U.S. patent application number 09/771331 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-14 for fingerprint sensor and method.
Invention is credited to Johnson, Neldon P..
Application Number | 20020018584 09/771331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26991638 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020018584 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson, Neldon P. |
February 14, 2002 |
Fingerprint sensor and method
Abstract
A device for sensing and digitizing a fingerprint from a subject
finger comprising a prism, a pixilated LED array affixed to the
bottom surface of the prism and providing for the internal
illumination, with a plurality of sub-beams, of the contact surface
where the finger of the subject is pressed on the top surface of
the prism, and a photoelectric sensor to detect the sub-beam
radiation reflected from the fingerprint valley points. A sensor
lens may also used for focusing the sub-beam radiation on the
sensor. A lens wafer may be affixed between the prism and the LED
array for focusing the radiation from each LED on its corresponding
illumination point on the contact surface. The fingerprint ridge
contact points do not reflect incident sub-beam radiation. A
computer can provide for sequential emission of the sub-beams so
that a single cell photoelectric sensor can be used to detect the
reflected sub-beams or a multiple cell photoelectric sensor can be
used, with each cell corresponding to a particular sub-beam.
Reflected sub-beam radiation corresponds to a fingerprint valley
point. Non-reflected sub-beam radiation corresponds to a
fingerprint ridge point. The fingerprint is converted to a set of
binary codes that can be used for imaging or identification
purposes.
Inventors: |
Johnson, Neldon P.;
(American Fork, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
J. David Nelson
NELSON, SNUFFER, DAHLE & POULSEN, P.C.
10885 South State Street
Sandy
UT
84070
US
|
Family ID: |
26991638 |
Appl. No.: |
09/771331 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09771331 |
Jan 26, 2001 |
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09339464 |
Jun 23, 1999 |
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6191410 |
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09339464 |
Jun 23, 1999 |
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09444131 |
Nov 19, 1999 |
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6255641 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
382/125 ;
250/208.1; 340/5.83; 382/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/1172 20130101;
G06V 40/13 20220101; G06V 30/144 20220101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/125 ;
382/127; 250/208.1; 340/5.83 |
International
Class: |
G06K 009/00; H01L
027/00; G06T 001/00; G06F 007/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for sensing fingerprints comprising: a) fingerprint
differentiation means for internally reflecting illuminating
radiation from points of illumination on a contact surface of the
fingerprint differentiation means corresponding to fingerprint
valleys in one or more fingers of the subject pressed in a contact
zone on the contact surface, and for transmitting illuminating
radiation through the contact surface at points of illumination
corresponding to fingerprint ridges in the fingers of the subject;
b) illuminating means affixed to the fingerprint differentiation
means for internally illuminating the contact surface with a
plurality of sub-beams of illuminating radiation, the angle of
incidence of the sub-beams to the contact surface being selected to
provide for reflection of the sub-beams from points of illumination
corresponding to fingerprint valley points and transmission of
sub-beams through the contact surface at fingerprint ridge points
which contact the contact surface; c) sensing means affixed to the
fingerprint differentiation means for sensing sub-beams reflected
from the contact surface and generating an electric signal for each
sub-beam received.
2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the fingerprint
differentiation means comprises a prism.
3. Apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the prism is
wedge-shaped.
4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the illuminating means
comprises an LED array.
5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein the illuminating means
further comprises an illumination focusing means for focusing the
sub-beams on points of illumination on the contact surface.
6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein the illumination
focusing means comprises a lens wafer.
7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the sensing means
comprises a photoelectric sensor.
8. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the sensing means
comprises a plurality of photoelectric sensors, each sensor being
positioned to provide for the reception of one or more unique
sub-beams.
9. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising computing
means for sequentially emitting sub-beams from the illuminating
means so that the reflected sub-beams are received sequentially in
a known, selected order by the sensing means.
10. Apparatus as recited in claim 9 further comprising computing
means for controlling the sequential emission of sub-beams from the
illuminating means and for generating a binary signal for each
reflected sub-beam received by the sensing means based upon the
intensity of the received sub-beam, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
11. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising computing
means for controlling the emission of sub-beams from the
illuminating means and for generating a binary signal for each
reflected sub-beam received by the sensing means based upon the
intensity of the received sub-beam, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
12. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising digitizing
means for generating a binary signal for each sub-beam received by
the sensing means, the binary signal being dependent on the
intensity of the sub-beam received, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
13. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising filter means
for preventing radiation of frequencies other than the frequency of
radiation emitted by the illuminating means from actuating the
sensing means.
14. Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein the filter means
comprises a narrow band-pass filter.
15. Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein the filter means
comprises a tuner for the sensing means.
16. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising reflected
beam focusing means affixed between the fingerprint differentiation
means and the sensing means for focusing, on the sensing means,
sub-beams reflected from the contact surface.
17. Apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein the reflective beam
focusing means comprises a sensor lens.
18. Apparatus for sensing fingerprints comprising: a) prism having
a prism top surface on which one or more fingers of a subject can
be pressed for fingerprint sensing, a prism bottom surface and a
prism end surface; b) illuminating means affixed to the prism
bottom surface for internally illuminating points of illumination
on the prism top surface with a plurality of sub-beams of
illuminating radiation, the angle of incidence of the sub-beams to
the prism top surface being selected to provide for reflection to
the prism end surface from points of illumination corresponding to
fingerprint valley points of the fingers of the subject pressed on
the prism top surface and for transmission of sub-beams through the
prism top surface at fingerprint ridge points which are in contact
with the prism top surface; c) sensing means affixed to the prism
end surface for sensing illuminating radiation of sub-beams
reflected from the prism top surface and generating an electric
signal for each sub-beam received.
19. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the prism is
wedge-shaped.
20. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the illuminating means
comprises an LED array.
21. Apparatus as recited in claim 20 wherein the illuminating means
further comprises an illumination focusing means for focusing the
sub-beams on points of illumination on the prism top surface.
22. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the illumination
focusing means comprises a lens wafer.
23. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the sensing means
comprises a photoelectric sensor.
24. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the sensing means
comprises a plurality of photoelectric sensors, each sensor being
positioned to provide for the reception of one or more unique
sub-beams.
25. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising computing
means for sequentially emitting sub-beams from the illuminating
means so that the reflected sub-beams are received sequentially in
a known, selected order by the sensing means.
26. Apparatus as recited in claim 25 further comprising computing
means for controlling the sequential emission of sub-beams from the
illuminating means and for generating a binary signal for each
reflected sub-beam received by the sensing means based upon the
intensity of the received sub-beam, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
27. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising computing
means for controlling the emission of sub-beams from the
illuminating means and for generating a binary signal for each
reflected sub-beam received by the sensing means based upon the
intensity of the received sub-beam, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
28. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising digitizing
means for generating a binary signal for each sub-beam received by
the sensing means, the binary signal being dependent on the
intensity of the sub-beam received, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
29. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising filter
means for preventing radiation of frequencies other than the
frequency of radiation emitted by the illuminating means from
actuating the sensing means.
30. Apparatus as recited in claim 29 wherein the filter means
comprises a narrow band-pass filter.
31. Apparatus as recited in claim 29 wherein the filter means
comprises a tuner for the sensing means.
32. Apparatus as recited in claim 18 further comprising a
reflective beam focusing means affixed between the fingerprint
differentiation means and the sensing means for the focusing, on
the sensing means, sub-beams reflected from the contact
surface.
33. Apparatus as recited in claim 32 wherein the reflective beam
focusing means comprises a sensor lens.
34. Apparatus for sensing fingerprints comprising: a) prism having
a prism top surface on which one or more fingers of a subject can
be pressed for fingerprint sensing, a prism bottom surface and a
prism end surface; b) LED array affixed to the prism bottom
surface; and c) photoelectric sensor affixed to the prism end
surface.
35. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 wherein the prism is
wedge-shaped.
36. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising a focusing
means for focusing the sub-beams on points of illumination on the
prism top surface.
37. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 wherein the focusing means
comprises a lens wafer.
38. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 wherein the photoelectric
sensor comprises a plurality of sensors, each sensor being
positioned to provide for the reception of one or more unique
sub-beams, and wherein each sub-beam is reflected to a designated
sensor.
39. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising computing
means for sequentially emitting sub-beams from the LED array so
that the reflected sub-beams are received by the photoelectric
sensor sequentially in a known, selected order by the photoelectric
sensor.
40. Apparatus as recited in claim 39 further comprising computing
means for controlling the sequential emissions of sub-beams from
the LED array and for generating a binary signal for each reflected
sub-beam received by the photoelectric sensor based upon the
intensity of the received sub-beam, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
41. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising computing
means for controlling the emission of sub-beams from the LED array
and for generating a binary signal for each reflected sub-beam
received by the photoelectric sensor based upon the intensity of
the received sub-beam, sub-beams received for fingerprint valley
points being of a higher intensity than sub-beams received for
fingerprint ridge points.
42. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising digitizing
means for generating a binary signal for each sub-beam received by
the sensing means, the binary signal being dependent on the
intensity of the sub-beam received; sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
43. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising filter
means for preventing radiation of frequencies other than the
frequency of radiation emitted by the LED's from actuating the
photoelectric sensor.
44. Apparatus as recited in claim 43 wherein the filter means
comprises a narrow band-pass filter.
45. Apparatus as recited in claim 43 wherein the filter means
comprises a tuner for the photoelectric sensor.
46. Apparatus as recited in claim 34 further comprising a reflected
beam focusing means affixed between the prism end surface and the
photoelectric sensor.
47. Apparatus as recited in claim 46 wherein the reflected beam
focusing means comprises a sensor lens.
48. Method for sensing fingerprints comprising: a) step of pressing
one or more fingers of a subject on a transparent contact surface,
b) step of internally illuminating the contact surface at points of
illumination with a plurality of sub-beams of illuminating
radiation from an LED array, the angle of incidence of the
sub-beams to the contact surface being selected to provide for
reflection of the sub-beams from points of illumination
corresponding to fingerprint valley points and transmission of
sub-beams through the contact surface at fingerprint ridge points;
c) step of sensing sub-beams reflected from the contact surface and
generating an electric signal for each sub-beam received.
49. Method as recited in claim 48 wherein the transparent contact
surface comprises a contact surface on a prism.
50. Method as recited in claim 48 further comprising the step of
focusing each sub-beam on a point of illumination.
51. Method as recited in claim 50 wherein focusing each sub-beam on
a point of illumination is accomplished by a lens wafer.
52. Method as recited in claim 48 wherein sensing sub-beams is
accomplished by a photoelectric sensor.
53. Method as recited in claim 52 further comprising the step of
focusing each of the sub-beams on the photoelectric sensor.
54. Method as recited in claim 48 wherein sensing sub-beams is
accomplished by a plurality of photoelectric sensors, each of which
is affixed in a position to provide for the reception of one or
more unique sub-beams and wherein each sub-beam is reflected to a
designated sensor.
55. Method as recited in claim 48 further comprising a step of
sequentially emitting sub-beams so that the reflected sub-beams are
sensed sequentially in a known, selected order.
56. Method as recited in claim 55 further comprising a step of
controlling the sequence of emission of sub-beams and generating a
binary signal for each reflected sub-beam received.
57. Method as recited in claim 48 further comprising a step of
controlling the emission of sub-beams and generating a binary
signal for each reflected sub-beam received based upon the
intensity of the received sub-beam, sub-beams received for
fingerprint valley points being of a higher intensity than
sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
58. Method as recited in claim 48 further comprising a step of
generating a binary signal for each sub-beam, the binary signal
being dependent on the intensity of the sub-beam received and
sub-beams received for fingerprint valley points being of a higher
intensity than sub-beams received for fingerprint ridge points.
59. Method as recited in claim 48 wherein a plurality of
photoelectric sensors, each sensor being affixed to the prism end
surface in a position provides for the reception of one or more
unique sub-beam and wherein each sub-beam is reflected to a
designated sensor.
60. Method as recited in claim 59 further comprising the step of
focusing each sub-beam to a designated sensor.
61. Method as recited in claim 48 further comprising a step of
excluding radiation of frequencies other than the frequency of
illuminating radiation prior to the step of sensing the sub-beams
reflected from the contact surface.
62. Method as recited in claim 48 further comprising a step of
filtering out frequencies other than the frequency of illuminating
radiation prior to the step of sensing.
63. Method as recited in claim 48 wherein the step of sensing
further comprises tuning to the frequency of the illuminating
radiation.
64. Method as recited in claim 48 further comprising the step of
focusing the reflected sub-beams to aid in the sensing sub-beams.
Description
PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application for
two prior filed and currently pending U.S. patent applications,
Ser. No. 09/339,464 and Ser. No. 09/444,131.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is in the field of three dimensional object
sensing apparatuses and methods and more particularly in the field
of apparatuses and methods for sensing fingerprints.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fingerprint sensing devices typically consist of a glass
plate or prism upon which the finger of the subject is pressed, an
illuminating light source which directs the light through the prism
to the contact zone between the finger and the glass plate or
prism, an image producing lens and an image capturing device such
as a charge couple device (CCD). Most of these known devices
function on the basic principle that if the angle of incidence of
the illuminating light with the contact zone between the finger of
the subject and the glass plate or prism, is adjusted to within a
certain range which is dependent on the frequency of the light
used, the illuminating light will be internally reflected from the
contact zone at fingerprint valley points where there is no contact
between the finger and the glass surface, and will not be
internally reflected from the ridge points where the finger
contacts the glass surface. The reflected light is focused into an
image by an image producing lens and the image is transformed into
an electrical signal by a CCD or other sensing device.
[0004] These known devices have inherent problems and limitations
relating to the accuracy of the valley and ridge information
defining the subject fingerprint. Known methods require the use of
an image producing lens and require an optical sensor such as a CCD
to receive the image and convert it to an electrical signal.
Improvements are needed in the means and method of illuminating the
contact zone between the finger and glass surface, the physical
geometry of the sensing unit and the means and method of receiving
and digitizing the fingerprint information.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a simpler,
more accurate and more reliable method and apparatus for extracting
and digitizing a fingerprint for imaging and identification
purposes. It is a further object of the present invention to
provide a method and apparatus for utilizing an array of
light-emitting diodes (LED's) for emitting point source radiation
as the source of illuminating radiation. It is a further object of
the present invention to provide a fingerprint sensing device that
is durable, inexpensive and simpler to manufacture and maintain. It
is a further objective of the present invention to provide an
apparatus and method for the direct digitization of a fingerprint
without the use of an image producing lens and optical image
sensor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present
invention comprise a prism, a pixilated source of radiation, and a
photoelectric sensor. For certain preferred embodiments, the prism
is wedge-shaped, but it can be of any shape that provides for
differentiation between fingerprint ridges and valleys. The finger
of the subject is pressed to the prism top surface. For certain
preferred embodiments, an LED array, which is used as the pixilated
radiation source, lines the prism bottom surface and the
photoelectric sensor lines the prism end surface. However, the
pixilated source of radiation can be any array of point source
radiation emitters which can be focused respectively on selected
points of illumination on the prism top surface.
[0007] For preferred embodiments using an LED array, the LED's of
the LED array are arranged in a grid network with the spacing
between the LED's being selected to provide for the desired
accuracy of the fingerprint extraction and digitization. Each of
the LED's emits a sub-beam into the prism bottom surface when
activated and each of these LED's corresponds to a point of
illumination on the prism top surface. The wedge angle between the
prism top surface and the prism bottom surface determines the angle
of incidence for each of the sub-beams. The angle of incidence of
the sub-beams is selected so that the points where the fingerprint
ridges of the subject contact the prism top surface will not
internally reflect the LED radiation, and the points corresponding
to the fingerprint valleys of the subject where the finger of the
subject does not contact the prism top surface will reflect the
radiation.
[0008] Each LED of the LED array is activated in a desired sequence
thereby transmitting the light into the bottom surface of the prism
and illuminating a corresponding point on the top contact surface
of the prism. However, the illuminating radiation is not confined
to the corresponding point of illumination. Accordingly the
photoelectric sensor will receive reflected radiation for each LED.
If the LED corresponds to a fingerprint ridge point, the amount of
illuminating radiation reflected to a photoelectric cell will be
measurably less than that reflected if the LED corresponds to a
fingerprint valley point. The difference can be increased by
incorporating a minute lens at each LED point. The lenses are fixed
to the LED array or the prism or are interposed between the LED
array and the prism as a lens wafer. The lenses can also be
incorporated as an integral part of the prism. These lenses provide
for the focusing of the radiation transmitted from each LED on the
corresponding point of illumination on the top contact surface of
the prism. For these embodiments, the non-reflection of the
illuminating radiation will be near total from fingerprint ridge
points and the reflection of the illuminating radiation will be
near total for the fingerprint valley points, thereby enhancing
differentiation between ridge points and valley points. The number
of pixels and thus the accuracy of the resolution of the
fingerprint extraction, is determined by the density of the
LED's.
[0009] For some embodiments, each sub-beam is reflected to a unique
point on the photoelectric sensor. The photoelectric sensor may
have a grid of receptors, each receptor sensing the reception of a
sub-beam. The reception or non-reception of a sub-beam indicates a
fingerprint valley or ridge at the corresponding point of
illumination. For other embodiments, the sub-beams may be emitted
sequentially in a burst and therefore sensed sequentially by a
single-receptor photoelectric sensor. Each sub-beam received in its
assigned time slot indicates a fingerprint valley at its
corresponding point of illumination and each sub-beam not received
in its assigned time slot indicates a fingerprint ridge at its
corresponding point of illumination. Either version provides for a
very accurate digitization of the fingerprint, which can then be
used for imaging or identification purposes. This provides for the
direct digitization of the subject fingerprint without the need for
an image producing lens or an optical image sensing device.
[0010] The photoelectric sensor may have a filter or may be tuned
to detect only the frequency of radiation emitted by the LED so as
to prevent interference from radiation from other sources.
Alternatively, filters or shields may be installed on all exposed
exterior surfaces of the prism to prevent admission of radiation to
the prism from any source other than the surface emitting
laser.
[0011] For any of the foregoing embodiments, the fingerprint
apparatus of the present invention may be connected to an external
computer to process the data, or may be equipped with its own
computer circuit, particularly for remote applications.
[0012] For any of the foregoing embodiments, an additional lens or
lens arrangement, a sensor lens, may be included between the prism
and the photoelectric sensor, to provide for focusing the reflected
radiation for sensing. This allows the use of a smaller
photoelectric sensor or a smaller grid of receptors for the
photoelectric sensor. The sensor lens may be affixed to or
incorporated into the prism end surface, or may be interposed
between the prism and the photoelectric sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The following drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of
the apparatus of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view perspective of a preferred embodiment
of the apparatus of the present invention utilizing an LED
array.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention utilizing a LED array.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention utilizing a LED array and having
a sensor lens.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention utilize pixilated means
for internally illuminating points of illumination on a contact
surface of a prism. The pixilated source of radiation can be any
array of point source radiation emitters which can be focused
respectively on selected points of illumination on the contact
surface.
[0018] Referring first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
apparatus of the present invention which comprises a wedge-shaped
prism 1, an LED array 27, and a photoelectric sensor 3, is
illustrated therein. Referring also to FIG. 2, a finger 4 of the
subject is pressed to the top prism top surface 5, the contact
surface, contacting the prism top surface in a contact zone 18. The
LED array, having a network of LED's 28, is affixed to the prism
bottom surface 7 and the photoelectric sensor is affixed to the
prism end surface 8. Preferred embodiments will also incorporate a
lens wafer 23 interposed between the LED array and the prism bottom
surface. The LED's are arranged in a grid network 9 with a spacing
10 between the LED's being selected to provide for the desired
accuracy of the fingerprint extraction and digitization. Each of
the LED's emits an LED sub-beam 29 which passes through the lens
wafer into the prism bottom surface. The wedge angle 13 between the
prism top surface and the prism bottom surface determines the angle
of incidence 14 for each of the LED sub-beams. The angle of
incidence of the sub-beams is selected so that the points where the
fingerprint ridges 15 of the subject contact the prism top surface
will not internally reflect the LED radiation, and the points
corresponding to the fingerprint valleys 16 of the subject where
the finger of the subject does not contact the prism top surface
will reflect the LED radiation.
[0019] While certain preferred embodiments utilize a wedge shaped
prism as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, other embodiments may
utilize prisms with a different shape or may utilize any medium
which allows for the internal reflection of illuminating radiation
at an angle which will provide for differentiation of the
fingerprint ridges and valleys.
[0020] Each of the LED sub-beams is correlated with and focused
upon a unique illumination point 17 on the prism top surface.
Similarly, except for those points in the contact zone 18 where the
fingerprint ridges of the subject contact the prism top surface,
each LED sub-beam is reflected to a unique sensing point 19 on the
photoelectric sensor. The number of pixels and thus the accuracy of
the resolution of the fingerprint extraction, is determined by the
density of the LED's in the LED array. Referring to FIG. 3, for
some embodiments, a sensor lens 26 focuses the reflected sub-beam
radiation on the photoelectric sensor. The sensor lens may be
affixed to or incorporated in the prism end surface or may be
interposed between the prism and the photoelectric sensor.
[0021] The sub-beams may be emitted sequentially in a burst and
therefore sensed sequentially by a single-receptor photoelectric
sensor. The photoelectric sensor may have a filter 20 or may be
tuned to detect only the frequency of radiation emitted by the LED
array so as to prevent interference from radiation from other
sources. Alternatively, filters or shields may be installed on all
exposed exterior surfaces of the prism to prevent admission of
radiation to the prism from any source other than the LED array.
The intensity of the radiation received for each sub-beam in its
assign time slot indicates a fingerprint valley or a fingerprint
ridge at its corresponding point of illumination. Each pixel of the
LED array is activated in a desired sequence thereby transmitting
the illuminating radiation through the lens wafer into the bottom
surface of the prism and illuminating a corresponding point on the
top contact surface of the prism. However, the LED sub-beam
illuminating radiation may not be confined to the corresponding
discreet point of illumination. Accordingly, the photoelectric
sensor will receive reflective radiation for each LED pixel. If the
pixel corresponds to a fingerprint ridge point the amount of
illuminating radiation reflected to the photoelectric cell will be
measurably less than that reflected if a pixel corresponds to a
fingerprint valley point. The difference is substantially increased
through incorporating a minute lens at each pixel point which is
contained in the lens wafer. Alternatively these lenses can also be
affixed to the LED array or the prism. These lenses provide for the
focusing of the radiation emitted by each pixel of the LED array on
the corresponding point of illumination on the top contact surface
of the prism. The focal length of the lenses varies based upon the
LED location, to provide for focusing on the point of illumination.
For these embodiments, the percentage of non-reflection of the
illuminating radiation will be high from fingerprint ridge points
and the percentage of reflection of the illuminating radiation will
be high for the fingerprint value points. This enhances
differentiation between ridge points and valley points.
[0022] Alternatively the photoelectric sensor may have a grid of
receptors or sensors, each receptor or sensor being used for
sensing the reception of radiation of a unique sub-beam. For these
embodiments, the sub-beams can be emitted simultaneously. The
reception or non-reception by the correlated sensor of a specified
intensity of radiation from the sub-beam indicates a fingerprint
valley or ridge at the corresponding point of illumination. A
sensor lens will reduce the size of the photoelectric sensor or the
size of the grid of receptors needed for the photoelectric
sensor.
[0023] The photoelectric sensor generates electric signals based
upon the sub-beams received or the intensity of the radiation
received for each sub-beam. Any of the preferred embodiments of the
apparatus of the present invention described above provides for a
very accurate digitization of the fingerprint, which can then be
used for imaging or identification purposes. Each of these
embodiments provides for the direct digitization of the subject
fingerprint without the need for an image producing lens or an
optical image sensing device.
[0024] Any of the preferred embodiments of the fingerprint sensing
apparatus of the present invention may be connected to an external
computer to control the emission of the sub-beams and to process
the electric signals generated by the photoelectric sensor or
sensors, or may be equipped with its own computer circuit,
particularly for remote applications where a support computer with
required software is not available.
[0025] Other embodiments of the invention and other variations and
modifications of the embodiments described above will be obvious to
a person skilled in the art. Therefore, the foregoing is intended
to be merely illustrative of the invention and the invention is
limited only by the following claims.
* * * * *