Adjustable, rotatable finger guide in a tenprint scanner with movable prism platen

Abstract

A scanning device for electronically capturing a fingerprint image, employing a finger guide unit and a platen. The finger guide unit positions a finger for scanning by means of a gap into which the finger is placed. The guide maintains the finger within the print scanning range when used in conjunction with a movable platen. The guide unit is rotatable allowing the guide to be moved to expose the whole movable platen. The finger guide unit has two guide plates disposed adjacent one another creating a gap. The gap width is adjustable by means of an adjustment device, allowing fingers of any size to be properly positioned and guided within the scanner reading range. The guide plates each have an edge lined with low-friction material which contacts the finger when in use. The guide plates each have an extension which serves as a handle for raising the guide unit and as a hanger for suspending the guide unit above the platen for use. The guide plates also have an alignment rod disposed between them to ensure stabilization and alignment.