Patent ID: 7092556
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: A61B,G06K

Abstract:
1. A data reader comprising: a substantially cylindrical cavity in which a finger is freely inserted; data reading means disposed in said cavity for reading fingerprint data from a said finger placed in a readout position; region constraining means disposed in said cavity for constraining said finger placed in said readout position; and mode switching means for switching said region constraining means between a mode in which said finger is movable and a mode in which said finger is constrained; wherein said region constraining means comprises a single annular balloon member which is inflatable and deflatable when a fluid is introduced under pressure into said region constraining means and discharged from said region constraining means, respectively, and said finger is constrained by said balloon member in all directions from the outer circumferential surface of the substantially cylindrical finger to the center of said cavity.