1. Hand Geometry
By: Kieran Hepworth

2. Table of Contents Definition...................................Slide 3
How it Works Slides 4 – 6
Equipment Slide 7
Pros Slide 8
Cons Slide 9
Use of Hand Geometry Slide 10
Video… Slide 11

3. Definition
Hand geometry-a biometric that identifies users by the shape of their hands.
It uses the measurements of the hand in order to determine if the hand is a match or not.
Can use finger length, thickness, and curvature.
Only for the purposes of verification, not identification.

4. How it Works
In a broad sense, hand geometry readers measure a user's hand along many dimensions and compare those measurements to measurements stored in a file.
This is done by using a series of algorithms to determine the measurements of the hand.

5. How it Works (cont’d)
Assuming that there is already images of the hand on file, these are the steps taken in hand geometry
Step 1: Hand is placed on plate with hand in right position between 6 pins and an image is taken
Step 2: A median filter is applied to the image
Step 3: Necessary features for comparison are extracted

6. How it Works (cont’d)
Step 4: Difference between sample and template is calculated for each feature
Step 5: Person with smallest “absolute difference” in feature is identified
Step 6: Step 5 is repeated for all 5 features
Step 7: Person with largest number of features is identified as a match
Step 8: Results are displayed

7. Equipment Scanner Pins Screen Punch keys (if desired)
Swipe (if desired)

8. Pros Requires little memory
Less invasion of privacy (people more comfortable with system)
Can easily be coupled with other systems for identification

9. Cons Not distinctive Can only be used for verification
Many hands are very similar in shape and size, system may confuse someone else’s hand for yours
Would have to be combined with another system in order for complete identification
System can be very expensive
Training required

10. Use of Hand Geometry Hand geometry is widely used throughout the world
It is used for verification, not identification
The hand geometry system is coupled with ID scanning to verify who is entering
It is not widely used in airports but has been taken advantage of by different companies for their buildings and even government agencies

11. Video