WO2017010943A1

WO2017010943A1 - Finger vein acquisition instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2017010943A1
Application number: PCT/SG2016/050330
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bin WENG; Chengxue LU; Gang Liu; Yongji Wang; Zhou Hong; Qiuchao ZHENG; Chenglin LIANG; Qili Huang
Original assignee: Jing King Tech Holdings Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Jing King Tech Holdings Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-14
Filing date: 2016-07-13
Publication date: 2017-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-14
Also published as: CN204791060U

Abstract

The present invention provides a finger vein acquisition instrument comprising an acquisition instrument body, wherein a groove for receiving a finger is provided on the acquisition instrument body, infrared lamps for irradiating the finger provided on side walls of the groove; an image capturing device for acquiring a finger vein image provided below the bottom end of the groove, wherein the image capturing device is fixed on a main control panel within the base of the acquisition instrument body, and an optical filter positioned above the image capturing device.

Description

FINGER VEIN ACQUISITION INSTRUMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a finger vein acquisition instrument. BACKGROUND The following discussion of the background of the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge of the person skilled in the art in any jurisdiction as at the date of the application. In light of increasing domestic security threats, there is an urgent need for stringent and effective identity authentication technology to ensure the safety and security of personal identity documents, personal belongings, internal networks, building corridors, internet and electronic-commerce. Biometric identification techniques, as the most safe and convenient identification methods so far, have received much attention and have seen rapid technological developments. Within the broader spectrum of biometric identification techniques, finger vein identification technique has characteristics of living body identification and internal features, wherein living body identification consists of corresponding identification features being present only when a finger is in a living body, i.e., the corresponding identification features are absent in the case of a non-living body, and therefore it is difficult to counterfeit the features. Furthermore, the identification features are vein image features within the finger, and there is therefore no identification barrier caused by injuries, abrasion, dryness, dampness or other conditions on the finger surface; and therefore such identification technique is suitable for large-scale promotion where its application is rapidly developing. At present there are several finger vein identification devices, such as a finger vein acquisition authentication device disclosed in Chinese utility model number CN 204028935 U, which is an acquisition authentication device capable of performing individual identity authentication using finger vein identification techniques. However, the finger vein acquisition authentication device disclosed in Chinese utility model number CN204028935U is merely an acquisition instrument with infrared light irradiation from a single surface, which would easily result in unclear images, and the angle of the infrared light irradiation would also influence the imaging quality for the finger vein which would easily result in inaccurate or false identification. In addition, during identification, in the event that a finger is not placed in position, identification failure would also easily occur.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of, and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to".

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a finger vein acquisition instrument comprising an acquisition instrument body, wherein a groove for receiving a finger is provided on the acquisition instrument body; infrared lamps for irradiating the finger provided on side walls of the groove; an image capturing device for acquiring a finger vein image provided below the bottom end of the groove, wherein the image capturing device is fixed on a main control panel within the base of the acquisition instrument body; and an optical filter positioned above the image capturing device. Preferably, a set of infrared lamps for irradiating the finger is provided on each side wall of the groove.

Preferably, each set of infrared lamps comprises at least two infrared lamps.

Preferably, each set of infrared lamps on each side wall of the groove comprises six infrared lamps. Preferably, the included angle between a first infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is between 10° and 50° inclusive and the included angle between the other infrared lamp(s) and the horizontal plane is between 40° and 80° inclusive. Preferably, the included angle between the first infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is between 20° and 40° inclusive and the included angle between the other infrared lamp(s) and the horizontal plane is between 50° and 70° inclusive.

Preferably, the included angle between the first infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is 30° and the included angle between the other infrared lamp(s) and the horizontal plane is 60°.

Preferably, the first infrared lamp is the lamp nearest to the fingertip.

Preferably, the finger vein acquisition instrument further comprises at least two sensors.

Preferably, the at least two sensors are provided at each end of the optical filter. Preferably, the at least two sensors are connected to and in communication with the main control panel.

Preferably, the sensors are pressure sensors.

Preferably, the finger vein acquisition instrument further comprises an indicator light.

Preferably, the indicator light is provided on a side wall of the finger vein acquisition instrument and is electrically connected to the main control panel.

Preferably, the finger vein acquisition instrument further comprises at least one communications device.

Preferably, the at least one communications device is a speaker provided on a side wall of the finger vein acquisition instrument. Preferably, the at least one communications device is electrically connected to the main control panel.

Preferably, the main control panel is further provided with a connection means for communication and power supply, and a socket portion of the connection means is connected to an outer side wall of the acquisition instrument body, Preferably, the connection means comprises a USB interface. Preferably, the finger vein acquisition instrument is substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the ensuing description, which proceeds with reference to the following illustrative drawings of various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of illustrative example only, with reference to the accompany drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a finger vein acquisition instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a top view of the finger vein acquisition instrument of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a device or instrument for finger vein acquisition comprising an acquisition instrument body 10, wherein a groove 1 for receiving a finger is provided on the acquisition instrument body 10. The finger vein acquisition instrument comprises a plurality of infrared lamps 2 for irradiating a finger that are provided on side walls of the groove 1. The finger vein acquisition instrument also comprises an image capturing device such as a camera for acquiring a finger vein image. The image capturing device is provided below the bottom end of the groove 1. The image capturing device is situated on a main control panel located within the base of the acquisition instrument body 10. The finger vein acquisition instruction further comprises an optical filter 3 that is placed or positioned above the image capturing device. The main control panel is further provided with a connection means such as a USB interface for communication and power supply, and a socket portion of the connection means is connected to an outer side wall of the acquisition instrument body 10. A set of infrared lamps 2 for irradiating the finger are provided on each side wall of the groove 1 respectively, and the set of infrared lamps 2 comprises at least two infrared lamps, wherein the included angle between one infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is preferably between 10° and 50° inclusive (this means both 10° and 50° are included), and the included angle between the other infrared lamps and the horizontal plane is preferably between 40° and 80° inclusive (this means both 40° and 80° are included). In accordance with another embodiment, the included angle between one infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is preferably between 20° and 40° inclusive (this means both 20° and 40° are included) and the included angle between the other infrared lamps and the horizontal plane is between 50° and 70° inclusive (this means both 50° and 70° are included). In accordance with yet another embodiment, the included angle between one infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is preferably 30° and the included angle between the other infrared lamps and the horizontal plane is preferably 60°.

To better ensure irradiation intensity, and to improve imaging of the finger vein with the image capturing device, the set of infrared lamps 2 comprises six infrared lamps. Further, as the shape of a finger may taper narrowly towards the fingertip, if the infrared lamps 2 irradiate at the same angle to the horizontal plane, the infrared lamps 2 will irradiate at a higher irradiation angle at the fingertip resulting in ineffective imaging. Hence, in order to achieve a better imaging effect, the included angle between an infrared lamp from the set of infrared lamps that is nearest to the fingertip and the horizontal plane is preferably between 10° and 50° inclusive. More preferably, the included angle is between 20° and 40° inclusive, and most preferably the included angle is 30°. On the other hand, the included angle between the other infrared lamps and the horizontal plane is preferably between 40° and 80° inclusive. More preferably, the included angle is between is preferably between 50° and 70° inclusive, and most preferably the included angle is 60°. The included angles may vary between the range of 10° and 50° inclusive for the infrared lamp nearest to the fingertip, and between 40° and 80° inclusive for the other infrared lamps. Typically, the included angle selected for the infrared lamp nearest to the fingertip is smaller than the included angle selected for the other infrared lamps.

In order to guide a user to place a finger on the acquisition instrument 10 correctly, the finger vein acquisition instrument further comprises at least two sensors 4 which may be pressure sensors which are provided at two ends of the optical filter 3 located below the bottom end of the groove 1 and each of the sensors is connected to and in communication with the main control panel. In the present embodiment of the invention, the acquisition instrument 10 begins operation when the user places his finger near or in contact with the at least two sensors, and this process is repeated once more resulting in two readings being taken improving the accuracy, thereby ensuring effective imaging. It is also possible to take only one reading instead of two readings. However, it is advantageous to take at least two readings so as to improve the accuracy and ensure effective imaging.

Apart from pressure sensors, other embodiments of the present invention can include the use of other types of sensors provided that the sensors are suitable for guiding a user to place a finger on the acquisition instrument 10. For example, electric current sensors, positional sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, thermal sensors, and the like, can be used as the sensors in the finger vein acquisition instrument 10 for guiding a user to place a finger on the instrument 10.

Further, in order to send operation tips to the user, the finger vein acquisition instrument 10 further comprises an indicator light 5 and a communications device 6 such as a speaker. There may be two communications devices 6, each located on a side wall of the finger vein acquisition instrument 10 and are electrically connected to the main control panel.

The acquisition instrument 10 is preferably connected to a computing device such as a personal computer via the connection means such as a USB interface, such connection means allowing data transfer to be effected, and after the acquisition instrument 10 is in communication connection with the computing device, the user places his finger on the groove 1 of the acquisition instrument 10 and near or in contact with the at least two pressure sensors 4, the infrared lamps 2 on both sides of the groove 1 commence irradiation of the blood vessel of the finger, wherein the finger vein image of the blood vessel in the finger is captured by the image capturing device and transmitted to the main control panel for transmission to the computing device. When the finger vein acquisition instrument 10 is in operation, the indicator light 5 lights up, and at the same time the at least one speaker 6 provides instructions or directions to the user to operate the present invention, and may further indicate whether the operation is successful or not. The technical effects of the present invention are that the imaging quality is greatly improved for accurate identification as compared with a conventional acquisition instrument by providing infrared lamps at two sides of a finger respectively and adjusting the irradiation angles of the infrared lamps 2; while the at least two sensors 4 guide a user to position a finger on the acquisition instrument 10 correctly, so that the user experience is effectively improved and to also prevent or minimise identification failure due to a finger not being placed correctly on the acquisition instrument 10.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, and that further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the present invention described herein. It is further to be understood that features from one or more of the described embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments.

Claims

1. A finger vein acquisition instrument comprising an acquisition instrument body, wherein a groove for receiving a finger is provided on the acquisition instrument body; infrared lamps for irradiating the finger provided on side walls of the groove; an image capturing device for acquiring a finger vein image provided below the bottom end of the groove, wherein the image capturing device is fixed on a main control panel within the base of the acquisition instrument body; and an optical filter positioned above the image capturing device.

2. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 1, wherein a set of infrared lamps for irradiating the finger is provided on each side wall of the groove.

3. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 2, wherein each set of infrared lamps comprises at least two infrared lamps.

4. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 2, wherein each set of infrared lamps on each side wall of the groove comprises six infrared lamps.

5. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the included angle between a first infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is between 10° and 50° inclusive and the included angle between the other infrared lamp(s) and the horizontal plane is between 40° and 80° inclusive.

6. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 5, wherein the included angle between the first infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is between 20° and 40° inclusive and the included angle between the other infrared lamp(s) and the horizontal plane is between 50° and 70° inclusive.

7. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 6, wherein the included angle between the first infrared lamp and the horizontal plane is 30° and the included angle between the other infrared lamp(s) and the horizontal plane is 60°.

8. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the first infrared lamp is the lamp nearest to the fingertip.

9. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least two sensors.

10. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 9, wherein the at least two sensors are provided at each end of the optical filter.

11. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 10, wherein the at least two sensors are connected to and in communication with the main control panel.

12. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claims 9, 10 or 11, wherein the sensors are pressure sensors.

13. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an indicator light.

14. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 13, wherein the indicator light is provided on a side wall of the finger vein acquisition instrument and is electrically connected to the main control panel.

15. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one communications device.

16. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 15, wherein the at least one communications device is a speaker provided on a side wall of the finger vein acquisition instrument.

17. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claims 15 or 16, wherein the at least one communications device is electrically connected to the main control panel.

18. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the main control panel is further provided with a connection means for communication and power supply, and a socket portion of the connection means is connected to an outer side wall of the acquisition instrument body.

19. The finger vein acquisition instrument according to claim 18, wherein the connection means comprises a USB interface.

0. The finger vein acquisition instrument substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings as appropriate.