The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 18, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 29, 2000
Kenneth Brownlee, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Digital Persona, Inc., Redwood City, CA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for distinguishing a human finger from a reproduction of a fingerprint. A finger is placed on a transparent platen having a prism or microprism array attached. A first light source directs light to the platen, the first light positioned to show illumination in the areas where the skin is in contact with the platen. A first image of the fingerprint is captured by an imaging device when the finger is illuminated by the first light source. A second light source directs light at the platen, the second light positioned to show illumination in the areas where there is no skin contact. A second image of the fingerprint is captured by the imaging device when the finger is illuminated by the second light source. A determination that the fingerprint is from a human finger is made if a mathematical comparison of the two images meets some predetermined criteria.