Method and apparatus for fingerprint verification of identity

• US 4,455,083 A
• Filed: 08/24/1981
• Issued: 06/19/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul B. Elmes
• Original Assignee: Paul B. Elmes
• Inventors: Elmes, Paul B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Punter, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/295,647
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 356/71, 382/4-5, 382/7, 283/7, 283/8 R, 283/8 A, 283/8 B, 428/916
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for verifying the fingerprint of the bearer of a card by comparing the fingerprint of the bearer with the fingerprint of the person to whom the card is issued. First a negative of the fingerprint of the person to whom the card is issued is imprinted with reflective material in a transparent region of the card. By placing the card on a surface with the transparent region over a window, a beam of light is directed at the transparent region through the window for reflection of light back to a circuit where the level of reflected light is detected. Upon placing the finger of the bearer of the card over the imprinted negative fingerprint with proper registration for matching the fingerprint of the bearer with the imprinted negative fingerprint, the level of reflection is increased. A match is verified by observing a predetermined minimum level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer. A reference level of reflection from the imprinted negative fingerprint alone is first established for comparison with the level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer.

Claims

1. A method for verifying the fingerprint of the bearer of a card by comparing the fingerprint of the bearer with the fingerprint of the person to whom the card is issued comprising the steps of imprinting with reflective material a negative of the fingerprint of the person to thom the card is issued in a transparent region of the card, placing the card on a surface with the transparent region over a window, directing a beam of light at the transparent region through said window for reflection of light to a cicuit for detecting the level of reflected light, and placing the finger of the bearer of the card over the imprinted negative fingerprint with proper registration for matching the fingerprint of the bearer with the imprinted negative fingerprint, and verifying a match by observing a predetermined minimum level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 including the step of establishing a reference level of reflection from said imprinted negative fingerprint alone, comparing that reference level with the level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer, and verifying a match by observing a predetermined increase of the level of reflection with respect to said reference.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein said verifying step is carried out by comparing the reference level with the increased level, and detecting a predetermined minimum difference for verification.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for establishing a reference level of reflection from said imprinted negative fingerprint alone, means for comparing that reference level with the level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer, whereby verifying a match is permitted by observing a predetermined increase of the level of reflection with respect to said reference.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein a match is carried out by means for detecting a predetermined minimum difference for verification between said reference level with the level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer.

4. Apparatus for verifying the fingerprint of the bearer of a card by comparing the fingerprint of the bearer with the fingerprint of the person to whom the card is issued, said card having a transparent region comprising means for imprinting with reflective material a negative of the fingerprint of the person to thom the card is issued in said transparent region of said card, means having a window for holding said card on a surface with said transparent region over said window, a circuit for detecting light;

means for directing a beam of light at the transparent region through said window for reflection of light to said circuit for detecting the level of reflected light;

whereupon placing the finger of the bearer of the card over the imprinted negative fingerprint with proper registration for matching the fingerprint of the bearer with the imprinted negative fingerprint, will permit verifying a match by observing a predetermined minimum level of reflection of light from the imprinted negative fingerprint and the fingerprint of the bearer.