US Patent:
20060165261, Jul 27, 2006
Inventors:
Robert Pira - Tucson AZ, US
International Classification:
G06K 9/00
Abstract:
A new and useful apparatus and technique are provided for supporting a human hand in an operating environment, particularly a biometric identification system, in which imaging of the back of a person's hand, particularly the back of the person's palm, is used as the biometric identifier. Consistently supporting a human hand in an operating environment enables a biometric feature of the person's hand (e.g. the vein pattern of the person's hand) to be compared to a previously recorded digitized image of the person's hand, in order to identify the person. The present invention provides a three dimensional rounded support surface that is configured to receive and support a human hand, with the back side of the palm facing a predetermined portion of the operating environment (e.g. the imaging device of the scanning system). The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in providing a support surface that consistently and accurately position a person's hand in a predetermined relation to the scanning system.