Fingerprint imaging apparatus with auxiliary lens

• US 5,680,205 A
• Filed: 08/16/1996
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Activcard Ireland, Limited
• Original Assignee: DEW Engineering and Development Limited (Trelleborg AB)
• Inventors: Borza, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US08/698,645
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 356/71, 340/825.3, 340/825.31, 340/825.34, 340/825.69, 340/825.7, 340/825.71, 340/825.72, 382/116, 382/118, 382/124-127, 358/108
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/161 Detection; Localisation; Normalisation

Abstract

The invention is concerned with apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising a light source; a fingerprint testing station for producing and transmitting an image of a fingerprint reflected off a fingertip; a first lens positionable for receiving light from the fingerprint testing station and for producing an image of the fingerprint; aid a CCD camera positionable in a first optical path which includes the fingerprint testing station and the first lens and which is capable of converting the fingerprint image into an electrical signal. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus further includes a second lens capable of receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the fingerprint testing station, and mechanism for selectively providing a further optical path including the second lens and the CCD camera while interrupting the first optical path. This allows the CCD camera to be used selectively for imaging the objects as well as for imaging fingerprints.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) a fingerprint testing station for producing and transmitting an image of a fingerprint reflected off a fingertip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the fingerprint testing station and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the fingerprint testing station and the first lens, into an electrical signal;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a second lens means for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the fingerprint testing station; and

f) means for selectively providing a further optical path including said second lens and said CCD camera while interrupting said first optical path;

whereby said CCD camera is selectively operable for imaging said objects as well as for imaging fingerprints.

2. Apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) a fingerprint testing station for producing and transmitting an image of a fingerprint reflected off a fingertip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the fingerprint testing station and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for converting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the fingerprint testing station and the first lens, into an electrical signal;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a second lens means for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the fingerprint testing station; and

f) means for selectively providing a further optical path including said second lens and said CCD Camera while interrupting said first optical path, wherein said means for providing said further optical path includes a mirror movable to an operative position in which it interrupts light in said first optical path and reflects light coming from said second lens into the CCD camera;

whereby said CCD camera means is selectively operable for imaging said objects as well as for imaging fingerprints.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for providing said further optical path includes a rotatable mounting for the first lens and for the mirror.

4. Apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) a fingerprint testing station for producing and transmitting an image of a fingerprint reflected off a fingertip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the fingerprint testing station and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the fingerprint testing station and the first lens, into an electrical signal;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a second lens means for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the fingerprint testing station; and

f) means for selectively providing a further optical path including said second lens and said CCD camera while interrupting said first optical path, wherein said means for providing said further optical path includes a rotatable mounting for the CCD camera capable of bringing the CCD camera into an alignment position with the second lens;

whereby said CCD camera is selectively operable for imaging said objects as well as for imaging fingerprints.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said rotatable mounting, also carries said first lens and wherein said further optical path includes both the first lens and the second lens.

6. Apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) a fingerprint testing station for producing and transmitting an image of a fingerprint reflected off a fingertip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the fingerprint testing station and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the fingerprint testing station and the first lens, into an electrical signal;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a second lens means for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the fingerprint testing station; and

f) means for Selectively providing a further optical path including said second lens and said CCD camera while interrupting said first optical path, wherein said means for providing said further optical path includes a mirror movable to an operative position in which it interrupts light in said first optical path and reflects light coming from said second lens into the CCD camera;

whereby said CCD camera means is selectively operable for imaging said objects as well as for imaging fingerprints.

7. Apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) transparent means having an imaging surface on which a finger tip having a fingerprint to be imaged is placed and capable of transmitting light reflected off said finger tip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the transparent means and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the transparent means and the first lens, into an electrical signal;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a rotatable mounting for the first lens, said mounting also carrying a mirror movable from a first position to a second position;

f) a second lens means for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the transparent means; and

g) means for moving the rotatable mounting and the mirror from a first position in which the first lens is in said first optical path and the mirror is out of said first optical path, to a second position in which the first lens means is out of the first optical path, and in which the mirror interrupts light coming from the transparent means towards the CCD camera means and directs light coming from the second lens towards the CCD camera.

8. Apparatus for me in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) transparent means having an imaging surface on which a finger tip having a fingerprint to be imaged is placed and capable of transmitting light reflected off said finger tip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the transparent means and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the transparent means and the first lens, into an electrical;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a rotatable mounting for the first lens, said mounting also carrying a mirror movable from a first position to a second position;

f) a second for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the transparent means; and

g) means for moving the rotatable mounting and the mirror from a first position in which the first lens means is in said first optical path and the mirror is out of said first optical path, to a second position in which the first lens is out of the first optical path, and in which the mirror interrupts light coming from the transparent means towards the CCD camera means and directs light coming from the second lens means towards the CCD camera, wherein there is provided a mechanical interlock to prevent movement of the rotatable mounting from the first position when the mirror is in its first position and the CCD camera is aligned to receive light from the transparent means.

9. Apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) transparent means having an imaging surface on which a finger tip having a fingerprint to be imaged is placed and capable of transmitting light reflected off said finger tip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the transparent means and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the transparent means and the first lens, into an electrical signal;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a second lens means for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the transparent means; and

f) a rotatable mounting carrying both the first lens and the CCD camera, said mounting being movable from a first position in which the second lens means and CCD camera means are in said first optical path to a second position in which the first lens means and CCD camera means are optically aligned with said second lens mess to receive said miscellaneous images.

10. Apparatus for use in a fingerprint imaging system, of the type comprising:

a) a light source;

b) transparent means having an imaging surface on which a finger tip having a fingerprint to be imaged is placed and capable of transmitting light reflected off said finger tip;

c) a first lens means for receiving light from the transparent means and for producing an image of said fingerprint;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the transparent means and the first lens means, into an electrical signal;

d) a CCD camera means for convernting said fingerprint image in a first optical path which includes the first lens means, into an electrical signal;

wherein said apparatus further includes;

e) a second lens means for receiving miscellaneous images of objects viewable from the vicinity of the apparatus which are displaced from the transparent means; and

f) a rotatable mounting carrying both the second lens means and the transparent means, said mounting being movable from a first position in which the transparent means is in said first optical path and the second lens is out of the first optical path, to a second position in which the transparent means is out of the first optical path and the second lens means is in the first optical path.