LOW POWER FINGERPRINT CAPTURE SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD

• US 20100289886A1
• Filed: 05/18/2010
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Identification International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Identification International, Inc.
• Inventors: Gaebe, Carl, Pedigo, Michael, Salerno, Nicholas, FENRICH, Richard, Hutchins, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 8,520,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/77
• 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: G06V 40/1359 Extracting features related to ridge properties; Determining the fingerprint type, e.g. whorl or loop

Abstract

The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power connection to a host PC, e.g., a desk top computer, PDA, or laptop computer although the system can also be used in a wireless fashion with a power subsystem so no physical connections are required. In a preferred embodiment the large format fingerprint device is directly connected to a completely disconnected portable PC, such as a laptop having only a battery power source. The primary system components of the present invention combine to minimize power, size and weight and, thus, enhance portability and battery life. The system typically includes a light source, a prism, a camera (including the lens), and a case. Optional elements comprise holographic elements such as gratings and holographic optical elements (HOEs), a battery subsystem, magnetic stripe reader, barcode reader, platen heater, platen blower, and mirrors to divert the image beam.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured to collect a friction ridge signature of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

a platen comprising a first light-reflecting surface, wherein the first light-reflecting surface has an area of approximately 3 square inches or larger such that the area of the first light-reflecting surface is sufficiently large to receive four fingers simultaneously;

a light source configured to emit light rays to illuminate a subject placed in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen;

a camera configured to capture image data of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen, through the platen, during a capture sequence; and

a common connection port for wired connection, the common connection port being configured to provide both of (i) communication with an external processor, and (ii) reception of power to the apparatus,

wherein the light source and the camera are further configured such that all power received from outside the apparatus used to power the light source and the camera is received to the apparatus through the common connection port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source includes a cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a light pipe arranged to provide a light and having a plurality of micro structures for guiding the light in a collimated or semi-collimated manner onto the platen.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said light pipe is disposed within the apparatus such that light therefrom becomes incident on the platen at an angle greater than a critical angle at the first light reflecting surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control input power to the light source to regulate light output by the light source over time.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller uses a feedback loop to control input power to the light source such that the light source outputs light at a constant intensity.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller is further configured to control an exposure setting of the camera.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to control the exposure setting of the camera based on the intensity of light being output by the light source to achieve a pre-determined level of luminance in images captured by the camera.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a maintenance module configured to collect maintenance information, other than image information, related to the maintenance and/or operation of components the apparatus; and

electronic storage configured to store the collected maintenance information.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is configured to operate on less than about 2 watts of power, and to receive the power through the common connection port.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source is configured to operate on less than about 1 watt of power, and to receive the power through the common connection port.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing that houses the light source, and the camera;

electronic storage media housed within the housing, the electronic storage media storing information related to known friction ridge signatures of a set of subjects; and

a controller housed within the housing, the controller being configured to match images of the subject captured by the camera with corresponding ones of the known friction ridge signatures of the set of subjects,

wherein the electronic storage media is configured to be updated with information related to known friction ridge signatures through the common connection port.

13. A system configured to generate a composite image of a friction ridge signature of a subject, the system comprising:

a platen comprising a first light-reflecting surface;

a light source configured to emit light rays to illuminate a subject placed in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen;

a camera configured to capture images of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen, through the platen, in an ongoing manner; and

a processor configured to receive images of the subject captured by the camera, and to automatically determine whether a sequence of the received images includes a successful capture sequence, wherein a determination that the sequence of received images includes a successful capture sequence is made responsive to identification by the processor of a trigger in the sequence of received images indicating the beginning of a capture sequence and identification by the processor of a trigger in the sequence of received images indicating the completion of the capture sequence.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein processor is configured to determine a type of capture sequence, and to determine whether the sequence of received images includes a successful capture sequence of the determined type.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the type of capture sequence comprises a roll capture or a slap capture.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to generate, responsive to determination that the sequence of received images includes a successful capture sequence, a composite image, wherein the composite image is formed from the images included in the successful capture sequence.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to generate the composite image by merging the images included in the successful capture sequence.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to identify the trigger indicating the beginning of the capture sequence by comparing successive images in the sequence of received images.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to identify the trigger indicating the completion of the capture sequence by comparing images in the sequence of received images that were captured subsequent to the trigger indicating the beginning of the capture sequence.