JP5139069B2 - Finger guide device for use with stylus or pen - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention generally provides a finger, thumb, or in other words, containing the detailed information to capture an image of a reduced feature (which corresponds to a fingerprint) of a substantial and significant portion of the unique detailed information. The present invention relates to a finger guide called a finger guide device that is used to place a human finger on a scanner, sensor or other means. This finger guide device is electronic, optical, electrofluorescent, electromagnetic, capacitive, which requires a high level of repeatability according to the position of the scanner or sensor (scanner or sensor is placed on the stylus or pen). It will be used with pressure systems, or similar scanners or sensors. The usage includes a process that scans, senses, or shoots an important part of a fingerprint and a previously registered part, minimizing false refusal or repetition of an individual or a specific finger of an individual. Confirmation is included.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a finger imaging system that receives a finger of a person whose fingerprint is taken by an automatic fingerprint reader. The system includes a finger imaging device having a finger holder for receiving a finger to take a fingerprint. When the subject's finger is in a substantially desired position, a locator bar for aligning the crease of the finger extends outward from the finger rest surface. Patent Document 2 discloses a finger imaging system that receives and holds a finger of a person whose fingerprint is taken by an automatic fingerprint reader. This system includes a finger holder and a finger positioning part, which form a recess of decreasing dimensions (gradually decreasing in size) and are forced to be inserted into the recess. The subject's finger is kept in a stable position. Finally, Patent Document 3 discloses an apparatus including a fingerprint sensor and guide means. The sensing part of the fingerprint sensor forms a relative angle and an obtuse angle by the guide surface of the guide means.

  Traditionally, to record a fingerprint, ink was applied to the finger, and then the subject's finger was "rolled" on paper or other receiving surface to obtain an image of the subject's fingerprint. Fingerprints left by leaving oil residue on the surface are collected in criminal science by a variety of processes that "raise" the fingerprints.

  In recent years, alternative technologies to ink have been developed that reveal subtle features in fingerprints and grow from or to the outside of the target finger to create detailed features of the target finger below the skin surface of the target finger. A fingerprint can be collected directly from a living tissue. For purposes of revealing the image of the target fingerprint or creating an electronic representation of the target fingerprint (eg, a digital file), the system determines the difference between the skin or biological tissue and determines the target finger area or target finger. Electronic sensing technology holds the finger on the sensing system while searching for only a region of the region. Examples include optical scanners, electrofluorescent pressure sensitive systems, integrated circuits with the ability to measure individual pixel size capacitances, and the like.

  The production cost of certain fingerprint scanning systems is determined by the size of the fingerprint area to be sensed. This is especially true for silicon-based or integrated circuit (IC) type sensors. As with most integrated circuits (ICs), the larger the IC, the higher the production cost of the similar device geometry and number of layers involved. The production cost of sensors is directly affected by the size of the sensing area, so mass production of thumb-sized sensors is required when only a significant part of the fingerprint needs to be scanned to build a fingerprint authentication system. Is not optimal. If only a portion of the fingerprint is used to reduce the cost of the system, the first registered, substantially the same significant portion of the subject's finger may be placed on the sensor for all authentication or verification events. It becomes important.

Obviously, a small sensor is less expensive and the optimal solution given that the area of the fingerprint applied to the sensor must still be large enough to provide an acceptable matchability and security level. The solution is this small sensor, which will eliminate unnecessary parts from the entire fingerprint area. The invention of the finger guide device is a device that can be used for the purpose of surely placing the finger again on the small sensor to enable more effective confirmation. The device ensures that the sensor reads the critical part of the fingerprint that matches, assuming that the same critical part has already been taken and stored in the template for use in comparison and matching. , Request to read. With this finger guide device, each time the fingerprint verification system is used, the finger of the subject is naturally (eg comfortably or intuitively) and unforcedly approximately (generally) the same as the initial registration site By guiding the site, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of false rejection events.
US Patent Application No. 200401172 (Lane) US Patent Application No. 200401171 (Lane et al.) US Patent Application US2004076314 (Cheng) US Pat. No. 5,559,895 (Lee et al.) US Pat. No. 5,576,502

  If a small sensor is used, if the fingerprint is registered in a form that scans one important area of the finger, or perhaps scans several overlapping fingerprint parts, If registered in a form that electronically combines with a computer and creates a complete “template” that represents the fingerprint of the first subject that has an area larger than the area that any single scan forms alone Then, the user who is a subject needs to touch almost the same place of the sensor so that the matched important part of the finger can be read by the sensor, and thereby accurate authentication can be performed. False refusal occurs if the finger is not typically placed again exactly on the same site. In other words, because the sensor sees a different or irrelevant area of the finger, the important part registered ahead of the fingerprint cannot be matched and the known subject user is rejected. is there. This is a false rejection. If the system allows further attempts and, in a second or subsequent attempt, matches the details contained in the critical part of the fingerprint that was originally saved by registration with the scanner or sensor, the relevant Known subjects will be tolerated (confirmed or “authenticated”). This finger guide allows the average number of attempts to authenticate known subjects to be reduced with a simple substantially elliptical or square funnel shaped finger guide. Due to the shape of this finger guide, the target finger is physically guided to the correct site. The finger guide also provides a variety of tactile and other feedback that allows the subject's user to “find” the correct site again, even if there is a long period of time between registration and the next authentication event. Like that. Compared to basic flat sensors, generally surrounded by flat sensors, or poorly designed sensors, false rejection rates for untrained subjects range from 10% to 15% of total subjects. And higher for other system settings.

  Just as a round funnel, oval funnel, square funnel, or rectangular funnel guides liquid to the container, this finger guide device or finger recess serves to repeatedly guide the subject's finger to the same location on the sensor . To explain using another simple metaphor, the ball at the tip of the pyramid is unstable, whereas the ball at the minimum in the inverted pyramid or depression is always a natural gravity and depression. It is like rolling toward the same minimum value due to the side wall guide effect. In the case of the finger guide device, an unobtrusive action is initiated by the muscle applying the appropriate force to easily shift the subject's finger towards the sensor area, and such movement is disclosed in the finger guide device. And guided by the group of physical, material and tactile recessed elements described. The finger guide device guides the target finger to the same part through communication with the subject user, and the natural movement toward the part is achieved by tactile feedback from the side wall of the ergonomically designed device. The In order to “see” the desired portion (projection) of the fingerprint, the sensor should be in the window under the finger guide device in the correct position and near the desired critical area of the subject's finger. It is.

  Conventional devices for finger position input for the purpose of fingerprint imaging focus on the need to hold (substantially press) the target finger against the planar scanning surface. Alternatively, there was a tendency to coarsely search for wrinkles on the skin under the first joint of the finger. It seems that the aim was to press and flatten the finger instead of the effect of rolling the finger. Modern semiconductor sensors need only be touched lightly, as described above, as long as the scanning is repeated or the same important part of the fingerprint is in effective alignment with the sensor. In many cases, the focus is on filming again and again. The present invention repeatedly positions the subject's finger at the correct site so that the critical part of the finger is aligned with the sensor or scanner, and for the subject user to learn the correct contact (pressure). It provides an effective aid and learning mechanism through a combination of these means (including physical shape, feedback means, and materials). In addition, the device is designed to unforcely re-position the part of the subject's fingerprint that is 0.20 to 0.90 inches from the underside of the nail, and so on. The position is input from the lower end of the fingernail rather than the wrinkle under the first joint of the finger. Furthermore, the ridges at the front of the finger guide device are sufficiently thin so that contact with the nail can be avoided. When contact with the nail occurs, another subject cuts the nail to different lengths and at different times, and most people feel uncomfortable when pressure is applied to the tip of the nail, causing an error . Both of these conditions are found in conventional devices that claim to assist with finger positioning on a fingerprint reader or scanner.

  The physical design of this finger guide device allows the critical part of the subject's finger to be placed sufficiently accurately on the center of the sensor, allowing the percentage allowed on the first attempt (enrolled subjects). Can be substantially increased. This is because the concave radius of the front surface of the finger guide device is relatively short (in other words, the slope is relatively steep), and the fingertip just below the nail is touching or close to the front of the finger guide device at this site The radius of the concave near the opposite side of the sensor is long (gradual slope), and at this site the guide extends towards the body and above the finger. The side facing the scanner or sensor is extremely steep and holds the important part of the subject's finger on the scanner or sensor from left to right. In general, the finger guide device is sized for an average finger, but only touches a small critical part of the finger and thus accommodates a wide range of finger sizes.

  Although the tolerances for finger placement on a small electronic sensor mounted on a flat surface are quite large, it is still untrained to position critical parts of the finger on these devices without using a finger guide device It is still not easy for the subject. This depends on the algorithm used and the accuracy of the system, but may be limited to about one-half to two-thirds of the fingerprint area, this important part being another important part of the previously scanned fingerprint This is a part existing in the template. A less accurate system could have less than half the sensor window overlap between the authentication scan and its corresponding significant part in the stored template. The actual critical parts required for security matching vary from algorithm to algorithm, and even within the same algorithm, depending on the actual desired security level or security settings. This is related to an important part of the scanned subject's fingerprint that correlates to the subject's registered template.

  Facing the effective area (window) of the sensor, the same important part of the fingerprint can be placed consistently and repeatedly, helping to facilitate a quick and accurate first attempt match, Substantially reduce the false rejection rate. The finger guide device invention can reduce the false rejection rate to less than 10% in subjects who are registered but not trained. The finger guide device and / or system optimization can be used to further reduce the false rejection rate, and under optimized ideal conditions, the finger guide device using a stylus and pen , The false rejection can be reduced to less than 2%.

  Decreasing the false refusal rate from the range of 10% to 20% and reducing the average from 15% to less than 2% will make a decisive difference in the acceptability and marketability of a security system using a pen or stylus. . Dissatisfaction with the subject user population is substantially reduced if it is no longer necessary to touch the sensor multiple times until permitted. This is especially important in applications using pens or styluses where special user hand dexterity is frequently required for each subsequent authentication attempt. As a means to reduce the special hand dexterity requirement and facilitate the physical operation of the required device as described above, the fingerprint device equipped with a pen has a special compliant or non-slip grip surface. There are things that contain.

  At the end of 2003, a new keyboard was introduced to 250,000 users, but there was no effective finger guide solution. There was a strong dissatisfaction with the user base, and the company that introduced the system received severe blame. If there is such a problem, the problem is technically referred to as a user error or user error due to incorrect finger placement in the authentication process (sensor alignment failure) Even so, users will question system performance. The finger guide device reduces this expected user error and increases the likelihood that the subject user will be tolerated on the first touch. This saves a lot of time when considered throughout the life of the system and is a very important factor in developing biometric systems that compete with passwords and PINs in terms of user time and efficiency. .

  Use of the finger guide device for both registration and authentication can increase the usefulness of the finger guide device in actual use and application. This is because the natural feel of the finger guide device ergonomically guides the user each time to approximately the same location, i.e., to a location where an important part of the finger is aligned above the effective sensor area. This guiding process has physical as well as neurological characteristics and provides tactile feedback that is important for first-time use and subsequent learning.

  Upon enrollment, the system may require the subject to touch the scanner or sensor with his finger several times (eg, “lift and reposition” the target finger). This finger guide device is universally designed to accommodate the left or right appendage fingers or thumbs. This helps the device to place the finger multiple times, but does not limit the finger placement to a specific configuration and repeat it exactly, but rather the tolerance of sensor and algorithm. Means that the finger rests within the range. This allows the template to be extended beyond the absolute limit of an ideal or “complete” window frame, and as a result, within the tolerance and guidance capabilities of the finger guide device, It is possible to create a template with a protected area embedded for the purpose of accommodating future misalignment at the level. This feature is important for long-term repeatability, and the alignment improvements facilitated by the finger guide device are due to the mating system including, but not limited to, the dimensions of the template and the security level set by the algorithm. It is only necessary to raise it to the required limit.

  Some sensors pass a potential or electromagnetic signal through the finger tissue. This may be high frequency. The finger guide device, or its surface, may be conductive so that it can assist these applications during registration and subsequent authentication events. The finger guide device is able to focus the reflected electromagnetic energy in a process called illumination on an important part of the subject's finger and further improve the characteristics of the information being applied to the sensor. You may design into the preferable Example which has a shape.

  The surface properties of the finger guide device and the selected material are important for performance. Since the subject's finger must easily slide to the site, the low coefficient of friction (kinetic and static coefficient of friction) is such that the subject's finger is positioned over its natural minimum (on the sensor or scanner) It is useful for placing on the bottom of the finger guide device. Due to the nature of this surface and the resulting process, the fingerprint of the subject is important in this location to position the subject's finger many times in the same adjacent location, reducing false rejection and reducing the need to touch the sensor again. The part is taken. Examples of materials having a suitable low coefficient of friction include, but are not limited to, smooth metals, smooth plastics, and painted, polished, waxed surfaces. If the surface material has a high coefficient of friction (rubber, urethane-based material, or high-roughness plastic), the usefulness and function of the finger guide device is diminished or impaired. Wet or dry lubricants and waxes may be applied, and suitable lubricants may be mixed in a cleaning solution or special cleaning cloth.

  Other feedback elements may be included in preferred or alternative embodiments of the invention. As a person experiences experience with the finger guide device, humans will develop the ability to feel the correct position. The finger guide device may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity for the purpose of providing tactile feedback and further accelerating this learning process. Examples include, but are not limited to, metals, certain porcelain, or carbon-based materials. In this case, the finger guide device feels cold when touched at room temperature (compared to other parts of the pen or stylus), but not because of its absolute temperature, but because of its high thermal conductivity, This is because the heat is quickly removed from the heat and thus the sensitive surface of the target finger is cooled as soon as it is touched. If the finger guide device is made of metal, this attribute will be a metallic feel when touched (eg, a cold feel). By feeling cooler than the rest of the pen and cooler than the silicone sensor and its surface coating, the subject will learn the correct “feel” of the finger guide device and better understand the feel of the sensor.

  Additional bumps may be added to assist in placing the subject's finger in the correct position, or to allow the subject to “fine tune” the position of the finger. These may not be necessary for normal or average sized fingers, but may be valuable in applications where the subject's fingers are very small and hardly touch the surface area of the finger guide.

  Braille may be added to the finger guide device to assist blind or visually impaired users.

  The finger guide device may also utilize physical elements and material properties to prevent improper use. For example, in a preferred method of practicing the present invention, the finger guides are surrounded by ridges that are relatively hard and clearly distinguishable. Although not dangerously “sharp”, this bump is designed to give the subject user an unpleasant feel. Placing your finger across this ridge is harmless but uncomfortable because it places a high pressure per square inch (PSI) on a very narrow line of skin. The high pressure per square inch is a signal that tells you that the pen is not being gripped correctly through the touch feeling. It is said that the feel when the pen grip is out of alignment is an unnatural feel, and the user intuitively repositions his pen grip for a more natural and comfortable feel. The natural trend is to avoid gripping the pen on the ridges outside the finger guide device and to slide the subject's finger or thumb onto the finger guide device, i.e. on the sensor (the desired site). It is only in this correct position that the feel of the stylus feels natural and safe for the subject user. The term stylus or pen is sometimes used interchangeably and as a synonym, but in this book it is a long tool that the user holds or holds and has the ability to write on the surface.

  Further embodiments of the present invention provide feedback designed to alert (train) the subject for correct finger positioning, and feedback to alert the subject to the fact that the subject is allowed by the system. (Including that the subject's fingerprint has been scanned, compared, and matched correctly). You can also use your voice to “guide” your finger to the sensor. A visual display can also be used. Finally, physical motion, such as vibrations, can be applied, such as a stall warning that alerts the pilot to stall when maneuvering the airplane. In another preferred embodiment of the finger guide device, the pressure responsive movement is used as a tactile (and auditory) feedback signal with “tick” feedback so that the finger is placed in the guide with the appropriate range of touch pressure to the user. It can be communicated to the user when placed.

  These feedback mechanisms can also be used to correct system misuse. For example, extreme pressure on the sensor or lack of pressure when touched can cause scanning problems. Sometimes, the subject user may be frustrated with false rejections and incorrectly conclude that increasing the finger pressure may make the system respond better. Due to over-pressurization, the detailed features are flattened out, the sensor is saturated, and the detailed features cannot be resolved accurately. On the other hand, if the touch is too light and the pressure is lacking, detailed features cannot still be resolved by the sensor, and a good image cannot be created. In either case, use voice commands, voice, or other feedback means known to those skilled in ergonomics to communicate that you need to loosen the grip or push or hold it a little more Can do. Voice, voice, or other feedback means can also be communicated to the subject to reduce pressure when touching or lift the finger slightly. Another viable solution is to move the sensor up and down slightly within the finger guide device sensor window, either manually adjusted using a feedback control loop and actuator system, or automatically.

  One preferred method for practicing the present invention is an assembly designed to work in conjunction with a sensor and finger guide device as a unit (ie, system). This requires that the sensor be configured to operate on a substrate, and in order to use the sensor, this substrate will likely include additional support circuitry. A combination of a finger guide device with a mounting means, a sensor, a sealing gasket, and a printed wiring board may be mounted on a stylus or pen case. As such, the assembly may be contained in a wide variety of types of stylus or pen cases when used.

  The finger guide device and fingerprint matching system of the present invention may be combined with other biometric matching methods to provide a higher security overall result. Examples include, but are not limited to, facial expression recognition, additionally fingerprinting, iris recognition, or retina scanning. In another example, dynamic signature verification, or “DSV” for short, captures and digitizes several static and dynamic human signature elements in the physical representation process of a human signature (the act of signing), Comparing the various parametric measurements of these elements with statistical data compared to previously verified and stored parametric data (signature templates or groups of verified signature templates) derived from previously submitted title data analyse. As a result, the subject is authenticated or verified through the signature submitted by the subject. There are several methods known to those skilled in the art for performing this dynamic signature verification, an example of such a group of methods is the “real-time dynamic human signatures” taught and disclosed in US Pat. "Adaptive methods and systems for real time verification of dynamic human signatures". In this method, “personal features” that have been converted to static and dynamic measurement forms are compared with registered signature features to allow for “accurate signature distinction”. This patent and related prior art is incorporated herein by reference.

  Perhaps from a remote location, there is a need to prove that a known signer has actually submitted his signature, rather than an alternative undesirable document such as "I object" or "I do not agree" It will happen again. The Corporate Fraud and Accountability Act (known as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or US Corporate Reform Act), enacted in 2002, certifies certain financial statements required by certain officers of public bodies. Due to the requirement that it had to be, many public organizations began to request proof from leading managers stationed at remote operations. Since such declarations are usually under strict deadlines, the ability to complete the electronic signature process is desirable. An equally urgent need for a way to prove that a valid signature that is actually legal is being submitted by the motivated needs of the Internet to facilitate many other forms of remote commercial activity. Motivation comes up. Such motivations include the support of the legal legality of electronic forms, or “digital” signatures, called the US Electronic Signature Bill [US eSign Bill], passed in October 2000 by the US legislature. Require the adoption and use of digital signatures by ministries and encourage the use of digital signatures in private electronic transactions. In a system that does not use paper, just using the fingerprint sensor pen system, individuals can write `` I refuse to sign '' in addition to writing my agreement in text and thereby expressing my intention Or writing other content cannot be prevented. Such exceptions must be detected by reviewing each submitted signature by a human, and such human review is subject to error and oversight. Accordingly, another embodiment of the finger guide device of the present invention combines the fingerprint authentication and verification system with a dynamic signature verification system, where the dynamic signature verification system is actually used by an authenticated subject. Used to confirm that you have submitted a valid form of your signature.

  Users may be intimidated when writing or signing. For example, a crime may be underway in which the writer is threatened with a gun and forced to authenticate against his will. Under such circumstances, the writing person may register a different emergency finger to use as an emergency signal to indicate that the writing action is threatened or illegally enforced. It would be desirable to leave In such a case, the system cannot match the registered fingerprint, but recognizes the match with the writer's emergency finger, so the meaning of this match from the writer who is the subject. Recognize as a danger signal. The writing person who is the subject calls this specially registered finger his / her “emergency” finger. This emergency finger match, or 119 finger match, may be treated as an instruction that triggers a so-called “silent alert” that needs to provide immediate assistance (eg, police assistance) to the subject writing person. . In addition, the system can be programmed to be malfunctioning instead of rejecting the writer, and cannot complete the requested transaction for other reasons other than the subject's failure to authenticate. Otherwise, it can be programmed to delay the transaction so that time is available until assistance (eg, police) arrives. Such a measure is intended to minimize the risk to the writer who is the subject in the threatened state.

  Fingerprint sensors or scanners use image data detailing the unique individual characteristics of human fingerprints, and various solutions for detecting and photographing. In this discussion, the terms finger and fingerprint are intended to have the same or equivalent meaning as the thumb or thumb fingerprint. This means the unique detailed features of every finger on every left and right appendage of the subject user or the living tissue that has grown outwards to produce detailed features on the surface. For the purpose of this description, the term “he” or “he” or “his” or “his” is used to refer to the subject user as having no equivalent gender and meaning. Is intended.

  For a more complete understanding of the finger guide device of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which these preferred embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example. Since the present invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from the spirit of its essential characteristics, the drawings are presented for purposes of illustration only and are intended as definitions that limit the invention. It is clearly understood that there is no. Throughout the description, the same reference numerals represent the same parts in all of the drawings.

  Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1, the finger guide device 12 is depicted at the top of the exploded view directly below the top cover 22 and includes several preferred elements. These element groups include left and right side surfaces having concave properties with a high slope compared to the front and rear, and the slope is particularly strong in the region adjacent to the fingerprint sensor 16. The front of the finger guide device is recessed from the sensor window to the top of the ridge and is shaped from a short radius set, thereby forming its generally concave profile. The posterior radius forms the most slanted concave contour and is configured to cup the portion of the finger between the preferred fingerprint and the rest of the finger close to the body. The end of the finger guide device furthest away from the fingernail includes a continuation of a relatively sharp feedback ridge, but utilizes a finger joint or skin fold as a means of positioning the fingerprint close to the sensor 16 It is not intended to be.

  Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of a finger guide device 12 of the present invention is shown aligned with a fingerprint sensor 16, in which the finger guide device and the fingerprint sensor are both shown. It is housed in a simple touchpad 26 so that it can be placed on a desk, countertop, or other surface. This simple fingerprint pad configuration in this preferred embodiment is usually a computer or a terminal or payable cash register, for the purpose of identifying the subject to grant access to data, files, or network communications, or Used for confirmation purposes for other purposes (eg, completing a payment transaction). Combining this touchpad with a computer and fingerprint matching software algorithm results in a fingerprint verification system. The finger guide device reduces the number of false rejections seen when repeatedly using a fingerprint verification system.

  The side surface of the finger guide device forms a recess that receives the user's finger. Thus, the side of the finger guide device has the same general shape as a finger. In this first preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of the present invention, the side surfaces are concave and the radii of curvature are different. This includes a concave shape with a relatively short concave radius (in other words, a relatively steep concave radius) at the front of the finger guide device, and a long radius adjacent to the opposite side of the sensor (in other words, (The concave radius is relatively gentle), and in the former position, the fingertip directly below the fingernail touches or is proximal to the front surface of the finger guide device, and in the latter position, the guide faces the body. Extends above the finger. Since the slope on the side near the fingerprint sensor is quite tight, the target finger can be kept in the center in the lateral direction. In general, the finger guide device is sized for an average finger, but only touches a small portion of the finger and thus accommodates a wide range of sizes.

  Finger guide device 12 includes windows for sensor 16 and drive ring 17, which are intended to align and show these elements to important fingerprint portions of the subject's finger. . Both the AES3400 sensor and the AES3500 sensor are manufactured by AuthenTec, Inc. of Melbourne, Florida, but both are equally suitable as fingerprint sensors to be placed in this window. This window may be sufficient to contain the drive ring required for certain sensors (described above), or alternatively the window covers the drive ring and the electrical conduction provided by the drive ring. In some cases, self-conductivity is used instead of rate. This is the case in the preferred group of possible examples, the performance is comparable and the only substantial difference is the appearance. In FIG. 1, the drive ring 17 is equally exposed, and the finger guide device 12 is used as an auxiliary to the drive ring and has conductivity. In the field of possible preferred embodiments, certain fingerprint scanners or sensors may not require window openings. However, alignment is a necessary element in all of the preferred embodiments.

  The surface of the fingerprint sensor 16 lies on the same adjacent plane with the top surface of the window in contact with the lowest portion of the recess of the finger guide device 12. However, within reasonable limits, as long as the subject's finger is in contact with both the finger guide device 12 and the sensor 16, this plane match is not critical to performance. The living finger promotes this within a reasonable range because it is flexible and flexible. Under certain circumstances, performance can be further improved by adjusting the fingerprint sensor plane up and down to change the characteristics of the fingerprint image. Although useful from the optimal fit of the longitudinal sections, the finger guide device of the present invention can operate in a wide range of longitudinal sections.

  A gasket 14 (or equivalent protective means) is provided to keep oil, liquid, mud or other undesirable material away from the sensor leads and circuit board. The sensor 16 is made of a material that is impervious to solvents and other undesirable contaminants. Instead of gaskets, other protective materials can be used, such as coatings such as conformal coatings applied in liquid form, which are solidified or partially solidified to provide a protective barrier It is. The present invention can also be operated with a variety of circuit board protection means available to those skilled in the art and known to those skilled in the art. The present invention also works without protection.

  The finger guide device 12 includes one or more mounting bosses shown in this preferred embodiment as opposed and adjacent positions. With these, the finger guide device 12 is aligned with the sensor 16 and the gasket 14 is aligned with its printed wiring board 18 or other mounting means, and then the sensor 16, gasket 14, and finger guide device 12 Are attached to a pen or stylus case that includes an upper case 22 and a lower case 26 mated therewith. This may be facilitated using any suitable attachment means known to those skilled in the art.

  The front of the guide acts as a stop and position reference, which is designed to contact the fingertip or thumb just below the nail and avoid differences in the area (due to differences in finger or thumb nail length) ing. This is a distinct advantage over devices that tighten or straddle the top (nail) of a finger.

  FIG. 2 shows the finger guide device 12 and fingerprint sensor 16 system housed in the stylus 10 case. Although the finger guide device 12 is displayed, the illustrated elements include left and right side surfaces that are more inclined than the front and rear parts, and this part is close to the sensor and has a concave surface property. The front is recessed from the sensor window to the top of the ridge and is shaped from a set of short radii, thereby forming its generally concave contour. The toe contacts this front portion of the finger guide device 12. The posterior radius forms the most slanted concave contour and is configured to cup the portion of the finger between the preferred fingerprint and the rest of the finger close to the body. The end of the finger guide device furthest away from the fingernail includes a continuation of a relatively sharp feedback ridge, but utilizes a finger joint or skin fold as a means of positioning the fingerprint close to the sensor 16 It is not intended to be.

  The finger guide device 12 includes a window for the sensor 16 to present itself in alignment with the subject's finger. This window may be sufficient to contain the drive ring required for certain sensors (described above), or alternatively the window covers the drive ring and the electrical conduction provided by the drive ring. In some cases, self-conductivity is used instead of rate. In the preferred embodiment group this is the case, the performance is comparable and the only substantial difference is the appearance. In FIG. 2, the drive ring surrounding the fingerprint sensor 16 is equally exposed and the finger guide device 12 is used as an aid to the drive ring and conducts electromagnetic energy. For certain types of scanners or sensors, the present invention will work without a window opening. Examples include, but are not limited to, optical scanners or sensors and certain ultrasonic sensors.

  FIG. 3A discloses a side view of a preferred embodiment of a finger guide device used with the stylus shown in FIG. 1, including the finger guide device of the present invention, in which the stylus is wireless. In addition, FIG. 3B discloses a side view of a preferred embodiment of a finger guide device for use with the stylus shown in FIG. 1, including the finger guide device of the present invention, in which the stylus is attached with a wire. is there. The finger guide device is drawn out of the top of the top cover 22. A grip pad 29 is disclosed, which is made of a soft and frictional material (with a relatively high coefficient of friction) and provides a more comfortable and stable grip. The surface of this non-slip grip attached to the bottom cover 26 prevents the stylus from moving as the user moves and repositions the target finger on the finger guide device during registration or in a second attempt after false rejection. Hold on. Suitable compliant materials with a high coefficient of friction are known to those skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, rubber, urethane-based materials, and suede skins.

  FIG. 4A discloses a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present finger guide device 12 shown in FIG. 1 with a finger placed thereon, the finger being placed on the finger guide device 12. Match with important partial images. Further, FIG. 4B discloses a side view of the beveled front bevel 27 of the finger guide device, where the subject's finger is positioned to align a significant portion of the subject's finger with the fingerprint sensor. Match.

  FIG. 5A discloses another preferred embodiment of the stylus 10 that includes the finger guide device 12 of the present invention and a stylus as a signature photographic pad that is commonly used as part of a payment processing system. A fingerprint sensor 16 attached to the hand grip is included. FIG. 5B discloses another preferred embodiment of the pen 34, which includes a finger guide device 12 and a fingerprint sensor 16, which is attached to a pen grip and sold. Used with the payment terminal of the point-of-time information management terminal. At this time, the purchaser signs the receipt using the pen stylus and at the same time positions the finger using the finger guide device of the present invention.

  FIG. 6A discloses another preferred embodiment of the assembly and shows an electrical computer input stylus. This example includes the finger guide device 12 and fingerprint sensor 16 of the present invention, which is attached to a stylus grip and used as a handwritten signature pad (such as an electric digitizing pad 33 used in a computer). 6B) or used with a tablet computer. In addition, FIG. 6B discloses a preferred embodiment of an assembled electric computer input stylus, which includes the finger guide device 12 and fingerprint sensor 16 of the present invention, which fingerprint sensor is a grip of the stylus 10. It is attached to. This is related to fingerprint authentication to authenticate users by combining biometric authentication, handwritten things (pictures, characters, signatures, etc.) are processed by computer (image capture, image storage, dynamic signature authentication, etc.) For use with the corresponding electric digitizing pad 33. This further preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a second security biometric identification method with fingerprint authentication. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, dynamic signature verification (DSV) is used in combination with a finger cup device and a fingerprint authentication or verification system, which can be challenged by a fingerprint authenticated signer. It is intended to confirm that you have actually submitted your signature, indicating the legal expression of your consent and will, rather than writing or other meaningless text.

  In yet another embodiment of the invention, the signing person registers a different emergency fingerprint as an emergency signal finger to indicate that the signature is threatened or illegally enforced to the system. It may be desirable. In such a case, the system cannot authenticate against the expected registered fingerprint, but recognizes a match with the signing person's designated emergency finger and interprets it as a signing person's emergency assistance request. To do. This emergency finger fingerprint match is used as the start of a “silence warning” to provide emergency assistance to the signing person. As an alternative to rejecting the person who is the subject and signing, the system is incapacitated or other reasons why the person is unable to authenticate and at the same time the signature transaction process cannot be completed. Can be programmed to appear as if they are or have been late in approving the signature transaction, while gaining time for the arrival of emergency assistance. Such an approach is intended to minimize the risk of injuring the human being who is under threat and who signs it. This further preferred embodiment, as well as the previously disclosed alternative DSV embodiment, includes a substrate 31 and a stylus point 32 that form a subassembly 30, which includes the electrical digitizing pad shown in FIG. 6B. It is possible to communicate wirelessly with 33. This subassembly is described in detail in US Pat. No. 6,057,059 and other references cited therein, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Electronically operated digitizing pointers and other equivalent subassemblies and subsystems designed to be able to communicate with handwriting pads or tablets are known to those skilled in the art of computer handwriting devices or systems. It is. Such further examples use subassemblies manufactured by WACOM Company Limited. In this further embodiment, the substrate and stylus subassembly 30 replaces the ink cartridge 24 shown in FIG. 1, and this replacement allows the electronic computer input stylus of the finger guide device to be computer handwritten digitizing. The handwriting digitizing pad uses wireless for communication between the stylus and the pad. FIG. 6A discloses an exploded view of a finger guide device fingerprint sensor system housed in a stylus case. Although finger guide device 12 is shown, the elements shown include left and right side surfaces that have concave properties that are more inclined than the front and rear portions. The front is recessed from the sensor window to the top of the ridge and is shaped from a set of short radii, thereby forming its generally concave contour. The toe contacts this front portion of the finger guide device 12. The posterior radius forms the most slanted concave contour and is configured to cup the portion of the finger between the preferred fingerprint and the rest of the finger close to the body. The end of the finger guide device furthest away from the fingernail includes a continuation of a relatively sharp feedback ridge, but utilizes a finger joint or skin fold as a means of positioning the fingerprint close to the sensor 16 It is not intended to be. The finger guide device 12 includes a window for the sensor 16 to present itself to the subject's finger. This window may be sufficient to contain the drive ring required for certain sensors (described above), or alternatively, the window covers the drive ring and the electricity provided by the drive ring 17. In some cases, self-conductivity is used instead of conductivity. In the preferred embodiment group this is the case, the performance is comparable and the only substantial difference is the appearance. In FIG. 6A, the drive ring is equally exposed and the finger guide device is used as an aid to the drive ring and is electrically conductive.

  FIG. 6B discloses the electric computer input stylus writing mechanism shown in FIG. 6A, and this mechanism can communicate with the electric digitizing pad 33 shown in FIG. 6B in high frequency, and the electric digitizing pad. Transmits an electrical signal including information related to handwriting to the computer. A stylus may be used for handwriting that is photographed in digital form and transferred to a computer, which is preferred in this application over the use of a conventional computer mouse. This is because the mouse does not have the ability to do handwriting properly. Furthermore, although the stylus having this configuration can function as both a computer pointing control device and a handwriting photographing device, as described above, the mouse is limited to the pointing control device and is not a stylus. Before or during use of the stylus for that purpose, an electrical signal containing information about the fingerprint is transferred to the computer, digitizing tablet, wireless signal transfer and reception, optical transfer of data, or It may be transmitted over another cable or the like ready for electrical communication, thereby making no substantial difference in the implementation or utility of the present invention.

  Throughout this specification, all patents and applications are referenced by application number and inventor. The disclosures of these patents and applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in order to better illustrate the state of the art.

  Obviously, many alternatives, modifications and variations of the positioning device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the boundaries of the present invention are determined by the appended claims rather than the language of the foregoing specification, and such alternatives, modifications, and variations that form equivalents together. It is intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

1 is an exploded view of an assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the finger guide device of the present invention, the assembly comprising finger cups, gaskets, sensors, and a printed circuit board, all of which are ink cartridges in the upper and lower shells of the ink pen stylus. It is to be mounted on the top. 1 discloses a preferred embodiment of the finger guide device shown in FIG. 1 mounted in a stylus. In this example, the stylus is used to authenticate and verify the subject user who created the writing, where the subject uses a finger guide device to identify a significant portion of the target finger when grasping the pen. Put on the fingerprint sensor. 1 discloses a side view of a preferred embodiment of a finger guide device for use with the stylus shown in FIG. 1, including a finger guide device of the present invention, in which the stylus is wireless. 1 discloses a side view of a preferred embodiment of a finger guide device for use with the stylus shown in FIG. 1, including the finger guide device of the present invention, in which the stylus is wire-attached. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the present finger guide device for use with the stylus or pen shown in FIG. 1 with a finger placed thereon, the finger being non-forced on the finger guide device; Also, placed naturally, allows an important part of the fingerprint to match the fingerprint sensor. A side view of a slanted forward bevel of a finger guide device with the subject's finger aligned is disclosed, thereby aligning critical portions of the finger with the fingerprint sensor. A preferred embodiment of a stylus is disclosed, which includes the finger guide device of the present invention and a fingerprint sensor mounted on a stylus grip as a signature photographic pad. A preferred embodiment of a pen is disclosed, which is mounted on a handhold of a pen for use in payment of a finger guide device of the present invention and a point-of-sale terminal for signing a purchase receipt. Includes a fingerprint sensor. A further preferred embodiment of the assembly is disclosed and an electric stylus is shown. The electric stylus includes the finger guide device and fingerprint sensor of the present invention, which is attached to the stylus grip and aligned with the stylus grip, together with a handwritten signature pad used in a computer. used. 6A discloses a further preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6A that includes an electrical stylus, which includes the finger guide device and fingerprint sensor of the present invention, which fingerprint sensor is used with an electrical digitizing pad. It is attached to the grip of the stylus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Stylus 12 Finger Cup 14 Gasket 16 Fingerprint Sensor 17 Drive Ring 18 Printed Circuit Board 22 Upper Cover 24 Ink Cartridge 26 Lower Cover 29 Grip Pad 30 Subassembly 31 Circuit Board 32 Stylus Point 33 Electric Digitizing Pad

Claims (11)

A finger guide device for mounting on a fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint sensor being disposed on a stylus or pen grip, the finger guide device having a recessed side, the recessed side being a finger It takes the same general form, the finger guide device guides the target finger to substantially the same axial and lateral location on the sensor, and the finger guide device is used by the stylus or pen to write Repeated each time, almost the same important part of the target finger can be placed in a stable position on the fingerprint sensor, and the finger guide device is `` denied false '' for the purpose of confirming or authenticating the person using the stylus or pen Reduce the number of events
The finger guide device includes a recess for receiving a user's finger and aligning the user's finger on the fingerprint sensor in an axial direction and a lateral direction, the recess being formed by an axially concave end wall. has been defined, the user's fingertip near axial end wall, in use, have a short concave radius than the concave radius of the user's finger or the axial direction of the end wall remote from the thumb destination, the fingers The front of the guide device functions as a stop and position reference and contacts the finger or thumb tip directly under the nail, thereby avoiding position differences due to differences in finger or thumb nail length A finger guide device for mounting on the fingerprint sensor.   The center of the sensor in the region on the subject finger having concave sides with different radii of curvature, such that the radius of curvature on the front surface is in the range of 0.20 inches to 0.90 inches from the underside of the fingernail The finger guide device of claim 1, wherein the finger guide device is designed to position a critical portion of the target finger thereon.   The device of claim 1, having an outer ridge that causes clear tactile feedback indicating to the subject that the target finger is not in the correct position on the sensor. Having a surface friction coefficient finger towards the position in global minima of approximately related to the correct site on the sensor is allowed to stabilize live at that site I slip device according to claim 1.   The device has a higher thermal conductivity than other parts of the pen or stylus so that heat is removed from the skin more quickly by the device compared to other parts of the pen, and the device is compared to other parts of the pen. A finger guide device according to claim 1, wherein the finger guide device has a tactile characteristic that makes it feel more cold when touched, thereby telling the writer that the finger is in the correct area. . A finger guide device that aligns with a fingerprint sensor, and the fingerprint sensor is attached to a stylus or pen grip, and the finger guide device is important for fingerprints when the pen or stylus is used during the registration process. can be taken part, those the finger guide device guides the finger to essentially the same site in the axial direction and the lateral direction on the sensor, to the finger guide device is then stylus or pen to generate a write Each time it is used, the same important part of the target finger is placed on a stable area on the fingerprint sensor, and the finger guide device is `` denied for false '' for the purpose of confirming or authenticating the person using the stylus or pen. The finger guide de The chair has a recessed side wall, the recessed side wall has the same general shape as a finger, and the fingerprint sensor is mounted in a region having a minimum value compared to the recessed side wall, and tactile feedback Each time a stylus or pen is used, the finger is guided to the same part on the minimum value part through communication with the user, and the fingerprint sensor is other than the optical sensor .   Feedback means to assist the subject so that the subject can place his finger at the correct location within the finger guide device, or the subject places the finger at the correct location within the finger guide device with the correct pressure The finger guide device according to claim 6, further comprising feedback means for assisting the subject so that   The finger guide device or its surface is conductive or partially conductive so that it can transmit the necessary electrical signals, frequencies or potentials to human tissue for the purpose of promoting proper operation of the fingerprint sensor. The finger guide device according to claim 6 having characteristics. A finger guide device for positioning a finger on a fingerprint scanner, the finger guide device comprising:
a. A finger guide device having a generally depressed shape dimensioned to receive a finger or thumb, said finger guide device having a front portion having at least one bevel, said bevel being a finger The finger guide device adjacent to the target finger or thumb portion directly below the nail or thumb nail; and
b. Consists of a scanner adjacent to the finger guide device,
The device then directs the target finger on the sensor to essentially the same location in the axial and lateral directions, and the finger guide device repeats the same target finger each time the stylus or pen is used to generate the writing. Place the critical part on a stable area on the fingerprint sensor and the finger guide device will reduce the “false reject” event for the purpose of verifying or authenticating the person using the stylus or pen,
The front of the recessed sidewall serves as a stop and position reference, the front is in contact with the fingertip directly below the fingernail, and the stop is physically but unforcedly positioned correctly relative to the fingerprint sensor. The finger guide device characterized by guiding the finger to the finger guide device.   10. The guide includes a pair of side portions for guiding the target finger or thumb to a central portion on the sensor and a rear portion for receiving a portion of the target finger that extends backward beyond the sensor. Device described in.   10. The device of claim 9, wherein the stylus is used in conjunction with a system capable of dynamic signature verification that is used to verify that the writer has signed his / her signature.

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