Abstract: Light wedges that reflect light internally and produce diffuse light for uniformly illuminating a platen in a print scanner are presented. In one example, a light wedge has a first surface that receives light emitted from an illumination source and a second surface that limits specular reflections. The light wedge transmits light from the illumination source toward the platen, whereby uniform illumination is provided to the platen. In another example, a light wedge has an illumination surface that receives light emitted from the illumination source, a first surface that limits specular reflections, and a second surface that acts as a diffuser. The second surface reflects light out of the light wedge toward the platen, whereby uniform illumination is provided to the platen.

Abstract: A directionally-oriented reflective device is optically coupled to a prism surface in a skin ridge pattern imaging system to reflect illumination light at relatively small angles, along an optical path to an imaging device, so that minimal light is lost from the optical system. Examples of such directionally-oriented reflective devices include, but are not limited to, echelon reflectors, faceted reflective surfaces, retroreflectors, aluminum paint, nacreous pigment, and slightly rough mirror surfaces.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film sensor array is used to scan and capture biometric data, for example, a fingerprint image. In one embodiment, a multi-layer structure includes a PVDF layer in between two conductor grids arranged orthogonally to one another. Urethane can be added to one side where a finger is placed. A foam substrate can be used as a support. In one feature, the PVDF, and grids can be peeled off like a label for easy replacement. Multiplexers are switched to scan the sensor. A single pixel or a group of pixels can be detected and output to an image memory. The presence of a fingerprint ridge is detected by virtue of a ring-down oscillation that arises from reflection when an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric thin film sensor array at a pixel in contact with the fingerprint ridge. For example, such a ring-down value associated with a fingerprint ridge can be detected at about 150 ns. (or 5 cycles at 30 MHZ). Other reflections indicative of additional biometrics (e.g.

Abstract: Molded vinyl sheets with optical quality surfaces and methods for making the same. The vinyl sheets are made by molding liquid vinyl in a mold. In embodiments, the mold forms parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In one embodiment, a stiffening plastic is molded in the middle of the vinyl sheet between the parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In another embodiment, the mold forms one optical quality flat surface while the surface parallel to the optical quality flat surface is bonded to a prism.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for generating a preview display of a captured print image from a non-planar platen and for generating a high resolution display of a user-selected area of the preview display. The display processing system comprises a preview generation module and optionally a high resolution display processing module. After a group of captured radial scan line images is received, the preview generation module determines the representative pixel values for pixels in the group. The polar coordinate system position of the respective group is then converted to a position in the display window coordinates. The representative pixel values are plotted at the corresponding display window coordinates. The operator can request a high resolution display of an area of the preview display. When a request is received, the captured image data within that area is converted to rectangular system coordinates and displayed.

Abstract: Molded silicone rubber sheets with optical quality surfaces and methods for making the same. The silicone rubber sheets are made by molding liquid silicone rubber in a mold. In embodiments, the mold forms parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In one embodiment, a stiffening plastic is molded in the middle of the silicone rubber sheet between the parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In another embodiment, the mold forms one optical quality flat surface while the surface parallel to the optical quality flat surface is bonded to a prism.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a biometric image such as a ten-print fingerprint impression is provided. The system and method can include a ten-print scanner having a platen and a finger guide coupled to the platen. The finger guide can be used to guide positioning a finger slap of four fingers at a time onto the platen. The ten-print scanner can also include at least four indicators that indicate an acceptable scan condition of each finger of a finger slap in response to a detected finger slap image.

Abstract: A method of reliably capturing biometric print images includes determining the print quality of a scanned image, detecting prints in the scanned image, and determining whether the scanned image is ready for capture. The method includes filtering the scanned image, binarizing the filtered image, detecting print area, print contrast, and print shape of the binarized image, and separating the print image into individual print images based on the print area, contrast, and shape. Each individual print image is classified base on a predetermined quality threshold and a quality classification of each individual print image is indicated. The method includes a predetermined capture delay time period, quality time period, and scanner timeout period. An operator can annotate issues regarding missing or unacceptable print images. A system of reliably capturing biometric print images includes a scanner including a print capture manager, a computer, and a communication link between the computer and scanner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating a platen are provided. A hybrid illumination system uses both diffusion and collimation to efficiently provide a flat, uniform illumination at a platen. One or more diffusers are disposed between the illumination source array and a collimating lens. An illumination system is provided which uses diffused light to illuminate a platen in a print scanner. The illumination system has an illumination source array and a light wedge. The light wedge reflects light internally which makes the illumination even more diffuse. Sources are divided into at least a center region and a perimeter region. The density of sources provided in the perimeter region is greater than in the center region to correct for natural light falloff in the illumination system. Intensity control can be performed individually or in groups.

Abstract: A piezoelectric thin film sensor array is used to scan and capture biometric data, for example, a fingerprint image. In one embodiment, a multi-layer structure includes a PVDF layer in between two conductor grids arranged orthogonally to one another. Urethane can be added to one side where a finger is placed. A foam substrate can be used as a support. In one feature, the PVDF, and grids can be peeled off like a label for easy replacement. Multiplexers are switched to scan the sensor. A single pixel or a group of pixels can be detected and output to an image memory. The presence of a fingerprint ridge is detected by virtue of a ring-down oscillation that arises from reflection when an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric thin film sensor array at a pixel in contact with the fingerprint ridge. For example, such a ring-down value associated with a fingerprint ridge can be detected at about 150 ns. (or 5 cycles at 30 MHZ). Other reflections indicative of additional biometrics (e.g.

Abstract: Provided is a multiplexer for a biometric apparatus. The multiplexer includes a plurality of first conductors coupled to the first ends of piezo ceramic elements in corresponding rows and a plurality of first switches each of which is coupled to a respective one of the first conductors and a plurality of second conductors coupled to the second ends of piezo ceramic elements in corresponding columns. The multiplexer also includes a plurality of second switches each of which is coupled to a respective one of the second conductors. The first conductors are approximately orthogonal to the second conductors, and the first switches are controlled to couple a signal output from an output port of the signal generator to a particular piezo ceramic element of the at least twenty five thousand piezo ceramic elements. The second switches are controlled to couple a signal associated with the particular piezo ceramic element of the at least twenty five thousand piezo ceramic elements to an input port of the processor.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of holographic optical elements in the design and application of biometric scanning instruments used typically for capturing biometric information such as fingerprints and handprints. A live print scanning system for generating a high contrast print image is presented. The system includes a flatbed scanner with a scanning surface and an image sensor, a holographic platen placed on the scanning surface, and a reference beam source that provides a reference beam to the holographic platen. A high contrast print image of a biometric object that is placed on the holographic platen is obtained at the image sensor. A method for generating a high contrast print image is also presented.

Abstract: A system and method include a non-planar prism and a scanning imaging system configured to locate and/or scan all or part of a hand print for one or more hands positioned on a curved portion of the non-planar prism. The curved portion can be symmetrical about an axis of symmetry of the non-planar prism. Typically, a print pattern on a palm pocket, a writer's palm, or the like, is hard to capture on a flat surface. In contrast, the non-planar prism of the present invention provides a form so that a print pattern on the palm pocket, writer's palm, or the like, can be captured. Print patterns or different parts of a hand (e.g., fingertips and a writer's palm) are also more easily captured using the non-planar prism. Hand and/or finger characteristic data can also be captured, for example hand geometry (e.g., finger lengths and spacing between fingers). The scanning imaging system can be stationary or it can be rotated along an arcuate scan path about a centerline axis of the optical element.

Abstract: A method and system of obtaining a ten-print plain impression fingerprint includes scanning a print image, processing the scanned image, separating the processed image into individual fingerprint images, and determining how many print images have been scanned. The method also includes comparing the print image to a previously scanned print image, quality classifying the separated images, indicating a quality classification of the print image based on the classifying step, and determining whether the print image is of a good quality. The system can include a ten-print scanner having a finger guide and a platen used to position four finger slaps onto the platen.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for scanning all or part of a hand print for one or more hands positioned on a non-planar portion of a prism. The non-planar portion can be symmetrical about an axis of symmetry of the prism. Typically, a palm pocket, writer's palm, or the like, is hard to capture on a flat surface. In contrast, the non-planar portion of the prism according to embodiments of the present invention provides a form so that the palm pocket, writer's palm, or the like, can be captured. Hand and/or finger characteristic data can also be captured, for example hand geometry (e.g., finger lengths and spacing between fingers). The prism can also include a positioning device (e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of holographic optical elements in the design and application of biometric scanning instruments used typically for capturing biometric information such as fingerprints and handprints. A system and method for capturing print images from select areas of a platen are presented. The system includes a reference beam source that provides a reference beam, holographic material that receives the reference beam, a platen on a surface of the holographic material that receives a biometric object, and an image sensor. Variations in orientation of the reference beam cause differing areas of the platen to be mapped onto the image sensor, thereby obtaining both different image translations and magnifications of at least a portion of the biometric object.

Abstract: A dynamic image adaptation system and method for adjusting the quality of digital prints. The system includes an illumination source that illuminates an imaging surface of a live scanner optical system, the live scanner optical system scanning a biometric object placed on the imaging surface, a camera for capturing the print image of the biometric object placed on the imaging surface, a memory that stores data generated in the system, and a controller that adaptively controls at least one of the illumination source or the camera to obtain the print image with the predetermined quality. The controller adaptively controls the camera and the illumination source by adjusting one or more of contrast, gain, and integration time for the camera, and illumination for the illumination source.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for a biometric sensing apparatus. An apparatus includes an input signal generator configured to produce an activation signal. Also includes is a piezoelectric ceramic sensor having a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic elements arrayed and spaced to (i) receive the activation signal (ii) detect one or more features of a digit proximate to the array in accordance with the received activation signal and (iii) produce output signals representative thereof. A processor is coupled to the sensor to process the output signals.

Abstract: Provided are a method and system for a biometric sensing apparatus. An apparatus includes an input signal generator configured to produce an activation signal. Also includes is a piezoelectric ceramic sensor having a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic elements arrayed and spaced to (i) receive the activation signal (ii) detect one or more features of a digit proximate to the array in accordance with the received activation signal and (iii) produce output signals representative thereof. A processor is coupled to the sensor to process the output signals.

Abstract: A system and method for sending a packet with a position address and line scan data from a first device over a 1394 interface to a second device. The present invention loads a camera, an illuminator, and a microprocessor with set-up instructions and a start pulse. The camera captures a line-by-line image of an object placed on the surface of a sliding prism. Position data, corresponding to the captured line-by-line image, is logged as the position address. The position address is combined with the line-by-line image to form a packet. The packet is sent to the second device for processing and viewing the image.