Biometric imaging system and method

• US 20030133143A1
• Filed: 01/16/2003
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HID Global Corporation (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Cross Match Technologies Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Scott, Walter G., McClurg, George W., Carver, John F., Zyzdryn, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,308,122 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/993 Evaluation of the quality of the acquired pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/67 by interactive indications to the user

Abstract

A system and method for obtaining a biometric image such as a ten-print fingerprint impression is provided. The system and method can include a ten-print scanner having a platen and a finger guide coupled to the platen. The finger guide can be used to guide positioning a finger slap of four fingers at a time onto the platen. The ten-print scanner can also include at least four indicators that indicate an acceptable scan condition of each finger of a finger slap in response to a detected finger slap image.

Claims

1. A fingerprint workstation, comprising:

a ten-print scanner, said ten-print scanner having a finger guide and a platen for positioning four finger slaps onto said platen and at least four indicators for providing feedback for each finger of a fingerprint image of said four finger slaps; and

a computer, interfaced to said ten-print scanner via a communication link, for controlling said ten-print scanner.

2. The fingerprint workstation of claim 1, wherein said finger guide includes a physical barrier for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

3. The fingerprint workstation of claim 1, wherein said finger guide is sized to require diagonal placement of said four finger slaps.

4. The fingerprint workstation of claim 1, further comprising means for determining whether a right hand or a left hand is placed on said platen for scanning.

5. The fingerprint workstation of claim 4, wherein said means for determining whether a right hand or a left hand is placed on said platen for scanning includes means for determining whether a hand placed on said platen is placed at a diagonal.

6. A ten-print scanner, comprising:

a platen;

a finger guide coupled to said platen, wherein said finger guide guides positioning of a finger slap of four fingers at a time onto said platen; and

at least four indicators that indicate an acceptable scan condition of each finger of said finger slap in response to a detected finger slap image.

7. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said finger guide guides positioning of two thumbs at a time onto said platen.

8. The ten-print scanner of claim 7, wherein the size of a thumb image is 500 by 1000 pixels.

9. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said finger guide includes a physical barrier for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

10. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said finger guide is sized to require diagonal placement of said finger slap.

11. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, further comprising a communication link for coupling to a computer.

12. The ten-print scanner of claim 11, wherein said computer controls said ten-print scanner.

13. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, further comprising a controller.

14. The ten-print scanner of claim 13, wherein said controller determines whether a right hand or a left hand is placed on said platen.

15. The ten-print scanner of claim 14, wherein said controller determines whether a hand placed on said platen is placed at a diagonal relative to a base of said platen.

16. The ten-print scanner of claim 14, wherein said controller determines whether a longest finger is on a right side of a physical barrier for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

17. The ten-print scanner of claim 14, wherein said controller determines whether a shortest finger is on a right side of a physical barrier for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

18. The ten-print scanner of claim 14, wherein said controller determines whether a longest finger or a shortest finger is found.

19. The ten-print scanner of claim 13, wherein said controller separates said finger slap image into individual digit images.

20. The ten-print scanner of claim 19, wherein the size of said individual digit image is 400 by 1000 pixels.

21. The ten-print scanner of claim 19, wherein said controller associates data in said finger slap image and each of said individual digit images with corresponding regions of a fingerprint card.

22. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said ten-print scanner includes a housing.

23. The ten-print scanner of claim 22, wherein said housing is constructed of impact resistant injection molded polycarbonate.

24. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein the size of said finger slap image is 1600 by 1000 pixels.

25. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said finger slap image is made up of a pair of two-finger images.

26. The ten-print scanner of claim 25, wherein each two-finger image has a size of 800 by 1000 pixels.

27. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, further comprising a screen on which to view detected finger slap images.

28. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, further comprising at least one reading device, wherein said reading device reads data that correlates with said finger slap image.

29. The ten-print scanner of claim 28, wherein said reading device comprises a barcode scanner.

30. The ten-print scanner of claim 28, wherein said reading device comprises a magnetic-stripe reader.

31. The ten-print scanner of claim 28, further comprising at least one read status indicator that indicates whether the reading of data was unsuccessful.

32. The ten-print scanner of claim 31, wherein said at least one read status indicator is illuminated green when a read is successful and red when a read is unsuccessful.

33. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said at least four indicators are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

34. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said at least four indicators are bar-graph light-emitting diode (LED) indicators.

35. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, further comprising a power status indicator that indicates whether power is provided to said ten-print scanner.

36. The ten-print scanner of claim 35, wherein said power status indicator is illuminated when power is applied to said ten-print scanner via an external power supply.

37. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said at least four indicators are positioned above said platen, each indicator having a one-to-one correspondence with a respective finger of said finger slap.

38. The ten-print scanner of claim 37, wherein each of said at least four indicators reflects whether said respective finger of said finger slap is currently being imaged or is not currently being imaged.

39. The ten-print scanner of claim 37, wherein each of said at least four indicators has a one-to-one correspondence with a respective individual digit image of said respective finger of said finger slap image and indicates whether an appropriate level of fingerprint quality has been achieved.

40. The ten-print scanner of claim 39, wherein each of said at least four indicators reflects whether said respective individual digit image is acceptable, poor, or indeterminate.

41. The ten-print scanner of claim 39, wherein quality threshold levels for said at least four indicators are changeable.

42. The ten-print scanner of claim 39, wherein said at least four indicators are multicolor light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

43. The ten-print scanner of claim 42, wherein a red LED indicates poor quality, a green LED indicates acceptable quality, and an amber LED indicates indeterminate quality.

44. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein said platen comprises a surface of a silicone pad attached to a side of a prism.

45. The ten-print scanner of claim 44, wherein said silicone pad is replaceable.

46. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, wherein the size of an active fingerprint area of said platen is 2.05 by 3.6 inches at 500 dpi.

47. The ten-print scanner of claim 6, further comprising:

an electrical system; and

a main optical system,

wherein said electrical system provides power to said ten-print scanner, controls status signals for various components internal to said ten-print scanner, controls input/output signals between components internal to said ten-print scanner, and controls input/output signals between said ten-print scanner and a computer; and

wherein said main optical system enables said ten-print scanner to illuminate an area of said platen for receiving fingers, measures reflected light optically, and converts resulting signals into said finger slap image.

48. The ten-print scanner of claim 47, further comprising a communication link, wherein said communication link is between two IEEE-1394 interfaces, one of said IEEE-1394 interfaces within said electrical system of said ten-print scanner and one of said IEEE-1394 interfaces within said computer.

49. The ten-print scanner of claim 47, wherein said electrical system comprises:

an interface board;

at least one digital camera board on which to mount a digital camera;

an illuminator/prism heater board that provides illumination to said main optical system and removes unwanted moisture from said platen;

an indicator board that interfaces with said indicators regarding power status, read status, and fingerprint quality status; and

a first reading device, wherein read data correlates with said finger slap image,

wherein said interface board is coupled to each digital camera board, illuminator/prism heater board, indicator board, and reading device, and said interface board further interfaces each digital camera board, a power supply unit that supplies power to said fingerprint workstation, and other external devices with said computer.

50. The ten-print scanner of claim 49, wherein said other external devices include a two-dimensional barcode reader.

51. The ten-print scanner of claim 49, wherein said interface board comprises:

a controller that controls said electrical system;

a digital camera interface that allows communication with said digital camera board;

an IEEE-1394 interface that allows communication with said computer;

at least one serial interface that allows communication with said first reading device and said other external devices if present; and

a power supply interface,

wherein said controller is coupled for two-way serial communications to said reading device and said other external devices if present;

wherein said controller is coupled for two-way communications to said IEEE-1394 interface;

wherein said controller is coupled for one-way serial communications to said digital camera interface and coupled for one-way I/O communications to said illuminator/prism heater board; and

wherein said digital camera interface sends image data from said digital camera board to said IEEE-1394 interface.

52. The ten-print scanner of claim 51, wherein said controller is any one of a microcomputer, a microprocessor, and a microcontroller.

53. The ten-print scanner of claim 51, wherein said illuminator/prism heater board comprises:

a light source; and

a prism heater,

wherein said light source provides illumination to said platen through said main optical system, and said prism heater heats the surface of said platen, whereby water vapor at or near said platen can be reduced or removed.

54. The ten-print scanner of claim 47, wherein said main optical system comprises:

an illumination system;

a prism, one side of said prism used as said platen;

two optical systems; and

two cameras,

wherein said illumination system illuminates the underside of said platen, and each of said optical systems together with one of said cameras detect an image of fingers placed on a side of a barrier of said finger guide on said platen, said barrier separating a ring finger and a middle finger.

55. The ten-print scanner of claim 54, wherein said illumination system comprises:

an illumination source array;

a light wedge; and

a diffuser,

wherein said illumination source array illuminates an end region of said light wedge, and said light wedge then reflects light, sending the light to said diffuser prior to entering said prism.

56. The ten-print scanner of claim 55, wherein said illumination source array emits light of any single wavelength or narrowband of wavelengths.

57. The ten-print scanner of claim 54, wherein said optical system comprises:

optical housing;

a first lens element;

a fold mirror;

a second lens element;

a third lens element;

a fourth lens element;

an aperture stop; and

a focus mount,

wherein said optical housing of said optical system is V-shaped, coupled to said prism at one top end and coupled to said camera at the other top end using said focus mount;

wherein a biometric object placed on said prism for imaging is focused through said first lens element and a reflected image is reflected off of said fold mirror;

wherein said aperture stop is used to limit light passing through said optical system such that only light rays traveling within a range of angles at or near a direction along an optical axis are detected; and

wherein said reflected image is then focused through said second, third, and fourth lens elements for detection by said camera.

112. The ten-print scanner of claim 39, wherein each of said at least four indicators reflects whether said respective individual digit image is acceptable or unacceptable.

113. The ten-print scanner of claim 47, wherein said electrical system comprises:

an interface board;

at least sensor board on which to mount a sensor;

an illuminator/prism heater board that provides illumination to said main optical system and removes unwanted moisture from said platen;

an indicator board that interfaces with said indicators regarding power status, read status, and fingerprint quality status; and

a first reading device, wherein read data correlates with said finger slap image,

wherein said interface board is coupled to each sensor board, illuminator/prism heater board, indicator board, and reading device, and said interface board further interfaces each sensor board, a power supply unit that supplies power to said fingerprint workstation, and other external devices with said computer.

114. The ten-print scanner of claim 113, wherein said interface board comprises:

a controller that controls said electrical system;

a sensor interface that allows communication with said sensor board;

an IEEE-1394 interface that allows communication with said computer;

at least one serial interface that allows communication with said first reading device and said other external devices if present; and

a power supply interface,

wherein said controller is coupled for two-way serial communications to said reading device and said other external devices if present;

wherein said controller is coupled for two-way communications to said IEEE-1394 interface;

wherein said controller is coupled for one-way serial communications to said sensor interface and coupled for one-way 1/0 communications to said illuminator/prism heater board; and

wherein said sensor interface sends image data from said sensor board to said IEEE-1394 interface.

115. The ten-print scanner of claim 54, wherein said illumination system comprises:

an illumination source array; and

a light wedge;

wherein said illumination source array illuminates an end region of said light wedge, and said light wedge then reflects and diffuses light prior to entering said prism.

58. A ten-print scanner, comprising:

means for guiding via a finger guide the positioning of a finger slap of four fingers at a time onto a platen; and

means for indicating an acceptable scan condition of each finger of said finger slap in response to a detected image.

59. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, wherein said finger guide comprises means for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

60. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, wherein said finger guide comprises means for requiring diagonal placement of said finger slap.

61. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for determining whether a right hand or a left hand is placed on said platen.

62. The ten-print scanner of claim 61, further comprising means for determining whether a hand placed on said platen is placed at a diagonal relative to a base of said platen.

63. The ten-print scanner of claim 61, further comprising means for determining whether a longest finger is on a right side of a physical barrier for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

64. The ten-print scanner of claim 61, further comprising means for determining whether a shortest finger is on a right side of a physical barrier for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

65. The ten-print scanner of claim 61, further comprising means for determining whether a longest finger or a shortest finger is found.

66. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for separating said finger slap image into individual digit images.

67. The ten-print scanner of claim 66, further comprising means for associating data in said finger slap image and each of said individual digit images with corresponding regions of a fingerprint card.

68. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for viewing detected finger slap images.

69. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for reading data that correlates with said finger slap image.

70. The ten-print scanner of claim 69, further comprising means for indicating whether the reading of data was unsuccessful.

71. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for determining whether power is provided to said ten-print scanner.

72. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for indicating whether an appropriate level of fingerprint quality has been achieved.

73. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for determining whether a specific finger of said finger slap is currently being imaged or is not currently being imaged.

74. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for removing unwanted moisture from said platen.

75. The ten-print scanner of claim 74, further comprising means for controlling trip point limits for turning heating elements on and off when heating said platen.

76. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for illuminating the underside of said platen, wherein a camera detects an image of fingers placed on a side of a barrier of said finger guide on said platen, said barrier separating a ring finger and a middle finger.

77. The ten-print scanner of claim 58, further comprising means for displaying messages.

78. A ten-print scanner, comprising:

a platen;

a finger guide coupled to said platen, said finger guide having;

a center barrier, wherein said finger guide guides positioning of a finger slap of one of a right and left hand with said center barrier separating a ring finger and a middle finger, and wherein said finger guide guides positioning of two thumbs simultaneously with said center barrier separating said thumbs; and

at least four indicators that indicate an acceptable scan condition of each finger of said finger slap or of each thumb in response to a detected image.

79. A fingerprinting method, comprising the steps of:

positioning fingers of one of a right and left hand upon a platen, said platen having a finger guide and a barrier separating a ring finger and a middle finger;

detecting a first finger slap image at said platen;

removing said fingers of said one of a right and left hand from said platen;

positioning fingers of an other of a right and left hand upon said platen;

detecting a second finger slap image at said platen;

removing said fingers of said other of a right and left hand from said platen;

positioning thumbs of the left and right hands on each side of said barrier of said platen;

detecting a thumbprint image at said platen; and

removing said thumbs from said platen.

80. The fingerprinting method of claim 79, further comprising the step of:

storing said first finger slap image, second finger slap image, and thumbprint image.

81. The fingerprinting method of claim 79, in which the positioning of said thumbs comprises the steps of:

positioning a thumb on the right hand on a right side of said barrier of said platen; and

positioning a thumb on the left hand on a left side of said barrier of said platen.

82. The fingerprinting method of claim 79, further comprising the step of:

determining to which hand each of said finger slaps belongs.

83. The fingerprinting method of claim 82, further comprising the step of:

separating each of said finger slap images into individual fingerprint images of each finger scanned.

84. The fingerprinting method of claim 83, further comprising the step of:

placing each of said first and second finger slap fingerprint images, individual fingerprint images, and thumbprint images into a corresponding area of a fingerprint card.

85. A fingerprint workstation, comprising:

a ten-print scanner, said ten-print scanner having;

a platen;

a finger guide coupled to said platen, wherein said finger guide guides positioning of a finger slap of four fingers at a time onto said platen; and

at least four indicators that indicate an acceptable scan condition of each finger of said finger slap in response to a detected finger slap image; and

a computer, interfaced to said ten-print scanner via a communication link, that communicates with said ten-print scanner.

86. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said finger guide includes a physical barrier for separating a ring finger from a middle finger.

87. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said finger guide is sized to require diagonal placement of said finger slap.

88. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, further comprising a controller that controls said ten-print scanner.

89. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said computer controls said ten-print scanner.

90. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said ten-print scanner further comprises a controller.

91. The fingerprint workstation of claim 90, wherein said controller determines whether a right hand or a left hand is placed on said platen.

92. The fingerprint workstation of claim 91, wherein said controller determines whether a hand placed on said platen is placed at a diagonal relative to a base of said platen.

93. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, further comprising at least one reading device, wherein said reading device reads data that correlates with said finger slap image.

94. The fingerprint workstation of claim 93, further comprising at least one read status indicator that indicates whether the reading of data was unsuccessful.

95. The fingerprint workstation of claim 94, wherein said at least one read status indicator is illuminated green when a read is successful and red when a read is unsuccessful.

96. The fingerprint workstation of claim 93, wherein said reading device comprises a barcode scanner.

97. The fingerprint workstation of claim 93, wherein said reading device comprises a magnetic-stripe reader.

98. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, further comprising a screen on which to view said finger slap images as they are scanned.

99. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said at least four indicators are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

100. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said at least four indicators are bar-graph light-emitting diode (LED) indicators.

101. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85 further comprising a power status indicator that indicates whether power is provided to said ten-print scanner.

102. The fingerprint workstation of claim 101, wherein said power status indicator is illuminated when power is applied to said ten-print scanner via an external power supply.

103. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said at least four indicators are positioned above said platen, each indicator having a one-to-one correspondence with a respective finger of said finger slap.

104. The fingerprint workstation of claim 103, wherein each of said at least four indicators reflects whether said respective finger of said finger slap is currently being imaged or is not currently being imaged.

105. The fingerprint workstation of claim 103, wherein each of said at least four indicators has a one-to-one correspondence with a respective individual digit image of said respective finger of said finger slap image and indicates whether an appropriate level of fingerprint quality has been achieved.

106. The fingerprint workstation of claim 105, wherein each of said at least four indicators reflects whether said respective individual digit image is acceptable, poor, or indeterminate.

107. The fingerprint workstation of claim 105, wherein quality threshold levels for said at least four indicators are changeable.

108. The fingerprint workstation of claim 105, wherein said at least four indicators are multi-color light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

109. The fingerprint workstation of claim 108, wherein a red LED indicates poor quality, a green LED indicates acceptable quality, and an amber LED indicates indeterminate quality.

110. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein said platen comprises a surface of a silicone pad attached to a side of a prism.

111. The fingerprint workstation of claim 85, wherein the size of an active fingerprint area of said platen is 2.05 by 3.6 inches at 500 dpi.