Method and Apparatus for Fingerprint Image Reconstruction
First Claim
1. A method of reconstructing a fingerprint image from a series of partial fingerprint images of a finger surface, said method comprising:
- Moving the finger surface over a partial fingerprint imager and capturing a series of partial fingerprint images of said fingerprint;
calculating the speed at which said partial fingerprint imager traverses the finger surface;
determining if said speed is above a preset fast swipe value;
if said speed is above said preset fast swipe value, filling in the gaps by generating additional synthetic partial fingerprint images by interpolating between partial fingerprint images on either side of said gaps;
if said speed is below said preset fast swipe value, then determining if said speed is below a preset slow swipe value; and
if said speed is below said preset slow swipe value, discarding redundant partial fingerprint images;
and reconstructing the fingerprint image of said finger surface using the resulting partial fingerprint images.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Enhanced accuracy finger position and motion sensors devices, algorithms, and methods are disclosed that can be used in a variety of different applications. The sensors can be used in conjunction with partial fingerprint imagers to produce improved fingerprint scanners. Such improved scanners can use image analysis techniques, such as interpolation between partial fingerprint images to correct for missing data, or discarding redundant partial fingerprint image data, to produce adequate fingerprint images even when the finger has not been applied to the sensor using an optimum technique.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of reconstructing a fingerprint image from a series of partial fingerprint images of a finger surface, said method comprising:
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Moving the finger surface over a partial fingerprint imager and capturing a series of partial fingerprint images of said fingerprint; calculating the speed at which said partial fingerprint imager traverses the finger surface; determining if said speed is above a preset fast swipe value; if said speed is above said preset fast swipe value, filling in the gaps by generating additional synthetic partial fingerprint images by interpolating between partial fingerprint images on either side of said gaps; if said speed is below said preset fast swipe value, then determining if said speed is below a preset slow swipe value; and if said speed is below said preset slow swipe value, discarding redundant partial fingerprint images; and reconstructing the fingerprint image of said finger surface using the resulting partial fingerprint images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of reconstructing a fingerprint image from a series of partial fingerprint images of a finger surface, said method comprising:
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Moving the finger surface over a partial fingerprint imager and capturing a series of partial fingerprint images of said fingerprint surface at a known rate of partial image acquisition per second; calculating the speed at which said partial fingerprint imager traverses the finger surface; determining if said speed is above a preset fast swipe value, said fast swipe value being set at a level where there are likely to be gaps between the regions of the finger surface that are imaged by the partial fingerprint imager; if said speed is above said preset fast swipe value, filling in the gaps by generating additional synthetic partial fingerprint images by interpolating between partial fingerprint images on either side of said gaps; if said speed is below said preset fast swipe value, then determining if said speed is below a preset slow swipe value, said slow swipe value being set at a level where there are likely to be substantial overlap between the regions of the finger surface that are imaged by the partial fingerprint imager; and if said speed is below said preset slow swipe value, discarding redundant partial fingerprint images; and reconstructing the fingerprint image of said finger surface using the resulting partial fingerprint images. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of reconstructing a fingerprint image from a series of partial fingerprint images of a finger surface, said method comprising:
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Moving the finger surface over a deep finger penetrating radio frequency (RF) based partial fingerprint imager and capturing a series of partial fingerprint images of said fingerprint surface at a known rate of partial image acquisition per second; calculating the speed at which said partial fingerprint imager traverses the finger surface using a deep finger penetrating radio frequency (RF) based finger position sensor array; determining if said speed is above a preset fast swipe value, said fast swipe value being set at a level where there are likely to be gaps between the regions of the finger surface that are imaged by the partial fingerprint imager; if said speed is above said preset fast swipe value, filling in the gaps by generating additional synthetic partial fingerprint images by interpolating between partial fingerprint images on either side of said gaps; if said speed is below said preset fast swipe value, then determining if said speed is below a preset slow swipe value, said slow swipe value being set at a level where there are likely to be substantial overlap between the regions of the finger surface that are imaged by the partial fingerprint imager; and if said speed is below said preset slow swipe value, discarding redundant partial fingerprint images; and reconstructing the fingerprint image of said finger surface using the resulting partial fingerprint images. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification