Fingerprint enrollment system, fingerprint enrollment method, and smart card
By using a large-area fingerprint sensor on the card reader to sense fingerprint images and generate registration templates, the problem of incomplete registration in traditional smart cards is solved, achieving efficient fingerprint registration and authentication.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ELAN MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Traditional smart cards have small fingerprint sensors that cannot cover the entire finger, resulting in incomplete registration, high false rejection rates, or excessively long registration times.
The fingerprint image is sensed by a large-area fingerprint sensor on the card reader, and the fingerprint registration template is generated by the processor and written into the storage unit of the smart card to ensure the integrity of the registration template.
It improves the integrity of fingerprint registration, reduces the false rejection rate, and enhances the user experience.
Smart Images
Figure CN2025123522_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Fingerprint registration system, fingerprint registration method and smart card Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a fingerprint registration system and a fingerprint registration method, and more particularly to a fingerprint registration system and a fingerprint registration method applied to smart cards. Background Technology
[0002] Traditional smart card registration mechanisms mostly fall into two categories. The first is to pre-set the number of presses, and the registration process ends when the target number of presses is reached. The second is to set a total registration area, and the registration process will not end until the preset total registration area is reached.
[0003] The fingerprint sensor on a smart card is small and cannot cover the entire finger. In other words, each time a user presses their finger on the fingerprint sensor, the sensor can only capture a portion of the fingerprint, not the entire finger. Under a registration procedure that sets a certain number of presses, if the user presses the same or similar areas of their finger on the fingerprint sensor each time, the total area of the registered fingerprint region becomes too small, resulting in a high false rejection rate (FRR) during authentication.
[0004] On the other hand, under the registration procedure with a set total registration area, if the user presses the same or similar finger area on the fingerprint sensor each time, the registered fingerprint area will never reach the set area, and the registration procedure cannot be completed. The user will need to spend more time or press a lot more times to complete the registration procedure, resulting in a poor user experience.
[0005] Furthermore, even if a user consciously moves their finger to register more fingerprint areas during registration, the relative positional relationship of the fingerprint image cannot be obtained in real time, so it is still easy to miss some areas, as shown in Figure 2, making it difficult to record a complete fingerprint. Summary of the Invention
[0006] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a fingerprint registration system and a fingerprint registration method.
[0007] Another objective of this invention is to provide a smart card for use in a fingerprint registration system and a fingerprint registration method thereof.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a fingerprint registration system for registering fingerprints on a smart card, the smart card having a first fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint registration system includes a card reader and a processor. The card reader is used to read and write the smart card, and the card reader has a second fingerprint sensor for sensing a user's fingerprint to generate a fingerprint image, and the area of the second fingerprint sensor is larger than the area of the first fingerprint sensor. The processor is coupled to the card reader, generates at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image, and writes the at least one fingerprint registration template to the smart card via the card reader.
[0009] The present invention also provides a fingerprint registration method, comprising: electrically connecting a smart card to a card reader, wherein the smart card has a first fingerprint sensor; sensing a user's fingerprint through a second fingerprint sensor of the card reader to generate a fingerprint image, wherein the area of the second fingerprint sensor is larger than the area of the first fingerprint sensor; generating at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image by a processor; and writing the at least one fingerprint registration template into the smart card via the card reader.
[0010] The present invention also provides a smart card, including a fingerprint sensor, a storage unit, and a processor. The fingerprint sensor is used to sense a user's fingerprint and generate a first fingerprint image. The storage unit is used to store a fingerprint registration template. The processor is connected to the fingerprint sensor and the storage unit. The processor receives the fingerprint registration template from outside the smart card and stores the fingerprint registration template in the storage unit. The processor obtains fingerprint information based on the first fingerprint image and compares the fingerprint information with the fingerprint registration template, wherein a second fingerprint image corresponding to the fingerprint registration template is larger than the first fingerprint image.
[0011] The fingerprint registration system of the present invention uses a second fingerprint sensor with a larger area to acquire fingerprint images during the registration process, thus easily obtaining a complete fingerprint or a fingerprint registration template with a large fingerprint area for the smart card, improving the user experience. Since the smart card stores a complete fingerprint or a fingerprint registration template with a large fingerprint area, the false rejection rate (FRR) can be reduced when the user uses the smaller first fingerprint sensor on the smart card for authentication. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 shows the small fingerprint area registered by the traditional registration method.
[0013] Figure 2 shows the large fingerprint area registered by the traditional registration method.
[0014] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the fingerprint registration system and smart card of the present invention.
[0015] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the fingerprint registration method of the present invention.
[0016] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of step S12 in Figure 4.
[0017] Figure 6 shows the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor of the card reader in Figure 3.
[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10-fingerprint registration system; 11-card reader; 111-fingerprint sensor; 12-processor; 20-smart card; 21-fingerprint sensor; 22-processor; 23-storage unit; S10~S13-steps; S121~S125-steps. Detailed Implementation
[0019] Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the fingerprint registration system and smart card of the present invention. In Figure 3, the fingerprint registration system 10 includes a card reader 11 and a processor 12, and the smart card 20 includes a fingerprint sensor 21, a processor 22, and a storage unit 23. After the smart card 20 is inserted into the slot (not shown) of the card reader 11, the card reader 11 reads and writes the smart card 20. The card reader 11 has a fingerprint sensor 111 for sensing the user's fingerprint during the registration process to generate a fingerprint image. The area of the fingerprint sensor 111 is larger than the area of the fingerprint sensor 21. The processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10 is coupled to the card reader 11 and obtains the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 111 from the card reader 11. The processor 12 generates at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image and writes the at least one fingerprint registration template into the storage unit 23 of the smart card 20 via the card reader 11.
[0020] In the smart card 20 of Figure 3, the processor 22 is connected to the fingerprint sensor 21 and the storage unit 23. During the registration process, the processor 22 receives at least one fingerprint registration template from the fingerprint registration system 10 outside the smart card 20 and stores the at least one fingerprint registration template in the storage unit 23. During the authentication process, the fingerprint sensor 21 senses the user's fingerprint and generates a fingerprint image. The processor 22 obtains fingerprint information based on the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 21 and compares the fingerprint information with the at least one fingerprint registration template stored in the storage unit 23, wherein the fingerprint image corresponding to the at least one fingerprint registration template is larger than the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 21.
[0021] In one embodiment, the processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10 may be a central processing unit (CPU) of a host computer, such as the CPU of a laptop computer. In another embodiment, the processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10 may be integrated into the card reader 11.
[0022] In one embodiment, the fingerprint sensor 111 of the card reader 11 is composed of a single fingerprint sensor. In another embodiment, the fingerprint sensor 111 of the card reader 11 is a sensor array composed of multiple small-area fingerprint sensors, wherein the size of each small-area fingerprint sensor may be, but is not limited to, the same as the fingerprint sensor 21 of the smart card 20.
[0023] In one embodiment, the processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10 generates the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 111 via an image signal processor (ISP) or computer vision method.
[0024] In one embodiment, the structure or material of the fingerprint sensor 111 differs from that of the fingerprint sensor 21, causing the style of the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 111 of the card reader 11 to differ from the style of the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 21 of the smart card 20. In this case, the processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10 can further convert the style of the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 111 to match the style of the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 21 of the smart card 20, to facilitate comparison in subsequent authentication procedures. The style of the fingerprint image includes, but is not limited to, clarity and level of detail. In one embodiment, the storage unit 23 of the smart card 20 stores card information, which includes, but is not limited to, the card type or card number of the smart card 20. During the registration process, the processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10 obtains the card information from the smart card 20 through the card reader 11. The processor 12 determines the style of the fingerprint image of the fingerprint sensor 21 based on the card information and converts the style of the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 111 accordingly. In one embodiment, the fingerprint registration system 10 stores styles corresponding to different models / card types of smart cards. Therefore, the processor 20 can determine the style of the fingerprint image from the fingerprint sensor 21 based on the card information. Finally, the processor 12 generates the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the style-converted fingerprint image using image signal processing or computer vision methods.
[0025] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the fingerprint registration method of the present invention. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in the registration process, after the user inserts the smart card 20 into the card reader 11, the fingerprint registration system 10 is electrically connected to the smart card 20 through the card reader 11, as shown in step S10 of Figure 4. After the fingerprint registration system 10 and the smart card 20 are electrically connected, the fingerprint registration system 10 prompts the user to press their finger on the fingerprint sensor 111 on the card reader 11. After the user's finger presses the fingerprint sensor 111, the fingerprint sensor 111 senses the user's fingerprint to generate a fingerprint image, as shown in step S11 of Figure 4. Then, the fingerprint image generated by the fingerprint sensor 111 is transmitted to the processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10, and the processor 12 generates at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image, as shown in step S12 of Figure 4. The processor 12 can generate the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image through image signal processing or computer vision methods, but the present invention is not limited thereto. After generating the at least one fingerprint registration template, the processor 12 transmits the at least one fingerprint registration template to the card reader 11, so that the at least one fingerprint registration template can be written into the storage unit 23 of the smart card 20 via the card reader 11, as shown in step S13 of FIG4.
[0026] Figure 5 shows an embodiment of step S12 in Figure 4. Referring to Figures 3 to 5, after the fingerprint image generated in step S11 is transmitted to the processor 12 of the fingerprint registration system 10, the processor 12 performs step S12. In step S12, the processor 12 first obtains the card information stored in the smart card 20 from the smart card 20 through the card reader 11, as shown in step S121 of Figure 5. Next, the processor 12 determines the style of the fingerprint image of the fingerprint sensor 21 of the smart card 20 based on the card information, and determines whether the style of the fingerprint image of the fingerprint sensor 21 is the same as the style of the fingerprint image of the fingerprint sensor 111 of the card reader 11, as shown in step S122 of Figure 5. If the styles are the same, the processor 12 performs step S123 to generate the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image through image signal processing or computer vision methods. If the styles are different, the processor 12 performs step S124 to convert the style of the fingerprint image based on the style of the fingerprint image obtained from the card information. After the style conversion of the fingerprint image, the processor 12 generates the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the style-converted fingerprint image via image signal processing or computer vision methods, as shown in step S125 of FIG5.
[0027] The fingerprint registration system 10 of the present invention uses a fingerprint sensor 111 with a large area on the card reader 11 to obtain a fingerprint image for registration. Therefore, it can quickly obtain a complete fingerprint or a fingerprint registration template with a large fingerprint area for the smart card 20, improving the user experience, as shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, since the smart card 20 stores a complete fingerprint or a fingerprint registration template with a large fingerprint area, the false rejection rate (FRR) can be reduced when the user uses the smaller fingerprint sensor 21 on the smart card 20 for authentication.
[0028] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been provided above with embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A fingerprint registration system for registering fingerprints on a smart card, the smart card having a first fingerprint sensor, characterized in that, The fingerprint registration system includes: A card reader for reading and writing the smart card, wherein the card reader has a second fingerprint sensor for sensing a user's fingerprint to generate a fingerprint image, and the area of the second fingerprint sensor is larger than the area of the first fingerprint sensor; and A processor, coupled to the card reader, generates at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image, and writes the at least one fingerprint registration template into the smart card via the card reader.
2. The fingerprint registration system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The smart card stores card information, the processor obtains the card information through the card reader, and the processor converts the style of the fingerprint image according to the card information.
3. The fingerprint registration system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The processor generates the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the style-transformed fingerprint image using image signal processing or computer vision methods.
4. The fingerprint registration system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The processor generates the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image via image signal processing or computer vision methods.
5. The fingerprint registration system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second fingerprint sensor is composed of multiple third fingerprint sensors, each of which has the same size as the first fingerprint sensor.
6. A fingerprint registration method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: A. A smart card is electrically connected to a card reader, wherein the smart card has a first fingerprint sensor; B. The user's fingerprint is sensed by a second fingerprint sensor of the card reader to generate a fingerprint image, wherein the area of the second fingerprint sensor is larger than the area of the first fingerprint sensor; C. A processor generates at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image; as well as D. The at least one fingerprint registration template is written into the smart card via the card reader.
7. The fingerprint registration method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Step C includes: C1. Retrieve the card information stored on the smart card from the smart card using the card reader; C2. Convert the style of the fingerprint image based on the card information; and C3. Generate at least one fingerprint registration template based on the fingerprint image after style conversion.
8. The fingerprint registration method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Step C3 includes generating the at least one fingerprint registration template based on the style-transformed fingerprint image via image signal processing or computer vision methods.
9. The fingerprint registration method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Step C includes generating the at least one fingerprint registration template from the fingerprint image via image signal processing or computer vision methods.
10. The fingerprint registration method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The second fingerprint sensor is composed of multiple third fingerprint sensors, each of which has the same size as the first fingerprint sensor.
11. A smart card, characterized in that, include: A fingerprint sensor is used to sense the user's fingerprint and generate a first fingerprint image; One storage unit stores one fingerprint registration template; as well as A processor is connected to the fingerprint sensor and the storage unit. The processor receives the fingerprint registration template from outside the smart card and stores the fingerprint registration template in the storage unit. The processor obtains fingerprint information based on the first fingerprint image and compares the fingerprint information with the fingerprint registration template. The fingerprint registration template corresponds to a second fingerprint image, which is larger than the first fingerprint image.
12. The smart card as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The processor includes generating the fingerprint information based on the first fingerprint image via image signal processing or computer vision methods.