Finger guide device

Abstract

A finger guide device that positions a finger (or minutiae containing digit) of a human subject on a fingerprint sensor in a manner optimal for the data capture operation of authentication or identification of said subject wherein a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with a sensor or scanner. Authentication or identification takes place by fingerprint matching. The finger guide device may also be used for enrollment of the initial fingerprint data into the system through one or more readings of the fingerprint and translation into a template for future comparison matching. The finger guide device may also serve to provide temperature or temperature equivalent tactile feedback or other forms of feedback to a user. The finger guide device may also contain an outer surface ridge which feels somewhat uncomfortable due to application of a high pressure per square inch on small areas of the finger when the finger is incorrectly positioned to encourage correct placement of the finger, which is more comfortable. The finger guide device may have a curved inside surface to contour to a wide variety of fingertip shapes and sizes, wherein the sides and front have shorter radii of curvature than the rearward portion of the finger guide device. The front of the finger guide device may have sufficient steepness of its sides and shortness of radius of curvature in order to serve as a stop positioning the tip of the finger approximately between 0.20 and 0.90 inch ahead of the center of the sensor. This is an ideal position to enroll and later to authenticate or identify a subject user. The finger guide device material or surface may be electrically conductive and thereby serve as a means to transmit a driver signal to the finger tissue to facilitate the improved use of capacitive or other types of electronic or electromagnetically operated fingerprint sensors requiring this electrical potential sensing means. Additional tactile enhancements such as twin positioning bumps or Braille or audio or mechanical motion or visual marking or indicator light feedback may be added within the finger guide device if desired. The level of the fingerprint sensor or scanner may be raised or lowered as an additional enhancement to alter the data capture characteristics. The finger guide device may be used in communication with electromechanical devices to serve the additional purpose of functioning as a switch or pointing device.

1 . A finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess for receiving a finger, 
 whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction to capture a relevant portion of a finger, said axial alignment occurring along a forward and backward portion of the finger guide device, and    whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the sensor in essentially the same position in a lateral direction to capture a relevant portion of a finger, said lateral alignment occurring between side edges of the finger guide device,    the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor each time authentication or confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “false rejects” for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device.    
   
   
       2 . The finger guide device in  claim 1  having concave sides with varying radii of curvature, such radii of curvature on the front side being designed to position a relevant portion of the finger over the center of the sensor in a region on the finger ranging from between 0.20 inches to 0.90 inches from the lower side of the finger nail.  
   
   
       3 . The finger guide device in  claim 1  with an outer ridge that causes distinct tactile feedback to indicate to subjects that the digit in not positioned correctly over the sensor.  
   
   
       4 . The finger guide device in  claim 1  with a surface frictional property to allow the finger to slide easily towards and stabilizing in a position of Local minimum which also correlates approximately with a correct position over the sensor.  
   
   
       5 . The finger guide device in  claim 1  with a higher thermal conductivity than surrounding parts so that heat is conducted away from the skin more rapidly by said finger guide device than by the surrounding parts, said finger guide device having a tactile property of feeling cooler to the touch than the surrounding parts, thereby communicating to the user that the finger is placed in the correct area.  
   
   
       6 . The finger guide device described in  claim 1  wherein the finger guide device or finger guide device surface is conductive or partially conductive to communicate a necessary electrical signal, frequency or potential to the human finger tissue in order to facilitate proper operation of the fingerprint sensor.  
   
   
       7 . The finger guide device of  claim 1 , wherein said finger guide device is used for frequently repeated authentication while the subject user generally keeps a finger positioned on said device.  
   
   
       8 . The finger guide device of  claim 1 , wherein said finger guide device is used for continuous authentication while the subject user keeps a finger positioned on said device.  
   
   
       9 . The finger guide device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor may be raised or lowered relative to the plane of the bottom of the finger guide device recess for the purpose of changing the characteristics of the image of a relevant portion of the finger.  
   
   
       10 . The finger guide device of  claim 1 , wherein the finger guide device is in communication with an electromechanical sensor to permit the finger guide device to serve as an element in a pointing control device.  
   
   
       11 . A finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of a fingerprint to be captured during an enrollment process, the finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess, the recess having the same general shape as a finger, the finger guide device guiding the finger onto the sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction and in a lateral direction during a subsequent identification or authentication request, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor repeatably each time the finger guide device is used for the subsequent identification or authentication, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “false rejects” for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device.  
   
   
       12 . The finger guide device described in  claim 11 , further comprising feedback means to assist subjects placing their digit in the right position in the finger guide device.  
   
   
       13 . The finger guide device described in  claim 11 , further comprising feedback means to assist subjects placing their digit in the right position and with the right pressure in the finger guide device.  
   
   
       14 . The finger guide device described in  claim 11 , further comprising bumps to assist subjects placing their digit in the right position in the finger guide device.  
   
   
       15 . The finger guide device described in  claim 12 , further comprising Braille to communicate to subjects placing their digit in the right position in the finger guide device.  
   
   
       16 . The finger guide device described in  claim 11 , wherein the finger guide device or finger guide device surface is conductive or partially conductive to communicate a necessary electrical signal, frequency or potential to the human tissue in order to facilitate proper operation of the fingerprint sensor.  
   
   
       17 . The finger guide device described in  claim 11 , wherein the finger guide device or surrounding area includes at least one marking to indicate finger positioning on the finger guide device.  
   
   
       18 . The finger guide device in  claim 11 , wherein the finger guide device has a higher thermal conductivity than surrounding parts so that as heat is conducted away from the skin more rapidly by said finger guide device than by the surrounding parts, said finger guide device has a tactile property of feeling cooler to the touch than the surrounding parts, thereby communicating to the user that his finger is placed in the correct area.  
   
   
       19 . The finger guide device of  claim 11 , wherein said finger guide device is mechanically coupled to a means to provide mechanical movement feedback to the subject user, wherein said mechanical movement feedback assists the user in properly using the finger guide device.  
   
   
       20 . The finger guide device of  claim 11 , wherein the finger guide device is in communication with a switching means to permit the finger guide device to serve as an element in a switch.  
   
   
       21 . The finger guide device of  claim 11 , wherein the subject has enrolled a second digit fingerprint for use with the device to send an emergency distress signal, the fingerprint match of which is a signal to the system indicating the subject's distress.  
   
   
       22 . A finger guide device for positioning a finger onto a fingerprint scanner, the finger guide device comprising: 
 a. a finger guide having side surfaces that form a recess, the recess having the same general shape as a finger; and    b. a scanner in alignment with the finger guide device;    whereby the finger guide device positions the finger onto the scanner in essentially the same position in an axial direction and in a lateral direction, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position in alignment with the fingerprint scanner repeatably each time identity authentication or confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing the incidents of “false rejects” for purposes of identification or authentication of a person.    
   
   
       23 . The finger guide device of  claim 22 , wherein the guide includes a pair of side portions for purposes of centering the finger onto the scanner and a rear portion to accommodate the portion of the finger extending backwards past the sensor.  
   
   
       24 . The finger guide device of  claim 22 , wherein the concave portion of the guide has the general shape of a finger.