US3611290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fingerprint minutiae reading device
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1968-06-03
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1988-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A fingerprint is observed, a small portion at a time, using a flying spot scanner, whose spot travels along a predetermined path at each position to provide an electrical analog signal indicative of the nature of the fingerprint at each position. The analog signal is converted into digital form and temporarily stored in a memory having a plurality of storage elements. The signal stored in the memory is constantly circulated through each of the storage elements to provide for detection of minutiae (i.e. ridge endings, bifurcations, etc.) regardless of their angular orientation. Detecting the occurrence of specified minutiae is achieved by sensing the states of selected ones of the storage elements.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Luisi
- 👤 Sergei M Fomenko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/12; G06V40/1347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for determining the presence of a specified pattern within a given area comprising, means for sequentially positioning a spot scanner at coordinate points along linear axes including means for sequentially scanning the pattern at each coordinate point with a plurality of polar scans, each of said polar scans having said coordinate point as its center, means for generating a digital signal at successive points of each of said polar scans, said digital signals indicating the contrast at each point of the polar scan pattern at each coordinate point, means for independently storing the digital signals generated by each of said polar scans, including means for comparing the stored digital signals from each corresponding point of the polar scans for detecting predetermined relationships between the digital signals, including means for indicating the detection of said predetermined relationship, counter means for passing sequentially through a plurality of counts in synchronization with the comparison of said digital signals, and means responsive to the detection of a predetermined relationship between the positions of said polar scan and the count of said counter means for indicating the angular orientation of said detected pattern relative to an axis, so as to enable the recognition of the pattern characteristics regardless of said angular orientation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for determining the presence of a specified pattern within a given area comprising, means for sequentially positioning a spot scanner at coordinate points along linear axes including means for sequentially scanning the pattern at each coordinate point with a plurality of polar scans, each of said polar scans having said coordinate point as its center, means for generating a digital signal at successive points of each of said polar scans, said digital signals indicating the contrast at each point of the polar scan pattern at each coordinate point, means for independently storing the digital signals generated by each of said polar scans, including means for comparing the stored digital signals from each corresponding point of the polar scans for detecting predetermined relationships between the digital signals, including means for indicating the detection of said predetermined relationship, counter means for passing sequentially through a plurality of counts in synchronization with the comparison of said digital signals, and means responsive to the detection of a predetermined relationship between the positions of said polar scan and the count of said counter means for indicating the angular orientation of said detected pattern relative to an axis, so as to enable the recognition of the pattern characteristics regardless of said angular orientation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of polar scans comprise three concentric polar scans and said means for storing comprises three shift registers including means for shifting the contents of the registers into said means for comparison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2 including means responsive to the count of said counter means for sequentially connecting the registers to the means foR generating whereby digital signals for each polar scan can be stored, and means simultaneously responsive to said count for controlling the radius of said polar scan including means for decreasing the radius of the scan after each scan until three polar scans have been completed, and means responsive to the count in said counter means for moving said scanner to a subsequent coordinate point after the polar scans have been completed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |