U.S. patent application number 16/384773 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-01 for image acquisition apparatus, terminal device, liquid crystal terminal device and image acquisition method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Vkansee Technology Company Ltd.. Invention is credited to Shuguang Wang, Jianfeng Yang, Mingfang Zhang.
Application Number | 20190236329 16/384773 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51516537 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190236329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhang; Mingfang ; et
al. |
August 1, 2019 |
Image Acquisition Apparatus, Terminal Device, Liquid Crystal
Terminal Device and Image Acquisition Method
Abstract
An image acquisition apparatus, a terminal device, a liquid
crystal terminal device and an image acquisition method are
provided according to the disclosure. The image acquisition
apparatus includes an imaging plate and an image sensor disposed to
be spaced apart from one side of the imaging plate. The imaging
plate is provided with an imaging pinhole corresponding to the
image sensor. The liquid crystal terminal device includes an LCD
panel and a backlight element. The image acquisition apparatus is
disposed at a position corresponding to the LCD panel within the
backlight element. The image acquisition method includes acquiring
an image of an object to being scanned by the image sensor through
the imaging pinhole at a side of the imaging panel. An ultrathin
fingerprint scanner can be formed based on pinhole imaging
principle in the disclosure, and can be further combined with an
LCD screen to accomplish fingerprint acquisition function.
Alternatively, an ultrathin image acquisition device can be formed
to acquire an image of a general object. This can significantly
reduce the size and thickness of an image acquisition module in the
device and greatly facilitate the implementation of mobile devices
and embedded devices with an image acquisition function.
Inventors: |
Zhang; Mingfang; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; Wang; Shuguang; (Shenzhen, CN) ; Yang;
Jianfeng; (Shenzhen, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Vkansee Technology Company Ltd. |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
51516537 |
Appl. No.: |
16/384773 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15328874 |
Jan 24, 2017 |
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PCT/CN2014/094342 |
Dec 19, 2014 |
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16384773 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1684 20130101;
G02F 2203/02 20130101; G02F 1/1336 20130101; G06K 9/00033 20130101;
G02F 1/13306 20130101; G02F 1/13338 20130101; G02F 1/133553
20130101; G06K 9/00013 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; G06K 9/00026
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00; G02F 1/13357 20060101 G02F001/13357; G02F 1/1335
20060101 G02F001/1335; G02F 1/1333 20060101 G02F001/1333; G02F
1/133 20060101 G02F001/133 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 4, 2014 |
CN |
201420165231.3 |
Jun 20, 2014 |
CN |
201410281377.9 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An image acquisition apparatus, comprising: an imaging plate
and one or more image sensors disposed to be spaced apart from one
side of the imaging plate, wherein the imaging plate is provided
with at least one imaging pinhole corresponding to the image
sensors, and light through the imaging pinholes is imaged by the
image sensors.
Description
[0001] This application claims priorities to Chinese Patent
Application NO. 201420165231.3, titled "Liquid crystal terminal
device and fingerprint acquisition device", filed on Apr. 4, 2014,
and Chinese Patent Application NO. 201410281377.9, titled "Image
acquisition apparatus, liquid crystal terminal device, and
fingerprint, image acquisition method", filed on Jun. 20, 2014, the
entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of image
acquisition, and in particular, to an image acquisition apparatus,
a terminal device, a liquid crystal terminal device and an image
acquisition method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently there are mainly two methods for acquiring a
fingerprint image. One is to acquire a fingerprint directly by
means of a semiconductor chip, and the other is an optical
acquisition method based on an optical lens. Each of the two
methods has advantages and disadvantages. A traditional fingerprint
acquisition method based on the semiconductor chip has
disadvantages such as insufficient anti-static and anti-corrosion
abilities. Furthermore, the large size of an optical fingerprint
acquisition device make it difficult to meet requirements of a
mobile device for thickness, size and the like.
[0004] The existing fingerprint image scanner, such as a thin type
optical fingerprint acquisition device disclosed in Chinese Patent
Application NO. 201120403301.0, generally includes an image
acquisition prism, an imaging apparatus and an image processing
element. The imaging apparatus further includes a lens, a
photoelectric signal conversion circuit, a digital processor and
the like. A relatively long light path is required to meet the
requirement for light imaging, because the image acquisition prism
is used as an acquisition component for light, and the lens is
required to complete the light imaging of fingerprint. The image
scanner must have a relatively large volume and thickness to
implement the acquisition of a fingerprint image, due to a
relatively large volume and thickness of the image acquisition
prism and the lens, as well as factors such as the length of light
path. In addition, it is difficult for the existing image scanner
to meet requirements of various electronic terminals for low cost,
small volume and ultra-thinness of the image scanner, due to the
high cost and complex structure caused by associated components
such as the image acquisition prism and the lens.
SUMMARY
[0005] An object of the disclosure is to provide an image
acquisition apparatus, a terminal device, a liquid crystal terminal
device and an image acquisition method, so as to significantly
reduce the size and thickness of an image (particularly a palm
print and a fingerprint) acquisition module in the device and
greatly facilitate the implementation of mobile devices and
embedded devices with an image acquisition function.
[0006] In order to achieve the above object, an image acquisition
apparatus is provided according to the disclosure, which includes
an imaging plate and an image sensor disposed to be spaced apart
from one side of the imaging plate, wherein the imaging plate is
provided with an imaging pinhole corresponding to the image sensor,
and light through the imaging pinhole is imaged by the image
sensor.
[0007] Furthermore, the imaging plate is provided with at least two
imaging pinholes. The number of image sensors is at least one. The
image sensors are disposed corresponding to the imaging pinholes.
Light through the imaging pinholes is imaged by the image
sensors.
[0008] Furthermore, a distance from an object being scanned to a
center of an axis of the imaging pinhole is an object distance
h.sub.object, and the object distance h.sub.object satisfies a
formula of
h object .gtoreq. 2 r 2 tg ( .alpha. / 2 ) , ##EQU00001##
wherein r represents a distance between centers of two adjacent
imaging pinholes, and .alpha. represents an angular field of view
of the imaging pinhole.
[0009] Furthermore, the distance r between the centers of two
adjacent imaging pinholes satisfies a formula of
r.gtoreq.2h.sub.imagetg(.alpha./2) wherein h.sub.image represents
an image distance, which is a distance from the image sensor to the
center of the axis of the imaging pinhole, and .alpha. represents
the angular field of view of the imaging pinhole.
[0010] Furthermore, the image acquisition apparatus further
includes a protection panel disposed to be spaced apart from the
other side of the imaging plate.
[0011] Furthermore, the image acquisition apparatus further
includes a light source for providing the imaging pinhole with
illumination for imaging.
[0012] Furthermore, the image acquisition apparatus further
includes a wired and/or wireless communication module connected to
the image sensor.
[0013] Furthermore, an aperture of the imaging pinhole is in a
range from 0.001 mm to 1 mm.
[0014] A terminal device is provided, which includes the image
acquisition apparatus.
[0015] A liquid crystal terminal device is provided, which includes
a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The LCD screen includes an
LCD panel and a backlight element. The backlight element includes a
reflective sheet, a back plate and at least one layer of optical
film disposed between the LCD panel and the reflective sheet. The
image acquisition apparatus is disposed between the reflective
sheet and the back plate at a position corresponding to the LCD
panel. A via is disposed on the reflective sheet at a position
corresponding to the image acquisition apparatus. A light
transmitting window is disposed on the optical film at a position
corresponding to the image acquisition apparatus.
[0016] A liquid crystal terminal device is provided, which includes
a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The LCD screen includes an
LCD panel and a backlight element. The backlight element includes a
reflective sheet, a back plate and at least one layer of optical
film disposed between the LCD panel and the reflective sheet. The
image acquisition apparatus is disposed at the other side of the
back plate at a position corresponding to the LCD panel. A first
via and a second via interlinked are respectively disposed on the
reflective sheet and the back plate at positions corresponding to
the image acquisition apparatus. A light transmitting window is
disposed on the optical film at a position corresponding to the
image acquisition apparatus.
[0017] A liquid crystal terminal device is provided, which includes
a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The LCD screen includes an
LCD panel and a backlight element. The backlight element includes a
reflective sheet, a back plate and at least one layer of optical
film disposed between the LCD panel and the reflective sheet. An
image sensor is disposed between the reflective sheet and the back
plate at a position corresponding to the LCD panel. An imaging
pinhole is disposed on the reflective sheet at a position
corresponding to the image sensor. The imaging pinhole is disposed
to be spaced apart from the image sensor. A light transmitting
window is disposed on the optical film at a position corresponding
to the image sensor.
[0018] A liquid crystal terminal device is provided, which includes
a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. The LCD screen includes an
LCD panel and a backlight element. The backlight element includes a
reflective sheet, a back plate and at least one layer of optical
film disposed between the LCD panel and the reflective sheet. An
image sensor is disposed at the other side of the back plate at a
position corresponding to the LCD panel. An imaging pinhole is
disposed through the reflective sheet and the back plate at a
position corresponding to the image sensor. The imaging pinhole is
disposed to be spaced apart from the image sensor. A light
transmitting window is disposed on the optical film at a position
corresponding to the image sensor.
[0019] Furthermore, an aperture of the imaging pinhole is in the
range from 0.001 mm to 1 mm.
[0020] Furthermore, an optical filter is disposed between the
imaging pinhole and the image sensor or between the imaging pinhole
and the LCD panel.
[0021] Furthermore, a correction lens is disposed on either side or
both sides of the imaging pinhole.
[0022] An image acquisition method for the image acquisition
apparatus is provided, which includes the following steps:
[0023] establishing a plurality of scanning regions for one object
being scanned, wherein adjacent scanning regions are overlapping
with each other;
[0024] capturing partial images of the object being scanned in the
scanning regions by the image sensor through the imaging pinholes,
wherein partial images in adjacent imaging regions do not overlap
with each other; and
[0025] stitching together the partial images in each of imaging
regions obtained through scanning to obtain a complete image of the
object being scanned.
[0026] An image acquisition method for the liquid crystal terminal
device is provided, which includes the following steps:
[0027] putting an LCD panel into a transparent state in response to
a control signal; and
[0028] acquiring an image of an object being scanned on one side of
the LCD panel by the image sensors through the imaging pinholes at
the other side of the LCD panel.
[0029] Furthermore, the acquiring an image of an object being
scanned on one side of the LCD panel by the image sensors through
the imaging pinholes at the other side of the LCD panel
includes:
[0030] establishing a plurality of scanning regions for one object
being scanned, wherein adjacent scanning regions are overlapping
with each other;
[0031] capturing partial images of the object being scanned in the
scanning regions one by one, wherein partial images in adjacent
imaging regions do not overlap with each other; and
[0032] stitching together the partial images in each of imaging
regions obtained through scanning to obtain a complete image of the
object being scanned.
[0033] Furthermore, the acquiring an image of an object being
scanned on one side of the LCD panel by the image sensors through
the imaging pinholes at the other side of the LCD panel
includes:
[0034] establishing a plurality of scanning regions for one object
being scanned, wherein adjacent scanning regions are overlapping
with each other;
[0035] putting an LCD panel into a transparent state, one by one
corresponding to respective scanning regions, in response to a
control signal;
[0036] capturing partial images of the object being scanned in the
scanning regions one by one, wherein partial images in adjacent
imaging regions do not overlap with each other; and
[0037] stitching together the partial images in each of imaging
regions obtained through scanning to obtain a complete image of the
object being scanned.
[0038] With the above-described solutions, the disclosure has the
following advantages.
[0039] 1. In the disclosure, the object being scanned is scanned
using multiple pinholes. Compared with the traditional optical
fingerprint scanner using an optical lens, the thickness of the
image acquisition apparatus is greatly reduced, thereby
facilitating the integration of the image acquisition apparatus
into a mobile terminal device having a stringent demand on
thickness. When acquiring of fingerprint images, an effective
portion of a whole fingerprint can be acquired at once, or one by
one at more times, further facilitating a clear acquisition of the
image of the object being scanned.
[0040] 2. In the disclosure, the structure of a liquid crystal
display screen of the liquid crystal terminal device can be
improved according to the imaging method with multiple pinholes, so
that the liquid crystal display screen is capable of acquiring a
fingerprint, supporting screen unlocking, authentication and other
operations, providing a great convenience for appearance and
software interface designs of an electronic device such as a mobile
phone, a tablet and a wearable device, and meeting a delicate
demand of the electronic device in thickness and size. In addition,
the fingerprint and image acquisition method can be applied to a
fingerprint recognition device needed in any field.
[0041] 3. The invention can be applied to any liquid crystal
display terminals, so as to provide a new fingerprint acquisition
and recognition function. Here, the liquid crystal display terminal
includes a tablet, a notebook, a mobile phone, an advertising LCD
panel, an MP3 player and other products. The device can be
connected to a wired and/or wireless communication module to form a
visual monitoring network, which is widely applied to visual
monitoring in an industrial production line, monitoring and
detection in a complex device, three-dimensional measurement and
other fields, such as forest theft and fire protection. The device
can be arranged in a place which is difficult to be monitored by
people, for monitoring unexpected situation, disaster and so on in
real time, such as a forest, an inside of mine, an inside of
underground pipeline and an inside of large remote equipment (such
as lunar rover and spacecraft).
[0042] 4. In this disclosure, the imaging method with multiple
pinholes instead of a complex optical lens is used to acquire an
image, so that the thickness of the image acquisition apparatus
becomes smaller, for example, the thickness of the image
acquisition apparatus may be reduced below a few millimeters, thus
meeting the requirement of ultra-thinness and small volume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0047] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0048] FIG. 5B is a top view of an image scanning region as shown
in FIG. 5A;
[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0050] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according
to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0051] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according
to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0052] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to a first embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0053] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0054] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0055] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0056] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to a fifth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0057] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to a sixth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0058] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to a seventh embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0059] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of four fingerprint images
acquired by the liquid crystal terminal device shown in FIG.
15;
[0060] FIG. 17 is a complete fingerprint image obtained by
stitching together the fingerprint images shown in FIG. 16; and
[0061] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal terminal
device according to an eighth embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0062] In the following, the disclosure is described in detail in
conjunction with the drawings of the specification.
[0063] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
disclosure. The image acquisition apparatus includes an imaging
plate 1 and an image sensor 3.
[0064] An imaging pinhole 2 is disposed at the center of the
imaging plate 1. In this embodiment, the number of the imaging
pinhole 2 is set to one. Furthermore, multiple imaging pinholes 2
may be disposed.
[0065] The image sensor 3 is disposed to be spaced apart from one
side of the imaging plate 1. In this embodiment, the image sensor 3
is disposed below the imaging plate 1. The image sensor 3 includes
a photoelectric conversion element and an image processing element.
The image sensor 3 corresponds to the imaging pinhole 2 in a
vertical direction. Light through the imaging pinhole 2 is imaged
by the image sensor 3.
[0066] In use, an object being scanned is disposed above the
imaging plate 1 at a position corresponding to the imaging pinhole
2. In this embodiment, the object being scanned is a fingerprint.
Furthermore, the object may be a face and the like. The fingerprint
is imaged by the image sensor 3 through the imaging pinhole 2 by
means of pinhole imaging principle, thereby acquiring the
fingerprint corresponding to the imaging pinhole 2. The
photoelectric conversion element of the image sensor 3 may employ
CMOS or CCD technology for acquiring the fingerprint.
[0067] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure, which is a variation of the above embodiment shown in
FIG. 1. The image acquisition apparatus includes a housing 13. The
imaging pinhole 2 is disposed on an upper panel 14 of the housing
13. The image sensor 3 is disposed at the bottom of an inner
chamber of the housing 13 and spaced apart from the upper panel 14.
The image sensor 3 corresponds to the imaging pinhole 2 in the
vertical direction.
[0068] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure. The image acquisition apparatus includes an imaging
plate 1 and at least one image sensor 3.
[0069] At least two imaging pinholes 2 are disposed on the imaging
plate 1. In this embodiment, the number of the imaging pinholes 2
is set to four.
[0070] The at least one image sensor 3 is disposed to be spaced
apart from one side of the imaging plate 1. The image sensors 3
corresponds to the four imaging pinholes 2 in the vertical
direction.
[0071] In the embodiment, the number of the image sensors 3 is set
to four. Each image sensor 3 corresponds to one imaging pinhole 2,
respectively. Light through the imaging pinholes 2 is imaged by the
image sensors 3.
[0072] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, except that two adjacent imaging
pinholes 2 of the four imaging pinholes 2 on the imaging plate 1
are disposed differently from that in FIG. 3.
[0073] In this embodiment, a distance from an object being scanned
(a finger) to a midpoint of an axis of the imaging pinhole 2 is an
object distance h.sub.object, that is, a distance from the object
being scanned to a midpoint O of an axis A-A of the imaging pinhole
2 is the object distance h.sub.object, and the object distance
h.sub.object satisfies a formula of
h object .gtoreq. 2 r 2 tg ( .alpha. / 2 ) , ##EQU00002##
where r represents a distance between centers of the two adjacent
imaging pinholes, and .alpha. represents an angular field of view
of the imaging pinhole. This ensures that the scanned fingerprint
image is complete and no areas are omitted. The scanning region is
defined as a visual range on the object (finger) corresponding to
the angular field of view of each of the imaging pinholes 4.
[0074] Meanwhile, the distance r between the centers of the two
adjacent imaging pinholes satisfies a formula of
r.gtoreq.2h.sub.imagetg(.alpha./2), wherein h.sub.image represents
an image distance, which is a distance from the image sensor 3 to
the midpoint of the axis of the imaging pinhole 2, and .alpha.
represents the angular field of view of the imaging pinhole. In
this way, it is further ensured that images of the imaging regions
corresponding to the respective imaging pinholes 4 are not
overlapping with each other, assuring the quality of the image
acquisition. The imaging region is defined as a sensing range on
the image sensor 3 corresponding to the angular field of view a of
each of the imaging pinholes 2, that is, a size of an image spot of
each of the imaging pinholes 2.
[0075] In this embodiment, assuming that h.sub.mage is equal to 2
millimeters and a is equal to 120 degrees, then r.gtoreq.4 {square
root over (3)}, that is, r is greater than or equal to 6.928
millimeters. The object distance h.sub.object is greater than or
equal to 2.828 millimeters, so that the imaging is performed
through the imaging pinholes 4 separately, and the imaging pinholes
4 are not interfere with each other.
[0076] For the derivation of the two above formulas, reference may
be made to the following analysis in a fifth embodiment.
[0077] FIG. 5A shows a schematic diagram of an image acquisition
apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, except that a transparent
protection panel 4 is disposed above and spaced apart from the
imaging plate 1 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, since the
object being scanned is placed on the protection panel 4 to be
detected, the object distance h.sub.object is a distance from one
side of the protection panel 4 away from the imaging plate 1 to the
midpoint of the axis of the imaging pinhole 2.
[0078] The above formulas
h object .gtoreq. 2 r 2 tg ( .alpha. / 2 ) and r .gtoreq. 2 h image
tg ( .alpha. / 2 ) ##EQU00003##
are derived as follows.
[0079] (1) Assuming that the thickness of the imaging plate 2 is
h.sub.hole, and the aperture of the imaging pinhole 2 is
d.sub.hole;
[0080] (2) Referring to FIG. 5A, the imaging angle .alpha. may be
calculated based on the above-mentioned h.sub.hole and d.sub.hole,
that is, tg(.alpha./2)=(d.sub.hole/2)/(h.sub.hole/2), then
.alpha.=2 arctg(d.sub.hole/h.sub.hole) (formula 1)
[0081] (3) The image distance h.sub.image is given, and then the
diameter d.sub.image of the imaging region may be calculated as,
referring to FIG. 5A,
d.sub.image=2h.sub.imagetg(.alpha./2) (formula 2)
[0082] (4) As the imaging regions must not overlap, the distance r
between the centers of two adjacent imaging pinholes may be
calculated as,
r.gtoreq.d.sub.image, that is,
r.gtoreq.2h.sub.imagetg(.alpha./2) (formula 3)
[0083] (5) In conjunction with FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, to ensure that
the fingerprint image is complete and no area is omitted, the image
scanning region corresponding to each imaging pinhole (that is, a
visual range corresponding to the angular field of view of each
imaging pinhole 2 on the protection panel 4, wherein d.sub.object
represents its diameter in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B) must overlap,
[0084] that is, d.sub.object.gtoreq. {square root over (2)}r;
[0085] and since d.sub.object=2h.sub.objecttg(.alpha./2)
[0086] 2 h.sub.objecttg (.alpha./2).gtoreq. {square root over
(2)}r,
[0087] which can be simplified to
h object .gtoreq. 2 r 2 tg ( .alpha. / 2 ) ( formula 4 )
##EQU00004##
[0088] An image acquisition method for the image acquisition
apparatus according to the embodiment includes the following
steps.
[0089] As the number of the imaging pinholes 2 is four, four
scanning regions are established for one fingerprint, so that
adjacent scanning regions are overlapping with each other.
[0090] Images of partial fingerprints in the respective scanning
regions are acquired by using the image sensor 3 through the
imaging pinholes 2, so that images of partial fingerprints in
adjacent imaging regions do not overlap.
[0091] The images of the partial fingerprints in the respective
scanning regions through scanning are stitched together, and after
further image enhancement processing, a complete fingerprint image
is obtained.
[0092] The transparent protection panel 4 is used to provide a
touch surface for the finger, facilitating the acquisition of the
fingerprint image. In addition, this protects the components under
the light guide plate 1.
[0093] FIG. 6 shows a schematic structural diagram of an image
acquisition apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the
present disclosure, of which the structure may be mostly the same
as that in the embodiment shown in any one of FIG. 1 to FIG. 5. In
this embodiment, the structure thereof is the same as that in FIG.
1. The difference is in that a light emitter 5 is disposed above,
below or at a side of the imaging plate 1, preferably, below or at
a side end surface of the imaging plate 1. In this embodiment, the
light emitter 5 is disposed at the side end surface of the imaging
plate 1. Light is emitted to the object being scanned, for example,
the fingerprint, through the light emitter 5. Light in various
directions is diffused after the fingerprint is irradiated. Part of
the light is projected onto the image sensor 3 through the imaging
pinhole 2. The light output by the light emitter 5 does not affect
a light path for the imaging of the imaging pinhole 2.
[0094] In the above-mentioned embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.
6, the image processor of the image sensors 3 may be connected to a
wired and/or wireless communication module. Such an design may form
a visual monitoring network, which is widely applied to visual
monitoring in an industrial production line, monitoring and
detection in a complex device, three-dimensional measurement and
other fields, such as forest theft and fire protection.
Furthermore, the image acquisition apparatus may be arranged in a
place which is difficult to be monitored by people, for monitoring
unexpected situation, disaster and so on in real time, such as a
forest, an inside of mine, an inside of underground pipeline and an
inside of large remote equipment (such as lunar rover and
spacecraft). In addition, the image acquisition apparatus according
to this embodiment can be deployed widely due to low cost.
[0095] In the above-mentioned embodiments, an aperture of the
imaging pinhole may be in a range from 0.001 mm to 1 mm. For the
best imaging effects, shorter imaging distance, processing and
other considerations, the aperture of the imaging pinhole may be
chosen within a range from 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm, but preferably 0.1
mm.
[0096] Each of the image acquisition apparatuses described above is
applicable to various types of terminal devices. In practice, the
image acquisition apparatus may be a stand-alone fingerprint
scanner. FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal device
according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. A
terminal device 6 is provided with the image acquisition apparatus
7 shown in any one of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 described above. The image
acquisition apparatus 7 is disposed at the edge of the terminal
device 6. For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone,
and the image acquisition apparatus 7 may be disposed on the HOME
key. When compared with a conventional camera component, the image
acquisition apparatus has the advantage of a simple structure and
ultra-thinness.
[0097] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal device
according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, which
includes the image acquisition apparatus 7 shown in any one of FIG.
1 to FIG. 6 described above. The image acquisition apparatus 7 is a
stand-alone device, and is connected to the terminal device 6
through a cable and an interface.
[0098] In the following, a liquid crystal terminal device according
to the disclosure is illustrated in conjunction with
embodiments.
[0099] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal device
according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The
terminal device includes a LCD screen. The LCD screen includes a
LCD panel 8 and a backlight element 9 disposed below the LCD panel
8. In this embodiment, the LCD panel 8 is a transparent panel body
composed of two (upper and lower) glass panels and liquid crystal
molecules sandwiched between the two glass panels. From top to
bottom, the backlight element 9 includes one or more layers of
optical film 10, a reflective sheet 11, and a back plate 12. The
image acquisition apparatus according to any of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 is
disposed between the reflective sheet 11 and the back plate 12. In
this embodiment, the reflective sheet 11 is closely placed against
the back plate 12. A via 13 is disposed at the center of the
reflective sheet 11. A concave area 14 is disposed at a position
corresponding to the via 13 on an upper surface of the back plate
12. The image acquisition apparatus 7 is fixed within the concave
area 14, and a light transmitting window is disposed on the optical
film 10 at a position corresponding to the image acquisition
apparatus 7.
[0100] When the LCD panel 8 is in a transparent state, the object
being scanned on or above an upper surface of the LCD panel 8 is
acquired by the image acquisition apparatus 7 through the via 13,
the light transmitting window on the optical film 10 and the LCD
panel 8. In this embodiment, the object being scanned is a
fingerprint. furthermore, the object may be a face. The light
transmitting window disposed on the optical film 10 prevents the
acquisition of images from being affected when the optical film 10
is not easy to transmit light or cannot transmit light. If any
optical film 10 is totally light-transmitting, the optical film 10
is a light transmitting window. If any optical film 10 is not easy
to transmit light or cannot transmit light, the light transmitting
window on the optical film 10 may be a transparent hole or a light
transmitting sheet.
[0101] This embodiment may be performed through sunlight when the
LCD panel 8 is in the transparent state. However, when the light is
weak, the light emitter according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6
may be used.
[0102] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal
terminal device according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. The difference is in that the image
acquisition apparatus 7 is disposed below the back plate 12 at a
position corresponding to the LCD panel 8; a first via 15 and a
second via 16 interlinked are respectively disposed on the
reflective sheet 11 and the back plate 12 at positions
corresponding to the image acquisition apparatus 7; and the light
transmitting window is disposed on each optical film 10 at a
position corresponding to the image acquisition apparatus 7. When
the LCD panel 8 is in the transparent state, a fingerprint image on
the upper surface of the LCD panel 8 is acquired by using the image
acquisition apparatus 7 through the second via 16, the first via
15, the light transmitting window on the optical film 10 and the
LCD panel 8.
[0103] FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal
terminal device according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. The difference is in that an image
sensor 3 is disposed between the reflective sheet 11 and the back
plate 12 at a position corresponding to the LCD panel 8, and an
imaging pinhole 2 is disposed on the reflective sheet 11 at a
position corresponding to the image sensor 3. The imaging pinhole 2
is disposed to be spaced apart from the image sensor 3.
[0104] When the fingerprint is acquired, the LCD panel 8 is put
into the transparent state in response to a control signal.
[0105] The fingerprint image on the LCD panel 8 is acquired by
using the image sensor 3 below the LCD panel 8 through the imaging
pinhole 2, the light transmitting window on optical film 10 and the
LCD panel 8.
[0106] FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal
terminal device according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 10. The difference is in that an image
sensor 3 is disposed below the back plate 12 at a position
corresponding to the LCD panel 8, and an imaging pinhole 2 is
disposed through the reflective sheet 11 and the back plate 12 at a
position corresponding to the image sensor 3. In this embodiment,
the reflective sheet 11 and the back plate 12 together act as the
imaging plate in the image acquisition apparatus according to the
embodiment shown in any one of FIG. 1 to FIG. 6. The imaging
pinhole 2 is disposed to be spaced apart from the image sensor 3.
When the LCD panel 8 is in the transparent state, the fingerprint
image on the upper surface of the LCD panel 8 is acquired by using
the image sensor 3 through the imaging pinhole 2, the light
transmitting window on the optical film 10 and the LCD panel 8.
[0107] FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal
terminal device according to a fifth embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. The difference is in that the
liquid crystal terminal device further includes a touch screen 17
and a glass protection layer 18, wherein the touch screen 17 is
located below the glass protection layer 18 and above the LCD panel
8.
[0108] FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal
terminal device according to a sixth embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 12. The difference is that the liquid
crystal terminal device further includes a touch screen 17 and a
glass protection layer 18, wherein the touch screen 17 is disposed
below the glass protection layer 18 and above the LCD panel 8.
[0109] In the embodiments shown in both FIG. 13 and FIG. 14
described above, the touch screen 17 and the glass protection layer
18 are disposed on the upper surface of the LCD panel 8. In use,
when the finger directly touches an upper surface of the glass
protection layer 18, the fingerprint image on the upper surface of
the glass protection layer 18 may be acquired by the image sensor 3
when the LCD panel 8 is in the transparent state.
[0110] In the embodiments of the liquid crystal terminal devices
shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 14 described above, the aperture of the
imaging pinhole 2 is in a range from 0.001 mm to 1 mm. For the best
imaging effects, shorter imaging distance, processing and other
considerations, the aperture of the imaging pinhole 2 is chosen
within a range from 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm, but preferably 0.1 mm.
[0111] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal
terminal device according to a seventh embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, except that multiple imaging
pinholes 2 are disposed through the reflective sheet 11 and the
back plate 12. In this embodiment, the number of the imaging
pinholes 2 is set to four, and the number of the image sensors 3 is
set to four. The image sensors 3 corresponds to the imaging
pinholes 2, respectively.
[0112] An image acquisition method for the liquid crystal terminal
device according to the embodiment includes the following
steps.
[0113] The LCD panel 8 is put into a transparent state in response
to a control signal.
[0114] Multiple scanning regions are established for one
fingerprint above the glass protection layer 18, wherein the number
of the scanning regions is four, and adjacent scanning regions are
overlapping with each other.
[0115] Images of partial fingerprints in the scanning regions are
acquired one by one, wherein images of partial fingerprints in
imaging regions do not overlap with each other. The images of
partial fingerprints corresponding to the imaging pinholes 2 by
controlling the four image sensors 3 below the LCD panel 8 one by
one. That is, the images of partial fingerprints in the four
scanning regions are acquired by controlling the image sensors 3 to
work, respectively. Referring to FIG. 16, 20 images of partial
fingerprints are acquired. In use, images of partial fingerprints
corresponding to the image sensors 3 are acquired by controlling
the image sensors 3 to work one after the other, wherein the images
of partial fingerprints in adjacent imaging regions are overlapping
with each other.
[0116] The images of partial fingerprints in each of the imaging
regions obtained through scanning are stitched together to obtain a
complete fingerprint image. Specifically, the overlapping regions
in the four fingerprint images are cut, and then the fingerprint
images are stitched together to obtain a complete fingerprint
image. For example, the 20 partial fingerprint images in FIG. 16
are stitched together to the complete fingerprint image in FIG.
17.
[0117] The control signal described above may be a control signal
obtained by the touch screen 17, a control signal obtained by
touching a key, a control signal obtained in response to a remote
signal, or the similar.
[0118] In the embodiments of the liquid crystal terminal devices
shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 15 described above, the fingerprint is the
object being scanned, but generally the object may be any other
planar or three-dimensional object.
[0119] FIG. 18 shows a schematic diagram of a liquid crystal
terminal device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present
disclosure, of which the structure is mostly the same as that in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, except that the number of the
image sensor 3 is set to one.
[0120] An image acquisition method for the liquid crystal terminal
device includes the following steps.
[0121] The LCD panel 8 is put into a transparent state in response
to a control signal.
[0122] Multiple scanning regions are established for one
fingerprint on the glass protection layer 18, wherein the number of
the scanning regions is four, and adjacent scanning regions are
overlapping with each other.
[0123] The LCD panel 8 is divided into four LCD regions,
corresponding to the scanning regions, respectively. In response to
a control signal, the respective LCD regions are put into a
transparent state one by one by controlling the four respective LCD
regions to work, for example, one after another, such that the
image sensors 3 can acquire the partial fingerprint images in the
corresponding scanning regions through the imaging pinholes 2 and
the corresponding liquid crystal regions. Thus, partial fingerprint
images in the LCD regions can be acquired in turn. Here, partial
fingerprint images in the respective imaging regions do not overlap
with each other.
[0124] Four images of partial fingerprints in the imaging regions
are stitched together to obtain a complete fingerprint image.
[0125] In the embodiments of the liquid crystal terminal devices
shown in FIG. 9-FIG. 15 and FIG. 18 described above, an optical
filter may be disposed between the imaging pinhole 2 and the image
sensor 3 or between the imaging pinhole 2 and the LCD panel 8 to
control the uniformity of the light. In addition, a correction lens
may be disposed on either side or both sides of the imaging pinhole
2 to adjust the light, to obtain a clear image even if the imaging
pinhole has a large aperture.
[0126] The foregoing description is only the preferred embodiments
of the present disclosure and is not intended to define the scope
of protection of the present disclosure. Any variations or
substitutions which can readily envisaged by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit of the invention shall fall
into the scope of the invention. The protection scope of the
invention should be defined in the appended claim.
* * * * *