Biometric imaging using an optical adaptive interface

• US 8,570,149 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2011
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HID Global Corporation (Assa Abloy AB)
• Original Assignee: Lumidigm Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Rowe, Robert K., Corcoran, Stephen P., Butler, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US13/047,597
• Publication Number:
  US 20120062364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.82, 340/5.53, 382/315, 382/124, 396/15
• US Class Current: 340/5.82
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1318 using electro-optical elements or layers, e.g. electroluminescent sensing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide for a biometric system with an optically adaptive interface. In some embodiments, an optically adaptive interface changes optical characteristics in response to the placement of a finger on the optically adaptive interface. In some embodiments, the optically adaptive interface can include an active layer and a surface layer. The active layer and the surface layer can have different optical properties. For example, one layer may be opaque and the other transparent, the two layers may have complementary colors, the two layers may have orthogonal polarization reflectors, one layer may be reflective and the other absorptive, etc. Moreover, the active layer can be a fluid with either high or low viscosity. For example, the viscosity can be such that the active layer fluid is either completely displaced or not displaced in locations corresponding to finger valleys.

Claims

1. A biometric sensor comprising:

a platen;

an optically adaptive interface disposed on the platen comprising a contact state and a non-contact state, wherein in the non-contact state the optically adaptive interface is opaque and in the contact state a portion of the optically adaptive interface is substantially transparent;

an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate a skin site of a purported individual when placed on the optically adaptive interface when the optically adaptive interface is in the contact state; and

an imaging subsystem configured to image the skin site when the optically adaptive interface is in the contact state.

2. The biometric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the default state of the optically adaptive interface is in the non-contact state, and the optically adaptive interface changes from the non-contact state to the contact state in response to contact by the skin site.

3. The biometric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the optically adaptive interface that is substantially transparent in the contact state occurs where the skin site is in contact with the optically adaptive interface.

4. The biometric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the optically adaptive interface blocks light from the illumination subsystem from being transmitted through the optically adaptive interface.

5. The biometric sensor according to claim 1, wherein the optically adaptive interface comprises a surface layer and an active layer.

6. The biometric sensor according to claim 5, wherein the active layer comprises a fluid-like material and the surface layer is a thin film.

7. A biometric sensor comprising:

a housing;

a platen defining a surface of the housing;

an optically adaptive interface disposed on the platen;

an illumination subsystem disposed within the housing; and

an imaging subsystem disposed within the housing,

wherein the optically adaptive interface comprises an opaque surface when viewed from an environment external from the housing, and a portion of the optically adaptive interface changes optical properties when a skin site of an individual is placed on the optically adaptive interface allowing the illumination and imaging subsystems to produce a biometric image of the skin site.

8. The biometric sensor according to claim 7, wherein the optically adaptive interface blocks a user from viewing both the illumination subsystem and the imaging subsystem.

9. The biometric sensor according to claim 7, wherein the optically adaptive interface changes optical properties at the location where the skin site is in contact with the optically adaptive interface.

10. The biometric sensor according to claim 7, wherein the change in the optical properties of the optically adaptive interface is a change from being opaque to substantially transparent.

11. The biometric sensor according to claim 7, wherein the optically adaptive interface comprises a thin surface layer and an fluid-like active layer.

12. A biometric sensor comprising:

a platen;

an optically adaptive interface disposed on the platen;

an illumination subsystem configured to illuminate portions of the platen and the optically adaptive interface; and

an imaging subsystem configured to collect light from a skin site of a purported individual when placed on the optically adaptive interface;

wherein the optically adaptive interface comprises two states;

a non-contact state with a first optical condition, and a contact state with a second optical condition.

13. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein in the contact state only a portion of the optically adaptive interface includes the second optical condition.

14. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein the illumination subsystem includes an optical element that filters light according to either the first optical condition or the second optical condition.

15. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein the optically adaptive interface comprises a surface layer and a fluid-like active layer.

16. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein in the first optical condition the optically adaptive interface absorbs light from the illumination subsystem, and in the second optical condition at least a portion of the optically adaptive interface reflects light from the illumination subsystem.

17. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein in the first optical condition the optically adaptive interface reflects light from the illumination subsystem, and in the second optical condition at least a portion of the optically adaptive interface absorbs light from the illumination subsystem.

18. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein in the first optical condition the optically adaptive interface reflects light having a first wavelength, and in the second optical condition at least a portion of the optically adaptive interface reflects light having a second wavelength distinct from the first wavelength.

19. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein in the first optical condition the optically adaptive interface absorbs light having a first wavelength, and in the second optical condition at least a portion of the optically adaptive interface absorbs light having a second wavelength distinct from the first wavelength.

20. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein in the first optical condition the optically adaptive interface is substantially opaque, and in the second optical condition at least a portion of the optically adaptive interface is substantially transparent.

21. The biometric sensor according to claim 12, wherein in the first optical condition the optically adaptive interface reflects light with a first polarization condition, and in the second optical condition at least a portion of the optically adaptive interface reflects light having a second polarization condition orthogonal with the first polarization condition.