Method and apparatus for user identification using pulsating light source

An apparatus for user identification, comprising:

• a video camera comprising a photosensitive charge transfer device, a photosensitive device control module, and an input surface;
• a light source for emitting light for penetrating a portion of a user's finger;
• a processing module for receiving an output image of the user's finger from the video camera;
• a cover movable from a covering position, for blocking access to said input surface when the photosensitive charge transfer device is in a non-working mode, to a non-covering position, for allowing access to said input surface when the photosensitive charge transfer device is in a working mode, wherein:
• said light source comprises a pulsating light emitter which is synchronized with said photosensitive device control module for pulsating switching of said pulsating light emitter while said video camera is in an image accumulation mode,
• said pulsating light emitter of said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and
• a side of said cover has a mirrored surface and said light emitting diodes of said light source are located in substantially a same plane with the photosensitive charge transfer device.

An apparatus for user identification, comprising:

• a video camera comprising a photosensitive charge transfer device, a photosensitive device control module and an input surface;
• a light source for emitting light for penetrating a portion of a user's finger;
• a processing module for receiving an output image of the user's finger from the video camera;
• and
• a cover movable from a covering position, for blocking access to said input surface when the photosensitive charge transfer device is in a non-working mode, to a non-covering position, for allowing access to said input surface when the photosensitive charge transfer device is in a working mode, wherein:
• said light source comprises a pulsating light emitter which is synchronized with said photosensitive device control module for pulsating switching of said pulsating light emitter while said video camera is in an image accumulation mode, and
• said cover further comprises a narrow bandpass optic filter disposed between said photosensitive charge transfer device and a fiber optic plate, permitting passage of wavelengths from said light source.