Patent EP0488250A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4932776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fingerprint acquisition system
Assignee: Fingerprint Technology Inc
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Filing: 1987-11-05
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Granted: 1990-06-12
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Expires: 2007-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A characteristic pattern acquisition system featuring a block formed of a bundle of optical fibers and having one end face for projecting an image of a characteristic pattern placed on an opposite detecting end face of the block and a light source for projecting light onto the detecting end face to illuminate the characteristic pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert F. Dowling, Jr.
- 👤 Keith L. Knowlston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/12; G06V40/13; G06V40/1324; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/117; A61B5/1171; A61B5/1172
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A fingerprint acquisition system comprising a fiberoptic block having a first end face for detecting a fingerprint pattern of a finger placed thereon and a second imaging end face, the second imaging end face being opposite the first detecting end face for projecting an image of a fingerprint pattern of said finger placed upon said detecting end face, said fiberoptic block comprising a bundle of optical fibers having light ray-guided cores, the optical fibers having opposite end faces terminating in and respectively forming said detecting and imaging end faces, a solid state image sensor for electronically transmitting the image, from said fiberoptic block imaging end face, of a fingerprint pattern of a finger placed upon said fiberoptic block detecting end face, said solid state image sensor being bonded to said fiberoptic block imaging end face, means for comparing the electronically transmitted fingerprint pattern image with another image and determining a match therebetween, and a light source for projecting light onto said fiberoptic block detecting end face to transilluminate the fingerprint pattern of a finger placed thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A fingerprint acquisition system comprising a fiberoptic block having a first end face for detecting a fingerprint pattern of a finger placed thereon and a second imaging end face, the second imaging end face being opposite the first detecting end face for projecting an image of a fingerprint pattern of said finger placed upon said detecting end face, said fiberoptic block comprising a bundle of optical fibers having light ray-guided cores, the optical fibers having opposite end faces terminating in and respectively forming said detecting and imaging end faces, a solid state image sensor for electronically transmitting the image, from said fiberoptic block imaging end face, of a fingerprint pattern of a finger placed upon said fiberoptic block detecting end face, said solid state image sensor being bonded to said fiberoptic block imaging end face, means for comparing the electronically transmitted fingerprint pattern image with another image and determining a match therebetween, and a light source for projecting light onto said fiberoptic block detecting end face to transilluminate the fingerprint pattern of a finger placed thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of the individual optical fiber detecting end faces are at an acute angle with respect to the optical fiber longitudinal axis, and wherein said detecting end faces of the individual optical fibers are contained in a common plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said fiberoptic block detecting end face and said individual optical fiber angled end faces have an angle from about 30° to about 60°, relative to the axis of said optical fibers at said detecting end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the ends of the optical fibers at the first detecting end of said fiberoptic block are in an adjacent, essentially parallel relationship, and wherein the ends of the optical fibers at the second imaging end are in an adjacent, essentially parallel relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said fiberoptic block imaging end face is smaller than said fiberoptic block detecting end face, and wherein the diameter of each of the individual fibers at the fiber imaging end faces is smaller than the diameter at the fiber detecting end faces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said fiberoptic block tapers down in cross-sectional area from said detecting end to said imaging end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said optical fibers in said fiberoptic block have a diameter of from about 3 to about 50 microns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said image comparing means comprises a digital computer for storing, retrieving and comparing fingerprint patterns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 further including means for activating an access device operable by said comparing and match determining means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 including electronic means to correct shortening of a characteristic pattern detected by said fiberoptic block.
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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) | 1993-06-11 | 1993-12-11 | 1994-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-11 | 1997-12-11 | 1998-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-11 | 2001-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |