Identix Corporation

Indentix Incorporated

Idnetix Incorporated

Thomas F Sartor

Daniel Frederick Maase

Apparatus and methods for optically imaging features on the surface of a hand are described. An apparatus in accordance with one implementation includes a fixed light source for illuminating an imaging area, a movable convex contact surface, and a detector. The convex contact surface is exposed to contact a hand and to guide portions of the hand through the imaging area while maintaining contact with the hand. The detector is positioned to intercept light from the imaging area and is adapted to generate therefrom a signal representative of surface features of a hand contacting the contact surface in the imaging area. In accordance with another implementation, a method includes the following steps: placing the hand in contact with a contact surface; guiding the hand in fixed contact with the convex contact surface through an imaging area; illuminating the imaging area with light; intercepting light from the imaging area; and generating from the intercepted light, a signal representative of surface features of the contacting hand being guided through the imaging area.

Apparatus and method for optically imaging features on the surface of a hand

A fingerprint image capture system reduces tip smear by ceasing to update a data array characteristic of the rolled fingerprint image behind an advancing freeze column at least about half way from the trailing edge to the leading edge of a finger contact strip.

Method and device for reducing smear in a rolled fingerprint image

A device for providing a plain image signal indicative of a plain image of surface characteristics of more than one finger on a hand includes an plain platen prism having a flat, rectangular shaped finger receiving surface having a platen aspect ratio greater than 1.33:1. An illumination source internally illuminates the finger receiving surface such that light internally illuminating a bare portion of the finger receiving surface is internally reflected from the finger receiving surface and light internally illuminating a contacted portion of the finger receiving surface in contact with the fingers is not internally reflected from the finger receiving surface. The internally reflected light forms a reflection image of the surface characteristics of the fingers. Optical elements direct the reflection image to a camera. The camera, which has a rectangular receiving surface with an aspect ratio of approximately 1.33:1, receives the reflection image and provides the plain image signal in response. The directing optical elements include refracting elements structured and arranged to change the aspect ratio of the reflection image to approximately equal the camera receiving surface aspect ratio.

Device and method for obtaining a plain image of multiple fingerprints

An electro-optic palm scanner system employing a non-planar platen for obtaining high quality palmprints and heelprints. The platen includes an upper contact surface having a convex portion for contacting a palm to be imaged, and a planar portion for contacting the heel of the hand. The imaging system includes an optical carriage movably secured to a frame. The carriage supports a light source, lens system, and light detector. Total internal reflection occurs when light is incident on the platen at an angle greater than a critical angle of the platen, providing identifying information. The detector may include a linear CCD array which detects ridges and valleys in the hand to obtain image data. The image data is processed and the corresponding print of the heel or hand may be displayed on a video screen, and stored. The images of the palm and heel may be merged to form a single image.

Electro-optic palm scanner system employing a non-planar platen

An apparatus for imaging a finger so as to produce a fingerprint image free of artifacts created by moisture on the finger. An optical platen having a surface for receiving the finger to be imaged is illuminated by a light source. A light detector is provided for receiving light from the platen surface which is internally reflected at the surface. A fingerprint image is formed by light which is internally reflected at the regions intermediate the finger ridges and absorbed/dispersed where the ridges contact the surface, The observation angle of the detector is sufficiently large so that moisture on a person's fingers does not affect the light which is internally reflected at the surface and detected. The resultant fingerprint image is free of artifacts attributable to moisture.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Thomas F Sartor