DIAGONAL GUIDE DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates in general to a finger guide, called a finger guide device, used to place a finger, thumb or any human finger that bears minute details, on a scanner or sensor or other means to capture an image. of the miniature characteristics of a relevant portion of the minute details or underlying tissue, which is equivalently termed a fingerprint. This finger guide device would be used with electronic, optical, electromagnetic, capacitive, electrolummifying or similar sensors or scanners that require repeated and reasonably accurate placement in alignment with the scanner or sensor. Applications include the precise identification of an individual with a minimum number of false rejections or repetitions of the process to scan or read the recorded portions of the fingerprint.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Patent Application No. 2004101172 (Lane) discloses a fingerprint registration system for receiving a finger of a person to be printed as a fingerprint by an automatic fingerprint reader. The system includes a fingerprint recording device, which has a receiving portion of the finger to receive the finger to be printed as a fingerprint. Extending outward from the receiving surface of the finger, there is a locator bar which couples a line of the concerned finger when it is approximately in the desired position. U.S. Patent Application 2004101171 (Lane et al.) Discloses a fingerprint registration system for receiving and holding a finger of a person, which is printed as a fingerprint by an automatic fingerprint reader. The system includes a fingerprint recording device having a finger receiving portion and a finger placing portion, together forming a gap of reduced dimension, such that the finger in question forcedly inserted, remains in a stable position. And finally, U.S. Patent Application No. US2004076314 (Cheng) discloses an apparatus that includes a fingerprint sensor and a guiding means. The sensor site of the fingerprint sensor produces an obtuse and relative angle with a guiding plane of the guiding means. Traditionally, in order to register a fingerprint, ink is applied to a finger and then the finger is "rolled" on a paper or other ink receiving surface, to print an image of the fingerprint. Fingerprints transferred through contact with a surface and leaving oily residue are captured in a forensic manner by various process techniques that "transfer" and reveal the fingerprint. In more recent years, alternative technologies have been developed that can reveal the fine features within a fingerprint and capture the fingerprint directly from the finger. Electronic sensing technology involves holding the finger in a sensor system as the system detects the skin or differences of living tissue through the finger area or just in a relevant portion of the finger area, in order to reveal an image of the fingerprint digitally or in order to create an electronic representation of the fingerprint, for example as a digital file. Examples include, without restriction, optical scanners, electroluminescent pressure sensitive systems, integrated circuits with the ability to measure capacitance dimensioned by individual pixels, etc. The production cost for some types of fingerprint scanning systems depends on the size of the fingerprint area to be detected. This is especially true for silicone-based sensors or integrated circuit (IC) type. As with most integrated circuits, the larger the integrated circuit, the more expensive it is to produce it, assuming geometries of the device and counting layers, the same. The production cost of the sensor is directly related to the sensor area, and to the mass production of sensors, the size of a thumb is not optimal when only a relevant portion of a fingerprint needs to be scanned, in order to build an authentication system of fingerprints. If only a portion of the fingerprint is to be used in order to reduce the cost of the system, then it becomes important to place practically the same relevant portion of the finger that was originally registered on the sensor for each authentication or identification event. Obviously a smaller sensor would cost less and, assuming that the detected fingerprint area is of necessity large enough to provide an acceptable comparison capability or security level, then the optimal solution would be this smaller sensor, leaving out unnecessary portions of the sensor. total area of the fingerprint. The finger guide device of the invention is a device that can be used to reliably relocate a finger over a small sensor to enable more efficient identification. The device reduces false rejections caused by the deficiency to place the finger close enough to its position or original registration positions, so that the sensor can read a relevant portion for comparison of the fingerprint. The finger guide device reduces the incidence of false rejections by naturally guiding, intuitively, and not necessarily the finger in question to approximately the same original registration position, each time the fingerprint identification system is used. When using more sticky sensors, if the finger is recorded in a way that a relevant area of the finger is scanned, or perhaps several overlapping relevant portions of the fingerprint that are then assembled electronically by a computer in a completed "template", which represents a larger area of the fingerprint of the original subject, than any simple scanner could produce alone, then the system depends on a person or user who is able to touch the sensor consistently in the same approximate place, so that a relevant portion of the fingerprint is read by the sensor to compare and therefore authentication or identification may take place. The deficiency to reposition the finger precisely on the sensor or fingerprint scanner causes false rejections; or, in other words, because the sensor observes a different area of the fingerprint, can not compare with the previously registered area or portions of the fingerprint, rejects a subject known as mismatch. This is a false rejection. If the system allows additional attempts, and if the second or subsequent tests finally align the minute details that contain a relevant portion of the fingerprint originally stored during the registration with the scanner or sensor, the known subject will be accepted (identified or "authenticated"). ). The finger guide reduces the average number of attempts to authenticate known subjects by providing a guide as an inverted pyramid or funnel, simple, for the finger, which physically but not forcedly helps the finger in the correct position, such that a Relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with the sensor or scanner and provides a variety of tactile means and other feedback for the user, in order to make it easier to "find" the correct position again, even after substantial time has passed between the registration and the next authentication event. If the finger is in the correct position, but the touch pressure is too strong or too light, the scanner or sensor may capture a distorted image and this may cause a false rejection. The finger guide device also helps users to learn and repeat the correct touch pressure, using various feedback means, including without restriction tactile feedback, feedback with mechanical movement, audio or visual feedback, the field of possible feedback media is known to those skilled in the art of human factor engineering. In contrast to basic flat surface sensors or even poorly designed sensors, the false rejection ratio described for untrained subjects can range from ten to twenty percent of all subjects. Systems using the finger guide device will experience less than ten percent false rejection and fingerprint authentication systems using the finger guide device can be optimized to lower proportions of false rejections.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Almost as a round or rectangular funnel guides a fluid into a container, the finger guide device includes a recess for the finger which acts to guide the finger towards the same position on the sensor in a repeatable manner. Another simple analogy is to describe a sphere at the tip of a pyramid, which is unstable versus a sphere in an inverted pyramid, where the sphere always rotates to the same global minimum position through the natural force of gravity and the guiding effect of the side walls of the inverted pyramid hollow. In the case of the finger guide device, a similar action is initiated by the muscles that apply force to move the finger towards the hollow of the finger guide device and towards the area of the sensor, such movement is guided by the hollow elements of physical form described in FIG. the finger guide device of the invention. The guiding effect of the mechanical gap and all the performance of the finger guide device can be further enhanced through tactile communication or other feedback to the subject, such as feedback caused by the tactile properties of the material or fingerprint surfaces, elements of additional physical form. intended to provoke tactile feedback, mechanical movement, or other means of visual or audio feedback. The sensor would align itself with the finger guide device in the correct position and adjacent to the desired area of the finger, in order to "see" a relevant portion (projection) of the fingerprint. Previous devices for placing fingers in order to form the image of the fingerprint, focused on the need to hold (literally press and flatten) the finger against a flat scanning surface and tended to either place the finger roughly from the front edge of the nail or the lines of the skin under the first joint on the finger. The attempt to replace the effect of recording an impression and pressing to flatten the finger was an important element. Modern semiconductor sensors require only a slight touch and, as noted, frequently focus on repeating the scan or capture of the same relevant portion of the fingerprint over and over again. What is needed is a device that reduces the average number of attempts to authenticate known subjects, by providing a simple circular, oval, rectangular, or square funnel as a hollow or finger guide, which physically helps the finger to be in the correct position, in the opposite way to a scanner or sensor and can be further improved by providing a set of tactile feedback, mechanical movement, audio, or visual feedback means for the user, in order to make it easier and more natural to "find" the correct position of the finger again, even after substantial time has passed between the registration and the next authentication attempt. In contrast, with basic flat surface sensors or even poorly designed sensors, this proportion of false rejections for untrained subjects can range from ten to fifteen percent of all attempts. The finger guide device of the present invention provides an effective aid in the placement of the finger, essentially in the same position on a repeatable basis and a learning mechanism that helps the subject subjects in the development of the correct position and touch (pressure ) as well as through a group of basic design and construction elements that include the physical form, material properties and surface finishing properties. Additional means of feedback may also be used to assist in the effectiveness of the finger guide device. In practice, the preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of the invention is designed to reposition a relevant portion of the finger between 5 mm and 22.8 mm (0.20 and 0.90 inch) away from the underside of the fingernail in alignment with a sensor or scanner, and, as such, locates from the tip of the finger instead of the edge ba or the first joint on the finger. In addition, the upper edge of the finger guide device in the front is of a sufficiently low profile to avoid contact with the nail. Such contact would introduce error, because the subjects arrange their nails to different lengths and most would also find it uncomfortable to press against the tip of the nail, both conditions have been found in the previous devices, claimed, to help the placement of a finger on a Fingerprint reader or scanner. The physical design of the finger guide device makes it possible to place the finger sufficiently on the sensor, to facilitate a substantial increase in the percentage of acceptance for the first time (of registered subjects), the result is equivalent to reducing the percentage of false rejections. This preferred embodiment includes a relatively short concave radius (or relatively steep slope) on the front of the finger guide device, where the tip of the finger touches just below the fingernail or is near the front of the finger guide device and a concave shape of radius larger (or less steep slope) adjacent to the opposite side of the sensor, where the guide extends above the finger, towards the body. The portions on opposite sides of the scanner or sensor are very steep to keep the finger centered laterally. In general, the finger guide device is designed for the size of an average finger, but accommodates a wide range of finger sizes because it only interconnects with a curved glue portion of the finger, such portion includes a relevant portion of the finger. The tolerance allowed for finger placement on smaller electronic sensors, mounted on flat surfaces is clearly liberal, yet placing your finger on these devices remains a challenge for untrained subjects. This relevant portion of the fingerprint could be limited to approximately two-thirds of the area of the fingerprint that will be scanned by necessarily overlapping with relevant portions of the fingerprint previously scanned (recorded) and existing in the comparison template, depending on the algorithm used and of the accuracy of the system. Low precision systems can operate even with less than half of a sensor window overlap. The actual relevant portion, required for a secure comparison, depends on the algorithm and, within the algorithm, the actual desired security level or the security establishment. This is related to the relevant portion of the scanned subject's footprint that correlates with the subject's registered template. The ability to generally place the same portion of the footprint, opposite and aligned with the active area (window) of the sensor on a consistent and repeatable basis, helps facilitate quick and accurate comparison and substantially reduces the proportion of false rejections. The finger guide device of the invention reduces false rejections among registered subjects, but without practice, to less than ten percent. Practicing using the finger guide device or optimizing the system, or both, will further reduce the proportion of false rejections. This reduction in false rejections ranges from an average of about 15 percent to less than ten percent, which makes a significant difference in the acceptance and commercialization of the security system. Frustration within the user population is reduced substantially if people do not need to touch the sensor several times to be accepted. At the end of 2003 a new keyboard was introduced for approximately 250,000 users and there was no effective solution as a fingerprint guide. There was considerable frustration in the user base and the company that developed the system faced considerable criticism. Such problems caused users to question how a system works well, although the problem can be technically called user error or user failure, due to the imprecise placement of the finger during the authentication process. The finger guide device reduces this user's expected error and increases the probability of user acceptance on the first touch. This saves a lot of time in the life of the system and is a critical element to develop biometric systems that are competitive, with keywords or personal identification numbers (PIN) in terms of time and user efficiency. By using the finger guide device of the present invention both for recording and for authentication, the effectiveness of the finger guide device is increased in actual practice and application. This is due to the natural feel of the finger guide device, which guides users in a non-forced and ergonomically manner to approximately the same position or alignment of a relevant portion of the finger with the active sensor each time. This guiding process is both physical and neural, providing tactile feedback that is important for the first use and subsequent learning. During registration, the system may ask the subject to touch and remove the finger several times. The finger guide device is generally designed to accommodate fingers, thumbs, or any fingers of the left or right limbs. This means that it helps placement, but does not strictly limit placement in an exact and repeatable location; rather, it simply gives the placement within the tolerance ranges of the sensor and the algorithm of comparison of the fingerprint template. This allows the template to extend beyond the strict limits of the ideal or "perfect" window box (projection) and thus creates a template that has a security band designed to accommodate future misalignments within the tolerance capacity and alignment of the finger guide device. This function is important for repeatable and long-term performance, and the improved alignment facilitated by the fingerprint device only needs to be raised to the limits required by the comparison system, the dimensions of the template and the level of security of the algorithm. In fine-tuned (optimized) systems, false rejections between experienced user subjects can be reduced to less than two percent with the help of a finger guide device of the invention. Some sensors drive an electrical potential into the finger tissue. This may be a radio frequency or radio frequency electromagnetic signal. The finger guide device may be electrically conductive to assist these applications during registration and subsequent authentication events. In this case, the conductive material property and the mechanical design elements of the finger guide device are to help "illuminate" the tissue of the target finger with the necessary radiofrequency signal, generated by the sensor and passing through or reflected by the finger guide device or its smooth and conductive surface. Generally the parabolic elements of a preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of the invention emit and reflect this electromagnetic radiation in a relevant tissue of the finger and assist the sensor in capturing image data of a relevant portion of the fingerprint. The flat inclined conductive sides will also improve the illumination of a relevant area of a fingerprint. The properties of the mechanical surface and the material selected for the finger guide device are important for performance. Since the finger must slide easily into position, the low coefficient of friction (sliding coefficient or static coefficient or both) is useful to allow the finger to rest on its natural local minimum, which is at the bottom of the finger guide device properly placed in alignment with the scanner or sensor. This surface property and unconstrained guiding process places the finger in the same nearby place each time again, where a relevant portion of the fingerprint is captured in order to reduce false rejections and reduce the need for additional touches to the sensor. Examples of materials with such a low coefficient of friction properties include, without restriction, smooth metals, smooth plastics, and even painted, polished, or waxed surfaces. You can also use lubricants. If the surface material has a high coefficient of friction (eg, rubber, urethane-based material, or rough plastic), the usefulness and function of the finger guide device would be reduced or compromised, because the finger would not slip into position so easily. Other feedback elements may be included in various additional preferred embodiments of the present invention. Humans will develop the ability to feel the correct position. The finger guide device can be made of a material with a high thermal conductivity. Examples include without restriction metals, metal plate surfaces, certain ceramics, or certain carbon based materials. In this case, the finger guide device would tend to give the sensation of coldness in the touch at room temperature, not because of its absolute temperature but because it has a thermal conductivity that quickly leads the heat out of the finger when touched. If the finger guide device is made of metal, this property will make it feel like metal to the touch (for example, cold feeling). When feeling colder than the rest of the parts and colder than the sensor, the subject will learn the correct "feel" of the finger guide device and also feel the sensor better in order to determine its location. You can add bumps to help orient the finger or enable subjects to "fine tune" their finger position. These may be unnecessary for normal or average size fingers, but may be useful in applications where subjects have very small fingers, which have little contact with the surface area of the finger guide. Braille can be added to the fingerprint device to help blind users or users who have poor vision. The finger guide device can also use physical elements and material properties to discourage inappropriate use. For example, a preferred method for practicing this invention surrounds the finger guide with a relatively hard and distinct edge. As long as it does not feel like dangerously "sharp" this edge is designed so that it feels uncomfortable for users. When a finger is placed across this edge, while it is not dangerous, it is uncomfortable because it applies a high pressure (measured for example in "psi") to the skin through a very narrow area. This great pressure per square inch indicates through the sense of touch (tactile feedback) that the finger guide device is not being used correctly. The feeling of the misaligned finger is to feel it unnatural and the user will instinctively reposition his finger to have a more natural and comfortable feeling in the hollow of the finger guide device. The natural tendency is to avoid placing the finger against the uncomfortable outer edge of the finger guide, instead of sliding the finger or thumb under the finger guide and over the sensor (the desired position). This is the correct position when placing the finger or thumb feels both natural and safe for the user. Additional embodiments of the invention may include feedback mechanisms that include those designed to alert (and train) subjects to the correct position of their finger, or feedback designed to alert subjects to the fact that they have been accepted in the system (ie, that your fingerprint has been scanned, compared, and matched correctly). Sound can be used to "guide" the finger to the sensor. You can also use visual indicators. Examples include without restriction icons, marking of a fingerprint pattern, reference markings, light sources (such as light emitting diodes or LEDs), and colored circles. Finally, feedback mechanisms with physical mechanical movement such as vibration or feedback with "click" can be applied almost as the indicator of loss of speed that alerts pilots to an indication of a near collapse when driving an airplane or the keys ring the colliding with the boards and control panels, such feedback methods are known to those skilled in the art of human factor engineering and are incorporated herein by reference, rather than described in full detail. These feedback mechanisms can also be used to correct improper use of the system. For example, extreme pressure on the sensor or a lack of touch pressure can cause scanning problems. The overpressure can flatten minute details and saturate the sensor and cause the inability to accurately solve minute details. Conversely, the lack of pressure in the form of a very light touch can cause minute details to remain unresolved by the sensor, so that a good image can not be generated. In any case, an order of voice or sound or vibration or other means of feedback, could be used to communicate the need to relax the grip or even press or tighten a little stronger. The feedback means can communicate to the subject the need to make the touch pressure lighter or raise the finger slightly. Using a click feedback means may require a user to apply the minimum acceptable pressure, required for the scanner or sensor to "see" a relevant portion of the finger. Another viable procedure is to move the sensor slightly up or down in the window of the finger guide sensor, in order to adjust the differences in finger pressure on the scanner or sensor. A preferred method for practicing this invention is a unit with the sensor and finger guide, intended to work together as a unit, i.e. as a system. This requires configuring the sensor for operation on a circuit board, which probably contains additional support circuitry for its application. The combination of the finger guide, sensor, gasket, and connector board printed with connector, may or may not be placed in its own housing. As such, this subunit can be placed in various devices for its application. The unit is a security platform with a plurality of uses. Examples include, without restriction, doors or dashboards for vehicles, top of counters, doors or door frames, keyboards, personal digital assistants, telephone devices, secure fax machines, computing devices, appliances, instruments, controls machinery, medical devices, cash registers, etc. Fingerprint sensors or scanners use various solutions to detect and capture image data, detailing the unique individual characteristics of the minute details of a human fingerprint or the minute details of living tissue, directly under the fingerprint. In this description and throughout this document, it is intended that the use of the words finger and fingerprint refer to any finger and its unique minute details, of the left or right extremities and are the same and equivalent to the use of the word thumb or thumbprint. The use of the words he and she are not intended to be gender specific and are intended to be equivalent to her or her. The finger guide device of the present invention can be used as a device for providing inputs to a system from a user. This embodiment of the present invention would include mechanical communication of the finger guide device to one or more pressure sensors or electrical capacitive sensors, to detect when the finger guide device is touched or pressed. When the device is touched, it can serve as an input or switching control device and when the device is pressed in one or several directions and with variable pressure or surface contact movement, it can serve as a proportional input device to facilitate various applications of entry, which include without restriction, machinery or control equipment or as a pointing device for a computer. The placement of a finger in the finger guide device and application of pressure in axial or lateral directions or combined directions, will allow a second utilitarian use of the finger guide as a pointing device, when the finger guide device is in communication with pressure sensors or switches. Changing or moving the contact points by touching the sides of the holes, will also facilitate the utilitarian use of the finger guide device as a pointer or control device if the surface contains sensors to detect changes, the touch sensing means are known by those skilled in the art to produce touch sensitive signaling and control devices, and here they are incorporated as a reference instead of being described in their entirety. A user subject may be under duress during the use of the finger guide device of the present invention; for example, a crime could be happening where a user could be enforced and forced to authenticate against their will. In such a circumstance, it may be desirable for the user to have a different digit registered as an emergency signal that the user of the device is in danger, the emergency digit is not necessarily known by the others. If the user is experiencing another type of emergency, or is even illegally forced to use the device, then he can use his digit "911" to ask for help. In such a case, the system can not compare the registered fingerprint, but will recognize a match with the emergency digit of the user subject and will therefore recognize the need to respond differently and accordingly. For a more complete understanding of the finger guide device of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein the presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. Since the invention can be exemplified in various ways, without departing from the spirit of its essential characteristics, it is expressly understood that the drawings are for illustration and description only, and are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the description, similar reference numbers refer to the same component in all the various views
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OR FIGURES Figure 1 describes a preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of the present invention, mounted in alignment with a fingerprint sensor and mounted on a commonly used biometric touch pad, similar to the touch pads fingerprint, commonly used with computers for the purpose of identifying and authenticating system users; Figure 2 is an assembly drawing of the preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of the present invention, of Figure 1 comprising the finger guide device, the joint, the fingerprint sensor aligned with the drive ring, and the board of printed circuits; Figure 3A describes an overall view of the preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of Figure 1, with a finger mounted thereon, the finger is positioned on the finger guide device and a relevant portion of the finger in alignment with the fingerprint sensor , in order to make it possible to compare a relevant partial fingerprint with the comparison template; and Figure 3B depicts a side view of the steeply forward slope of the finger guide device, aligning the finger in axial alignment to place a relevant portion of the finger in alignment with the sensor; Figures 4A and 4B describe another preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of the present invention, mounted on the handle of a handheld computer, which enables a continuous touch and alignment of the fingerprint sensor while holding the handheld computer, therefore, an authentication or identification process, repetitive frequently or continuously; and Figure 5 describes another preferred embodiment of the finger guide device, the finger guide device having flat side surfaces that form a recess to receive a finger, to place it in alignment on a fingerprint sensor, and mounted on a computer screen, which enables a user to touch the finger guide device and align a relevant portion of the finger with the sensor, for identification and authentication, in order to have access to the data that will be displayed on the computer screen; and, when used to control a computer pointer, to place the finger on the finger guide device, to apply pressure or touch movement in axial or lateral directions, or combined directions, in order to use the finger guide as a device control pointer; and, if desired, while scanning or detecting a relevant portion of the fingerprint for frequent or continuous repetitive authentication or identification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES Fingerprint scanners or sensors are used in various applications to capture relevant image data from a fingerprint, for comparison with one or several images of stored fingerprints or fingerprint templates. Devices that include fingerprint sensors may be designed solely for the purpose of capturing a relevant portion of a fingerprint or the fingerprint sensor device may be included as part of a device for other additional purposes, such as a keyboard or lock of door or other device. The finger guide device of the present invention is intended for use in all these devices and applications where a scanner or fingerprint sensor is desired. Referring now to the drawings, in Figure 1, the preferred embodiment of the finger guide device (12) of the present invention is shown in alignment with a fingerprint sensor (16), wherein both the finger guide device and the sensor of fingerprints reside in a simple touch pad (26) that is housed to rest on a desk, counter top or other surfaces. The configuration of the simple fingerprint pad of the preferred embodiment is normally used with a computer or terminal or ATM to identify a subject, in order to guarantee access to data, files, or network communications or to identify the subject for another purpose; for example, complete a payment transaction. The touch pad, combined with the computer and software algorithm for comparing fingerprints, is a fingerprint identification system. The finger guide device reduces the number of false rejections experienced during repeated use of the fingerprint identification system. Figure 2 describes an inverted assembly drawing of the preferred embodiment of the finger guide device (12) of the present invention, comprising the finger guide device (12), the gasket (14), the sensor (16) and the ring drive (17), and the printed circuit board (18). The left and right sides of the finger guide device, adjacent to the sensor area are inclined more towards the front (lower portion in Figure 2) and downward (upper portion in Figure 2) and are of a concave nature in this embodiment. The front portion of the finger guide device is concave from the alignment portion of the sensor to the top edge and has the shape derived from a short group of spokes to create its generally concave contour. The fingerprint will be in contact with this front portion of the finger guide device (see Figure 3B). For certain handheld devices that include, without restriction, manual computers (see Figures 4A and 4B) or remote controls, this feature also helps maintain a secure hold. The radii of the posterior section create the concave contour less inclined and are intended to guide the portion of the finger or digit between a relevant portion of the finger and the rest of the finger adjacent to the body. The end of the fingerprint device further away from the nail contains a relatively sharp continuation of the feedback edge, but is not intended to use the joint of the finger or the skin fold under the joint as a means to place the fingerprint adjacent to the finger. sensor. Rather, this relatively sharp edge provides tactile feedback to the user to communicate incorrect communication of the finger and a need to reposition the finger within the recess of the finger guide device. The sides of the finger guide form a recess that receives the finger of the user and guides the finger laterally to center a relevant portion of the fingerprint on the fingerprint sensor (16) and the drive ring (17). Accordingly, the sides of the finger guide device have the same general shape as the finger. In this first preferred embodiment of the finger guide device (12) of the present invention, the sides are concave and have a variable radius of curvature. This includes a relatively short concave radius (or relatively steep slope) on the front of the finger guide device, where the tip of the finger just below the finger touches or is close to the front of the finger guide device and a concave shape of longer radius (or less inclined slope) adjacent to the opposite side of the sensor, wherein the guide extends above the finger towards the body. The opposite sides of the sensor portion are very inclined to keep the finger laterally centered. In general, the finger guide device is sized for an average finger, but accommodates a wide range of finger sizes, because it only interconnects a small curved portion of the finger or digit. In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention (see Figure 5), the finger guide device has a plurality of flat sides, the opposite sides are of equal slope while still practicing the present invention in this second preferred embodiment. The first preferred embodiment (Figure 2) of the present invention of the finger guide device (12) contains a window for the sensor (16) and the drive ring (17) to align and reveal a relevant portion of the digit fingerprint or finger of the subject. The sensor (AES3400) or (AES3500) both manufactured by AuthenTec in Melbourne, FL, would also be suitable as fingerprint sensors to support alignment with the finger guide device, as other similar devices would be developed by various different manufacturers, known to those skilled in the art of fingerprint identification and authentication systems. This window may be sufficient to contain an actuating ring (17), necessary for certain types of sensors (shown) or it may cover the drive ring and replace its own electrical conductivity with that provided by a drive ring. In the preferred modalities, this may also be the case and its performance is equivalent, with aesthetics being the only substantive difference. In Figure 1, the drive ring is exposed in an equivalent manner and the finger guide device (12) is used as a supplement for the drive ring and is conductive and reflective of electromagnetic energy. This feature is desirable, but is not required for the finger guide device to work. Therefore, in another preferred embodiment, the finger guide device is not conductive, but the electrical signal provided by the drive ring is sufficient by itself to illuminate the relevant minute detail portions of the fingerprint, where overall it functions sufficiently but not necessarily optimally. The surface of the fingerprint sensor (16) lies on a plane with the upper part of the window at the bottom of the finger guide device (12); however, within reasonable limits, compliance with this plane is not critical to performance as long as the subject's finger can be in contact with both the finger guide device and the exemplary fingerprint sensor. The foldable and flexible nature of the living fingers facilitates this, and as long as the utility gained from an optimal comparison of vertical (flat) positions exists, the invention operates in a range of vertical positions. Another preferred embodiment, not shown, allows the relative mounting planes of either the finger guide device or the fingerprint sensor to be altered by adjustment during the touch process for authentication, in order to optimize the distance between the fingerprint sensor and the fingerprint sensor. sensor and a relevant portion of the tissue with minute details of the finger or contact pressure between the fingerprint sensor and a relevant portion of the finger, to obtain the best possible image or fingerprint data. This adjustment can be done manually or automatically using an electronic control system. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figure 2, a gasket (14) is provided to prevent oil, fluids, dirt, or other unwanted material from entering the sensor guides and the circuit board. This joint is made of a flexible material, which is impermeable to solvents and other unwanted contaminants. In another preferred embodiment, not shown, the gasket and its function can be replaced with shaping coating material, applied in liquid form which solidifies or partially solidifies to provide a protective barrier, or equivalent sealing materials, known to those skilled in the art. experts in the technique of design and assembly of electronic devices and therefore are incorporated as a reference, without diminishing the function and purpose of the present invention. The invention will also work without including a seal or equivalent seal or means for forming a protective barrier. The finger guide device (12) of the present invention, shown in Figure 2, contains one or more mounting protuberances, shown in this preferred embodiment as opposite and adjacent. These are used to align the finger guide device with the sensor and its printed circuit board or other mounting means and in turn, to mount the fingerprint sensor subunit, board, and finger guide device to a housing, upper part of counter, appliance case, or other device or system housing. The present invention works with any other means known to those skilled in the art of mechanical assembly and alignment of assembled parts, and all such means are incorporated herein by reference. Examples include, without restriction, adhesive assembly, welding, metal welding, nailing, fastening, clamping, latching, or closing. The front portion of the finger guide device (12) serves as a stop and location reference, intended to find the fingerprint or thumb under the nail and avoid differences in position, which could result from differences in finger length or thumbnail of the user. This is a distinct advantage over devices that attach or cross over the top (fingernail) side of the finger. Figure 3A describes a top view of the preferred embodiment of the finger guide device (12), with a finger mounted on it, the finger is placed on the finger guide device so that a relevant portion of the finger is in alignment with the sensor of fingerprint (16) and therefore makes it possible to accurately compare the relevant portion of the fingerprint; and Figure 3B depicts a side view of the steep forward slope (27) of the finger guide device (12) that aligns the finger in an axial position with a relevant portion of the finger in alignment with the fingerprint sensor., and thereby makes it possible to accurately compare the relevant partial fingerprint portion. The upper edge of the finger guide device is lower than the extension of a long fingernail, so that the fingernail will not be in contact with the finger guide device. This feature avoids the possibility of misalignment, caused by differences in the length of the nail, that could occur between the registration and the subsequent use of the finger guide device, either by the normal growth of the nail or the cut of the nail during the time between registration and use of the finger guide device. Figures 4A and 4B describe another preferred embodiment of the finger guide device (12A) of the present invention, placed on the handle of a handheld computer (22), which makes possible a continuous touch of the fingerprint sensor; and therefore, an authentication or continuous identification. Certain devices can be made more secure by the requirement of repeated user authentication, continuous or frequent. This avoids the security risk of having an authorized person touch the fingerprint device and the fingerprint sensor that has access to the system or turn on the device, and then pass or release the device to an unauthorized user in a breakdown process of security known as "back door". The back door can be avoided when mounting the finger guide device (12A), where the finger guide device
(12A) has flat side surfaces with each pair of opposite sides having approximately equal slope, and the combination of sides forming a gap to receive a finger unalloyed for alignment placement on a fingerprint sensor in a computer ( 22), as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in a manner compatible with the normal holding and grasping of the handheld device, so that frequent or continuous authentication can be conveniently achieved without changing the handle of the device or diverting it from other input activities of data during the repeated authentication of the user. Figure 5 describes another preferred embodiment of the finger guide device (12A), wherein the finger guide device (12A) has flat side surfaces with each pair of opposite sides having approximately equal slope, and the combination of sides forms a gap to receive from a finger not forced way, for positioning in alignment on a fingerprint sensor (16); and, in this application example of Figure 5, mounted on the housing of a computer screen, it is possible for a user to touch the finger guide device (12) and align a relevant portion of the finger with the sensor in a reasonably position. repeatable, for identification and authentication in order to have access to the data that will be displayed on the computer screen; and, to be also used to control a computer pointer through the application of additional pressure to the finger guide device (12A), the pressure communicated to one or more pressure sensing means in mechanical communication with the finger guide device. Another preferred similar embodiment would include touch and site sensitive material for the internal surfaces of the finger guide device, to facilitate use as a pointer control device, such material is known to those skilled in the art of control device design. computer pointers and is incorporated as a reference in the present. As a substitute for a computer mouse pointing device, the finger guide device of this preferred embodiment of FIG. 5, allows a user subject to place his finger on the finger guide device, to apply pressure in axial or lateral directions or combined directions , in order to use the fingerprint as a pointer control device; and, if desired, to perform authentication or self-identification to the system. Another preferred similar embodiment would include mounting the finger guide device in mechanical communication with one or more electromechanical switches or equivalent switching means, to allow the finger guide device (12) to serve as a component of a simple pressure activated switch, a rocker switch of three addresses, or a bilateral nine-way toggle switch, where the user is authenticated just before or during the switching process. In any of the various preferred embodiments described herein, additional ridges may be added to the finger guide device (12) or (12A) to help further orient the subject's finger or enable subjects to "fine-tune" their finger position. These may be unnecessary for average or normal sized fingers, but may be useful in applications where subjects have very small fingers that make relatively light contact on the surface area of the finger guide device. Braille can be added to the finger guide device to help blind or visually impaired users. The finger guide devices of the present invention in any of its various preferred embodiments described herein, may also use physical elements and specific material properties to discourage inappropriate use. For example, the preferred method for practicing this invention, shown in Figure 1, surrounds the finger guide device (12) with a different and relatively hard edge. While not feeling dangerously "sharp" this edge is designed to feel uncomfortable. When a finger is placed across this edge, as long as it is not dangerous, it is not uncomfortable because a high pressure per square inch (psi) is applied to the skin that crosses a very narrow area. This high pressure per square inch points through the sense of touch, that the finger is not being placed correctly in the recessed area. The feeling of the misaligned finger means that it is an unnatural sensation and the user will instinctively reposition his or her finger to find a more natural and comfortable sensation. The natural tendency is to avoid placing the finger against the outer edge of the finger guide device, instead of easily sliding the finger or thumb down comfortably and not forced into the finger guide device and over the sensor (the desired position). The property of the high thermal conductivity material can be used to cause any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein to feel colder to the touch than the surrounding surfaces and the sensor surface. Although all surfaces are normally at the same temperature, the ability to extract heat from the skin (thermal conductivity) creates the feeling that it is somewhat cold. For example, by stipulating a finger guide device (or surface coating) made of metal (or other thermally conductive material such as ceramic or nanoparticulate ceramic paint), any preferred embodiment will have this property of feeling colder than the surrounding surfaces, with the condition that the surrounding surfaces are of a material with a lower thermal conductivity, such as plastic or cloth. The result is the ability based on the user's tactile feedback to distinguish the surfaces of the finger guide device from other surfaces and thereby guide his or her finger on the finger guide device. A smooth inner surface is also important for any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein. A low coefficient of sliding friction allows the subject's finger to slide down the hollow in an unforced manner, until it reaches a stable overall minimum that corresponds by design to a finger position in alignment with the fingerprint sensor reasonably repeated with a relevant portion of the finger. A low coefficient of static friction allows the subject's finger to begin to slide into the position in an unforced manner and also prevents the subject's finger from partially separating into the gap, at a local minimum instead of the more stable global minimum and desired that corresponds, by design, with a final finger position in reasonably repeatable alignment of the fingerprint sensor with a relevant portion of the finger. The lower the coefficients of friction, the better the preferred modes will work; Such acceptable coefficients of friction are available by means of the surface properties of materials such as, without restriction, polished metals, polished plastics, plate metals such as chromium, surface waxes, lubricants, or special paints or coatings. Examples of materials that can be applied after cleaning the finger guide device, or formulating in cleaning cloths for application during cleaning, include without restriction, wet and dry lubricants (for example, lubricants such as those used as bottle lubricants for bottling plants ) and fatty acid-based static suppressants such as jojoba oil. Any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein, may be designed to work with active feedback mechanisms, including those designed to alert subjects or to train subjects regarding the correct position of their finger, with others feedback means designed to alert subjects to the fact that they have been accepted into the system (ie that their fingerprint has been scanned, compared, and correctly matched). Sound or voice commands can be used to instruct users on how to "guide" the finger in proper alignment with the sensor. Active or passive visual indicators can also be used with any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein. Examples include without restriction, light indicators, icons, drawings or fingerprint markings, indication marks, text instructions, or colored markings, wherein such indicators are known to those skilled in the art of human factor engineering and are hereby incorporated by reference. incorporate as a reference. Finally, the physical movement used as a feedback mechanism with mechanical movement such as vibration or "click", can be applied almost as the indicator of loss of speed that alerts pilots to an indication of a near collapse when driving an airplane, such feedback means with mechanical movement are known to those skilled in the art of human factor engineering. These feedback mechanisms can also be used to correct misuse of the system, in any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein. For example, extreme pressure on the sensor or a lack of touch pressure can cause scanning problems. The overpressure can flatten minute details and saturate the sensor and cause the inability to accurately solve minute details. Conversely, the lack of pressure in the form of a very light touch can cause minute details to remain unresolved by the sensor and a good image can not be generated. In any case, a voice or sound command or other feedback means as described above, could be used to communicate the need to decrease the pressure (or hold) or even press (or tighten) a little louder. A light indicator, vibration, or other feedback means as described above or known to those skilled in the art of human system engineering and incorporated herein by reference, can communicate to the subject the need to illuminate touch pressure or raise a finger a little. Another viable method is to move the sensor slightly up or down in the sensing area of the finger guide device. Although the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices (12) and (12A) do not describe the ability to adjust the depth of the sensor relative to the plane of the bottom of the hollow, preferred additional embodiments allow this element to be incorporated in any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein. A preferred embodiment of this type of the finger guide device, allows manual adjustment of the level of the sensor to modify the pressure of the finger contact, in order to optimize the image of the image data properties. Yet another preferred embodiment of the finger guide device is in communication with the computer of the system, to produce a real-time determination of the need to move the sensor in closer or less close proximity to the plane at the bottom of the gap and thereby be in close proximity or less close to a relevant portion of the finger or living tissue with minute details, and so the real-time optimization of the image of a relevant portion of the fingerprint originates, despite the pressure or lack of it is the determining factor in the optimization of the image. For example, if an optical sensor is used, then the adjustment described in real time may be related to the focal length instead of the contact pressure; or, if a sensor is used that detects the properties of the subsurface tissue, then it may require adjustment of the pressure against the finger, causing reduced circulation of the blood. A user subject may be under duress or endangered while using the finger guide device of the present invention; For example, a crime could be happening where a subject could be enforced and forced to authenticate against his will. In such a circumstance, it may be desirable for the user to have a different digit registered as an emergency signal that the user of the device is in danger, such selection of the emergency digit is not necessarily known by others. If the user is experiencing another type of emergency, or is illegally forced to use the device as previously described, then he can use this digit "911" to request emergency assistance. In such a case, the system can not match the registered fingerprint, but will recognize a match with the subject's emergency finger and will therefore recognize the need for user instruction to respond differently and accordingly. In a possible embodiment of the finger guide device of the present invention, this coincidence of the emergency digit is taken as an instruction to operate the so-called "silent alarms" to provide immediate assistance (for example, police assistance). In addition, the system, instead of rejecting the user subject, could be programmed to appear as a failure, or for another reason revealed that the failure of the subject to authenticate disables it to complete the desired security controlled event or otherwise delay the event to allow extra time for help to arrive, such a procedure is designed to minimize the risk to the subject under duress.
For any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein, a preferred method for practicing this invention is within a unit with the sensor and finger guide device, designed to be aligned to work together as a unit, i.e. in a complete system. This requires configuring the sensor for operation on a circuit board, which probably contains additional support circuitry for application with the sensor, in communication with the support circuitry. The combination of the finger guide device, sensor, gasket (or an equivalent or otherwise non-protective barrier means), and printed circuit board, may or may not be located in its own discrete housing. This subunit can be placed in a variety of devices or products for its use. The system unit described is a security system platform device having a plurality of applications in products or other more complex systems. Examples include vehicle gates or dashboards, top of counters, dizziness of doors or doors, keyboards, personal digital assistants, telephone devices, secure fax machines, computer devices, screens, appliances, instruments, machine controls, medical devices, cash registers, etc. Throughout this specification, there are several patents / applications that are referenced by application number and inventor. The descriptions of these patents / applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in this specification, in order to more fully describe the state of the art. To maintain a reasonable length of description, additional elements using common means, known to those skilled in the various arts, are also incorporated by reference and such means are not included here. Any of the preferred embodiments of the finger guide devices described herein, may use future means to facilitate the elements described, such means are not reasonably anticipated by the inventor on this occasion, but are incorporated herein by reference. It is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations of the finger guide devices (12) and (12A) and any others described herein, of the present invention, will be clear to those skilled in the art in light of the description herein. . It is intended that the boundaries and scopes of the present invention be determined by the appended claims rather than by the language of the foregoing specification, and that such alternatives, modifications, and variations that form a cooperative joint equivalent, are designed to be included within. of the spirit and scope of these claims.