Systems and methods for illuminating a platen in a print scanner

• US 7,271,881 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cross Match Technologies Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Cross Match Technologies Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: McClurg, George W., Carver, John F., Scott, Walter G., Arnold, Joseph F., Francis, Trent G., Irving, Richard D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lauchman; Layla G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VALENTIN, JUAN D
• Application Number:
  US11/245,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20060170906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 356/71
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/145 Illumination specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. using gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for illuminating a platen are provided. A hybrid illumination system uses both diffusion and collimation to efficiently provide a flat, uniform illumination at a platen. One or more diffusers are disposed between the illumination source array and a collimating lens. An illumination system is provided which uses diffused light to illuminate a platen in a print scanner. The illumination system has an illumination source array and a light wedge. The light wedge reflects light internally which makes the illumination even more diffuse. Sources are divided into at least a center region and a perimeter region. The density of sources provided in the perimeter region is greater than in the center region to correct for natural light falloff in the illumination system. Intensity control can be performed individually or in groups.

Claims

1. A hybrid illumination system that provides illumination for a platen in a print scanner, comprising:

an illumination source array that emits light from a plurality of discrete light sources, wherein said plurality of discrete light sources is divided into at least three groups in at least three respective zones, whereby, the intensity of each group of discrete light sources can be independently controlled relative to other groups such that a flat, uniform illumination is provided to the platen;

at least one diffuser; and

a collimating lens, each diffuser being disposed between said illumination source array and said collimating lens such that at least a portion of the light emitted from said plurality of discrete light sources passes through each diffuser to said collimating lens as diffuse light,

wherein at least a first portion of light that exits said collimating lens falls on the platen as collimated light, and at least a second portion of light that exits said collimating lens falls on the platen as diffuse light.

2. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, wherein said at least one diffuser comprises one holographic diffuser.

3. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, wherein said at least one diffuser comprises two holographic diffusers.

4. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, wherein said at least one diffuser comprises one holographic diffuser and one glass diffuser.

5. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, wherein said at least one diffuser comprises one diffuser positioned near said collimating lens.

6. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, wherein said at least one diffuser comprises a first diffuser positioned near said illumination source array and a second diffuser positioned near said collimating lens.

7. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, further comprising a prism, wherein said prism is provided between said collimating lens and the platen.

8. The hybrid illumination system of claim 7, wherein the platen comprises a surface of said prism or a surface of an optical element provided in optical contact with a surface of said prism.

9. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, wherein the print scanner comprises a palm print scanner and said illumination source array comprises sixty-four light emitting diodes that emit blue/green light to provide flat, uniform illumination of the platen, whereby, all or part of a palm can be placed on the platen and an image representative of a palm print can be detected.

10. The hybrid illumination system of claim 1, wherein the print scanner comprises a fingerprint scanner and said illumination source array comprises light emitting diodes that emit blue/green light to provide flat, uniform illumination of the platen, whereby, one or more fingers from one or two hands can be placed on the platen and an image representative of a corresponding fingerprint can be detected.

11. The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the intensity of each discrete light source can be independently controlled relative to other discrete light sources such that a flat, uniform illumination is provided to the platen.

12. A hybrid illumination system that provides illumination for a platen in a print scanner, comprising:

an illumination source array that emits light from a plurality of discrete light sources;

a collimating lens;

a first diffuser positioned near said illumination source array;

a second diffuser positioned near said collimating lens; and

a mirror positioned between said first diffuser and said second diffuser,

wherein the first and second diffusers are disposed between said illumination source array and said collimating lens such that at least a portion of the light emitted from said plurality of discrete light sources passes through each diffuser to said collimating lens as diffuse light, and

wherein at least a first portion of light that exits said collimating lens falls on the platen as collimated light, and at least a second portion of light that exits said collimating lens falls on the platen as diffuse light.

13. A hybrid illumination system that provides illumination for a platen in a print scanner, comprising:

an illumination source array that emits light from a plurality of discrete light sources, wherein said plurality of discrete light sources is divided into at least a first group located at a center region and a second group located at a perimeter region, wherein the density of discrete light sources provided in said perimeter region is greater than in said center region;

at least one diffuser; and

a collimating lens, each diffuser being disposed between said illumination source array and said collimating lens such that at least a portion of the light emitted from said plurality of discrete light sources passes through each diffuser to said collimating lens as diffuse light,

wherein at least a first portion of light that exits said collimating lens falls on the platen as collimated light, and at least a second portion of light that exits said collimating lens falls on the platen as diffuse light.

14. A method for providing efficient, uniform illumination to a platen, comprising:

emitting light from a plurality of discrete sources arranged into at least three groups in at least three respective zones;

randomizing at least part of the emitted light to obtain diffuse light;

collimating at least a part of the diffuse light to obtain collimated, diffuse light;

independently controlling the intensity of each group of discrete sources relative to other groups of discrete sources; and

illuminating the platen with the collimated, diffuse light such that a flat, uniform illumination is provided to the platen and an image of a print of a finger or palm placed on the platen can be obtained.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said randomizing step comprises passing the emitted light through at least one diffuser.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said randomizing step comprises passing the emitted light through a light wedge.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising independently controlling the intensity of each discrete source relative to other discrete sources such that a flat, uniform illumination is provided to the platen.

18. A method for providing efficient, uniform illumination to a platen, comprising:

emitting light from a plurality of discrete source arranged into at least a first group located at a center region and a second group located at a perimeter region, wherein the density of discrete sources provided in said perimeter region is greater than in said center region;

randomizing at least part of the emitted light to obtain diffuse light;

collimating at least a part of the diffuse light to obtain collimated, diffuse light; and

illuminating the platen with the collimated, diffuse light such that an image of a print of a finger or palm placed on the platen can be obtained.