Abstract: A deposit module is described. The deposit module comprises: a port for receiving a bunch of media items; a bunch characterization device operable to characterize the bunch prior to individual media items being removed from the bunch of media items; and a media separator for removing individual media items from the bunch and for transporting the removed individual media items to a media item validator subsequent to characterization of the bunch of media items.

Abstract: An optical module includes a housing with a lighting mechanism, an aperture formed therein, and a window that frames a transparent surface adapted to contact a skin surface of a person, for example, a fingertip. The lighting mechanism provides light to illuminate the skin surface placed upon the transparent surface. A prism has a first side facing the lighting mechanism, a second side at the window, and a third side through which a dactylographic image exits the prism. One or more light reflecting surfaces are disposed within the housing to reflect the dactylographic image towards the housing aperture. The optical module is coupled to a mobile device having a camera, with the aperture of the housing aligning with a lens of the camera. The camera acquires the dactylographic image, and the mobile device adjusts this dactylographic image to produce a dactylographic image suitable for biometric matching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of determining a representation of a fingerprint pattern. The method comprises the steps of acquiring a reference signal indicative of an electric coupling between a hand surface having friction ridges and a reference sensing structure extending across a plurality of the friction ridges; and determining the representation of the fingerprint pattern based on the reference signal and a capacitive coupling between the finger and each of a plurality of sensing elements. The acquired reference signal can, for example, be used for controlling the sensing elements so that the sensing performed by the sensing elements is carried out using favorable timing, when the signal quality is good. Alternatively, or in combination, the acquired reference signal may be used for post-processing, whereby the signals/signal values obtained by the sensing elements are modified depending on the corresponding values of the reference signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for classifying a liquid patient sample includes at least one sample container having a quantity of a sample that is aggressively acted upon so as to create a flow field. A measurement mechanism includes at least one low angle light emitter aligned with a measurement window of the at least one sample container and a detector oppositely disposed relative to the measurement window. Measurement of the scattered light detects particle characteristics of a moving flow field from the sample to determine, for example, the amount of agglutination of the sample so as to perform blood typing or other classifications without spatial separation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the effectiveness of pigment transfer in a tamper evident tape. A test area can be established on a substrate upon which a residual image is formed by pulling a tamper-evident tape. The test area is divided into a predefined number of units. Then, the number of units in which a residual is left behind on a surface of the substrate can be counted and compared to the number of units within an area of un-applied tamper-evident tape of identical application design such that a percentage of units remaining on the substrate after removal of the tamper-evident tape with the residual comprises a criterion for evaluating a relative effectiveness of the tamper-evident tape.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting technique presents, to a test thermoreflective mark at a first temperature, a first electromagnetic wave. A first test reflective profile for the test thermoreflective mark associated with the first temperature is recorded. A second electromagnetic wave is presented to the test thermoreflective mark at a second temperature. A second test reflective profile for the test thermoreflective mark associated with the second temperature is recorded. The first test reflective profile is compared with a first control reflective profile that is associated with a genuine thermoreflective mark. The second test reflective profile is compared with a second control reflective profile that is associated with the genuine thermoreflective mark.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for utilizing one or more input methods for passwords. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of determining, by one or more processors, one or more input methods supported for a password entry, wherein the password entry verifies a user's credentials; receiving, by one or more processors, a candidate password through the one or more input methods, wherein each character of the candidate password has an associated input method; and storing, by one or more processors, the candidate password as the password entry, along with the associated input method for each character of the candidate password.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an identification system which includes an image sensor, a storage unit and a comparing unit. The image sensor captures a plurality of images of the motion trajectory generated by a user at different timings. The storage unit has stored motion vector information of a group of users including or not including the user generating the motion trajectory. The comparing unit compares the plurality of images with the motion vector information to identify the user. The present invention also provides an identification method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lock and key security, the lock including a light receptacle, a scatter pattern detecting module, and a locking mechanism, the key including a light source and a prism, the lock and key security including receiving, in the light receptacle of the lock, light transmitted by the light source in the key through the prism; identifying, by the scatter pattern detecting module, a scatter pattern of the received light; comparing, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the scatter pattern to a unique preauthorized pattern for operating the lock; if the scatter pattern matches the unique preauthorized pattern, switching, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the current locking state of the locking mechanism; and if the scatter pattern does not match the unique preauthorized pattern, maintaining the current locking state of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for utilizing one or more input methods for passwords. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of determining, by one or more processors, one or more input methods supported for a password entry, wherein the password entry verifies a user's credentials; receiving, by one or more processors, a candidate password through the one or more input methods, wherein each character of the candidate password has an associated input method; and storing, by one or more processors, the candidate password as the password entry, along with the associated input method for each character of the candidate password.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultra thin optical scanning device for a portable information device, which includes an LED as a light source and totally reflects light from an object-side surface to form an image, thereby increasing a contrast ratio of the image and improving the resolution thereof. The ultra thin optical scanning device includes a light emitting device that emits light for sensing an object, an object-side surface contacting the object and totally reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting device, an image formation part collecting the light totally reflected by the object-side surface, and transmitting the light, and a light receiver part forming an image by using the light transmitted by the image formation part.

Abstract: A fingerprint image capturing module includes a light-emitting element, a light-splitting element, a first light-reflecting element, a second light-reflecting element, a lens assembly and a fingerprint image sensing element, characterized in that: a projection light beam generated by the light-emitting element is reflected by the light-splitting element and the first light-reflecting element in sequence to form an illumination light beam that passes through a light-transmitting element and is projected onto a fingerprint of a finger, the illumination light beam is reflected by the finger to form an image light beam that is reflected by the first light-reflecting element, the image light beam sequentially passes through the light-splitting element and the lens assembly and is projected onto the fingerprint image sensing element through the second light-reflecting element, and the fingerprint image sensing element receives the image light beam to obtain a fingerprint image of the fingerprint of the finger.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter include a computer program product for validating a test thermoreflective mark. The computer program product can include computer usable program code configured to control a temperature regulation unit configured to govern a temperature of a thermoreflective mark. The computer usable program code can be further configured to control an electromagnetic waver emitter to present at a first temperature, a first electromagnetic wave. The computer usable program code can be further configured to record a first reflective profile. The computer usable program code can be further configured to control the electromagnetic wave emitter to present at a second temperature, a second electromagnetic wave. The computer usable program code can be further configured to record a second reflective profile. The computer usable code can be further configured to validate the thermoreflective mark based on the first reflective profile and the second reflective profile.

Abstract: An Optical Filter Security Invention incorporating an interactive system into a user authentication process (user name and password) and adding an additional simple layer of security that makes it much safer to perform online communications and transactions. It relates to the capability of the human eye to process information using a unique filter, such as a hand held card or a smart phone application, and the user's feedback of a security code into the computer for certification and protection of information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non deactivable security markers comprising the combination of at least two types of nanoparticles of materials presenting Raman effect, wherein said nanoparticles are in a dispersed state or is forming agglomerates of between 2 and 500 nanoparticles. The invention also relates to security documents, articles or elements incorporating these markers, as well as to a method and system for the detection thereof.

Abstract: Described is a characteristic verification system that includes security marks, devices, systems and methods that may be used to authenticate a material good and to provide strong brand protection. A device, such as a smartphone, that includes a software application, a camera and a light source, may be used to interrogate the security mark and connect to remote servers to authenticate the material good at varying levels of assurance. In addition to authenticating the good, the system may also authenticate the user and provide different information to different users and/or limit information that is provided unauthenticated users.

Abstract: A fingerprint sensor module includes a lens, a filter, a first reflector, an image capturing module for capturing a first fingerprint image and a second fingerprint image, and at least one first light source for providing the needed light source at the time of the image capturing module capturing the fingerprint image. A top surface and a bottom surface of the lens are planes. The lens defines at least one first area and a second area. The filter is disposed under the lens. The filter is corresponding to the first area of the lens for reflecting the first fingerprint image corresponding to the first area. The first reflector is disposed under the lens. The first reflector is corresponding to the second area of the lens for reflecting the second fingerprint image corresponding to the second area.

Abstract: A compact authentication device that prevents user from feeling pressure and is strong against external light, when capturing an image of a finger blood vessel pattern with transmitted light. The device includes a guidance part for determining the finger position, a light source disposed on at least one side of the guidance part to emit light to be transmitted though the finger, an image capture part for capturing the transmitted light, a shading unit for limiting an irradiation region of the light, a finger thickness measuring unit, a unit for controlling a light amount of the light source based on a result of the measurement, a unit for recording registered image patterns of the finger, a unit for collating a captured image pattern from the image capture part with the registered patterns, and a unit for controlling different processing according to the collation result.

Abstract: A paper medium identifying device and an identifying method. The paper medium identifying device comprises an image data obtaining unit, a faulty wire detecting unit, an image dividing unit, a standard template data storage unit, a comprehensive analyzing unit, a new template generating unit and a judging unit. The paper medium identifying device divides the standard template into new sub-templates by dividing the template from a faulty wire position as margin, and then matches the sub-templates with a papery medium image which being identified so as to avoid the influence of faulty wires on the template match identification and improve the acceptance rate of the papery medium identifying device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for checking the degree of soiling of bank notes. To this end, the bank notes are conveyed along a transport path and illuminated by at least one light source with visible light of the blue spectral range. The light reflected and/or emitted by the bank notes, and/or the light having penetrated the bank notes due to transmission, is detected by means of at least one sensor and evaluated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a defect inspection device that has an illumination optical system; a detection optical system; and a processing unit which includes a defect feature quantity calculation unit that calculates the feature quantities of each defect candidate, a defect candidate grouping unit that groups the aforementioned defect candidates on the basis of the feature quantities, a defect classification evaluation value calculation unit that calculates defect classification evaluation values for the aforementioned defect candidates, a defect classification evaluation value updating unit that, on the basis of instructions, updates the evaluation values, a defect classification threshold determination unit that, on the basis of evaluation valued updated by the aforementioned defect classification evaluation value updating unit, determines a classification boundary that is a threshold for classifying defect types of the aforementioned defect candidates, and a defect detection unit that detects defects using the thresho

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a sheet conveyed by a conveyance unit includes a first illumination unit to irradiate the sheet with visible light, a second illumination unit to irradiate the sheet with visible light and infrared light from an angle different from that of the first illumination unit, and an imaging unit to receive visible light and infrared light reflected from the sheet and to capture a visible image and an infrared image.

Abstract: A method for paying out banknotes by cash machines and a cash machine for carrying out the method. For each banknote paid out to a customer, an individual characteristic feature of the banknote that distinguishes it from other banknotes is recorded. In addition, the data of the customer and/or the data for the paying-out transaction are recorded for each banknote dispensed to a customer. The cash machine is equipped with at least one sensor for sensing the individual characteristic feature of each banknote to be dispensed.

Abstract: A printer with integral scanner obtains a digital signature from an article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. The authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image is displayed with the matched digital signature to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a highly reliable relief pattern detection device 1, including a slant FOP 3 having an input end surface 4 with which an object surface makes contact and an output end surface 5 substantially parallel to the input end surface 4, an irradiation light source 10 disposed on the output end surface 5 side of the slant FOP 3, for irradiating the output end surface 5 with light, and a CCD camera 11 disposed on the output end surface 5 side of the slant FOP 3, for detecting a relief pattern based on light emitted from the output end surface 5, in which optical axes Rf of optical fibers are inclined so as to create a first angle ? less than 90° in one direction from the output end surface 5 within a predetermined plane substantially perpendicular to the output end surface 5, the irradiation light source 10 irradiates the output end surface 5 with light in a direction to create a second angle ? less than 90° in the other direction from the output end surface 5 within the predetermi

Abstract: A method carries out a soiling check of the measurement window of a measuring device for checking sheet material. A measuring device carries out the method. A device for processing a sheet material comprises the measuring device. The soiling check uses, only areas of the measurement window which correspond, in terms of width and position in the beam path of a light, to the areas of the checked sheet material which are checked during the checking of the sheet material. As a result, fewer cleaning steps are needed for the measurement window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, computer program product, and system for preventing an inadvertent configuration of an electrical device provided with an infrared interface (30). The method, computer program product, and system include activation of one or more infrared buttons (31, 32, 33, or 34) provided on the infrared interface (30) in order to configure the electrical device. The method, computer program product, and system include a display (40) that indicates an infrared button sequence), wherein said button sequence is entered before the configuration occurs and includes activation of at least a first infrared button (31, 32, 33, or 34) and at least a second infrared button (31, 32, 33, or 34).

Abstract: A paper sheets identification apparatus to identify the monetary kinds of paper sheets and to determine whether or not they are genuine provides for a simplified and general purpose detection to be performed irrespectively of the difference in the portions of each of such sheets in which their optical characteristics are arranged. The paper sheets identification apparatus includes a light emitting element; a light receiving element disposed opposite to the light emitting element with the transport path of such sheets interposed therebetween; a plurality of reflective mirrors to conduct light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element; and a guide to move at least one of the reflective mirrors to the direction crosswise to the transport direction of such sheets within a surface in parallel with the carriage surface.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a data storage section configured to store image data as a density image containing a fingerprint or a palm print and ridge pattern direction distribution data which shows a direction distribution of a ridge pattern in a fingerprint or a palm print; a direction usage image enhancing section configured to execute ridge direction usage image enhancement processing on the density image based on the ridge pattern direction distribution data; and a direction extracting section configured to extract a first direction distribution of a first pattern which is contained in a ridge direction usage image enhanced image, from the ridge direction usage image enhanced image as a result of the ridge direction usage image enhancement processing to the density image. The direction usage image enhancing section executes first direction usage image enhancement processing on the density image based on first direction distribution data which shows a first direction distribution.

Abstract: Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of goods and articles. Spectral information may be employed in process control and/or quality control of media, for example financial instruments, identity documents, legal documents, medical documents, financial transaction cards, and/or other media, fluids for example lubricants, fuels, coolants, or other materials that flow, and in machinery, for example vehicles, motors, generators, compressors, presses, drills and/or supply systems. Spectral information may be employed in identifying biological tissue and/or facilitating diagnosis based on biological tissue.

Abstract: An identification medium, in which a pattern is clearly altered in observation through a right-handed circularly polarizing filter and observation through a left-handed circularly polarizing filter, is provided. The identification medium is formed by laminating a cholesteric liquid crystal layer, a ?/4 plate, and a linearly polarizing filter layer, in that order, from an observing side. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer is formed with a hologram and selectively reflects light. In an observation through a circularly polarizing filter that transmits the light reflected at the cholesteric liquid crystal layer, light reflected at a pattern printed layer is not perceived due to the function of a circularly polarizing layer. Images are clearly altered by switching a right-handed and a left-handed circularly polarizing filter.

Abstract: An identification medium is provided in which latent image having plural colors can be observed even when the identification medium is spaced away from a polarization filter. A cholesteric liquid crystal layer is provided as a specific polarization light reflection layer which reflects light having a specific polarized condition. An optical anisotropic layer having an optical anisotropy is provided at an upper position overlapping with the specific polarization light reflection layer. An image A fanned by an area having an optical anisotropy different from that of surroundings is formed at the optical anisotropic layer. When the identification medium is directly viewed, the influence of the optical anisotropy cannot be seen. When the identification medium is observed via a circular polarization filter, the image can be seen to have a specific color by the influence of the optical anisotropy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a security element (20) for security papers, value documents and the like having a diffraction pattern that exhibits an embossed relief pattern (24, 26) and a coating layer (28, 32) that increases the visibility of the diffraction effect of the embossed relief pattern (24, 26). According to the present invention, the relief pattern (24, 26) is formed on the basis of a cholesteric liquid crystalline material (24) and the coating layer (28, 32) includes a reflective (28) and/or a high-index layer (32).

Abstract: Methods and sensors are disclosed for executing a biometric function. Illumination light is generated and directed to a deformable layer when the deformable layer is in a state of deformation resulting from pressure applied to the deformable layer by a skin site. Light scattered from the deformable layer is received. A fingerprint pattern of the skin site is determined from the received light. The biometric function is performed with the determined fingerprint pattern.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an object, comprising determining a physical dispersion pattern of a set of elements, determining a physical characteristic of the set of elements which is distinct from a physical characteristic producible by a transfer printing technology, determining a digital code associated with the object defining the physical dispersion pattern, and authenticating the object by verifying a correspondence of the digital code with the physical dispersion pattern, and verifying the physical characteristic.

Abstract: A paper-sheet recognition apparatus includes a paper-sheet information acquisition unit that acquires paper-sheet information including an image data of the paper sheet; a candidate narrowing-down unit that narrows down a number of type candidates of the paper sheet to a small number of types based on the image data included in the paper-sheet information; a type determining unit that determines one type from the type candidates narrowed down by the candidate narrowing-down unit based on the image data included in the paper-sheet information; authenticity recognition unit that recognizes authenticity of the paper sheet as to each type candidate narrowed down by the candidate narrowing-down unit; an execution instructing unit that issues an instruction such that the type determining unit and the authenticity recognition unit are operated concurrently; and a final judgment unit that performs a final judgment on the paper sheet by combining the type determined by the type determining unit and authenticity recogn

Abstract: A method of enabling an authenticating device (10) includes providing an enabling target (17); measuring one or more attributes of the enabling target with the authenticating device; comparing at least one measured attribute with a predetermined expected value; enabling the authenticating device when the at least one measured attribute matches the predetermined expected value; and operating the authenticating device.

Abstract: A white list inside or outside determining apparatus includes: a first feature data extracting unit which extracts first feature data from an image by using a first transformation formula created based on preliminary learning images; a second feature data extracting unit which extracts second feature data from an image by using a second transformation formula created from the preliminary learning images and application learning images; a first matching unit which performs matching between a registration image and a collation image by using the first transformation formula; and a second matching unit which performs matching between a registration image and a collation image by using the second transformation formula. Weights of a matching result of the first matching unit and a matching result of the second matching unit are changed according to the number of preliminary learning images and the number of application learning images.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatuses are provided for a thin high contrast optical acquisition system for fingerprint recognition. In one embodiment, an apparatus for determining validity of a fingerprint includes a light refracting device (light refractor), a light source, a light collecting device, and a controller. The light refracting device can, for example, be a TFT light panel structure or an active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) panel structure with reverse current measurement and amplification circuitry, and includes an imaging surface and a viewing plane. Incident light from the light source is projected directly or indirectly onto the imaging surface to create an image of the patterned object from the projected light onto the viewing plane. The apparatus is configured to have a thin form factor, which may be flexible or conformable, compared to conventional optical fingerprint acquisition apparatuses.

Abstract: Testing the authenticity of a valuable document, whereby at least one intensity distribution of electromagnetic radiation passing through the valuable document in the dark field is detected in a spatially resolved manner and a spatially resolved dark field characteristic is determined therefrom. The actual authenticity test is then performed by a procedure in which selected test partial regions of the valuable document are assigned respectively to one of a plurality of suspicion classes, an interconnection region is formed from substantially interconnected test partial regions that were assigned to at least one specific suspicion class, and the valuable document, depending on the form and/or position of the interconnection region, is assigned to one of at least two authenticity categories which is linked to the at least one specific suspicion class.

Abstract: A printer with integral scanner for obtaining a digital signature from a sheet of paper or other article as it is printed. The integral scanner has a coherent source which directs a light beam to illuminate the article and a detector arrangement to collect data points from light scattered from many different parts of the article to collect a large number of independent data points, typically 500 or more. The digital signature derived from the data points is stored in a database with an image of what was printed on the article. At a later time, the authenticity of an article purported to be the originally printed article can be verified by scanning the purported genuine article to obtain its digital signature. The database is then searched, to establish whether there is a match. If a match is found, the image stored in the database with the matched digital signature is displayed to the user to allow a further visual check that the article is genuine.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for recording a fingerprint, with authenticity identification, using a fingerprint recording device which is connected to a data processing instrument and has a prism body with a contact face, an illumination unit for illuminating a finger disposed on the contact face, and a first camera sensor for recording a fingerprint image.

Abstract: A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as banknotes moving along a document conveyer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for checking value documents with a detection device having at least two photodetectors through which the detection light of the value document is detectable in at least two different spectral regions. The detection device contains a collecting optic common to the photodetectors, through which the detection light emitted by the value document in a detection region can be collimated to a light beam. Each of the photodetectors has associated therewith a detector lens which receives a partial light beam of the light beam collimated by the collecting optic and directs it onto the respective photodetector, so that the detection region substantially coincides for the different photodetectors. By the sensor there can be detected different spectral portions of the detection light of the same detection region separately from each other at the same point in time.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for a banknote validator or other document acceptor using optical transmissive measurements includes at least one light source located on a first side of a document path and arranged to transmit light around the document path to a second side of the document path, the second side being opposite the first side. Optical detectors are located on the first side of the document path and arranged to receive light sent from the light source and passing through the document transport path.

Abstract: A illuminating device used for an document reading apparatus that has two rod shape light guides and light emitting elements where each of the light guides has a light emitting face and two flat light reflection faces, which may have a group of minute prisms that are formed along the longitudinal direction of the faces, and where light from each light emitting element is guided in the longitudinal direction by the light guide and reflected by that faces, such that the light is emitted from the light emitting face of each light guide and a virtual plane that is vertical to a longitudinal direction of each of the two light guides has two light intensity peaks.

Abstract: A sensor device for spectrally resolved capture of optical detection radiation which emanates from a value document transported through a capture area of the sensor device, includes a detection device for spectrally resolved detection of the detection radiation and emission of detection signals which represent at least one property of the detection radiation, at least one reference radiation device which emits optical reference radiation which is coupled into a detection beam path of the detection device and which has a spectrum with a structure which is within the spectral detection range, and which has a radiation source which acts as the transmitter of a light barrier or of a light scanner by means of which barrier or scanner a motion and/or a position of the value document relative to the capture area is capturable, and a control/evaluation device which is configured for receiving detection signals from the detection device, evaluating them and emitting evaluation signals in dependence on the result of th

Abstract: An imaging device includes a transparent prismatic element having two contiguous inlet surfaces separated by a ridge. A lens and an image sensor make it possible to acquire images, each including a reproduction of a first pattern located against one of the inlet surfaces, and a reproduction of a second imaged pattern through the other inlet surface. Such a device can be used in a biometric detection apparatus for detecting both a skin print and the vein distribution of a user. The device can also be used in a reading terminal capable of detecting a skin print and a machine-readable tape.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a photosensing structure, a volume of elastomer capable of transmitting an image, and a reflective skin covering the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is illuminated through the volume of elastomer by one or more light sources, and has particles that reflect light incident on the reflective skin from within the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is geometrically altered in response to pressure applied by an entity touching the reflective skin, the geometrical alteration causing localized changes in the surface normal of the skin and associated localized changes in the amount of light reflected from the reflective skin in the direction of the photosensing structure. The photosensing structure receives a portion of the reflected light in the form of an image, the image indicating one or more features of the entity producing the pressure.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes a photosensing structure, a volume of elastomer capable of transmitting an image, and a reflective skin covering the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is illuminated through the volume of elastomer by one or more light sources, and has particles that reflect light incident on the reflective skin from within the volume of elastomer. The reflective skin is geometrically altered in response to pressure applied by an entity touching the reflective skin, the geometrical alteration causing localized changes in the surface normal of the skin and associated localized changes in the amount of light reflected from the reflective skin in the direction of the photosensing structure. The photosensing structure receives a portion of the reflected light in the form of an image, the image indicating one or more features of the entity producing the pressure.