Direct Optical Recording Sensor Layer Without Imaging Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical systems for recording fingerprints and documents face challenges in achieving high-quality images without conventional imaging elements, particularly in minimizing the impact of ambient light and ensuring accurate recording of security features, while also being compact and cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensor layer based on TFT technology, featuring a transparent carrier layer and a primary luminous layer that illuminates objects from the direction of the sensor, allowing for adaptive exposure time control and simultaneous recording of fingerprints and documents in various spectral ranges without the need for external optical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging elements are used for recording fingerprints and documents, then image quality can be maintained, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes conventional imaging elements (lenses, mirrors, prisms) from the optical path, extracting only the essential light-sensitive sensor layer and illumination source. This extraction eliminates complex optical components while maintaining recording capability through direct optical contact between the sensor and the object surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical imaging system with a direct electrical-optical sensing system. Instead of using lenses and mirrors to focus light onto a sensor, the system uses a flat sensor layer in direct contact with the object, illuminated by integrated lighting, eliminating the need for complex optical mechanics.
2Measurement precision
If ambient light is blocked to improve recording quality, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pulsed illumination where the light source emits light in controlled pulses during the exposure period. This periodic action allows the sensor to capture only the light from the illumination source while naturally rejecting continuous ambient light, eliminating the need for physical light blocking structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs controlled illumination with timing synchronized to the sensor exposure cycle. The illumination is activated only during the measurement window, creating a feedback-controlled lighting regime that enhances signal quality without requiring additional light blocking components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used for fingerprint and document scanning, then functionality is complete, but processing time and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fingerprint scanning and document scanning capabilities into a single integrated device. The flat sensor layer can detect both skin impressions and document features (including UV/IR security features) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate devices and sequential scanning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer is designed with universal detection capability that works for both biological samples (fingerprints, skinprints) and document features (ink, security elements, holograms). The integrated illumination system provides multiple wavelengths to handle diverse scanning requirements with a single device.
4Adaptability or versatility
If UV and IR illumination is added for security feature detection, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor layer is designed with universal spectral response that can detect visible, UV, and IR wavelengths. By integrating multiple wavelength detection into a single sensor array, the system eliminates the need for separate sensors or complex optical paths for different spectral ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges UV, IR, and visible illumination sources and detection into a single integrated system. The sensor layer simultaneously captures multiple spectral ranges, and the illumination unit provides multi-wavelength lighting, combining what would traditionally require separate systems into one compact device.
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
This solution enables high-quality, compact, and cost-effective recording of fingerprints and documents, reducing the influence of ambient light and allowing for the detection of security features across the visible and UV/IR spectra, thereby enhancing image quality and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a primary luminescent layer which is designed such that at least light components from the primary luminescent layer in the direction of the sensor layer through the support surface can illuminate the object to be recorded, wherein all layers of the layer body which are located between the primary luminescent layer and the support surface transmit at least light components in the visible wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
a sensor layer having light-sensitive elements in a two-dimensional regular pixel grid
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and method for the direct optical recording of security-relevant objects without optical imaging elements. The object of finding a new method for the direct optical recording of skin and document impressions, in which interference from ambient light is excluded, is achieved according to the invention by arranging a sensor layer (105) with TFT technology on a substrate layer (701) that is transparent at least in the visible wavelength range, the light-sensitive elements (104) of the sensor layer (105) being located at a distance from the object (102, 118) to be recorded on the support surface (103) of less than the pixel center distance defined by the pixel grid, each having exposure time control, and a primary luminescent layer (700) being configured such thatthat at least light components (114) from the primary luminescent layer (700) from the direction of the sensor layer (105) through the contact surface (103) can illuminate the object (102, 118) to be recorded, wherein all layers of the layer body (100) located between the primary luminescent layer (700) and the contact surface (103) transmit at least light components in the visible wavelength range.