Fingerprint--Acquisition apparatus for access control; personal weapon and other systems controlled thereby

Claim 2

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where the prism means satisfy at least one physical condition for efficient nonducting transillumination based upon a relationship between indices of refraction in the prism means, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one physical condition comprises: a limitation on maximum permissible numerical aperture of the prism means; and fiber diameter that is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position.

Claim 4

A bright-field FTIR apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination into and along its fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and in large part scattered by such relieved surface out of the corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is in contact with that termination.

Claim 5

A dark-field FTIR apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations at the first end; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination out of its fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface into and along its said fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the second end of the prism means is different in cross-section from the first end; and the fibers are tapered to different cross-sections at the second end from that at the first end; whereby the first end of the prism means is sized for contact with such surface, and the second end is sized for contact with the detector array.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: light from the projecting means enters the prism means with an initial intensity, and some of this projected light crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture is small enough, at least where the light crosses the fibers, that projected light which crosses the entire prism means has at least roughly one tenth of the initial intensity.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance across the prism means in said region.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the distance across the entire prism means is in a range of roughly one-and-a-half to two centimeters; the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed a corresponding range of roughly 0.46 to 0.42, respectively.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: light from the projecting means enters the prism means with an initial intensity, and some of this projected light crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture is small enough, at least where the light crosses the fibers, that projected light which crosses the entire prism means has at least roughly three-eighths of the initial intensity.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/2x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance across the prism means in said region.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the distance across the entire prism means is in a range of roughly one-and-a-half to two centimeters; the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed a corresponding range of roughly 0.38 to 0.35, respectively.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 0.42.

Claim 15

Apparatus according to claim 2, particularly for acquiring surface-relief data from a human subject's finger; said apparatus further comprising: means for stabilizing such human subject's finger against the first end of the prism means; said stabilizing means comprising a handgrip for firm grasping by such human subject's hand with a particular finger braced against the first end of the prism means by said firm grasping.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the electrooptical means comprise an electrooptical detector array for receiving at the second end of the prism means said light fraction from each termination at the first end, and in response thereto providing a corresponding array of electrical signals which are characteristic of such surface relief; and said signal formed in response to each light fraction comprises the array of electrical signals.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the projecting means direct the light into the prism means at angle, relative to an axis of the prism means, greater than twice the critical angle for the fiber cores against air, the critical angle being defined as the minimum angle off-normal for total internal reflection.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the critical angle for the fiber cores against air is roughly forty degrees, the critical angle being defined as the minimum angle off-normal for total internal reflection; the first end of the prism means lies at an inclination angle of roughly forty-five degrees to an axis of the prism means; and the projecting means direct said light into the prism means at an angle to the central axis of roughly ninety degrees.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance across the prism means in said region.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the critical angle for the fiber cores against air is roughly forty degrees, the critical angle being defined as the minimum angle off-normal for total internal reflection; the first end of the prism means lies at an inclination angle of roughly ninety degrees to an axis of the prism; and the light from the projecting means is directed, when it is within the prism means, at an angle greater than roughly forty-five degrees to said prism axis, but less than said first-end inclination angle.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: light from the projecting means enters the prism means with an initial intensity, and some of this projected light crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture is small enough that projected light which crosses the entire prism means has at least roughly one tenth of the initial intensity, at least in a region adjacent to said first end.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance across the prism means in said region.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the prism means comprise a section having extramural-absorption material, said section being between (1) a region where the light crosses the fibers and (2) the electrooptical means.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein: the EMA-material section has a numerical aperture that is substantially the same as numerical aperture of said region where the light crosses the fibers.

Claim 27

A dark-field FTIR apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated fiber-optic optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from the projecting means, and a second one of the elements that includes said second end; said projecting means comprise means for projecting light into said prism to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting interface; the partially reflecting interface redirects some of the light from the projecting means to pass along said individual fibers within said prism toward their respective terminations at the first end; said redirected light reaching each termination at said first end is: reflected by the termination out of said corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface back into the first prism and along said corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; and light fractionally scattered back into and along said corresponding fiber passes fractionally through the partially reflecting interface and the second element to the electrooptical means.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 26, wherein: said prism has a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the second end of the prism means is smaller in cross-section than the first; in one segment of the prism means the fibers are tapered, so that they have smaller cross-sections at the second end than at the first; whereby the prism means demagnify the surface-relief scattering pattern for application to the electrooptical means; and the projecting means direct light into a segment of the prism means other than said one segment.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 14, particularly for use by such human subject who has a thumb; and wherein: such particular finger is such subject's thumb.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: said stabilizing means comprise means for orienting such finger on the first end of the prism means within a relatively narrow range of finger positions; said handgrip comprises means for orienting such hand, in relation to the first end of the prism means, within a relatively narrow range of hand positions; wherein orientation of such hand by said handgrip inherently constrains orientation of such finger, on the first end of the prism means, within said relatively narrow range of finger positions.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 15, particularly for use in testing whether said relieved surface is a particular specified relieved surface; and wherein: the electrooptical means comprise means for comparison of said electrical-signal array with data for such particular specified relieved surface, to generate at least one comparison-result signal which is characteristic of the results of said comparison; and said signal formed in response to each light fraction further comprises the comparison-result signal.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 31, for use with known minutiae data for said particular specified relieved surface; and wherein the means for comparison comprise: electronic processor means for deriving new minutiae data for such relieved surface from the first-mentioned said electrical-signal array; and electronic processor means for evaluating said new minutiae data relative to such minutiae data for such particular specified relieved surface.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the deriving means comprise: preprocessing means for preprocessing the electrical-signal array by application thereto of a direction map which is characteristic of such particular specified relieved surface.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the deriving means comprise means for applying to the electrical-signal array an algorithm selected from the group consisting of: fast Fourier transform detection, mean gradient, and projective Radon transform.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the deriving means comprise means for applying to the electrical-signal array a mean-gradient algorithm.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the deriving means further comprise means for applying a tuned filter, oriented in accordance with the direction map, to the electrical-signal array to obtain a filtered image.

Claim 38

The apparatus of claim 36, wherein: the deriving means further comprise means for enhancing binary character of the filtered image.

Claim 39

The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the deriving means comprise means for applying a center and an axis of the direction map to determine coordinates of the relieved-surface details.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the deriving means further comprise means for using an axis of the relieved surface to control the means for comparison.

Claim 41

A bright-field apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination into and along its fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and in large part scattered by such relieved surface out of the corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is in contact with that termination; and the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from said projecting means, and a second one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic taper that includes said second end.

Claim 42

A bright-field apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination into and along its fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and in large part scattered by such relieved surface out of the corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is in contact with that termination; and the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from said projecting means, and a second one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic taper that includes said second end.

Claim 43

The apparatus of claim 40, wherein: said fiber-optic taper comprises extramural-absorption material.

Claim 44

The apparatus of claim 40, wherein said fiber-optic taper: comprises extramural-absorption material; and has a numerical aperture greater than one-half.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 40, wherein: said fiber-optic taper comprises extramural-absorption material, and has a numerical aperture greater than one-half; and said prism has a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 46

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations at the first end; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination out of its fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface into and along its said fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means at each side with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture is small enough, at least where the light crosses the fibers, that projected light which crosses the entire prism means from each side has at least one hundredth of the respective initial intensity.

Claim 47

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations at the first end; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination out of its fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface into and along its said fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means at each side with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture is small enough, at least where the light crosses the fibers, that projected light which crosses the entire prism means from each side has at least one hundredth of the respective initial intensity.

Claim 48

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations at the first end; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination out of its fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface into and along its said fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.M).sup.1/4, where n avg =average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D=periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x M =illumination-path distance across the prism means to a prism midplane, in said region.

Claim 49

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations at the first end; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination out of its fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface into and along its said fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.M).sup.1/4, where n avg =average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D=periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x M =illumination-path distance across the prism means to a prism midplane, in said region.

Claim 50

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations at the first end; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination out of its fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface into and along its said fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from said projecting means, and a second one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic taper that includes said second end.

Claim 51

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: said projecting means comprise means for projecting light to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to their respective terminations at the first end; and each termination at said first end is oriented, relative to said projected light and relative to a longitudinal direction of its fiber, so that said light at that termination is: reflected at that termination out of its fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface into and along its said fiber toward the electrooptical means, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from said projecting means, and a second one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic taper that includes said second end.

Claim 52

The apparatus of claim 46, wherein: said fiber-optic taper comprises extramural-absorption material.

Claim 53

The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said fiber-optic taper: comprises extramural-absorption material; and has a numerical aperture greater than one-half.

Claim 54

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated fiber-optic optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from the protecting means, and a second one of the elements that includes said second end; said projecting means comprise means for projecting light into said prism to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting interface; the partially reflecting interface redirects some of the light from the projecting means to pass along said individual fibers within said prism toward their respective terminations at the first end; said redirected light reaching each termination at said first end is: reflected by the termination out of said corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface back into the first prism and along said corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; and light fractionally scattered back into and along said corresponding fiber passes fractionally through the partially reflecting interface and the second element to the electrooptical means; and said second one of the elements comprises a fiber-optic taper.

Claim 55

A dark-field FTIR apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated fiber-optic optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from the protecting means, and a second one of the elements that includes said second end; said projecting means comprise means for projecting light into said prism to enter individual fibers, through their respective side walls, immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting interface; the partially reflecting interface redirects some of the light from the projecting means to pass along said individual fibers within said prism toward their respective terminations at the first end; said redirected light reaching each termination at said first end is: reflected by the termination out of said corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is out of contact with that termination, and fractionally scattered by such relieved surface back into the first prism and along said corresponding fiber, if such relieved surface is in contact with that fiber termination; and light fractionally scattered back into and along said corresponding fiber passes fractionally through the partially reflecting interface and the second element to the electrooptical means; and said second one of the elements comprises a fiber-optic taper.

Claim 56

The apparatus of claim 49, wherein: said fiber-optic taper comprises extramural-absorption material.

Claim 57

The apparatus of claim 49, wherein said fiber-optic taper: comprises extramural-absorption material; and has a numerical aperture greater than one-half.

Claim 58

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture is small enough, at least where the light crosses the fibers, that projected light which crosses the entire prism means has at least roughly one hundredth of the initial intensity.

Claim 59

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture is small enough, at least where the light crosses the fibers, that projected light which crosses the entire prism means has at least roughly one hundredth of the initial intensity.

Claim 60

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling alona the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.M).sup.1/4, where n avg =average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D=periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x M =illumination-path distance across the prism means to a prism midplane, in said region.

Claim 61

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling alona the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the projecting means comprise at least two generally opposed light sources for projecting light from opposite sides of the prism means to cross the fibers where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, and to enter individual fibers through side walls of the fibers, for illuminating said first-end terminations; light from the projecting means enters the prism means with a respective initial intensity, and some of this projected light from each side crosses the entire prism means; and the prism-means numerical aperture, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.M).sup.1/4, where n avg =average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D=periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x M =illumination-path distance across the prism means to a prism midplane, in said region.

Claim 62

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from the projecting means, and a second one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic taper that includes said second end.

Claim 63

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; and means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein: the prism means comprise at least two separately fabricated optical elements secured together along a partially reflecting interface: a first one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic prism that includes said first end and that is crossed by the light from the projecting means, and a second one of the elements comprising a fiber-optic taper that includes said second end.

Claim 64

The apparatus of claim 54, wherein: said fiber-optic taper comprises extramural-absorption material.

Claim 65

The apparatus of claim 54, wherein said fiber-optic taper: comprises extramural-absorption material; and has a numerical aperture greater than one-half.

Claim 66

The apparatus of claim 54, wherein: said fiber-optic taper comprises extramural-absorption material, and has a numerical aperture greater than one-half; and said prism has a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 67

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: an optical data-input end, comprising terminations of fibers of the bundle, for contact with such relieved surface at the fiber terminations, at least one side face for receiving light into the prism means in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination, and a partially reflecting surface for redirecting light received through the side face to illuminate the fiber terminations at the data-input end; and means for receiving light that passes through the partially reflecting surface from the illuminated fiber terminations, and in response providing at least one signal which is characteristic of such surface relief.

Claim 68

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: an optical data-input end, comprising terminations of fibers of the bundle, for contact with such relieved surface at the fiber terminations, at least one side face for receiving light into the prism means in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination, and a partially reflecting surface for redirecting light received through the side face to illuminate the fiber terminations at the data-input end; and means for receiving light that passes through the partially reflecting surface from the illuminated fiber terminations, and in response providing at least one signal which is characteristic of such surface relief.

Claim 69

Apparatus according to claim 58, further comprising: means for projecting light into the light-receiving face of the prism so that the light crosses part of the bundle to enter individual fibers through their respective side walls immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface, to be partially redirected by said surface toward the data-input end of the prism for illuminating the terminations at the data-input end of the prism.

Claim 70

Dark-field FTIR apparatus according to claim 58, wherein: light reaching each data-input-end termination, depending on contact between that termination and such relieved surface, can be at least fractionally passed from that termination back into and along the corresponding fiber; and light fractionally passed back into and along said corresponding fiber passes fractionally through the partially reflecting interface and the second optical element to the light-receiving means; and further comprising: an optical element formed from another bundle of optical fibers, secured to the prism along the partially reflecting surface and including an optical data-output end for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the data-input end and through the partially reflecting interface to the light-receiving means.

Claim 71

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance in said region; said illumination-path distance being measured across the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through one said side face, and being measured to the midplane of the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through more than one said side face.

Claim 72

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance in said region; said illumination-path distance being measured across the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through one said side face, and being measured to the midplane of the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through more than one said side face.

Claim 73

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 74

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed one-half.

Claim 75

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/2x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance in said region; said illumination-path distance being measured across the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through one said side face, and being measured to the midplane of the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through more than one said side face.

Claim 76

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least in a region where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 2n.sub.avg (D/2x.sub.F).sup.1/4, where n avg ≡average of core and cladding refractive indices in said region of the prism means; D≡periodicity of the fiber structure in said region; and x F ≡illumination-path distance in said region; said illumination-path distance being measured across the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through one said side face, and being measured to the midplane of the prism means if the apparatus is illuminated through more than one said side face.

Claim 77

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 0.42.

Claim 78

Apparatus for acquiring surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and in response forming an electrical signal characteristic of such surface relief; and wherein the prism means, at least where the light crosses the fibers, have a numerical aperture that does not exceed 0.42.

Claim 79

Apparatus for acquiring and using surface-relief data, from a relieved surface such as a finger, for controlling access to facilities, equipment, a financial service or information; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control access to such facilities, equipment, financial service or information.

Claim 80

Apparatus for acquiring and using surface-relief data, from a relieved surface such as a finger, for controlling access to facilities, equipment, a financial service or information; said apparatus comprising: prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control access to such facilities, equipment, financial service or information.

Claim 81

A secured system subject to access control based upon surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said system comprising: utilization means, susceptible to misuse in the absence of a particular such relieved surface that is related to an authorized user, said utilization means being selected from the group consisting of: a facility, apparatus, means for providing a financial service, and means for providing information; prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control access to the utilization means.

Claim 82

A secured system subject to access control based upon surface-relief data from a relieved surface such as a finger; said system comprising: utilization means, susceptible to misuse in the absence of a particular such relieved surface that is related to an authorized user, said utilization means being selected from the group consisting of: a facility, apparatus, means for providing a financial service, and means for providing information; prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control access to the utilization means.

Claim 83

A personal weapon subject to access control based upon surface-relief data from a human user's finger; said weapon comprising: means for discharging an energy-transmitting agency to influence an adversary, said agency-discharging means requiring enablement for its operation; prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control enablement of the agency-discharging means.

Claim 84

A personal weapon subject to access control based upon surface-relief data from a human user's finger; said weapon comprising: means for discharging an energy-transmitting agency to influence an adversary, said agency-discharging means requiring enablement for its operation; prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where indices of refraction of the prism means are sufficiently close to one another for efficient nonducting illumination; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination along its fiber; and electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control enablement of the agency-discharging means.

Claim 85

A personal weapon subject to access control based upon surface-relief data from a human user's finger; said weapon comprising: means for discharging an energy-transmitting agency to influence an adversary, said agency-discharging means requiring enablement for its operation; prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination alone its fiber; electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control enablement of the agency-discharging means; and a handgrip for firm grasping by such human subject's hand to support the weapon, with a particular finger braced against the first end of the prism means by said firm grasping.

Claim 86

A personal weapon subject to access control based upon surface-relief data from a human user's finger; said weapon comprising: means for discharging an energy-transmitting agency to influence an adversary, said agency-discharging means requiring enablement for its operation; prism means formed from optical fibers and including: a first end, comprising terminations of the fibers for contact with such relieved surface, and a second end, comprising opposite terminations of the same or corresponding fibers, for passage of light traveling along the fibers from the first end; means for projecting light across the fibers in a region where fiber diameter is substantially constant with respect to longitudinal position, for lighting the first-end terminations; wherein a light fraction dependent on contact between such relieved surface and each illuminated first-end termination is ducted from that termination alone its fiber; electrooptical means for receiving at the second end each light fraction from the first end, and for processing the received light to determine identity of the relieved surface, and for applying the determined identity to control enablement of the agency-discharging means; and a handgrip for firm grasping by such human subject's hand to support the weapon, with a particular finger braced against the first end of the prism means by said firm grasping.

Claim 87

The weapon of claim 68, particularly for use by such human subject who has a thumb; and wherein: such particular finger is such subject's thumb.

Claim 88

The weapon of claim 69, wherein: said handgrip comprises means for orienting such hand, in relation to the first end of the prism means, within a relatively narrow range of hand positions; wherein orientation of such hand by said handgrip inherently constrains orientation of such thumb, on the first end of the prism means, within a relatively narrow range of finger positions.

Claim 89

The weapon of claim 68, wherein: at least a part of said discharging means and at least a part of said electronic means are physically formed together as a substantially unitary electronic module to deter unauthorized bypassing of said fingerprint-data access control.

Claim 90

The weapon of claim 71, wherein: the substantially unitary electronic module comprises a shape that matches and is required by an electronic-module receptacle of the weapon; said shape including electrodes for contacting elements of the weapon to effect said discharging.

Claim 91

The weapon of claim 72, wherein: said shape includes complicated contours.

Claim 92

The weapon of claim 71, wherein: said at least a part of said discharging means comprises means for providing a specifically controlled electrical impulse to effect said discharging; and the energy-discharging agency is manufactured to respond exclusively to said specifically controlled electrical impulse.

Claim 93

The weapon of claim 74, wherein: the energy-discharging means comprise a bullet having therein a charge of explosive powder and an electrical detonator to ignite the explosive charge; and the detonator is manufactured to respond exclusively to said specifically controlled electrical impulse.

Claim 94

The weapon of claim 74, wherein: the detonator is manufactured to respond exclusively to an electrical impulse whose duration is in a relatively narrow range.

Claim 95

The weapon of claim 74, wherein: the detonator is manufactured to respond exclusively to an electrical impulse whose voltage is in a relatively narrow range.

Claim 96

The weapon of claim 74, wherein: the detonator is manufactured to respond exclusively to an electrical impulse having a particular waveform.

Claim 97

The weapon of claim 68, wherein: at least a part of said discharging means and at least a part of said electronic means are physically formed together as a substantially unitary electronic integrated circuit, to deter unauthorized bypassing of said fingerprint-data access control.