Thank you for providing clarification on this companies patents. I had a chance to read the main patent again and its obvious that it covers a broad range of biometric devices. It doesn't matter if the patents lapsed, all that matters is that they are current, active and protecting this companies products.
Drawing attention to the patents having lapsed is not really relevant or productive. They are active and current, and thats all that matters. IN fact, the patent seems extremely broad and I decided to cut and paste some of the key aspects of this patent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a low-power, standalone, fully self-contained, battery-powered fingerprint enrollment and verification device 100. As described in more detail below, device 100 permits rapid enrollment of multiple fingerprints and permits rapid verification that the fingerprint of a user corresponds to a previously enrolled fingerprint. These functions may be achieved using as a power source two conventional AAA alkaline batteries which, depending upon frequency of use, typically last for 6 months or more. As used herein, the term “fingerprint” includes thumbprints and toeprints.
Device 100 includes a logic unit 110, which may be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an ASIC device, an FPGA or other logic devices. The specific logic device used is typically selected based on performance, cost, power-consumption and other criteria. In one embodiment of device 100, logic unit 110 is an Intel microcontroller identified by model number 80C 251TB24. Logic unit 110 is connected via bus 112 to memory unit 120. The latter includes program memory 122 and dynamic memory 124. Program memory 122 provides persistent storage of data and may comprise a read-only memory (ROM) chip, optical memory such as a CD ROM or DVD and associated reader, magnetic memory, RF ID tag technology, inductive memory and other memory usable in a wired or wireless environment. In one embodiment of memory unit 120, program memory 122 is an Atmel EPROM identified by model number 27C256R. Dynamic memory 124 provides transient storage of data generated in connection with operations performed by logic unit 110, and may comprise a random access memory (RAM) chip, e.g., an SRAM or DRAM chip. It is preferred, but not mandatory, that dynamic memory 124 include non-volatile memory for storing certain data such as fingerprint templates previously enrolled in device 100, discussed below, and other secure information. Such non-volatile memory is designed to store such templates and secure information when power is temporarily removed from device 100, e.g., while changing batteries. In selecting the non-volatile memory to be used, it is preferred the memory be capable of storing such templates and secure information for at least 1-2 minutes. While program memory 122 and dynamic memory 124 may be implemented as separate devices, depending upon the implementation of logic unit 110, program and/or dynamic memory may be an integral portion of the logic unit.
Device 100 also includes a program 126 stored in program memory 122. Program 126, in cooperation with logic unit 110 and memory 120, is responsible for performing the various operations necessary for fingerprint enrollment and verification, as discussed in more detail below. Program 126 is typically implemented as firmware, although the present invention encompasses implementation of the program as software.
Also included in device 100 is fingerprint sensor 130. The latter provides the raw image of a fingerprint positioned proximate the sensor. The relative proximity of the fingerprint to sensor 130 will depend upon the type of sensor used. With some sensors, e.g., capacitive type, the fingerprint will need to be brought into intimate contact with the outer surface of the sensor, whereas with other sensors, e.g., optical type, the fingerprint will need to positioned within about 2-5 mm of the outer surface. Thus, as used herein, the term “proximate” includes both positioning the fingerprint in intimate contact with the outer surface of the sensor and positioning the fingerprint near, but spaced from, the outer surface.
In one embodiment of the present invention, sensor 130 may be a capacitive fingerprint sensor of the type having a matrix, e.g., 224-288, of metal electrode pixels, each of which provides a gray scale output signal providing a representation of that portion of the fingerprint contacting the sensor in a digital signal, e.g., 8-bit signal. A suitable fingerprint sensor that may be used as sensor 130 is sold by Infineon Technologies AG, and is identified as the FingerTIP sensor FTF 1100 MF 1. Other types of fingerprint sensors may also be used as sensor, including optical sensors, thermal sensors and e-field sensors.
In selecting a fingerprint sensor, it is preferred that the sensor provide gray scale information on a pixel-by-pixel basis where each pixel provides such information for a sufficiently sized portion of the fingerprint to permit performance of the various operations described below. These operations are used for fingerprint enrollment and verification. Sensor 130 is generally part of device 100. However, in some cases device 100 may be constructed such that sensor 130 is not part of the device, but rather is a separate element to which device 100 is adapted to be connected.
Device 100 is designed to provide secure access to external unit 140 that is connectable with device 100 via an interface 150. Virtually any device or system may be used with device 100. Thus, for example and without limitation, external unit 140 may be any of the following devices: computing devices such as laptop computers, desktop computers, and calculators; PDAs; portable communications devices such as cellular telephones, beepers, pagers and PDAs; security systems such as those used in a home, business or automobile; weapons; and any other device where it is desired to restrict access to only previously authorized persons.
Interface 150 is used to connect device 100 to external unit 140 via connection 160. Connection 160 may be wired or wireless. In this regard, connection 160 may comprise, for example, a full duplex asynchronous serial bus standard similar to RS232, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Weigand bus, serial form, 12 C, SPI, parallel, PS 2, Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth and Palmnet, and any other wired or wireless communication protocols. In addition, connection 160 may be a custom communication protocol.
Thus, device 100 may be positioned immediately adjacent external unit 140 or may be located a substantial distance away from the external device. In fact, in some cases it may be desirable to integrate device 100 and external device 140. In this case, connection 160 may be simply a wire extending between device 100 and external device 140. When so integrated it is a misnomer to described device 140 as “external,” and so this term encompasses devices 140 that are both separate from and intimately integrated with device 100.
Device 100 is powered by power source 170 that is preferably connected to the device via interface 150, but may be otherwise connected to the device. Typically, power source 170 comprises one or more batteries, e.g., two conventional 1.5 volt AAA alkaline batteries of the type sold by Eveready Battery Company, Inc. under the trademark ENERGIZER®. Of course, lithium or other longer-lasting batteries may be used as power source 170. Power source 170 may also be an external source of power, e.g., line power with power conversion and conditioning, although this will reduce the portability of device 100, which is an important but not mandatory objective of the present invention.
Program 126 includes a group of program modules for capturing, processing, manipulating, comparing and storing fingerprint data generated by fingerprint sensor 130. Software modules include sensor data capture module 200, image processing module 202, minutia extraction module 204, template creation module 206 and template compare module 208.
Its nice for those of us interested in the technology and that the company has such broad patent protection.
Also, regarding the Preferred shares, another non issue. Those shares are held by those who actually put hard dollars into the company when it was private. Those shares are locked up now. If there was some evil intent, you would see Form 4 and Form 144 SALES over the last 12 months, as is with most every other OTC company. None here, so again, its a non -issue.
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