Abstract: A fingerprint imaging apparatus for use in an identity verification system or the like. The imaging apparatus includes a carriage rotatably mounted on a frame, with the carriage being driven by a stepper motor. A transparent optical element having an arcuate recess for receiving a finger to be imaged is secured to the frame. The rotatable carriage supports a light source and mirror which are positioned adjacent the optical element. The mirror is positioned with respect to the source and optical element to receive light issuing from the element which originated from the source. The light is reflected by the mirror through a lens arrangement to a second mirror and then to a linear photo-diode array which are also mounted on the carriage. When a finger is positioned in the recess of the optical element, the motor causes the carriage to rotate so that the finger is scanned by the light source. The linear diode-array is periodically read out during the scan with the output of the array containing imaging data.

Abstract: Skin ridge pattern recording apparatus for obtaining and recording skin ridge patterns. A cylindrical transparent element is provided with a central cylindrical bore which, reflects internally. The finger is placed in the bore for producing the skin ridge patterns. The cylindrical element is mounted on a vertical column or post upstanding from a platform which carries a light source projecting a beam of light to the cylindrical element. The light source and a sensitive camera film are carried on a platform which is rotatable with respect to the cylindrical element in which the finger is inserted. The film plane of the camera remains in a fixed relationship with respect to the reflected light from the light source, the angle of incidence being determined by the position of the light source relative to the cylindrical element. The platform is motor driven so that the light source and the film plane of the camera rotate around the cylindrical element to produce the recordation of the skin ridge pattern.