; ＂ Picosecond electronic time-gated imaging of bones in tissues ＂; IEEE Journalof Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics 5 (4), 916-922 (in July, 1999).

V.Perapavat, W.Runge, J.Mans, A.Krause, J.Beuthan and G.Muller; ＂ Development of a finger joint phantom for the optical simulation of earlystages of Rheumatoid Arthritis ＂; Biomed.Technik 42,319-326 (in November, 1997).

K.T.Dussik, D.J.Fritch, M.Kyriazidou and R.S.Sear; ＂ Measurements ofarticular tissue with ultrasound ＂; Am.J.of Phys.Med.37,160-165 (1958).

S.A.Goss, R.L.Johnston and F.Dunn; ＂ Comprehensive compilation ofempirical ultrasonic properties of mammalian tissues ＂; J.Acoust.Soc.Am.64 (2), 423-457 (1978).

D.Hans, C.Wu, C.F.Njeh, S.Zhao, P.Augat, D.Newitt, T.Link, Y.Lu, S.Majumdar and H.K.Genant; ＂ Ultrasound velocity of trabecular cubesreflects mainly bone density and elasticity ＂; Calcif.Tissue Int.64 (1), 18-23 (in January, 1999).

The?Facial?Recognition?Project(FERET)sponsored?by?the?US?DefenseDepartment.(www.dodcounterdrug.com/facialrecognition/).

The?M2VTS?Project:Multi-modal?Biometrics?Person?Authentication.(www.tele.acl.be/PROJECTTS/M2VTS/).

Testing?with?the?YOHO?CD-ROM?Voice?Verification?Corpus?Project，sponsored?by?the?US?Defense?Department.(www.biometrics.org/REPORTS/ICASSP95.html).

The?Center?for?Spoken?Language?Rese?arch(CSLR)University?ofColorado，Boulder.(www.cslr.colorado.edu/welcome.html).

Face?Recognition?and?Gender?Determination，Laurenz?Wiskott(1995)IWAFGR′95，Zurich(www.cnl.salk.edu/wiskott/Abstract/WiseFelkrue95.html).

Algorithm?of?Facial?Aging，National?Library?of?Medicine，PubMed?EntryNo.10946949.

What will recognize that is: can use the multiple biometric sensor of measuring different bioassay parameters, implement the present invention.These biometric sensors for example comprise: magnetic sensor, infrasonic sensor, vibration detecting sensor and biochemical sensor.

Therefore, for the member of restrict access specific category, described control individuality is particularly useful for controlling the visit of children to unsuitable internet site of age to the method and apparatus of the visit of service, equipment or position, and the multiple beneficial effect is provided, and comprises as follows:

(1) it provides full automation, no longer needs supervision;

(2) it has got rid of the user's who for example palms off, steals or forge document or stolen or quilt attack password etc. swindle;

(3) it provides the objective judgement of age verification, has avoided getting sth into one's head and swindling.

(4) it provides easier, the means that disturb, more transparent still less that are used for judging age/gender, and need not memory or input password, need not to show that the age identifies, perhaps needn't worry to lose password card (scanning card);

(5) it can provide watch-keeping, and has reduced that body is one by one successfully pretended into another people and the possibility of being visited;

(6) it allows father and mother to prevent the website/program of their child's visit " age is unsuitable " expediently, and keeps simultaneously oneself visiting;

(7) it provides dirigibility, because it can require access permission before entering public position or place or only being the specific part in unfavorable position of possible or place;

(8) it can be used for preventing children under the situation that does not have father and mother to allow, give be used to buy commodity and service, be used for online that make a bet or be used for down the unsuitable telephone number of these ages of credit card order and make a phone call;

(9) it provides privacy, because the user can clearly not known or can not discern;

(10) it is very effective, because it comes grant access or denied access to save time more than for example keying input password;

(11) it can be used for setting up adult's Liberty surf area of the central father and mother's control in the Internet, and this may be vital for the protection child;

(12) it can be used for allowing the visit (promptly according to age or sex) to chatroom in the virtual community, is not real at these local passwords.

Will be appreciated that: for clarity sake, under the environment of separate embodiment, described features more of the present invention also can be provided with array configuration in single embodiment.Otherwise for for purpose of brevity, under the environment of single embodiment, various features of the present invention also can be provided separately, perhaps can be provided with arbitrarily suitable sub-portfolio form.

Although in conjunction with specific embodiments of the invention invention is described, obviously, to those skilled in the art, many possibilities, modification and distortion all are conspicuous.Therefore, be intended to contain the spirit that falls into claims and all above-mentioned possibilities, modification and the distortion of broad range.Mentioned in this manual all publications, patent and patented claim are incorporated in the described instructions all, just all specifically and independently show and will be introduced in this for your guidance as each independent publication, patent or patented claim.In addition, in this application, quoting or proving of any list of references should not be interpreted as the promise that above-mentioned list of references can be used as prior art of the present invention.

Claims (29)

1. control individual visit to service, equipment or position so that, comprising for one kind the method for restrict access to the member of given age category:

The machine sensing shows at least one predetermined biometric characteristics of the individuality of described given age category; With

Utilize the characteristic of described machine sensing to control individual visit automatically to described specific service, equipment or position.

2. the method for claim 1, the biometric characteristics of wherein said machine sensing are the ossification intensities that the individuality that is used to judge individual age category is checked bone.

3. method as claimed in claim 2 is wherein checked that by sensing whether the os in os growth plate exists, and judges the ossification intensity of the described bone of described individuality.

4. method as claimed in claim 3, the wherein said bone of being checked is the hand of individuality or the finger/phalanx of finger in the pin or toe.

5. method as claimed in claim 4 wherein checks the joint of described finger/phalanx to judge on a side in joint whether have growth plate.

6. method as claimed in claim 4 is wherein checked described finger/phalanx, judges whether the end at described bone has growth plate.

7. method as claimed in claim 2 is wherein passed the described bone of being checked by the emission ultrasound wave and is checked described bone.

8. method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said ultrasound wave is passed the described bone of being checked by emitted transverse.

9. method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said ultrasound wave is axially launched passes the described bone of being checked.

10. the method for claim 1, the facial characteristics of wherein utilizing camera to come machine sensing individuality is to show individual sex.

11. the method for claim 1 wherein utilizes microphone to come the sound property of machine sensing individuality, to show individual sex.

12. the method for claim 1 wherein utilizes optical sensor to check individual bone characteristic, to show individual age category.

13. the method for claim 1, wherein in check visit are the visits to electronic medium.

14. one kind is used to control individual visit to service, equipment or position so that the device of restrict access to the member of given age category, comprising:

At least one sensor is used at least one predetermined biometric characteristics that sensing shows the described individuality of described given age category; With

Data processor is used to receive and analyze the biometric characteristics that is sensed; Biometric characteristics and reference data are made comparisons, and described reference data is associated with described given age category with biometric characteristics; And output shows the signal that whether allows to visit described specific service, equipment or position.

15. device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said reference data is associated with the age category with the biometric characteristics that is sensed.

16. device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said reference data also is associated with the sex category with the biometric characteristics that is sensed.

17. device as claimed in claim 15, the described predetermined biometric characteristics of wherein utilizing described sensor to sense are the individual ossification intensities of being checked bone.

18. device as claimed in claim 17, whether wherein said sensor exists by the sensing bone growth plate, comes the ossification intensity of being checked bone of sensing individuality.

19. device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said sensor are configured for the finger/phalanx of finger in the hand of checking described individuality or the pin or toe.

20. device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said sensor are applicable to the joint of checking that described finger/phalanx is central, to judge whether have growth plate on a side in described joint.

21. device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said sensor are applicable to the bone of checking that described finger/phalanx is central, whether have growth plate to judge the end at bone.

22. device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said sensor is a ultrasonic sensor.

23. device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said ultrasonic sensor are applicable to that the emitted transverse ultrasound wave passes the described bone of being checked.

24. device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said ultrasonic sensor are applicable to that axial emission ultrasound wave passes the described bone of being checked.

25. device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said device comprises at least two sensors, is used at least two biometric characteristics of sensing individuality, a property list category in age in next year, and another characteristic shows the sex category; And two biometric characteristics that wherein said data processor analysis is checked, and they and reference data are compared, described reference data is associated with the given age category with biometric characteristics, and output shows the signal that whether allows to visit described specific service, equipment or position.

26. device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sensor are the cameras that is used for the face of sensing individuality.

27. device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sensor are the microphones that is used for the sound of sensing individuality.

28. device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sensor is comprised in the manual control part of electronic medium.

29. device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said sensor is comprised in the electronic medium.

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