Abstract: Methods for obtaining biometric identification data for an individual using a sensor and a processor coupled to the sensor are presented. In an embodiment, the present invention involves placing a portion of a biological object such as a finger, thumb, palm or foot of the individual proximate to piezo ceramic elements of the sensor and generating an output signal with the sensor that is representative of at least one feature of the biological object. The output signal is processed using the processor to produce biological data useful for identifying the individual. In an embodiment of the present invention, the sensor includes at least fifty thousand piezo ceramic elements arranged in an array. These piezo ceramic elements are spaced on a pitch equal to or less than approximately two hundred microns. A multiplexer couples the output of the sensor to the processor.

Abstract: Light from an illumination source is injected into a prism of a print scanner through an illumination injection surface that is not directly imaged by an optical system and an image sensor of the print scanner. This light travels across the prism and hits a highly reflective surface of the prism. When this light hits the highly reflective surface, it is scattered and becomes diffused. Some of this diffused light remains in total internal reflection (TIR) within the prism and is reflected off the inside of the platen surface of the prism. The diffused light reflected off the inside of the platen surface is imaged by the optical system and the image sensor.

Abstract: System and methods for authenticating biometric data (e.g., fingerprint data, or the like) have an automatic location selection operation (i.e., a failsafe operation) or a manual location selection operation (i.e., a selectivity operation). These two operations ensure an authentication operation can always quickly and accurately take place. The automatic location selection operation is based on having main system including a local and remote authentication system. If a network link to the remote authentication system is broken, the main system detects that and switches authentication to a local authentication system. The manual location selection operation allows an operator to select, through an input device (e.g., buttons or a switch), whether to perform authentication operations locally or remotely. Even in this manual location selection mode, if remote authentication is selection, but a network link to the remote system is broken, the main system switches to local authentication.

Abstract: A multiplexer for a biometric apparatus having at least fifty thousand piezo ceramic sensor elements arranged in a two-dimensional array on a pitch spacing equal to or less than approximately two hundred microns. The multiplexer includes a plurality of first and second orthogonal conductors. Each of the first conductors is coupled to Y piezo ceramic sensor elements. Each of the second conductors is coupled to X piezo ceramic sensor elements. Switches couple the first conductors to either an output port of a signal generator, a high impedance node, or a low impedance node. Switches also couple the second conductors to either an input port of a processor, a high impedance node, or a low impedance node. Shift registers coupled to the switches are used to control the position of the switched.

Abstract: Devices and methods for applying heat to a platen of a biometric image capturing device are described that remove and prevent the formation of excess moisture on the platen. These devices and methods prevent undesirable interruptions of total internal reflection of a prism that result in biometric images having a halo effect. In embodiments of the invention, an electrically conductive transparent material is used to apply heat to the platen. In other embodiments, resistive heating elements attached to non-optical areas of the platen (e.g., the ends) are used to apply heat to the platen. Heater assemblies according to the invention can be used to heat an area where a biometric object is placed, or an area adjacent to where the biometric object is placed, to remove and prevent the formation of excess moisture on the platen.

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: A rotating optical system includes an optical element and a measuring device for locating and/or scanning a full palm print and/or full palm and fingerprint for a hand positioned on a non-planar surface of an optical element. The hand is placed on the non-planar surface of the optical element. A measuring device can be rotated about a centerline axis of the optical element. During the rotation, a circular image of the full palm print (including thenar, hypothenar, interdigital, palm heel, “writers palm,” palm pocket, and fingertips) and/or full palm and finger prints, and/or hand characteristic information (e.g., hand geometry, spacing, etc.) can be captured by the measuring portion.

Abstract: A calibration and correction procedure for a fingerprint scanner. The calibration and correction procedure performs an automatic calibration procedure and gray level linearity procedure. The automatic calibration procedure includes a brightness function to correct for distortions in brightness, a focus check function to identify when the fingerprint scanner is out of focus, and a geometric distortion function to correct for imperfect linearity in the geometry of the fingerprint scanner. The gray level linearity procedure corrects for linear distortions in brightness and contrast of gray levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for sensing biometric information in a finger with piezo ceramic elements. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an array of discrete piezo ceramic elements and filler. The array of discrete piezo ceramic elements is responsive to acoustic characteristics of parts of the finger. The filler is distributed between the discrete piezo ceramic elements and provides acoustic attenuation and electric isolation between the discrete piezo ceramic elements. A protective layer can receive a ridge pattern of the finger positioned proximate to the array. Air in valleys between ridges of the ridge pattern of the finger acts as an acoustic barrier. A backing layer (air or foam) can also be provided.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for converting biometric image data captured in a first coordinate system into biometric image data in a second coordinate system (e.g., from polar to rectangular). The system includes a receiving module for receiving raw image data captured in a first coordinate system, a coordinate conversion module, and a memory. The conversion system can be implemented in a biometric imaging system or in a system external to a biometric imaging system. After raw image data captured in a first coordinate system has been received, for each pixel in a defined output area, the coordinate conversion module retrieves an entry in a conversion data array and one or more samples from the captured raw image data. The coordinate conversion module then interpolates the retrieved samples using weighting based on the conversion data array entry to obtain the respective pixel value in the second coordinate system.

Abstract: A method is provided that images a full palm print and/or a full palm and fingerprint for a hand positioned on a non-planar surface of an optical element. The hand is placed on the non-planar surface of the optical element. A measuring device can be rotated about a centerline axis of the optical element. During the rotation, a circular image of the full palm print (including thenar, hypothenar, interdigital, palm heel, “writers palm,” palm pocket, and fingertips) and/or full palm and finger prints, and/or hand characteristic information (e.g., hand geometry, spacing, etc.) can be captured by the measuring portion. The optical element can also include a calibration area (e.g., target) that can be used to calibrate the measuring device during each scan and/or be captured with the image for future quality control of the captured image.

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 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: 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: A hand-held fingerprint scanner having local storage of image normalization data is disclosed, as well as a method of manufacturing such a scanner. The image normalization data is representative of fixed pattern noise associated with the image sensor used in the fingerprint scanner. This data may be combined with the raw image data resulting in normalized image data. The image normalization data is stored in non-volatile memory where it can be transmitted to a host processor. Alternatively, the fingerprint scanner may include a normalization processor, allowing transmission of normalized fingerprint images to a host processor. Also disclosed is a fingerprint scanning system having remote fingerprint scanners with local storage of image normalization data.

Abstract: An identification device having a piezoelectric sensor array is used to obtain biometric data. Multiplexers are switched to control the sensor. The device has several operating modes for obtaining a variety of biometric data, including an impedance detection mode, a voltage detection mode, an imaging mode, and a Doppler-shift detection mode. The presence of a fingerprint on the sensor can be used to turn-on the device. The device is capable of capturing a fingerprint, forming a three-dimensional map of a finger bone, and/or determining the direction and speed of arteriole and/or capillary blood flow in a finger. A single pixel or a group of pixels can be detected and readout to a memory. The device can be used as an electronic signature device. The device can operate as part of a personal area network, using a public service layer according to the invention.

Abstract: A scanning device for electronically capturing a fingerprint image, employing a finger guide unit and a platen. The finger guide unit positions a finger for scanning by means of a gap into which the finger is placed. The guide maintains the finger within the print scanning range when used in conjunction with a movable platen. The guide unit is rotatable allowing the guide to be moved to expose the whole movable platen. The finger guide unit has two guide plates disposed adjacent one another creating a gap. The gap width is adjustable by means of an adjustment device, allowing fingers of any size to be properly positioned and guided within the scanner reading range. The guide plates each have an edge lined with low-friction material which contacts the finger when in use. The guide plates each have an extension which serves as a handle for raising the guide unit and as a hanger for suspending the guide unit above the platen for use.

Abstract: A multiplexer for a biometric apparatus having at least fifty thousand piezo ceramic sensor elements arranged in a two-dimensional array on a pitch spacing equal to or less than approximately two hundred microns. The multiplexer includes a plurality of first and second orthogonal conductors. Each of the first conductors is coupled to Y piezo ceramic sensor elements. Each of the second conductors is coupled to X piezo ceramic sensor elements. Switches couple the first conductors to either an output port of a signal generator, a high impedance node, or a low impedance node. Switches also couple the second conductors to either an input port of a processor, a high impedance node, or a low impedance node. Shift registers coupled to the switches are used to control the position of the switched.

Abstract: A scanner section of a reader/scanner device that scans and stores biometric data of an individual with a biometric scanner section. A reader section reads and stores machine readable code data with a code reading section. The machine readable code can be associated with a handheld device held by the individual having their biometric data scanned. The reader/scanner device then decodes the code data and stores decoded data. The biometric data is extracted, either within the reader/scanner device or remotely after being transmitted to a remote device. The extracted biometric data is compared to the decoded data, either within the reader/scanner device or remotely after the decoded data is transmitted to a remote device, to determine if the individual is the person listed on the handheld device. If not, the biometric data can be used to determine their identity if they are in a main database.