Abstract: A housing in accordance with the invention includes a platen therein having a platen surface adapted to be contacted by a digit of a person's hand and first and second exterior surfaces. The first surface has an aperture, and the platen surface is in register with the aperture for contact by a digit. The second surface is displaced from the first to provide a grasping surface. The housing is shaped to orient the digit relative to the platen to ensure a firm grip of the housing and is also shaped such that the second surface contacts four digits of the user's hand while a chosen, fifth digit is positioned on the platen. A further, optional feature is base which is shaped to support the housing so that the housing is universally positionable in the base to a preselected position for grasping the first and second surfaces and acquiring the print.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for commerce through a set-top box in which fingerprint data is employed. After prompting an operator to make a purchase through the set-top box, the operator provides fingerprint data to the set-top box. Account information of the operator is also obtained and conveyed to a remote location. The fingerprint data is compared to stored fingerprint data of the operator, and, in the event that the fingerprint data provided to the set-top box matches the stored fingerprint data, the operator's account is billed for any purchases that are made. The stored fingerprint data can be stored within the set-top box, a remote server, a central station, or on a card. Also disclosed is an improved set-top box of the type operable by a wireless control. The set-top box according to the invention includes a fingerprint reader either on the set-top box or the wireless control. The fingerprint reader acquires prints from a digit of an operator.

Abstract: A portable notarization system. The notarization system includes in one housing both a fingerprint acquisition device and an account identification device. Signals representative of the fingerprint and the identified account are conveyed together from the housing to a remote location. The notarization system further includes a receiver which receives an authentication signal that confirms that the operator is authorized to charge a transaction against an account. Also disclosed is a combination set top box and a remote control, wherein the remote control includes a fingerprint reader. The remote control conveys in wireless manner a signal representative of the fingerprint to the set top box. The set top box stores a plurality of service level settings and preference settings. The set top box compares received fingerprint signals to stored fingerprint data for a match.

Abstract: Enhanced performance of an uneven surface image transfer apparatus is provided by using a well-defined convergent field of illumination that is nominally focussed at the stop of an imaging lens. An integrated optical system exhibiting such enhanced performance includes an aspheric illuminating lens that directs radiant energy onto a presentation platen from which fingerprint or bar code images are transferred to an external image sensing device, such as a charged coupled device chip. An evanescent wave image is totally internally reflected (TIR) off of the platen along an optical path including a plurality of TIR surfaces to achieve a predetermined optical path length. One or more of the TIR surfaces may be curved to reduce or eliminate astigmatism and geometric distortion. An aspheric imaging lens having a split-axis aperture stop transfers the image rays to the image sensing device. The split axis aperture stop has its stop axes on opposite sides of the nominal focal point of the aspheric illuminating lens.

Abstract: There is provided an ergonomic fingerprint acquisition device comprising a housing having first and second exterior surfaces, the housing enclosing: a platen; a light source for irradiating the platen and any digit thereon with light; a light conducting plate; and image sensing device. The platen is disposed in register with an aperture in the first exterior surface. The second exterior surface is displaced from the first exterior surface to provide a grasping surface. The housing has a prehensile shape such as a sphere to permit grasping the first and second exterior surfaces while the person's digit presses on the platen so that the digit applies even pressure to the platen and a broad print of the digit is acquired. The print may be conveyed to a remote location by a conductive wire, optical cable, infrared, inductive pickup, or radio frequency.