A real time fingerprint verification system includes a recording device and a verification device each having a fingerprint scanner for generating a flat, dimensionally undistorted, high contrast, fingerprint image, and an intensity sensitive, spatial light modulator (SLM) for receiving and transforming the flat fingerprint image into a planar, coherent light image. In the recording device, the planar coherent light image beam of the fingerprint from the SLM is Fourier transformed, and input into a microscope objective lens system which expands the Fourier transformed beam image sufficiently to allow mechanical blocking of its central portion or order, whereupon it is directed to interact as an object beam with a reference beam from the particular coherent light source to record a holographic matched filter. In the verification device, the planar coherent light image beam of the fingerprint is Fourier transformed and input into a microscope objective lens system to allow similar mechanical blocking of its central portion or order whereupon it is directed to interrogates a previously recorded holographic matched filter of a fingerprint image as an object beam for determining a match or not between the respective recorded and interrogating images. The spatial light modulator (SLM) in both the respective recording and verification devices enables phase correlation (optical path length determination) of one device to another device. X-Y alignment and rotational orinentation of the respective real time image and holographic matched filter image is accomplished by jittering (orbiting and angularly oscillating) either the interrogating object beam, real time, relative to the matched filter or visa versa.

Runout characterization is performed on a moving body by positioning a light source and optical sensor at a nominal distance from the moving body, with a beam directed from the light source against a surface of the moving body. The reflected light is detected at a sampling rate with the optical sensor as the moving body moves, and a data stream of the measurements over time is stored. In the case where an interferometer is used as the optical sensor, relative distance measurements are made. The data stream is analyzed to detect repeating signatures in the data stream, where the signatures represent features on the surface of the moving body. At least one of the features is selected as a reference, and the data stream is processed into segments based on the reference, where each segment represents one period of motion of the moving body. The data segments are overlaid on top of each other to produce ordered sets of data points within the segments. Each ordered set of data points is individually averaged and reported as repeatable runout. The average of each ordered set of data points is subtracted from the data points of each set to produce normalized ordered sets of data points. The variances within the normalized ordered sets of data points are reported as a measure of the non-repeatable runout of the moving body.

A device for recognizing latent information including an asymmetrical reading head in the form of a truncated cone which is inclined (oblique). The image of the latent information furnished by the reading head is deformed or "warped" with respect to the image which would be furnished by a perfectly symmetrical reading head (a right truncated cone). Hence, different categories of users of an installation can be provided with device having different reading heads furnishing each user with a proper image for the information he is permitted to access so as to prevent access to non-permitted information, each category of users having access to a part of the information corresponding to the specific image furnished by the proper reading head of his device.

An optical apparatus for a fingerprint identification system having a multi-LED for emitting a light, a prism having a slant surface to which a fingerprint being identified is contacted and in which the incident light is absorbed at each ridge but reflected at each valley of the fingerprint, a cover glass functioning as a partial reflecting glass adapted to partially relfect the beam representing a fingerprint image reflected from the prism, a target adapted for focusing a virtual image of the fingerprint thereon, a magnifying glass for magnifying the fingerprint image partially reflected by the cover glass, thereby allowing the user to easily see the fingerprint image, a producing lens for producing the fingerprint image transmitted through the cover glass, and a CCD camera module for converting the fingerprint image produced by the producing lens into an electric signal. The optical fingerprint identification system enables a user to easily adjust the identifying position of the fingerprint improving the accuracy of the fingerprint identification.

An apparatus is provided for determining the angular deviation of a randomly angular oriented article from a desired angular orientation in preparation for its engagement by a robotic part handling device. The apparatus projects a rotating image of the article onto a mask which is representative of the article in a desired orientation and provides an angular deviation signal indicative of the cummulative angular displacement of the image from an initial reference position at which the image matches the mask.