Method and apparatus for scanning a fingerprint using a linear sensor within a cursor control device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for a cursor control device that may be used for scanning a fingerprint comprising:
- a roller for controlling a display; and
a fingerprint scanning device comprising;
a linear imaging device;
a light source positioned to direct light through the roller;
a focusing device positioned to focus light directed through the roller onto the linear imaging device;
such that the roller is used to control a cursor and for fingerprint scanning.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for scanning a fingerprint using a linear optical sensor. A finger or palm is rolled over a transparent roller. A light source directs light through the roller to illuminate or detect the finger. Light directed through the roller is focused onto a linear imaging device. A full 2D recreation of the fingerprint is assembled from the discrete line-image data collected by the linear array imaging sensor. The apparatus contains a rotation detector to detect rotational movement of the roller.
225 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for a cursor control device that may be used for scanning a fingerprint comprising:
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a roller for controlling a display; and
a fingerprint scanning device comprising;
a linear imaging device;
a light source positioned to direct light through the roller;
a focusing device positioned to focus light directed through the roller onto the linear imaging device;
such that the roller is used to control a cursor and for fingerprint scanning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
a slotted wheel coupled to the roller;
a second light source positioned to direct light through the slotted wheel; and
a light detector positioned to detect light directed through the slotted wheel.
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4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rotation detector comprises:
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roller indicia; and
an indicia detector positioned to detect movement of the indicia.
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5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the indicia detector comprises the linear imaging device.
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6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the roller indicia comprises markings selected from the group consisting of bumps, pits, ridges, slots, optical decals, and optical marks.
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7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a finger guide positioned adjacent to the roller.
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8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein controlling the cursor comprises using the roller as a scrolling and zooming wheel that provides universal scrolling in applications directly from the cursor control device without using scrollbars.
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9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the roller controls cursor movement directly.
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10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the linear image device recognizes a movement of the finger on the roller, and further comprising a cursor control software for determining an appropriate movement of the cursor based on the movement of the finger on the roller.
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11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is embedded in one of the following devices:
- a mouse, a trackball, or a keyboard.
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12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising software for recognizing an area requesting authentication information and prompting a user for the fingerprint.
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13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software further comprises:
light control for lighting up the roller when the cursor is over the area requesting authentication information.
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14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software further comprises:
an authentication inserter for inserting authentication information into the area requesting authentication information based on the user'"'"'s fingerprint.
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15. A method for using a cursor control device for scanning a fingerprint comprising:
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controlling a cursor in response to movement of a roller;
determining if the cursor is over an authentication area; and
if the cursor is over an authentication area;
lighting up the roller; and
illuminating a finger with light directed through the roller; and
capturing an image of the fingerprint through the roller with a linear imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
recognizing the fingerprint; and
inserting an appropriate authentication information in the authentication area, based on the fingerprint.
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17. The method of claim 16, wherein inserting comprises:
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determining whether the authentication area requests fingerprint data or other data; and
inserting fingerprint data into the authentication area if the authentication area requests fingerprint data; and
looking up other data in a memory if the authentication area requests other data, and inserting other data into the authentication area.
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18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
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recognizing a fingerprint received from the linear imaging device;
determining whether the fingerprint is associated with a function; and
if the fingerprint is associated with a function, performing the function.
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19. The method of claim 15, wherein controlling the cursor comprises moving the cursor in response to a user'"'"'s finger movement on the roller.
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20. The method of claim 15, wherein controlling the cursor comprises scrolling the display or zooming the display in response to a user using the roller.
Specification