Fingerprint scanning device

• US 4,003,656 A
• Filed: 10/07/1974
• Issued: 01/18/1977
• 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): Segal, Robert
• Application Number:
  US05/512,862
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 250/571, 356/71, 356/167, 356/156
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence

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 in a point-by-point scan, said scanner means comprising first means including a reflector means 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 a predetermined path, wherein the light reflected by a trough is directed along other paths, and driver means for driving said second means such that the light source is scanned along a second axis of said finger;

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

wherein said second means includes first and second mirrors positioned such that light from said first means is reflected by said first mirror towards said finger and light reflected by a ridge along said predetermined path is then reflected by said first mirror towards said second mirror and said light is then reflected by said second mirror such that it is detected by said detector means; and

e. 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. The system of claim 1 wherein said light source is monochromatic.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said light source is a laser.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second means are rotatable mirror means.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said first and second means are reciprocating mirror means.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said first means is a rotatable mirror means and said second means is a reciprocating mirror means.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said output means includes recorder means for recording said output signal.