초록 ▼

The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power co

The present invention provides a large format fingerprint capture apparatus, system and method that is low power, compact, and lightweight and has a platen area greater than 3.0 square inches. The present system is typically powered, controlled, and exchanges data over a single data/control/power connection to a host PC, e.g., a desk top computer, PDA, or laptop computer although the system can also be used in a wireless fashion with a power subsystem so no physical connections are required. In a preferred embodiment the large format fingerprint device is directly connected to a completely disconnected portable PC, such as a laptop having only a battery power source. The primary system components of the present invention combine to minimize power, size and weight and, thus, enhance portability and battery life. The system typically includes a light source, a prism, a camera (including the lens), and a case. Optional elements comprise holographic elements such as gratings and holographic optical elements (HOEs), a battery subsystem, magnetic stripe reader, barcode reader, platen heater, platen blower, and mirrors to divert the image beam.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus configured to collect a friction ridge signature of a subject, the apparatus comprising: a prism capable of transmitting light rays; a platen comprising a first light-reflecting surface proximate said prism, wherein the first light-reflecting surface has an area

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus configured to collect a friction ridge signature of a subject, the apparatus comprising: a prism capable of transmitting light rays; a platen comprising a first light-reflecting surface proximate said prism, wherein the first light-reflecting surface has an area of approximately 3 square inches or larger such that the area of the first light-reflecting surface is sufficiently large to receive four fingers simultaneously; a light source configured to emit light rays that propagate within said prism to illuminate a subject placed in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen; a camera configured to capture image data of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen, through the platen, during a capture sequence; an internal processor that converts image data captured by the camera into one or more digital image frames; and a common connection port for wired connection, the common connection port being configured to provide both of (i) communication with an external processor, and (ii) reception of power for the apparatus, wherein the camera receives an image of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen along an optical axis, wherein the camera comprises a sensor having a photosensitive surface, and wherein the photosensitive surface is arranged such that the angle of incidence of the optical axis to the photosensitive surface is a predetermined acute angle. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined acute angle is determined based on one or more of an optical magnification ratio of the apparatus, an internal angle between the platen and a surface of the prism, or an index of refraction of the prism. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the predetermined acute angle is determined according to the equation α=tan−1(m*tan(θ)/n) wherein αi=the predetermined acute angle m=optical magnification ratio of the device θ=an internal angle between the platen and a surface of the prism n=refractive index of the prism. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface configured to communicate with an external processor via one or more wireless media. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an external processor that receives the one or more digital frames from the internal processor and generates a composite image of the friction ridge signature from the one or more digital frames. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising means for beginning the capture sequence; and means for ending the capture sequence, wherein beginning the capture sequence comprises activating the external processor to collect and merge at least one successive image frame to form a composite image. 7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising one or more of a barcode reader, a magnetic stripe reader, radio frequency identification module, smart card reader, and proximity card reader to capture demographic data. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for beginning the capture sequence; and means for ending the capture sequence. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein means for ending the capture sequence ends the capture sequence based on one or more of removal of the subject from contact with said platen, a condition that successive images are within a pre-determined difference tolerance occurs more than a pre-determined number of times, or image processing of at least one image frame of the subject. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the means for beginning a capture sequence and the means for ending a capture sequence comprise a switching mechanism operatively coupled to the device and selected from the group consisting of a foot pedal, a button, a key of a keyboard, a touchscreen, and a mouse. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a light pipe having a plurality of micro structures configured to guide the light rays emitted by the light source in a collimated or semi-collimated manner into the prism. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said light pipe is located proximate to said prism such that light rays emitted therefrom intersect the platen at an angle greater than a critical angle of the prism. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said light pipe has a feedback loop for providing a constant output. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein an exposure rate of said camera is adjusted to achieve a pre-determined level of illumination. 15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a module configured to collect diagnostic data; a non-volatile storage configured to store the diagnostic data; and an external processor configured to obtain the diagnostic data from said non-volatile storage. 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said capture sequence is one of a roll capture sequence and a slap capture sequence. 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera requires at most 2 watts, inclusive, of power. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said integral power subsystem comprises one or more of a solar cell, a lithium ion battery, or a capacitor. 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light source requires at most 1 watt, inclusive, of power. 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises one or more of an aberration corrector, an offset and gain controller, a perspective corrector, a high-pass filter, a noise filter, or a deviant pixel corrector. 21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an integral power subsystem configured to store power, and to provide the stored power to one or more other components of the apparatus. 22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more of a platen heater and a platen blower arranged to minimize condensation on the platen. 23. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a non-volatile memory; and an updatable fingerprint matching module. 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said platen further comprises: a holographic element affixed to said prism surface for correcting light transmitted therethrough; a light transmitting substrate affixed to said holographic element; wherein said holographic element and said light transmitting substrate are arranged such that light rays emitted by the light source pass through the holographic element and the substrate, intersect the subject and are then reflected back, further passing through the substrate and the holographic element and being corrected on the way back through the holographic element. 25. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pair of opposing cutouts in a handle of the imaging system; and a slip-case cover for the imaging system having a pair of opposing tabs for locking into the pair of opposing cutouts when the imaging system is slipped into the slip-case. 26. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a case that substantially encases the apparatus, the case having a slidable cover attached thereto that slides between (i) a first position at which the platen is covered and (ii) a second position at which the platen is exposed. 27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus weighs less than 10 pounds. 28. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a case that substantially encases the apparatus, the case formed from one or more of injection molded materials, extruded materials, die-cast materials, and investment-cast materials.