Low power fingerprint capture system, apparatus, and method

• US 9,064,139 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2013
• Issued: 06/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Identification International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Identification International, Inc.
• Inventors: Fenrich, Richard, Salerno, Nicholas, Hutchins, Jeremy, Pedigo, Michael, Gaebe, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Brian
• Application Number:
  US13/963,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20130321606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1324 by using geometrical optics, e.g. using prisms G06V40/1312 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1335 Combining adjacent partial images (e.g. slices) to create a composite input or reference pattern; Tracking a sweeping finger movement
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1359 Extracting features related to ridge properties; Determining the fingerprint type, e.g. whorl or loop

Abstract

The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power connection to a host PC, e.g., a desk top computer, PDA, or laptop computer although the system can also be used in a wireless fashion with a power subsystem so no physical connections are required. The system typically includes a light source, a prism, a camera (including the lens), and a case. Optional elements comprise holographic elements such as gratings and holographic optical elements (HOEs), a battery subsystem, magnetic stripe reader, barcode reader, platen heater, platen blower, and mirrors to divert the image beam.

Claims

1. A system configured to generate a composite image of a friction ridge signature of a subject, the system comprising:

a platen comprising a first light-reflecting surface;

a light source configured to emit light rays to illuminate a finger of the subject placed in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen;

a camera configured to capture images of the finger of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen, through the platen, in an ongoing manner; and

a processor configured to receive images of the finger of the subject captured by the camera and determine whether the finger of the subject is being rolled across the first light-reflecting surface based on the received images, the processor configured to determine image parameters for individual ones of the received images, the image parameters including a location parameter that indicates a location of the finger of the subject on the first light-reflecting surface of the platen,

wherein the processor is configured such that the received images include a first image of the finger in a first location, and a second image of the finger in a second location, the first image being captured by the camera before the second image,

wherein the processor is configured to determine a first location parameter for the first image and a second location parameter for the second image, and

wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the finger is being rolled across the first light-reflecting surface based on a comparison of the first location parameter and the second location parameter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine a first movement direction and a first movement distance based on the comparison of the first location parameter and the second location parameter.

3. The system claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine that the finger of the subject is being rolled across the first light-reflecting surface responsive to the determined first movement distance breaching a distance threshold value.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured such that the location parameter includes two-dimensional coordinate information representative of a bounding box that indicates the location of the finger of the subject on the first light-reflecting surface of the platen.

5. A method of generating a composite image of a friction ridge signature of a subject, the method comprising:

emitting light rays to illuminate a finger of the subject placed in contact with a first light-reflecting surface of a platen;

capturing images of the finger of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen, through the platen, in an ongoing manner, wherein the received images include a first image of the finger in a first location, and a second image of the finger in a second location, the first image being captured by the camera before the second image;

receiving images of the finger of the subject captured by the camera;

determining a first location parameter for the first image and a second location parameter for the second image; and

determining whether the finger of the subject is being rolled across the first light-reflecting surface based on the received images, the determination of whether the finger of the subject is being rolled across the first light-reflecting surface including determining image parameters for individual ones of the received images, the image parameters including a location parameter that indicates a location of the finger of the subject on the first light-reflecting surface of the platen, such that the image parameters include a first location parameter for the first image and a second location parameter for the second image, wherein the determining whether the finger of the subject is being rolled across the first light-reflecting surface is based on a comparison of the first location parameter and the second location parameter.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining a first movement direction and a first movement distance based on the comparison of the first location parameter and the second location parameter.

7. The method claim 6, further comprising determining that the finger of the subject is being rolled across the first light-reflecting surface responsive to the determined first movement distance breaching a distance threshold value.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the location parameter includes two-dimensional coordinate information representative of a bounding box that indicates the location of the finger of the subject on the first light-reflecting surface of the platen.