FINGER DIMENSION COMPARISON IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

• US 3,576,538 A
• Filed: 04/14/1969
• Issued: 04/27/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert P. Miller
• Original Assignee: Robert P. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US04/815,978
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

An identification system comprising a sensing device for sensing an outer dimension of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers, a comparison mechanism for comparing the information regarding the outer dimension of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers as sensed by the sensing device with the same information of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers as precalculated, and an indicator for indicating an identity or lack of identity between the sensed information of the individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers with the precalculated information.

Claims

1. In an identification system for identifying an individual, the combination comprising:

a. first precalculated identifying means arranged in a first pattern related to certain dimensions of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers;

b. finger-sensing means for sensing the same dimensions of the plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those dimensions represented by the first identifying means;

c. second identifying means operable in response to said fingersensing means to produce a second pattern related to said dimensions of the plurality of fingers sensed by said fingersensing means; and

d. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns.

2. biasing means normally urging each of said contact members outwardly toward said second opening;

b. said second identifying means includes;

3. An identification system as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

said second pattern is related in a predetermined coded fashion to the separate lengths of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means for comparison with the first identifying means which is similarly coded.

4. In an identification system for identifying an individual, the combination comprising:

a. a framework;

b. means on said framework for receiving an identification card having thereon first precalculated identifying means arranged in a first pattern related to certain dimensions of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers;

c. means on said framework for receiving the fingers of an individual to be identified;

d. finger-sensing means for sensing the same dimensions of the plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those dimensions represented by the first identifying means on said identification card;

e. second identifying means operable in response to said finger-sensing means to produce a second pattern related to said dimensions of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means; and

f. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns.

5. An identification system as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

a. said framework includes a walled housing;

b. the means for receiving said identification card includes a first opening in the walled housing;

c. the means for receiving the fingers Of said individual includes a second opening in the walled housing;

d. said finger-sensing means and said second identifying means are disposed within said housing; and

e. said means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns includes actuating means operable upon sensing of the positioning of the individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers in a stationary position within said second opening for initiating a comparison of said first and second patterns.

6. An identification system as set forth in claim 5 further including:

card-sensing means for determining the validity or nonvalidity of said identification card when positioned in a predetermined location within said first opening.

7. An identification system as set forth in claim 6 wherein:

the means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns is connected to said card-sensing means for actuation only upon the sensing of a valid identification card.

8. An identification system as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

said finger-sensing means is positioned in the path of movement of the individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers being inserted into said second opening for engagement thereby to sense said outer dimensions.

9. In an identification system for identifying an individual, the combination comprising:

a. a framework;

b. means on said framework for receiving an identification card having thereon first identifying means arranged in a first pattern related to the separate lengths of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers;

c. means on said framework for receiving the fingers of an individual to be identified;

d. finger-sensing means for sensing the separate lengths of the same plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those represented by the first identifying means on said identification card;

e. second identifying means operable in response to said finger-sensing means to produce a second pattern related to the separate lengths of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means; and

f. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns.

10. An identification system as set forth in claim 9 wherein:

a. said framework includes a walled housing;

b. the means for receiving said identification card includes a first opening in the walled housing;

c. the means for receiving the fingers of said individual includes a second opening in the walled housing;

d. said finger-sensing means and said second identifying means are disposed within said housing; and

e. said means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns includes comparison means operable upon insertion of said individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers a predetermined distance into said second opening and into a stationary position for comparing said first and second patterns.

11. An identification system as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

a. said finger-sensing means includes;

12. In an identification system for identifying an individual comprising:

a. a framework defining a walled housing;

b. a first opening in said walled housing for receiving a partially transparent identification card having thereon first identifying means arranged in a first pattern related in a predetermined fashion to the separate lengths of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers, said first pattern being defined by the contrast between transparent and opaque portions of said card;

c. a second opening in said walled housing for receiving the fingers of an individual to be identified;

d. finger-sensing means for sensing the separate lengths of the same plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those represented by the first identifying means on said identification card;

e. second identifying means having opaque portions and operable in response to said finger-sensing means to produce a second pattern related in said predetermined fashion to the separate lengths of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means, said second pattern being defined by the opaque portions of said second identifying means; and

f. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns, an identity being present when said second pattern as defined by the opaque portions of said second identifying means is in a predetermined position relative to the first pattern of said identification card as defined by the contrast between said transparent and opaque portions thereof.

13. An identification system as set forth in claim 12 wherein:

said second pattern is related in a predetermined coded fashion to the separate lengths of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means for comparison with the first identifying means on said identification card which is similarly coded.

14. An identification system as set forth in claim 13 wherein:

said means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns includes actuating means operable upon sensing of the positioning of the individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers in a stationary position within said second opening for initiating a comparison of said first and second patterns.

15. An identification system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns includes:

a. a light source for projecting light from one side of said identification card and through the transparent portions of the first pattern thereon; and

b. photoelectric-sensing means for receiving light passing through the transparent portions of the first pattern of said identification card, with an identity between said first and second patterns being present when the opaque portions of said second identifying means are in said predetermined position between said light source and said photoelectric-sensing means to effect a change between the absence and presence of light received by said photoelectric-sensing means.

16. An identification system as set forth in claim 15 wherein:

a. said finger-sensing means includes;

17. An identification system as set forth in claim 16 wherein:

the separate identifying members of said second identifying means include opaque portions for blocking the light received by said photoelectric-sensing means when in said predetermined position between said light source and said photoelectric-sensing means indicating an identity between said first and second patterns.

18. An identification system as set forth in claim 17 further including:

card-sensing means for determining the validity or nonvalidity of said identification card when positioned in a predetermined location within said first opening.

19. An identification system as set forth in claim 18 wherein:

the means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns is connected to said card-sensing means for actuation only upon the sensing of a valid identification card.

20. Apparatus for identifying an individual, the combination comprising:

a. first precalculated identifying means arranged in a first pattern related to certain dimensions of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers;

b. means for supporting an individual'"'"''"'"'s hand in a fixed predetermined position;

c. finger-sensing means for sensing the same dimensions of the plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those dimensions represented by the first identifying means;

d. second identifying means operable in response to said finger-sensing means to produce a second pattern related to said dimensions of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means;

e. mounting means for movably supporting said finger-sensing means relative to said hand; and

f. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns.

21. Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

the support means for said finger-sensing means provides relative rotational movement between the finger sensors and said hand.

22. Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

the support means for said finger-sensing means provides relative translational movement between the finger sensors and said hand.

23. Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein:

the support means for said finger-sensing means provides both relative translational and rotational movement between the finger sensors and said hand.

24. Apparatus for identifying an individual, the combination comprising:

a. first precalculated identifying means arranged in a first pattern related to certain dimensions of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers;

b. means for supporting an individual'"'"''"'"'s hand in a fixed predetermined position;

c. finger-sensing means for sensing the same dimensions of the plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those dimensions represented by the first identifying means including guide means for positioning the fingers of said hand with respect to said finger-sensing means;

d. second identifying means operable in response to said finger-sensing means to produce a second pattern related to said dimensions of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means;

e. mounting means for movably supporting said finger-sensing means relative to said hand; and

f. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns.

25. Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein:

means are provided for moving the mounting for said finger-sensing means until at least one of said guide means is placed in contact with a finger crotch of said hand.

26. Apparatus in accordance with claim 24 wherein:

a. first means is provided for translating the mountIng for said finger-sensing means until one of said guide means is placed in contact with a first finger crotch of said hand; and

b. second means is provided for rotating the mounting for said finger-sensing means until a second of said guide means is placed in contact with a second finger crotch of said hand.

27. Apparatus for identifying an individual, the combination comprising:

a. first precalculated identifying means arranged in a first pattern related to certain dimensions of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers;

b. finger-sensing means for sensing the same dimensions of the plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those dimensions represented by the first identifying means;

c. second identifying means operable in response to said finger-sensing means to produce a second pattern related to said dimensions of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means;

d. mounting means for movably supporting said finger-sensing means relative to said hand;

e. slide means for movably supporting an individual'"'"''"'"'s hand into contact with said finger-sensing means; and

f. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second patterns.

28. In an identification system for identifying an individual, the combination comprising:

a. first precalculated identifying means consisting of a first data set related to certain dimensions of a plurality of an individual'"'"''"'"'s fingers;

b. finger-sensing means for sensing the same dimensions of the plurality of fingers of the individual to be identified as those dimensions represented by the first identifying means;

c. second identifying means operable in response to said finger-sensing means to produce a second data set related to said dimensions of the plurality of fingers sensed by said finger-sensing means; and

d. means for determining the identity or lack of identity between said first and second data sets.