Sequenced Illumination for Biometric Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical sensors used for biometric imaging face challenges in maintaining consistency and accuracy under varying environmental conditions such as temperature and lighting, which affects the reliability of user authentication and verification processes.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensing system that includes a display and a processor, which illuminates the sensing region with a specific illumination sequence comprising a cue mark sequence preceding an illumination pattern, allowing for efficient image capture and post-processing to produce a single optimal-quality image, even under diverse lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional optical sensors are used without controlled illumination, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image consistency and measurement precision deteriorate under varying environmental lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display screen and optical sensor into a single integrated structure, where the display serves dual purposes: presenting information to the user and providing controlled illumination for the optical sensor. This merging eliminates the need for separate illumination components, reducing device complexity while maintaining image consistency under varying environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The display component performs multiple functions: it displays visual information to the user and simultaneously acts as an illumination source for the optical sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating dedicated illumination hardware while ensuring consistent imaging conditions through controlled illumination sequences.
2Reliability
If environmental lighting conditions are not controlled, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of biometric authentication deteriorates due to image variance
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic illumination sequences where the display alternates between different illumination states (e.g., on/off patterns or varying intensities) to capture multiple images under controlled lighting conditions. This periodic illumination ensures consistent and reliable biometric authentication by eliminating the negative effects of ambient light variations, while the sequence is automatically managed to minimize user burden.
3Measurement precision
If multiple illumination patterns are used to capture images under varying conditions, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to multiple capture cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by first displaying a cue mark sequence that prepares the optical sensor and establishes synchronization before the actual illumination pattern sequence begins. This preliminary synchronization ensures that when the illumination patterns are applied, the sensor is already ready to capture images at the optimal moments, reducing the total time required for multiple capture cycles while maintaining high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the optical sensor captures images during the illumination sequence, and the processor analyzes these images to determine if additional captures are needed. This feedback loop allows the system to adaptively adjust the number of illumination cycles based on real-time image quality assessment, minimizing unnecessary capture time while ensuring sufficient image quality for accurate biometric authentication.
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 system ensures robust and efficient collection of input object images, minimizing variance due to environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the reliability and accuracy of biometric authentication and verification processes.
Implementation Method 1
a display... illuminating the sensing region with an illumination sequence
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor that relies on capturing light reflecting from an input object in order to create an image of the input object
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for optical imaging are disclosed. An optical sensing system, including a display, an optical sensor, and a processor communicatively coupled to the display and the optical sensor is provided. The processor is configured to execute an input object image capture method. The method determines that an input object is proximate to an optical sensing region of the display, and in response to determining that an input object is proximate to the sensing region of the display, the optical sensing system illuminates the sensing region with an illumination sequence. The illumination sequence includes a cue mark sequence preceding an illumination pattern, where the cue mark sequence contains information about the illumination pattern.