Fingerprint generator capable of applying constant force and fingerprint generation method using the same

A fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force includes: a base plate in which a target surface may be on an upper surface of the base plate; a fingerprint mounting unit that is apart from the upper surface of the base plate and capable of mounting a fingerprint molding body having a fingerprint shape thereon on a lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit; a driving unit that is apart from the upper surface of the base plate and capable of moving the fingerprint mounting unit up and down; and a force measuring unit configured to measure an impact force when the fingerprint mounting unit descends and contacts the fingerprint shape with the target surface to generate a fingerprint on the target surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0057873, filed on May 4, 2021, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

One or more embodiments relate to a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force and a fingerprint generation method using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Fingerprint evidence found at the crime scene is important evidence that may identify a suspect.

A latent fingerprint refers to a fingerprint shape that remains as evidence by natural secretions from human skin, but cannot be seen with the naked eye. Most fingerprints generated at crime scenes exist in the form of latent fingerprints. Therefore, the technique of developing these latent fingerprints to the naked eye is very important.

As described above, the technique of developing latent fingerprints to make latent fingerprints visible to the naked eye varies depending on a target surface to be developed and the environment. The technique of developing latent fingerprints has the existing optimal technique depending on the situation, but it is continuously developing. In order to research and develop the technique of developing latent fingerprints that continuously improves, it is necessary to generate a uniform fingerprint for an experiment.

In an experiment to evaluate a fingerprint reagent or method for the development of the technique of developing latent fingerprints, a method of generating a fingerprint by directly touching a human finger with a target surface is used. During such an experiment, the conditions for generating fingerprints are uneven, which impairs the reliability of the experiment.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force and a fingerprint generation method using the same. In more detail, one or more embodiments include a device and a method of generating a fingerprint by applying a constant force using a fingerprint molding body in which a human fingerprint is formed on silicon or gelatin.

One or more embodiments include a device and method of repeatedly generating fingerprints by applying a constant force or applying various levels of force for research and experimentation of the technique of developing latent fingerprints.

According to one or more embodiments, a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force includes: a base plate in which a target surface may be on an upper surface of the base plate; a fingerprint mounting unit that is apart from the upper surface of the base plate and capable of mounting a fingerprint molding body having a fingerprint shape thereon on a lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit; a driving unit that is apart from the upper surface of the base plate and capable of moving the fingerprint mounting unit up and down; and a force measuring unit configured to measure an impact force when the fingerprint mounting unit descends and contacts the fingerprint shape with the target surface to generate a fingerprint on the target surface.

In an embodiment, the fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force may further include an input unit configured to receive an input signal according to a user input; a control unit configured to operate the driving unit according to the user input to control the fingerprint mounting unit on which the fingerprint molding body is mounted to descend and generate a fingerprint on the target surface; and a display unit configured to display user input information capable of operating the driving unit with a constant force or operation information of the driving unit.

In an embodiment, the user input information may include the amount of force applied to the target surface or the number of times the driving unit is operated.

In an embodiment, the input unit, the control unit, and the display unit may be formed as a single control panel.

In an embodiment, the fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force may further include a fixing unit capable of fixing the fingerprint mounting unit and the driving unit in a position apart from the upper surface of the base plate.

In an embodiment, the fingerprint molding body may have the fingerprint shape formed on the surface of silicon or gelatin.

According to one or more embodiments, a fingerprint generation method using a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force includes: mounting a fingerprint molding body having a fingerprint shape on a lower portion of a fingerprint mounting unit of the fingerprint generator including a base plate, the fingerprint mounting unit, a driving unit, and a force measuring unit; applying an experimental fingerprint solution to the fingerprint molding body; and generating a fingerprint on the target surface by lowering the fingerprint mounting unit to contact the fingerprint shape with a target surface located on an upper surface of the base plate.

In an embodiment, the fingerprint generator may further include an input unit, a control unit, and a display unit, and the fingerprint generation method using the fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force may further include obtaining user input information capable of operating the driving unit with a constant force after the mounting of the fingerprint molding body.

In an embodiment, the obtaining of the user input information may include: measuring an impact force, by the force measuring unit, when a user inputs the descending speed of the driving unit and generates a fingerprint on the target surface; and determining the amount of force applied to the target surface or the number of times the driving unit is operated based on the measured impact force by the user.

In an embodiment, the generating of a fingerprint on the target surface may include generating a plurality of fingerprints by applying a constant force by a user to the target surface or generating a fingerprint while changing the amount of force applied to the target surface at certain intervals, based on the obtained user input information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements, and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms.

Sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience of explanation. In other words, since sizes and thicknesses of components in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenience of description, the following embodiments are not limited thereto. When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific process order may be performed differently from the described order. For example, two consecutively described processes may be performed substantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to the described order.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component is connected to another portion, the layer, region, or component may be directly connected to the portion or an intervening layer, region, or component may exist. For example, when a layer, region, or component is electrically connected to another portion, the layer, region, or component may be directly electrically connected to the portion or may be indirectly electrically connected to the portion through another layer, region, or component.

In the specification, “fingerprint” refers to a pattern on the skin inside a human fingertip or a trace of it. The “fingerprint” includes ridges, which are raised lines at the entrance of sweat glands in the skin of a fingertip, and valleys, which are indentations between the ridges.

Hereinafter, a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3.

FIGS. 1 and 2are exemplary views of a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment, andFIG. 3is a block diagram of a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment. Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, a fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment may include a base plate110, a fingerprint mounting unit120, a driving unit130, a force measuring unit140, an input unit151, a control unit153, a display unit155, and a fixing unit160.

The base plate110may be on a horizontal bottom surface, and a target surface115may be on an upper surface of the base plate110. Fingerprints may be generated on the target surface115by an impact, and details will be described later below. The target surface115may be formed of, for example, paper or floor paper.

FIG. 4is an exemplary view of an embodiment of the fingerprint mounting unit120ofFIG. 2.FIG. 4 (a)is an exemplary diagram of a state in which a fingerprint molding body is not mounted on the fingerprint mounting unit120, andFIG. 4 (b)is an exemplary view of a state in which a fingerprint molding body is mounted on the fingerprint mounting unit120.FIG. 5is a view ofFIG. 4 (b)viewed from the bottom.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the fingerprint mounting unit120may be formed to mount a fingerprint molding body125on a lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit120, and may be connected to the driving unit130to move up and down. In this case, the fingerprint mounting unit120may be apart from the upper surface of the base plate110.

The fingerprint mounting unit120may mount the fingerprint molding body125on the lower portion in various ways.

In an embodiment, by forming a lower end of the fingerprint mounting unit120of a metal material, the fingerprint molding body125may be directly contacted and fixed to the lower end of the fingerprint mounting unit120with double-sided tape or an adhesive.

In another embodiment, an insertion groove is formed in a lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit120, and the fingerprint molding body125may be directly inserted into the insertion groove to be fixed.

A method of mounting the fingerprint molding body125on the lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit120is not limited to the above examples.

As shown in the drawing, the fingerprint mounting unit120may be formed in a cylindrical shape, and the fingerprint molding body125may be formed in a flat cylindrical shape to be fixed to the lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit120. The fingerprint mounting unit120and the fingerprint molding body125are not limited to any specific shape as long as it is possible to mount and fix the fingerprint molding body125on a lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit120.

Referring toFIG. 5, the fingerprint molding body125has a fingerprint shape formed on the surface of a molding member such as silicon or gelatin. The molding member includes silicone, gelatin, or various impression materials, and is not limited to the above examples as long as the molding member may have a fingerprint shape on its surface. A fingerprint shape formed on a surface of the fingerprint molding body125may be brought into contact with the target surface115to generate a fingerprint.

For example, the fingerprint molding body125may be formed in a manner in which an artificially formed three-dimensional fingerprint shape is patterned on a surface of a molding member such as silicon or gelatin. In more detail, the fingerprint molding body125may be formed by thermally transferring a fingerprint shape printed on paper with an etching plate, forming a three-dimensional fingerprint shape on the etching plate through an etching process, and drawing a pattern with a molding member such as silicon or gelatin.

A method of manufacturing the fingerprint molding body125is not limited to the above embodiments. The fingerprint molding body125may be anything as long as it has a fingerprint shape on its surface and may generate a fingerprint by contact.

The driving unit130may move the fingerprint mounting unit120up and down. The driving unit130is connected to the fingerprint mounting unit120and may include a motor, a cylinder, or the like that change the position of the fingerprint mounting unit120to move the fingerprint mounting unit120up and down. By the driving unit130, the fingerprint mounting unit120having the fingerprint molding body125mounted on a lower portion thereof descends from an initial position and rises immediately after contacting the target surface115, thereby generating an instantaneous impact.

In addition, the driving unit130may be apart from the upper surface of the base plate110. In this case, the driving unit130may be installed on the base plate110or fixed to the separate fixing unit160and installed.

The force measuring unit140may measure an impact force when the fingerprint mounting unit120descends and makes a fingerprint shape contact with the target surface115to generate a fingerprint on the target surface115.

The fingerprint mounting unit120having the fingerprint molding body125mounted on the lower portion thereof descends from the initial position by the driving unit130and rises immediately after contacting the target surface115to generate an impact. At this time, the fingerprint molding body125generates a fingerprint on the target surface115while bringing the fingerprint shape into contact with the target surface115and an impact force is generated. The force measuring unit140may measure the impact force at this time.

The force measuring unit140may be connected to the base plate110or the target surface115, and is configured to measure the impact force received by the target surface115when the fingerprint mounting unit120descends. For example, the force measuring unit140may be located at a point where the fingerprint molding body125mounted on the fingerprint mounting unit120and the target surface115contact each other.

For example, the force measuring unit140may include a load cell. The load cell is a sensor that converts a force into a measurable output signal. When the fingerprint molding body125and the target surface115are in contact with each other by an impact, the force measuring unit140detects an impact force and outputs the impact force as a signal to measure the amount of the impact force.

The input unit151is a unit for receiving an input signal for controlling or operating the fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to a user input, and may be implemented as various types of input units. For example, the input unit151may include a keyboard, a key pad, a touch pad, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The control unit153may generally control the operation of the fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force. The control unit153may be implemented in various forms such as a central processing unit (CPU), a processor, a microprocessor, an application processor (AP), a micro controller unit (MCU), a microcomputer, or a mini computer.

The control unit153may operate the driving unit130based on user input information input to the input unit151, and may control the fingerprint mounting unit120on which the fingerprint molding body125is mounted to descend and generate a fingerprint on the target surface115.

The display unit155may display all operating states of the fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force. In this case, the display unit155may display user input information capable of operating the driving unit130with a constant force or operation information of the driving unit130. The user input information may include a force applied to the target surface115or the number of times the driving unit130is operated.

The fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment may form the input unit151, the control unit153, and the display unit155into one control panel150.

The control panel150may cause the control unit153to operate the driving unit130according to an input signal from the input unit151while performing a function of the input unit151receiving a user's touch input signal. In addition, the control panel150may simultaneously perform a function of the display unit155for displaying an operating state, including user input information for operating the driving unit130with a constant force or operation information of the driving unit130.

In addition, the fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment may further include the fixing unit160.

The fixing unit160may fix the fingerprint mounting unit120and the driving unit130at a position apart from the upper surface of the base plate110. The fixing unit160may be directly connected to the base plate110, or may not be directly connected to the base plate110.

In addition, the fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment may further include a housing170.

The housing170may accommodate the driving unit130including a motor, a cylinder, or the like for moving the fingerprint mounting unit120up and down. In addition, the housing170may be fixed by the fixing unit160. The control panel150may be formed on one side of the housing170.

FIGS. 6 and 7are flowcharts illustrating a fingerprint generation method using a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment.

A fingerprint generation method200using a fingerprint generator capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7.

The fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment may include the base plate110, the fingerprint mounting unit120, the driving unit130, and the force measuring unit140, and may further include the input unit151, the control unit153, and the display unit155.

Operation210is mounting the fingerprint molding body125having a fingerprint shape on the lower portion of the fingerprint mounting unit120of the fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment.

When it is not necessary to obtain user input information after operation210, the following operations230and240may be performed. When it is necessary to obtain user input information after operation210, operations230and240may be performed after operation220of obtaining user input information is performed.

Operation220is obtaining user input information. Operation220of obtaining user input information may include operations222and224.

The user input information is information capable of operating the driving unit130with a constant force, and may include the amount of force applied to the target surface115or the number of times the driving unit130is operated.

In operation222, the force measuring unit140may measure an impact force when a user inputs the descending speed of the driving unit130and generates a fingerprint on the target surface115. The user may input the descending speed of the driving unit130to the input unit151while changing the descending speed, and according to the descending speed of the driving unit130, a difference occurs in the impact force measured when fingerprints are generated on the target surface115. In this way, fingerprints according to an impact force measured when fingerprints are generated are different in shape. Therefore, the user may compare and determine fingerprint shapes respectively generated according to a difference in the descending speed of the driving unit130and a difference in the impact force measured by the force measuring unit140when fingerprints are generated on the target surface115.

In operation224, the user determines the amount of force applied to the target surface115or the number of times the driving unit130is operated, based on the measured impact force.

The user may determine the range of the amount of force applied to the target surface115based on the measured impact force. At this time, the number of times the driving unit130is operated according to the amount of force applied to the target surface115may also be determined.

In operation220, the user may find an operating condition of the driving unit130when a fingerprint is generated on the target surface115. The user may comprehensively consider the shape of the fingerprint generated on the target surface115according to the various descending speeds of the driving unit130, and may determine the amount of force applied to the target surface115or the number of times the driving unit130is operated.

In operation230, an experimental fingerprint solution (not shown) is applied to the fingerprint molding body125having a fingerprint shape formed thereon.

At this time, by using an artificial fingerprint solution including a component similar to human body fluid as the experimental fingerprint solution, a latent fingerprint that is not directly exposed to the naked eye may be formed. On the other hand, by using colored substances such as ink, blood, paint, etc. as the experimental fingerprint solution, a fingerprint that can be seen with the naked eye may be formed. As described above, according to needs of a user, an experimental fingerprint solution including various components may be used.

In an embodiment, the experimental fingerprint solution may be directly applied to a fingerprint shape of the fingerprint molding body125. In another embodiment, the experimental fingerprint solution may be placed on the target surface115and the driving unit130is operated so that the experimental fingerprint solution may be applied to the fingerprint molding body125attached to the fingerprint mounting unit120. A method of applying the experimental fingerprint solution is not limited by the above embodiments.

In operation240, the fingerprint mounting unit120descends to make a fingerprint shape contact with the target surface115on the upper surface of the base plate110to generate a fingerprint on the target surface115.

At this time, based on the obtained user input information, a user may generate a plurality of fingerprints by applying a constant force to the target surface115. For example, a user may generate a plurality of uniform fingerprints by inputting a constant force and operating the driving unit130twice or more.

In addition, the user may generate a fingerprint while changing the amount of force applied to the target surface115at regular intervals.

According to the fingerprint generator100capable of applying a constant force according to an embodiment and the fingerprint generation method200using the same, a fingerprint shape placed on the tip of a person's finger may be reproduced by using the fingerprint molding body125in which a fingerprint shape is formed on silicon or gelatin, and a user may generate a fingerprint by applying a constant force to the target surface115.

In addition, according to an embodiment, not only may fingerprints be generated by repeatedly applying a constant force to the target surface115, but also various levels of force may be applied in various ways, thereby enhancing the reliability of fingerprint analysis technology.

On the other hand, according to an embodiment, it is possible to simplify an experiment procedure by omitting an approval procedure of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) regarding human body information that occurs when conducting experiments using human fingerprints.

Therefore, according to an embodiment, it is possible to accelerate the speed of development of the technique of developing latent fingerprints, and to expect more effective criminal case resolution.

According to embodiments, a fingerprint shape may be reproduced such that the fingerprint shape is placed on the tip of a person's finger using a fingerprint molding body in which a fingerprint shape is formed on silicon or gelatin, and a fingerprint may be generated by applying a constant force desired by a user to a target surface.

In the embodiments, not only may fingerprints be generated by repeatedly applying a constant force to a target surface, but also various levels of force may be applied in various ways, thereby enhancing the reliability of fingerprint analysis technology and accelerating the speed of development of the technique of developing latent fingerprints.