Compact Biometric Scanner Guiding Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biometric ridge pattern recording systems are large, unreliable, costly, and consume high energy due to complex mirror configurations and increased component counts, which hinder their portability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a guiding optical element with refractive and reflective surfaces for image transmission, combined with an optical wedge to compensate for chromatic aberration, reduces system dimensions and complexity while maintaining high image quality and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mirror configurations are used to bend the optical axis, then the optical path can be redirected, but the system size and height increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate mirrors into a single integrated optical element with combined refractive and reflective surfaces. This consolidation maintains the optical axis deflection capability while eliminating the need for multiple discrete components, thereby reducing system height and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical element that performs both refraction and reflection in sequence. This intermediary component acts as a mediator between the reading surface and image sensor, achieving the required optical path bending in a compact configuration without directly using multiple mirrors.
2Ease of operation
If multiple mirrors are used to redirect the optical path, then the optical axis can be bent, but the number of components and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (refraction and reflection) into a single integrated element, reducing the component count from multiple mirrors to one multifunctional optical component. This merger maintains optical path control while significantly simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Length of stationary object
If ladder-type prisms with multiple output facets are used to reduce dimensions, then the system size decreases, but the number of components and image distortion areas increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions into a single optical element that performs refraction and reflection without requiring multiple separate facets or channels. This eliminates the need for image combining mechanisms and avoids distortion areas, achieving compact dimensions without increasing component complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If more optical components are used to achieve required image quality and reading area size, then image quality improves, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions into a single efficient element that achieves required image quality without requiring additional components for image combining or correction. This reduces energy consumption by eliminating redundant optical paths and components while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a compact, reliable, low-cost, high-speed biometric scanner with reduced energy consumption and improved image quality, capable of producing images compliant with FBI standards.
Implementation Method 1
consecutive refraction on the refractive surface
Implementation Method 2
reflection on the reflective surface
Implementation Method 3
total internal reflection on the refractive surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to the field of biometric identification. The technical result consists in decreasing the overall dimensions and increasing the reliability of a system for registering papillary ridge patterns, while providing for reduced cost, high image quality, rapid operating speed and reduced energy consumption. The present system comprises a light source, an element which defines the position of a reading surface, an optical system, and a multi-element image receiver, wherein the reading surface is optically linked to the image receiver by rays passing through a guiding optical element, comprising a refractive surface and a reflective surface, by means of consecutive refraction on the refractive surface, reflection on the reflective surface and total internal reflection on the refractive surface.