FINGER GUIDE DEVICE WITH RECESS

• US 20160132737A1
• Filed: 10/27/2015
• Published: 05/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pen-One Acquisition Group LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Pen-One Inc.
• Inventors: Bechtel, J. Scott
• Application Number:
  US14/923,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20160132737A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 of 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 that has a sensor area smaller than a fingernail of an adult, comprising

a fingerprint sensor that has a sensor area smaller than a fingernail of an adult,

a finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess for receiving a person'"'"'s finger and having an opening in which the fingerprint sensor is located,

whereby the finger guide device aligns the person'"'"'s finger with the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction when the finger is placed in the finger guide device to capture a relevant portion of the finger, 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 sensor in essentially the same position in a lateral direction when the finger is placed in the finger guide device to capture a relevant portion of a finger, said lateral alignment occurring between side edges of the finger guide device,

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.

2. A finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor

comprising

a concave circular or oval surface having a bottom with an opening in the bottom to expose a fingerprint sensor that can be placed in the opening, the surface having a fingertip end, finger sides and a first joint end, the periphery of the surface being substantially in one plane, with a zone at each of the finger sides rising steeply to the periphery, a zone at the first joint end rising less steeply to the periphery and a zone at the fingertip end rising with a steepness between the steepness of the zone of the finger sides and the zone of the first joint.

3. A finger guide device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the periphery has a hard and distinct ridge.

4. A finger guide device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the zone of the fingertip has a sufficient steepness and shortness of radius of curvature in order to serve as a stop that positions the tip of a finger approximately between 0.20 and 0.90 inch ahead of the center of the opening.

5. A finger guide device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a scanner in alignment with the finger guide device, whereby the finger guide device positions the person'"'"'s finger onto the 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 person'"'"'s finger to rest in a stable position in alignment with the fingerprint scanner repeatably when identity authentication or confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing the incidents of “

false rejects”

for purposes of identification or authentication of a person.

6. A finger guide device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the concave surface has a low enough profile so that when a relevant portion of the person'"'"'s finger rests in a stable position in alignment with the fingerprint scanner, the person'"'"'s fingernail does not contact the periphery of the finger guide device.

7. The finger guide device of claim 2, 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.

8. A finger guide device for positioning a finger onto a fingerprint scanner, 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; and

b. a scanner that has a sensor area smaller than a fingernail of an adult in alignment with the finger guide device;

whereby the finger guide device positions the person'"'"'s finger onto the 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 person'"'"'s finger to rest in a stable position in alignment with the fingerprint scanner repeatably each time identity authentication or confirmation is needed,

the finger guide device reducing the incidents of “

false rejects”

for purposes of identification or authentication of a person.