Non-Contact Fingerprint Capture via Blue LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fingerprint capture methods face issues with hygiene, contamination, and the quality of captured images due to factors like improper placement, skin deformation, and sensor noise, while touchless methods struggle with accuracy and control during image acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact friction ridge capture device that uses a five megapixel camera and LED light sources emitting light in the 460-480 nm range, triggered by an infrared sensor, to capture high-quality images without physical contact, with an illumination shield for improved hygiene and image separation from the background.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional contact-based fingerprint capture methods are used, then friction ridge data can be captured, but hygiene and contamination issues arise due to multiple individuals using common surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based capture system with an optical imaging system. Instead of requiring physical contact with ink pads or platen surfaces, the invention uses a camera to capture images of friction ridge surfaces, eliminating the mechanical transfer medium and the associated hygiene contamination issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the friction ridge surface and the capture device. By using light to capture the image rather than direct contact, the system mediates the interaction in a way that prevents contamination while still acquiring the necessary biometric data.
2Measurement precision
If traditional contact-based capture methods are used, then friction ridge data can be captured, but image quality degrades due to skin deformation, slippage, and smearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical pressing and rolling actions that cause skin deformation and slippage by using optical imaging. The camera captures the friction ridge pattern without requiring physical contact, thereby removing the harmful mechanical factors that degrade image quality.
3Reliability
If touchless fingerprint capture methods are used, then hygiene is improved, but image capture accuracy and control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the touchless system by using specific wavelength lighting (460-480 nm blue light) to enhance the visibility and contrast of friction ridge details. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain high image capture accuracy without requiring physical contact, thus preserving both hygiene and measurement precision.
4Productivity
If traditional capture methods are used, then friction ridge data can be captured, but the process is slower due to ink application and contact requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the multi-step mechanical process of ink application, contact, and transfer with a single optical capture action. The camera instantly captures the friction ridge image without requiring ink drying time or repeated contact attempts, significantly reducing the time loss and improving capture speed.
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 device provides faster, more accurate, and hygienic fingerprint capture with reduced risk of smudging and contamination, enhancing border control and forensic applications by ensuring high-quality images with improved image processing.
Implementation Method 1
the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED)... the peak wavelength of the emitted light is in the range of 460 to 480 nm
Implementation Method 2
a camera positioned to capture an unobstructed image of the friction ridge surface
Implementation Method 3
an infrared sensor, wherein when the infrared sensor detects the presence of the at least a portion of the user's hand in the opening
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A non-contact friction ridge capture device is described. The device comprises a device housing, the device housing including an electronics compartment and an illumination shield, with an opening between the electronics compartment and the illumination shield into which a user can insert the user's hand. The device further comprising a camera disposed in the electronics compartment for capturing an image of at least one friction ridge surface on a user's hand. The device further comprises a light source disposed in the electronics compartment, the light source emitting light in the direction of the illumination shield, wherein the peak wavelength of emitted light is in the range of 440 to 570 nanometers (nm). The user's hand is not required to contact the device when the camera captures the image of at least one friction ridge surface on a user's hand.