Optical Alignment System for Biometric Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alignment systems for biometric identification and authentication, such as iris or face recognition, often face challenges in properly aligning the user's body part within the camera's field of view, especially when a live camera feed is not feasible or appropriate.
Innovation Solution
An alignment system comprising a housing with a light source, alignment image, baffle, and lens, where the light source is in optical communication with the alignment image, and a diffuser and colored light filter are used to create a backlight aperture, assisting users in aligning themselves by illuminating the alignment image when correctly positioned within the camera's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a live camera feed with display is used for alignment, then users can see where they are relative to the camera, but the system becomes more complex and may not always be feasible or appropriate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment guidance function from the complex live camera feed system and implements it through a simple illuminated alignment image that indicates the correct positioning area, thereby achieving ease of operation without requiring complex display systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive illuminated alignment image instead of a complex live camera feed system, providing effective alignment guidance through a basic optical indicator that does not require expensive components
2Ease of operation
If a wide field of view is provided for the imager, then users can be easily aligned, but the resolution decreases and imaging quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing alignment guidance only in the specific area where the user needs to position themselves (through the illuminated alignment image), allowing the imager to maintain a narrower field of view with higher resolution while still achieving easy alignment
3Measurement precision
If high resolution imaging is used, then image quality improves, but the field of view decreases and alignment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary illuminated alignment image that mediates between the high-resolution imager and the user, providing alignment guidance without requiring the imager itself to have a wide field of view, thus maintaining both high resolution and ease of alignment
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 alignment system provides intuitive and efficient user alignment, reducing the required field of view for the imager, allowing for lower resolution imaging and cost savings, while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design by concealing components until use.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed at the first end of the channel; and an alignment image disposed at the second end of the channel; wherein the light source may be in selective optical communication with the alignment image
Implementation Method 2
The alignment system may further comprise a diffuser disposed generally parallel to the alignment image and between the light source and the baffle
Implementation Method 3
The alignment system may further comprise a lens in selective optical communication with the light source and disposed at the second end of the channel. The lens may be a plano-convex lens
Implementation Method 4
The alignment system may further comprise a colored light filter disposed generally parallel to the alignment image and between the light source and the baffle
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment system may comprise a housing defining a channel having a first end and a second end; a light source disposed at the first end of the channel; and an alignment image disposed at the second end of the channel. The light source may be in optical communication with the alignment image. The alignment system may further comprise a baffle extending around at least a portion of an inner perimeter of the channel, the baffle defining a backlight aperture. The light source may be in selective optical communication with the alignment image.