Patent · US Expired

Economical skin-pattern-acquisition and analysis apparatus for access control; systems controlled thereby

US5963657A · kind A · utility

79Cited by
6References
59Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 9, 1996
Grant dateOct 5, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 9, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG07C9/37
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Surface relief of a finger etc. is read using an optical-fiber prism unit, with fiber terminations at one end to contact the surface, and at the other for light passage along fibers from the first. Light enters where NA<0.5 and fiber diameter is constant with longitudinal position. The device is in a 1.4-2 L case, with a battery or power input, converter to form a corresponding data array for verifying, digital signal processor to do the verifying, and output to indicate or implement a decision. A video controller (with custom-programmed logic circuit) operates the sensors to develop the data array; an ADC digitizes the array; memory holds an authorized-user skin-pattern template, firmware for the processor, and data used in verifying; an output register holds the decision signal--all on a control, address, and data bus. High-power, radiative elements and a fast high-impedance data reader are on a common board in an isolating layout. The prism unit is cylindrical, held by a cylindrical-section cradle and forming a novel condenser lens to support lights and couple light to the prism. The imager has a cylindrical wall, transverse face for output of a skin pattern, and angled elliptic…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.