Apparatus and method for optically imaging features on the surface of a hand
US6175407A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06V40/1335
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.