System and method for sending a packet with position address and line scan data over an interface cable

• US 20030123716A1
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonavation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cross Match Technologies Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Scott, Walter Guy
• Granted Patent: US 7,068,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/126
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1335 Combining adjacent partial images (e.g. slices) to create a composite input or reference pattern; Tracking a sweeping finger movement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40123 Interconnection of computers and peripherals printer information exchange with computer G06F3/1293

Abstract

A system and method for sending a packet with a position address and line scan data from a first device over a 1394 interface to a second device. The present invention loads a camera, an illuminator, and a microprocessor with set-up instructions and a start pulse. The camera captures a line-by-line image of an object placed on the surface of a sliding prism. Position data, corresponding to the captured line-by-line image, is logged as the position address. The position address is combined with the line-by-line image to form a packet. The packet is sent to the second device for processing and viewing the image.

Claims

1. A method for sending a packet with a position address and line scan data from a first device over a 1394 interface to a second device, comprising the steps of:

(a) loading a camera, an illuminator, and a microprocessor with set-up instructions and a start pulse;

(b) capturing a line-by-line image of an object placed on a sliding prism;

(c) logging position data corresponding to the line-by-line image, wherein the position data is referred to as the position address;

(d) combining the line-by-line image with the corresponding position address to form a packet; and

(e) sending the packet to the second device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

(f) decoding the packet into the line scan data and the position data; and

(g) forming an image of the object from the line scan data and the position data.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of viewing the image on the second device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) includes the step of sending the set-up instructions and the start pulse from the second device to the first device prior to loading the set-up instructions and the start pulse.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises the step of encoding the packet for 1394 data transmission.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further comprises the step of converting the position data into an absolute position.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises the step of attaching start of line data to the line-by-line image data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device is a fingerprint scanner, and wherein step (b) comprises the step of capturing a line-by-line fingerprint image of a finger or fingers placed on the sliding prism.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device is a personal computer (PC), and wherein step (e) comprises the step of sending the packet to the PC.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein the second device is a personal computer (PC), and wherein the step of viewing the image on the second device comprises viewing the image on a monitor attached to the PC.

11. A system for sending a packet with a position address and line scan data from a first device over a 1394 interface to a second device, comprising:

(a) means for loading a camera, an illuminator, and a microprocessor with set-up instructions and a start pulse;

(b) means for capturing a line-by-line image of an object placed on a sliding prism;

(c) means for logging position data corresponding to the line-by-line image, wherein the position data is referred to as the position address;

(d) means for combining the line-by-line image with the corresponding position address to form a packet; and

(e) means for sending the packet to the second device.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

(f) means for decoding the packet into the line scan data and the position data; and

(g) means for forming an image of the object from the line scan data and the position data.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising means for viewing the image on the second device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for loading includes means for sending the set-up instructions and the start pulse from the second device to the first device.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for combining further comprises means for encoding the packet for 1394 data transmission.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for logging position further comprises means for converting said position data into an absolute position.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for capturing further comprises means for attaching start of line data to the line-by-line image data.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the first device is a fingerprint scanner, and wherein said means for capturing comprises means for capturing a line-by-line fingerprint image of a finger or fingers placed on the sliding prism.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the second device is a personal computer (PC), and wherein said means for sending comprises means for sending the packet to the PC.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the second device is a personal computer (PC), and wherein said means for viewing comprises means for viewing the image on a monitor attached to the PC.

21. A system for sending a packet with position address and line scan data over an interface to a personal computer for processing and viewing an image, comprising:

a fingerprint scanner for capturing a line-by-line fingerprint image and said position address corresponding to said line-by-line fingerprint image;

an interface attached to said fingerprint scanner and said PC for isochronous delivery of said packet, said packet comprising said position address and said line-by-line fingerprint image.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said interface is a 1394 interface.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said fingerprint scanner comprises:

a line scan camera for scanning said image on a line-by-line basis;

a sliding prism having an image surface upon which a user places a finger(s);

an illuminator for generating a light source, wherein said light source is refracted through said sliding prism to form a fingerprint image that is captured by said line scan camera; and

a position encoder for capturing the position of said sliding prism on a line-by-line basis corresponding to said line-by-line fingerprint image.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said fingerprint scanner further comprises:

a microprocessor coupled to a motor, wherein said microprocessor sends control signals to said motor, and wherein said motor is coupled to said sliding prism to control the velocity of said sliding prism.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said motor positions said sliding prism to a correct starting position when the capturing of said fingerprint image begins.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein said fingerprint scanner further comprises:

a debounce and counter circuit coupled to said position encoder for debouncing said position encoder and for counting output pulses from said position encoder, said output pulses representative of position, to obtain an absolute position.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein said interface comprises:

a central processing unit, said central processing unit coupled to said line scan camera, said illuminator, and said microprocessor for controlling the operations of said fingerprint scanner;

a logic PAL (programmable array logic), coupled to said CPU, said line scan data, and said debounce and counter circuit, for combining said position address and said line scan data into a packet;

a link layer, coupled to said logic PAL, for formatting said packet and providing isochronous data packet delivery service; and

a physical layer, coupled to said link layer and a cable, for providing a connection between said interface and said cable.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said cable provides a connection between said fingerprint scanner and said PC.