Low power fingerprint capture system, apparatus, and method

An apparatus configured to form a composite image of a friction ridge pattern of a subject as a fingerprint signature, the apparatus comprising:

• a prism that transmits light rays;
• a platen formed at or near a surface of the prism;
• a light source that emits light rays that propagate within the prism to illuminate a friction ridge pattern of a subject placed in contact with the platen;
• a camera disposed in an optical path of the light rays emitted by the light source that illuminate the platen such that the camera receives images of the friction ridge pattern of the subject if the friction ridge pattern is in contact with the platen;
• and
• a processor in communication with the camera, wherein the processor is configured to automatically detect triggers for beginning and ending a capture sequence based on images of the friction ridge pattern received by the camera such that images of the friction ridge pattern received by the camera during the capture sequence:
• (i) depict the friction ridge pattern as the friction ridge pattern is rolled across the platen, and
• (ii) enable formation of a composite image from a plurality of the images of the friction ridge pattern received by the camera during the capture sequence.

An apparatus that performs at least one function for collection of a friction ridge signature of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

• a prism that transmits light rays;
• a platen formed at or near a surface of the prism;
• a light source that emits light rays that propagate within the prism to illuminate a friction ridge pattern of a subject in contact with the platen;
• a camera disposed in an optical path of the light rays emitted by the light source that illuminate the platen such that the camera receives images of the friction ridge pattern of the subject if the friction ridge pattern of the subject is in contact with the platen;
• and
• a processor in communication with the camera, wherein the processor is configured to automatically detect triggers for beginning and ending a capture sequence based on images of the friction ridge pattern received by the camera such that images of the friction ridge pattern received by the camera during the capture sequence (i) depict the friction ridge pattern held at a fixed position on the platen over a period of time, and (ii) enable formation of a composite image from a plurality of the images of the friction ridge pattern received by the camera during the capture sequence.

A system for collecting the friction ridge signature of a subject, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a device, wherein the device comprises:
• a platen;
• a camera;
• and
• a light source positioned in the device such that if a friction ridge pattern of a subject is placed in contact with the platen and the light source is on, light rays emitted by the light source become incident on the friction ridge pattern of the subject and are directed to fall incident upon the camera to form images of the friction ridge pattern that are captured by the camera;
• wherein the processor is in communication with the camera, and the processor is configured to:
• (i) process the images captured by the camera to automatically detect a beginning and an end of a capture sequence based on the captured images;
• (ii) to analyze the images captured by the camera during the capture sequence to determine if the captured images are sufficient to form a composite image of the friction ridge pattern;
• and
• (iii) if the captured images are sufficient to form a composite image of the friction ridge pattern, to generate a composite image of the friction ridge pattern from the images captured by the camera during the capture sequence.