Patent US 3,975,711

A fingerprint optical sensor terminal is provided for use in the real time recording of an impression of a fingerprint pattern, the human finger being placed for the purpose at an input window surface of the sensor terminal. The sensor terminal provides precise angular and positional alignment of the finger and affords the immediate recognition of the presence of a finger that would produce a poor impression, permitting prompt corrective action by the operator. The sensor terminal also permits the making of an impression of a wide area of the finger, thus providing increased discrimination and accuracy of print identification with increased economy.