WAVE-GUIDE HOLOGRAM FINGERPRINT ENTRY DEVICE

The recording and entry of fingerprints into the local and national da tabases is increasingly relying on optics to simplify and speed up thi s process. A prototype device for the entry of fingerprints that uses a waveguide hologram as part of the scheme for illuminating the finger is described. The use of the waveguide hologram enables reduction in the size, weight, and energy consumption of a fingerprint entry device (or live scan device). The entry device then becomes highly portable and thus useful in many office and field applications. Coupled with el ectronic or optical processing and storage along with telephone or rad io transmission of the captured fingerprints, rapid identification of individuals becomes a realizable goal. The components required for the prototype holographic fingerprint entry device (HoloFED) including th e light source, the illumination waveguide hologram, the imaging syste m and the storage, and processing system are discussed. Examples of fi ngerprints captured are shown. The trade-offs necessary for the implem entation of the prototype are object-to-image distance, optical effici ency, weight, and cost. (C) 1996 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentat ion Engineers.