Skin Ridge Pattern (e.g., Fingerprint) Patents (Class 396/15)
  • Patent number: 11573409
    Abstract: A contactless type optical device includes an image photographing module configured to photograph a subject, the image photographing module including a photographing lens forming an image of light that is scattered from the subject and is incident on the photographing lens; an illuminator configured to radiate illumination light, the illuminator being disposed within a predetermined distance from the image photographing module; a first lens configured to reduce an incidence angle of the illumination light traveling from the illuminator; and a second lens having a first surface to which the illumination light passing through the first lens is incident to be transmitted, and a second surface to which the subject's scattered light scattered from the subject is incident to be transmitted. The photographing lens is disposed such that the subject's scattered light passing through the second lens is incident on the photographing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SUPREMA ID INC.
    Inventors: Wonseok Ahn, Bogun Park
  • Patent number: 11516361
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an output image including an authentication image for authenticity determination on a medium. The image forming apparatus includes: a recording head configured to discharge a droplet onto the medium; a drive unit configured to perform main scanning in which the recording head moves in a main scanning direction and sub scanning in which the medium is fed in a feeding direction; and a control unit configured to control, based on image formation data representing the output image, the main scanning and the sub scanning performed by the drive unit, and the discharge of the droplet performed by the recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nakano, Yoshiaki Shibasaki, Tomoyuki Kurata, Kazunobu Nimura
  • Patent number: 9280695
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for capturing fingerprint images having a platen (21) sized for at most two fingers of a hand, and an imaging system for enabling capture of fingerprint images presented to the platen (21), in which images of two different finger pairs are captured for each hand of a subject when presented to the platen. At least one processor (27) which determines for each of the images captured a difference in height of at least one characteristic of the fingers in the image. Using said difference in height of the fingers in each of the images, the processor (27) verifies that the correct sequence of specific ones of finger pair was provided by the subject to the platen when images were captured. Fingerprint images acquired from the images may be stored in an electronic record along with thumb prints and subject information, and optionally the height differences for the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CROSS MATCH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Grzegorz Zyzdryn, Daniel H. Raguin
  • Patent number: 8774613
    Abstract: This document relates to a latent fingerprint imaging system. The system includes a light source that illuminates a sample surface having a raw latent fingerprint. The system further includes an optical detector arranged to capture fluorescence instantaneously from gap portions of the sample surface between ridges of the latent fingerprint and use the fluorescence from the gap portions to generate image data of the latent fingerprint on the sample surface. The light from the light source has a wavelength that is greater than a propagation threshold wavelength so the light can propagate from the light source to the sample surface and is less than an absorption threshold wavelength so the light is mostly absorbed by material of the latent fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Miesak
  • Patent number: 8676046
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for gathering, archiving, transmitting, and processing forensic and latent fingerprints. An integrated forensic fingerprint scanning system is provided that includes a number of features for use with forensic-quality fingerprinting. One set of features of embodiments of the portable forensic fingerprint scanning system provides real-time feedback for accurate fingerprinting and training, including visual and/or audio feedback. Another set of features provides cadence-based functionality for improving fingerprinting results. Another set of features provides cryptographic-based approaches to secure highly sensitive collected fingerprint information against loss, theft, or surreptitious modification or tampering. Yet another set of features provides latent fingerprint collections and processing. Still another set of features provides various databasing functions, including centralized storage, data sharing, secure networking, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jack Harper
  • Patent number: 8509501
    Abstract: A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. A processing unit calculates 3D coordinates of the hand from the plurality of images and maps the 3D coordinates to a 2D flat surface to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Laurence G. Hassebrook, Daniel L. Lau, Henry G. Dietz
  • Patent number: 8428450
    Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to an integrated optic module for adapting in a finger sensing apparatus. The integrated optic module comprises an illumination portion including a light guiding array arranged to direct incident light from the electronic module toward the window module at a predetermined angle of incidence and an imaging portion having an imaging lens array arranged thereon to direct reflected light from the window module toward the electronic module for photo imaging. The micro-lens array includes an elongated recognition unit having a row axis substantially normal toward the light guiding array and a navigation unit adjoining the recognition unit and offsetting the row axis thereof. The optic module mediates a window module and an electronic module to provide both finger navigation and fingerprint recognition capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Lite-On Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuldeep Kumar Saxena
  • Patent number: 8331775
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods and systems for gathering, archiving, transmitting, and processing forensic and latent fingerprints. An integrated forensic fingerprint scanning system is provided that includes a number of features for use with forensic-quality fingerprinting. One set of features of embodiments of the portable forensic fingerprint scanning system provides real-time feedback for accurate fingerprinting and training, including visual and/or audio feedback. Another set of features provides cadence-based functionality for improving fingerprinting results. Another set of features provides cryptographic-based approaches to secure highly sensitive collected fingerprint information against loss, theft, or surreptitious modification or tampering. Yet another set of features provides latent fingerprint collections and processing. Still another set of features provides various databasing functions, including centralized storage, data sharing, secure networking, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Jack Harper
  • Patent number: 8315511
    Abstract: A finger authentication device includes a base and an upper case which inclines to a proximal end side with respect to the base, which are integrally formed. The base includes a finger guide on which a finger is set, an optical system for guiding transmissive light penetrating the finger, and an image pick-up unit for picking up a pattern of the light guided by the optical system. Three LEDs each for irradiating the light to the finger set on the finger guide are arranged in the upper case. The light from the LEDs irradiates a center tip and both sides of the finger, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi-Omron Terminal Solutions, Corp.
    Inventors: Katsuya Banno, Takayuki Kameyama
  • Patent number: 8306287
    Abstract: A biometrics authentication system includes: a light source applying light to a living body; a detection section on which the living body is to be placed; a microlens array section configured so that a plurality of microlenses each condensing light from the living body are arranged at intervals; a light shielding section arranged on at least one of a light incidence side and a light exiting side of the microlens array section and having apertures each facing a region where each of the microlenses is arranged; an image pickup device obtaining image pickup data of the living body on the basis of the light condensed by the microlens array section; and an authentication section performing authentication of the living body on the basis of the image pickup data obtained in the image pickup device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Kajihara, Isao Ichimura, Kenji Yamamoto, Toshio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8170300
    Abstract: A biometric image pickup apparatus with a simple configuration capable of reducing light amount variations in a picked-up image. The biometric image pickup apparatus includes: a light source applying light to a living organism; a detection section for placing the living organism thereon; an image pickup lens section condensing light from the living organism; an image pickup device obtaining image pickup data on the basis of the light condensed by the image pickup lens section; and a transmittance distribution filter arranged between the detection section and the image pickup device, in which the transmittance distribution filter has a transmittance distribution in which the transmittance is higher in a region far from the light source than in a region near the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yamamoto, Isao Ichimura
  • Patent number: 8142833
    Abstract: The present invention is related to clear crosslinkable polymeric masses for the registration of fingerprints, allowing to obtain positive reproductions of fingerprints by taking a photograph through a clear cured layer obtained from said polymeric masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Coltene AG
    Inventors: Dierk Lubbers, Stephan Lampl, Ralf Kollefrath
  • Publication number: 20120045192
    Abstract: System and method for improving immersion scanner overlay performance are described. One embodiment is a method of improving overlay performance of an photolithography immersion scanner comprising a wafer table having lens cooling water (“LCW”) disposed in a water channel therein, the wafer table having an input for receiving the LCW into the water channel and an output for expelling the LCW from the water channel. The method comprises providing a water tank at at least one of the wafer table input and the wafer table output; monitoring a pressure of water in the water tank; and maintaining the pressure of the water in the water tank at a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Jui-Cheng PENG, Tzung-Chi FU, Chin-Hsiang LIN, Chien-Hsun LIN, Chun-Hung LIN, Yao-Wen GUO, Shy-Jay LIN, Heng-Hsin LIU
  • Patent number: 8111882
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing a fingerprint whose reference data are stored in a portable data carrier. The reference data contain at least positions and orientations of minutiae and pores and an orientation vector. According to the invention it is provided that the testing of the fingerprint includes first sensing measuring values stating the actual value of the sensed fingerprint and extracting the minutiae and the pores from said measuring values. Then the reference data of the minutiae and the orientation vector are read from the portable data carrier and the minutiae from the sensed fingerprint compared with the corresponding reference data. Subsequently, the position of the pores relative to the minutiae is transmitted to the portable data carrier and the pores are checked in the portable data carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Mueller
  • Patent number: 8064659
    Abstract: The invention refers to a device for the recognition of finger lines. A housing is provided at which a hand contact area is provided for several fingers. Furthermore a thumb contact area for the thumb of the same hand is arranged. The thumb and the hand contact area are arranged angularly to each other. In the housing at least one scanning unit for the hand, respectively the thumb, contact area is provided which serves for recording of at least the finger lines, respectively the thumb lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: TBS Holding AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nothaft, Rudolf Hauke
  • Patent number: 7974448
    Abstract: A personal authentication system using biometrics information, which identifies or authenticates an individual by verifying to-be-verified biometrics characteristic data against previously registered biometrics characteristic data. The system includes a biometrics information inputting section having a function to acquire the to-be-verified biometrics information; a biometrics information converting section converting said to-be-verified biometrics information, acquired through said biometrics information inputting section, into a state to be acquired on a predetermined acquisition condition, said predetermined acquisition condition being a same condition under which the registered biometric information was acquired; and a biometrics characteristic data extracting section extracting to-be-verified biometrics characteristics data from the to-be-verified biometrics information obtained by the conversion in said biometrics information converting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limted
    Inventors: Takashi Shinzaki, Yusaku Fujii
  • Patent number: 7970173
    Abstract: An object-detecting device detects an operation object for operating an operating apparatus. The object-detecting device includes an imaging portion for imaging the operation object and an image processor for extracting the operation object. The operation object has a first face, on which outside light falls from outside into the operating apparatus, and a second face opposite to the first face. The imaging portion images the second face of the operation object. The object-detecting device can stably detect the operation object, even when an illuminance variation of outside light is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Niwa, Isao Aichi, Masayuki Takami
  • Patent number: 7809255
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate and a light receiving portion. On the back surface of the semiconductor substrate a contact surface is provided. The solid-state imaging device photoelectrically converts, in the semiconductor substrate, light transmitted through the object to be imaged in contact with the contact surface, and receives the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion with the light receiving portion, to thereby acquire the image of the object to be imaged. The contact surface is a rough surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Patent number: 7773870
    Abstract: A biometric authentication apparatus includes an illumination section, an imaging section, a photographic subject placing section, and an authentication section. The illumination section irradiates at least near infrared light onto a biological portion placed in contact with a housing surface. The imaging section images a near infrared light image of the biological portion. The photographic subject placing section is provided in the vicinity of the illumination section, in which at least a part of the light emanation portion of the illumination section on a side where the imaging section is disposed is covered by the photographic subject when the photographic subject is placed. The authentication section performing biometric authentication by making a comparison between a specific pattern extracted from the near infrared light image of the biological portion imaged by the imaging section and a preliminarily registered specific pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Naruse
  • Patent number: 7689013
    Abstract: In an identifying device for performing personal identification using biometrics information such as an iris, face, blood vessel pattern, auricle, fingerprint, palm print, hand print or the like, in order to surely discriminate a living body from a non-living body and to surely preclude illegal use by impersonation using a forged fingerprint or the like, a biometrics information input section samples/inputs biometrics information for verification as image information from a living body portion relatively moving with respect to this biometrics information input section, and living-body detection surfaces in a living-body detecting means is arranged in contact with or in the proximity to the living body portion being moved with respect to the biometrics information input section so as to input the biometrics information for verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Takashi Shinzaki
  • Patent number: 7623847
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7599613
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a main body, a cover having a through hole, an image sensor and a first lens received in the main body, a second lens received in the through hole, and a light source embedded in the main body. The first lens has a bottom surface with a first curved portion, a first flat surface and a side surface. The light source is configured for illuminating the first flat surface. The second lens has a top surface with a second curved portion, and a second flat surface. Wherein the cover is movable relative to main body between a first position where the second lens is away from the first lens such that the first flat surface is exposed, and a second position where the second flat surface faces towards the first flat surface and the second curved portion aligns with the first curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 7574023
    Abstract: A fingerprint image pickup device includes a light source that emits a light for transmission through a fingertip portion having a fingerprint to be photographed, an image pickup unit that picks up the light from the light source and transmitted through the subject to acquire a fingerprint image in which convex and concave parts of the fingerprint are dark and bright, respectively, and an optical system that images the light transmitted through the fingertip portion on the image pickup unit. The optical system is arranged so that a distal side of the fingertip portion is tilted, at a predetermined angle, farther away from the optical system than an opposite side, with reference to a position at which a ventral side of the fingertip portion contacts a face orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Emiko Sano, Masahiro Shikai, Akihide Shiratsuki, Toshiro Nakashima, Takahiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7519205
    Abstract: A biometrics method based on a thermal image of a finger includes the steps of: acquiring the thermal image of the finger; and extracting a finger-print image or a finger-vein image from the thermal image and thus verifying a user's identity according to the finger-print image or the finger-vein image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Egis Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce C. S. Chou
  • Patent number: 7519281
    Abstract: For performing a fingerprint security function in an electronic device having a camera unit, a focus of a lens in the camera unit is adjusted to a first focus level when a control signal set indicates a normal photograph mode. Alternatively, the focus of the lens in the camera unit is adjusted to a second focus level different from the first focus level when the control signal set indicates a fingerprint photograph mode. Thus, existing components of the built-in camera are used to minimize cost and time for production of the electronic device that performs the fingerprint security function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Jae Lee, Seo-Kyu Kim
  • Publication number: 20080260365
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a main body, a cover having a through hole, an image sensor and a first lens received in the main body, a second lens received in the through hole, and a light source embedded in the main body. The first lens has a bottom surface with a first curved portion, a first flat surface and a side surface. The light source is configured for illuminating the first flat surface. The second lens has a top surface with a second curved portion, and a second flat surface. Wherein the cover is movable relative to main body between a first position where the second lens is away from the first lens such that the first flat surface is exposed, and a second position where the second flat surface faces towards the first flat surface and the second curved portion aligns with the first curved portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JEN-TSORNG CHANG
  • Patent number: 7369688
    Abstract: A template minutia set of a fingerprint comprising template minutiae and a template interest region is provided. Further, an input minutia set comprising input minutiae and an input interest region according to an input fingerprint is provided. The input minutia set is matched with the template minutia set. All matching template/input minutiae are determined. Furthermore, an updated template minutia set is determined dependent on the matching template/input minutiae and the non-matching template/input minutiae, and dependent on whether the template minutiae are inside the input interest region or outside of it and whether the input minutiae are inside the template interest region or outside of it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological Univeristy
    Inventors: Wee Ser, Xudong Jiang, Wei Yun Yau
  • Patent number: 7361919
    Abstract: A multi-biometric finger sensor may sense different biometric characteristics that have different matching selectivities and that have at least a known spatial relationship. The sensor may include an integrated circuit substrate for receiving a user's finger adjacent thereto, and a first set of biometric sensing pixels on the substrate for sensing a first finger biometric characteristic to generate first finger biometric characteristic data having a first matching selectivity. The sensor may also include a second set of biometric sensing pixels on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing a second finger biometric characteristic different than the first finger biometric characteristic to generate second finger biometric characteristic data with a known spatial relationship to the first fingerprint characteristic data. The second finger biometric characteristic data may have a second matching selectivity less than the first matching selectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Authentec, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale R. Setlak
  • Patent number: 7363023
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. A V-shaped groove is provided adjacent an operation panel, the V-shaped groove containing a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward. The V-shaped groove may contain a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7358515
    Abstract: A multi-biometric finger sensor includes a plurality of electric field fingerprint sensing pixels on an integrated circuit substrate for sensing an image of the user's finger, and at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing a finger biometric characteristic different than the image of the user's finger. Each of the electric field fingerprint sensing pixels may include an electric field sensing electrode, a guard shield surrounding the electric field sensing electrode, and an amplifier connected between the electric field sensing electrode and the guard shield. The sensor may also include a finger drive electrode adjacent the plurality of electric field sensing pixels, and a processor connected to the electric field fingerprint sensing pixels and the at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Authentec, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Setlak, Richard J. Jones, Gordon S. Franza
  • Patent number: 7358514
    Abstract: A multi-biometric finger sensor may include infrared sensing pixels on an integrated circuit substrate for sensing infrared radiation emitted from the user's finger, and at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor on the integrated circuit substrate for sensing a finger biometric characteristic different than the infrared radiation emitted from the user's finger. The sensor may also include a processor connected to the plurality of infrared sensing pixels and the at least one other finger biometric characteristic sensor. Each of the infrared sensing pixels may include at least one infrared antenna and at least one temperature sensor connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Authentic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Setlak, Richard J. Jones, Gordon S. Franza
  • Patent number: 7324807
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7321759
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel, a V-shaped groove is provided which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7321758
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7321757
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7321760
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7321756
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Publication number: 20070237504
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate and a light receiving portion. On the back surface of the semiconductor substrate a contact surface is provided. The solid-state imaging device photoelectrically converts, in the semiconductor substrate, light transmitted through the object to be imaged in contact with the contact surface, and receives the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion with the light receiving portion, to thereby acquire the image of the object to be imaged. The contact surface is a rough surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Publication number: 20070230929
    Abstract: An object-detecting device detects an operation object for operating an operating apparatus. The object-detecting device includes an imaging portion for imaging the operation object and an image processor for extracting the operation object. The operation object has a first face, on which outside light falls from outside into the operating apparatus, and a second face opposite to the first face. The imaging portion images the second face of the operation object. The object-detecting device can stably detect the operation object, even when an illuminance variation of outside light is large.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Niwa, Isao Aichi, Masayuki Takami
  • Patent number: 7215881
    Abstract: A portable communication apparatus having a camera module with a camera lens. The apparatus comprises a correction lens arranged to facilitate for said camera module to register a sharp image of an object which is in an immediate vicinity of said correction lens. The apparatus also comprises a controller coupled to said camera module and being arranged to perform an analysis of the registered image of said object and provide an output which is indicative of a result of said analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Borngräber, Christian Zündt
  • Patent number: 7016520
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured for use with a digital camera to capture images of a fingerprint with the camera. The digital camera includes a primary lens for general photography purposes. The apparatus includes an accessory lens assembly including a first surface for supporting a finger to be imaged. The accessory lens assembly is configured to direct light reflected from the finger to the primary lens of the digital camera. A connection mechanism connects the accessory lens assembly to the digital camera. The accessory lens assembly is movable via the connection mechanism to cover the primary lens for fingerprint imaging, and is movable via the connection mechanism away from the primary lens to allow the digital camera to be used for general photography purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Melvin Butterworth
  • Patent number: 6996258
    Abstract: A portable information terminal device comprising: an enclosure 180 of the portable information terminal device, an imaging element 143 provided within the enclosure 180, a first lens 141 provided within the enclosure 180 for the imaging element 143, a second lens 142, which focal length is shorter than that of the first lens, provided within the enclosure 180 for the imaging element 143, a lens selection means 180, provided within the enclosure 180, for selecting one of the first lens 141 and the second lens 142 so that a focal point of a selected lens is at the imaging element 143, and a transparent plate 122 for pressing a tip of a finger 131 of an user of the portable information terminal device, wherein the imaging element 143 captures fingerprint of the tip of the finger 131 on the transparent plate 122 by the second lens 142 selected by the lens selection means 180.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Nakamura, Naoki Hikishima
  • Publication number: 20020090211
    Abstract: An apparatus for implementing readout of a fingerprint irradiates a fingertip with light via a transparent base plate. When implementing touch-and-move of the finger on the transparent base plate, an image sensor of a slim piece implements readout of reflected light formed by the asperity of the fingerprint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Yukito Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20010018153
    Abstract: A method of exposure while gradually reducing the exposure at peripheral parts when transferring patterns to a plurality of areas on a substrate where the peripheral parts are partially superposed, including exposing one shot area of the substrate through a density filter set so that the energy at the peripheral parts becomes a predetermined first distribution, measuring the distribution of exposure at portions corresponding to the peripheral parts on the substrate, determining a second distribution where the exposure at the peripheral parts becomes a target value based on the measured distribution of exposure, and exposes the shot areas adjoining the one shot area through a density filter set to give the second distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Irie
  • Patent number: 6241288
    Abstract: A fingerprint identification/verification system using bitmaps of a stored fingerprint to correlate with a bitmap of an input fingerprint, wherein an accurate reference point is located and selected two-dimensional areas in the vicinity of the reference point of the input image of the fingerprint are correlated with stored fingerprint recognition information to determine if the input fingerprint image and the stored fingerprint recognition information are sufficiently similar to identify/verify the input fingerprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Precise Biometrics AB
    Inventors: Jerker Bergenek, Christer Fåhraeus, Linus Wiebe, Mårten Öbrink
  • Patent number: 6052475
    Abstract: A fingerprint detector that uses a skin resistance sensing array for producing a sample trajectory signal when a fingertip is moved across the sensing array surface. The sample trajectory signal represents the electrical conductance changes in the resistance of ridges and valleys of the fingertip. The fingerprint detector also includes a sampling circuit coupled to a processor. In addition, a technique is disclosed for detecting and verifying a fingerprint by moving a fingertip relative to the skin resistance sensing array. The sample trajectory signal produced is translated into a digital signal by the sampling circuit. The processor receives the digital sample trajectory signal for comparison with a known reference trajectory signal. The processor produces a verification signal if a threshold probability that the same fingertip generated both signals is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Eric L. Upton