DE19958378A1 - Device using fingerprint for person identification, with duration and intensity of light source regulated according to ambient lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

Light sources (10) are arranged to side of finger support surface (30) so light is directed onto the side of support surface to lay front area of finger onto, which is turned away from the sensor unit (40). Duration and intensity of light is altered according to ambient light by sensor unit and evaluation unit (70a).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for personal identification by means of at least one fingerprint

• - With at least one light source for lighting and / or to illuminate the front area a finger using light pulses and
• - with at least one fiber optic Finger support surface for removing an optical Image of the fingerprint, through which Finger support surface at least the optical image a sensor unit can be transported, in which the optical image can be converted into electrical signals is

the at least one light source next to it the finger support surface is arranged and wherein Light from the light source towards that of the Sensor unit facing away, for laying on the front Area of the finger Finger support surface can be blasted.

Such devices are used for recording and Processing of fingerprints and can in any areas can be used in who need personal identification.  

The area can serve as an example in this context computer technology, intake systems, Criminalistics, medicine, protection systems in the general as well as banking and finance to be named.

Now in the field of devices for Personal identification using at least one Known fingerprint systems (see international Laid-open specification WO 98/27509), the one Have light source that over the translucent fingers is arranged so that the finger when it is placed on the finger rest between the light source and the finger rest located. The light emitted by the light source arrives after passing through the front area of the Fingers and record the information regarding of the fingerprint through the fibers of the Finger rest in the below the Finger rest arranged sensor unit and is then by means of the sensor unit downstream evaluation unit analyzed.

In connection with this so-called direct optical methods, however, it proves to be extremely problematic that the means of their Fingerprint to be identified to a certain extent into a cavity or in an opening between the light source and Finger support surface must be stuck.

This is extremely unfavorable and psychologically increases the inhibition threshold, a generic Experience shows that to use the device in significant way because the one to be identified  Person is, as it were, an exposed Body part in the form of the front area of the finger into a non-visually detectable cavity stuck, which is often an increased Anxiety goes hand in hand.

The aforementioned problem of mental overcoming is in a generic device for input of irregular patterns (cf. German Laid-open specification DE 44 04 918 A1) is not given. This device contains an optical fiber bundle whose two ends each have an entry surface and an exit surface are formed. A Illumination device emits radiation light in the Show that a light pattern corresponds to a convex part of an object in contact with the Entry surface and corresponding to a concave part of the object out of contact with the entrance surface is formed. Is there an angle of incidence of the Irradiation light one that is larger than a critical one Angle at an interface between a core part a respective optical fiber of the Bundle of optical fibers and the air, so it is possible at the entry surface out of contact with the concave part of the object a total reflection and at the entrance surface in contact with the convex To achieve no total reflection of part of the object, what reflection light with an irregular Pattern corresponding light pattern results. That I Resulting light pattern is over the exit surface into a photoelectric conversion device entered and through this into electrical Information implemented.

The device known from DE 44 04 918 A1  however, proves to be disadvantageous in that it works with light of constant intensity and based on the principle of disturbed total reflection. This will both the type of lighting the lighting is also rigid and inflexible, because with an ambient light illuminance of more as around 3,000 lux, one quickly occurs Supersaturation of the photoelectric Converter device so that with the conventional Device no longer reliable results can be achieved.

Based on the disadvantages set out above and shortcomings are due to the present Invention based on the object of a generic Device for personal identification in a way to train who is adequate, reliable Results early lighting of the front. Area of the finger allows the further both the device for personal identification fully visible as well as the process of Personal identification for the person to be identified Person is understandable and transparent and with which is ultimately independent of each Ambient lighting conditions always consistently good and reliable results can be achieved.

This object is achieved in a device according to the Preamble of the main claim solved in that according to the teaching of the present invention, the duration and / or the intensity of the at least one Light source emitted light pulses depending can be regulated by the ambient light conditions.

It is therefore unpredictable for the person skilled in the art  Way a dynamic light control (= DLR or also DLC = "dynamic light control"), that means a kind "intelligent lighting control" provided by which the deficits are changing Ambient lighting conditions, such as changing Room lighting or changing sunlight, are compensable. This is with the device according to the present invention in a preferred manner at least one control means for regulating the duration and / or the intensity of the light pulses is provided. With this control means is a continuous one or temporary measuring method feasible with the permanent good image quality can be determined and with the optimal if necessary, on contrast and Depth of field adjusted saturation using short-term light pulses can be achieved, the short-term light pulses in their duration and / or in their intensity exactly to actually needed Amount of light are dosed.

According to an advantageous development of the present invention, the control means has:

• - At least one recording module for recording the Ambient lighting conditions, the detection module uniform with the sensor unit and / or as part the sensor unit can be formed;
• - At least one evaluation module for determining the Duration and / or the intensity of the light pulses in Adaptation to those recorded by the registration module Ambient lighting conditions, with the evaluation module uniform with at least one evaluation unit and / or as part of at least one evaluation unit can be formed that the sensor unit in is preferably subordinate; and  
• - At least one memory module for storing for regulating the duration and / or the intensity of the Light pulses determined threshold values, the Memory module uniformly with at least one Storage unit and / or as part of at least one Storage unit can be formed, the Sensor unit is preferably arranged downstream.

The operation and function of the control means is, for example, such that the Acquisition module the respective Ambient lighting conditions recorded in Evaluation module can be evaluated and analyzed as well in the evaluation module, a comparison with in the memory module stored predetermined threshold values.

Depending on the result of this comparison then the light source that comes with the control means and in particular with the evaluation module in Connection is established, addressed by the control means, the duration and / or the intensity of that of the Light source emitted light pulses to the determined Ambient lighting conditions is adjusted.

This allows the light pulses to last both in duration as well as dynamically designed in intensity be around for any kind of ambient light (for example strong sunlight, weak Sunlight, dim light, diffuse light, Gas light, moonlight, artificial lighting,. . .) the required amount of light is available and therefore a high-contrast and to get a sharp image of the fingerprint.

In particular, with dynamic light control  Illuminance levels from zero lux to around 40,000 lux realizable, the latter illuminance value roughly corresponds to direct sunlight. The achievable with this dynamic light control Results show conventional Lighting systems with continuous light a contrast and depth of field increase by up to about eighty Percent, the type of the invention Light control has the advantage that it is with you changing lighting conditions the required Amount of light in a time range of less can dose as one hundred milliseconds and for Provides so that at all conceivable Lighting conditions an almost constant Image quality can be obtained.

The advantage essential to the invention is therefore the present device in the "intelligent Control "to see which is the irradiated The amount of light, if necessary, is self-adjusted and them around the object to be illuminated, that is around the front area of a finger, for everyone Area calculated and made available separately, so that an overexposure or an underexposure with a probability bordering on certainty is excluded.

In this context, constant Lighting units such as those used in conventional devices for Personal identification using at least one Fingerprint are provided, the further Disadvantage that the provided by them Amount of light cannot be delivered object-related, that is, a ten millimeter thick object is included  the same amount of light as a five millimeter strong object illuminated, resulting in blurring as well partial overexposures also result.

In contrast, the present enables Invention the uniform illumination of an object, about the front of a finger, namely regardless of the strength of the object, the rest definitely a more or less strong one Light conductivity or a more or less strong Can have reflectivity, as well as independently whether this object is frontal, lateral and / or is illuminated by stray light on the back. As a result it doesn't matter in the present invention, at what angle and from which point light is irradiated on the object to be illuminated; only the duration and / or the intensity of the additionally required light is for each area to be regulated individually.

The advantages of the present dynamic Light control ultimately lead to a Finger picture without significant change in Exposure times under full preservation the contrast and the depth of field can be determined.

The control means is expediently for the dynamic light control as at least one Logic component and / or as at least one Logic circuit, especially as at least one Standard logic component or as at least one programmable logic (FPGA = field programmable gate array). Alternatively or in addition for this purpose, the control means can also be at least a digital signal processing unit (DSP =  digital signal processor) and / or as at least one Microcontroller be trained.

As already stated above, this leads to Implementation of dynamic lighting control provided control means according to an appropriate Embodiment at least one recording module, at least one evaluation module and at least one Memory module. Now the acquisition module is in preferably uniform with the sensor unit and / or designed as part of the sensor unit, so can the photosensitive surface and / or the photosensitive layer of the sensor unit by means of the dynamic light control itself to a certain extent - for each of their areas - the required Request the amount of light, especially in works excellently if that Evaluation module of the control means uniformly with the evaluation unit and / or as part of the Evaluation unit is formed.

Conventional devices for Personal identification using at least one Fingerprint can't do this because such known devices - if any - the incident light for the entire area of Regulate the sensor unit inflexibly and rigidly; in the The only opposite is dynamic lighting control able for any area of the area and / or the layer of the sensor unit given the Amount of light required for ambient lighting conditions in terms of duration and / or in terms of intensity in the evaluation module with regard to optimal saturation to be calculated and delivered immediately.  

As already indicated above, the at least one light source in the dynamic Light control in the context of the present invention an important function. Here is too take into account that for the purpose of uniform Illumination of the front area of the finger in the most practical use cases more than one Light source is provided, for example two Light sources or in particular four light sources that can be arranged symmetrically to each other and / or the side or ring, here in particular, essentially evenly distributed to the finger support surface can be arranged around.

According to a particularly essential to the invention Further development of the present device is respective duration and / or the respective intensity of the emitted by the respective light source Light pulses in adaptation to the Ambient lighting conditions selectively adjustable; this in other words means that the respective duration and / or the respective intensity of that of the individual light sources emitted light pulses independently of each other, especially in Dependence on predetermined threshold values, is controllable. Hence all light sources can be controlled independently, the respective duration and / or the respective intensity preferably in the evaluation module for each light source is calculated individually.

Not just the control of the light sources and the Number of light sources, but also their arrangement plays one in the present invention role essential to the invention. By the light source  is arranged laterally next to the finger support surface and the light from the light source towards the facing away from the sensor unit for placing the the front area of the finger Finger support surface is radiated, one adequate, reliable results Illumination of the front area of the finger enables.

Here the light falls on the front Area of the finger essentially from the side, where at least part of the light is inside the front area of the finger penetrates and there is scattered, the scatter essentially in all directions, including directions the fiber-optic finger rest surface takes place; hence the present invention is based to a certain extent on transmitted light technology, that is the optical image of the fingerprint is called Transmitted light image processed.

By now in the process of personal identification bearing the skin strips or papillary lines Surface of the front area of the finger on the Finger support surface rests, "close" the Skin strips or papillary lines in some areas Entrances of the fibers of the finger rest surface, so that in these through the skin strips or papillary lines closed areas of fiber optic Finger support surface no or very little in the Scattered inside the front of the finger, so-called passage light in the Finger contact surface arrives.

In the areas of recesses between the  Skin strips or papillary lines, on the other hand, get more scattered light into the fibers of the Finger support surface and therefore by the Finger support surface for preferably at least one photosensitive surface and / or at least one sensor unit having a photosensitive layer, so that an extremely sensitive instrument for Identification of people using the Fingerprint, especially based on the areas of Skin strips or papillary lines and based on the Areas between the skin strips or papillary lines is provided.

The captured optical image of the fingerprint therefore passes through the fibers of the Finger support surface in the of the finger support surface downstream sensor unit and is then by means of subordinate to the sensor unit in a preferred manner Evaluation unit analyzed and processed. Here can be used for analysis and processing received data and information in preferred Way in at least one of the sensor unit subordinate storage unit collected and get saved.

It is important in this context that both the device according to the present Invention is fully visible as well Process of personal identification for the to identifying person understandable and is transparent because that person's front area of her finger in a psychologically beneficial way just have to put it on the finger rest, but not the finger in a cavity or in must have an opening.  

Furthermore, it is optional feature of the device essential to the invention Interpretation for living recognition (so-called "life support "), that is due to the Differences in brightness between the areas of Skin strips or papillary lines and the areas between the skin strips or papillary lines with of the present invention also an observation or Investigation possible whether the illuminated Object, such as the front area of the finger, is alive, that is, for example, through which blood flows and / or has a pulse. In this Context, the device according to the present invention, for example, by comparison that for the two different wavelengths Results obtained to determine the Oxygen saturation in the blood of the anterior region of the Fingers.

Also could with the present invention for example, a person only as authenticated or authorized identified when their current pulse rate is no longer around than ten percent of the stored pulse rate deviates upwards or downwards; thus the Pulse rate to another criterion for the Personal identification.

These additional, for example the pulse relevant biometric data lower the Probability of error of the identification process, because they allow the living finger of the to identifying person from a previously received To distinguish this fingerprint. The  existing data on changes in the Transparency of the front area of the finger allow to identify the pulse rate of the Person preferably in the evaluation unit to be determined by calculation and the thus obtained Transparency curve analogous to one Electrocardiogram (EKG) for medical purposes to use.

According to an advantageous development of the present invention is the light source on the the sensor unit facing side of the Finger rest surface arranged. This is what it is about a sufficient condition for the fact that the light from the light source towards that of facing away from the sensor unit, for hanging up the the front area of the finger Finger support surface can be blasted, that is front area of the finger to be identified The person is illuminated from below from the side.

Furthermore, the light source can expediently laterally spaced from the sensor unit his. This structural separation of light source and Sensor unit is recommended insofar as it is used for Achieving proper operation of the Device should be avoided that light directly from the light source into the sensor unit arrives; rather, only light should be preferred based on semiconductors, in particular based on silicon, operating sensor unit get that previously in Scattered inside the front of the finger was and therefore information regarding the Skin strips or papillary lines, that is regarding the fingerprint.  

According to an essential development of the invention present device for personal identification is the light from the light source to that of the Sensor unit facing away, for laying on the front Area of the finger Finger contact surface can be irradiated from the side. This Further training is particularly considered if the light source in a preferred form laterally next to or already close to that of the Sensor unit facing away from the Finger support surface is arranged; also can Light source in this training as it were be arranged horizontally and the light "flat" on the Blast the front area of the finger.

Optionally, the light source can be used as Pulse light source to be designed for Radiation of pulsed light is designed so that the device according to the present invention due to the pulsed, precisely metered light for example, it can also be battery operated can. In any case, it is significant Reduction in the operation of the device according to the present invention required current achievable because the ambient light is used can and the additional light required by means of dynamic light control can be precisely metered. Here the pulse duration of the radiated moves Light pulses advantageously of the order of magnitude from almost zero milliseconds to about ninety Milliseconds.

In correspondence to this, the device according to of the present invention at least one  Pulse generator unit for controlling the light source have, the pulse generator unit expediently between the light source and at least one control element for the Sensor unit is arranged.

To the person to be identified the respective To signal the operating state of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one Display device for displaying the various Operating states of the device is provided. The display device can expediently at least one single color or different colors Have indicator lights that show the different Operating states of the device are signaled (for example green light: "Device is for Personal identification ready "or" device has properly identified person "; red light: "Device is not for personal identification ready "or also" device does not have person properly identified ").

If you want the present invention in this Connection in a particularly elegant and / or compact design, it is recommended the display device into the light source integrate and / or the display device and the Train light source uniformly.

According to a particularly inventive development The present invention is the light source downstream of at least one optical system. On Such an optical system on the one hand certain protective function, that is, by the  optical system is prevented from using person to be identified on your fingerprint Lay on the front of your finger sensitive and easily damaged light source can touch.

This is particularly advantageous System designed however by the Light emitted on the light source Sensor unit facing away from the Redirect finger rest and / or that of the Light emitted on the light from the Sensor unit facing away from the Finger support surface evenly and / or diffusely to distribute.

As a result, uniform lighting of the ensures front area of the finger, thereby an informative, from the front of the finger originating optical image of the fingerprint arises. This is for a convincing Operation of the device according to the present Invention essential.

The optical system is preferably as at least one filter, as at least one lens, as at least one prism than at least one Light guide, as at least one light guide element and / or designed as at least one mirror, using the aforementioned optical elements alone or in combination, for example from Available space or the required Illumination level is dependent.

Both to fulfill the above  Protective function as well with regard to the Light distribution makes sense for the material of the plastic optical system. Plastic is an inexpensive and robust Material that is particularly transparent Convincing optical properties having.

To fulfill the above Protective function, it may also be useful if at least the one facing away from the light source Side of the optical system with at least one for the light of the light-permeable material, especially with for infrared light and / or for visible light permeable material, coated is. This often makes it sensitive optical system from damage, for example from Scratched by vandals and / or from soiling protected by the coating with translucent material also cleaning the optical system is facilitated.

According to a particularly inventive development the present device is based on that of Sensor unit facing away, for placing the front Area of the finger provided side of the Finger contact surface at least one advantageously ergonomically shaped finger guide is provided. With such a finger guide, for example in the form of a "finger shoe" can be trained, a user or a user of the device, for example one person to be identified, handling the Device not only in psychological, but also substantial in practical terms  relieved because the person to be identified by instinctively detects the arrangement of the finger guide in what position and where the front Area of the finger on that of the sensor unit opposite side of the finger rest to Capture the fingerprint.

Should the device according to the present invention be trained in a particularly skillful way, so it is recommended to consider the optical system as Form finger guidance. In this way, the Advantages of finger guidance, namely that among other things Ensure optimal placement of the front Area of the finger to capture the fingerprint, expediently with the advantages of optical Systems, namely among other things the function as Deflection component for the light generated and the Ensure a clean even Illumination of the front area to be illuminated of the finger.

In this context, a special one is needed Mention that the dynamic light control in supple and particularly advantageous smooth transitions for the most varied Areas of the composable overall picture can be achieved are. Therefore, through the interaction of dynamic light control with the optional in optical system implemented finger guidance uniform light distribution on the surface to be illuminated Object guaranteed with the greatest possible contrast.

The in terms of coating the optical Systems with translucent material above The stipulations also apply to one  advantageous embodiment of the present Invention in which at least that of Sensor unit facing away from the Finger support surface with at least one for that Light from the light-permeable material, especially with for infrared light and / or for visible light permeable material, coated is. Such a coating can In this respect, the finger rest area be essential to the invention, as a undamaged, i.e. unscratched, and clean finger rest for one proper functioning of the present device is essential for personal identification.

Both in the case of the optical system and In the case of the finger rest surface it is the material permeable to light from the light source according to an advantageous embodiment around paint.

With respect to the present invention, it can be of Be an advantage if the light source is a light-emitting diode (LED) is preferred such light emitting diodes in particular it can be seen that these are very small and consequently also in devices according to the present invention are used in which little space available in the course of miniaturization stands. These are minor pluses Weight, the robust design, the low Operating voltage and the long life of the to name light-emitting diodes.

According to a preferred development of the present invention emits the light source  infrared light, whereby the infrared light for example a wavelength of about 900 Can have nanometers. The light source in an expedient embodiment also infrared Light of two different wavelengths can radiate, should avoid a disproportionately high heating of the device an output of about 0.1 milliwatts, for example up to about five watts, in particular an output of about two milliwatts to about 100 milliwatts, exhibit.

To the present device for Personal identification to a certain degree of stability lend, the sensor unit is more appropriate Arranged way on at least one carrier unit. This carrier unit in turn can be at least a printed circuit board unit.

To ensure proper transportation of the front Area of the finger originating, the optical image of the fingerprint carrying light through the Finger support surface to the sensor unit ensure the fibers are in the Finger support surface according to one Training essential to the invention essentially perpendicular to the entrance surface and / or to Exit surface of the finger rest surface oriented.

The fibers are in the same for the same purposes Finger rest area according to a preferred one Embodiment of the present invention in arranged essentially parallel to each other. Alternatively, the fibers in the Finger support surface according to one  Training essential to the invention essentially have two directions at an angle are arranged to each other. Here is one Preferred embodiment, in which the fibers in the finger support surface is arranged in layers, the fibers within a layer in the essentially parallel to each other and the fibers mutually adjacent layers at the angle are arranged to each other.

In the aforementioned preferred embodiment are in one direction at an angle to fibers arranged in the other direction Finger support surface expediently for transportation from light to that facing away from the sensor unit Side of the finger rest area provided while the fibers arranged in the other direction Finger support surface expediently for transportation the optical image of the fingerprint Sensor unit are provided.

A special mention is needed in this Context that preferred by the aforementioned Design with two preferred directions for the Fibers the arrangement of an optical system in this respect can be obsolete as a uniform illumination of the front area of the finger through the in the one direction at an angle to the other direction arranged fibers of the finger support surface is guaranteed.

According to a particularly inventive development the present device for Personal identification is at least part of the Fibers in the finger rest area at least  sections of light absorbing material in Form of a coating and / or in the form of a shell surround. As a result, this is possibly from the outside light incident on one side surface of the fibers and / or from an adjacent fiber incident light is absorbed so that over each fiber only that at a certain area in the Light entering through the finger pad Finger contact surface to the exit surface of the same is forwarded. In this way, one Change in the entrance area of the Finger contact surface obtained light pattern in avoided reliably.

Regardless of the point of omission of the optical system offers itself for the Finger support an extension that extends up extends into the area above the light source, so that the latter is covered and before manual Intervention is protected.

Since the sensor unit naturally only from light should be achieved that the information regarding of the optical image of the fingerprint it means scattered from the front of the finger is, it is recommended within the Finger contact surface at least one provide an opaque barrier layer, because by means of this opaque barrier layer is prevented from being emitted from the light source Light directly, that is without scattering in the front area of the finger to the sensor unit reached. The barrier layer can, for example be realized in the form of closed fibers.  

Same purposes as the barrier within the Finger support surface serves at least one opaque barrier layer between the Light source and the sensor unit can be provided can. In this context, the material of the opaque to the light of the light source Barrier layer, for example, be paint.

If the present device for Personal identification essential to the invention Way, there is at least one preferably designed as a linear filter provided to be bothersome and excess To absorb ambient light and therefore a Surely saturation of the sensor unit to exclude.

In other words, this means that the dynamic Light control unfolds its optimal effect when the sensor unit is not, for example, by the normal daylight, so to speak, "by itself" in goes into a supersaturation state, where a such a state of supersaturation the arrangement of the filter in an appropriate manner can be prevented because this filter can the present device for Personal identification even with a Ambient light illuminance of more than work around 3,000 lux, being a realistic one upper limit for an illuminance of the Ambient light of around 40,000 lux. For this purpose, the filter expediently has a Absorbance of about 99 percent, that is the light-absorbing filter works as a result a "darkroom" (in contrast to that in the  German Offenlegungsschrift DE 44 04 918 A1 disclosed filter with "window" that does not provide effective protection against oversaturation and also do not take on the function of a "darkroom" can).

The arrangement of the filter within the present device for personal identification is determined by the structure, dimensions and purpose of the device. However, it seems appropriate

• - The filter between the finger rest and to arrange the sensor unit; and or
• - The filter on that of the sensor unit to arrange the opposite side of the finger support surface; and or
• - The filter on the sensor unit facing To arrange side of the finger rest; and or
• - the filter inside the finger rest to provide.

Immediate, not by interference falsified detection of the light signals by the Enabling sensor unit is one Preferred embodiment in which the sensor unit directly adjacent to the finger rest and / or where the sensor unit on the Exit surface of the finger rest surface attached is.

The sensor unit can expediently at least one based on CMOS technology Component or at least one based on CMOS technology based circuit (CMOS = complementary MOS).  

Alternatively or in addition to this, at least a charge-coupled device or at least a charge coupled circuit (CCD = charge coupled device). It can be especially at least one single-range CCD act that acts as a light sensitive unit and which have no separate light-protected area having.

In this context, the person skilled in the art is referred to as to appreciate advantageously that at CCD sensor units require a semiconductor surface which is only half of the corresponds to the conventionally required area, because with CCD sensor units, the image obtained can can be read out immediately in the dark phase and does not have to, as with conventional sensor units, transported into a light-insensitive area mostly fifty percent of the sensor area takes and from which is finally read.

The image is built up and the charges are read out here in the light sensitive unit in integrated form, the process of image construction and the process of reading out the charges temporally, in contrast to two-area CCDs not but are spatially separated from each other. Here One-of-a-kind CCDs are characterized by this that they are compared to dual-range CCDs significantly easier and cheaper to manufacture because the number of single-range CCDs Components with essentially the same dimensions the light-sensitive unit is only half the size as with dual-range CCDs.  

It is important to consider this however, that single-range CCDs at continuous or constant lighting of the object to be illuminated Object can not be used because with simultaneous Sequence of the screen building process and the reading process an undesired mixing of the resulting images would be done.

For this reason, as already mentioned above executed, the light source as a pulsed light source be trained for the radiation of pulsed light is designed. In correspondence for this the device according to the present Invention at least one pulse generator unit for Control the light source, the Pulse generator unit expediently between the Light source and at least one control element is arranged for the sensor unit.

In this context, the expert is considered appreciate the fact that the Illumination of the front area of the finger with A significant reduction in light pulses Instabilities and irregularities in the preserved optical image of the fingerprint and from it resulting also in the electrical generated Signals.

These effects are a direct result of short light pulses of preferably approximately one millisecond, the influence of the Blood flow in the front area to be examined of the finger on the quality of the optical received Image of the fingerprint to one negligible size.  

Furthermore, by reducing the Image build time also the influence of Ambient lighting conditions on the optical image of the skin relief in a decisive way.

Accordingly, by using the device for Personal identification according to the present Invention created the opportunity instead blurry optical images when in use steady lighting and one with the Image lead time corresponding exposure time emerge, clear and sharp optical images of the Get fingerprint, in which all Information about the inside and / or about the Surface of the front area of the finger into one specific time are included.

This quality improvement of the received images allows the frequency of errors and probability of personal identification to significantly reduce. It is too now possible by editing the image sequence Information content of the dactyloscopic images as a result of obtaining additional biometric data, for example, the peculiarities of the pulse, the too identifying person and thus increasing the Security of personal identification continues to increase improve.

The use of pulsed light sources not only leads to Significant improvement described above the image quality, but also allows at least a camera with single-area CCDs as light-sensitive Units. The use of  Single area CCDs allow high quality Get images of larger areas. This Enlargement of the areas leads together with the Improve the stability of the optical images a further reduction in Probability of error in the Personal identification.

This includes the production of single-area CCDs a diagonal of the light sensitive area of for example about 16 millimeters to for example about 24 millimeters and with a fiber optic Entrance a technically rather uncomplicated task, which makes it possible to be relatively simple and inexpensive devices for personal identification to manufacture. Furthermore arise in devices according to the present invention with single area CCDs less information distortion than in Devices with other types of Charge shift.

The use of single area CCDs in with continuous or steady lighting working equipment is not possible because that continuous or steady light not only during the image building phase, but also during the Readout phase falls on the CCDs and therefore one Mixing of the charges would occur, which the Obtaining clear optical images of the skin relief the front of the finger would.

Further refinements, features and advantages of the present invention are described below in the drawing with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3C, by way of example three exemplary embodiments of the device for person identification according to the present invention are illustrated.

It shows:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for personal identification according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for personal identification according to the present invention;

Fig. 3A, a third embodiment of an apparatus for personal identification according to the present invention;

Figure 3B is a section of the finger rest surface of the device for personal identification of Fig. 3A. and

Fig. 3C the cut-out of the finger rest surface of FIG. 3B partly broken away.

Identical or similar components or features of the invention are provided with identical reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 3C.

The three exemplary embodiments of a device for personal identification by means of a fingerprint shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A serve to record and process fingerprints and can be used in any areas in which personal identification is necessary. Examples in this context include the field of computer technology, entry systems, criminalistics, medicine, protection systems in general, and the banking and finance sector.

The three exemplary embodiments of a device for person identification by means of a fingerprint shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A are characterized in that, on the one hand, sufficient and reliable results in the front area of the finger are possible, but on the other hand both the device for person identification itself is complete the process of personal identification is understandable and transparent for the person to be identified.

This is realized in that the three exemplary embodiments of a device for person identification by means of a fingerprint shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A each have four light sources 10 arranged symmetrically to the sensor unit 40 for illuminating the front area of a finger (four of these light sources 10 are shown in FIGS . 3A to for the sake of clear representation, only two shown 1) and a fiber optic finger rest surface 30 for removing an optical image having the fingerprint.

Through the finger support surface 30 , the optical image of the fingerprint is transported to a sensor unit 40 , in which the optical image of the fingerprint is converted into electrical signals. The sensor unit 40 is arranged on a carrier unit 50 , which in turn is arranged on a circuit board unit 60 .

It is crucial that the light sources 10 are arranged laterally next to the finger support surface 30 and that the light from the light sources 10 can be emitted in the direction of the side of the finger support surface 30 facing away from the sensor unit 40 and intended for placing the front region of the finger.

The light falls on the front area of the finger essentially from the side, with at least some of the light penetrating into the interior of the front area of the finger and being scattered there, the scattering essentially in all directions, including in particular in Direction of the fiber optic finger rest 30 takes place; consequently, the invention illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3C is based to a certain extent on the transmitted light technology, that is to say the optical image of the fingerprint is processed as a transmitted light image.

Since the surface of the front area of the finger bearing the skin strips or papillary lines rests on the finger support surface 30 during the process of the person identification, the skin strips or papillary lines "close" the areas of the inputs of the fibers 310 (see FIGS. 3B and 3C) of the finger support surface 30 so that in these areas of the fiber optic finger support surface 30 which are closed by the skin strips or papillary lines, so-called passage light, which is scattered only very little in the interior of the front region of the finger, reaches the finger support surface 30 .

In the areas of the recesses between the skin strips or papillary lines, on the other hand, more scattered light enters the fibers 310 of the finger support surface 30 and consequently through the finger support surface 30 to the sensor unit 40 , so that an extremely sensitive instrument for identifying people on the basis of the fingerprint, in particular on the basis of the areas of the skin strips or papillary lines and based on the areas between the skin strips or papillary lines.

The optical image of the fingerprint recorded in this way thus passes through the fibers 310 of the finger support surface 30 into the sensor unit 40 downstream of the finger support surface 30 and is then analyzed and processed by means of the evaluation unit downstream of the sensor unit 40 .

Due to the differences in brightness between the areas of the skin strips or papillary lines and the areas between the skin strips or papillary lines, an observation or examination is also possible with the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3C to determine whether the illuminated object, for example the front area of the finger , lives, that is, for example, through which blood flows and / or has a pulse (so-called "life support").

Thus, with the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3C, a person can only be identified as authenticated or authorized if their current pulse frequency does not deviate up or down from the stored pulse frequency by more than ten percent; the pulse frequency thus becomes a further criterion for personal identification.

These additional, concerning the pulse beat biometric data lower that Probability of error of the identification process, because they allow the living finger of the to identifying person from a previously received To distinguish this fingerprint. The existing data on changes in the Transparency of the front area of the finger allow to identify the pulse rate of the Determine person arithmetically and the so obtained Transparency curve analogous to one Electrocardiogram (EKG) for medical purposes to use.

The device shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 to 3A according to the present invention is completely visible here, and the process of person identification is comprehensible and transparent for the person to be identified, since this person only touches the front region of his finger in a psychologically favorable manner Finger support surface 30 must lay, but does not have to put the finger in a cavity or in an opening.

The invention illustrated with the aid of the three exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3A is characterized in that the duration and the intensity of the light pulses emitted by the light sources 10 can be regulated as a function of the ambient light conditions, i.e. dynamic light regulation ( = DLR or also DLC = "dynamic light control"), thus providing a kind of "intelligent light control" by means of which the deficits in changing ambient lighting conditions, such as changing room lighting or changing solar radiation, can be compensated for.

For this purpose, in the three exemplary devices for person identification illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3A, a control means 40 , 70 is provided for regulating the duration and the intensity of the light pulses. With this control means 40 , 70 , which is designed as a digital signal processing unit (DSP = digital signal processor) with a microcontroller, a continuous or temporary measuring method can be carried out, with which a permanently good image quality can be determined and with which, if necessary, an optimal contrast and depth of field coordinated saturation can be achieved by means of short-term light pulses, the duration and intensity of the short-term light pulses being precisely metered to the actually required amount of light.

The control means 40 , 70 has a detection module 40 for detecting the ambient light conditions, wherein the detection module 40 in the three exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 3A is formed uniformly with the sensor unit 40 .

The detection module 40 is followed by an evaluation module 70 a for determining the duration and the intensity of the light pulses in adaptation to the ambient light conditions detected by the detection module 40 , the evaluation module 70 a being embodied uniformly with an evaluation unit 70 a which is arranged downstream of the sensor unit 40 and which will be discussed in more detail below.

A storage module 70 b for storing threshold values intended for regulating the duration and the intensity of the light pulses is likewise connected downstream of the detection module 40 , the storage module 70 b being configured uniformly with at least one storage unit 70 b, which is arranged downstream of the sensor unit 40 and on which will be discussed in more detail below.

Now has the detection module 40, the respective ambient light conditions detected, they will be evaluated in the evaluation module 70 a and analyzed, whereby a comparison with b stored in the memory module 70 predetermined threshold values is performed in the evaluation module 70th

Depending on the result of this comparison, the light sources 10 , which are connected to the control means 40 , 70 and in this case in particular to the evaluation module 70 a, are addressed by the control means 40 , 70 , the duration and the intensity of the light pulses emitted by the light sources 10 is adapted to the ambient light conditions determined.

This allows the light pulses to last both in duration as well as dynamically designed in intensity  be around for any kind of ambient light (for example strong sunlight, weak Sunlight, dim light, diffuse light, Gas light, moonlight, artificial lighting,. . .) the required amount of light is available and therefore a high-contrast and to get a sharp image of the fingerprint.

In particular, with the dynamic light control illuminances from zero lux to about 40,000 lux can be realized, the latter illuminance value roughly corresponding to direct sunlight. The results that can be achieved with this dynamic light control have a contrast and depth of field increase of up to about eighty percent compared to conventional lighting systems with continuous light, the type of light control illustrated by way of example with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 3A having the advantage that it changes with changing lighting conditions can dose and provide the required amount of light in a time range of less than one hundred milliseconds, so that an almost constant image quality can be obtained in all conceivable lighting conditions.

Thus, the decisive advantage of the device shown by way of example using the three exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 3A can be seen in the “intelligent control”, which to a certain extent itself adjusts the amount of light radiated in and, as it were, around the object to be illuminated, that is to say round around the front area of a finger, calculated and made available separately for each area, so that overexposure or underexposure in the device for person identification according to FIGS. 1 to 3A is excluded with a probability bordering on certainty.

The invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3C also enables uniform illumination of an object, for example the front region of a finger, regardless of the thickness of the object, which, moreover, also has a more or less strong light conductivity or a more or less can have strong reflectivity, and regardless of whether this object is now illuminated frontally, laterally and / or from the back by stray light.

As a result, it doesn't matter under which Angle and from which point light towards it illuminating object is irradiated; only that Duration and intensity of additional required Light must be regulated individually for each area. The advantages of the present dynamic Light control ultimately lead to a Finger picture without significant change in Exposure times under full preservation the contrast and the depth of field can be determined.

As already indicated above, the dynamic light for effecting the control in FIGS. 1 to 3A provided control means 40, 70 a detection module 40, an evaluation module 70 a and a memory module 70 b. Is now the detection module 40 are formed integrally with the sensor unit 40 (.. See Figures 1 to 3A), so the photosensitive surface of the sensor unit 40 may by means of the dynamic light control to a certain extent even - and for each of their areas - to obtain the necessary amount of light, which works excellently, because the evaluation module 70 a of the control means 40 , 70 is formed uniformly with the evaluation unit 70 a.

Thus, the dynamic lighting control in a position for each area of the surface 40, the required given the ambient light conditions light amount to calculate the sensor unit with respect to time and in intensity in the evaluation module 70 a with respect to an optimal saturation and to deliver immediately.

With regard to the effects of dynamic light control, it is of substantial importance in the three exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS . 1 to 3A that a filter 90 designed as a linear filter is provided in each case in order to absorb disturbing and excess ambient light and consequently oversaturation to exclude the sensor unit 40 with certainty.

In other words, this means that the dynamic light control has its optimal effect in FIGS. 1 to 3A if the sensor unit 40 does not, for example, go into a state of supersaturation "by itself" as a result of normal daylight, with such a state of supersaturation just going through the arrangement of the filter 90 is prevented, because by means of this filter 90 , the device for person identification exemplified with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3A can also work with an illuminance of the ambient light of more than approximately 3,000 lux, with a realistic upper limit for an illuminance of the ambient light of around 40,000 lux. For this purpose, the filter 90 has an absorption level of approximately 99 percent, that is to say the light-absorbing filter 90 acts as a "dark room" as a result.

The arrangement of the filter 90 within the respective device for personal identification is determined by the structure, dimensions and purpose of the device. So is

• - In the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), the filter 90 is arranged between the finger support surface 30 and the sensor unit 40 ;
• in the second exemplary embodiment (cf. FIG. 2) the filter 90 is arranged on the side of the finger support surface 30 facing the sensor unit 40 and in this case within the finger support surface 30 ; and
• - In the third exemplary embodiment (cf. FIG. 3), the filter 90 is arranged on the side of the finger support surface 30 facing away from the sensor unit 40 .

As already indicated above, the light sources 10 (cf. FIGS. 1 to 3A) perform an important function in dynamic light control in the context of the present invention. It should be taken into account here that for the purpose of uniform illumination of the front area of the finger, in the three exemplary embodiments illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3A, more than one light source is provided (four light sources in each of the three exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3A), which are arranged symmetrically to one another and which are arranged in a ring, in this case in particular essentially uniformly distributed, around the finger support surface 30 .

The respective duration and the respective intensity of the light pulses emitted by the respective light source 10 can be selectively regulated in the three exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3A in adaptation to the ambient light conditions; In other words, this means that the respective duration and the respective intensity of the light pulses emitted by the individual light sources 10 can be controlled independently of one another, in this case in particular as a function of predetermined threshold values. All light sources 10 can thus be controlled independently of one another, the respective duration and the respective intensity being calculated individually in the evaluation module 70 a for each light source 10 .

The evaluation unit 70 a and the memory unit 70 b have already been mentioned above. These are

• - In the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) provided in a structural unit as control means 70 , which is connected to the light sources 10 and via the carrier unit 50 and - via the circuit board unit 60 to the sensor unit 40 ;
• (. 2 see Fig.) - in the second embodiment is provided in a structural separation and control means 70, which stands on the printed circuit board unit 60 with the light sources 10 and on the carrier unit 50 and on the printed circuit board unit 60 with the sensor unit 40 in connection; and
• - In the third embodiment (see FIG. 3) structurally and functionally integrated in the circuit board unit 60 .

As therefore apparent from FIGS. 1 to 3A, the evaluation unit 70 is a sensor unit 40 disposed downstream and has the function of the picked-up optical image of the fingerprint, which is in the 30 passes downstream sensor unit 40 through the fibers 310 of the finger rest surface 30 of the finger contact surface , analyze and process. In this case, the data and information obtained during the analysis and during processing can be collected and stored in a storage unit 70 b which is also arranged downstream of the sensor unit 40 .

B in the storage unit 70 are furthermore the data and information, in particular the fingerprint data and fingerprint information, stored by identifiable persons, said at an identification process from the current optical image of the fingerprint in the evaluation unit 70 a calculated data and information on the in Storage unit 70 b stored data and information can be related and compared with them.

This compares to one Agreement, so the device applies user as identified, authenticated or authorized, so that, for example, the Access is permitted; if there is no match however, the person using the device applies as unidentified, unauthenticated or also not authorized, so that for example the Access is denied.  

In the first two exemplary embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light sources 10 are each followed by an optical system 20 made of plastic and designed as a lens. On the one hand, this optical system 20 has a certain protective function, that is to say that the optical system 20 prevents the person to be identified by means of their fingerprint from touching the sensitive and easily damageable light sources 10 when the front area of the finger is placed on it.

In particular, however, the optical system 20 is designed to deflect the light emitted by the light sources 10 onto the side of the finger rest 30 facing away from the sensor unit 40 and the light emitted by the light sources 10 on the side of the finger rest 30 facing away from the sensor unit 40 in a diffuse manner to distribute.

As a result, uniform lighting of the ensures front area of the finger, thereby an informative, from the front of the finger originating optical image of the fingerprint arises. This is for a convincing Operation of the device according to the present Invention essential.

The first two exemplary embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are distinguished in this context in particular by the fact that the optical system 20 is designed as an ergonomically shaped finger guide. A finger guide is therefore provided on the side of the finger support surface 30 facing away from the sensor unit 40 and intended to place the front area of the finger, which is designed in the form of a finger holder and by which a user of the device, for example a person to be identified, the handling of the device is substantially facilitated not only in psychological but also in practical terms, since the person to be identified instinctively detects the position and position of the front area of the finger on the side facing away from the sensor unit 40 by the arrangement of the finger guide Side of the finger support surface 30 is to be placed to capture the fingerprint (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

In this way, in the first two exemplary embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS . 1 and 2, the advantages of finger guidance, namely, among other things, ensuring optimal placement of the front region of the finger for capturing the fingerprint, are combined with the advantages of optical system 20 , namely inter alia the function as a deflection component for the generated light and ensuring a clean, uniform illumination of the front area of the finger to be illuminated.

In this context, a special mention needs to be made that the dynamic light control enables smooth and even transitions to be achieved for the most varied areas of the composite overall picture. Thus, the interaction of the dynamic light control with the finger guidance implemented in the optical system 20 (see FIGS . 1 and 2) guarantees a uniform light distribution on the object to be illuminated with the greatest possible contrast.

The first time in FIG. 1, the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the side facing away from the light sources 10 side of the optical system 20 is coated with a material transparent to the light from the light sources 10 material 80, that is, transparent to infrared light material 80. As a result, the often sensitive optical system 20 is protected from damage, for example from scratching by vandals, and / or from soiling, the cleaning of the optical system 20 also being facilitated by the coating with translucent material 80 .

In the same way, in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the side of the finger support surface 30 facing away from the sensor unit 40 is coated with the material which is permeable to the light from the light sources 10 , that is to say with material 10 which is permeable to infrared light. Such a coating of the finger support surface 30 can be of essential importance insofar as an undamaged, that is, among other things, unscratched, and clean finger support surface 30 is essential for the proper functioning of the device for person identification shown in FIG. 1.

Both in the case of the optical system 20 and in the case of the finger support surface 30 , the material 80 which is permeable to the light from the light sources 10 is lacquer.

The second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 not only in that a material which is permeable to the light of the light sources 10 is not applied to the optical system 20 or to the finger support surface 30 , but above all in that that the light sources 10 are arranged on the side of the finger support surface 30 facing the sensor unit 40 , that is to say are located below the finger support surface 30 in FIG. 2.

This is a sufficient prerequisite for the light from the light sources 10 to be emitted in the direction of the side of the finger contact surface 30 facing away from the sensor unit 40 and intended for placing the front area of the finger, i.e. the front area of the finger The person to be identified is illuminated from below at the side.

Furthermore, the light sources 10 in the three exemplary embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A are arranged laterally spaced apart from the sensor unit 40 . This structural separation of light sources 10 and sensor unit 40 is advantageous in that, in order to achieve proper operation of the device, it is to be avoided that light comes directly from the light source 10 into the sensor unit 40 ; rather, only light should come into the sensor unit 40 that was previously scattered inside the front area of the finger and consequently carries information with regard to the skin strips or papillary lines, that is to say with regard to the fingerprint.

The first two exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 differ from the third exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 essentially in that the fibers 310 in the finger support surface 30 are arranged essentially parallel to one another in order to ensure proper transport of the from the front area of the To ensure finger-originating light carrying the optical image of the fingerprint through the finger support surface 30 to the sensor unit 40 .

Alternatively, the fibers 310 , 320 in the finger support surface 30 of the third exemplary embodiment (cf. FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C) have essentially two directions which are arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to one another. Here, the fibers 310 , 320 are arranged in layers in the finger support surface 30 , that is to say the fibers 310 , 320 within a layer are essentially parallel to one another and the fibers 310 , 320 of adjacent layers are arranged at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to one another.

Here, in the third exemplary embodiment (cf. FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C), the fibers 320 of the finger support surface 30 arranged in one direction at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the other direction are for transporting the light from the light source 10 onto that from the sensor unit 40 facing away from the side of the finger support surface 30 , while the fibers 310 of the finger support surface 30 arranged in the other direction are provided for transporting the optical image of the fingerprint to the sensor unit 40 .

In this context, a special mention is required that the arrangement of an optical system 20 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 can be obsolete to the extent that the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C with two preferred directions for the fibers 310 , 320 can be obsolete, as a uniform illumination of the front area of the finger is ensured by the fibers 320 of the finger support surface 30 arranged in one direction at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the other direction.

Regardless of the aspect of omitting the optical system 20 , there is an extension for the finger support surface 30 that extends into the area above the light source 10 so that the latter is covered and protected from manual intervention (see FIG. 2 and 3).

Since the sensor unit 40 is naturally only to be reached by light which carries the information relating to the optical image of the fingerprint, that is to say that is scattered from the front region of the finger, in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 there are within the finger support surface 30 Two barrier layers 130 are provided, which are impermeable to the light from the light sources 10 . These barrier layers 130 prevent light emitted by the light sources 10 from reaching the sensor unit 40 directly, that is to say without scattering in the front region of the finger.

The same purposes as the barrier layers 130 within the finger support surface 30 (see FIG. 2) serve two barrier layers 140 , which are provided between the light source 10 and the sensor unit 40 in the three exemplary embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3A and which are also opaque to the light from the light sources 10 .

Finally, it should not be left unmentioned that even in the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3A (comparable to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1), the side of the finger support surface 30 facing away from the light sources 10 has one for the light from the light sources 10 transparent material 80 , that is coated with material 80 transparent to infrared light, for example with commercially available clear lacquer. This protects the not infrequently sensitive finger support surface 30 from damage, for example from scratching by vandals, and / or from dirt, the cleaning of the finger support surface 30 also being facilitated by the coating with translucent material 80 .

Claims (72)

1. Device for personal identification by means of at least one fingerprint

• - With at least one light source ( 10 ) for illuminating and / or for illuminating the front area of a finger by means of light pulses and
• - With at least one fiber-optic finger support surface ( 30 ) for taking an optical image of the fingerprint, through which finger support surface ( 30 ) the optical image can be transported to at least one sensor unit ( 40 ) in which the optical image can be converted into electrical signals,
  wherein the at least one light source ( 10 ) is arranged laterally next to the finger support surface ( 30 ) and the light from the light source ( 10 ) in the direction of the side of the finger support surface facing away from the sensor unit ( 40 ) and intended for placing the front region of the finger ( 30 ) can be blasted, characterized in that
  that the duration and / or the intensity of the light pulses emitted by the at least one light source ( 10 ) can be regulated as a function of the ambient light conditions.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) is followed by at least one evaluation unit ( 70 a). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) is followed by at least one memory unit ( 70 b). 4. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one control means ( 40 , 70 ) is provided for regulating the duration and / or the intensity of the light pulses. 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control means ( 40 , 70 )

• - At least one detection module for detecting the ambient light conditions;
• - At least one evaluation module for determining the duration and / or the intensity of the light pulses in adaptation to the ambient light conditions detected by the detection module; and
• - Has at least one memory module for storing threshold values intended for regulating the duration and / or the intensity of the light pulses.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the detection module is formed integrally with the sensor unit ( 40 ) and / or as part of the sensor unit ( 40 ). 7. The device according to claim 2 and according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the evaluation module is formed uniformly with the evaluation unit ( 70 a) and / or as part of the evaluation unit ( 70 a). 8. The device according to claim 3 and according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the memory module is formed integrally with the memory unit ( 70 b) and / or as part of the memory unit ( 70 b). 9. The device according to at least one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the control means ( 40 , 70 ) is designed as at least one logic component and / or as at least one logic circuit. 10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one standard logic component or programmable logic (FPGA = field programmable gate array) is provided as control means ( 40 , 70 ). 11. The device according to at least one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the control means ( 40 , 70 ) is designed as at least one digital signal processing unit (DSP = digital signal processor) and / or as at least one microcontroller. 12. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that more than one light source ( 10 ) is provided. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that four light sources ( 10 ) are provided. 14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the light sources ( 10 ) are arranged symmetrically to each other. 15. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the light sources ( 10 ) are arranged laterally or annularly around the finger support surface ( 30 ). 16. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the light sources ( 10 ) are arranged uniformly distributed around the finger support surface ( 30 ). 17. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the respective duration and / or the respective intensity of the light pulses emitted by the respective light source ( 10 ) can be selectively regulated in adaptation to the ambient light conditions. 18. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the respective duration and / or the respective intensity of the light pulses emitted by the individual light sources ( 10 ) can be controlled independently of one another. 19. The device according to at least one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the respective duration and / or the respective intensity of the light pulses emitted by the individual light sources ( 10 ) can be controlled as a function of predetermined threshold values. 20. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) on the sensor unit ( 40 ) facing side of the finger support surface ( 30 ) is arranged. 21. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) from the sensor unit ( 40 ) is arranged laterally spaced. 22. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the light from the light source ( 10 ) on the sensor unit ( 40 ) facing away from the front area of the finger provided side of the finger support surface ( 30 ) laterally irradiated is. 23. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) is designed as a pulsed light source. 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) is designed to emit light pulses with a pulse duration of almost zero milliseconds to about ninety milliseconds. 25. The device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that at least one pulse generator unit is provided for controlling the light source ( 10 ). 26. Device according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 25, characterized in that at least one display device for displaying the different operating states of the device is provided. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized  characterized in that the display device at least a single-color or different-colored light display has the different operating states of the Device signals. 28. The apparatus according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the display device is integrated in the light source ( 10 ) and / or that the display device and the light source ( 10 ) are formed uniformly. 29. The device according to at least one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) is followed by at least one optical system ( 20 ). 30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that the optical system ( 20 ) deflects the light emitted by the light source ( 10 ) onto the side of the finger rest surface ( 30 ) facing away from the sensor unit ( 40 ) and / or that the optical system ( 20 ) the light emitted by the light source ( 10 ) is evenly and / or diffusely distributed on the side of the finger support surface ( 30 ) facing away from the sensor unit ( 40 ). 31. The device according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the optical system ( 20 ) as at least one filter, as at least one lens, as at least one prism, as at least one light guide, as at least one light guide element and / or as at least one mirror is trained. 32. Device according to at least one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the optical system ( 20 ) is made of plastic. 33. Device according to at least one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that at least the side of the optical system ( 20 ) facing away from the light source ( 10 ) is coated with material ( 80 ) which is permeable to infrared light and / or visible light. 34. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in that at least one finger guide is provided on the side of the finger support surface ( 30 ) facing away from the sensor unit ( 40 ) and intended for placing the front region of the finger. 35. Apparatus according to claim 34, characterized characterized that the finger guide is ergonomic is shaped. 36. Device according to at least one of claims 29 to 33 and according to claim 34 or 35, characterized in that the optical system ( 20 ) is designed as a finger guide. 37. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 36, characterized in that at least the side of the finger support surface ( 30 ) facing away from the sensor unit ( 40 ) is coated with material ( 80 ) which is permeable to infrared light and / or visible light. 38. Apparatus according to claim 33 or 37, characterized in that it is the material which is permeable to infrared light and / or visible light ( 80 ) is lacquer. 39. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) is a light-emitting diode (LED). 40. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 39, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) emits infrared light. 41. Device according to claim 40, characterized characterized in that the infrared light a Has a wavelength of about 900 nanometers. 42. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 41, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) emits infrared light of two different wavelengths. 43. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 42, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) has a power of about 0.1 milliwatts to about five watts. 44. Apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that the light source ( 10 ) has a power of about two milliwatts to about 100 milliwatts. 45. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 44, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) is arranged on at least one carrier unit ( 50 ). 46. Apparatus according to claim 45, characterized in that the carrier unit ( 50 ) is arranged on at least one circuit board unit ( 60 ). 47. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 46, characterized in that the fibers (310) are oriented in the finger rest surface (30) substantially perpendicular to the entry surface and / or to the exit surface of the finger rest surface (30). 48. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 47, characterized in that the fibers ( 310 ) in the finger support surface ( 30 ) are arranged substantially parallel to one another. 49. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 47, characterized in that the fibers ( 310 , 320 ) in the finger support surface ( 30 ) have essentially two directions which are arranged at an angle (α) to one another. 50. Apparatus according to claim 49, characterized in that the fibers ( 310 , 320 ) in the finger support surface ( 30 ) are arranged in layers, the fibers ( 310 , 320 ) within a layer substantially parallel to one another and the fibers ( 310 , 320 ) mutually adjacent layers are arranged at an angle (α) to one another. 51. Device according to claim 49 or 50, characterized in that the fibers ( 320 ) of the finger support surface ( 30 ) arranged in one direction at an angle (α) to the other direction for transporting light onto the sensor unit ( 40 ) facing away from it Side of the finger support surface ( 30 ) are provided and that the fibers ( 310 ) of the finger support surface ( 30 ) arranged in the other direction are provided for transporting the optical image of the fingerprint to the sensor unit ( 40 ). 52. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 51, characterized in that at least some of the fibers ( 310 , 320 ) in the finger support surface ( 30 ) are at least partially surrounded by light-absorbing material in the form of a coating and / or in the form of a sheath . 53. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 52, characterized in that the finger support surface ( 30 ) has an extension which extends into the area above the light source ( 10 ). 54. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 53, characterized in that at least one opaque barrier layer ( 130 ) is provided within the finger support surface ( 30 ). 55. Device according to claim 54, characterized in that the barrier layer ( 130 ) is realized in the form of closed fibers ( 310 ). 56. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 55, characterized in that at least one opaque barrier layer ( 140 ) is provided between the light source ( 10 ) and the sensor unit ( 40 ). 57. Device according to claim 54 or 56, characterized in that the material of the opaque barrier layer ( 130 , 140 ) is lacquer. 58. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 57, characterized in that at least one filter ( 90 ) is provided. 59. Apparatus according to claim 58, characterized in that the filter ( 90 ) is a linear filter. 60. Apparatus according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that the filter ( 90 ) has an absorption level of about 99 percent. 61. The device according to at least one of claims 58 to 60, characterized in that the filter ( 90 ) is arranged between the finger support surface ( 30 ) and the sensor unit ( 40 ). 62. Device according to at least one of claims 58 to 61, characterized in that the filter ( 90 ) on the side of the finger support surface ( 30 ) facing away from the sensor unit ( 40 ) and / or on the side of the finger support surface facing the sensor unit ( 40 ) ( 30 ) is arranged. 63. Device according to at least one of claims 58 to 62, characterized in that the filter ( 90 ) is provided within the finger support surface ( 30 ). 64. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 63, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) directly adjoins the finger support surface ( 30 ) and / or that the sensor unit ( 40 ) is attached to the exit surface of the finger support surface ( 30 ). 65. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 64, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) has at least one photosensitive surface and / or at least one photosensitive layer. 66. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 65, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) operates on a semiconductor basis. 67. Device according to claim 66, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) operates on a silicon basis. 68. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 67, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) has at least one component based on CMOS technology or at least one circuit based on CMOS technology (CMOS = complementary MOS). 69. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 68, characterized in that the sensor unit ( 40 ) has at least one charge-coupled device or at least one charge-coupled circuit (CCD). 70. Device according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 69, characterized in that the Device for living detection (so-called "life support") is designed. 71. Device according to claim 42 and according to Claim 70, characterized in that the Device by comparing the for the two results obtained at different wavelengths to determine the oxygen saturation in the blood of the front area of the finger is designed. 72. Device according to at least one of the Claims 1 to 71, characterized in that the Device is battery operated.