Abstract: The invention provides an image capture system, apparatus and method for capturing a biometric image in high ambient light environments. Reflections from ambient light can introduce unwanted environmental pattern noise that can interfere with extracting information from a captured biometric image. The invention performs attenuation of ambient light without requiring employment of shielding to prevent ambient light from reflecting off of a surface being imaged. As a result, the invention can be deployed into environments with varied indoor or outdoor lighting characteristics.

Abstract: The invention provides a mobile and compact enclosure that can be carried within a pocket of clothing while providing a large dear aperture for both a fingerprint scanner and a visual display contained within the apparatus. The apparatus of this invention is not limited to facilitating one or two-finger fingerprint scanning, and can incorporate a scanner capable of scanning four fingers simultaneously.

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 live scanner having a platen and a finger guide coupled to the platen. The finger guide can be used to guide positioning of up to four fingers at a time onto the platen, and can include a physical barrier for separation of fingers or thumbs. The finger guide and physical barrier allow a determination of whether a left or right hand is placed on the platen. Fingerprint images can be separated into individual fingerprint images that can be placed onto corresponding areas of a fingerprint card.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for obtaining images through a prism are provided. In an embodiment, a thin fingerprint prism wedge, with a geometry designed to minimize foreshortening and maximize contrast, is provided in an optical path between an optical sensor and an object to be imaged. In some embodiments, the apparatus operates on the principle of internal surface reflections instead of total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for obtaining images through a prism are provided. In an embodiment, a thin fingerprint prism wedge, with a geometry designed to minimize foreshortening and maximize contrast, is provided in an optical path between an optical sensor and an object to be imaged. In some embodiments, the apparatus operates on the principle of internal surface reflections instead of total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an illumination source and an imaging sensor is provided to measure an iris for biometric identification purposes. The illumination source is configured to illuminate an eye to produce reflected light. The imaging sensor is configured to receive the reflected light. An optical path is formed for the reflected light from the eye to the imaging sensor.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for obtaining images through a prism are provided. In an embodiment, a thin fingerprint prism wedge, with a geometry designed to minimize foreshortening and maximize contrast, is provided in an optical path between an optical sensor and an object to be imaged. In some embodiments, the apparatus operates on the principle of internal surface reflections instead of total internal reflection (TIR).

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 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 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: 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: 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 light shroud reduces or eliminates the effects of ambient light on an optical fingerprint scanner. Because of the geometry of a prism used in the scanner, ambient light from only certain incidence angles can interfere with an image produced by the scanner. The light shroud blocks this ambient light entering the system at angles which allow the light to interfere with the illumination system or camera. In an embodiment, the light shroud can be closed to act as a cover, protecting the platen surface.

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: A live print scanner includes a transparent tray platen apparatus and a scanning system. The transparent tray platen apparatus includes a base region attached to two rounded side regions. The base region of the tray platen assembly includes a convex portion. A hand is placed atop the base region adjacent to one of the two rounded side regions such that the hand's palm pocket is atop the convex portion. A sensor assembly within the rotary scanning system generates a complete image of a palm print pattern. Because of the side regions and the convex portion, the image generated includes an image of a print pattern on the palm pocket as well as on the side of the palm. A holographic element may be disposed in a light path between an illumination source and the sensor.