Flexible Imaging Surface for Rolled Fingerprint Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fingerprint scanning techniques are slow, error-prone, and require skilled operators, especially for capturing rolled fingerprints, and contact-less methods lack the contrast enhancement of traditional methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of thin, transparent, and flexible imaging sheets that conform to the finger's shape, allowing for high-quality ridge impressions without rolling motion, and simultaneous scanning of multiple fingers using optical or other sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a hard glass or plastic imaging surface is used for traditional rolled fingerprinting, then contrast between ridges and valleys is accentuated improving image quality, but the process becomes slow and requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible imaging surface that can dynamically conform to the finger's contour, transitioning from a flat state to a curved state that matches the fingerprint ridges and valleys. This dynamic adaptation allows the surface to accentuate contrast like traditional hard surfaces while enabling faster, simpler capture without requiring rolling motion or skilled operators
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a flexible thin film imaging surface that can bend and conform to the shape of the finger. This flexible surface provides the same contrast-enhancing properties as hard glass or plastic surfaces when pressed against the finger, but allows for quicker placement and removal without the need for rolling motion, thereby improving scanning speed while maintaining image quality
2Measurement precision
If traditional rolled fingerprinting with hard surface is used, then high contrast fingerprint images are obtained, but operator skill and training are required
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible imaging surface is designed to automatically conform to the finger's shape when placed against it, eliminating the need for operator skill in positioning or rolling the finger. The surface self-adjusts to provide optimal ridge-valley contrast, making the process easy to operate without training while maintaining high image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic flexibility of the imaging surface allows it to adapt automatically to different finger shapes and sizes, providing consistent high-contrast images regardless of operator skill level. The surface moves and conforms with the finger placement, requiring no specialized technique from the operator
3Productivity
If contact-less video cameras are used to capture fingerprints, then multiple fingers can be captured simultaneously without contact, but contrast enhancement is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible imaging surface can be configured in various arrangements to accommodate multiple fingers simultaneously, similar to contact-less systems. When each finger is placed on the flexible surface, it conforms to that finger's shape and provides contrast enhancement, enabling both multi-finger capture capability and ridge-valley accentuation
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 method enables quick, high-quality fingerprint capture with minimal operator skill, reducing errors and enhancing contrast, while allowing for contact-less scanning of multiple fingers simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
pressing a subject finger against a thin flexible and transparent imaging surface... The surface conforms to the shape of the finger as pressure is applied
Implementation Method 2
The subject finger can then be scanned by one or more optical scanners... one or more scanners, associated with each respective finger, can then scan the finger tip, through the imaging surface
Data Source
AI summary
Fingers and palms can be optically scanned to produce optical finger or optical palm prints by using one or more flexible imaging members in contact therewith. The palm or finger being scanned is positioned on one side of the flexible imaging member and in contact therewith. One or more optical scanners is positioned on the other side of the imaging member. The sensor(s) then sense incident radiant energy or light indicative of friction ridge patterns and minutiae on the respective finger and/or palm. Alternately, RF or electro-static sensing could be used.