The validity of a person’s authentication using an electrocardiogram with a limited number of channels

Abstract

The concept of mobile and home telemedicine for screening and early diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases is being expanded due to the emergence of mobile diagnostic devices and smartphones. In the course of such telemedicine consultations, the doctor must be sure that the digital electrocardiogram (ECG) belongs to the patient who was registered. Both multi-channel and single-channel ECG-recording devices are available on the telemedicine consulting market now. Single-channel electrocardiographs are more economic feasible for home use. Previously, the authors have developed and experimentally tested the algorithms for patient authentication by his/her multi-channel ECG. These algorithms are based on the analysis of the shape of QRS complex in three-dimensional phase space of coordinates. Therefore, it is reasonable to adapt these algorithms to single-channel ECG. In case of multi-channel ECG, we can construct a three-dimensional phase space of coordinates by obtaining all the necessary data from the ECG leads. In a case of the single-channel ECG it is necessary to create two additional signals artificially and then it will be possible to form a synthetic phase space. In general, the question of the validity of biometric person authentication algorithms by his/her ECG with a limited number of channels is discussed in this paper. Besides the algorithms for solving the problem of authentication, the comparison of sensitivity and specificity indicators, calculated on the results of experiments for multi-channel and single-channel ECG, are also given in this paper. The results of experiments with multi-channel and single-channel ECG of a larger number of patients are given in comparison to the previous experiments. The results of the experiments for the case of recording ECG signals by different devices are given as well.