GB2481779A

GB2481779A - A biometric reading device with a heater

Info

Publication number: GB2481779A
Application number: GB1000868.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shaun Oakes
Original assignee: I EVO Ltd
Current assignee: I EVO Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-20
Filing date: 2010-01-20
Publication date: 2012-01-11
Also published as: GB201000868D0

Abstract

A biometric reading device, for example a fingerprint reader, is provided with a heater 1. The heater system may include a mat and a thermostat, and ensures that the reader is maintained at acceptable operating temperatures when the external temperature is as low as -20Â°C. The device may include a data storage device and a suitable housing 2. The part of the housing which receives a finger may be situated outside a building, while another part, that houses the data storage facility, is situated inside the building. The housing may be provided with a seal and may be an IP65-rated protective unit.

Description

1P65 Rated Self Contained Heated Fingerprint Reader Smaller 700 cubic cm with no data stored on reader.

This invention relates to a device for reading a persons fingerprint that can be exposed to extreme weather conditions, using (Multi-Spectral Imaging) MSI technology, without the need for further enclosure and without being intrusive of surrounding environment due to the physical size.

When someone is trying to access a security controlled area or an item of security controlled equipment or software, an access control device is used. The devices can be in the form of proximity/magnetic or contactless card reader, or pin/combination device to mention a few. A current option also is that of a biometric reader for example Fingerprint reader.

When using current biometric offerings, a number of difficulties and problems occur. If MSI technology is not used, a finger print can not be recognised by a % of the population, and is open to further barriers of foreign items effecting the fingerprint it is looking at i.e. dirty, grease, water, direct sunlight, cold conditions to name a few. MSI technology eradicates these problems -temperature conditions to 0°C -by using different types of light to capture the fingerprint. Even current MSI based fingerprint readers, still come across problems due to the environment in which it is cased. These cases are not always 1P65 rated, and allow water and dust to effect the performance of the device.

These cases are also large in size and intrusive to the surrounding environment. Included in this case is the data of the registered fingerprints, which represent security concerns. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a fingerprint reader using MSI technology, encased in a fully 1P65 rated casing less than 700 cubic cm, which includes a internal heater system to allow successful operation at -20°C, and store the date securely outside the device.

The data is stored on a control board which will be located internally. The reader will operate in extreme cold conditions due to the heater system. This will ensure the fingerprint scanner is warm enough to operate at ambient temperatures of -20°C. A thermostat connected, will ensure the heater operates as and when conditions require and never provide a unsafe or uncomfortable resolution to the cold temperatures.

The device is also operable outside as the casing cannot be penetrated by rainfall or high winds, therefore keep, components of previous offerings secure and dry.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows the complete reader Figure 2 Shows the means of securing none penetration of dust or water to the unit Figure 3 Shows the heater system Figure 4 Shows the control board external to the unit In figure 1 the full fingerprint reader 1, includes a MSI fingerprint scanner 2, which is housed in 2 separate casings 3, joined together to make the reader 1. The reader is operated via the button 4, which denotes the reader is active and indicates acceptance or denial.

Figure 2 demonstrates how the reader succeeds in prevention of dust and water penetration. The button 1 is fitted securely by bolts and own gasket. When the back and front cases are joined together, a rubber gasket is between the join 2, and the join between the MSI scanner is case is connected via the heater/gasket mat 3. The reader material itself 4 & 5, is a PC ABS, which is water, wind and vandal resistant. The fixing screws 6 & 7 pull the front and back cases together and securely. The reader connects to the separate external board (figure 4) via 2 leads. These leads enter the reader at the rear, and use grommets 8, to ensure no route for penetration for the external elements.

Figure 3 shows how the heater mat 1, is fitted to ensure heat is conducted throughout the unit to allow use at mentioned temperatures. The mat 1, fixes between the front case 2 and the MSI scanner 3 and also acts as a gasket. The heat, will ensure the scanner, and the reader unit through heat conduction and circulation within the reader 2, works to mentioned temperatures.

Figure 4 shows the control board casing 1. The control board sits with 1, and secured by lid 3. The open side 2 allows connections from the reader. The case is then securely fitted inside the building via fixing holes 4.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A biometric reading device, comprising biometric reading means; and a heater device.
2. A device according to claiml, further comprising a first housing at least partially surrounding said biometric reading means.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said first housing comprises an opening for providing access to said biometric reading means.
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said heater device comprises an aperture for providing access to said biometric reading means.N
5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said heater device provides a seal between said first housing and said biometric reading means.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said heater device comprises a heater mat.
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a thermostat for controlling said heater device.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said biometric reading means comprises fingerprint reading means.
9. A device according to claim B, wherein said fingerprint reading means comprises a multi-spectral imaging fingerprint scanner.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device is 1265 rated.
11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first housing has a volume of less than 700 cubic centimetres.
12. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 11, further comprising a data storage device for storing data of registered fingerprints, and a second housing outside of the first housing, wherein the data storage device is housed within the second housing and configured for data communication with the biometric reading means.N
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the data storage device comprises a control board. c'J
14. An access control system for controlling access to an area, the access control device comprising a device according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein said first housing is located externally of the area, and said secbnd housing is located within the area. £
15. An access control system according to claim 14, wherein the controlled area is a building.
16. A biometric reading device, comprising biometric reading means; a first housing at least partially surrounding said biometric reading means; F' a data storage device for storing biometric data corresponding to registered users; and a second housing, outside of the first housing, wherein the data storage device is housed within the second housing and configured for data communication with the biometric reading means.
17. A device according to claim 16 wherein the data storage device comprises a control board.
18. A device according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein said biometric reading means comprises fingerprint reading means.
19. A device according to claim 18, wherein said fingerprint reading means comprises a multi-spectral imaging fingerprint scanner.N20. A device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said biometric data comprises data corresponding to registered fingerprints.
20. An access control system for controlling access to an area, the access control system comprising a device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein said first housing is located externally of the area, and said second housing is located within the area.
21. An access control system according to claim 20, wherein the controlled area is a building.
22. A method for installing an access control system for controlling access to an area, the method including the steps of: installing biometric reading means externally of the area; installing a data storage device, for storing biometric data corresponding to registered users, within the area; and providing a connection between the data storage device and the biometric reading means.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said controlled area is a building.
24. A method according to claim 22 or claim 23, wherein said biometric reading means comprises fingerprint reading means, and said biometric data comprises data corresponding to registered fingerprints. r25. A biometric reading device substantially as N" described herein, with reference to the accompanying 0 figures. r c'J