Abstract:
A biometric sensor apparatus uses an infra-red light source and a CMOS image sensor attached to or built into a wireless mobile phone to allow the mobile phone&#39;s CMOS image sensor to capture biometric images, specifically but not limited to a finger print. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a light source and sensors, and a mobile phone having complementary logic to process emitted light reflected off a user&#39;s finger into an input finger print. Digital processing of the collected image signal data is performed, such as by smoothing.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a mobile device biometric sensor apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a mobile device biometric sensor apparatus for capturing finger print images using a mobile device&#39;s built in CMOS camera without additional sensors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the field of biometrics, fingerprint scanners are but one device that is used to uniquely identify and verify the identity of an individual. Presently, fingerprint scanners are standalone devices that must be integrated into other electronic devices in order for them to work. Some such devices attach to a mobile device directly through USB or other connection method. 
         [0003]    Modern advances in microprocessor and telecommunications technology have led to the increase proliferation, availability, and adoption of mobile devices both in developed nations and developing nations. Currently, developing nations are seeing rapid expansions in the use of mobile devices. As these devices increase in power and functionality, features such as a CMOS camera have gone from being a luxury option to a commonplace feature even on the most basic of modern mobile devices. 
         [0004]    However, there have been no attempts to utilize the built in CMOS camera that are now a standard feature of many mobile devices. There is therefore a need for a device and a method of obtaining biometric information that combines the technology of peripheral fingerprint scanners with the increased processing power and image integrity available in current mobile devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention discloses a reduced cost, easy to use portable fingerprint reader. The inventive devices thereof for using can be standalone or can be coupled to a network. The inventive apparatus allows for decreased cost, increased versatility, and the possibility of wide availability both in developed countries and developing countries. With the present invention, anyone who has an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, with a built in camera and an internal processor, can add the capability of capturing accurate fingerprints anywhere and anytime. Once a fingerprint is captured, it could be uploaded into a database or it could be used to verify identity for access to sensitive information such as medical records, financial records, work documents, voting ballots and the like. The inventive apparatus could be used in conjunction with a worldwide database that could store a variety of medical information, such as vaccine information, last date of tetanus, and virtually any other piece of medical information of an individual. 
         [0006]    Law enforcement personnel could use the present device in the field if for example during a routine police stop they wanted to determine if the person(s) being detained had outstanding warrants. The ability to use relatively low to no cost cell phones to replace the need to purchase a whole system is a significant cost savings for a consumer or organization. In developing countries, computers are still not common (and extremely expensive) while cell phones are common place and rapidly growing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prospective view of a wireless mobile phone incorporated with the teachings of the present invention, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cut away side view of one embodiment of the disclosed invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cut away side view of one embodiment of the disclosed invention which includes anticipated light path and reflection from light source to image capture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The invention described herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrations in the accompanying figures. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The use of “consisting of” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass only the items listed thereafter. The use of letters to identify steps of a method or process is simply for identification and is not meant to indicate that the steps should be performed in a particular order. Moreover, the use of gender specific pronouns is not meant to exclude either gender from the benefits provided by the present invention. 
         [0012]    Turning to the present invention,  FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of a biometric sensor apparatus  100 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the shape and size of the biometric sensor apparatus  100  could be altered without changing the functionality of the present invention. This particular embodiment of a biometric sensor apparatus  100  includes a housing,  101  for securing an electronic device  102 . The housing  101  can have many alternative embodiments with varying configurations that best secure a particular electronic device  102 . Typically, the housing  101  is designed to allow the electronic device  102  to rest securely within the housing  101 . The exact location and configuration of the components is dependent on the location of the built-in camera  107 , and more specifically designed to ensure proper optical coupling between the prism  103  and the electronic device  102 . 
         [0013]    The electronic device includes an internal camera  107  and processor  108 . In one embodiment, the electronic device could be a cellular phone such as those presently available to consumers, e.g., iPhone, Android, and the like. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these cellular telephones, along with most smart phones have built-in cameras  107  as well as internal processors  108 . 
         [0014]    The internal camera  107  in this particular embodiment has an autofocus feature and is capable of achieving a resolution of at least  250  dots per inch. Moreover, the camera  107  in this embodiment may optionally have a built-in flash feature used to add light prior to a photograph being taken in the event that the processor  108  detects that there is not enough light for the camera to take a clear photograph. Additional optional features for the camera  107  include: a light sensitive device, which could be a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD). In this embodiment, the camera  107  would be capable of capturing an image with an image quality of at least  250  dots per inch (DPI) and a maximum focal length of eight inches. 
         [0015]    The electronic device  102  is optically coupled to a prism  103 , which is also secured within the housing  101 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments of the housing  101  could be different shapes or sizes, and could even be comprised of two or more pieces joined together, so long as the proper optical coupling between the prism and the electronic device  102  remained. If, for example, the housing  101  was made of two or more pieces joined together, the user may more easily secure the electronic device to the housing  101 . This embodiment allows the further advantage of providing internal access to the housing  101  and any internal devices therein. 
         [0016]    The electronic device  102  is adapted to receive optical information from the prism  103 . When optical information is received by the electronic device  102 , the processor  108  converts that information into a fingerprint using internal software, which could, for example, be stored on the phone as an app. The internal software used to process the optical information can be either custom made or off-the-shelf software. The optical information received by the electronic device  102  will be able to be corrected by the software running on the processor  108 , for any possible image distortion that results from the optical coupling of the electronic device  102  and the prism  103 . In one embodiment, the software would correct any image distortion to adjust the perceived perspective from an arbitrary angle to a direct view. This correction method is non-claimed and is an example of basic digital correction that software which could be easily ran on the processor  108  of the electronic device  102 , would be able to be perform. Any digital optical correction or adjustment can be made by the software both automatically, prior to presenting the user with the image, and/or at the user&#39;s direction. 
         [0017]    Typically the prism  103  is transparent. The prism  103  can be shaped so as to allow an individual to place his finger on the prism  103  so that an image can be rendered of his fingerprint. Similarly, in an alternate embodiment, the prism  103  could be concave. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the biometric sensor apparatus  100  has a cavity  104  that allows a user access to buttons or other control mechanisms on the electronic device  102 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that additional cavities  104  could be incorporated into the housing  101 , for example where the power button or charging portion of the electronic device reside. This embodiment further includes a switch  105  coupled to a light source  125 . 
         [0019]    In this embodiment, the screen  106  of the electronic device could be used to render the fingerprint once the processor  108  has completed its processing of the optical data. The processor  108  of the electronic device  102  is further capable in this embodiment of achieving network connectivity to a network, e.g., the world wide web. In this embodiment, processed fingerprint data could be uploaded or downloaded to suit a user&#39;s preference. This type of data transmission is well known in the art. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a cutaway of the biometric sensor apparatus  100 . This view shows features internal to the housing  101  of the present invention. Specifically, these additional features include a minor  121 , an internally reflective face  122  of the prism  103 , reflective surface  123 , a baffle  124 , a light source  125 , and a power source  126  that is coupled to the switch  105 . 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment the mirror  121  is no more than fifty percent absorptive and could be a first surface minor. In a preferred embodiment the prism  103  is secured by the housing  101  to allow a finger to be placed proximal to an exposed surface of the prism  103 , wherein said prism  103  is cut at angles that establish internal reflective geometry that allow for the camera  107  to capture a reflection off of the mirror  121 . 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 2 , the light source  125  could be a light emitting diode or similar light generating device. In an alternate embodiment, the light source  125  could be a flash built into the electronic device  102 . In one embodiment, the light source  125  could be a red LED. A user of the present invention can decide whether she wants to use the built-in flash of the electronic device  102  of a light source  125  contained within the housing  101 . If the user desires to use the light source  125 , the power source  126  is used to power the light source  125 . Additionally, the user could control whether a light source  125  or the internal flash in the electronic device  102  is used by using the switch  105 . If the switch  105  is positioned so as to choose the light source  125  as the source of light, then the power source  126  is activated and power is provided to the light source  125 . If the user desires to use the internal flash of the electronic device  102 , then the light source  125  will not receive any power. In an alternate embodiment, the internal flash of the electronic device  102  could be connected to a fiber optic cable that allows for the channeling of the light to illuminate the prism  103  in a manner consistent with allowing the camera  107  to capture an image of a fingertip. Irrespective of whether the user decides to use a flash built into the electronic device  102  or a light source  125 , the light produced by either of these options and equivalents known to those skilled in the art is capable of illuminating the prism  103 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment the power source  126  could be a battery. In an alternate embodiment, the power source  126  could be a battery coupled to a resistor. 
         [0024]    Reference is made to  FIG. 3  which shows the path of the light through the biometric sensor apparatus from the light source  125  to the camera  107 . In an embodiment the light source  125  consists of an LED, from which light is projected in two paths, light path A  131  and light path B  132 . These two paths are contained within a first chamber  127  and second chamber  128 . The advantage of this embodiment is that it allows greater control of the amount of light that reaches the prism. In one embodiment, the first chamber  127  may include the camera  107 , a minor  121 , and one face of the prism  103 . In this embodiment, the second chamber  128  could include the light source  125  and another face of the prism  103 . 
         [0025]    The light in path A  131  is projected toward a baffle  124  that prevents the direct path of light to the prism  103  and an opening with reflective surface  123 . The baffle  124 , which can be made out of the same reflective surface material, acts to block the direct light path A  131 . The baffle  124  allows only light from light path B  132  to reflect off of the reflective surface  123  positioned to reflect the light on light path B  132  towards the prism  103  onto the face of the prism  103  that is opposite the top face of the prism  103  acting as the flat surface  103  on which a fingertip is placed. In one embodiment, the reflective surface can be made of reflective tape. 
         [0026]    The prism  103  is then filled with light from light path B  132 . Upon a fingertip being pressed on the top face of the prism  103 , total internal reflection becomes frustrated by the presence of the finger&#39;s ridges in contact with the surface of the prism  103 . The light inside of the prism  103  reflects off the ridges of the fingertip onto the far right internally reflective face  122  of the prism  103  which is mirrored. The light is transmitted along light path C  133  to the next chamber where it is reflected by the mirror  121  into the camera  107 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that the positioning of an internally reflective face  122  of the prism  103  could be altered from what is depicted in  FIG. 3  in order to properly reflect light from the prism  103  to the camera  107 . 
         [0027]    Additionally, a cavity  104  allows for the manipulation of the buttons on the side of the electronic device  102 . In the present embodiment a control switch  105  is located on the exterior of the biometric sensor apparatus  100  to allow a user to control the internal light source. The control switch  105  can be located on any exterior part of the biometric sensor apparatus  100 .