Finger guide device

A finger guide device for identity authentication and confirmation, the finger guide device comprising:

• a. a finger guide having side surfaces that form a recess, the recess having the same general shape as a finger, the recess being defined by sloped end walls in the axial direction, the end wall in the axial direction adjacent the tip of the user's finger being more steeply sloped than the end wall in the axial direction that is remote from the tip of
• b. the user's finger, the end wall in the axial direction having the steeper slope which is adjacent the tip of the user's finger serving as a stop meeting the tip of the finger just under the user's nail, the stop serving as “the” reference for positioning the finger relative to a fingerprint sensor, the end wall in the axial direction having the steeper slope which is adjacent the tip of the user's finger serving as a location reference meeting the tip of the finger just under the user's nail;
• and
• c. a fingerprint scanner in alignment with the finger guide;
• whereby the finger guide device positions the finger onto the fingerprint scanner in essentially the same position in an axial direction and in a lateral direction, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position in alignment with the fingerprint scanner repeatably each time the identity authentication and confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing the incidents of “false rejects” for purposes of identification and authentication of a person;
• and
• whereby the recess is funnel shaped with a circular, oval, square, or rectangular square mouth such that, in use, the finger being guided into position at the base of the funnel-shaped recess, and;
• whereby the finger guide device includes feedback means to enable a person using the finger guide to locate the relevant portion of the finger onto the fingerprint sensor each time the identification or authentication is needed.

A finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess for receiving a finger, the surfaces having a coefficient of friction that is sufficiently low for enabling the finger to slide downwardly until reaching a stable position of global minimum, the recess having the same general shape as an inverted pyramid;

• whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said axial alignment occurring along a forward and backward portion of the finger guide device, and
• whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in a lateral direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said lateral alignment occurring between side edges of the finger guide device,
• whereby the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor each time authentication or confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “false rejects” for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device, and;
• whereby the finger guide device provides tactile feedback means for the person in order to make it easier to relocate the right position, even after substantial time has passed between enrollment and the next authentication event.

A device for positioning a finger onto a fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device comprising:

• the finger guide device having a generally recessed shape dimensioned for receiving a finger, the finger guide device having concave sidewalls, the concave sidewalls having a forward portion having at least one slope, said slope abutting the tip part of the finger underneath the fingernail, the forward portion of the concave sidewalls acting as a stop and a location reference, the forward portion meeting the fingertip below the fingernail, the stop physically but non-forcibly encouraging the finger into the correct position relative to the fingerprint sensor, the finger guide device for guiding the finger onto the fingerprint sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction and in a lateral direction, the finger guide device enabling a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor each time authentication or confirmation is needed, said fingerprint sensor being integral to the finger guide device, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “false rejects” for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device, the finger guide device having a shorter radius of curvature at the forward portion where the fingertip abuts the finger guide device and a longer radius of curvature at the opposite end where the guide extends up the finger towards the body;
• and the fingerprint sensor abutting the finger guide device, the same finger guide device being adaptable for use with many different sized fingers.

A finger guide device for use in countertops, doors, keyboards, pads, telephones, computing devices, appliances, medical devices, and cash registers, the finger guide device for mounting in alignment with a fingerprint sensor, the fingerprint sensor selected from the group consisting of electronic, optical, electromagnetic, capacitive, and electroluminescent, the finger guide device having side surfaces that form a recess for receiving a finger, the recess having the same general shape as a finger, the recess being defined by sloped end walls in the axial direction, the end wall in the axial direction which, in use, is adjacent the tip of the user's finger being more steeply sloped than the end wall in the axial direction which, in use, is remote from the tip of the user's finger, the end wall in the axial direction having the steeper slope which, in use, is adjacent the tip of the user's finger serving as a location reference meeting the tip of the finger just under the user's nail, the same finger guide device being adaptable for use with many different sized fingers;

• whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the sensor in essentially the same position in an axial direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said axial alignment occurring along a forward and backward portion of the finger guide device,
• whereby the finger guide device aligns the finger with the sensor in essentially the same position in a lateral direction for placement of a relevant portion of a finger onto the fingerprint sensor, said lateral alignment occurring between side edges of the finger guide device,
• whereby the finger guide device enables a relevant portion of the finger to rest in a stable position onto the fingerprint sensor each time authentication or confirmation is needed, the finger guide device reducing incidents of “false rejects” for purposes of identification or authentication of a person touching the finger guide device.