US3865488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fingerprint display system utilizing a stored fingerprint
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-30
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Granted: 1975-02-11
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Expires: 1993-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A ridge pattern, for example, a fingerprint, to be visually displayed, is applied to a material which stores the ridge pattern. The material is then placed under an edge illuminated glass plate. Where the ridges of the material make contact with one side of the plate, bright illumination appears on another side of the plate. All other areas appear dark allowing the fingerprint stored on the material to be visually observed or photographed.
Inventors
- 👤 Rio Eddy Humberto Del
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/117; A61B5/1171; A61B5/1172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for optically displaying a ridge pattern comprising, in combination: a member of transparent material structured so that diffuse light energy applied to said member is normally, substantially totally reflected internally between adjacent surfaces of said member; means having stored on a surface thereof the raised ridge pattern to be displayed placable with the raised ridges of said pattern in contact with one of said surfaces of said member; the presence of said ridges in contact with said one surface causing said light energy to be reflected externally of said member at points on a second surface of said member determined according to the location of said ridges on said one surface; and means for applying said diffuse light energy to said meMber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for optically displaying a ridge pattern comprising, in combination: a member of transparent material structured so that diffuse light energy applied to said member is normally, substantially totally reflected internally between adjacent surfaces of said member; means having stored on a surface thereof the raised ridge pattern to be displayed placable with the raised ridges of said pattern in contact with one of said surfaces of said member; the presence of said ridges in contact with said one surface causing said light energy to be reflected externally of said member at points on a second surface of said member determined according to the location of said ridges on said one surface; and means for applying said diffuse light energy to said meMber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said one surface and said second surface of said member being planar and parallel to one another, said light energy being applied by said last-mentioned means at an edge of said member between said one and second surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for visually displaying a fingerprint comprising, in combination: a member of transparent material structured so that diffuse light energy applied to said member is normally, substantially totally reflected internally between surfaces of said member; means having erasably stored on a surface thereof the raised ridge pattern of said fingerprint to be displayed placable with the raised ridges of said pattern in contact with one of said surfaces of said member; the presence of said ridges in contact with said one surface causing said light energy to be reflected externally of said member at points on a second surface of said member determined according to the location of said ridges on said one surface; and means for applying said diffuse light energy to said member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for visually displaying a fingerprint comprising, in combination: a member of transparent material structured so that diffuse light energy applied to said member is normally, substantially totally reflected internally between surfaces of said member; means having erasably stored on a surface thereof the raised ridge pattern of said fingerprint to be displayed placable with the raised ridges of said pattern in contact with one of said surfaces of said member; the presence of said ridges in contact with said one surface causing said light energy to be reflected externally of said member at points on a second surface of said member determined according to the location of said ridges on said one surface; and means for applying said diffuse light energy to said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said one surface and said second surface of said member being planar and parallel to one another, said light energy being applied by said last-mentioned means at an edge of said member between said one and second surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said pattern storing means including an erasable shape retentive material which may be erased and reused after a stored ridge pattern has been displayed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, said shape retentive material being silicon putty and further including a resilient material backing to which said silicon putty is mounted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, said member of transparent material being a glass plate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of displaying a ridge pattern of a portion of the skin comprising the steps of: a. applying the portion of the skin having the ridge pattern to be displayed to a deformable shape retentive material thereby creating on a surface of said material a three-dimensional raised ridge pattern: b. placing the surface of said shape retentive material bearing said ridge pattern against one side of a transparent material having two parallel planar sides so that said raised ridges touch said transparent material, said transparent material substantially totally internally reflecting diffuse light applied thereto except where said raised ridges touch said one side of said transparent material whereat said light is reflected externally of said material from the other side; and c. diffusely illuminating said transparent material to thereby produce a visual image of said ridge pattern at said other side of said transparent material.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of displaying a ridge pattern of a portion of the skin comprising the steps of: a. applying the portion of the skin having the ridge pattern to be displayed to a deformable shape retentive material thereby creating on a surface of said material a three-dimensional raised ridge pattern: b. placing the surface of said shape retentive material bearing said ridge pattern against one side of a transparent material having two parallel planar sides so that said raised ridges touch said transparent material, said transparent material substantially totally internally reflecting diffuse light applied thereto except where said raised ridges touch said one side of said transparent material whereat said light is reflected externally of said material from the other side; and c. diffusely illuminating said transparent material to thereby produce a visual image of said ridge pattern at said other side of said transparent material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method set forth in claim 8, wherein said shape retentive material is erasable, including the further step of erasing the skin ridge pattern from said shape retentive material after said pattern has been visually displayed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-10 | 1978-08-12 | 1979-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-10 | 1982-08-12 | 1983-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-10 | 1986-08-12 | 1987-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |