Patent ID: 7822236

Claim:
An apparatus configured to collect a friction ridge signature of a subject, the apparatus comprising: a prism capable of transmitting light rays; a platen comprising a first light-reflecting surface proximate said prism, wherein the first light-reflecting surface has an area of approximately 3 square inches or larger such that the area of the first light-reflecting surface is sufficiently large to receive four fingers simultaneously; a light source configured to emit light rays that propagate within said prism to illuminate a subject placed in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen; a camera configured to capture image data of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen, through the platen, during a capture sequence; an internal processor that converts image data captured by the camera into one or more digital image frames; and a common connection port for wired connection, the common connection port being configured to provide both of (i) communication with an external processor, and (ii) reception of power for the apparatus, wherein the camera receives an image of the subject in contact with the first light-reflecting surface of the platen along an optical axis, wherein the camera comprises a sensor having a photosensitive surface, and wherein the photosensitive surface is arranged such that the angle of incidence of the optical axis to the photosensitive surface is a predetermined acute angle.