Patent ID: 6052475
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A fingerprint detector comprising:sensing array means for translating a skin resistance of a fingertip into a sample trajectory signal as the fingertip is moved relative to the sensing array means, said sample trajectory signal being produced by a curvilinear trajectory formed by ridges and valleys of the fingertip and representing electrical conductance changes in the skin resistance of the fingertip associated with a profile of its ridges and valleys, said sensing array means including at least one sensor positioned for contacting the fingertip and allowing relative movement between the fingertip and the sensor, said sensor producing said sample trajectory signal corresponding to the skin resistance of the ridges and valleys as the fingertip and the sensing array means are moved relative to one another;sampling means, coupled to said sensing array means, for quantizing said sample trajectory signal; andprocessing means, coupled to said sampling means, for comparing said sample trajectory signal with a reference trajectory signal and producing a verification signal related to a probability that the fingertip generated both the sample trajectory signal and the reference trajectory signal.