FINGER GUIDE DEVICE

• US 20120237092A1
• Filed: 03/26/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States CP LLC
• Original Assignee: Pen-One Acquisition Group LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Inventors: Bechtel, J. Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,760,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/126
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1306 non-optical, e.g. ultrasonic or capacitive sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1353 Extracting features related to minutiae or pores
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1371 Matching features related to minutiae or pores
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/63 by static guides

Abstract

A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication or identification of said subject wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system. The device may contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the rearward portion of the finger guide device.

Claims

1. A finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of a fingerprint to be captured during an enrollment process, the finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess, the side surfaces of the finger guide device include a forward and backward portion, the side surfaces of the finger guide device include side edges, the recess having the same general shape as a finger, the finger guide device guiding the finger onto the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction and in a lateral direction during a subsequent identification or authentication request, the forward and backward portion of the side surfaces of the finger guide device guide the finger toward the same position in the axial direction onto the fingerprint sensor in a repeatable manner for purposes of identification and authentication, the side edges of the side surfaces of the finger guide device guide the finger toward the same position in the lateral direction onto the fingerprint sensor in a repeatable manner for purposes of identification and authentication, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor repeatably each time the finger guide device is used for the subsequent identification or authentication, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “

false rejects”

for purposes of identification and authentication of a person touching the finger guide device, the fingerprint sensor being in alignment with the finger guide device and in a proper position to provide the relevant portion of the fingerprint, and;

whereby the front of the finger guide device has sufficient steepness of its sides and shortness of radius of curvature to serve as a stop positioning the tip of the finger approximately between 0.20 and 0.90 inches ahead of the center of the fingerprint sensor, the stop serving as “

the”

reference for positioning the finger relative to the fingerprint sensor.

2. The finger guide device described in claim 1, further comprising feedback means to assist subjects placing their digit in the right position in the finger guide device.

3. The finger guide device described in claim 1, further comprising feedback means to assist subjects placing their digit in the right position and with the right pressure in the finger guide device.

4. The finger guide device described in claim 1, further comprising bumps to assist subjects placing their digit in the right position in the finger guide device.

5. The finger guide device described in claim 2, further comprising Braille to communicate to subjects placing their digit in the right position in the finger guide device.

6. The finger guide device described in claim 1, wherein the finger guide device or finger guide device surface is conductive or partially conductive to communicate a necessary electrical signal, frequency or potential to the human tissue in order to facilitate proper operation of the fingerprint sensor.

7. The finger guide device described in claim 1, wherein the finger guide device or surrounding area includes at least one marking to indicate finger positioning on the finger guide device.

8. The finger guide device in claim 1, wherein the finger guide device has a higher thermal conductivity than surrounding parts so that as heat is conducted away from the skin more rapidly by said finger guide device than by the surrounding parts, said finger guide device has a tactile property of feeling cooler to the touch than the surrounding parts, thereby communicating to the user that his finger is placed in the correct area.

9. The finger guide device of claim 1, wherein said finger guide device is mechanically coupled to a means to provide mechanical movement feedback to the subject user, wherein said mechanical movement feedback assists the user in properly using the finger guide device.

10. The finger guide device of claim 1, wherein the finger guide device is in communication with a switching means to permit the finger guide device to serve as an element in a switch.

11. The finger guide device of claim 1, wherein the subject has enrolled a second digit fingerprint for use with the device to send an emergency distress signal, the fingerprint match of which is a signal to the system indicating the subject'"'"'s distress.

12. A finger guide device for identity authentication and confirmation, the finger guide device comprising:

a. a finger guide having side surfaces that form a recess, the recess having the same general shape as a finger, the recess being defined by sloped end walls in the axial direction, the end wall in the axial direction adjacent the tip of the user'"'"'s finger being more steeply sloped than the end wall in the axial direction that is remote from the tip of

b. the user'"'"'s finger, the end wall in the axial direction having the steeper slope which is adjacent the tip of the user'"'"'s finger serving as a stop meeting the tip of the finger just under the user'"'"'s nail, the stop serving as “

the”

reference for positioning the finger relative to a fingerprint sensor, the end wall in the axial direction having the steeper slope which is adjacent the tip of the user'"'"'s finger serving as a location reference meeting the tip of the finger just under the user'"'"'s nail; and

c. a fingerprint scanner in alignment with the finger guide;

whereby the finger guide device positions the finger onto the fingerprint scanner in essentially the same position in an axial direction and in a lateral direction, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position in alignment with the fingerprint scanner repeatably each time the identity authentication and confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing the incidents of “

false rejects”

for purposes of identification and authentication of a person; and

whereby the recess is funnel shaped with a circular, oval, square, or rectangular square mouth such that, in use, the finger being guided into position at the base of the funnel-shaped recess, and;

whereby the finger guide device includes feedback means to enable a person using the finger guide to locate the relevant portion of the finger onto the fingerprint sensor each time the identification or authentication is needed.

13. The finger guide device of claim 12, wherein the guide includes a pair of side portions for purposes of centering the finger onto the scanner and a rear portion to accommodate the portion of the finger extending backwards past the sensor.

14. The finger guide device of claim 12, wherein the concave portion of the guide has the general shape of a finger.

15. A finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess for receiving a finger, the surfaces having a coefficient of friction that is sufficiently low for enabling the finger to slide downwardly until reaching a stable position of global minimum, the recess having the same general shape as an inverted pyramid;

whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said axial alignment occurring along a forward and backward portion of the finger guide device, and

whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in a lateral direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said lateral alignment occurring between side edges of the finger guide device,

whereby the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor each time authentication or confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “

false rejects”

for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device, and;

whereby the finger guide device provides tactile feedback means for the person in order to make it easier to relocate the right position, even after substantial time has passed between enrollment and the next authentication event.

16. A finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the device comprising a recess for receiving a user'"'"'s finger and for axially and laterally aligning the user'"'"'s finger over the fingerprint sensor characterized in that the recess is defined by sloped end walls in the axial direction, the end wall in the axial direction which, in use, is adjacent the tip of the user'"'"'s finger being more steeply sloped than the end wall in the axial direction which, in use, is remote from the tip of the user'"'"'s finger, the more steeply sloped end wall engaging the user'"'"'s fingertip just below the user'"'"'s finger nail, the more steeply sloped end wall aligning the user'"'"'s finger axially in position relative to the fingerprint sensor for capture of partial fingerprint data, the fingertip serving as “

the”

reference for positioning the finger relative onto a fingerprint sensor.

17. A device for positioning a finger onto a fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device comprising:

the finger guide device having a generally recessed shape dimensioned for receiving a finger, the finger guide device having concave sidewalls, the concave sidewalls having a forward portion having at least one slope, said slope abutting the tip part of the finger underneath the fingernail, the forward portion of the concave sidewalls acting as a stop and a location reference, the forward portion meeting the fingertip below the fingernail, the stop physically but non-forcibly encouraging the finger into the correct position relative to the fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device for guiding the finger onto the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction and in a lateral direction, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor each time authentication or confirmation is needed, said fingerprint sensor being integral to the finger guide device, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “

false rejects”

for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device, the finger guide device having a shorter radius of curvature at the forward portion where the fingertip abuts the finger guide device and a longer radius of curvature at the opposite end where the guide extends up the finger towards the body; and

the fingerprint sensor abutting the finger guide device, the same finger guide device being adaptable for use with many different sized fingers.

18. A finger guide device for use in countertops, doors, keyboards, pads, telephones, computing devices, appliances, medical devices, and cash registers, the finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint sensor selected from the group consisting of electronic, optical, electromagnetic, capacitive, and electroluminescent, the finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess for receiving a finger, the recess having the same general shape as a finger, the recess being defined by sloped end walls in the axial direction, the end wall in the axial direction which, in use, is adjacent the tip of the user'"'"'s finger being more steeply sloped than the end wall in the axial direction which, in use, is remote from the tip of the user'"'"'s finger, the end wall in the axial direction having the steeper slope which, in use, is adjacent the tip of the user'"'"'s finger serving as a location reference meeting the tip of the finger just under the user'"'"'s nail, the same finger guide device being adaptable for use with many different sized fingers;

whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said axial alignment occurring along a forward and backward portion of the finger guide device,

whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the sensor in essentially the same position in a lateral direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said lateral alignment occurring between side edges of the finger guide device,

whereby the finger guide device enables a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor each time authentication or confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “

false rejects”

for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device.