Non-Contact Hand Imaging via Active Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact fingerprint scanners face challenges in accurately positioning hands both axially and radially within the imaging system, leading to potential skin contact and inconsistent image quality, especially for hands of different sizes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing and frame that includes a main camera, illumination unit, and active localization means for both axial and radial positioning, using auxiliary cameras, distance sensors, and light barriers to guide the hand to a target position without physical contact, and employing ultrasonic or air pressure for haptic feedback to ensure accurate alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-contact optical imaging is used to avoid skin contact and smear infections, then hygiene safety is improved, but accurate positioning of the hand in the virtual object area becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs active localization means including auxiliary cameras and distance sensors that continuously monitor hand position and provide real-time feedback through an output unit. This feedback mechanism enables automated interactive guidance, allowing users to correctly position their hands in the virtual object area without physical contact, thus maintaining hygiene safety while achieving accurate positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning aids (such as physical guides or contact-based positioning structures) with optical and acoustic fields. Distance sensors emit light or sound waves that reflect off the hand to determine position, while auxiliary cameras capture optical images. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact while providing precise positioning capability.
2Ease of operation
If automated interactive user guidance is implemented to guide hand positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but an additional worker is required for cleaning the user surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-servicing through automated interactive user guidance. The active localization means (auxiliary cameras, distance sensors) automatically detect hand position and the output unit provides real-time feedback to guide users. This automation eliminates the need for additional workers to provide manual guidance or perform cleaning tasks, as the system independently manages the positioning guidance process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the operational process by implementing a completely non-contact imaging system. Since no physical user surface is touched during operation, the cleaning task is removed from the workflow, eliminating the need for workers dedicated to surface maintenance while preserving automated user guidance capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the object field of the main camera is made larger to accommodate hands of different sizes, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision of the fingerprint decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple imaging systems with different functions: auxiliary cameras with large object fields for detecting overall hand position and orientation, and a main camera with a smaller, higher-resolution object field for capturing detailed fingerprint images. This segmentation of imaging functions allows the system to accommodate hands of different sizes while maintaining high measurement precision for fingerprint analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single two-dimensional imaging plane to a multi-dimensional approach using auxiliary cameras positioned at different locations. These auxiliary cameras capture hand position information from multiple perspectives, enabling the system to adapt to various hand sizes and orientations while guiding the user to position their hand correctly for high-resolution fingerprint capture by the main camera.
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
Enables precise, contact-free imaging of hand surface areas by actively guiding users to the correct position, reducing the risk of skin contact and improving image quality across various hand sizes, while distinguishing between natural and artificial hands.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination unit (2)
Implementation Method 2
a main camera (1.1) with an optical axis (1.0)... wherein at least one image (1.2) is generated of the surface area
Implementation Method 3
a first active means for localizing the actual position in the axial direction
Implementation Method 4
employing ultrasonic or air pressure for haptic feedback
Data Source
AI summary
A device for non-contact optical imaging of a selected surface area of a user's hand, including: a housing in which an image capture unit containing a main camera with an optical axis and an illumination unit is located; a controller; an output unit; a frame arranged outside the housing and connected to the housing via a stand, the frame having edges delimiting a recess which is open on one side, is open frontally with respect to a user position and in which the surface area is positioned by the user, assuming an actual position, the frame having arranged therein an object plane of the main camera with a depth of field region in which a target position for the surface area is located; and a universal active localizing device for determining the actual position in the axial and in the radial direction of the optical axis.