FINGERPRINT SCANNING SYSTEM

• US 3,864,042 A
• Filed: 05/10/1973
• Issued: 02/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen Richard Leventhal
• Original Assignee: Stephen Richard Leventhal
• Inventors: Leventhal, Stephen Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Wibert, Ronald L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Godwin, Paul K.
• Application Number:
  US05/359,008
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 356/164-168,71,209,210,237 340/146.3E 350/6 178/7.6,7.7,DIG.28
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting

Abstract

A method and apparatus for rapidly scanning the finger of an individual with a monochromatic beam of light and for producing an output in accordance with the light reflected by the finger which corresponds to the fingerprint of the finger. The light beam is incident on the surface of the finger such that light incident upon the ridge of the finger is reflected along a predetermined path while light incident upon a trough of the finger is reflected along other paths. A detector is positioned in the predetermined path for detecting reflected light in that path. The detector therefore primarily detects light which is reflected from the ridge of the finger. The detected light is used to produce a signal indicative of the fingerprint of the finger.

Claims

1. A system for producing a pattern comprising ridges and troughs in accordance with a fingerprint of an individual'"'"''"'"'s finger, said system comprising:

a. light source means;

b. scanner means for scanning said light source over said finger, said scanner means comprising first means including a prism for scanning said light source along one axis of said finger;

second means positioned to receive the light from said first means, for directing the light to said finger along a path such that said light is reflected by said finger and for directing the light reflected by a ridge in said finger along said predetermined path, wherein the light reflected by a trough is directed along other paths; and

driver means for driving said second means such that said light source is scanned along a second axis of said finger;

c. detector means for detecting the light from said light source means reflected along a predetermined path by said finger;

d. output means, coupled to said detector means, for reproducing said pattern of ridges and troughs in accordance with the light detected by said detector means, wherein said pattern corresponds to the fingerprint of said finger.

2. A system for producing a pattern comprising ridges and troughs in accordance with a fingerprint of an individual'"'"''"'"'s finger, said system comprising:

a. light source means;

b. scanner means for scanning said light source over said finger, said scanner means comprising first means for scanning said light source along one axis of said finger;

second means including a prism positioned to receive the light from said first means, for directing the light to said finger alonG a path such that said light is reflected by said finger and for directing the light reflected by a ridge in said finger along said predetermined path, wherein the light reflected by a trough is directed along other paths; and

driver means for driving said second means such that said light source is scanned along a second axis of said finger;

c. detector means for detecting the light from said light source means reflected along a predetermined path by said finger;

d. output means, coupled to said detector means, for reproducing said pattern of ridges and troughs in accordance with the light detected by said detector means, wherein said pattern corresponds to the fingerprint of said finger.