Method and apparatus for enhancing live-scan fingerprint reader images

Patent 5737071 Issued on April 7, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 16, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventor

Arndt, Douglas C.

Assignee

Identicator Corporation

Application

No. 689925 filed on 08/16/1996

US Classes:

356/71, DOCUMENT PATTERN ANALYSIS OR VERIFICATION118/31.5, BODY MEMBER PRINTING TYPE (E.G., FINGER PRINTING)382/124, Using a fingerprint382/125, Extracting minutia such as ridge endings and bifurcations427/1BODY MEMBER PRINTING (E.G., FINGERPRINTING, ETC.)

Examiners

Primary: Cameron, Erma

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Jackson; Harold L.

Foreign Patent References

304092 EP 02/13/1989
5469300 JP 07/13/1979
2276732 GB 10/13/1994
86006266 WO 11/13/1986
9608786 WO. 03/13/1996

International Class

G06K 009/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for improving the optical boundary between a person's fingerprint ridges and the surface platen of a live-scan-imaging apparatus includes providing an absorbent pad containing chemicals selected from the nonvolatile oils, oil amides, fatty alcohols and fatty acid esters, placing the person's finger to be scanned on the surface of the absorbent pads to coat the fingerprint ridges and subsequently placing the person's finger with the coated fingerprint ridges on the platen of the imaging apparatus to provide a high contrast between the ridges and valleys of the fingerprint area.