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  Vinyl surfaces for biometric print tir prismsUSPTO Application #: 20080100935Title: Vinyl surfaces for biometric print tir prisms Abstract: Molded vinyl sheets with optical quality surfaces and methods for making the same. The vinyl sheets are made by molding liquid vinyl in a mold. In embodiments, the mold forms parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In one embodiment, a stiffening plastic is molded in the middle of the vinyl sheet between the parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In another embodiment, the mold forms one optical quality flat surface while the surface parallel to the optical quality flat surface is bonded to a prism. (end of abstract) Agent: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.l.l.c. - Washington, DC, US Inventors: Joe F. Arnold, Charles P. Bardons USPTO Applicaton #: 20080100935 - Class: 359833000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080100935. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11,356,036, filed Feb. 17, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/132,719, filed Apr. 26, 2002, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/286,373, filed Apr. 26, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/292,341, filed May 22, 2001, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of biometrics. [0004] 2. Background Art [0005] Biometrics is a science involving the analysis of biological characteristics. Biometric imaging captures a measurable characteristic of a human being for identity purposes. See, e.g., Gary Roethenbaugh, Biometrics Explained, International Computer Security Association, Inc. (1998), pp. 1-34, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0006] Fingerprint scanners and palm scanners are two types of biometric imaging systems for acquiring fingerprint images and palm print images, respectively. Many fingerprint and palm print scanners include glass platens that result in latent prints. Latent print images are images of prints that remain on the platen after a person's finger or palm have been removed and may show up on subsequent images of fingerprints or palm prints acquired thereafter. To eliminate latent print images, glass platens have been replaced by platens made of silicone rubber sheets. [0007] Commercially available silicone rubber sheets are often manufactured using a process known as calendaring. Calendaring is a rolling process in which a machine with rollers, known as a calendar, is used to form thin sheets from plastic, paper, or other materials. For silicone rubber sheets, liquid silicone is poured on rollers of the calendar with a catalyst and mixed. The rollers rotate several times. As the temperature is changed from cold to hot, the mixture begins to form a rubber sheet. The rubber sheet is then passed through another set of rollers that are very hot. The rubber sheet is then released and hardens almost instantly. [0008] Silicone rubber sheets manufactured using calendaring often have problems associated with them. For example, they may not be completely flat, and often have inclusions and striations that cannot be removed. The silicone rubber sheets may also be cloudy in color. For many applications these characteristics may not be a problem. But in applications where the silicone rubber sheets need to be of optical quality, such as biometric imaging, commercially available silicone rubber sheets produced from calendaring do not provide adequate surface quality or finish to optimize image enhancement. [0009] Silicone rubber molding is another process used to produce many products. However, conventional methods for molding silicone rubber also do not provide the optical quality needed for biometric imaging. [0010] What is needed is an optical quality silicone rubber sheet that provides adequate surface quality or finish to optimize image enhancement. What is further needed is a method for making the same. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention solves the above-mentioned needs by providing vinyl sheets with optical quality surfaces and methods for making the same. The vinyl sheets are made by molding liquid vinyl in a mold. In embodiments, the mold forms parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In one embodiment, a stiffening plastic is molded in the middle of the vinyl between the parallel optical quality flat surfaces. In another embodiment, the mold forms one optical quality flat surface while the surface parallel to the optical quality flat surface is bonded to a prism during the molding process. [0012] Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES [0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. [0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an optical quality silicone rubber sheet for a biometric TIR prism. [0015] FIG. 2 is a mold for making an optical quality silicone rubber sheet according to an embodiment of the invention. [0016] FIG. 3 is a method for making an optical quality silicone rubber sheet according to an embodiment of the invention. [0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an optical quality silicone rubber sheet that is bonded to a biometric TIR prism according to an embodiment of the invention. [0018] FIG. 5 is a mold for making an optical quality silicone rubber sheet that is bonded to a biometric TIR prism according to an embodiment of the invention. [0019] FIG. 6 is a method for making an optical quality silicone rubber sheet that is bonded to a biometric TIR prism according to an embodiment of the invention. [0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an optical quality reinforced silicone rubber sheet according to an embodiment of the invention. [0021] FIG. 8A is a side view of a mold for making an optical quality reinforced silicone rubber sheet according to an embodiment of the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Vinyl surfaces for biometric print tir prisms Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Vinyl surfaces for biometric print tir prisms patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Vinyl surfaces for biometric print tir prisms or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Lens module and digital camera module using same Next Patent Application: Optical illumination system and method Industry Class: Optical: systems and elements ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Vinyl surfaces for biometric print tir prisms patent info. 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