US Patent 7747046 Apparatus and method for obtaining images using a prism

Patent 7747046 was granted and assigned to Cross Match Technologies Limited on June, 2010 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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Is a

Patent

Patent attributes

Current Assignee

Cross Match Technologies Limited

Patent Jurisdiction

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Patent Number

7747046

Date of Patent

June 29, 2010

Patent Application Number

11450893

Date Filed

June 12, 2006

Patent Primary Examiner

‌

Daniel G Mariam

Patent abstract

An improved apparatus and method for obtaining images through a prism are provided. In an embodiment, a thin fingerprint prism wedge, with a geometry designed to minimize foreshortening and maximize contrast, is provided in an optical path between an optical sensor and an object to be imaged. In some embodiments, the apparatus operates on the principle of internal surface reflections instead of total internal reflection (TIR).