System and method for mobile device biometric add-on
Inventors
Perna, Steven N. • Mapen, Barry E. • Ackerman, David Alan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10484584-B2
Publication Date
2019-11-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of operating a device to obtain biometric information from a subject includes the step of orienting a device relative to a subject such that a first portion of the device faces the subject, wherein a second portion of the mobile device comprises a camera, the first and second portions being different sides of the device. The method may further includes the steps of operating an optical assembly that is movably coupled to the device, the optical assembly being configured to modify an optical pathway of at least the camera in a direction of the subject and acquiring imaging data of the subject using the camera. The method may further includes the steps of analyzing the acquired imaging data to generate biometric information corresponding to the subject and generating a report using the biometric information.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to operating a device to obtain biometric information from a subject by orienting the device so that imaging and illumination are directed toward the subject. The method includes operating an optical assembly movably coupled to the device by a base, where the first portion of the device faces the subject and the second portion includes a camera and an illuminator.
The optical assembly uses two passive optical elements separated by a housing surface. Each passive optical element includes two reflective surfaces, with a first reflective surface angled more steeply than a second reflective surface, and the two reflective surfaces of the first passive optical element modify an optical pathway of the camera in a direction of the subject by about 180 degrees, while the two reflective surfaces of the second passive optical element modify a pathway of the illuminator in a direction of the subject by about 180 degrees.
A related aspect provides a holder for a mobile device that includes a base attachable to the mobile device, a housing rotatable relative to the base, and an optical assembly movably coupled to the base and configured to pivot about an axis relative to the base. The optical assembly is at least partially enclosed by the housing and includes the two passive optical elements corresponding with the camera and the illuminator, enabling imaging and illumination toward the subject for biometric capture, such as iris recognition.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: a method for operating a device to obtain biometric information and a holder for a mobile device that enables optical pathway redirection. Across these claims, the central inventive features include a rotatable or pivoting base and housing, two passive reflective optical elements each having two reflective surfaces with an angled configuration, and optical pathway modification by about 180 degrees for both the camera and the illuminator, followed by acquisition of imaging data and analysis to generate biometric information.
Device orientation with camera and illuminator on different device portions
Orienting a device relative to a subject with a first portion of the device facing the subject, wherein a second portion comprises a camera and an illuminator.
Movably coupled rotatable housing optical assembly with two passive optical elements
Operating an optical assembly movably coupled to the device by a base, the base comprising a housing rotatable relative to the base, the housing at least partially enclosing the optical assembly, and the optical assembly comprising two passive optical elements separated by a housing surface.
Two reflective surfaces per passive optical element for about 180 degree pathway modification
Using two passive optical elements where each includes two reflective surfaces, with a first reflective surface angled more steeply than a second reflective surface, where the two reflective surfaces of the first passive optical element modify an optical pathway of the camera by about 180 degrees and the two reflective surfaces of the second passive optical element modify a pathway of the illuminator by about 180 degrees.
Acquire imaging data and analyze to generate biometric information
Acquiring imaging data of the subject using the camera and analyzing the acquired imaging data to generate biometric information corresponding to the subject.
Holder with attachable base, rotatable housing, and pivoting enclosed optical assembly
Providing a holder for a mobile device with a base attachable to the mobile device, a housing rotatable relative to the base, and an optical assembly movably coupled to the base and configured to pivot about an axis relative to the base, the optical assembly at least partially enclosed by the housing.
Passive reflective optical elements corresponding to camera and illuminator
Configuring the optical assembly with two passive optical elements separated by a housing surface, a first passive optical element corresponding with a camera and a second passive optical element corresponding with an illuminator, each including two reflective surfaces where an angled steepness difference modifies the optical pathway of each element by about 180 degrees.
The independent claims center on a device and a holder architecture that enables biometric capture by redirecting camera and illuminator optical pathways toward a subject using two passive optical elements with two reflective surfaces each, configured to modify optical pathways by about 180 degrees, combined with imaging data acquisition and analysis to generate biometric information.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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